The Dragon's Dilemma (Lochguard Highland Dragons 1)

I wish it were that simple, but he didn’t take it well the last time we stole a lass from him. Besides, I’m not sure Finn would agree to transfer the contract. It may not even be possible.

You never know until you try.

Listen, dragon. I won’t hurt my twin or take away his last chance for happiness, so stop pushing.

His beast snarled. You’ve made your opinion clear. I’ll make my next move without you.

As his dragon retreated to the back of his mind, Fraser’s stomach turned heavy. If his dragon took control, the bloody beast could do all kinds of damage. Not only scaring Holly, but testing the bonds of his family.

Fraser may not have tried to resist his dragon’s wishes in the past, but that was changing from this moment forward.

His dragon’s laugh echoed inside his head and Fraser clenched his jaw. Just wait, dragon. I’m stronger than you think.

His beast’s silence spoke volumes. Some might think it meant his beast agreed, but in Fraser’s experience, his dragon usually fell quiet when he didn’t think arguing a point was worth his time.

His dragon’s response only strengthened his resolve. For the remainder of the walk to the kitchen, Fraser recalled every detail he’d heard over the years on how to construct a complicated maze to preoccupy his dragon. If he could manage that, then he could devise a way to leave supper early. The longer he stayed in the room with Holly, the greater the chance his dragon would take control and do who the hell knew what to her.

Faye’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “You’re quiet, brother. What’s wrong?”

Forcing a lazy smile, he shook his head. “You know me, I’m just devising trouble. I’ll have to give Fergus a big send off before the mating ceremony.”

As he rambled off pub names and the best hunting grounds to fool his sister, Fraser built his maze piece by piece. There was no bloody way he was allowing his dragon to ruin things for his family.

~~~

Holly tucked a section of her hair behind her ear. She usually wore it up, but her friends had always mentioned how pretty she looked with it down. Combined with her blue low-cut top, she just might be able to convince Fergus to kiss her.

Picking at her trouser leg, she resisted pacing the floor of the small study. Finn should return with the aforementioned Fergus at any moment.

Even though she was having dinner at the MacKenzie household, she was meeting Fergus at Finn’s place first. Finn had muttered something about keeping the family’s overbearing curiosity out of the way for her first introduction to her assigned dragonman.

It would also give her a chance to admire Fergus without his bloody twin brother distracting her.

The doorknob turned and she took a deep breath. This is it. Time to meet your future.

The door opened to reveal Finn’s smiling face. “Ms. Holly Anderson, may I present Fergus Roger MacKenzie.”

Behind him, she heard a male murmur, “No need for the middle name, Finn.”

Finn grinned as he stepped aside. “Blame your mum if you don’t like it, not me.”

With a sigh, a tall dragonman with wavy auburn hair and blue eyes stepped into the room. From his broad shoulders to the slight indentation in his chin, Fergus looked exactly like Fraser, except the man in front of her lacked a scar near his left eye.

Despite Fergus having the same build and face as his twin brother, the look in Fergus’s eyes was kind and missing the twinkle or heat of his brother’s. Fergus also didn’t have a late-day stubble like Fraser. And most importantly, Holly had no desire to stare at Fergus’s lips.

Catching herself before she remembered about the incident in the greenhouse yet again, Holly held out a hand. “Nice to meet you, Fergus.”

Fergus took her hand and shook. His touch was warm, but lacked any sort of fizzle. It was almost as if she were shaking the hand of a patient or coworker.

In contrast, just the heat of Fraser’s breath on her face had sent warmth rushing between her legs.

Stop it, Holly. Fergus and not Fraser is your future. Think of how happy Dad will be when he gets to see you again back in Aberdeen.

Fergus released her hand and smiled. “I know everything must seem strange to you, but I’ll make sure your stay here is pleasant. There’s nothing to fear from Lochguard.”

A small part of Holly wanted much more than pleasant; she wanted hot, uncontrollable passion.

Instead of voicing her thoughts, she nodded. “I sense that already.”