Layla was Lochguard’s junior doctor. “No, don’t. The fewer people involved, the better. I’m calling Finn after this, so just hurry up. Tell Fraser it’s the white cottage with a chicken coop right behind it. There’s also a stack of firewood next to it. There aren’t any other cottages around here with both those features.”
“Okay, but—”
Fergus ended the call. Just as he was about to dial Finn’s number, Gina sucked in a breath. Reaching a hand out, he cupped her soft cheek. “Tell me what’s wrong, Gina.”
“Pain.” She closed her eyes. Fergus stroked her cheek and she leaned into his touch.
He wondered what it would be like to have a female of his own who always did the same.
Pushing aside that thought, he focused on the human. “Keep breathing, lass. I have help coming. If they fly, they can be here in the next five minutes.”
Gina finally let out a breath. Opening her eyes, she touched his arm with her hand. “They won’t try to take my baby, will they?”
Seeing the strong lass’s fear made his dragon snarl. She should never be unhappy. Cuddle her close. Our touch will help her.
But we’re naked.
Right now, does that matter?
His dragon was correct. A female with pregnancy pains wasn’t going to be thinking of hot sex with a dragon-shifter. “No, they won’t take the bairn, Gina. Has the pain passed for now?” She nodded and he continued, “Then let me hold you in my lap until they arrive. For whatever reason, my touch relaxes you. Don’t deny it.”
She bit her lip. His beast growled out, Don’t let her say no.
What is wrong with you? I’m not Fraser. I don’t give in to my dragon’s tantrums.
It’s not a tantrum. Our female must never be in pain, if we can help it.
She’s not our female. Her male could be coming at any time.
His dragon remained silent. That meant his bloody beast was thinking of a plan.
Realizing Gina hadn’t answered yet, Fergus stroked her cheek again with his thumb. “Come on, lass. I bet you’re curious what it’s like to feel all these muscles wrapped around you.”
As if on cue, she narrowed her eyes. “Muscles mean nothing if you’re a bastard. I don’t know you well enough to make that judgment.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to say he wasn’t a bastard. But his dragon’s possessive urge to hold Gina surged through his body, igniting his human half’s own hidden desire.
Tired of playing nice, Fergus leaned over, placed his hands underneath Gina’s armpits and maneuvered her to his lap. Before she could make a sound, he wrapped his arms around her and leaned his cheek against hers.
For a se
cond, she tensed. Then she leaned against him. Fergus chuckled. “I told you.”
She turned her head to meet his eye. “Only because you’re helping me will I allow it this once. But don’t get any ideas.”
His dragon hissed. We should be able to hold her whenever we want.
Not now, dragon.
Ignoring his beast, he reveled in the heat and scent of the human in his lap. It reminded him partly of why he wanted a mate—so he could share this type of closeness every day.
But Gina wasn’t his and most likely never could be. He needed to forget about her and focus on his clan’s safety. There were too many unknown variables with Gina; she could be a potential threat to Lochguard. Not that he wanted to believe it.
Keeping his tone light, he answered, “You should be more concerned about the DDA. Or, hell, meeting with my clan leader for that matter.”
“Exactly. Which is why you should be talking to him on your cell phone instead of keeping me captive in your arms.”
He should call Finn that instant, but instead, he murmured, “I’m holding you captive?” He hugged her tighter against his body, loving the softness of her arse against his groin. “Then maybe I should start taking advantage of the situation.”