Before she could say another word, Rafe kissed her. As his tongue slid between her lips, Nikki dug her nails into his back and scalp to bring him closer. She needed to remind him of what would be waiting for him when h

e came back. Because, damn it, Rafe was going to come back and be her mate. She refused to accept any alternative.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Nikki loved him.

As Rafe kissed her and claimed her with his tongue, he couldn’t get her words out of his head: I love you, Rafe Hartley.

He’d answered with something more romantic than he’d intended, but he’d finally gotten through Nikki’s barriers. Hell, the realization that he loved the woman in his arms had come on rather suddenly.

But it was the truth. The dragonwoman had wormed her way into his heart in a very short time. Not only that, she brought out the best in him. Nikki made him a better man. He couldn’t imagine life without her smile, her teasing, or even her frown.

Kissing her wasn’t nearly enough, but since they were in the middle of a group of cottages, he broke the kiss. Nikki’s flashing pupils told him her dragon was a part of their moment. And he didn’t mind at all. “We have fifty minutes. I want to be inside you and hear that you love me again. Are you well enough?”

She frowned, and he wanted to kiss between her brows. “Stop worrying about me. You’re wasting time.”

He grinned. “Then I’m going to accept that as permission to do this.”

Swooping behind her knees, he lifted Nikki against his chest and ran. Rather than complain, she nibbled his neck and licked the sting with her tongue. Her breath was hot against his skin as she said, “I can’t wait to see you try this in about eight and a half months time when I’m in labor, and you’re too impatient to wait for Dr. Sid to come.”

He didn’t miss the importance of Nikki joking about the baby and their future. Tightening his grip, he answered, “Don’t worry, I’ll have a wheelbarrow parked just outside the door. That way I won’t break my back.”

“Rafe Daniel Hartley, I’m seriously reconsidering getting naked with you.”

Chuckling, he kissed her cheek. “Hartley babies are big babies. I was just under ten pounds myself. We can blame the weight on my genes. Fair?”

She snorted. “How about we blame all the inconveniences on your Hartley genes. If you try to make up for the inconveniences, then that’s closer to fair.”

“I thought you didn’t want any special treatment during your pregnancy? I’m just trying to please my lady.”

Nikki shook her head. “Charm is definitely not one of your strengths.”

Their cottage came into view and Rafe picked up his pace, careful to keep Nikki as steady as possible. “I prefer to settle things physically. I look forward to sparring again.”

“I’m only two weeks pregnant. I can spar for the next few months without a problem.”

“Right, then that’s the first thing we’ll do after I get back from London.”

“Wow, I didn’t think that’d be the first thing.”

His voice was husky as he answered, “The sparring will warm you up. I have many, many things I plan to do to you after London. In fact, I think we should take three days off just to have enough time.”

“As much as I’d like to cocoon myself with you for three days, away from the world, what about the army? They might kick you out if you don’t show progress on the Bourne case.”

Not wanting to spend his precious time with Nikki on uncertainties, he merely answered, “Everything will work out eventually.”

Nikki opened her mouth to reply, but he reached their cottage door. Setting her down, he opened it and tugged her inside. Closing the door, he pinned Nikki against it. Taking her hands, he moved them to above her head. “We can talk more later.” He kissed her gently. “I want to spend the next forty-two minutes showing you just how much I love you with actions.” He leaned against Nikki’s body and rubbed his hard cock against her stomach. “Because I love you, Nikola Gray, and I want to erase any doubts you might have before I leave.”

She tilted her head up. “Then get to it, already.”

With a smile, he pressed his lips against hers. Taking her bottom lip with his teeth, he worried the soft flesh before focusing on the top one. Each moan sent a rush through his body and made his cock even harder.

But he wanted to feel her skin. Stepping back, he tugged off his shirt and ordered, “Get undressed.” Nikki raised an eyebrow. And he added, “Please.”

As she stepped out of her shoes and pulled down her leggings, she smiled. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

Rafe took off his boots and socks. “Lord it over me now, because once you’re naked, you’re the one who’s going to be saying please.”

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