Part 9 (1/2)

Sighing, Nikki waved at the door. ”Just open the b.l.o.o.d.y thing already. The sooner we're inside, the sooner I can pick out my room.”

Rafe's gaze turned heated. ”Pick whichever room you like, but know that your room is mine as well.”

”Rafe-”

”I won't give up on this. I'm here for our child, but I'm also here for you, Nikola Gray. I can't protect you if you keep me at a distance.”

For a split second, hope had swirled in Nikki's chest. But Rafe's sense of duty smashed it to pieces. ”I can protect myself.”

Not waiting for him, Nikki shoved Rafe aside and entered the house.

Chapter Eight.

b.l.o.o.d.y stubborn woman. No matter what Rafe did, she took it the wrong way.

As he followed her into the cottage, he tried to come up with a new plan of attack.

Mentally, he understood Nikki was a tough woman who could look after herself in dangerous situations. But in his gut, the thought of failing to keep Nikki and their baby safe made him ill.

He'd had the same battle with his sister over the years. But at least in Jane's case, she had truly needed Rafe to help out sometimes. However, with Nikki, it was a whole different story. And not just because he hurt her in the past, although that sat heavy on his conscience. She had saved his unit's a.r.s.es a few times back when she had served in the army.

Nikola Gray was truly a unique and capable woman.

As said woman looked around the place in silence, Rafe gave it a cursory scan. The inside of the cottage was simple, with a sofa in the living room, a small table in a dining nook, and a kitchen at the back. After noting the possible escape routes via the doors and windows in the cottage, he gestured toward the stairs. ”Shall we check out the bedrooms?”

Nikki's gaze shuttered. ”I will, but you're going to stay down here.” He opened his mouth to interject, but Nikki continued, ”I just want a few minutes alone to think and then go to sleep. I know there's a c.r.a.p-ton of things to talk about, and we'll do that. But let me rest first.”

Stunned at her truthful admission, Rafe nodded. ”Okay. But if you try to escape through one of the windows, I'll hear it and stop you.”

Nikki sighed, and Rafe truly noticed the shadows under her eyes for the first time. f.u.c.k. So much for taking care of the mother of his child.

”Copy that,” Nikki murmured. ”Wake me when Sid gets here.”

As she pa.s.sed, he reached out an arm to grab her wrist. Nikki tugged, but he didn't let go. ”First, tell me what's your favorite meal.”

”If I'm making it, then eggs, bacon, and toast.”

”And if you're not?”

She scrutinized his eyes a second before asking, ”Why? Are you going to cook for me? I thought we were each cooking for ourselves.”

”Just answer the b.l.o.o.d.y question, Nikki.”

Raising her chin, she said, ”Lasagna with loads of garlic bread.”

”Done.” Rafe released her wrist. ”Now, go to sleep.”

”Again with the ordering.”

”Yes. Your health is a factor here, so I can be as alpha as I like.”

Nikki battled a smile and lost. ”Fine. If it means I get lasagna afterwards, then I'll listen.” She hesitated a second and then added, ”I hope you're still here when I wake up. There's a lot I want to ask.”

Rafe could easily tease her, but for once, he resisted. ”I'll be here, don't worry. Get some sleep before I carry you to bed.”

A flush crept up Nikki's cheeks, and Rafe bit back a smile. For all of her ranting and raving, she was thinking of him in her bed.

Not that they both didn't need a break from that. Rafe's d.i.c.k was still recovering from a week of abuse. It was the main reason he was allowing Nikki to sleep alone-to avoid temptation.

Nikki opened her mouth to say something, but then closed it. Without another word, she disappeared up the stairs.

Letting out a breath, Rafe ran a hand through his hair. He didn't like any awkwardness between them. Hopefully, it was only because of Nikki's exhaustion.

Right, then. The best way to avoid awkward silence or uneasiness was to make the best b.l.o.o.d.y meal he could and then entice Nikki into some verbal sparring. Rafe wasn't good at spewing romantic c.r.a.p, but he had a feeling Nikki wasn't the type of woman who required it.

He had a feeling that the best way to get Nikki to open up to him was to be honest and treat her as an equal. Although, winning over her stomach wouldn't hurt.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his mobile phone. After sending his sister a text message to call him, Rafe went to the kitchen to see what he had to work with.

Nikki stared at the ceiling of the largest bedroom and counted the bits of cobweb scattered here and there across the white surface. Whoever had lived here before hadn't cared much about cleaning.

Of course, the cleanliness of the room had nothing to do with why she had lain awake for the past few hours. Every muscle in her body was sore, but her mind wouldn't shut up. It kept wandering to the man downstairs, who was quietly singing along to the human radio station.

Rafe had probably forgotten about her keen dragon-s.h.i.+fter hearing. Still, every dragonman or woman learned to block things out as children. If Nikki had truly wanted to sleep, she would have; she'd trained to sleep when and wherever possible in the army. But as soon as she'd heard Rafe's beautiful voice, she had been content to merely listen to him sing.

Who would've thought the tough, alpha soldier could convey such emotion with his voice?

Her dragon, recently awake from her nap, spoke up. I think someone fancies a certain human again.

Maybe. Not that it can work long term.

If you go in thinking like that, it won't. Besides, the delicious smell of garlic and herbs wafting up the stairs earns him a chance.

She mentally snorted. You're worse than me when it comes to food.

Debatable. Why wait up here? Go downstairs and talk with him.

And say what? Rafe and I don't exactly talk about the weather or what was on telly last night.

Talk to him about Afghanistan. If you don't do it soon, I will go crazy from your thoughts. He is our true mate. Don't be afraid of him.

Easy for you to say, considering what he did before.

Her beast flicked her tail. We were all younger. He had just lost one of his friends. Just like when Charlie was killed, and you lashed out. Rafe did the same.