Page 15 of Grumpy Dragon Christmas

His spin with fire. I can see myself in his blown pupils.

“My theory you don’t frighten anyone?” My voice has gone hoarse.

Close up, Drekkan is handsome. All chiseled cheekbones and Hollywood good looks. I’m playing with fire, literally, given he’s a Sarkarnii and…I like it.

“Are you scared, little snack? Right now?” Drekkan’s voice is so dark I’m wondering if someone turned out the lights on my brain.

“No,” I say in the least convincing voice ever.

He runs a finger up my throat until his claw is under my chin, tilting my face up to his. Our lips are achingly close.

“You should be. I’m the most dangerous thing on this pathetic rock,” he murmurs.

Dangerous for my knickers.

This has to be hormones or something, I can’t possibly be reacting to Drekkan like this. He’s an arrogant dick of a Sarkarnii who blows things up for fun, hates celebrations, and is hell bent on giving everyone a hard time.

“I doubt it.” My voice is querulous as I attempt to pull away from him.

His hand darts out, going around my waist and pulling me into him. His eyes widen, the pupils contracting to slits as,before I can stop him, his other hand runs over my pregnant stomach.

“You are with young!” he rasps, smoke curling from his nostrils.

I struggle in his grip.

“Let me go!”

“Is it another Sarkarnii?” Drekkan growls, eyes filled with the night.

“No! I don’t know who the father is. This was done to me by Bogarok.” I’m fighting him now, but there’s no getting away from his grip.

Or the hand which smooths over my stomach oh-so-gently.

“No father…” Drekkan says, his voice syrupy. “No other male?” He glares at me.

“No other fucking male, no!” I manage to break free of his grasp. “And it has nothing to do with you.”

“Oh, little morsel, I think you’ll find it has everything to do with me.”

DREKKAN

Such a delicious, ripe little female. Jade is both soft and fiery under my touch. The gland in my neck pulses and it feels like I’m burning up from within. I was in the area looking for an appropriate perch on which to watch the spaceport and consider my plans, but it seems something within me has also sought her out.

This female is with young, and it excites me more than anything in my entire life, and while I have no idea why. I do know one thing. Jade is mine, all of her ripe little body, and I will not let her out of my sight.

“I came here to get away from interfering busybodies who think they know best,” Jade grinds out, but there’s an edge to her voice I dislike very much.

“Did another Sarkarnii cause you pain?” I growl, unable to help myself and having to ignore the buzzing of the collar against my skin. “Because if he did, I will fix my ship, I will find him, and I will kill him.”

“Oh, that’s your answer to everything,Sarkarnii,” Jade spits out. “It’s the Bogarok you need to kill. They’re the ones…” Her breath is suddenly short, her hand fluttering over her chest.

“Then I will kill them for you,” I growl, grasping her hand and pulling her into me. “They will be ash, less than ash after I have finished with them.”

Her breathing hasn’t settled, and her eyes are filled with water. I have offered Jade her enemies, but it seems it’s not enough.

I would give her every star in the galaxy just to make her mine. Just to be able to hold her, touch her, be with her.

Protect her.

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