Yet his touch had reminded Gina of what she may never have—a man to call her own and a father for her son.
The dragonman’s voice was gravelly when he finally spoke up. “The answer to your question is that my dragon wants you, Gina MacDonald.” Fergus looked over his shoulder and she drew in a breath at the heat of his gaze. “While I know your body wants me too, I’ll hold off.”
Her voice was strangled to her own ears. “Why?”
He turned. “Because if you wish to stay on Lochguard, I am to be your Guardian. Keeping you and the babe safe is more important than pleasing my dragon’s lusty thoughts.” He took a step toward her and her heart rate kicked up. “You have nothing to fear from me, lass. I promise you. And I’ll find a way to prove it.”
As tempting as it was to say she very much wanted to live out his dragon’s lusty thoughts, Gina could no longer think of only herself.
Still, she studied Fergus’s face and tried to determine if he was sincere. From everything she knew, dragon-shifters took what they wanted, consequences be damned. Could it be that, despite the rumors and portrayals in the media, not all dragon clans acted that way?
Clearing her throat, her voice sounded a lot more even when she replied, “I’m curious to see how you prove it. Dragonmen tend to think with their dicks first and their heads later.”
Fergus’s eyes flashed and she held her breath. Now was the time to test the dragonman, what with Finn and the others nearby to save her if she screamed. Even if they didn’t help, she had the vial of ground mandrake root and periwinkle in her pocket. The young guard who’d searched her had believed her story of it being a herbal tea to help with pregnancy symptoms.
The corner of Fergus’s mouth ticked up. “I have an idea. How about I take you to my mum’s house for tonight to settle in? My mum can cook for you and give you some tips about the clan. Between her and my younger sister, you should feel safe enough. Although your cat will have to stay with Fraser for the night. My sister is highly allergic.”
Gina had seen but never talked with a female dragon-shifter before. Before Travis, she’d been fascinated with all things dragon-shifters and had even joined the fan club at her college. She was curious about how they acted. Her plan to irritate Fergus and drive him away could wait a day if it meant she could check something off her list of things to do. After all, she might be spending the rest of her life on Lochguard and she needed all the information she could get.
Nodding, she adjusted the cat on her shoulder. “Okay, but just for tonight. If your family is anything like you and your brother together, I’m not sure I could take more than one day there before I started kicking people.”
Fergus grinned. “Feel free to kick my sister, although I’d watch out for my mum. She had to raise three hellions and an unruly nephew. She’ll predict your next move five minutes before you even think it.”
Gina really should keep her mouth shut, but she couldn’t resist saying, “You act differently when you’re around your brother or talk about your family. You’re a lot less stuffy.”
His eyes flashed again and Fergus’s grin faded. “We can debate my stuffiness later. Right now, I should take you home and get you something to eat. You’re paler than I like, lass.”
She opened her mouth to reply and her stomach growled. Thanks for betraying me, body.
Fergus moved to her side and placed a hand on her back. Raising her head, she stared into Fergus’s dark blue eyes. Damn, the man was attractive. It was a good thing she’d be around his family. She should be able to resist kissing him again in front of his mother.
Not that she should ever kiss him again.
She waved a hand. “It’s no big deal. Another half-hour won’t kill me.”
“It might not, but it will drive my dragon crazy,” he stated and picked up the carrier. “Let’s get the wee beastie into the carrier. The sooner we leave, the sooner my mum can feed you.”
As she and Fergus stared at one another, she wanted to know why he cared so much. Even if his dragon wanted her, it was for sex only. Travis had explained that to her.
Stop comparing him to that bastard. Considering Travis’s trickery, it was highly possible he’d lied to her. Fraser and Holly were mates and there was a lot more than mere lust between them.
Fergus shook the carrier. Gina gave her cat one last stroke before she maneuvered Coal into the contraption.
The dragonman bent his head and locked the carrier door. The scent of something wild and male filled her nose. Damn, he smelled good. The memory of his warm, possessive kiss filled her mind and she shivered.
Gina shook her head to clear it. Would staying in the same house with Fergus for the first night be the best idea? All it took was one whiff of his scent and she ached for his touch. Hell, if he kissed her again, she’d probably strip and offer him her body.
Her son kicked and she placed a hand over her stomach. Are you telling me you want Fergus around? Her baby kicked again and she smiled.
“Why are you smiling?” Fergus asked.
Taking a deep breath, she met his dark blue eyes again. “My son is kicking again. My guess is that he’s practicing in case your hard dick gets a little too close.”
Chuckling, Fergus moved his hand until it was an inch from her belly. “May I?”
Allowing the dragonman to touch her was a bad idea for many reasons. Yet before she could convince herself of why, she nodded. “Sure.”
The second Fergus’s large, warm hand touched her stomach, her son kicked again. Fergus leaned his head close and whispered, “He’s a strong lad already. I can’t wait to see what he’s like when he’s here and kicking. I bet he’ll be a handful and a half.”