The Dragon's Pursuit (Lochguard Highland Dragons 7)

He smiled down at her. "Of course not, love. Your admiring gaze is all I need."

She beamed up at him, and even though he burned to show her the place, he stopped a second to take her lips in a slow, lingering kiss.

Even though he'd done it thousands of times by now, he never got enough of Layla's sweet taste.

When he finally pulled back, both man and beast stood a little taller at her swollen lips and flushed cheeks.

Layla murmured, "That kiss almost makes me wish we could stop right here and celebrate your secret garden with some mind-blowing sex."

He ran a hand down to her arse and squeezed. "Don't tempt me, love. Don't tempt me." It took herculean effort, but he turned her back toward the path. "Come on. We're nearly there."

Even though Layla burned to see Chase's garden, it was hard to be next to her sexy male, feeling his warmth and inhaling his scent, and not think about what they could be doing inside their cottage instead.

Today was the first day she'd been cleared to have sex again, and even if there wasn't a mate-claim frenzy, she wanted to let go and claim her male like there was no tomorrow.

Her dragon snorted. And they say males are bad.

Oh, stop it. You're as eager as I am to claim him.

I wouldn't mind sucking his cock before riding it, but I'm not about to do it outside in the bloody cold.

I thought dragons weren't supposed to be as affected by the cold?

Aye, if we're in dragon form. But we take our male when human, and it's freezing. Besides, males shrink up in the cold, and I want all of him inside us, every last inch.

Thinking of how she could reply to that, Chase stopped and murmured, "I'm going to put my hand over your eyes for a few feet. Don't worry, I won't let you fall, lass."

Trusting Chase with her life, she closed her eyes. It was awkward trying to walk on a dirt path without seeing it, but after a few minutes, he murmured, "Wait right here and keep your eyes closed."

She bobbed her head before she heard Chase race away. She shuffled her feet, trying her best to stay warm. Finally, he shouted, "Open them!"

Layla complied and gasped.

White fairy lights were strung around the trees and along the fences on each side, the lights ending toward the back, where they framed the overhang of a small cabin.

It was almost as if the garden and cabin were bathed in starlight.

Chase raced over and smiled down at her. "So you like it?"

She couldn't tear her gaze away, finding new lights in some of the bushes and even around a chair outside the cabin. "It's beautiful. But where did the cabin come from? I know you can be handy, but I don't think you could've built it within a few short weeks."

He grinned. "Aye, you're right, as much as I wish I could build something that fast. The cabin was here already, but just needed some updating, mainly electrical and the roof." He pulled her close against his front. "I wanted a place for you to be able to escape and simply enjoy yourself. This is our little place away from everyone, love. And Finn said we could have it for as long as we like."

Raising a hand, she cupped his cheek. "You're spoiling me again."

"Aye, and I'll continue to do so, so get used to it."

Leaning more against him, she looped both her hands behind his neck. "I suppose that means I should reward you, aye?"

His pupils flashed. "A nobler male would say he didn't need a reward. But there's a bed inside the cabin with our names on it, and I think it deserves some use."

As his lips descended on hers, Layla moaned and instantly let his tongue inside her mouth. As he stroked, she matched him, digging her nails into his neck.

When he moved a hand to her arse and rocked her against his erection, she managed to pull away and say, "As lovely as your garden is, I second the bed."

"Good." He scooped her up and carried her toward the cabin.

She kissed his neck, his chin, his jaw, the air turning too hot despite the frigid temperatures.