Free Surrendering to the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 7) by Jessie Donovan

not talk about matings? Or any other celebrations just now? We’re both exhausted and Nikki should eat something.”
    As if on cue, Nikki’s stomach rumbled. So much for denying Rafe’s assumption. “What do you have for us, Mum?”
    Delphine motioned toward the kitchen. “Come, come. I have several of your favorite meals. Curry, fish and chips, and shepherd’s pie, to name a few.” Her mother scrutinized Nikki from head to toe. “And you could do with some cushioning. Being all muscles surely can’t be good for the child.”
    Rafe stood up and offered his hand. Too hungry to challenge him, Nikki took it and soon stood at his side. “How about we just start with some dinner, first?”
    “Fine, fine. Come on. You know how your father doesn’t like to wait.”
    As Delphine disappeared into the kitchen, Nikki looked up to Rafe’s face. “We need to decide what to tell them.”
    “How about we find out if Bram has permission for me to stay, first. And then we can go from there.”
    Silence fell and Nikki shuffled her feet. There was so much she wanted to ask Rafe, but they only had a few seconds alone. And she didn’t want to ask him anything in front of her family.
    Rafe placed a hand on her lower back and gently pushed. “Come on. If we don’t get a move on soon, your dad is sure to come out and yell at me. Besides, the sooner we eat, the sooner we can sneak out and talk.”
    “Am I going to regret saying I like the way you think?” she asked with a smile.
    “Probably.”
    Nikki laughed and allowed Rafe to guide her back into the kitchen. Maybe they wouldn’t kill each other, after all.
    However, as soon as they went through the door, Nikki’s laughter died. In addition to her father and stepmother, Bram, Kai, and Jane stood in the kitchen. All of the males in the room had assessing stares.
    She only hoped all hell wasn’t about to break loose.

Chapter Seven

    Rafe instinctively pulled Nikki close to his side at the sight of so many male dragon-shifters in the kitchen. Every set of eyes darted to his hand on Nikki’s waist before looking at his face.
    Rafe stood tall. “Whatever you have to say can wait until Nikki has something to eat.”
    “I bet,” Jane said with laughter dancing in her eyes.
    Nikki pushed him away and sat down in the closest chair. As she nabbed a chip, she pointed it at him. “I have food and am not putting anyone’s life in danger. You can stop being protective now.”
    Rafe opened his mouth, but Jane beat him to it. “You two can save your arguing for later. Bram has something important to share.”
    Shaking his head, Bram murmured, “I swear all the strong females in this clan are going to usurp my place before long.”
    “Just wait until we tell Evie what you just said,” Nikki said with her mouth half-full.
    Rafe remained behind Nikki’s chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “Right, then, what’s so important?”
    “Watch yourself, Hartley,” Bram barked. “If you’re going to be living on my land for any period of time, you’re going to have to accept I’m the leader here. Step out of line, and father of Nikki’s child or not, I will punish you accordingly.”
    Hope rushed through his body, but Rafe was careful to keep his face expressionless. “So I’m to stay?”
    “Yes,” Bram answered. “But you may change your mind when you hear the rest.”
    “How about we stop dancing around the issue and you tell me my fate?”
    Bram waved toward him and Nikki. “You two are going to work on the Bourne mission, as well as a few other side projects. At least, as long as Nikki can still perform her duties. I’m not about to have a nine-month pregnant female stalking through the forest in the middle of the night.”
    Rafe nodded. “That we can agree on.”
    “Good. I’m glad we agree on something, human.”
    Jane spoke up. “Bloody hell, you two are going to drive Nikki crazy, aren’t you?”
    Rafe ignored his sister. “Is that all, then? Working on