Then his familiar lilting voice filled her ear, “Hello, Holly.”
She turned to face him and she drew in a breath. Her handsome dragonman had circles under his eyes and red stubble on his cheeks. An average person might not recognize him, but Holly would know the shape of Fraser’s face anywhere.
He was finally here.
Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “You look like hell.”
The corner of his mouth ticked up. “Some males might try to use pretty words about your appearances. Hell, I would’ve done it a few months ago. But you look worse than me by at least a mile.”
Sadness flickered in his eyes and in that second, in her gut, she knew Fraser was aware of what had happened to the baby.
Not ready to have that conversation, Holly turned around. “You’re an idiot for being here, you know. All I have to do is shout and the DDA guards will come running.”
Fraser moved a fraction closer and Holly resisted leaning back against his hard chest. He whispered, “I call your bluff. If you truly want me gone, then shout. Otherwise, stop with the idle threats and talk to me.”
The elevator doors opened and Holly hesitated. The last thing she wanted was to talk with Fraser about losing their baby and discover Lochguard didn’t want her any more.
Yet she’d missed his comforting presence over the last few weeks. Just hearing his voice helped to ease her tiredness; she could just imagine what would happen if he held her close.
Given her lack of food and sleep, she might even breakdown.
And yet, she didn’t care if that happened or not. Because she would have her dragonman to lean on.
Making a decision, Holly stepped into the elevator. She turned around and raised an eyebrow. “Are you coming?”
Fraser grinned and the stubble on his cheeks only made him more attractive.
Her dragonman moved to stand next to her, yet he kept a small distance between them. Holly wanted to reach out and touch his cheek, but she clenched her fingers instead. If Lochguard had wanted her to come back, she would’ve heard of it by now. There was no reason to torture herself with dreams and wishes of what she couldn’t have.
It was best to find out the truth and get it over with as quickly as possible.
As the elevator descended, Holly met Fraser’s blue eyes. “Well? Why are you here, Fraser MacKenzie?”
~~~
Fraser’s gaze darted to the stray hair resting on Holly’s cheek. The sight reminded him of their first time alone, back in the greenhouse at Finn and Arabella’s house. Much like then, he wanted to tuck the dark tendrils behind her ear.
Yet he knew it might be too soon. The lass’s reaction to his grin told him she was still attracted to him. But Fraser wanted more than attraction; he wanted her heart.
His dragon huffed. Then get on with it already. I don’t like these games.
Hey, you’re the one who wanted a challenge. Holly is definitely turning out to be our biggest challenge to date.
Just woo her. She looks tired and sad and I don’t like it.
Fraser watched as Holly leaned against the side of the elevator. Her cheeks were definitely too pale and the redness of her eyes spoke of little sleep.
Or, he hoped it was only because of lack of sleep. The image of his strong lass crying didn’t sit well with him.
His dragon growled. Pull her close and comfort her. She wants it, but fights it.
I won’t force it. Let me talk to her first. She’s been through hell, after all.
Don’t wait too long or we could lose her.
Give me some credit, dragon.
His beast fell silent and retreated to the back of his mind. Fraser met Holly’s eyes again. They were unreadable. He decided to screw being gentle. “I’m here for you, Holly Anderson. Why haven’t you bloody tried to call me or even send me a message?”