Meg swatted her grown son. “Shush. I can never have too many grandbabies. Eventually, someone has to have a girl.”
Concerned the talk of bairns might scare Arabella, Finn stole a quick glance only to find her smiling. His dragon spoke up. She will carry our young soon.
Pushing aside the warmth around his heart at the idea of Arabella growing round with his child, he kept his voice stern. We’re not talking about that right now.
Finn looked to Meg and placed a hand over his heart. “As much as it pains me to leave your shining presence, Meg, the rest of the clan is waiting.”
Meg snorted. “The only reason I’m shining is because there are too many people in this room and it’s too hot.” Meg looked to Arabella. “It’s nice to meet you, lass. Stop by sometime and I can show you the proper way to make scones. Finn will do just about anything for a plate of my scones, which might come in handy for you later on.”
Arabella grinned and Finn’s heart skipped a beat. Seeing his female smiling and interacting with the Boyds made both man and beast happy. His female replied, “I’ll try, although Finn might keep me occupied for the foreseeable future.”
Meg’s eyes twinkled. “Ah, to be young and experience the mate-frenzy for the first time. I have such fond memories.”
Hamish shook his head. “Mum, I don’t need to think about you in a mate-claim frenzy.”
“As my oldest, you wouldn’t be here without it,” Meg replied.
The quieter Boyd son, Graham, spoke up. “I’m with Hamish on this, Mum. I’m still trying to wash my brain clean of the story of how I was conceived.”
As Meg argued with her sons, Finn murmured, “We’ll try to catch up with you later,” before maneuvering Arabella away. Stopping for a second in an empty spot on the side of the room, he whispered, “Are you ready to bolt now?”
The corner of Arabella’s mouth ticked up. “Is there something in the water here that makes everyone crazy? First the MacKenzies, and now the Boyds. If Bram knew the full extent of the zoo you call a clan, he would never have agreed to the alliance in the first place.”
Even though Finn knew she was jesting, he frowned. “We’re not crazy. We’re lovable.”
Arabella laughed until she couldn’t breathe. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she added, “Sorry, but your pouting was too much to bear. You have a positive spin on everything, don’t you?”
“It’s not a spin if it’s the truth,” Finn stated.
Arabella shook her head. “I can’t wait for my brother to come visit. Between you, Aunt Lorna, and Meg Boyd, he’s going to be more uncomfortable than he’s ever been in his life. I should bring popcorn when it happens.”
“Before you start planning family visits, we need to get through this evening first. Are you ready to mingle some more? If so, just avoid calling them crazy or Lochguard a zoo. That may not endear them to you.”
Arabella tilted her head. “I don’t know, it seems to work with you.”
With her eyes bright and her posture relaxed, Finn thought she was even more beautiful. He itched to cup her face and kiss her, but he managed to hold back. “Only because it makes you smile and I love to see you smile; it makes you even more gorgeous. My goal is to make you grin so much your face starts to hurt.”
Arabella’s eyes grew tender. “You’re trying to butter me up before the dancing, aren’t you?”
He growled and leaned as close as he dare without actually touching her. “Would it kill you to learn to accept a compliment, Arabella MacLeod?”
She stood up straight, the tenderness replaced with something else he couldn’t define. “I never had many. But even if I learn to take them, I’m not sure I can just allow you to spout fancy words. You might get the wrong idea.”
“Wrong idea about what?” he growled.
A second of silence passed and then another. Finally, Arabella’s voice was low as she answered, “That you’re the golden darling of Scotland who could charm the pants off any female.”
Finn dared to hook his finger under Arabella’s chin. The softness of her skin woke his dragon. If we’re to dance, stop touching her. It only makes me want her.
This is too important.
Finn’s steely tone quieted his dragon. He leaned closed to Arabella’s lips and whispered, “You’re the only female I want to charm out of her pants, Ara. If we weren’t in the great hall with both of our dragons on edge, I would show you just how much I want you and only you.” Her breath hitched and the soft sound shot straight to his cock. Through gritted teeth, he added, “Are we clear on this?”
“Yes,” she answered in a breathy whisper.
“Good.” He turned them toward the crowd. “Now, the sooner we mingle, the sooner we can dance and I can kiss you. Try to keep the chatter to a minimum.”
Arabella gave a mock salute. “Yes, sir. For once, I won’t fight you.”