“Yes,” Rafe answered as he tightened his grip on Nikki.
She loved the fact he was claiming her for all to see without hesitation.
Melanie spoke up. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The sooner the better, because it’s not going to be an easy fix.” She readjusted Jack on her hip, who was leaning heavily to the side in an effort to get down. “But I’ll think on it. I’m sure there has to be a way to make it happen.”
Nikki nodded. “Thanks, Mel.”
Her beast spoke up. You should’ve asked for help now.
Things are new and I don’t want to jinx it.
Her dragon grunted. I doubt Rafe will see it that way.
Speaking of the devil, Rafe tensed at her side but waited until Melanie and Tristan made their excuses and left them alone. When it was just them and the two toddlers, Rafe whispered, “Are you having regrets? Because that didn’t sound very confident to me.”
“Don’t be growly with me. Everything is new and I don’t want to put everyone through the danger and tribulations of changing a human law if it all crumbles in a few weeks.”
Taking her chin between her fingers, Rafe leaned in close. “It will crumble if you think it’s doomed before we even start.”
As they stared into one another’s eyes, Nikki was torn between kneeing him in the groin and kissing him.
Rafe had a tendency to do that to her.
Before she could decide which option was more appealing, Rafe lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers. At the contact, electricity sizzled through her body. Damn the man and his effect on her.
Opening her mouth, she battled his tongue for control.
~~~
As Rafe licked and twirled Nikki’s tongue, he pulled her flush up against him. The bloody woman doubted them and he wasn’t having it. He just needed to remind her of why they belonged together.
The hard points of her nipples pressed against his chest through all the layers of fabric between them, and he groaned. Taking the kiss deeper, he devoured Nikki’s mouth.
Two days with Nikki after the frenzy, without duties or requirements, wasn’t nearly enough time. He wanted a few more days alone with her. Maybe then, she’d take his claiming to heart and start thinking of how to fight for them.
He’d figure out how to convince her later. For the moment, he deepened the kiss. He wasn’t ashamed to call Nikki his dragonwoman and he’d make sure the whole bloody room knew it, too.
Sliding his hand down her waist to her arse, he was about to lightly slap her when Bram’s voice cut in. “You’re aware Murray escaped the pen, right?”
Breaking the kiss, he looked to Bram, who was holding Murray in his arms. A glance behind, and sure enough, part of the pen was detached and lying on the floor. Releasing Nikki, Rafe scooped up the remaining child as Nikki spoke to Bram. “How do we know you didn’t do that yourself to make a point?”
The corner of Bram’s mouth ticked up. “If you know my son at all, then you know he strikes when no one is looking. His mother and I are convinced his good nature is hiding a devious mind.” He jos
tled Murray. “Isn’t it, lad?”
Murray pointed to the food table. “Cake.”
“Of course you’d want cake,” Bram muttered. “You have Evie’s sweet tooth.”
Even though Murray was adopted and shared no blood relation with Evie, Rafe couldn’t help but smile at Bram’s statement. “There’s lots of cake, Murray. And biscuits, too.”
“‘Scuit!” Murray shouted and wiggled in Bram’s arms.
Bram shot him a glare, but Rafe shrugged a shoulder. He wasn’t above using a child to get Bram off his back.
Just as Bram headed toward the table, Devon, the little boy in Rafe’s arms, shouted, “Kit.”
Rafe laughed as his plan backfired on him. “We’ll have to ask your mum about having biscuits, Dev. I think it’s time we find her.”