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“Rafe.”
He heard the plea in her voice and immediately stopped. “What’s wrong, love? Are you okay?”
Leaning against his side, Nikki tried not to think about him calling her love. “I’m not sure if I’m going to faint or throw up. Either way, your tickle session is going to have to wait.”
He searched her eyes. “Of course. I can refrain as long as you like.”
“Not forever, Rafe. Just for a little bit. I love your playful side. It’s been a long time coming out, and I don’t want you to ever hide it.”
As he rubbed her back, he murmured, “I was much more playful as a boy, but never had a reason to use it as an adult. Until you wrestled it out of me. Almost quite literally in your father’s house when you pinned and tickled me.”
She snorted. “I was just trying to outsmart you is all.” He grunted, and she looked up to his eyes. “In all seriousness, I treasure the fact I could bring out the fun-loving side of you again. It’ll much better prepare you for our child if he or she takes after me.”
He gave a slow smile and placed his hand over her abdomen. “I hope for a little girl just like you.”
Laying her hand over his, she simply stared and smiled at her human.
Even a week ago, the thought of raising a baby would’ve sent Nikki on a frantic run the other way. But staring up into the eyes of the male she loved, she looked forward to the adventure.
For a split second, panic flared at realizing she loved Rafe Hartley. But as he laid a gentle kiss on her lips, his touch and taste reminded her of all he had done over the last few weeks for her. In her gut, she knew Rafe would never abandon their child. He had yet to say he loved her, but maybe, just maybe, one day he’d feel the same as her. Then Nikki might avoid what had happened to her father and find her happy ending after all.
Her dragon grunted. About time you realized he will make us happy. Next, you need to mate him.
Give me time, dragon. I just bloody realized my feelings. I’m not about to scare him off and ruin our mission.
Then just make sure to fight for him. Otherwise, I will make your life extremely difficult.
Her dragon had never outright threatened her before. Is that a threat?
Yes. Don’t screw up our chance for a happy life because of what our mother did.
As she tried to think of a way to respond to that, Rafe’s voice interrupted the conversation with her dragon. “I’d love to stand here all day snogging you, but the sooner we find information to capture that bastard, the sooner we can set about outing Jonathan Christie and work on securing our future.”
Her heart thumping hard, she asked, “So you do want to stay?”
“Of course I do, woman. How many times do I need to say it?” Lightly caressing her cheek, his voice was gentler as he added, “After all, I want to win the bet about our child being a girl.”
Growling, she shook her head. “We never bet on that.”
“I think we should. Because I always pay my debts, and if I do lose, I’ll be here to pay out.”
She sighed. “Fine. I’ll say boy because dragon-shifters tend to have more boys than girls.”
“Ah, but what if the father is a human? That might change my odds.”
“I’ve never thought about that.”
He raised his brows. “Backing out now?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Of course not. It’s a bet, then.”
He kissed her and Nikki melted into him. Rafe’s kisses tended to make her forget about what they were arguing about; she needed to make sure he never found out that was his secret weapon.
Her dragon merely chuckled.
As Rafe maneuvered them to start walking again, he wrapped an arm around her waist. “Now, let’s find a way to make settling our bet a reality.”
As they strode inside the Protectors’ central command building, Nikki took a deep inhalation to calm her stomach. It’s time to get to work, baby. Work with your mummy on this.
