He watched Layla, waiting for an answer to his qu
estion about being cynical. When she finally looked up, she asked, "What do you know about my younger sister, Yasmin?"
The sister. Rumors ran aplenty, but he preferred the truth instead. So he answered, "Not much. I vaguely remember her sending-off party at the great hall, but that was what, four or five years ago?"
Layla bobbed her head. "Aye, too long ago."
The sadness in her voice instantly made both man and beast alert. "What about her, lass? What happened to your sister to make you so cynical?"
She looked at his chest and plucked at his top. She may be in her thirties, but in that moment, she barely looked older than twenty. She said softly, "My mother arranged a marriage for Yasmin to a friend's son in Clan One in Iran—the clans are simply numbered there. And since Yasmin was always the dutiful one, desperate for our parents’ approval, she agreed to it despite me being the only one who knew she cared for someone here."
He resisted a frown. Arranged matings had been rare for the last fifty or hundred years among dragon-shifters. And if there had been someone on Lochguard who loved her, then they'd been a bloody fool to let Yasmin go without a fight. Doing his best to keep his voice calm, he asked, "Why do you think she agreed to it?"
Layla shrugged, still keeping her gaze on his chest. "I don't know. I think Yas was always trying to convince herself it was what she wanted, that it would make Mum proud, and so she never complained or shed a tear, at least that I know of."
Chase had heard maybe two real complaints from Layla over the last two years. "So, she's like you, then."
Her startled gaze met his. "Why would you say that?"
He smiled as he stroked her back, hoping to calm her. "Come, lass, you don't complain, either. And there's plenty to go on about, especially given how much you have to put up with here. Archie and Cal alone are enough to make one take up drinking."
The corner of her lips curled upward, no doubt remembering one of the foolish revenge acts the two old males had carried out over the years, each accusing the other of stealing some of their land or livestock. "They've calmed down quite a bit since becoming involved with Meg Boyd and rarely end up at the surgery anymore."
He snorted. "How that female managed to catch two males, I'll never understand, let alone the rumors about them all sharing a bed together."
Amusement danced in her eyes. "I would elaborate on that, but I'm sworn to secrecy as their doctor."
He gently chucked under her chin. "I don't care about the old biddy and her males. But one day, I'll ferret out all your secrets, Layla. Wait and see."
After a beat, Layla tried to get off his lap and Chase let her. As much as he wanted to act like a possessive male, hold her tight, and say she was going to stay with him, he'd give her some breathing room. For now.
Layla took a bite of pizza, picked up her plate, and motioned toward the hall. "Show me how to view the security footage and then we can watch it together."
Inwardly, he groaned. Watching people coming and going from various storage closets wasn't his idea of an ideal date. And yet, this was only the first of many tests to come when it came to being the mate of a doctor.
Even though he'd have said yes anyway, he stood and tilted his head. "We do that and then I get to pick our next activity."
Chase slowly looked up and down her body, taking in every curve and valley.
Her cheeks flushed and his inner dragon took notice. There's a lot we can do without kissing her on the mouth.
Ignoring his beast, he put on a mock expression of surprise. "Why, Dr. MacFie, are you thinking dirty thoughts?"
Her cheeks turned even redder, and he did his best not to laugh. Especially once she stood taller and straightened her shoulders. "Of course not."
Biting back a grin, he crossed over to her, snagging a pizza box on the way. He stopped next to her, leaned over, and whispered, "Don't worry, I have enough dirty thoughts for the both of us, lass."
Her breath hitched, and it took everything he had not to turn his head and kiss her.
Instead, he went down the hall toward the extra bedroom Layla used as a secondary office, where he'd set up the receiving equipment. Part of him wanted to discover the thief right away to ease Layla's worries. However, another part of him wished she'd get bored at seeing nothing suspicious so he could do something to try and make her laugh or smile and help her forget for a few minutes that she was a doctor.
Chase's dragon spoke up. What happened to all of your patience?
It's easier to wait when you have no encouragement. Now, however, being around her all the time, it's a lot harder.
If I can keep myself in check, you can, too. We need to prove we're the mate she needs.
Knowing that his dragon was right, Chase hurried toward the office. He'd waited two years for Layla. A few more weeks or months shouldn't be impossible.