The Dragon Warrior (Lochguard Highland Dragons 4)

Later, then.

Lorna closed the distance between them and took his face into her hands. “How many times do I have to tell you not to be shy? I’ve known you since the day you were born, lad. You’re always welcome in our family.”

For a split second, Grant yearned for the warmth and peace of a family untouched by scandal and betrayal. The MacKenzies were notorious for their lively dinners and more than a few food fights. An evening with them could help him forget about his own father and how he had abandoned him.

But before he could do something stupid, such as invite himself over for dinner once they returned from the exhibition excursion, Faye spoke up. “How about you let us go, Mum? Otherwise, we’ll never reach Inverness by nightfall.”

Lorna tsked. “Since Cat sent her art on ahead and everyone’s luggage with it, you’re flying. Inverness is fifteen or twenty minutes from here by dragonwing. You have plenty of time.”

Ross Anderson, Lorna’s human mate, wrapped an arm around his dragonwoman’s waist. “She’ll be back soon enough, love. Besides, they need the daylight to keep an eye out for any hunters or Knights. Unless you’re wanting them to be at a disadvantage and possibly attacked?”

Lorna smacked her mate’s chest. “Ross Anderson, don’t even joke about that.”

Faye jumped in. “Mum, we’ll be fine. I promise to call once we land and many times after that. You’ll probably beg me to stop pestering you before long. After all, your mating is still new.”

Fraser spoke up. “While you’re ringing people, make sure to call each of us.” Fraser placed a hand over his heart. “I’m just as concerned about your welfare.”

“Stuff it, Fraser,” Faye replied. “I haven’t forgotten your recent ‘gift’ of a pink tutu and a note saying I could be a ballerina to fill up my time. You can just linger and wonder what happens to me.”

Fraser raised his eyebrows. “And cause my pregnant mate undue stress? I’m shocked at you, sister.”

Holly, Fraser’s mate, sighed. “I’ll handle Fraser. Have a good time around Scotland. I really hope this DDA outreach program is successful.”

Faye nodded. “Me, too.”

Fergus took a

step forward. “Make sure to give me any intel you find straightaway via Arabella’s secure network.”

“I know, Fergus.” Faye grabbed Grant’s hand and tugged. “We’re leaving now. I’ll talk to you lot later.”

Grant tried to ignore her warm hand in his, but he couldn’t resist closing his fingers tightly. Faye shot him a glance, but he gave an imperceptible shake of his head; her family was watching and if she chewed him out now, they’d never leave until they learned everything between them.

Grant cleared his throat. “Faye can take care of herself.” He looked at Cat, who was motioning them toward the center of the landing area. “Cat’s already waiting for us. Cooper can handle things whilst I’m gone. We’ll be in touch.”

Grant walked away from the MacKenzies, never releasing his grip on Faye’s hand.

Faye murmured, “Thank you. Otherwise, we’d be there another half an hour.”

Since he didn’t want to betray his jealousy at how much her family cared and stood by her, Grant said nothing.

Only when they reached Cat did he reluctantly release Faye’s hand to tug off his shirt. Even though he and Faye had stripped and shifted a million times before, he swore he could feel her eyes on his bare chest.

His dragon growled. I want more than her eyes on our chest.

Not going to happen anytime soon.

If not for needing his dragon to shift, Grant would’ve tossed the bastard into a mental maze.

His beast grunted. But you do need me. Remember that.

With a sigh, he tossed away his shirt and went to the fly of his trousers. He took an extra second to think of football statistics to deflate his semi-hard cock.

However, he couldn’t resist sneaking a glance upward in Faye’s direction. It had been longer than he liked since he’d seen the lass naked.

Cat and Faye stood nude with their backs to him. He didn’t even notice Cat as he couldn’t force his gaze away from Faye’s toned arse. What he wouldn’t give to touch her soft skin to see how her body reacted to him.

Then wings grew out of Faye’s back, her limbs extended into forearms and hindquarters, and her face elongated into a snout. Within a few seconds, Faye stood in her blue dragon form and extended her wings. Because of helping her with physical therapy, he knew exactly where to find her injury and his gaze moved to the slightly crooked bone of one wing.