Surrendering to the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 7) Read online

  Nikki narrowed her eyes. “Of course I can. Stop underestimating me just because I’m younger than you.”

  “Good. Then I’ll meet you at 0300. Don’t be late.”

  He moved toward the door, but Nikki blocked his path. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  Rafe should merely push the dragonwoman out of the way and leave the building.

  Yet as he stared into her almond-shaped eyes, his sex dream from the night before flashed through his mind. And that worried him. If he kept picturing Nikki naked and above him, he’d never be able to focus. What he needed was a quick fuck to clear his head.

  The dragonwoman would probably never betray her clan and sleep with a human. However, Rafe murmured, “You were in the army. You know one of the best ways to relieve stress before a mission. I’m off to find a bird to sleep with unless you’re offering.”

  Nikki’s pupils flashed, and Rafe swore he saw heat in her eyes. But it was gone soon enough to make him doubt he ever saw it in the first place.

  Shaking her head, Nikki replied, “Men and their dicks. I’m starting to wonder how you ever get anything done.”

  Turning her back to him, Nikki took a step toward the door. Rafe should let the dragonwoman walk away. His dreams were nothing more than attraction to something forbidden.

  Yet the heat in Nikki’s eyes piqued his curiosity. On instinct, he reached out and gently took hold of her bicep. Her muscles tensed under his hand.

  Despite the layers of clothing between her skin and his, his palm was on fire.

  Nikki looked over her shoulder. “Let me go, Rafe.”

  Her pupils remained slitted as he murmured, “Do you really want me to?”

  ~~~

  Nikki’s dragon roared inside her head. He’s offering. Take the chance.

  What about Logan?

  Who cares about him? You’ve pined for Rafe Hartley for years. I want him now. Kiss him.

  As she and Rafe continued to stare into one another’s eyes, heat radiated from his touch to her breasts, hardening her nipples. The sizzle continued down her abdomen like a warm caress before it finally ended between her thighs.

  For years, she’d dreamed of the human male’s bare, muscled chest under her fingers, not to mention the firmness of his lips against hers. Or, how he would tug her nipples hard enough to make her scream.

  She really should say no.

  Her beast huffed. Don’t be a bloody fool. Kiss him.

  Nikki hesitated. Considering the heat and fierceness between them with words, she could only imagine what he’d do with a kiss.

  Rafe tugged her arm lightly and she let him pull her close. The feel of his hard muscles against her own melted her resolve a fraction. “We shouldn’t,” she murmured.

  As Rafe traced her jawbone, his voice was husky as he replied, “Kiss me and then decide, Nikki. Will you let me?”

  Her dragon spoke up again. Say yes or I will toss you into the back of our mind, take control, and kiss the living shit out of him.

  For some reason, the idea of her dragon being the one to experience Rafe’s kiss first sent a wave a jealousy coursing through her body. No.

  Leaning more against the man she’d fantasized about for years, Nikki tilted her head up. “Just one kiss.”

  Rafe’s breath tickled her lips as he moved closer. Her dragon roared as the human’s scent filled her nose. Why are you waiting? Kiss him.

  “I see that your dragon’s impatient again,” Rafe whispered. “There’s no reason to keep her waiting.”

  Yet the blasted male merely tucked her hair behind her ear. The seconds ticked by. She was about to frown when he finally lowered his face and took her lips.

  Electricity shot through her body as his firm lips moved against hers. She wasn’t sure if it was human or dragon that ran her hands up his chest to behind his neck. The warmth of his skin under her fingers caused Rafe to growl and nip her bottom lip. When he licked the sting, wetness rushed between her legs.

  Gripping the back of his neck until her nails dug in, Nikki opened her mouth in invitation. Rafe didn’t hesitate and thrust his tongue inside her mouth. With each stroke of his tongue, she felt Rafe’s cock grow harder against her abdomen.

  No matter what had happened between them all those years ago, Rafe clearly desired her.

  Her beast chimed in. Of course. But I want more. Much more.

  As if understanding her dragon’s demand, Rafe grabbed her arse and pulled her closer. Before she could stop herself, Nikki rubbed against his hard dick, which only made Rafe deepen the kiss.

  Between his heat, taste, and touch, both dragon and woman wanted to feel his bare skin against hers. More than that, she wanted to feel his cock hard and long inside her.

  Her dragon hummed. Yes, yes. He is ours. Ride him hard for as long as it takes.

  At her dragon’s words, Nikki froze. No.

  Before her beast could speak, Rafe searched her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

  Her dragon ordered, Kiss him again. And again. He’s ours. He will give us a child.

  Using every bit of control she possessed, Nikki created an invisible wall for her beast. As her dragon clawed and roared, Nikki knew it wouldn’t last long. She only hoped it lasted long enough.

  Pushing against Rafe’s chest, she said, “You need to leave. Now.”

  He frowned. “What’s going on? Two seconds ago, you were rubbing against me.”

  With her dragon clawing at her mind, Nikki knew it was only a matter of seconds, maybe a minute, until she lost control. “Unless you want to become a father, then leave me alone and fetch Kai.”

  Rafe’s eyes widened. “Holy fuck.”

  “Yes. Go. I can’t resist much longer.”

  Rafe hesitated. “Will you be okay?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” she gritted out. “You have five seconds before I knee you in the bollocks to deny my dragon for a bit. Five, four, three…”

  Stepping away from Nikki, Rafe went to the door. “I…” His voice died out.

  “Why the bloody hell are you still here? Just go.”

  With one last glance, Rafe exited the room and shut the door.

  Clutching her head in her hands, Nikki sank to the floor just as her dragon broke free of the mental prison. Why did you let him go? He’s ours. We need to find him and fuck him.

  Shut it, dragon. Not going to happen.

  Then I will take over. You’ll miss all of the hot, sweaty sex. I will claim him on my own.

  Hoping to block out her dragon, Nikki hummed a random pop tune. Of course, it did nothing to ease her beast’s incessant roaring.

  It took every bit of strength she had, but Nikki managed to fight off her beast from taking control until Kai finally burst into the room. “Nikki?”

  Raising her head, she met the head Protector’s eyes. The instant she saw worry in his gaze, tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry, Kai. I was weak and kissed him. I never should’ve kissed a human.”

  With a frown, Kai crouched down. “Don’t bloody apologize. Dragons are persistent bastards. The only question is what do you want to do?”

  “You know better than anyone what it’s like to find your true mate and not be able to have them. What should I do, Kai?”

  Kai’s pupils flashed. “Stay here. I’m going to talk to Hartley.”

  Nikki opened her mouth to reply, but Kai was already gone.

  Resting her head on her knees, Nikki took a deep inhalation, held it, and breathed out. Thanks to instinct and her dragon’s desire to breed, Nikki had just lost everything she spent the last six years working for.

  Her beast roared and sent wave after wave of desire and lust. Why are you sitting here? Find him. He’s ours to claim.

  No.

  Her dragon pushed to the front of her mind. Nikki pushed back but knew it would all be for naught. In a few seconds, Nikki would think of nothing but finding Rafe Hartley and having sex with him until she became pregnant.

  Even if she never saw Ra
fe again, it was going to take her months to get the mate-claim frenzy and her dragon under control. Her hopes and dreams about proving herself to the clan had just shattered into a million pieces.

  Chapter Two

  Rafe paced the small room Kai had shoved him into.

  Fuck, fuck, fuck. While Nikki hadn’t spelled it out to the letter, Rafe had learned enough from his sister, Jane, to know about dragons and their true mates.

  And unless he’d misread the situation, he was Nikki’s.

  He stopped pacing and ran his hand through his short hair. What would the dragon-shifters do to him? As far as he knew, it was illegal for human men and female dragon-shifters to dally. Sure, people did it in secret. But a child in nine months’ time would be a fucking huge red flag of what he’d done.

  There was also the matter of their mission. As much as he never admitted it aloud, Nikki was the glue holding the Stonefire side of things in place. Without her, the mission might fail.

  He tried to think of a way to salvage their operation, but the image of Nikki’s face, crestfallen with eyes full of defeat, kept flashing into his mind.

  And Rafe didn’t like it.

  Nikki should be attempting to punch him in the face, or arguing with him about the best way to kidnap their enemy. She most definitely shouldn’t be in pain and fighting her dragon’s instinct to mate.

  But what the hell could he do?

  The door opened to reveal the piercing blue-eyed gaze of Stonefire’s clan leader, Bram Moore-Llewellyn.

  Rafe kept his “oh shit” thought to himself and merely waited. Rafe’s sister spoke highly of the Stonefire dragons; he was about to find out firsthand exactly what they were made of.

  Bram entered the room. Kai was right behind him, but Bram looked over his shoulder. “Wait in the hall, Kai.”

  “But Bram—”

  Bram’s steely voice rang inside the room. “Out.”

  Kai met Rafe’s gaze. The head Protector narrowed his gaze and shut the door.

  Rafe didn’t look forward to talking with his brother-in-law later.

  “Sit down,” Bram ordered.

  Rafe shook his head. “No. I want to know if Nikki’s okay first.”

  Raising an eyebrow, Bram crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m surprised you care.”

  “Of course I bloody care. We’ve been working together for nearly half a year. Tell me how she’s doing or I’m going to fight my way out of here to check.”

  Amusement flared in Bram’s eyes. “Aye? I’d like to see you try.” Rafe took a step toward the leader and Bram sighed. “She’s as well as can be expected. Do you understand what just happened?”

  “I think so. Her dragon sees me as her mate.”

  “Aye. Which means you have two choices—leave here and never return, or you agree to give Nikki a child and then walk away.”

  Rafe clenched his fingers. “Why are you assuming I’d just leave my child behind?”

  Motioning toward him, Bram answered, “Your history doesn’t speak of long-term relationships. Bloody hell, I think the longest was a month.”

  Rafe ignored the jab at his past. “Forget about my bloody track record. Does Nikki know you’re trying to stud her out?”

  In the blink of an eye, Bram rushed Rafe and pinned him to the wall. “Nikki is like a younger sister to me. Tread carefully, human. I have yet to see this clever, determined other side to you that she is adamant exists. All I see is an arsehole.”

  “Says the dragonman ready to offer up one of his clan members without asking her what she wants.”

  Bram searched his eyes a second and Rafe held his breath. All the Stonefire leader had to do was extend a talon and slit his throat. Rafe only hoped his sister was right about Clan Stonefire being decent.

  To date, the only clan member he knew who was decent was Nikki. She more than proved herself to him.

  The woman definitely didn’t deserve a random pregnancy forced upon her.

  Taking a chance, Rafe whispered, “Ask what Nikki wants first. Then I’ll make my choice.”

  The dragonman’s pupils remained slitted for a few beats. Once they were round again, Bram released his hold and took two steps back. “Stay here. We’re nowhere near done talking.”

  Stonefire’s leader exited the room and Rafe slumped into one of the chairs. Why the hell hadn’t he taken the option to flee? He was the last person looking to be a father at this point.

  And yet, the idea of Nikki suffering for who knew how long twisted his heart. She didn’t think he remembered, but Rafe had hurt her once before. He didn’t want to do it again.

  But, fuck, a child? Could he handle it?

  An image of a little girl dragon-shifter running through a field popped into his head. The girl had Rafe’s green eyes and Nikki’s cheekbones. She stopped in front of him and waggled a finger. The four-year-old wasn’t afraid to stand up to him.

  Smiling, Rafe admitted it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

  He stopped tapping his finger against his thigh at that thought. Bloody hell. Something must be wrong with him.

  As he waited for Bram to come back and talk with him, Rafe wondered what he’d do if Nikki asked him for a child.

  ~~~

  Nikki lay on her side, her body curled up into a ball, with her hands over her ears.

  But the act couldn’t block out her dragon’s words. Find him. Fuck him. Now.

  Nikki’s strength was waning, but she put as much dominance in her reply as she could muster. No. It’s not what I want. It’s not what we want. The clan’s safety is our top priority.

  Snarling, her beast answered, The others will take care of the clan. I want Rafe Hartley’s cock inside us now. He will give us a child.

  As they continued to go round and round, Nikki’s resolve weakened. If she weren't careful, her dragon would take control and do whatever the hell she wanted; Nikki’s consent wouldn’t matter.

  Clenching her jaw, she tried to block out the roaring in her head to think of a solution. The action only pissed off her beast more. No! Enough is enough. I want control.

  Her beast clawed at the weak wall around her. One swipe ripped a sizable hole. Just as her dragon moved to try again, something cold and wet dumped over Nikki’s body.

  Nikki sputtered at the ice water. The shock silenced her dragon temporarily. Patching up her mental wall as much as possible, Nikki rubbed the water from her eyes and the tall, ponytailed form of Dr. Cassidy Jackson, Stonefire’s head doctor, came into focus. “Dr. Sid?”

  Sid tossed aside the bucket in her hands and pulled out a syringe from her pocket. “The only good thing about me having a silent dragon is I don’t have to put up with the mating frenzy crap.” Tapping the side of the syringe and pushing the plunger, Sid continued, “We don’t have much time, so let me lay out the options. The drug in my hand will silence your dragon for a few days, but you won’t be able to shift, and it’s only temporary. You’ll have to learn to control your dragon on your own over the next few months.”

  Nikki grimaced. “What other option do I have?”

  “Your other option is to shack up with Rafe Hartley and let the frenzy take its course.”

  Her beast roared from her prison. Ignoring it, Nikki blinked. “What?”

  Sid raised an eyebrow. “You’re clever, Nikki, and you don’t need me to repeat myself.”

  “I—” Nikki slowly sat up and hugged her knees to her chest. “Rafe agreed to this?”

  “Bram seems to think he will.”

  Stunned, Nikki could barely manage an answer. “Not only is it illegal, but we irritate the hell out of each other. Why would he even think about it?”

  Sid crouched down to meet her gaze. “You’re the one who kissed him. You tell me.”

  At the mention of the kiss, Nikki’s dragon snarled and started clawing again. The barrier would last a minute, if that.

  “Nothing like making a life-changing decision at the drop of a hat,” Nikki murmured.

/>   “Life isn’t always fair, Nikola. You can only do the best with what you’ve been given.”

  Nikki felt about two inches tall. After all, Sid had lost her dragon. That was a million times worse.

  What to do, what to do. Then an idea formed. She could always give her child up for adoption. More than enough dragon families yearned for more children. They would be able to give her child a better future than she could manage as a single mother working as a Protector.

  Not only that, once she was knocked up, Nikki’s beast would calm the fuck down and she could continue her work. Hell, she might even be able to help capture Simon Bourne after all.

  Sure, she should ask Rafe’s input. Considering what she knew of the human, he didn't exactly appear to be father material. He probably wouldn’t have any objections to her plan.

  Decision made, Nikki nodded to herself. “I’ll let the frenzy take its course and I'll give the child up for adoption later.”

  Sid searched her eyes. “I’m only going to ask once more to confirm this is what you want. Is it?”

  As her dragon ripped another hole in her invisible prison, Nikki bobbed her head. “Yes. As long as Rafe isn’t forced into it.”

  Standing up, Sid moved toward the door. “Right, then I’ll let Bram know. Until everything is in place, I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to suffer. Drugging you will only delay the inevitable, and I believe you want this whole mess sorted as quickly as possible.”

  Sid locked the door behind her, and Nikki closed her eyes. Mate-claim frenzies rarely happened more than once. If she could just survive the current situation, then she could continue her work as a Stonefire Protector for as long as she liked. The elder dragon-shifters might also finally stop nagging her, too.

  Her beast broke free and snarled. Clapping her hands over her ears, Nikki willed for the entire mess to be over soon enough.

  ~~~