He could be hers if she took a risk.
Before she could change her mind, Gina blurted out, “It started with a dare. Madison was my roommate. Whenever she’d had a little too much to drink, she always came up with the most ridiculous dares. For the most part, they were impossible.
“But that night, we were at one of the bars at the edge of BroadBay’s land. Technically, the dragon-shifters weren’t allowed inside. But the owners knew the presence of dragon-shifters could be profitable in drawing crowds to gawk, so they encouraged it.
“Anyway, Madison noticed a group of men with dragon-shifter tattoos. She was usually the one to go up to men and ask them to sit with us. This time, she was pretty drunk and dared me to do it since it was on my list of things to do before we graduated and there were only six months left.”
Gina and Madison had written their lists as a joke during their freshmen year, but Madison had soon made it her mission to accomplish everything on that list by graduation.
Peeking up at Fergus, his eyes asked for her to continue, so she did. “Despite what you may think, I’m shy in large social situations. It’s only when I’m alone or in small groups that I can stand my ground. Since the bar was packed, I took one last shot of tequila before approaching the table. I half-expected the dragonmen to sneer and dismiss me. But the tallest one with light brown hair and whiskey-colored eyes smiled at me before coaxing me to sit next to him. He made me laugh and even taught me a few things about his clan. Having been an admirer of dragon-shifters for years, it was like a dream come true.”
In retrospect, Gina had been naïve. Only human sacrifices could live with the dragon clans, but deep down, she’d believed Travis’s promise about finding a way to be together.
Alcohol and pent-up dreams had made her a temporary fool.
Fergus lifted her chin until she met his eye. “Tell me what happened, lass.”
She placed a hand on her stomach. “As you know the aftermath, it’s pretty obvious he wooed me into bed. He pretended to date me for a few weeks. Despite using condoms, they failed for us and I found myself pregnant. While scary, I was also ecstatic. As a mother to a dragon-shifter child, I really could have the chance to live with BroadBay and my charming dragonman.”
Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her nerves. The next part still upset her, but without it, Fergus would never know the truth. She only hoped he wouldn’t pity her. “As soon as my pregnancy was verified, I tried to see Travis. I should’ve known something was wrong when he showed up with an impatient look on his face. I asked him when we could go to the DDA to see about a special license. I knew they were giving a few out here in the UK, so I imagined it might be possible in the US. That’s when he laughed at me and told me I was a bet. His friends had bet him he couldn’t get ten females pregnant in a year, and he took it. He accomplished it by poking tiny holes in the condoms he used. I was the tenth female, hence why he was so determined to get me into bed since his year was nearly up.”
Even after all these months, just remembering Travis’s sneer made her stomach churn. He’d told her about the bet as if he were talking about the weather; he didn’t care for her. His clan needed new blood and he was finding a way around the red tape of the sacrifice system. Half-dragon-shifter children needed to be watched by other dragon-shifters. US law dictated accidental pregnancies in favor of the dragon clans.
Fergus’s voice was steely when he finally spoke up. “What’s his name?”
She met his gaze and blinked at the fury burning in it. Fergus had always been so kind and patient that she sometimes forgot he was half-dragon. “His name doesn’t matter.”
“It bloody well does. I would beat him to a bloody pulp and cut off his dick for what he’s done to you. But doing that would land me in prison and I won’t leave you unprotected. We need to involve the DDA in all of this. They will stop him.”
Tears prickled Gina’s eyes. “Don’t you think I tried that? I filed an anonymous complaint and waited for weeks to see what they’d do. But nothing happened. Some of my friends saw Travis wooing other women in the same bar, as if nothing had happened.”
“Travis of BroadBay. Good. Now I can find him.”
Gina shook her head. “Don’t, Fergus. You promised that what I told you would stay between us.”
He cupped her cheek. “I won’t do anything without your approval. But think of the other females, lass. You were strong and ran to keep your child, but how many of the others had to hand over their bairns or face a prison sentence? We owe it to all of them and any other victims to stop this bastard. At least think about it, Gina. Will you do that for me?”
Fergus wiped the tears from her cheek with his thumb and she melted a little. “I wish I had met you instead. I can’t imagine you ever stooping to Travis’s level.”
Fergus’s eyes flashed. “Don’t mention his name. My dragon is already roaring to seek revenge and the name only prods him further.”
Placing a hand on his chest, she stared into his eyes and made a decision. “Then do whatever it takes to help ease him. If it takes me sitting in your lap again, then I can do that.”
His jaw tightened before he replied, “What he wants I won’t do. It’s bloody selfish in this moment, right after you’ve told me about your past.”
She moved her hand further down his chest. “And what’s that?”
Fergus gritted out, “Don’t ask me, lass. Finish your dinner and I’ll come back in a little while.”
Her dragonman moved to stand up, but she grabbed his shoulder. “Don’t leave me drowning in my memories, Fergus. Stay and help me make new ones.”
His nostrils flared. “You don’t know what you’re asking, Gina. You’re vulnerable and I won’t take advantage.”
Irritation flooded her body. “I’m twenty-two years old and aware of what I want. I holed myself up in that cottage thinking I could keep myself safe by blocking out the world. Then you glided down into my life and everything changed. I want you, Fergus MacKenzie. You’re kind, patient, and more noble than anyone I’ve ever met. I want you to stay with me. Please don’t go.”
Chapter Ten
Fergus’s honor warred with Gina’s need. Clearly, she was upset and emotionally distraught. Making love to her would be taking advantage of her.