Still, Kai trusted Aaron despite the fact the dragonman had only recently returned from living abroad with his mother for a few years. If Kai trusted him, then so would she.
Before she could ask her question, Aaron looked over at her and raised his brows. “Is it killing you yet, not knowing whether he’s cleared to fly again for missions?”
Jane frowned. “What do you think?”
Aaron grinned. “I think you can wonder a bit longer.”
Bram grunted. “Aaron, what do you think will happen if I tell Kai you’re flirting with his female?”
Aaron looked innocent. “What are you talking about? I would never do that.”
Bram murmured, “Remind me to strangle my cousin for bringing you back from Italy. You should’ve stayed there.”
Aaron shrugged. “Mum said she missed the rain. Not that I understand how that’s possible.”
Jane knew their stay in Italy had had something to do with Aaron’s mother, but she hadn’t found out what it was just yet.
Still, her curiosity about Aaron would have to wait. Jane spoke up. “How much longer are we going to watch Kai?”
Sid answered, “I need to test his stamina. So probably another twenty minutes.”
Jane resisted a sigh. She had a million things to do for both her and Kai’s plan for the Dragon Knights as well as for her podcast pitch scheduled next week with Bram, Evie, and Melanie.
Yet as she watched Kai’s golden dragon move through the sky, she knew her place was here, supporting him. Her tasks could wait twenty minutes. She would never be able to concentrate if she walked away anyway.
She was about to ask another question when Nikki jogged up to where they were standing. The dragonwoman wasn’t even breathing hard as she said, “Sorry I’m late. The human male was being a pain in my arse again.”
Bram glanced to Nikki. “Regardless of his arsehole status, how is Rafe’s monitoring going?”
Nikki shrugged. “Same as before. The former Carlisle-based hunters have settled near Birmingham. Rafe still thinks it’s partly so the hunters can focus on both our clan and Skyhunter’s without stretching their resources too thin.”
Bram shook his head. “I would try to warn the southern clan, but Skyhunter is unstable right now. Until there’s a new clan leader, I don’t think they’ll listen to anything I have to say, let alone work with us against a common enemy.”
Nikki nodded. “I know. But at least we’re aware of their general location. Rafe’s working on a more precise set of coordinates. His gut says they’ve split into two or three camps.”
Kai dove down toward them and only pulled up when he was fifteen feet from the ground. The whoosh of the wind sent Jane’s hair every which way. Once Kai was back in the air, Bram stated, “We still have time to find out more information. Rafe, Finn, and I have expanded our reach via our contacts. If there is even a whisper of trouble, I’ll know about it.”
Aaron answered, “Add in the extra security—both in terms of dragonman- and woman-power and security alarms and cameras—and it’s going to be bloody difficult for anyone to slip through like when they took Evie and little Murray.”
Bram met Aaron’s gaze. “Let’s hope so. I’m not about to be too cocky. There’s always someone worming their way into one clan or another. Lochguard has the additional threat of clan deserters. If Finn needs our help, he has it.”
Aaron grunted. “I still need to meet the Scottish bastard.”
“He has a pregnant mate and is trying to heal the divide in his clan. He has better things to do than challenge you to who can out-alpha and out-charm each other.” Bram looked up to Kai in the air. “For now, I want to take care of the easier threat—the Dragon Knights.”
Sid spoke up. “I’m not going to rush this, Bram. I need to test Kai’s limits or it could cost Kai his life.”
“No one’s rushing you, Sid. I just hope he’s ready,” Bram murmured.
Every one fell silent as they watched the huge golden dragon in the sky test out his wings.
~~~
Kai stretched his wings and beat them faster until he nearly reached the clouds. Then he dove back down and twirled off to the side.
Normally, he loved flying more than anything. But he had yet to take Jane up into the air. If he was cleared, he would find a time as soon as possible to bring her.
His dragon spoke up. We’re fine. Not tired, our muscles don’t hurt. I don’t know why Sid makes such a fuss.
It’s her job to make a fuss. How many times have we had to pester younger Protectors until they admit the full truth of their injuries?
Maybe. But we’re different. If we lie, then we could put the whole clan in danger.
Just a little longer. Think of Jane. She’s watching us and I know you want to impress her.
Jane. Yes, she must see how skilled we are.
As his beast concentrated on impressing their female, it gave Kai time to remember the way she looked when she woke up with her hair mussed and her eyes heavy with sleep. Or, how her lips parted when she came before screaming his name.
But his favorite was when fire flashed in her eyes as she argued with him.
The past week and a half had been a blur of planning, talking, and fucking. He’d told his female more about his mother and little sister, Delia, than anyone else alive. He knew she wanted to meet them, but Jane hadn’t pressed the issue yet.
She would eventually. Family was important to Jane and she thought he should visit his mum and Delia more often.
His dragon pulled them up from another roll maneuver just before they would hit one of the mountains. Kai grunted. That was close. You’re acting like a reckless teenager.
The difference is that I know what I’m doing.
His beast had just started to ascend when Bram gave the signal for Kai to land.
Even as his dragon began their descent, he grumbled, I have so many more moves to show Jane.
We have plenty of time for that later.
She still hasn’t said if she’s staying or not.
Jane wants to prove herself first. Give it time.
His beast growled. I don’t want to risk losing her.
Kai paused and then replied, I don’t, either. But she needs to do this. Be patient.
With a huff, his dragon concentrated on slowing down their speed and gently landing on the ground. As soon as his wings stopped beating, Jane raced straight for him.
She stopped just in front of him and raised her brows. “Well? Aren’t you going to give me a dragon cuddle?”
Only because dragons couldn’t roll their eyes did Kai not do it.
Still, he lowered his head and Jane hugged his snout as he wrapped his tail gently around his human.
His dragon chimed in. I love dragon cuddles.
You would think she’d choose a different name.
Why? It’s to the point.
Because it’s “cute” and not very dragon-like.
I’m the dragon half and I say it is dragon-like. We should make it an official term
Thankfully, Jane lifted her head and patted his snout, which shut up his beast. She demanded, “That wasn’t so hard, was it?” He huffed and her hair blew out behind her. Jane grinned. “I’m going to interpret that as you want another one.”
She had just hugged his snout again when Bram’s amused voice filled the clearing. “As much as I love watching Kai give you dragon cuddles, we need him to shift back.”
Jane kept her hand on his snout but turned her body toward Bram’s. “Tell Sid and Nikki to look the other way.”
Bram was trying hard not to smile. Kai’s dragon chimed in. She is possessive and loves to give cuddles. There is no way I’m letting her go.
Nikki’s voice rang out, and it sounded as if she were trying not to laugh. “We’ve turned around, Jane.”
Jane nodded and looked back to Kai. “Now you can shift.”
He grunted. Sometimes it was hard to be in dragon form and not be able to talk.
>
Once Jane was at a safe distance, Kai imagined his talons shrinking into hands and feet, his tail merging into his back, and his snout changing into his human face.
Before Bram could say anything, Kai strode up to Jane and whispered into her ear, “I’m getting you back later for the dragon cuddles. I thought we’d agreed you wouldn’t say that in front of others.”
Jane raised an eyebrow. “You stated I wouldn’t do it. I never agreed.”
He moved his hand to her arse and squeezed. “I’ll deal with your payback later.” Kai looked to Bram. “Well?”
To his credit, Bram didn’t laugh. “Sid needs to ask you a few questions.” Bram looked to Jane. “Can she come over now?”
Jane motioned toward Kai. “Give him the blanket.”
Bram did laugh as he handed Kai an old, woolen blanket. Wrapping it around his waist, the material made him want to itch. “You could’ve brought something nicer.”
Bram grinned. “And miss you scratching yourself? I think not.”
Jane ignored them and shouted, “Dr. Sid, would you come over?”
As the doctor made her way over, Kai tried holding the material away from his body, but it didn’t help. He gave a glance to Jane indicating that he wanted to speak with her later. His female merely shrugged.
His dragon laughed. If you haven’t learned by now that your glares don’t work on her, then you’re a lost cause.
I have to do something.
Withhold sex. When she starts begging for our cock, then you can negotiate a few things.
As if you could last, dragon.
Sid’s voice cut through his conversation with his beast. “I made my observations, but first I want to hear a report on your flight.”
Kai shrugged a shoulder. “Everything felt as it should. Nothing was tight or painful. In all honesty, I’ve never felt better.”
Sid studied him a second before she replied, “Judging from your flight and maneuvers, I think you’re healed. If you’re lying to me, Kai Sutherland, it’ll be your own damn fault that you’re injured again, or worse.”
“I’m telling the truth, Sid,” Kai stated as he wrapped an arm around Jane.
Sid glanced to Jane and back to him. “Since getting yourself killed means being separated from your female forever, I think you’re telling the truth.” Sid looked to Bram. “He’s your problem now.”
“Aye, I know. Thanks, Sid,” Bram answered.
With a nod, Sid walked off in the direction of her surgery.
To some the action might seem cold, but Kai knew it was never easy for her to watch a dragon-shifter fly around in dragon form. The sight only reminded Sid of what she could never have again.
Bram spoke up. “I’ll contact the DDA to let them know the plan is still set for tomorrow. You and Aaron need to ensure our Protectors are ready to go.”
“And Lochguard?” Kai asked.
“Aye, they’re ready too. Although Finn’s being a bit paranoid about his pregnant mate and doesn’t want to allow his land to be vulnerable. Still, ten extra dragons will make a difference.”
Jane chimed in. “Who knows, maybe next time, we can have my brother and a few other humans help us.”
Hearing Jane say “us” warmed Kai’s heart. “We’ll see.”
Bram slapped his bicep. “We’ll have one final meeting this evening. But for now, I’ll let you get things in motion and spend a little time with your female. It’ll help calm your dragon for tomorrow.”
Kai hugged Jane tighter and she leaned more into his side. “Thanks, Bram.”
As Stonefire’s leader left, Nikki came up to them. “I can double-check the supplies and go over the plan again with the Protectors if you want to take Jane for a quick flight.”
Jane answered, “No, we’ll do that later. When he takes me up, I don’t want to rush it.”
Kai turned to Jane and brushed her cheek with his forefinger. “It’s moments like these when I forget how you drive me mad most of the time.”
Jane grinned. “Despite your views to the contrary, I know when to hold back.”
Nikki cleared her throat. “While you two get your kissing out of the way, I’ll head back with Aaron to central command. Come when you’re ready.”
As Nikki walked off, Kai stated, “She’s grown up.”
“Probably because she’s had to deal with my brother.”
Kai sensed that Nikki was hiding something from him about Rafe Hartley, but he’d been so busy planning the attack on the Dragon Knights and healing that he hadn’t had a chance to talk with her about it.
His dragon spoke up. She’s a grown dragonwoman. She’ll talk when she’s ready. We did.
Ignoring his beast, Kai waved goodbye to Aaron and then looked down to Jane. “Sid cleared me.”
Jane tilted her head. “And?”
With a growl, he pulled her up against his front and lowered his head until his lips were less than an inch away from hers. “I want to claim my prize.”
“You’re not quite yet to twenty points and if you expect me to give you bonus points for being fully recovered, then you don’t know me at all.”
“I think your counting skills need a little work.” Jane opened her mouth to argue, but Kai beat her to it. “But I’ll agree to wait for now. However, I’m going to claim what’s mine.”
She batted her eyelashes in a dramatic fashion. “And what would that be?”
“You.”
And he kissed her.
~~~
The second Kai’s lips met hers, Jane’s body burned for much more. She wanted to feel his hands on her skin and his cock inside her.
Kai threaded his fingers through her hair and explored her mouth slowly. No matter how many times he’d kissed her over the last two weeks, she never thought it was enough. His taste and heat were addictive.
Kai gently tugged her head back and broke the kiss. She frowned. “Why did you stop? That’s unlike you.”
He murmured, “Because if I keep kissing you, I’ll take you here on the landing area in front of everyone. And no one deserves to see your naked body except for me.”
Jane tilted her head. “You deserve it, huh? I would think it’s a privilege.”
He squeezed her waist. “Bloody woman, can you not challenge me for once? I was being chivalrous.”
“If I know you at all, that’s crap. You’re probably going to propose taking me to that hidden field you keep talking about and I’m supposed to be grateful for your thoughtfulness.”
Kai blinked. “I’m not sure I like how well you’re getting to know me.”
Jane grinned. “Someone has to keep you on your toes. That’s one of my jobs on Stonefire. Bram and Evie said so.”
Her dragonman grunted. “I think I need to chat with Bram about minding his own business.”
She ran her fingers through Kai’s chest hair and his tension eased a fraction. “It’s good because it means they care about you.”
He grunted. “Forget Bram and Evie. I want to know if you’ll let me take you in a field.” Kai nuzzled her cheek and she melted against him. “It’s going to be too cold soon to do it.”
“It’s already too cold. October in northern England isn’t exactly tropical and I’m only human.” She moved until she could see Kai’s eyes. “But I do have a proposal.”
“You and your bloody proposals.”
She raised her brows. “Hey, if you want to take me naked outside before June next year, then you might want to listen.”
Kai’s pupils flashed to slits and back, and Jane smiled wide. Whenever Kai’s dragon was on her side, she tended to win.
And judging by Kai’s irritated look, his dragon wanted to hear Jane’s proposal. “Well? Are you ready to listen?”
“You already know the answer to that.”
“I do, but it’s amusing to hear how your dragon likes me better.”
“Not better. He just does whatever it takes to get inside of you.”
Jane looped her hands be
hind Kai’s neck. “Well, my proposal is this—come back alive from the Dragon Knights’ attack and—”
“Done.”
She tilted her head. “I wasn’t finished.”
Kai’s hands moved to her bum and he pressed her against his lower body. It took everything she had to ignore the hardness of his dick or she might give in and let him take her in the freezing wind.
Her dragonman whispered, “I’ll agree to anything if I can take you outside any way I want.”
The huskiness of his voice sent a rush of warmth through her body and she nearly forgot her idea. But then she checked herself. “Good. Because you just agreed to come back alive to me and go visit your mother and sister on Snowridge before that happens.”
Kai frowned. “What?”
She poked his chest. “For a head Protector, you should know better than to agree to something without hearing all of the details.”
He grunted. “I was distracted by your hard nipples pressing into my chest.”
“That doesn’t matter. Will you agree? If so, we can take a mini-holiday somewhere warm and you can do whatever you want to me for twenty-four hours.”
Kai fell silent and Jane wondered if she had pressed him too hard.
Yet Kai had mentioned taking Jane to Snowridge several times over the last few days. It wasn’t as if she was demanding it out of the blue. She just knew he’d put it off indefinitely if given the chance.
And Jane couldn’t allow that. Things were good between her and Kai, but there was something she needed to do before she decided to stay on Stonefire or not.
Jane wanted to meet Maggie Jones.
She trusted the human half of Kai with her heart, but his dragon’s instinct was something else. It was best to see if his dragon had truly moved on or not because Jane was falling for her growly dragonman. She might not survive the rejection if Maggie Jones showed up in three years’ time single again and wanting Kai. Even if the man was over her, the dragon might demand their true mate.
And since mate-claim frenzies always resulted in pregnancy, Kai would have no choice but to take Maggie as his mate. He wasn’t the type of dragonman to abandon his children, no matter the circumstances of their birth.
Reawakening the Dragon: Part Four Page 3
