The Dragon Guardian (Lochguard Highland Dragons 2)

The human smiled and he felt as if he’d been punched in the gut. With her curly red hair blowing around her pale face, she was beautiful.

Kiss her, his dragon urged.

Fergus’s gaze dropped to Gina’s pink lips. Even now, he remembered how soft and warm they were next to his. And damn, her taste. He could drink her in all day.

His beast added, Just wait until we lick between her thighs.

The image of Gina naked and at the mercy of his tongue flashed into his head. What he wouldn’t give to caress every inch of her body. She deserved to be treasured and he had a feeling the American bastard hadn’t done so.

No doubt, the Yank arsehole had hurt her. Maybe Fergus could win her over slowly and prove he was different.

His dragon growled, but the human’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “As much fun as it is watching your pupils flash and emotions dance in your eyes, either talk with me or I’ll ask the next person I see to take me to my new home.”

Fergus grunted. “I can’t help it. My bloody dragon lives to irritate me. I love order and rules and he despises them. Imagine having a constant battle inside your mind, and that’s what it’s like.”

Gina paused a beat before asking, “Then if it’s so bad, how have you not gone crazy?”

His dragon swished his tail in the back of his mind. Fergus ignored him. “I may complain, but my dragon is an essential part of me. No matter where I am or where I go, I will never be truly alone.”

Gina’s face softened. “That sounds nice.”

“It’s more than nice, lass. But just because I can’t imagine living without the bloody beast doesn’t mean it’s easy. America has had its fair share of rogue dragons as well. Those who can’t maintain control end up being a danger to more than just themselves.”

Placing a hand on her belly, Gina looked into the distance. “I hope my baby will be okay.”

The concern on her face shot straight to his heart. He placed his forefinger under her chin and gently tilted her head back toward him. When she met his eye, he should’ve dropped his hand. But her skin was soft and he couldn’t resist lightly stroking it. “If I have any say in the matter, the lad will grow up to be strong and in complete control of his other half.”

“You say that now, but once he’s born and crying in the middle of the night, you’ll bolt the first chance you get.”

“No, I won’t.” She opened her mouth, but he moved his finger against her lips. “I will take care of you as long as you allow me the privilege, Gina MacDonald. I vow it.”

The wind swirled around them, but all of his attention was on Gina’s face. He willed for the female to grant him the honor of protecting both mother and bairn.

Gina’s eyes grew wet and it squeezed his heart. Both man and beast wanted to do everything in their power to chase away the tears. Their human deserved to laugh and be happy.

More than that, she deserved to be loved.

~~~

Gina was about five seconds from turning into a blubbery mess. She wanted to believe Fergus truly meant what he said. Not only that, but that he also wanted to help raise her son and even take care of her.

Of course, Gina could take care of herself. She’d done it for months. But just the idea of having someone to lean on when things turned difficult made her heart warm.

The only question was whether Fergus MacKenzie was sincere or not.

Yet the longer she stared into his dark blue eyes the less she thought about her past or what trouble might lurk in the future. Her dragonman’s fierce, intense gaze sent a tingle down her spine and heat between her legs. Fergus MacKenzie was focused on her and only her.

She could only imagine what would happen if she allowed him to care for her.

A familiar voice carried in the wind—it was Fraser. “Oi, brother, hurry up. Holly’s impatient to see Gina inside and resting.”

Fergus flipped off his brother, but never broke eye contact with Gina. He was the first to speak. “We’d better go or my mum will be next. The MacKenzies are, for the most part, an impatient lot.”

Gina seized the change of topic and smiled. “Except for you, of course.”

“But of course.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders again. She nearly sighed in contentment, but held back. “We’re almost there, lass. Come on.”

After Fergus picked up the cat carrier, they walked the last few minutes in silence.