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She picked up the spoon and prodded the cold noodles. "Maybe I should risk the bland hospital snacks instead."
With a chuckle, he handed over what he had and simply enjoyed watching Dawn eat. She was so free with her emotions, making a face at the plain rice cakes and then moaning at the small piece of chocolate one of the Protectors had smuggled in for him.
Blake couldn't wait to see what other responses he could get from her.
The frenzy couldn't start soon enough.
Chapter Nine
Two mornings later, Dawn couldn't help but pick at the hem of her top as she waited in front of a stone cottage, the Protector named Nikki at her side.
She hadn't slept much the last two nights. No, her mind had run a million miles a minute with various scenarios of how a frenzy would play out.
Ever since Dawn had said yes, she'd been kept apart from Blake to allow his inner dragon to return. And even though they'd only met recently, she'd had a hard time staying away or not calling him.
Apparently, all the years she'd told herself that she didn't need a partner in life, how she could handle Daisy on her own and be perfectly content, had been a lie. Yes, Dawn could—and had proven—she could take care of her daughter on her own. But spending time with Blake, and even Sasha, had revealed how truly lonely she'd been.
Nikki's voice cut through her thoughts. "Do you still want to do this?"
She nodded and met the dragonwoman's brown-eyed gaze. "Of course. The waiting has been nerve-wracking, is all."
"Well, take it from someone who had the frenzy all of a sudden with a male who acted as if he didn't even like her, and I can tell you that being prepared is much better."
She'd met Nikki's mate, Rafe, only briefly. But he'd smiled and been nice enough to Dawn. "It's obvious he loves you now, regardless of what happened."
Nikki raised an eyebrow. "You're one very perceptive human, Dawn."
She shrugged. "Wait until your daughter is older. Then you'll learn that a parent has to be perceptive, especially if their kid likes to explore new things or go wandering."
Nikki sighed. "I'm sure Louisa will be a handful given who her father is. But for now, she's easy enough to keep track of." Nikki searched her gaze a second before adding, "So, are you ready?"
Taking a deep breath, Dawn bobbed her head. "Yes."
"Good. Remember to call if anything is too much or you get frightened. One of us Protectors will be stationed nearby, at a discreet enough distance to allow you a bit of privacy, awaiting any calls. Now, follow me."
They entered the cottage and went upstairs. Nikki stopped in front of a door and knocked. At Blake's muffled "Come in," Nikki opened the door.
Dawn instantly found Blake's gaze. His pupils flashed quickly, telling her his dragon was back.
But while she was still a little unsure of how everything would play out, it didn't scare her anymore. If anything, she was curious about getting to know his second half better.
Blake murmured, "You came."
She sighed. "Why does everyone keep acting surprised that I'm here today? If I can raise and take care of my daughter on my own for nearly a decade, then I can handle one man's dragon."
Blake's pupils flashed again. "I hope so."
Nikki moved to the doorway. "Have fun, you two. And Blake, don't do anything I wouldn't do."
With a wink, the dragonwoman shut the door, leaving Dawn alone with Blake.
He motioned for her to come forward. "It's taking everything I have to control my dragon right now. But I'll hold him back as long as you need. Come to me when you're ready, Dawn."
Eager for the next phase of her life to begin, she crossed the distance and stood a few inches away from him. Looking up, she murmured, "I think it's time for you to kiss me again, dragonman."
And she waited to see if he would.
Both man and beast had scented Dawn the instant she had entered the house.
