“It’s good for you to recognize that now.”
With a growl, he slapped her arse. “Once I’m back at full-strength, dragon and all, you’ll see just how clever I can be.”
Holly should object to Fraser constantly slapping her bum, but she rather enjoyed the closeness. “Oh, really? I look forward to the challenge.”
Fraser brushed his finger against her cheek. The humor in his eyes faded and was replaced with something much hotter. “Let’s just say I look forward to a challenge as well.”
He leaned down as if to kiss her. For a split second, Holly nearly gave in to the temptation. Considering a heated gaze would send a thrill through her body and wetness between her legs, she wondered what actually kissing Fraser would be like.
Then she remembered her meeting with Finn and Arabella earlier in the morning. They’d told her not to kiss him on the lips.
If it would only affect her and Fraser, she would kiss him right this second. But it wasn’t that way. There was Fergus, Finn, and hell, the whole clan to think about. After all, she didn’t know if Finn had successfully wrangled an agreement out of the DDA yet or not.
Laying her head back on his torso, she patted the firm planes of his chest. “The others should be here any minute. I really should get out of your bed.”
Fraser wrapped his arm around her back and hugged her tighter against him. “Stay, Holly.”
Glancing back up, she asked dryly, “So you can use me as a shield and Finn won’t punch you again?”
“Hey, now, what happened to me being noble before? I liked that better.”
She smiled. “Being noble comes and goes. You’ll have to work hard to keep it up.”
He gave an exaggerated sigh. “And here I thought you would be on my side. Does being the possible father of your child mean nothing?”
Before she could answer, there was a knock and the door opened before Holly could do more than turn her head.
Finn stood in the doorway. He studied them for a second before entering and shutting the door behind him. Finn looked to Fraser. “I see you haven’t wasted any time in luring Holly into your bed.”
Holly turned a little toward Finn and replied before Fraser, “I’m here of my own free will. I’m not easily ‘lured’ as you put it.”
Apology flashed in Finn’s eyes. “Sorry, lass. Let’s just say that I’ve had a hell of a day and it’s not even half over yet.”
Chapter Eight
At the sight of Finn entering his room, Fraser’s dragon rumbled in the back of his mind. While his beast still sounded sleepy, it wouldn’t be much longer before his dragon woke up and tried to wrestle away control.
Fraser hugged Holly tighter against his body and then jumped in. “Did you talk to the DDA, Finn?”
Finn’s gaze turned neutral. “Aye, I have.”
Fraser frowned. “And? From your tone, I’m not convinced it’s good news.”
Whether Holly realized it or not, she leaned more against Fraser. Good. The lass wanted him to be her assigned dragonman.
Whatever it took, Fraser would find a way to ensure it happened.
Finn crossed his arms over his chest. “They transferred the contract.” Fraser’s heart skipped a beat at the same time as his dragon gave a sleepy roar. However, Finn added quickly, “But it came with a cost.”
Holly asked, “What?”
Finn’s brows furrowed. “I have to allow a bloody human scientist to live on my lands for six months to do research.”
Fraser should feel sorry, but as he caressed Holly’s side, all he could think about was that Holly would be his soon enough. “It could be worse.”
Finn growled. “The older dragon-shifters are going to have strokes when I tell them a human is coming to study us. You will owe me big time. Once the frenzy is over, we’ll discuss terms.”
Fraser’s dragon stretched one leg and then another. The action reminded him of all that was about to happen. “Fine, but we can do that later. Right now, we need to discuss the short-term future. My dragon’s waking up.”