Surrendering to the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 5)

Rafe harrumphed. “She’s a grown dragonwoman. And given the lengths she went to protect her human compatriots during our time in Afghanistan, she’s more than earned the respect due to her.”

At Rafe’s words, Nikki tried not to blush. Rafe didn’t compliment unless he meant it.

Not that his compliment was the most important issue. As her father took a step toward them, Nikki clutched the sheet to her front and sat up. She interjected, “Dad, this is very much crossing that line we talked about. How about you wait downstairs and we’ll be there shortly?” She paused and then decided what the hell; she’d use a little guilt. “Yelling can’t be good for the baby.”

At the mention of the child, Hector’s eyes softened. “Are you all right, love? Do I need to fetch the doctor?”

Nikki resisted a sigh. “No, I don’t need a doctor. What I need is a shower. I’ll be downstairs in ten minutes, okay?”

Rafe spoke up. “As will I.”

Not if Nikki had any say in the matter.

Looking at them, her father finally nodded. “You have ten minutes. Delphine is already downstairs cooking up a storm.” Hector pierced Rafe with a glare. “And there are several guards around the house. So don’t even think of trying to escape.”

Rafe gripped the back of her neck possessively. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

She rolled her eyes. “Can I take a shower now? Or do you two need to glare, grunt, and try to intimidate each other a little more?”

Grabbing the doorknob of the slightly broken door, Hector answered, “Ten minutes. After that, I’m coming back up here and will carry you downstairs if I have to, Nikki.”

The door screeched against the floor due to its busted hinge. When it finally clicked shut, Nikki punched Rafe in the kidney. “What are you doing giving my father false hope? Do you know nothing of his history? My mother left him the day after I was born; having the almost same thing happen to me would kill him.”

The punch didn’t so much as elicit a grunt from Rafe. “Who’s Delphine?”

She answered quickly, “My stepmother. But that’s not important. What’s important is you tell me what the hell is going on in that head of yours. If you’re trying to change my mind about giving up the child for adoption, don’t bother. It’s my decision.”

“What are you talking about?” Rafe demanded.

“Don’t pretend you didn’t know. I told Dr. Sid. If not her, then someone must’ve told you.”

His tone was even as he answered, “No one mentioned it.”

Nikki’s heart skipped a beat. “So when you agreed to the frenzy...”

“I agreed to be a father,” he finished.

“But why? All you’ve ever done is scold me or irritate me. It makes no sense.”

Rafe leaned close until his face was a few inches from hers. “Because sometimes there is a fine line between liking and hating.”

With his lips a hair away from hers, Nikki was oh-so tempted to kiss him.

No. “I can’t handle this right now.” Nikki scrambled off the bed. After faltering a second, she regained her balance. “I’m going to shower. Alone. You can use the other one down the hall. Once you’re finished, I’ll try kicking your arse out again then.”

“You can try,” Rafe murmured as Nikki raced into the attached bathroom and locked the door. As she leaned against it, she closed her eyes and wondered what the hell she should do. Her initial instinct was to push Rafe away.

But her heart and her past feelings for him wanted to try for something more.

Her dragon’s sleepy voice filled her mind. Just accept he is ours. It will make life easier.

Right, because Rafe is just going to let me charge into battle with an infant at home. He’s as bad as a dragon-shifter; he’ll keep me contained at home and expect me to clean house and change nappies.

Her beast yawned. Maybe, maybe not. You won’t know until you give him a try.

Nikki’s heart thumped inside her chest. Her and Rafe. Could it ever work? Nikki wasn’t about to let a male try to dominate her life. She was a Protector and would always be a Protector. It was the only way she could help the clan.

More than that, there was the issue of her past with Rafe. He apparently didn’t remember what had happened between them four years ago. Nikki wasn’t sure she could just brush that under the rug and try to start over. And if she did mention it and brought back the memory, Rafe might leave anyway.