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

doing.”
    Nikki’s expression turned guarded. No doubt, their past had flashed through her mind.
    She turned to pat her father’s arm. “We’ll be fine, Dad. I can take care of myself.” She turned toward Kai and Jane. “Take me and Rafe to our new place. I know you have loads to do, Kai. I don’t want to keep you.”
    Kai bobbed his head. “Right, then follow me.”
    Kai and Jane left the cottage without another word.
    Nikki hugged her dad. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll drop by as much as I can, I promise.”
    Hector grunted. “I still don’t like it. The human won’t be able to protect you like I can.”
    Rafe took a step. “I will protect Nikki and the baby with my life, so stop doubting me at every turn.”
    He and Hector stared at one another until Delphine finally broke the tense silence. “He’ll do fine, Hector. You haven’t seen them together like I have. He suits Nikki.”
    “If you say so, love.”
    “I do.”
    Nikki nodded toward the door. “I’m off, then. Love you both.”
    Not wanting to dally, Rafe moved as quickly as possible to Nikki’s side. He looked to each of her parents in turn before Nikki took his hand and hauled him out the door. It looked like he at least had Delphine on his side. That could come in handy later.

    ~~~

    Nikki kept a hold of Rafe’s hand as she charged silently after Kai and Jane in the distance.
    Not because she didn’t have loads to say. No, it was because she was tired of the males in her life meddling, growling, and all around acting as if she couldn’t make her own decisions. The next time she talked with Rafe, it would be alone. That way, she could pin him if need be to make him listen. Hell, she wasn’t above tying him to a chair and putting tape over his mouth.
    Unfortunately, Rafe didn’t have the same idea. He leaned down and whispered, “You seemed to accept all that rather easily. I expected more of a fight.”
    She raised an eyebrow. “Are you kidding me? I’ve wanted to move out for years, but never really had a strong enough case to win against my father’s worry. Now, I do.”
    “Glad your father recognizes my talents.”
    She shook her head. “Not because of you. Living next to Kai is what did it.”
    “Wait a second, let me get this straight. So if it’d just been a place with me, with no one else around us, you would’ve allowed your father to tell you what to do?”
    “Surely even you have learned to pick your battles. Besides, I can’t cook much besides toast and bacon. Delphine’s cooking has more than made up for my father’s protectiveness over the years.”
    “So, we’ll be eating toast and bacon three times a day?” Rafe drawled.
    She glanced at him. “I can make sandwiches, thank you very much. You, however, can make your own meals.”
    “Sounds like a plan. Oh, maybe I shouldn’t mention that I’m a better cook than anyone else in my family?”
    “I call bullshit.”
    “I see through your plan, Nikki. Calling bullshit, which is a challenge, and then expect me to accept it. But you’re the one who suggested we each make our own meals.”
    “Ah, but I said nothing about who makes food for the baby. I eat for us both. Ergo, you must do all the cooking.”
    “Then you’ll have to earn that privilege.”
    She stopped in her tracks. Facing him, she blinked at the amusement dancing in his eyes. “Is Rafe Hartley teasing me?”
    He winked and Nikki’s heart skipped a beat. “Get used to it, because I plan on doing it a lot.”
    “Who are you and what have you done with the argumentative bastard I know?”
    Lightly tracing her cheek, he murmured, “There’s a time and place for arguing. Like right before I take you to bed.”
    Memories of the last week played inside her head, causing heat to spread through her body. At Rafe’s chuckle, she cleared her throat. “I never said anything about sharing a bed again.”
    Rafe leaned closer, his breath hot on her cheek. “I have plenty of time to convince you