The Dragon's Dilemma (Lochguard Highland Dragons 1)

Holly gently tugged his hair and he moved to look into her eyes. “Do all dragon-shifter males act this way? As if I couldn’t take care of myself?”

He frowned. “Of course you can take care of yourself. But a good male keeps his female happy. That way, she won’t leave him.”

Smiling, she cupped his cheek. “Good answer. But if I say I want to do something, then I’m going to do it. That will make me happy. Understand?”

His dragon growled inside the maze, and Fraser agreed with his beast. However, he would probably need to compromise with his human every day for the rest of their lives. Despite the challenges ahead, he found himself looking forward to it. “For now. But if we ever have a child, I will take care of you whilst you’re pregnant. It’s a dragonman’s duty. I hope you understand that.”

Holly searched his eyes. When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet. “If it ever happens, then we’ll revisit the idea.”

He took her face in his hands and stroked her cheeks. “Even if all we have are ten cats and a hamster, I will be happy. Because, Holly Anderson, all I need is you.”

Her eyes shined with wetness. “Fraser.”

He gave her a gentle kiss and added, “But I’m drawing the line at ten cats. If you try for number eleven, I’ll sleep in the forest by myself. The wee beasties tend to follow me around and the last thing I need is all of those furry bodies trying to squirm into bed between me and my mate.”

Mischief danced in Holly’s eyes. “Now that you’ve told me that, I have some plans to make. Maybe your brother and sister will help me see them through.”

He sighed. “Bloody fantastic.”

Holly laughed and the sound sent a rush of happiness through his body. He could listen to her laugh all day and it would never be enough.

She snuggled into his chest. “Now about that food…”

“Oh, aye? Now you’re wanting me to pamper you?” She smacked his bum and Fraser chuckled. “I can’t promise anything fancy, but even I can fry up some eggs and bacon.”

Nuzzling his skin, she murmured, “You’ll do, Fraser. You’ll do.”

Hugging Holly tight against his body, he closed his eyes and memorized the moment. He was confident everything would go well the next day, but there was always the chance her father wouldn’t accept him. After all, Fraser had put Holly’s life in danger several times already.

Fraser would treasure every second between now and then. It was a rare gift to find one’s mate and earn her love. He wasn’t about to do anything to fuck that up ever again.

Chapter Twenty

The next day, Holly stopped about twenty feet from Lorna MacKenzie’s cottage and squeezed Fraser’s hand in hers.

What happened inside that cottage would determine her future. As much as she loved Fraser, she wouldn’t be the one to cause strife in his family. Fergus might have said he wanted her to come back to Lochguard over the phone, but that had been during the heat of the dragon siege.

She only hoped it held true in the present as well. The thought of never seeing Fraser ever again, let alone tease him, was a bleak future indeed.

But if it meant Fraser could mend things with his family, she would do it. For him.

Fraser released her hand and hugged her against his side. As she melted against his heat, he whispered, “You won’t believe me no matter how many times I tell you everything will be fine. And here you are, delaying things. If there’s one way to upset my mum, it’s to be tardy.”

She frowned up at him. “That isn’t helping, Fraser.”

“Hey, it’s the truth.” He squeezed her again. “If I know my family at all, and I do, then they won’t hate you, honey. If anything, they’re going to try to draw you into the madness. Faye, in particular, has been looking for an ally against me and Fergus her whole life.”

“It’s not Faye I’m worried about.”

Before Fraser could reply, the door opened to reveal the tall, auburn-haired form of Fergus MacKenzie.

r /> Holly held her breath and waited for the hatred or worse, indifference, to flash in the dragonman’s eyes. But Fergus merely shouted, “Oi, hurry up you two. Faye and Arabella are starving and their whining is driving me crazy.”

She released her breath as Fraser answered, “Maybe we should stay out here a bit longer, Fergus. Then you can be the focus of their irritation a wee bit longer.”

Fergus shook his head. “If I have to carry you inside this house myself, I will, brother.” Fergus then grinned at Holly. “And then I’ll be back for you.”

Fraser growled. “You’ll not touch her, Fergus. Holly is my female.”