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Nikola "Nikki" Gray-Hartley frowned down at her abdomen as pain rippled through her. She was good at hiding emotions when needed—it came with the territory of being a Protector—but she felt her mate's eyes on her. And if there was one person who could detect the slightest change in her expression, it was Rafe Hartley.
Most of the time, she loved how bloody observant he was. But right now, it was going to make him a huge pain in her arse.
Her dragon laughed.And he hasn't been one for the entire pregnancy?
She mentally sighed.Don't remind me, dragon.
He was at her side instantly. "What's wrong, Nikki?" He placed a hand on her belly, but the possible contraction had stopped, thank goodness. He asked, "Is the baby telling you to take a break?"
She rolled her eyes. "How in the world did I end up as the stern parent? Louisa already has you wrapped around her little finger. This one isn't even born yet, and they're the same way."
His green-eyed gaze met hers, and she softened at the true concern she saw there.
Her dragon spoke up.He's just worried. Rafe doesn't like to be out of control, and he can't control anything when it comes to the baby.
I know. It's still bloody irritating at times, though.
Her dragon snorted.We poke back at him just as much, so it's kind of fun.
You would say that.
Rafe cupped her cheek. "Talk to me, Nikki. Because if you're hiding contractions from me to try and do your job, then I'm going to bloody scoop you up and carry you to the surgery, no matter how much you shout at me."
She raised an eyebrow. "I may be pregnant, but I can still shift into a dragon. You won't be able to carry me then."
"You can shift, but you can't fly, per the doctor's orders. And since you currently waddle in your dragon form, you won't get far."
She stuck her tongue out at him. "You're supposed to be nice to me."
Humor danced in his eyes. "Nice would be boring. I tried that in the beginning when you were pregnant with Louisa and you threatened to kick my arse to the curb unless I treated you like normal."
"Maybe," she grumbled. "But I feel as big as a whale, so maybe don't say I waddle."
Rafe leaned down and kissed her gently. "I showed you this morning how fucking beautiful you are to me, love."
He had. Twice.
Nikki cleared her throat, wanting to tease him back. "I think you're just having sex with me as much as possible because of the oncoming dry spell."
Moving his hand from her belly to her arse, he pressed her up against him. Nikki never tired of Rafe's hard, hot body against hers, even when he had to lean awkwardly around her bloody big belly to do it. He couldn't quite press his chest against hers, though. And she couldn't wait until she stopped growing a person inside of her and could simply revel in her mate's arms.
He whispered, "I will always want to fuck you as much as possible, Nikola Hartley-Gray. Because you're mine, and I never want you to forget it."
Nikki shivered, in a good way. "Rafe."
Her mate tilted her head up toward his. "Nikki."
Just as he moved to kiss her, a gushing wetness rushed between her legs. "Bloody hell."
Her water had just broke.
Rafe, ever the soldier, jumped into action. He scooped her into his arms and rushed up the stairs to the bathroom. "Let's get you changed, and then I'll take you to the surgery."
She sighed. "It could be hours yet, Rafe. After all, it took Louisa forever to be born."
He grunted. "You're still going. And don't fight me on this, Nikki, because you won't win."
As pain rippled across her abdomen, she leaned her head on Rafe's shoulder and tried to breathe. The contraction had just finally passed when Rafe set her on her feet, steadying her with his hands on her hips. His gaze searched hers. "All right, love?"
