The Dragon's Dilemma (Lochguard Highland Dragons 1)

Fraser sighed inside his mind. Cuddling doesn’t mean she’s agreed to be our mate. Sometimes I wish we could just be a full-time dragon. Life is so much simpler for you.

Maybe. It could be simple for you, too, but you insist on following rules.

Don’t even think about breaking any of the DDA’s rules. If we’re going to convince them to allow Holly’s father to live on Lochguard, we need to stay in their good graces.

His dragon flicked his tail. Fine. But we always have more fun when we break the rules. You’re starting to sound like Fergus.

At the mention of his twin’s name, overwhelming guilt flooded his body. He had yet to speak with his brother. The pair of them had only been apart for two weeks once before, when Fergus had gone to America for special job training with the dragon clan in Virginia.

Holly’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “You’re quiet, Fraser. What are you thinking about?”

He could lie, but as he looked into Holly’s amber gaze, the urge to tell her the truth was too strong to ignore. “Fergus.”

His human laid down her fork. “I’m sure he’s cooled off by now. He didn’t strike me as being particularly hotheaded.”

“Hotheaded? No. Stubborn as an ox? Yes.”

“Don’t you mean as stubborn as a dragon-shifter?”

He smiled. “I bet you think you’re funny, honey.”

Holly picked up her fork again. “I am, actually. I’m saving my best material for later.”

Fraser opened his mouth to reply when Finn walked into the small restaurant with a scowl. Fraser stood and moved in front of Holly. Finn stopped a few feet away. “Bloody hell. I’m not about to hurt the lass, Fraser.”

“What do you want?” Fraser asked.

Finn raised an eyebrow. “You were supposed to call me.”

He growled. “My female was hungry. That was more important.”

As Finn and Fraser stared at one another, Fraser held his breath. He wasn’t used to challenging his cousin so publicly. But when it came to Holly, Fraser would do whatever it took to care for her.

Finn finally relaxed his posture. “It’s important, but you still could’ve called me. A lot has happened in the twelve days you’ve been in throes of the frenzy.”

Holly pushed against his waist. “Sit down, Fraser.” Instead of sitting down, he moved to Holly’s side. His female merely shook her head as she added, “Then how about you sit down, Finn, and tell us what happened while we were in seclusion.”

Finn raised an eyebrow in warning. “Remember what we talked about before the frenzy, Holly.” Finn dropped his voice to a low whisper. “I haven’t done anything worth a scolding, so be careful of your tone.”

Fraser was about to say something, but Holly beat him to it. Her voice was sweet as she asked, “Won’t you sit down and tell us what happened, oh great clan leader?”

Finn muttered something about strong females before taking an empty chair.

Fraser maintained his post at Holly’s side as he raised his brows. “Well? What’s so important you needed to interrupt our breakfast, cousin?”

Finn pointed to the chair next to Holly. “Sit your arse down first. You really are an idiot if you think I’m going to touch Holly. Remember, I have my own pregnant female waiting for me at home.”

Fraser’s dragon chimed in. He’s right. Arabella would kick his arse if he hurt another person’s mate.

His dragon’s words helped to clear the cloud of possessiveness inside Fraser’s mind a fraction.

Still, sitting down, Fraser put a hand on Holly’s leg and growled for good measure.

His female sighed at the action, but didn’t scold him. Instead, she picked up her fork again. “While you two have your alpha stare down, I’m going to eat some more.”

As she took a bite, Finn finally smiled. “There’s no stare down, lass. Fraser knows he can’t win against me.”

Fraser narrowed his eyes. “Things have changed, cousin.”