The woman turned her gaze back to her, and Aspen could see that she seemed uncertain, maybe a bit scared. But then she plastered a smile on her face. “Oh, sorry, how rude of me. I’m Keira. This is my husband, Julian.”
Husband? Good. So then she wasn’t some ex-girlfriend of Saxon’s. Relief filled her. She knew it was silly. He wouldn’t bring an ex back here, but she also knew he had a past that didn’t include her.
The future is what matters, Aspen.
“Please, why don’t you have a seat?” She’d been caught by surprise but she could see she wasn’t the only one feeling ill at ease. Julian hadn’t let his gaze rest since they’d entered the room. His eyes darted around, as though he was waiting for someone to attack. He was tense. Unsure. And while Keira attempted to appear more at ease, she could see the way she gripped the crutches, her knuckles white with tension.
The poor things looked like they could use some care. And several good meals.
“Would you like some breakfast? I can whip you up some bacon and scrambled eggs,” she asked as she wiped the boys faces and hands.
“Oh, we don’t want to put you to any bother,” Keira said, looking over at Julian as thought waiting for him to say something. But Julian remained silent, watching them all carefully as he hovered near Keira. Protecting her.
Aspen knew she needed a way to put them more at ease. She wished Joel were here. Where had he gone? Why had left as soon as he’d gotten home?
“It’s no bother,” Aspen said cheerfully. “In fact, it would do me a huge favor if you would sit with the boys and keep them entertained.”
“Oh, then, of course.” Keira smiled at Jamie and Caleb. “Three gorgeous men as my breakfast companions? I’m a lucky woman.”
“Could you make that four?” Saxon stepped out of the doorway and immediately regretted not making more noise when he entered the house as Keira gasped and went pale, while Julian stepped in front of her, his fists clenched, his eyes filled with dark shadows.
Fuck. He was an idiot. He’d been standing in the shadows, listening to Aspen coaxing Keira and Julian to sit so she could care for them. She was so giving, so loving. Even though they were strangers she’d seen they were suffering and had tried to coax them with the one thing Keira adored.
Children.
And he’d ruined that.
“Sorry for scaring you,” Saxon told them in a low, calm voice. “I shouldn’t have snuck up on you like that.”
“It’s okay. You just surprised us, right Julian?” Keira leaned forward to place her hand on Julian’s arm and nearly toppled over.
Julian turned, catching her in his arms. “Damn it, Keira, be more careful.”
“Sorry,” she said, her voice filled with hurt.
“Here, set her down,” Aspen said, moving to the table and pulling out a chair.
Julian just stood there, staring at her as though not seeing her.
“Please, sit. Let me help you take care of her.”
Saxon bit back the need to order Julian to place Keira down. Julian was a switch and right now he was deep into Dom mode. Neither of them were Saxon’s subs to demand anything of.
“Julian, Keira will be more comfortable sitting. She’s safe here. So are you. Saxon won’t let anything happen to either of you.”
Aspen stared up at him. Her eyes filled with trust and worry. He gave her a warm smile, filled with approval and love. She seemed to glow. Jamie thumped his fists down on the table.
“There, Jamie agrees with me,” Aspen said, leaning over to ruffle the boy’s dark hair. “Don’t you, gorgeous boy?”
Julien moved slowly, but he set Keira down. Saxon let out his breath he’d been holding. Then he moved over to Aspen and pulled her into his arms, kissing her hard. She swayed as he let her go, her eyes were dazed as she looked up at him.
“Good morning, sprite,” he told her. “Is there room for one more for breakfast?”
“Always, Sir.”
Happiness filled him before he let her go, turning her to the kitchen with a smack on her ass. “Then get to it. I have to check in with my boys. Make sure their mother has been behaving herself.”
She turned back, hand on her hip, her finger pointing at him. “You won’t be using my sons as spies.” Her eyes danced with laughter.