Page 13 of Braax's Bride
Sofia let out a breath as he pushed away, giving her one last smile before leaving the bedroom. Even after a week, she couldn’t figure out what exactly this man was doing to her.
Had her relationship with Greyson really beenthatbad? Before the cheating came out, of course. Now, some kind words and a good fuck were enough to make her heart flutter? She supposed that Braax had more than just kind words. He’d made a whole art studio for her just because of what she’d written in her agency profile.
Still, she needed to remember why she was here. Most aliens who used the mating agency had some sort of perversion. It was why human females were so sought after. Clearly, he enjoyed sex with her. The kind words and gestures? Probably just to keep her happy, keep her in his bed.
That was why she had signed up in the first place. This was the kind of relationship she wanted. No expectations beyond physical pleasure.
No chance of heartbreak.
“You are certain you do not wish to return to Earth someday? Just for a visit. I have always been interested in seeing the planet.”
Braax eyed her over dinner one night; a roasted fowl of some sort and a bright purple, leafy vegetable slathered in butter. He was an excellent chef when it came to Hileth cuisine, and even his pancakes were improving now that she’d explained what syrup was.
Sofia looked up, eyes narrowed. Their time together had been pleasant enough, at least so far. He didn’t seem one to pry, but this was the third time he’d mentioned Earth.
“Not really, no. But if you want to go, I guess we could.”
An idea she wasn’t particularly excited about, but it would be easy enough to avoid her ex-husband on a planet with sixteen billion inhabitants. Honestly, she felt no desire to return to Earth, no nostalgia for the planet she’d called home for thirty-five years, which surprised her.
“I just thought it might be nice to see where my sweet human wife hails from.”
Well, that brought a reluctant grin to her face, though she counteracted it with a roll of her eyes.
“If you want to go, we can go. But don’t get mad at me when you end up disappointed.”
He chuckled, taking another bite of meat.
Sofia contemplated telling him about Greyson, about her actual life on Earth—not just the essentials of her former job and the intricacies of the high-speed rail system—but pushed that thought away. It wasn’t the first time she’d considered it, but she needed to remember why she was here.
They could be friendly, they could enjoy each other’s company, but this was not a normal marriage, one bonded by love.
This was a contract that they’d both entered into willingly.
Braax cleared his throat, his eyes glued to his plate.
“My family would like to meet you, if that is something you are comfortable with.”
In an instant, her heart dropped into her stomach, dread wriggling its icy fingers into her as she took a deep breath. She focused on the cloud that protected her, the one in her chest that blocked her fear and anxiety.
“Your family?”
He met her gaze, mouth curled into a frown.
“Yes. My mother and father. Three siblings. They have mates and… offspring.”
Of course they did, that all too familiar sinking sensation causing her body to slump in her chair. Meeting a partner’s family was bad enough, but it was worse when she knew she’d face the inevitable prying questions about children.
As if it were anyone’s business whether her husband was filling her up with his cum or not. As if she neededanotherreminder that she was barren.
“Sure. That… would be fine.”
Sofia’s eyes dropped to her plate, pushing bits of food around with her fork as her appetite disappeared.
“There is no hurry, of course,” he said quickly. “Whenever you feel ready.”
Could he sense her discomfort? Did she make it that obvious? Most people were completely oblivious to her disquiet, especially when it came to children.
They loved to blather on and on about their kids and how easy it was for them to get pregnant. Even the ones who knew about her struggles with infertility.