Surrendering to the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 5)

He closed the distance between their lips and kissed her.

Chapter Five

The instant Rafe’s lips touched hers, Nikki opened her mouth on instinct. She might be furious at him for refusing to leave, but she couldn’t resist one last kiss good-bye with the most attractive male she’d ever met. Then she could kick him out for good.

Turning them around, Rafe backed her against the wall. His lips were slow and gentle. Gone was the need from the frenzy and in its place was tenderness. Maybe Rafe truly meant what he’d said about staying and taking care of their child.

Nikki’s resolve to kick him out lessened a fraction.

When he finally broke the kiss, he cupped her face. His hot breath tickled her lips as he whispered, “That didn’t seem like a kiss from a woman who never wants to see me again.”

The satisfaction in Rafe’s gaze broke the happy moment. “Is everything a competition for you? That’s yet another reason you should go, or we may end up killing each other in the process. I don’t like to lose, but neither do you.”

He stroked her cheek and Nikki restrained herself from leaning into his touch. “Life will be interesting, especially if we keep score.”

Her beast chimed in. Interesting is good. Very good. Especially if it involves lots of competitions. I wonder what he’ll do if we challenge him to be the best sex we’ve ever had.

Shut it, dragon. There’s more to life than sex.

Maybe. But it’s a good start. It’ll keep me happy, for one.

Rafe’s voice interrupted her inner conversation with her beast. “So, is your dragon cheering for me or siding with you?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

He grinned and Nikki drew in a breath. Damn, he was beautiful when he smiled.

“Then she’s cheering for me, isn’t she?” he asked.

Tell him yes I am.

No.

You will regret it later if you push him away.

As Nikki tried to think of how to answer that, her father’s voice echoed through the house. “Nikola Helen Gray, you have sixty seconds before I come up and carry out my threat.”

Rafe whispered, “I’m tempted to keep you up here so that I can see him toss you over his shoulder.”

Sticking out her tongue, she ducked down and away from Rafe. “I'm more worried about what he’d do to you. Believe me, if Delphine’s cooking goes cold before we eat it, he’ll roar for hours. My stepmother was his second chance and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her happy. Punching a human or two is nothing if it keeps Delphine content.”

Rafe closed the distance between them and placed a hand on Nikki’s lower back. She really should step away, but the heat of his palm felt wonderful.

His expression turned serious. “Don’t worry, the food wouldn’t go cold. You need to eat and if I have to force feed you, I will.”

Looking at him askance, she asked, “Are you sure you’re not part dragon-shifter? Because you’re acting like one.”

“I’m sure. I’m as human as they come.” He pressed gently against her back. “Come. Let’s get this over with. Unless you want to piss your father off more than he already is.”

“Oh, he won’t stay mad at me. You, on the other hand, had better watch your balls.”

Nikki had never felt the urge to wink at a male before, but before she could stop herself, she did and walked away.

“Little minx,” he muttered.

Racing down the stairs, she waited for Rafe at the bottom. Watching him descend with a frown, a playfulness Nikki hadn’t experienced since she’d been a teenager bloomed inside her. Maybe not all competitions were bad.

Freezing at the thought, she banished it. There was no way she and Rafe would ever work, for more reasons than she could count.