Claus (Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides #7)

Chapter 10

Claus carried Aubrey inside, nudged the door shut with his foot, and used an elbow to fix the lock in place. She stirred in his arms, attempting escape.

“Claus, I appreciate your help, but you can put me down. I can walk. I’m not injured.” She peered up at him a bit breathlessly, and he reveled in the feel of her hands on his bare chest. Then she gasped, retracted her hands, and looked at his scars. “Sorry, I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

He walked into the living room, set her on the couch, and took a seat beside her, so close that their thighs touched. He placed an arm around her, needing to keep her close. “You didn’t hurt me,” he finally said. “The wounds are long healed.”

Her eyes fell to his chest again. “The war?”

“Yes.”

“Are you cold?” Aubrey reached for a blanket that was draped over the couch, and she placed it around his shoulders. In response, he drew up one side of the blanket and placed it over her shoulders, allowing them to share it and forcing them to snuggle closer.

“I was a tad cold as I ran around outside in my sleeping shorts,” he said with a brief smile. “Thank you, sweet female.” He reached for an errant strand of her hair and tucked it behind her ear, then allowed his fingers to trail ever so slowly down her neck. She inhaled a shaky breath, and her eyes dilated.

“That was Pete, in case you didn’t catch his name.” She sighed. “He’s my ex-fiancé. We broke up years ago, but now that I’m back in town he keeps coming around and trying to convince me to give him another chance.”

Jealousy seared Claus’s insides, a strange feeling he’d never experienced before. He tensed and held Aubrey’s gaze, bracing himself to ask the question he must. “Do you wish to marry the human male called Pete?” He certainly hoped she didn’t. The man had grabbed her roughly, and Claus hated to think what might’ve happened if he hadn’t intervened. Thank the Star God the surveillance system he’d set up on the bridge of his cruiser had alerted him to the danger.

When Aubrey shook her head and made a disgusted face, Claus released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. Boundless relief filled him. The prospect of Aubrey harboring feelings for another male made him want to roar his despair to the skies. And maybe commit a murder or two.

“I want nothing to do with Pete,” she finally said. “He’s an asshole.” She went on to explain how the vile human male had attempted to sabotage her career by planting false information in a job application Aubrey was getting ready to submit. Claus was taken aback by the human man’s actions. He could scarcely comprehend how a male could attempt to ruin his promised mate’s chances at following her dream. How shocking.

But was Claus just as bad as Pete? He was trying to convince Aubrey to leave Earth even though she kept insisting she wanted to stay. He turned to face her more fully and waited until she met his eyes.

“Do you truly wish to remain on Earth, sweet human?”

She blinked. “I… it’s my home now. It’s the boy’s home.”

“That’s not an answer.” Again, he brushed her hair behind her ear, unable to stop himself from touching her. She was so soft, and she smelled like a sundrenched mountain meadow. He wanted to lose himself in her, to touch and kiss her all over. To break down her barriers and learn all her secrets. She was hiding something. He could sense it. But he feared if he pushed her too hard, she might retreat further into herself.

“Well, I don’t want to live on New Vaxx. The idea of a lifetime mating union scares me. I can’t become your mate, Claus.” She gave him a sad look.

“Are you afraid I will mistreat you?”

She shrugged one shoulder. “It’s a risk I cannot take. If I married someone on Earth who turned out to be a jerk, at least I would be able to leave the man. I wouldn’t be forced to stay.” She glanced at a framed photo of the boys that hung on the wall. “I must also think about my nephews. Their happiness is more important than mine. I never imagined becoming a mother or anyone’s guardian, but I want to do right by them. I want to make Emily proud. I want to make my parents proud. I know that might sound silly considering they’re all dead, but…” Her voice trailed off.

“I would never hurt you, Aubrey. May the Star God strike me down first if ever the thought entered my mind. When I saw that male grabbing you, I wanted to kill him. No male should hurt or frighten a female ever. Females are meant to be honored and cherished.” He reached under the blanket and traced the area of her arm that Pete had grabbed. He tensed when he noticed a faint pink mark. “As for making Emily and your parents proud, I am certain you have already succeeded. I see the way the boys look at you. They love you and they feel safe with you.”

Her bottom lip quivered and she covered her face. A sob drifted from her throat. “Ugh. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cry. You should go. This is so embarrassing.”

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, allowing her to cry against his chest. She kept her hands over her face but leaned into him, her petite body trembling as she released the emotion. He wasn’t entirely certain why she was crying, but he would not leave her alone in such a vulnerable state. No matter how long she cried, he would stay and comfort her as best he could. He hugged her tighter and stroked a hand through her hair, hoping to calm her with soothing caresses.

“I am here with you, Aubrey. I am here.”