Page 64 of A Dragon's Miracle (Fires of Fate)

Finn

Iwas gettingready to leave the house when Ryan came to me, a serious look on his face. I pressed my lips together and braced myself, sure that he'd try to dissuade me one more time.

That wasn't what happened, though. No, Ryan stepped up to me, looked me in the eyes and said, “You can do this. I believe in you.”

“Wha--“

He shut me up with a kiss, which was super-effective. “Go out there and kick some ass,” he whispered in my ear before letting go again.

I looked at him. What a change of tune from the day before!

“Go on,” Ryan said. “I'll be here when you get back.”

“You're okay with this?”

“I wish it hadn't come to this, but I know you're going to make it.”

“I will!” And it meant a lot that he believed so too. Immediately, I felt my spirit bolstered. My mate was putting his faith in me, and I wasn't going to let him down. “I'll be back before you know it.”

Ryan gave me a smile. “Counting on it.”

I knelt and placed my hand on his belly. “Bye, baby.”

“He says to hurry back.”

I stood and shot him a curious. “You think it's a boy?”

“I don't know. It just feels that way.”

“Really?” I grinned. I was going to have a son! Maybe.

“It's just a feeling.”

“I know, but this is exciting, isn't it? We're going to be parents!”

Ryan laughed. “Yeah, yeah we are. Once we get all of this in order.”

“Oh right.” Thinking of my child, I'd nearly forgotten everything else. Like that I was about to challenge another dragon to a fight to ensure its safety. “I'll be on my way.” I gave Ryan a kiss goodbye. I'd wanted to make it short, but he held on to me, lips lingering on mine. He was scared, still, even if he didn't want to show it. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him deeper. He made a soft sound and tilted his head to give me better access.

I could have stood there kissing him forever, but unfortunately, I did have to go.

“Be safe,” Ryan said as I withdrew.

“I will be,” I promised, and then I grabbed my things and headed out the door.

* * *

About five hoursafter I'd said goodbye to Ryan, I stood in front of Jin's apartment door once more. I took a deep breath, reminded myself why I was here--tokick some ass--and knocked on the door.

It didn't take Jin long to open it.

His eyebrows went up a touch when his eyes fell on me, but other than that, he didn't let his surprise show. “You came back early,” he said. “I thought you'd need at least a few more days before admitting defeat.”

My jaw set. “I'm not admitting defeat.”

“No?” Jin raised one of his eyebrows a little higher still.

“I'm here to renegotiate.”