Standing up, she stretched again and listened for any sounds. She was disappointed not to hear Rafe singing. Maybe she'd work up the nerve to ask him to do it again.
Frowning, she wondered when the hell she had started hesitating so damn much. She really needed to fix that.
She made it down the stairs and found Rafe sitting at the kitchen table. Piles of papers sat on the table, with a laptop in front of Rafe. He looked up and smiled at her. "So, the lazybones finally decided to wake up, huh?"
"I'm sleeping for two people now. So, unless I'm sleeping more than sixteen hours a day, you can't say anything."
He snorted. "Right, because that's how pregnancy works. Besides, what was it you told me to do? Not treat you any differently?"
"I suddenly feel the urge to throw something at you. Or, maybe punching you would be better. How's your nose doing? Is it ready for a second go?"
Chuckling, he gestured toward the chair next to him. "Let's save that for a later time. You probably want to hear this instead."
"What is it?" she asked as she slid into the chair.
He turned the laptop so she could see the screen. "A recording of Simon Bourne's most recent speech to the former Carlisle-based dragon hunters. My undercover man, who thinks with his dick, is trying to make up for his mistake."
Rafe clicked play and the deep voice of Simon Bourne filled the room: "After a lot of thought, you are the one chosen to start recruiting from Belfast and Londonderry. With enough men, we can take down Clan Glenlough. The alliance between Lochguard and Stonefire has made attacks more difficult. Glenlough needs to be taken care of before they form an alliance as well."
A different male voice asked, "Why come in person, Simon?"
"Because there are moles in the ranks. I want this done swiftly, with as many dragons captured as possible. We'll meet again tomorrow. I expect each of you to bring ideas of how to accomplish the takedown without attracting much notice."
Murmurs of agreement finished the recording.
Nikki met Rafe's eyes. "How in the bloody hell did your man get that? I can't imagine him being in that room."
"He wasn't. The woman he's shagging was. He slipped a listening device into her pocket."
"Can you trust him, though? Sex has led many a male astray before," Nikki stated.
"He has a weakness for women, but he and I served together for years. He would never let me down. I saved his life not once, but twice."
"Right, then putting aside any doubts for a second, this is huge, Rafe. Does Killian O'Shea know what's about to happen?" Nikki asked.
Killian was the leader of Clan Glenlough, which was based in Glenveagh National Park, in northwest Ireland.
Rafe shook his head. "I highly doubt it. The British DDA knows Bourne's movements rather well. However, the Irish clans haven't reached out to the British DDA offices since the Irish Republic gained independence and created their own Department of Dragon Affairs. And given what I know of bureaucracy, the two DDA offices haven't done much sharing between them."
"But sometimes the militaries trade information. Maybe someone you know in the army could reach out to the Irish and give Killian a head's up."
"Good point. I'll have to ask around."
"In the meantime, I might have an idea." Rafe raised his brows and she debated telling clan secrets. Then she remembered Bram had petitioned Rafe to stay with Stonefire; if he hadn't wanted Rafe to be privy to clan knowledge, he wouldn't have done that. She added, "Bram's brother, Bennett, is currently living with Glenlough. We might be able to reach out to Bennett, and through him, talk with Killian."
"From what little I know, Killian isn't a fan of the British dragon clans. The division of Ireland nearly caused a war between his clan and the one in present-day Northern Ireland. During that time, the British clans had backed the Northern Irish one during the dispute."
"So? We weren't even on speaking terms with Lochguard until last year and now look at us-fostering clan members, allowing cross-clan matings, and fighting together. I'm sure if we share the recording with him, he might open up."
"You're a bit more optimistic than I am," Rafe grumbled.
She stuck out her tongue. "That's because you're an old man."
"Old man, eh?" He reached over and tickled her side. As Nikki tried to contain her laughter, he lifted and settled her on his lap. "After we talk with Bram and I reach out to my contacts, this old man is going to show you a thing or two."
"Rafe."
He chucked her chin. "Have you changed your mind from last night?"
"No. But there are a million things to do. If we play our cards right, you and I might even be the ones going over to County Donegal to meet with Killian." Rafe fell silent, and Nikki barely restrained from swallowing. "You aren't going to break your vow now, are you? Even if we technically don't catch Simon Bourne with this mission, I'm not about to pass it up. Reaching out to a new clan is something I've dreamed about."
Patting her hip, the corner of Rafe's mouth ticked up. "As much fun as it would be to tie up your dragon and watch you break loose, no, I haven't changed my mind. I'll allow you to go."
She raised her brows. "Allow me?"
"You know what I mean. Now, how about you make your famous bacon and toast? Bram is either sleeping or busy with his sick daughter. You should have time for it."
"But Kai should be awake. I'll call him."
Rafe groaned. "Do you have to?"
"Did you share this with him yet?"
"No. I wanted to share it with you first."
Nikki's heart warmed at his words.
Not that she was going to let him off that easily. She swatted his chest. "Then of course I need to share it with Kai. Maybe if you didn't antagonize him so much, you might actually get along. You two have more in common than you think."
"About as much as a cat and an octopus have in common."
Rolling her eyes, Nikki tried to get up, but Rafe tightened his grip. "Rafe, I have to. Kai's my boss and he's very clever. He will probably have suggestions that will give us a better chance of success."
"I may not like it, but I understand that. However, I'm not letting you up until you kiss me good morning. Won't you kiss me, Nikki?"
"I'm surprised you're asking." He gave her a look and Nikki laughed. "Hey, if you ask my permission for everything, we're going to waste a lot of time."
His look turned heated. "So, if I want to bend you over this table and take you right now, I don't need your permission?"
The image of Rafe taking her hard from behind sent a rush of heat through her body.
Rafe spoke again before she could. "Judging by your blush, I'll take that as a no, I don't."
She narrowed her eyes. "Just shut up and kiss me."
Rafe took her lips in a quick, hot kiss before whispering, "Last chance to say no, you don't want it, Nikki."
Surely Kai wouldn't mind if she took twenty minutes to play with her human. After all, she was supposed to be taking the entire day off.
Her beast hummed in approval, but Nikki ignored her. "You have to catch me first."
Nikki slipped under the table, between Rafe's legs, and slid to the other side. She was about to stand up when Rafe blocked her path. "Someone's slow today."
Reaching out, she grabbed his ankle and pulled. Rafe stumbled, but couldn't find his balance and tumbled to the floor. She tried to slink past him, but he grabbed her arm and put her wrist in a lock. It wasn't painful, but if she moved, it would break.
Rafe grunted. "I caught you, so now you're mine."
He kept her wrist locked but maneuvered to crouch over her.
If Nikki really wanted to, she could extend a talon and slice his leg. But as her heart pounded and heat flooded her body at Rafe's closeness, Nikki didn't actually want to escape. She wanted him to carry out his suggestion.
In the next second, Rafe released her wrist, picked her up by the waist, and laid her top half down on the table. Nikki's sensitive breasts crushed against the hard surface. While the pressure against her nipples felt good, she would love it more if the hard surface was Rafe's chest.
Rafe merely stood behind her, caressing up and down her back. Each stroke shot straight between her legs, making her wetter.
Without thinking, she widened her legs in invitation. She was wearing a nightshirt with no underwear. All Rafe had to do was take out his cock and thrust.
Yet as each second passed, she wondered if he would see his threat through. Maybe he was still too sore.
Just as she was about to turn her head and say something, Rafe's hard dick brushed against her folds. Nikki cried out and Rafe murmured, "Sometimes the anticipation of something makes it that much better."
She had a feeling his words held a double meaning, but in the next second, he plunged into her, and she forgot about everything else.
Rafe paused when he was inside Nikki's pussy to the hilt. The sight of her disheveled hair, her tossed-up nightshirt, and her arse sticking up from the table was one he wanted to remember for a long time to come.
Then the little minx wiggled. Gripping the back of her neck, he lightly squeezed. "Someone's impatient."
She did it again as she met his gaze with a smile. Damn, she was so fucking beautiful when she smiled.
"Rafe," she said. "Your grip on my neck is fairly pointless as I can slip away if I wanted to." She circled her lower body and he bit back a groan. "Are you ever going to carry out your promise to take me on this table?"
Running his hand from her neck to her shoulder, and then down her back, he stopped to squeeze her hip. He merely stared, wanting to catch Nikki off guard.
Just as she opened her mouth to say something else, he retreated and moved forward again. He repeated the process; this time, the table inched forward with his thrust.
"Rafe."
As he moved his hips back and forth, increasing his pace, he murmured, "Say my name again."
She paused, and he moved even harder. Nikki groaned out, "Rafe."
Mine.
Taking hold of her hips, he angled her better and kept up his fast pace. Nikki's little moans and murmurs only made him more determined. He wanted to ruin her for all other men.
The sound of flesh slapping against flesh filled the room and drove Rafe harder. The pressure was building at the base of his spine, but he clenched his jaw. This was their first time together since the end of the frenzy, and he wanted Nikki to come first.
Keeping her hips lifted with one hand, he moved the other to the front of her body. He lightly brushed her clit before pressing firmly. Nikki screamed. As her pussy clenched and released his dick, Rafe let go and came hard. Much like during the mate-claim frenzy, Nikki cried out again, and her spasms continued for nearly a minute.
When she'd wrung the last drop from his cock, Rafe met Nikki's satisfied gaze. Her dark brown eyes did something to his heart.
He wanted to greet her every morning this way-a little work followed by delicious "good morning" sex.
The thought of him and Nikki having a routine sent a wave of longing through his body, and he wanted nothing more than to hold her close.
Pulling out, he gently lifted her off the table and hugged her against his chest.
He placed his hand over her heart. It beat rapidly, much like his own. Then, gingerly, he moved his hand to cover her lower belly to acknowledge their child.
Nikki tensed. Holding his breath, Rafe waited to see what his dragonwoman would do.
After a few seconds, she sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder. "It still hasn't sunk in, you know. The whole being pregnant thing."
"If you start feeling ill, I'll take care of you."
She met his gaze. "Rafe, I can take care of myself."
"Of course you can. It's one of the things I admire about you. However, I'm not about to be an arsehole and laugh as you vomit all over the toilet."
He waited to see if she'd protest yet again. But she merely melted completely against his body. He kissed her forehead as she murmured, "Leave it to you to take vomiting and turn it into something almost romantic."
"It's more for my benefit than yours. We're sharing the bathroom, after all."
She lightly slapped his arm wrapped around her middle. "And there goes the romantic aspect."
Chuckling, he nuzzled the side of her head. "You're the one who doesn't want to be treated differently. I have to go to selfish reasons to keep up my end of the bargain." He lowered his voice. "But it's really all for you, Nikola Gray."
"Okay, you being nice to me is a little weird." Irritation flared, but before he could give a retort, Nikki continued, "But, in a strange way, I like knowing you'll be there to help me."
"Good. Because I need you to help me too. You're bloody brilliant with arranging things with your clan and together we'll sort out the Glenlough problem in no time."
"I still can't believe you're keeping your word about all that. Dragon-shifter males can become quite Neanderthal when it comes to mates and babies."
"So, are you saying human males are better?"
She frowned. "Not exactly."
He grinned. "I think you are. I will have to lord that over the dragonmen at my first opportunity."
Nikki stepped away and he let her. Putting a hand on her hip, she said, "Do you want to get yourself killed? Because father of my child or not, I'm not going to stop them from clutching you in their talons in dragon form and dropping you into one of the lakes. If you hit a rock, it'll split your head in two."
"But without me, you won't have anyone to champion you doing anything but sitting and growing a baby. Admit it, you need me alive."
Sighing, she rolled her eyes. "I guess you are more valuable to me alive than in a coma somewhere."
Rather than reply, he reached out and pulled her to him. Tickling her side, she shrieked with laughter. "Stop it, Rafe."