He looked at the baby girl sleeping against Faye's chest and murmured, "Hopefully you'll leave the bairn at home. It'll be easier to fight me then."
Faye snorted. "Why, Lachlan MacKintosh, are you trying to be funny? Who knew. I thought you were stuffy and too serious, actually."
He wasn't sure how to respond to that, but it didn't seem as if Faye needed a reply. She shrugged and then stared down fondly at her child. "Isla is special to me. I lost her twin during my pregnancy and had a hard time giving birth to her. So I want to treasure her." Her voice turned soft. "She might be my only one."
He had no idea why Faye had shared something so personal, but he felt the urge to say something. "I wish my own parents had cared as much for me as you do her. Your daughter is lucky to have you as her mum."
Faye's eyes turned wet, and he wondered what the hell was going on now. Cat seemed so easy to understand, but other women? He had no bloody idea.
Faye wiped her eyes with her free hand and said, "You'll do, Lachlan MacKintosh. You'll do." She tugged his hand. "Now, come on. There's a lot to set up and get ready before Cat's dragon wakes up fully. There's no time to lose."
And so the next few hours went—everyone asking him questions and educating him about what was to come. Not to mention he had to type out some notes for the Seahaven dragonman about what needed to be done for the exhibition while he was stuck in the frenzy.
The only thing he didn't do was explain the truth to the DDA and instead had said he needed a quick holiday for a family emergency. He hadn't had a chance to discuss his future with them. He'd just have to do it once he was free.
Aye, well, not exactly free. He'd have a child on the way by then.
Which was something that both frightened and excited him.
Once everything was finished, he sought out Finn. He was as ready as he'd ever be, and Lachlan was eager to get started.
Chapter Ten
Lachlan stood at the door of the cottage where he'd be spending the next however many days, took a deep breath, and entered.
Finn had told him that Cat should be waiting in an upstairs bedroom, and to be very sure he was ready. Because as soon as he entered the house, Cat's dragon would know, and there would be little chance of escape.
And yet, the mobile phone in his trouser pocket seemed like a giant weight. Apparently, he did have an escape, but only if he truly needed it. Finn had made it clear that once he called to be extracted, that was it. He was done and would be asked to leave Lochguard.
Not that he was going to.
He removed his shoes and socks and walked up the stairs slowly, listening for Cat. With each step, his body burned a little hotter in anticipation.
Aye, he'd enjoy the sex. But he wanted to kiss her, and hold her, and feel her skin against his.
And maybe during the brief moments when her dragon would let him eat, he could talk to her too.
It seemed that after so many years alone, he craved company, especially with someone as bright and upbeat as Cat MacAllister.
The dragonwoman appeared at the end of the hall, her body tense, her fingers clenched into fists. "Lachlan?"
Her voice was weak and strained, and he didn't like it. He rushed toward her, but she said, "Wait." He froze, and she added, "Are you sure? I can hold her back long enough for you to run if you want."
"I'm not going to bloody run, woman." He charged toward her, scooped her into his arms, and walked through the open doorway. "I want you. Now."
Her pupils flashed once, and she shut her eyes for a second before opening them, no sign of her dragon in charge. She murmured, "As long as it's quick, my dragon will let me have the first time." She put a hand on his neck and leaned more against him. "So hurry up and kiss me, Lachlan. Whilst we still have the chance."
The responsible thing to do would be to place her on the bed first, make her comfortable, and then kiss her.
But he crushed his lips against hers, his tongue sliding into her mouth, needing to taste this woman more than anything he'd wanted in his life.
She deepened the kiss, her tongue stroking against his, sending heat through his body and down to his cock.
As much as he loved her mouth, he needed to feel more of her against him, much more.
Lachlan adjusted her in his arms until she could wrap her legs around his waist, and he crushed her to his body. Her hard nipples pressed against his chest, and he groaned.
One hand threaded through her hair, tugging her head to the side for better access. The other went to her arse and pressed her against his cock. He hissed at the pressure, and it spurred Cat on. Her tongue became more insistent as her nails dug into his scalp, and she rubbed her hips against him, her movements making him harder than he'd ever been in his life.
And as his cock let out some precum, Lachlan knew that if he wasn't careful, he'd come with his clothes still on.
No bloody way he was going to let that happen.
Somehow he managed to tear his lips away and say, "Fuck, woman. I won't last if you do that. And I don't want your dragon to count me coming in my trousers as the first time."
He loved the humor in her eyes. "So logical, even now." She pressed her breasts against his chest again, and even through both of their clothes, the points of her nipples made him moan. "I think it's time to add a little dragon-shifter flavor to this."
In the next second, she extended a talon, sliced it through the back of his shirt, and the fabric sagged apart. He barely noticed the cool air since her fingers traced a line down his spine, fire spreading through his body at her touch.
She murmured, "Put me down so I can finish taking off your shirt."
He slowly slid her to the ground, loving her softness against his front. The second her feet touched the floor, she ripped his shirt off and placed a hand on his chest. "So warm, and hard, and yet still soft."
As she ran her nail across his flat nipple, Lachlan growled. "My turn."
He may not have talons, but Cat was merely wearing a robe. He tugged the tie, and the fabric instantly parted. He sucked in a breath at her pale, slightly flushed skin. "You're so fucking beautiful."
Her cheeks flushed a deeper pink, as did the upper part of her chest. He slowly slid the fabric over her shoulders, paused a second to stare into Cat's eyes, and then let it fall.
For a beat, he couldn't tear his gaze from the heat in her eyes. Then they flashed, and she said, "Please, Lachlan. Go faster, or my dragon will come out."
He cupped her cheek and nodded. "But as soon as this whole frenzy is over, I'm going to show you just how thorough I can be."
She shivered, and the act broke his control. He kissed her as his other hand moved down her body, stopping to cup her breast and tweak her nipple before doing the same to the other one, and then headed toward her belly. He traced just above her thatch of hair, loving how she swayed toward the touch before he finally reached between her thighs. He parted her hot, swollen lips and groaned. "So fucking wet for me already."
Her voice was husky. "Don't sound surprised. I want you, Lachlan, and I have for a while. Now, hurry up and fuck me before my dragon takes control."
Her words shot straight to his cock. A beautiful, dirty-talking woman wanted him; it was as if he'd won the lottery.