The Dragon Guardian (28 page)

He smiled and chucked her chin. “I intend to collect at a later date.”

She raised an eyebrow. “So much for being noble.”

He gave her a quick kiss. “I can be noble, but I’m also male. I have plans for when you’re healed and naked.” Gina blinked, but Fergus placed a hand on her lower back and pressed before she could reply. “We can discuss this later. Come. Your sister is waiting.”

Each step only made Gina’s heart rate increase. Kaylee had given up her life to come to Lochguard. She might be okay with that for now, but who knew about the future. Despite what her parents had done to Gina, they had been loving parents before Gina’s accidental pregnancy. Kaylee may yet regret severing ties.

From time to time, even Gina longed to see her parents’ faces again.

Fergus murmured, “Talk to your sister first and then decide if you need to worry.”

She glanced up. “How do you know I’m worrying about anything?”

“You tap your fingers together when you’re worried or nervous.” He moved his from her back to her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. “We’ll face her together, lass. Don’t fret.”

Drawing on the strength of Fergus’s grip, she nodded. If Gina weren’t sleep deprived, she probably wouldn’t be worrying in the first place. She’d take Fergus’s example of gathering the facts before making a conclusion. Kaylee might actually be happy to see her. Her sister also had a fascination with dragon-shifters, which could make the transition smoother.

They rounded the last corner and entered the main command room. Grant McFarland stood with a group of Protectors, discussing something she couldn’t hear. At the sound of their entrance, Grant looked up. “I wondered how much longer you two would be.” He motioned toward a side room. “She’s in there with Meg Boyd.”

Fergus snorted. “That’s quite the way to introduce her to the clan.”

Grant answered, “Aye, well. Meg volunteered before I could even ask. I think she’s jealous of your mum and the human male and just wants something Lorna doesn’t have yet.”

Gina squeezed his hand. “Can we discuss Lorna and Meg’s rivalry later?”

Fergus nodded. “Sorry, lass. Come, let’s go before Meg Boyd talks her ear off.”

Taking a deep inhalation, Gina straightened her shoulders for courage.

They crossed the floor. Fergus looked at her with love and encouragement in his eyes before opening the door. An older woman’s voice met their ears, “And that’s how I married off my second son. As you see, there are some tricks to catching a fine dragonman—”

Gina’s eyes fell on her sister and she whispered, “Kaylee.”

Kaylee’s brown eyes filled with surprise and she jumped out of the chair. In the next second, she ran into Gina’s arms. “Gina.”

Closing her eyes, Gina released Fergus’s hand and hugged her sister tightly. “I can’t believe you’re really here.”

Kaylee squeezed gently and then moved back. Gina opened her eyes to meet her sister’s gaze as she answered, “Of course I’m here. I’ve been trying to find a way to Scotland for months, but I didn’t have enough money saved up. I wish you’d have let me come with you.”

Gina blinked back tears. “I didn’t want you tainted by association, Kaylee. You deserve better.”

Kaylee shook her head, the short strands of brown, curly hair bouncing around her cheeks. “You always were an overprotective sister.” Kaylee gripped her upper arms. “But in this, you were wrong. I missed you, Gina. Don’t ever push me away again.”

Meg Boyd chimed in. “Aye, she’s right, Gina. Sisters should stick together.”

Gina smiled. “You’re right, as usual, Meg.” Fergus sighed at Gina encouraging the older dragonwoman, but Gina ignored it and turned toward her mate. “Kaylee, I’d like for you to meet Fergus MacKenzie. He’s my mate-slash-husband.”

Kaylee elbowed her in the side. “You did all right, sis.”

She whispered, “Kaylee.”

Fergus chuckled. “Nice to meet you, Kaylee MacDonald. But I need to correct one thing—I’m the lucky one to have found Gina. I still can’t believe she chose me.”

The way Fergus stated the fact, as if it were the simplest thing in the world, made Gina smile. “Are you still working on earning brownie points?”

Fergus grinned. “Aye, maybe I am.”

They stared at one another a second before Kaylee asked, “Did something happen to the baby, Gina?”

At her sister’s worried tone, Gina moved her gaze to her sister. “He was born a few days ago. Would you like to meet Jamie MacDonald-MacKenzie?”

Kaylee nodded enthusiastically. “Where is he?”

The anticipation in Kaylee’s voice warmed her heart. No matter the past, her sister would accept Gina’s son without question.

Clearing the emotion from her throat, Gina answered, “My mother-in-law should be here shortly, if not already. Let’s wait for her. I can introduce you to more people along the way.”

Meg interjected, “But don’t set your sights on anyone yet, child, until you’ve met my Alistair.”

Fergus answered dryly, “I’m not sure Alistair would like to know his mother is trying to set him up.”

Meg waved a hand. “He’s had nearly thirty years to do it himself. If I don’t try, he’ll never find someone. He spends too much time reading. He should socialize more often.”

Rather than answer, Fergus opened the door and smiled at Gina with love as she walked out with her sister. They would have a good laugh about Meg’s antics later. Knowing what Gina did of Alistair, he wouldn’t welcome his mother’s matchmaking efforts.

Kaylee leaned over and whispered, “I keep pinching myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. Not only because I’ve found you, but also because we’re on freaking dragon-shifters’ land. I never thought I’d see the day.”

Gina laughed. “I’ve been here over two weeks, and I still think it’s a dream.”

Fergus appeared at her other side just as Lorna rushed into the room with Jamie. Her son had to be wrapped in eight blankets by now.

Lorna stopped in front of them and looked between Gina and Kaylee. “Aye, I see the resemblance. The hair and eye colors are different, but the faces are the same.”

Gina motioned toward Lorna. “This is Lorna MacKenzie, my mother-in-law. Lorna, this is Kaylee MacDonald, my younger sister.”

Lorna smiled. “Welcome to Lochguard, child.”

Fraser, Faye, Holly, and Ross rushed into the room. Ross was out of breath. “You move quick for your age, Lorna.”

Lorna raised her brows. “Aye? I think you just need more exercise. Or maybe it’s those four years you keep lording over me.”

Before Ross could do more than frown, Kaylee pointed at Fraser and then Fergus. “There are two of you?”

Fraser wrapped an arm around Holly, but Faye was the one to answer. “I know. Sometimes I wonder why. One brother is more than enough to try my patience.”

Fergus growled out, “Faye.”

Faye shrugged. “What? I’m just telling the truth. With you two out of the house, I have better access to Mum’s scones. We should’ve kicked you out years ago.”

“You and the bloody scones. You should learn to make them yourself,” Fergus muttered.

As much as Gina loved her in-laws, she didn’t want Kaylee’s first impression to be of them bickering for ten minutes, as they were wont to do. She put out her hands to Lorna. “Can I have Jamie?”

Lorna handed over a sleeping Jamie. Gina carefully removed four blankets before moving closer to her sister. “This is Jamie. Say hello to your Auntie Kaylee, Jamie.”

Gina gently maneuvered her son into Kaylee’s arms. Her sister smiled. “He’s so tiny.”

“Believe me, when he was coming out, he didn’t feel tiny,” Gina murmured.

Kaylee chuckled. “I won’t argue with that.” She touched Jamie’s cheek and he moved for a second before settling again. “I can’t wait to spoil you, little man.”

Gina sighed. “Between you and the MacKenzies, I’m going to have to be vigilant if I want him to ever learn how to do things by himself.”

Fergus came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She relaxed against her mate’s chest as he answered, “I’ll help you, lass. My brother is the one to watch out for.”

Fraser ignored Fergus. He and Holly moved closer to Kaylee. “I think introductions are in order. I’m Fraser, the more handsome and clever of the MacKenzie twins. And this here is my mate, Holly.” Fraser motioned toward Faye. “The annoying female over there with the wild hair is my sister, Faye.”

Faye growled. “My offer still stands, Fraser. Let’s shift and settle this once and for all.”

Kaylee jumped in. “I wouldn’t mind seeing a few dragons up close.”

Thankfully, Grant stepped forward. “I think it best to use our energy on rebuilding. The fights can wait for later.”

Faye murmured, “Killjoy.”

Grant merely raised his brows and Faye looked away.

Fraser whispered loudly to Kaylee. “Speaking as an uncle to an aunt of wee Jamie, maybe you can help me.”

Kaylee looked around the room. “How?”

Fraser grinned. “I’m trying to get a nickname to stick, you see. What do you think of Mac-squared?”

Kaylee paused a second and then laughed. “Because of MacDonald-MacKenzie.”

“Aye,” Fraser stated. “Are you with me?”

Mischief flared in Kaylee’s eyes. “That depends. Will you shift into a dragon for me?”

Holly frowned. “Maybe you should ask someone else. I don’t like other people seeing Fraser naked. Maybe Grant can do it.”

All eyes turned to Grant. The head Protector answered dryly, “I have some things to attend to.”

As Grant scurried away, Ross stepped in. “I’m Ross Anderson, Holly’s dad. Maybe you should ask Lorna here. She rarely shifts for anyone, not even me. And I ask nicely.”

Lorna sighed. “Not this again.”

Ross grinned. “Aye, this again. I’m determined to see your dragon self at some point.”

“You can keep trying, but you won’t get anywhere, Ross Anderson,” Lorna replied.

Ross asked, “Not even if I ask nicely and offer to do the dishes?”

Lorna shook her head. “No.”

Ross took a step closer. “How about if I offer to cook, too?”

Lorna rolled her eyes. “And have you set the cooker on fire again? I think not.”

“I’ll find out what will trigger an agreement, Lorna, dear. Just wait,” Ross stated.

Fraser shook his head. “Leave my mum alone. She has her reasons. You shouldn’t push.”

Ross stood taller. “This is between me and your mum, lad. Mind your business.”

Fraser growled, but Holly jumped in front of her mate. Looking between Fraser and Ross and back again, Holly’s tone was stern. “I swear I have to keep stepping between you two.” She looked to Ross. “Stop provoking a dragonman, Dad. Despite your bravado, you’re not as strong as him.” Holly looked to Fraser. “And you need to let your mum fight her own battles.”

Ross and Fraser started arguing yet again about respect, boundaries, and keeping out of other people’s business. Gina half-expected Fergus to jump in and defuse the situation, but instead, he leaned down to her ear. His whisper was so low she could barely hear it. “This is your family now, lass. Are you ready to run?”

Gina glanced at Kaylee, shared a smile, and then turned in Fergus’s arms. She looped her hands behind his neck. “Never.”

He pulled her tighter against him. “Good, because I’m never going to let you go. I love you, Gina MacDonald. Wild dogs couldn’t tear me away from your side.”

She tilted her head. “After this, let’s find some wild dogs. I really want to test your hyperbole.”

Fergus growled. “I have a better idea.”

She played coy. “Oh?”

“I think I’m going to steal a kiss from my mate whilst I still have the chance.” He nipped her bottom lip. “I love you, Gina, my lass. I waited a long time to find you, but you were more than worth the wait.”

She touched his cheek with her fingers. “I love you, too, Fergus. I may not have thought so even two months ago, but I’m glad events played out as they did. Otherwise, I never would’ve found you.”

With a growl, Fergus lowered his head and kissed her.

Gina reveled in his heady taste as she met each stroke of his tongue. A month ago, she’d been alone, on the run, and scared for both her life and her son’s.

But now, she had a mate, her sister, her son, and a new family that would do anything to protect its own. Fate may have thrown a few wrenches into the mix, but Gina wouldn’t have it any other way. Fergus MacKenzie was the man of her dreams and she would move heaven and earth to keep both him and their son by her side.

Two Months Later

Gina smoothed her hair down one last time, but her curls popped right back up and remained wild. While she preferred keeping it in a braid, Fergus liked it down. Normally, she ignored his wishes and kept it back for convenience. However, the upcoming evening was special—she and Fergus were ready to try having sex again.

In the intervening months since Jamie’s birth, she and Fergus had been creative. But as much as she loved his tongue between her thighs, she wanted to feel his hard cock inside her.

And yet, Gina’s stomach flipped. By all accounts, the mate-claim frenzy shouldn’t happen as long as she was breastfeeding. However, that didn’t mean it wouldn’t happen.

Stop it, Gina. You trust Fergus. Even if it starts, he will rein it in.
Taking a deep inhalation, she turned from the mirror and paced the length of the bedroom. Fergus should be back any moment from dropping off their son at Lorna’s house. Jamie had definitely become Grandma’s little boy.

Not that Lorna was the only one doting on Jamie. Fraser and Kaylee acted as if they’d always been brother and sister, resulting in more mischief than Gina liked. Only because she knew none of her family would ever do something to hurt her baby did Gina let it slide. Deep down, Gina admitted that Kaylee finding allies in the MacKenzies made her heart warm with happiness.

The downstairs door clicked closed. Fergus was home.

Undoing her robe, she slipped it off and sat down on the bed. It took everything she had not to fidget and pick at the scraps of clothing covering her body.

About thirty seconds later, Fergus opened their bedroom door and stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes roamed her shoulders, her breasts, and her legs. When his eyes met hers again, they were flashing. “How attached are you to what you’re wearing?”