The Dragon Guardian (Lochguard Highland Dragons 2)

His eyes flashed again. “Where’s Layla?”

Sid wasn’t a novice when it came to stubborn dragon-shifter males. She pointed toward the bed. “Last warning. Lay. Down.”

They stared at one another for a second and Sid debated the best way to get Innes into bed.

An image of her lying on top of a naked, toned Gregor flashed into her mind. Before she could banish it, her heart thumped double-time. What the hell was wrong with her?

The corner of Gregor’s mouth ticked up. “I can see how much you want to examine me, doctor. I’ll be a good patient.”

Sid rolled her eyes. “They say doctors make the worst patients and I’m starting to think it’s true.”

Gregor’s chuckle was a rich, warm sound that sent a wave of longing over her. For some odd reason, she wanted to hear it again.

Then Logan’s voice came over the radio and broke the spell. “You have a new patient to see you, Dr. Sid.”

Picking up the radio, she pressed the button. “Is it urgent?”

Logan answered, “Not particularly, but I wouldn’t want to keep Finn’s mate waiting.”

Arabella was here. “Give me a few minutes and I’ll be there.”

Lowering her radio, Sid motioned with her hand. “Lay down. I have shit to do and flirting with you isn’t one of them.”

Gregor lay back, covering his lower half with a sheet. While unusual considering dragon-shifter didn’t think twice about nudity, Sid let it pass. Moving to his side, she gently touched the bump on his head. It was half the size of the day before. “The bump is healing and should be gone by tomorrow. Since nothing showed up in your earlier scans, you can start helping Layla later today. Her other helper, Daniel Keith, left this morning.”

Gregor’s voice was more neutral when he asked, “What about the clan? How are they?”

Sid looked at him askance. “Most of them did fine.” She paused, and finally decided to just spit out the bad news. “Your brother’s mate and eldest daughter were the only fatalities. I’m truly sorry, Gregor.”

All signs of his earlier humor vanished, replaced with a frown and flashing eyes. “Where are Harris and Fiona?”

“I sent them home to rest. I’ll have a nurse call them in here soon.”

Gregor put up a hand. “Don’t disturb them. I know from experience that he’ll need some time to pull himself together enough for visitors.”

As a doctor, Sid shouldn’t push for personal details that could upset a patient. But she blurted out, “Because of your mate and son.”

“Aye.”

Gregor never broke eye contact. Sid didn’t know how long they stared at one another, yet she didn’t want to be the one to look away. There was hidden pain in his eyes, probably much like there was in hers. They each had different pasts, but had more in common than Gregor would ever know. Both of them understood deep loss.

Logan’s voice came over the radio again. “Dr. Sid?”

She finally forced her gaze away to answer him. “I’m on my way.” Looking back to Gregor, she added, “I need to go.”

“Aye, I reckon you do. Thanks for helping, Cassidy.”

No one had called her Cassidy since she’d lost her dragon. Only through sheer force of will did she prevent her eyes from tearing up at the memories of when she’d been Cassidy instead of Sid.

Still, she couldn’t bring herself to correct him. She almost wanted him to say her full name again, which was ridiculous.

Then she remembered Arabella and her duties. “You’re welcome. I’m sure I’ll see you again before I leave.”

Sid turned. As she exited the room, she heard Gregor murmur, “Aye, we will, lass. That we will.”

Pushing aside her curiosity at his statement, Sid rushed toward the front of the tent. One look at Arabella, and Sid forgot all about Gregor. Wrapping an arm around the female’s shoulder, Sid ushered her into an empty partition. The second they were alone, Sid demanded, “Tell me what’s wrong, Arabella MacLeod.”

Arabella remained silent for a few seconds before she turned to Sid and hugged her. Taken by surprise, Sid patted Arabella’s back. “Ara? Tell me. Nothing can be as bad as the dragon hunters.” When Arabella remained silent, Sid lowered her voice. “You can tell me anything. I won’t tell Bram unless there’s a threat to Stonefire.”