The Dragon Guardian (17 page)

She shivered at the promise in his voice. “As much as I love my son, I wish he were a little bit smaller right now. I want to try out that fantasy sooner rather than later.”

“Aye? Well, then maybe we should start making a list. That way, we’ll be full of ideas after the bairn is born and you’re healed.”

Not wanting to break the spell, she didn’t point out how she might not be able to stay. Instead, she purred, “We might just have to do that. Then you can dream about them and have plenty of time to perfect how you’d take me.”

Slapping her ass, he leaned down to nuzzle her cheek. “Oh, it won’t be just me, lass. I’m sure I can think of a few situations that you’ll be dreaming about for months to come.”

Remembering Fergus’s hard, warm chest against her back from the night before made her shiver. “I wish it were now.”

He chuckled. “Me, too, lass. But anticipation will make it that much hotter.”

“You’re an expert now?”

He stopped and pulled her up against his body. “I don’t claim to know the female mind, but I can already smell your arousal. If I can do that with words, just imagine what I can do after months of planning and the use of my hands.”

Her clit pulsed to attention. “Damn you, Fergus. Teasing you has backfired.”

“Aye, it has. And I like it.”

Lowering his head, he kissed her. His lips and tongue were slow and gentle, as if savoring her taste.

Not caring who might see, Gina threaded her fingers through his hair and pulled him close. Maybe, just maybe, Gina might find her happily ever after in the end. She just needed to use her brain to figure out a plan.

Then Fergus snaked a hand between them to her breast and Gina lost all rational thought. For the moment, she simply enjoyed the dragonman in front of her.

A week later, Gina still hadn’t been able to talk with Finn. Every time she made an appointment, something came up. He’d actually spent the last two days down with Clan Stonefire, planning some kind of top secret mission.

And every day that passed only made her fall a little more for Fergus.

Even now, he stood next to the hospital bed and held her hand as Dr. Innes performed an ultrasound. Her dragonman had insisted on staying and the look of awe on his face as he stared at the picture on the screen would stay with Gina always. Given the chance, she knew Fergus would treat her son as his own. And Gina wanted to give him the chance.

That settled it. After her appointment was over, Gina would track down Finn and tie him to a chair if need be. Arabella might even help her since Gina and Arabella had been spending a lot of time together to plan the triplets’ room. The dragonwoman was slowly opening up to her. And given Arabella’s past and former hatred of humans, it was quite a feat according to Fergus.

Fergus squeezed her hand and she smiled up at him as he asked, “Are you okay, lass? You had a faraway look in your eyes.”

“I’ll tell you once the appointment is over.” She looked down at Dr. Innes. He was tall, about forty, and nearly as protective as Fergus when it came to her son. Since Dr. Innes had lost his mate and baby during a delivery over a decade ago, Gina at least understood his concern.

Still, she forced herself to ask, “Is everything still well?”

Dr. Innes nodded. “Aye. Your son’s heartbeat is strong and he’s nearly in position for the delivery. He should be along any time now.”

“But that’s a few weeks early, isn’t it?”

“It is, but dragon-shifter babies usually arrive a little early for human mothers.” Dr. Innes flicked his gaze to Fergus and back to Gina. “I’m sure you’re aware of the risks.”

Gina nodded. “I’ve had a week to absorb all that you and Holly have told me.” She shrugged. “There’s really not much else I can do but sit and wait.”

Dr. Innes’ voice was quiet when he answered, “It’s not a light matter, Gina. The risk is real.”

Fergus growled. “Between you and Holly, Gina will be fine. Scaring her will only raise her blood pressure. After what happened with Evie Marshall down on Stonefire, I don’t want to risk anything with Gina.”

Gina tugged on Fergus’s hand and he met her gaze. “Evie had preeclampsia. So far, all of my tests have come back normal.”

Fergus grunted. “It could still happen. There aren’t always symptoms.”

Gina sighed. “You could be hit by a bolt of lightning tomorrow. Does that mean you’re going to stay locked inside a lightning cage for the rest of your life?”

Fergus shook his head. “Don’t be daft, lass. Of course not. But the odds of being hit by lightning are much better than a human dying when bearing a dragon-shifter’s child.”

Dr. Innes placed the ultrasound equipment on a side tray and stood up. “How about we stop talking about odds and focus on Gina and the bairn? Gina, lass, I know you’re not going to like it, but I need someone to be with you at all times. I don’t want you alone when your labor begins.”

Fergus straightened his shoulders. “I can work from home. I’ll watch over her.”

Dr. Innes answered before Gina could. “Good. I’ll probably have Holly spend some time at the old Sinclair place as well.”

Gina sighed. “I don’t get a say in this, do I?”

“No,” both men answered at the same time.

“I swear you guys have been rehearsing behind my back. Are we done now?”

The doctor smiled. “Aye, we’re done. Both you and the bairn are healthy. The next time I see you, it might be when you’re in labor.”

Gina placed a hand on her stomach. “I’m both anxious and afraid. And not because of the danger. I can’t believe I’m going to have to do this without drugs.”

Fergus brushed her brow. “I know, lass. But it could hurt the bairn if you have them.”

She met Fergus’s gaze again. “Considering how stubborn dragon-shifters are, I would expect them to fight it and just come out fine on the other side.”

Dr. Innes snorted. “Just give your son a few years. He’ll think his stubbornness can solve everything.”

Despite his light tone, Gina noticed the sadness in the doctor’s eyes. The poor man was probably thinking of his unborn child. How he dealt with birthing children as part of his career, Gina had no idea.

“Well, he’ll have to deal with me. Just because I’m human doesn’t mean I’m going to allow my son to walk all over me. Him changing into his dragon form won’t affect my resolve one bit.”

The doctor chuckled. “You’ll do, Gina MacDonald. You’ll do.” Dr. Innes picked up his clipboard. “I wish I could chat longer, but old Cal and Archie have been up to their tricks again and I need to check both of them for broken bones.” The doctor nodded to them both. “Don’t hesitate to call me when you need it.”

Gina murmured, “Thank you.” And in the next second, she was alone again with Fergus.

Looking up at him, she asked, “Can you help me sit up?”

As he helped her off her back, he spoke up. “Do you remember old Cal and Archie?”

Gina grunted and swung her legs to the side. “How could I forget? They accidentally dropped a boulder into our yard.”

Fergus grinned. “Aye, Archie’s grip slipped. But those two have been at it for most of their lives and won’t stop until they’re dead. Even then, one will probably claim to see the other’s ghost walking about and try to tease it.”

Gina started pulling on her clothes. “Let’s just hope they don’t drop a boulder on top of our house.”

Fergus leaned down to nibble her ear. “Our house, aye? I like the sound of it.”

She shook her head. “Why you still keep your stuff in the other half, I’ll never understand.”

He kissed the corner of her mouth. “I don’t want to rush you.”

She raised an eyebrow. “And yet you speak for me with the doctor?”

“You know why.”

Gina did. But since she hadn’t had time to speak with Finn, she couldn’t guarantee their future. As much as she wanted to claim Fergus as her own, she couldn’t.

That reminded her. “I need to see Finn as soon as possible.”

“But you have an appointment with him tomorrow.”

“Well, it can’t wait. I’m tired of him canceling. As my Guardian, you need to help me. Otherwise, I’ll resort to my own tactics.”

Fergus growled. “You’re due any time now. Don’t be daft, lass. As I’ve said before, you’re safe here.”

“That’s not the reason. I need to talk with Finn. Believe me, you’ll thank me later.”

“And yet you won’t tell me why?”

“I just need you to trust me in this, Fergus. Can you do that?”

Fergus studied her a second before his pupils flashed. “Fine. You can thank my dragon’s incessant roaring. I think he’s going to always take your side over mine from now on.”

She beamed. “I guess me petting him in dragon form yesterday is helping my case. I might just have to scratch behind his ears again later.”

Fergus’s pupils changed to slits and back to round. “Thanks for that, lass. Next, you’ll convince my bloody beast to take you for a ride in one of the baskets despite being eight-and-a-half-months pregnant.”

“There’s an idea.” Fergus growled and Gina laughed. “You’re so easy to tease.”

“Aye, well, if you want my help with Finn, you might want to be nice to me.”

Gina tilted her head. “Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet. Wait until I can actually sneak about instead of waddle. I have a few surprises in store for you, Fergus MacKenzie. Unless you’re too old for a little fun now and then?”

He moved to stand between her legs. “Twenty-nine isn’t old. I thought I’d proved that to you by now.”

Placing a hand on his chest, she fluttered her eyelashes. “I may have forgotten. After all, I have pregnancy brain and my memory is a little faulty.”

Fergus cupped her cheek and strummed his thumb against her skin. “I say we rush home and I’ll remind you again.” Her dragonman leaned down and gently kissed her. All too soon, he pulled away and whispered, “What do you say?”

Gina leaned forward, but then caught herself. “Help me talk with Finn first. Then you can do a little reminding.”

Searching her eyes, he sighed. “That stubborn glint is back. I don’t stand a chance of changing your mind, do I?”

“No.”

“Then aye, I’ll help you. But, you’ll stay with Arabella or my mum whilst I set it up. That’s the condition.”

The corner of her mouth ticked up. “Aw, there goes my idea to sneak off in black ninja garb and jump Finn out of nowhere.”

“If I didn’t lo— er, like you so much, lass, I would call you a bit crazy.”

Gina’s heart rate kicked up. She had a feeling Fergus had meant to say ‘love’ instead of like.

A small part of her was thrilled that he felt that way. But until she knew she could stay with Fergus, she wouldn’t explore that topic. Gina had a grip on her feelings still, but barely.

Brushing off the comment, she offered up her hands. “Help me up, dragonman. Otherwise, it could take me a good twenty minutes to get to my feet.”

His eyes flashed as he murmured, “Now I know how to keep you in place for a wee spell if I need it.”

She snorted, glad that he was acting as if he hadn’t misspoken. “Do that to me and it’s game on, dragonman.”

Fergus kissed her and answered, “We’ll see, lass. We’ll see.”

The next second, Fergus tugged her to her feet and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. As they left the surgery, Gina snuggled against Fergus’s warmth. Teasing aside, she hoped Finn would find a way for her to stay. After the last week, giving up Fergus might break her heart in two.

~~~

Fergus hugged Gina closer to his side. He was just glad she hadn’t caught on to his near-mistake of saying “love.”

His beast grunted.
Gina is clever. I’m sure she figured it out.

Females tend to react when they think a male says love. She’s close to her time, so she might be too tired to put it together like she normally would.

These human games are pointless. We should move our things into her house today.

Help me with Finn, and we might just be able to do it.

I would, but you won’t like my idea. I’d just pin Finn down and force him to meet with your female.

Right, because Finn would just lie there and allow it to happen.

He might.

Ignoring his dragon, Fergus looked down at Gina. “Do you want to stay with Arabella or with my mum while I hunt down Finn?”

“As much as I love watching the MacKenzie Family TV show, I think I’ll go with Ara, if she’s available.”

“Don’t mention the TV show idea around Fraser. He might actually try to pitch it to Jane Hartley on Stonefire.”

Gina frowned. “I thought she was a BBC reporter.”

Fergus nodded. “Aye, she was. But after she mated Kai Sutherland down on Stonefire, she had to sever ties with the BBC. She’s in the process of launching her own video podcast about dragon-shifters.”

“Somehow, I can’t imagine the reporter I saw interviewing Arabella launching a reality TV show.”

The corner of his mouth ticked up. “Now who’s being serious and stuffy?”

She lightly slapped his side. “As if you would allow it to happen. Although, a ‘get-to-know Lochguard’ special might be in order.”

“Is that what you want to talk with Finn about?”

“Of course not. Although I could always bring it up.” Excitement filled her eyes. “Actually, I might have a way I can help your clan. Remember how I told you I nearly earned my marketing degree?” Fergus nodded and his lass continued, “If I teamed up with Jane Hartley, I bet we could launch a campaign. Her videocast numbers could jump and we might even be able to do a little advertising. Then her venture could become sustainable for the long haul. I know I’ll have to wait a few months until after my son is born and I’ve established a routine. But even working a few hours here and there, I could throw something together in four-to-six weeks.”

He squeezed her tighter against his side. “Provided you get Finn’s permission, I’ll help you any way I can, lass.”

She bobbed her head. “Awesome. Then I can mention that, too, when I talk to Finn today.”

“If I can find him. He’s due back from Stonefire in about an hour.”

Gina opened her mouth to reply when a warning siren blared across the clan’s lands.

Finn had had them installed after what happened with Holly and the rogue dragons. They signaled unidentified dragons approaching.