Part 22 (1/2)
Kai raised his brows. ”Are you well enough to take this on?”
”Of course I am,” Nikki stated. ”My wing may still be tender, but there's a lot I can do without flying. I'm sure Dr. Sid would agree with that.”
Rafe rubbed circles on her lower back. The circular motion eased some of her tension. Without him saying a word, she knew Rafe would back her up.
Kai a.s.sessed her for a second before nodding. ”All right, then I need to make my proposal to Bram. I want you two to rest up until Aaron arrives back from Ireland this afternoon. I want you both at that briefing. Unless you have any other pressing questions, you can leave.”
”When will you find out Bram's answer, Kai?” Nikki asked.
”Soon,” Kai answered. ”I'll talk to you after Aaron's briefing.” He paused a second before adding, ”But feel free to brainstorm ideas in the meantime. You two are like me in that once you have a possible mission, you just want to get started.”
Nikki eyed Kai. ”I'm grateful for the understanding, but I'm surprised you aren't protesting or barking orders.”
”You warning the clan of the attack instead of taking them on yourself, even with your history related to the dragon hunters, proved to me you are ready for more responsibility. Don't disappoint my judgment, Nikki,” Kai answered.
Her dragon spoke up. It looks as if you're finally getting the recognition you so desperately wanted.
You seem a bit underwhelmed.
I am. I don't need the clan's approval to know I'm brilliant, and so are you.
Aware everyone was waiting for her to answer, she stopped talking to her beast. ”I won't disappoint you, Kai. The fact you're willing to help me keep a male you don't much care for means a lot to me.”
Kai grumbled. ”Hartley isn't too bad.”
Rafe snorted. ”Don't sound too happy about it.”
Jane frowned. ”Rafe, don't make the situation worse. Your actions this week changed Kai's mind about you quite a bit.”
Kai grunted, and Nikki bit her lip to keep from laughing at the look on his face. Apparently, Jane had shared too much.
Looking up at Rafe's profile, Nikki would fight to have the same comfort and trust with her human as Kai did with his.
Her beast snarled. No one will take him away from us. He is ours.
Needing the comfort of Rafe's touch, she leaned against his side, and he lightly patted her hip. Rafe nodded at Kai. ”We'll be at the meeting. In the meantime, I'm going to take care of Nikki.”
”Good. We'll see you this afternoon.”
After Jane waved farewell, Rafe guided Nikki out of Kai and Jane's cottage. When they were far enough away from any cottage, she whispered, ”Do you really think we can find evidence linking Christie to the hunters?”
”If anything exists, no matter how small, I will find it.”
Nikki hated to doubt, but she couldn't resist replying, ”How do you know?”
Rafe stopped and cupped her cheek. ”Because I'm fighting for the greatest prize of my life. And I'll be d.a.m.ned if I ever give you up.”
She placed a hand over her lower belly. ”For our child.”
”Not just our daughter, but also for you. I intend to make you my family, Nikki. And I will do whatever it takes to win that right.”
The honesty in his eyes made her eyes p.r.i.c.kle. She could try to blame it on pregnancy hormones, but she wouldn't. ”You should try asking me if you've won that right. Because if you had, then you'd already know that I want you as my family, too, Rafe Hartley.”
Running the backs of his fingers down her cheek, he murmured, ”Tell me again.”
Placing her hands on his chest, she leaned close and whispered, ”I want to start a family with you.”
”'Start' might be the wrong word since we already have something cooking in the oven.”
”Do you always have to focus so closely on the details?”
He grinned. ”Of course. That's my job.”
Rolling her eyes, Nikki replied, ”Fine, then make a family with you. Is that better?”
”Yes,” he whispered before kissing her gently. ”Although, we might have to do a lot more 'making' in the future. For practice, of course. I say the next nine months should make us experts.”
”Then how about we do some practicing now since we have some time?”
”And here I thought you'd want to think of ideas on how to find proof on Christie.”
Nikki leaned even closer until the hard tips of her nipples brushed Rafe's chest. ”Who says we can't do both at the same time? Unless you're not able to do anything else when using your d.i.c.k?”
”Of course I can.” He cupped her a.r.s.e possessively. ”But I may need some practice to hone my skills. I give you permission to torture me with your tongue until I can answer questions coherently. No matter how long it takes.”
She snorted. ”Right, that's the reason.”
”Okay, maybe your preview this morning makes me wonder what else you can do. Torturing takes skill, after all.” Rafe swore. ”Sorry, Nikki. I didn't mean to bring it up. I'm an a.r.s.ehole.”
”At one time, the word might've triggered a memory. But right now, all it does is remind me of how you torture me with your tongue.”
Searching her eyes, he murmured, ”Then maybe I should do it a bit more, just to cement the connection. I only want happy memories for you, Nikki. Let me give this to you.”
She raised her brows. ”Is Rafe Hartley going soft? I never thought I'd see the day.”
”Woman, be quiet. I'm trying to help you.”
Rafe kissed her again. As he gently explored her mouth, Nikki sighed.
As he expressed his true feelings with his touch, she took the time to memorize his taste and the way it felt to be pressed up against his heat. She was going to need the memories to motivate her in the future because she had a feeling the times ahead were going to be rough.
Then we'll fight, her beast growled.
Yes, yes they would.
A few hours later, Rafe sat with Nikki at his side inside Bram's office. Also in attendance were Kai, Jane, Bram, and Evie. Everyone was waiting for Aaron Caruso to show up. Rafe crossed his arms over his chest. ”He's late.”