Hidden Rage: Kindred Tales

“Really? Well color me impressed!” Bobbi smiled at him. “That’s nice to know—it’s good to be self-sufficient in the kitchen.”

“I agree.” Dragon nodded. “Just so you know, Bobbi, I didn’t fall in love with you because I was looking for someone to cook and clean for me and bear my children. I fell in love with you because you’re you.”

He stroked her cheek and watched as it went pink with her blush. Gods, she was beautiful! He wanted to taste her and bond her to him so badly he could hardly stand it, but he knew he had to be patient and take things slowly.

“Oh, Dragon,” she murmured, looking up at him. “I fell in love with you for the same reason.” She sighed. “Really, I guess I fell in love with you despite the circumstances we were in.”

“I know,” he said softly. “You told me that you loved me but that it was a reluctant love. Bobbi…” He leaned down to look more deeply into her eyes. “I don’t want any reluctance between us. I want you to keep your career. In fact, I chose piloting out of the jobs that Baird offered me because I wanted a career that would compliment yours.”

“You did?” Her eyebrows shot up in apparent surprise and her eyes widened. “Really?”

“Really,” Dragon said, smiling. “Think of it—whichever planet you want to visit, I can fly you there. And once we get there, my Drake and I can protect you. And then, when you’re done, I can fly you back home again—to the Mother Ship.”

Bobbi looked at him in surprise.

“You’d really be all right with that? Just flying me all over the galaxy and waiting around while I collect data?”

“If it means we get to be together, I’d be more than happy,” Dragon told her and he really meant it. “To be honest, I’m glad to have something different to do,” he admitted. “Life on Saurous was hard and violent most of the time. There was a lot of killing involved.” He shook his head, trying not to remember all the bloody fights he’d gotten into, defending the Crimson Blades’ territory. “I’ll be glad not to be an enforcer for the Clan anymore.”

“I’m glad you’re not either,” Bobbi told him. “It seemed like a terrible way to live, but I guess it was the only life you’d ever known.”

“I was raised and trained to be a killing machine for the Crimson Blades,” Dragon admitted in a low voice. “I don’t want to kill anymore—unless it’s to defend you.”

“I don’t think you’ll have to,” Bobbi told him. “I mostly specialize in studying peaceful societies. In fact, Commander Sylvan initially warned me to stay away from Saurous at all costs because it’s so violent there.”

Dragon nodded grimly.

“He was right to warn you. And then I came along and stole you away and forced you to go there anyway.” He shook his head. “I never should have kidnapped you, Bobbi. I told myself it was to protect you—and at first, it really was. But you were right—I could have just hidden you in my rooms and taken you back to Avria Pentaura at the right time. Instead, I decided to make you my bride without even asking you first.” He bowed his head and looked down at his hands. “Can…can you ever forgive me for that?”

“Oh, Dragon…” She lifted his chin with her soft little fingers to look into his eyes. “Just the fact that you’re asking my forgiveness for taking me makes me so happy,” she told him. “Of course I’ll forgive you.”

“I didn’t understand the way things ought to be,” Dragon told her gravely. “I know now that a male can’t own a female the way I tried to own you—I was wrong.”

“Oh, Dragon…” she murmured again. There were tears in her eyes, but this time he thought they were tears of happiness, not sorrow.

“Which is why I swear I won’t try to own you anymore, little one. In fact…” He took her hands in his and looked at her earnestly. “Bobbi, I’m hoping that you’ll choose to own me.”

67

“Own you?” Bobbi wasn’t sure she was hearing him right. “You want me to own you?”

“Yes.” Dragon nodded. “You already own my heart and my Drake’s heart, but I want you to own all of me. I want to be yours and belong to you in the way that wives belong to their husbands on Saurous.”

He looked so sincere that Bobbi was certain he meant every word. But she couldn’t help smiling a little at the idea of the big, tough Mob enforcer offering himself to her this way.

“I’ll tell you what, Dragon,” she said. “I think it would be better if we owned each other. How would that be?”

“It would be wonderful,” he rumbled. “If we own each other, does that mean I can pick you up and put you on my lap again? I’ve missed touching you, feela.”