Page 16 of Braax's Bride

This one was an abstract piece with swirling pinks and lavenders whichperhapscould appear to represent her and her husband in some sort of way. She had let it come to her, as she always did with her personal art, and was pleasantly surprised at the result.

Now she trembled slightly, her nerves tingling as she held the canvas out to him. Why was she so embarrassed? It was just a painting, something she did to pass the time while he was away. If he interpreted the gift—the eddies of colors whirling to become one—as more than just kindness, that was on him.

“Sofia,” he murmured, glowing eyes scanning the curves and undulations of her brushstrokes. “It’s beautiful.”

Braax took it out of her hands, continuing to observe the painting as a smile curled his lips. “I love it.”

Her face burned, pink flushing her cheeks at the compliment. And why did her heart flutter ever so slightly at the wordlove?

He held the painting against a wall, the smile not leaving his draconic face.

“What about putting it here?”

“Oh, you don’t have to put it up. I know it doesn’t really go with the style of your home,” Sofia replied shyly.

“Nonsense! It’s perfect. We’ll put it here.”

Braax was adamant, giving her a wink.

A few minutes later, the painting hung from the wall, actually looking quite nice against the light gray. As if it truly belonged in the home.

He had his arms wrapped around her, embracing her from behind as they both observed the painting.

A whisper in her ear prickled the sensitive skin of her neck.

“Will you make me more, my beautiful wife? I would love to fill this wall with your art.”

A knot caught in her throat, and she coughed to clear it.

“Oh, sure, yes, I can make more. I’m glad you like it.”

“Your paintings must have made many people happy on Earth.”

Sofia snorted a laugh.

“Everyone except my ex-husband. He hated my art.”

Shit. The words had slipped out so easily, and she felt an almost imperceptible tightening of Braax’s embrace. She had never mentioned Greyson before, had only talked about her life on Earth where it didn’t pertain to her ex.

She squirmed around to face him, needing to see his expression. He still gripped her waist, her palms pressing against his warm chest.

“Your ex-husband?”

His brows furrowed, eyes narrowing to slits as he gazed down at her.

She laughed nervously.

“Uh, yeah. Greyson. He was a real dick. Said I should focus on realism, something that requiredreal talent.”

The words still caused a welling of emotion in her chest, and yes, this time she definitely felt him squeeze her tighter. A low growl rumbled through his body, vibrating Sofia as he held her.

“So, that is why you signed up for the agency,” he mused.

“I guess so…” she started, the words tumbling out easier than they should have. “He cheated on me. Claimed it was because I couldn’t give him a baby like he wanted, that it wasmyfault.”

Why the hell was she telling him all this? Things she’d told no one, not even the divorce lawyer. It had been too embarrassing, too raw, and now here she was spilling all to Braax.

A fanged scowl marred his face as another grumble in his chest made her body quiver.