The Dragon's Dilemma (Lochguard Highland Dragons 1)

Finn studied him a second. “Aye, they have. More than you know.” Crossing his arms over his chest, Finn looked between Fraser and Holly as he continued, “The DDA have finalized the contract transfer. In three months’ time, a human scientist will come to live with the clan.”

Holly pointed a fork at Finn. “We already knew that was going to happen. There must be something more important going on.”

Fraser’s dragon spoke up again. She is clever and quick. We must keep her.

Ignoring his beast, Finn answered, “Fergus left yesterday for an assignment on Skye.”

Fraser’s heart skipped a beat. “When will he be back?”

Finn shrugged. “A month, maybe more. He waited as long as he could, Fraser. He wants to talk with you.”

Fraser squeezed Holly’s leg under the table. “Probably more like he wants to punch me.”

Holly swallowed and cut in, “Stop being so overdramatic. I’m surprised you lot haven’t killed one another by now.”

Finn grinned. “It’s been a close call in the past. And only because the twins teamed up on me.”

Fraser grunted. “Believe it if you like.”

Finn opened his mouth just as his mobile phone beeped. He took it out and read his text message.

With a curse, Finn looked to Holly. “We need to talk, but not here.”

Fraser’s dragon growled. If they try to take her away, I will hunt them down and hurt them. Holly is ours.

Wait a second before you start planning revenge. Holly’s right next to us.

Holly dropped her fork with a clang. “I’m ready.”

Fraser didn’t like the circles under Holly’s eyes. His female needed more sleep and time to recover from the frenzy.

Yet he knew she wouldn’t just go to sleep if he ordered it. Fraser would go with a compromise. Standing up, he waited until Holly was also on her feet before he scooped her up into his arms.

Holly squeaked. “What are you doing, Fraser MacKenzie? I’m perfectly capable of walking.”

He frowned. “You’re tired.”

His human wiggled in his arms. “Stop being ridiculous.”

Finn touched Fraser’s shoulder. “It’ll have to do, Holly. Believe me, you don’t want to wait for this information and Fraser will argue for twenty minutes if you let him.”

Holly sighed. “Fine.” She poked Fraser in the chest. “But just don’t get used to doing what you want without asking. We are going to set some boundaries later.”

“Boundaries I can handle. It signals you want to stay,” Fraser answered.

She fell silent and Fraser’s stomach dropped. Maybe he’d misread her answers and body language before.

Thankfully, Finn’s voice prevented him from thinking of how to respond. “You two can sort things out later. Come on.”

Finn exited the restaurant.

Tightening his grip on Holly’s body, Fraser followed.

~~~

As Fraser carried her out of the restaurant and toward Finn’s cottage, Holly’s heart beat double-time.

Sometimes it was hard to read Finn, but her gut told her something was wrong. Not only that, she had a feeling it had something to do with her.