Claus (Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides #7)

Chapter 14

Deep satisfaction filled Claus as he gazed around the table. Although Aubrey hadn’t yet agreed to become his mate, he felt as though they were already becoming a family. He couldn’t fathom ever saying goodbye to the sweet human female or her three nephews. Somehow, they would find a way to make it work.

He watched as they sampled the Vaxxlian dishes he’d prepared using the food replicator. The boys seemed to like the rugolli , which was a steamed fish mixed with sautéed vegetables and spices that were once native to Vaxxlia. Aubrey appeared to prefer the zosstibul , which was a mix of highly nutritious deep-fried insects.

“Aunt Aubrey, I can’t believe you’re eating bugs!” Finn said.

“They’re delicious.” She took another bite. “I developed a taste for insects several years ago when I was working for a Yurrizan Empress. This tastes quite similar to a Yurrizan delicacy called shompfa-raz .” She grinned at Claus. “My compliments to the chef.”

“I am glad you’re all enjoying the meal,” Claus said. “My home on New Vaxx contains two food replicators. One on the first floor and another on the second.”

“Well, now you’re just bragging.” Aubrey gave him a playful smirk and finished off her portion of zosstibul .”

“Would you like more?” Claus asked. “It would only take a moment.”

“Thank you, but no. I’m getting full already. And I sort of have my eye on those desserts on the counter.”

“Vaxxlian food is my favorite!” Finn announced. He reached for another helping of the rugolli . “And I can’t believe we actually get to spend the night on a Vaxxlian cruiser!”

The children, thankfully, hadn’t been upset in the slightest when Aubrey had explained that tonight they would have a special sleepover on Claus’s ship.

Claus soon placed the various desserts on the table, and everyone took a small piece of each item he’d replicated. He’d selected his five most favorite Vaxxlian sweet treats, and he hoped his guests relished them as much as the meal. A sense of peace fell over him as he sat back and watched the boys devour their dessert while Aubrey ate hers much more slowly. Sometimes after she took a bite, she would close her eyes as a blissful look crossed her face.

Family. Please let them become my family.

Longing surged within him as he met Aubrey’s stare. Her dark brown eyes twinkled with contentment. She appeared to be enjoying her evening on his vessel, and knowing she was having a good time lifted his own spirits.

He reminded himself that she still hadn’t officially agreed to become his mate. He must continue wooing her. Perhaps later, after the boys went to bed, he could give her a foot massage. If he did a good job rubbing her feet, would she invite him to crawl on top of her and get naked with him?

After dinner, Aubrey and the boys offered to help him clean up. Believing he was doing the right thing, the human thing, he politely declined their help and insisted on cleaning up himself since they were his guests. Fortunately, he was able to quickly toss all the dishes and utensils into the sanitizer. Wiping down the table and counters didn’t take long either.

He soon ushered his guests to a large seating area he’d had installed just for his trip to Earth. Though the return to New Vaxx wouldn’t take more than a day, he’d wanted to make the vessel comfortable for a female with three children.

Once they were seated, he said, “I am sorry, but I do not have anything similar to a television. It is a type of entertainment that is new to my people. But I have cards and other table games we might enjoy playing together.” He withdrew a box from a cabinet and placed it on the small table that rested in the middle of the seating area.

“Cards and table games sound just fine,” Aubrey said. “But not too many games. It’s getting late and you boys need your rest. Tomorrow’s a homeschool day and we have some lessons to get through in the morning.”

The children groaned in unison, and Claus found himself biting back a smile. But after they finished their second card game of the night, all three boys were blinking heavily and drooping in their seats.

“I think you wore them out earlier playing baseball,” Aubrey whispered as she smoothed a hand through Finn’s hair. The small child curled up against her side and closed his eyes. “Come on, boys, it’s time for bed.”

“Are they asleep?” Claus asked as Aubrey returned to the seating area.

“Yes.” She smiled. “They were fast asleep before I finished tucking them in. Note to self: encourage them to play a long game of baseball every day.”

Claus chuckled. Then he rose to his feet and held out his hand. “Please join me, sweet human. We have a conversation to finish.”

A serious gleam entered her eyes, and she nodded. “Yes, I suppose we do.”

He clasped her hand and guided her to sit next to him on the largest couch. He immediately put his arm around her, drawing her closer, and he took a moment to press his nose in her hair and take a deep inhale. Beneath her floral scent, he detected the beginnings of her excitement, the sweet pungency that spoke of her desire to be mated by him. His cock hardened to the point of painfulness.

What he wouldn’t give to hold her on his lap and feel her bottom pressing on his manhood. What he wouldn’t give to strip her clothes off, situate himself between her thighs, and pound her to completion.

“Above all, sweet human, I want to make sure you and the children are safe and provided for. If you do not agree to become my mate, I will still help you leave Earth and relocate to the planet or outpost of your choice.” His voice sounded distant to his own ears, but he meant every word. He would help her. Even if she didn’t want him, he would help her. He couldn’t imagine just walking away and leaving her and the boys to fend for themselves. However, if she continued to decline his offer of marriage, he also couldn’t imagine taking another human female as his mate. No one could compare to Aubrey.

“Wow, Claus. That is quite the offer. I’m… stunned.” She fell silent and placed a hand on his chest. Her expression remained conflicted, but her eyes also pooled with longing and heat. She was hesitating to accept him as her mate, and yet she appeared more tempted than ever.

He held his breath as he waited for her to continue. But before she could resume speaking, an idea struck him, one that could possibly give them both what they wanted, and he felt like a fool for not having already suggested it.

He’d been clinging so hard to the idea of a traditional Vaxxlian mating union that he hadn’t allowed himself to see other possibilities. Until now.

“Wait, before you answer, I have another idea.” Hope swelled like a rising tide as he rapidly worked out the details in his mind. “Please agree to hear me out.”

“I’m listening.”