Loved by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 4.50)

How Bram had managed to keep his secret from Evie, he didn’t know. His bloody dragon was irritating the hell out of him.

His beast spoke up. She will be pleased. We should tell her. Then she’d look forward to the celebration.

/> For the tenth time, I like watching Evie’s face when I surprise her. And this one is a good one. It’s the best Solstice present I could give her.

His dragon huffed. I still say she deserves more presents.

She isn’t a dragon-shifter. Evie doesn’t have to worry about pleasing her spoiled other half.

Thankfully, his beast faded into the back of his mind. The tales about dragons loving treasures hit a little too close to home sometimes.

Bram glanced down at his daughter and hugged Evie closer against him. If only Murray were in his arms, the moment would be perfect. “I hope wee Murray hasn’t tired out my brother. Ava is a handful by herself, but adding Murray to the mix creates chaos.”

Evie smiled. “Murray needs time to get to know his uncle and cousin. Besides, if Bennett can handle Ava, then he’ll be fine. I’m more worried about Eleanor growing up like her female cousin. Two hyperactive children will be the death of me.”

Kissing Evie’s hair, he murmured, “We’ll manage, love. We’ll manage.”

They arrived at the towering brick building that served as Stonefire’s great hall. Lights shone from the windows and music drifted out into the air from the doorway. Five seconds later, Melanie rushed out of the hall right toward them. As soon as she was close enough, Mel asked, “What took you so long? The ceremony is due to start in a few minutes. Jane worked hard to invite a few friends from the press as well as set-up equipment to record the event. You know she’s due to start her podcast series after the New Year and wants to include tonight in one of the first episodes.”

Evie’s voice was dry as she replied, “We’re not all super mums like you, Melanie Hall-MacLeod. You might’ve been able to start working weeks after birthing the twins, but I’m still trying to keep my blood pressure under control. In fact, you shouldn’t do anything to try and raise it.”

Even in the half-darkness, Evie made out the twinkle in Bram’s eyes. “Aye, Evie’s right. Maybe we’ll take our time to the hall.”

Evie looked up at Bram and raised an eyebrow. “As if you should talk. You’re the one going on about surprises.”

Mel jumped in. “Come on, Evie. You don’t want to keep little Eleanor out in the cold, do you?”

“Damn you, Melanie.”

Melanie grinned. “Thanks to you, I’m pretty good at all the shortcuts for hitting a mother’s guilt by now. If you didn’t want me to use them on you, then you shouldn’t have used them on me.”

Evie grunted. “If it were anyone else, Mel, I would tell them to stuff it.”

Mel winked. “But you love me too much.”

As Evie shook her head, Bram’s dragon growled and he knew he’d better do something or his bloody beast would give him a headache. “Fine, we’ll go. Just give us a minute.”

Melanie looked from Bram to Evie and back again. “One minute. Then I’ll send Tristan and Kai to get you.”

“Kai won’t do anything to order me around,” Bram stated.

Melanie tilted her head. “If it’s to please Jane, then yes, he sure as hell will.”

Bram sighed. While he was happy his head Protector had found a second chance at love, Bram kept finding out new things about his head of security. If Bram wasn’t careful, Jane would be the one giving orders.

But he’d have a chat with the human female later. “Go tell them we’re coming, lass.”

With a nod, Mel turned and went back inside the great hall. Bram brushed Evie’s cheek. “Give me a kiss, love. Then we can go inside and finish the bloody ceremony.”

Evie smiled. “You’ve changed your tune.”

Not wanting to admit it, Bram gently kissed Evie. But the second his lips touched her soft mouth, his dragon demanded more.

Biting her bottom lip, Evie opened and he stroke his tongue against hers. Tasting her was a bad idea as he wanted her with every atom of his being; yet according to Dr. Sid, he couldn’t have her for at least another six weeks.

After one last stroke, Bram broke the kiss and whispered, “Now you’ll have my taste in your mouth.”

“And this is important why?”