The Dragon's Heart (Lochguard Highland Dragons 3)

Ross frowned. “Before or after Jamie?”

“Before. I dated Stu for about a year before I even noticed Jamie. Stu and I had an argument, and shortly after, Jamie snuck a kiss from me at a gathering. I hadn’t thought anything about it at the time and rather thought kissing someone else would convince me to give Stu another chance. However, the kiss started the mate-claim frenzy.”

Squeezing Lorna’s fingers, he asked, “So you weren’t in love with Jamie MacKenzie at first?”

She shook her head. “No. I fancied him a bit, but the love came later. Stu didn’t take it well but left me alone because I was carrying Jamie’s child. Or, rather, as we found out later, the twins.” She smiled at him. “Eventually, Stu found his own mate with a human female. The old leader kicked him out of the clan because of his human mate. He and his brother, Euan, helped to found Clan Seahaven.”

“That’s why I haven’t seen him before.”

“Aye. He surprised me this morning, but apparently, he’s acting as Seahaven’s representative and negotiating with Fergus.”

“He’d better not have made courting you part of the negotiations,” Ross growled.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Stu, and pretty much every Scottish dragon-shifter, knows that wouldn’t fly with me. You should know that too, Anderson. If not, then maybe I should rethink kissing you again.”

Tugging her to him, Ross wrapped his free arm around Lorna’s waist. “I don’t think you’d last long, lass. You were enjoying them earlier. You’d soon be going through withdrawals.”

Lorna rolled her eyes. “I half expected you to say they were the greatest gifts of my lifetime.”

He grinned. “I did think about it.” He winked and Lorna chuckled. “But the bigger question is whether you’re okay with me claiming you to the clan by holding your hand, especially before talking with your children. Fraser, in particular, might not be happy about it.”

She sighed. “He’s protective, like his late father. But leave Fraser to me. I was hoping we could talk to all of the children at dinner tonight. On the off chance we see them on the way home, I’ll handle it. Holding hands isn’t exactly a mate vow.”

“Well, for dinner, just make sure to hide the breakables.”

Hitting his chest, Lorna scowled. “There won’t be any throwing. I’m going to make that very clear at the beginning of our discussion.”

“Right, because the MacKenzies always sit prim and proper at the dinner table.”

“If anything happens, then stand your own. Otherwise, you won’t survive being part of the family.”

Ross’s heart skipped a beat. “So, you want me to be part of your family, Lorna?”

Searching his eyes, she finally murmured, “Perhaps, Ross. But you’re going to have to earn the place. Not just with me or my dragon, but my children as well.”

Lightly caressing her cheek, he answered, “Oh, I will. I think I’m already halfway there.”

Lorna frowned but then smiled. “I would deny it, but I’m too old to lie. I’ve grown used to having your around, human, so I hope you can win over more hearts than mine.”

He tried not to pin too much hope on Lorna’s mention of winning hearts. He was falling in love with her already. But Ross wasn’t going to rush things.

Best to distract both himself and Lorna with touch. “Oh, I’m quite the charmer, especially when I’m determined.” He kissed her jaw. “And believe me, Lorna, I’m determined to have all of you.” He nipped her bottom lip. “It should be a breeze.”

Lorna snorted, but he cut off her reply with a kiss. As the beautiful dragonwoman in his arms melted against him, Ross only hoped his cockiness would prove to be true. Now that he’d kissed her, he wanted a future with Lorna MacKenzie, no matter what it took.

~~~

Lorna somehow managed to stand tall and avoid barking at the clan members staring as she and Ross walked hand in hand. It helped that every few seconds Ross squeezed her fingers in reassurance.

She rather liked his warm, strong hands.

Her dragon spoke up. Just wait until they touch other parts of our body. I think Ross’s wicked sense of humor will translate into a different type of wicked in bed.

Hush. You’re acting as if we’re twenty and in the throes of early dragon lust.

Her beast huffed. Well, it’s close. I have more than twenty years to make up for.

Lorna was trying to think of how to reply to that when the curvy, gray-haired figure of Meg Boyd stepped into her path.