Surrendering to the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 5)

Nikki frowned. “But it’s a movie.”

“I know that. Yet ever since, if it’s dark or I have my eyes closed under water, I wonder if there’s any enemy lurking to pull me down. I learned during training as a teenager how to keep my fear to a minimum. But given the chance, I won’t go into the water unless I can see either because the water is clear or I have goggles.”

Squeezing her arm around his waist, she grinned. “Well, then we’ll just have to see how you do if I’m with you in the water and naked. You might not mind it so much then.”

“I’d very much like to try that.” He leaned down to kiss the grin off Nikki’s face when the voice of Aaron Caruso, Kai’s second-in-command, boomed out, “I always appreciate a free show. Just pretend I’m not here.”

With a growl, Rafe glared at the olive-skinned dragonman. “What do you want?”

Aaron approached them. “My, my, someone’s testy. It’s almost as if you have an inner dragon.” He lowered his voice. “Have you been keeping a secret from us, Hartley?”

Nikki spoke up before he could. “What do you want, Aaron?”

“You’re fairly early in the pregnancy to be getting snippy,” Aaron answered with a grin.

“Aaron Caruso, if you don’t get to the point, I’ll extend my talons and go after your bollocks,” Nikki spat out.

Aaron looked from Nikki to Rafe. “And how would your boyfriend react if you grabbed another male’s bollocks?”

Releasing his hold on Nikki, Rafe stepped in front of her and narrowed his eyes at the dragonman. “You might be Nikki’s superior, but not mine. If you don’t have clan business to share, then be on your way or I will challenge you myself.”

“My, my, someone has a temper,” Aaron answered as his face turned serious. “And you’re wrong, Hartley. I am your superior for the foreseeable future. So, get used to orders from me.”

“Pardon?”

The smile returned to Aaron’s face. “Not only are you working with me for the celebration tomorrow, but I'm also overseeing the mission and going with you to Ireland. I’m fairly sure Kai mentioned that to you already.”

Rafe’s irritation with the cocky bastard was replaced with curiosity. “Did Bram reach out to Killian O’Shea already?”

“Yes,” Aaron answered. “Killian hasn’t promised anything beyond a meeting and not killing us on sight. But it’s a good start.” He leaned forward. “So, get used to seeing me around, Hartley. Maybe with enough exposure, you can learn to lighten up a little.”

Nikki moved to Rafe’s side. “All that is well and good, but why are you here now? You could’ve told us this later.”

“Well, you two disappeared, and I’m impatient to go over the plans for tomorrow. Finn and Arabella arrived early, so we need to scramble to get security in place.”

Nikki looked down at herself. “Can I at least put some clothes on first? It’s bloody freezing.”

“I’ll allow it, but you only have fifteen minutes. If you dally, I know you’re shagging somewhere and I’ll come fetch you,” he said with amusement dancing in his eyes. He then rubbed his hands together. “That will be a real show.”

Clenching his fingers, Rafe jumped in. “I don’t care what rank you hold or who you are. If you take advantage of Nikki, I will break your arm before you can finish blinking.”

Aaron scrutinized him for a second before nodding. “You might just do, Hartley.” He raised a hand and flashed his fingers three times. “Fifteen minutes, starting now.”

Wrapping his arm around Nikki, Rafe guided her away from the Italian dragon bastard and toward their shared cottage. “Working with Caruso is going to try my patience. A few weeks with him, and I will most likely punch him in both eyes.”

“Rafe, stop it. Aaron does it on purpose, you know. It’s his way.”

He glanced over. “Why are you defending him? Did you ever fancy him?”

Nikki rolled her eyes. “No, and you need to learn to tame your jealousy, human. Unless you deliberately hurt me, I’m yours for the foreseeable future.”

His heart skipped a beat at Nikki’s words. “That’s the most promising thing you’ve said yet.”

“I would say I really like spending time with you, but I’m afraid you’ll lord it over me.”

Stopping them, he pulled Nikki’s body up against his. “If I promise not to use it too often, will you say it again?”

She tried to frown but ended up smiling. “You sound fairly eager.”