The Dragon's Dilemma (Lochguard Highland Dragons 1)

Holly stopped brushing his skin and he nearly begged for her to touch him again.

Bloody hell. Fraser had never yearned for a lass’s touch so much in his life. Especially without his dragon going on about it.

He’d put it down to the lingering effects of his dragon’s need to mate. There was nothing certain between him and Holly. And Fraser wasn’t about to wish for what he couldn’t have. Hell, after two weeks, they might not be able to stand each other. True mates didn’t always end in true love.

Bloody hell, he was starting to sound like a sappy movie.

Despite his dragon’s silence, Fraser swore he heard his beast’s growl inside his head. Good. Maybe his dragon was waking up. For better or worse, Fraser missed the randy sod.

Holly finally answered, “It’s my own decision. If you think I’m easily swayed by someone taller and much stronger than I, then let me set the record straight: I don’t put up with anyone’s crap, least of all a grumpy, alpha male. I may be human, but I’ve dealt with my fair share of alpha arseholes in the delivery room. I won every single time when they challenged me.”

Fraser had always wooed and bedded females who flirted or fell for his pretty words. Holly was a completely new challenge for him.

And bastard that he was, he rather liked the idea of winning her over. “That may be, but you have yet to handle a dragon in the throes of a frenzy.”

The female raised her chin. “I won’t put up with crap from a dragon either.”

There was definitely a stirring in the back of his mind. Maybe the lass’s backbone was enticing his dragon.

After all, his beast had always urged Fraser to go after more difficult females. To his dragon, Holly was the equivalent of a fat stag waiting to be hunted and devoured. Although, both man and beast had different ideas of how to devour Holly Anderson.

Fraser reached out to touch her, but the leather around his wrists dug into his skin. “Release me, Holly, and I’ll make an effort toward my brother.”

“If you don’t follow through, there will be hell to pay.”

The corner of his mouth kicked up. “From a wee lass as yourself?”

“Aye, this ‘wee lass’ has a few tricks up her sleeve.”

Fraser’s dragon cracked his eyes open and yawned. Hurry up, dragon. The silence is killing me.

His beast shook his head and stretched. His dragon wasn’t quite ready to wake up yet.

Holly’s voice brought him back to the hospital room. “Is your dragon breaking free again?”

“He’ll be groggy for a while yet. Release me, lass. There’s much to do before the frenzy starts.”

Holly hesitated, but finally undid the cuff on his left hand. The second it was free, he reached up to cup her cheek.

Holly stilled and Fraser held his breath. Maybe the lass’s words didn’t match the truth in her heart.

Then she leaned into his touch and reached across his body to undo the other cuff. Her long hair tickled against his chest. With his free hand, he tucked a section behind her ear and murmured, “Much better.”

Holly freed his other wrist and met his eyes. With her heat and scent surrounding him, all he wanted to do was kiss her.

But not yet. At least, not on the lips. He wouldn’t allow his dragon to ruin his second chance with the lass.

Fraser traced her brow, the bridge of her nose, and finally her lips. Holly parted them and he rubbed back and forth across her plump bottom lip. “Thank you, Holly.” Before she could answer, he raised his head and kissed her cheek. “I’m glad you met me first.”

~~~

Holly’s heart thundered inside her chest. She’d entered Fraser’s hospital room as nervous as she’d been on her first solo nursing shift. But her heart was currently beating fast for an entirely different reason.

Finn and Arabella had warned her against any prolonged skin-to-skin contact, lest she stir Fraser’s dragon and begin the frenzy.

Yet as Fraser’s breath danced against her cheek, her resolve fractured slightly. She’d been told not to kiss him on the lips.

She would keep that promise, but she yearned to taste Fraser’s skin.