She frowned. “Probably not, but Finn is different.”
“He’s not, my dear. You fancy him, that’s clear as day, but he will always be clan leader first. If you’re going to stay here, you need to accept that.”
“I’m not about to say yes to his every order.”
“I never said you had to. But in matters of clan security, especially when your life depends on it, you should. His rival is keen to take over. Don’t give Duncan the opening he wants to take the clan away from Finn.”
Arabella looked down at the counter as she traced shapes in it. When put that way, she nearly agreed with Lorna.
Looking back up, Lorna’s eyes were firm yet understanding. Her mother had been like that, too, back when Arabella had been a hotheaded teenager. Her clan might have forgotten it, but back then, she’d been worse than Tristan with her stubbornness.
Her dragon spoke up. Talk with her if you can’t talk with me.
I do talk with you.
But not to confide. The Scottish dragonwoman is willing to listen.
Guilt rushed forth at her neglect, but Arabella wasn’t about to digest that in front of Lorna MacKenzie’s overly perceptive gaze.
Truth be told, Arabella did feel more at ease with Lorna than her dragon for one reason—Lorna hadn’t been there with the dragon hunters.
Before she could convince herself otherwise, Arabella blurted, “Even if I listen in matters of clan security, I can’t live with him, Aunt Lorna. I just can’t.”
“Why, my dear? He won’t hurt you. The sprig of heather is proof of that.”
Arabella fingered the purple flowers. “Just because he gave me flowers doesn’t mean he won’t hurt me eventually.”
Lorna sighed. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but since you’re not from Lochguard, you should know something.”
“What is it?”
The older female gestured toward her blouse. “Finn has never given a female heather before. In the Highlands, it is a sort of proclamation amongst dragon-shifters.”
“What kind of proclamation?”
“Finn believes you’re his true mate.”
~~~
Finn wanted nothing more than to challenge one of his cousins to a fight. A mixture of desire, anger, and irritation pounded inside his head. If he didn’t use up his excess energy, he would miss something and make a mistake.
Since any mistake could end up harming Arabella, he couldn’t afford to make one.
His dragon spoke up. This could be our chance to exile Duncan. Good can come from the bad.
In no mood to talk with his dragon, Finn jogged the last stretch to Arabella’s cottage.
Faye and Grant were in the front yard, arguing about something. Moving closer, he could hear Faye’s words. “There’s no way I’m going to risk Arabella and use her as bait. I want to catch Duncan as much as you do, but that’s going too far.”
Grant replied, “He’s been sneaking by for the last year and I’m tired of his bullshit, Faye. This might be our only chance.”
Covering the ground between them, Finn walked up to the pair. “No, Arabella MacLeod isn’t an option. I’m guessing from your conversation that you didn’t find anything.”
Faye glared two more seconds at Grant before looking to Finn. “No. The paint used on the living room wall was black and could have come from anywhere.”
Finn glanced behind him, at the smoldering ashes in the yard. “What did they burn?”
“Most of Arabella’s belongings, including her laptop,” Faye answered. “But no worries, I’ve already got someone looking for a new laptop and some clothes for her. But, Finn.” He looked back to his cousin, who gave him an assessing look. “Maybe we should send her home until we can ensure her safety.”
Finn’s dragon roared at the same time as he stated, “No.”
Faye motioned for Grant to leave. Once she and Finn were alone, she whispered, “Look, I know how you feel about her, cousin. As much as I’d like to keep her here since I like her, there are very few places in the clan she could stay and be safe.”
“My place or your mum’s,” Finn answered.
His cousin blinked. “Aye. But I’m not sure if she’ll agree to either. Mum’s is a zoo and she’s still trying to decide what to do about you.”
Faye MacKenzie was too clever for her own good. “Oh, I’ll convince her to stay.”
“And let’s just say it doesn’t work. What then? She could run away or call her clan leader. Remember, the alliance is still new. If you do anything to hurt Arabella, Stonefire’s leader will never forgive you.”
“I still have time to convince her. If it becomes apparent we can’t protect her, I won’t have a choice but to send her away. However, I’ll do whatever it takes to prevent that from happening.”
Faye gave him a skeptical look. “She’s been here nearly a day and you almost bit off Fergus’s head at the dinner table. There’s no way you’d survive her leaving.”
Steeling his jaw, he ordered, “I haven’t kissed her yet. While my dragon will be moody, I can still keep my wits about me.”
“If you say so.”
Finn decided to drop it. “Find out what you can here and then report back to me at your mum’s house. I need to have a conversation with Arabella that can’t wait.”
Before his cousin could open her mouth to reply, Finn left. While Faye and her team were young, he trusted his handpicked Protectors to investigate the scene thoroughly and report back to him.
Finn had bigger things to handle at the moment.
He needed to do everything in his power to convince a stubborn dragonwoman to stay with him. The thought of Fergus and Fraser living in the same house as Arabella only made his dragon roar and claw, wanting to take control. He didn’t even want to think what his dragon would do if Arabella left.
Finn hadn’t lied; he could keep control of his dragon for the foreseeable future. Even if he kissed her, he bet he was strong enough to keep his hands to himself for a short while.
However, he’d been careful with Arabella up until this point in time. Not as careful as her clan had been with her, but more than Finn usually was with anyone else. From here on out, the gloves were coming off. He was in it to win, and he had a dragonwoman to claim.
Chapter Two
Arabella sat alone at the table, picking at the plate of roast beef, potatoes, and cooked carrots with her fork.
She’d been barely a day in Scotland and she already had a big decision to make. Lorna’s explanation about the heather only confirmed what Arabella had sensed earlier.
However, she still couldn’t bring herself to admit the truth. To do so would give up any chance she had at true freedom. After kissing their true mate, a dragon-shifter would go into a sex frenzy. Finn and Arabella wouldn’t be able to stop until she was pregnant.
She could barely take care of herself. Hell, she couldn’t even shift into a dragon. There was no way she could handle a mate, let alone a baby.
There were rumors of dragons subduing their frenzies, but it usually didn’t last long unless a dragon-shifter’s inner dragon was strong. Finn’s might be able to do it, but not Arabella’s.
Of course, her dragon’s weakness was all Arabella’s fault. She was the one who had battered and chased away the once strong, beautiful beast inside. It looked like Arabella would pay the price. Her only options were to go home to Stonefire with her tail between her legs and live out her life as “poor Arabella”, or kiss Finn and hope she could handle a male touching her in places she’d never been touched before without going into a fit.
While she’d been keeping her dragon at the far reaches of her mind, the beast finally broke through with a huff. I am stronger than you think. Kiss him and I will stave off the frenzy.
I wish that were true, but it’s not.
Her dragon growled. I am quiet, but strong. And I will prove it to you.
She tried to think of what to say to that when the front door opened and Finn’s voice
traveled down the hall. “Arabella? Where are you?”
At his voice, her heart rate kicked up. So much for having time to prepare herself for the confrontation with Finn.
Still, she was done hiding. Unlike the last decade, she would face her current problem and see what happened.
Taking a deep breath, she shouted, “In here.”
Finn appeared in the doorway, his windblown hair and light scruff on his face taking her breath away. Despite the no-win situation she was currently involved with, the male would always be handsome to her.
His amber eyes darted to her plate and back up. “Why haven’t you eaten?”
Dropping her fork with a clang against the plate, she stood up. “I don’t know, maybe because people attacked the place I was staying and I’ve been preoccupied.”
When he took a step toward her, Arabella held her ground. “You need to take care of yourself, Ara. My dragon isn’t happy when you don’t eat or sleep properly.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to blurt out what she’d learned, but Arabella wanted another minute to work up the nerve. Instead, she focused on something neutral. “What did you find at my cottage? Do you know who vandalized it?”
Finn shook his head. “I’m sorry, but your place is no longer habitable. Most of your things are gone too.”
“My laptop?”
He nodded. “Yes, that too. You have every right to flee back home after this. What was done to your things was inexcusable and I will find the culprit.” He took another step closer. “But know this before you make a decision: I want you to stay.”
His words were steady and sincere, which only made her heart beat faster. Clearing her throat, she forced out the words, “Because you think I’m your true mate.”
Surprise flashed in his eyes. “What?”
“Don’t deny it. Your aunt told me the meaning of the heather. And yet you were going to kiss me without saying a word. Withholding information is nearly the same as lying, Finn.”
He closed the distance between them. Before she could try to move away, he gripped her shoulders. “Says the woman who refuses to listen to her dragon. She would’ve sensed the same as mine.”
“Don’t try to push the blame to me. You knew and didn’t say. I should’ve known better than to think you flirted with me because you wanted to. No, it’s just your dragon instincts and your cock giving the orders.”
Narrowing his eyes, Finn’s voice was low when he replied, “Don’t ever think you’re not worth it, Arabella MacLeod. Even you know it takes time to sense a true mate. It was your wit and inner strength that drew me at first. To figure out you were my true mate only made me that much more determined to have you.”
Finn’s scent and heat surrounded her, his words only confusing her. “Lying to me won’t get me to kiss you.”
“I’m not lying.” He nuzzled her cheek and she drew in a breath. “Few people know what it’s like to have their lives turned upside down and come out stronger on the other side. You do, Arabella. You and I are more alike than you might think.”
Somehow she made her voice work. “You’re talking about your parents.”
“Yes.” Moving his head, he stared into her eyes. The dragon slits should frighten her, but they only highlighted his alpha dragon side, which made her heart beat faster in a good way. “You seem keen on proof, so let me kiss you, Ara. I can control my dragon for a time, allowing you to acclimate to the idea.”
She remained silent, searching his eyes, looking for even a grain of deceit, but she didn’t find it. Finn believed he could hold back.
Before she could stop herself, Arabella whispered, “But I don’t think I can and I’m terrified.”
She expected pity, but Finn’s eyes only became more determined. “If your dragon has even a fraction of your strength, she can. What does she say?”
Not asking would be the easy way out, but the situation with Finn was too important, so she forced herself to ask, Putting aside your instinct to mate, can you truly hold back? If you can’t, I’ll break.
Her dragon’s voice was firm, yet gentle. Of course I can. Female dragons always make the males work for it. It’s part of the game.
What are you talking about?
Alpha females always make the males wait. Finlay Stewart is no different. I will drive him and his dragon crazy on purpose.
Arabella smiled at her dragon’s smug tone. I like you this way.
Me, too. No more hiding. Kiss him.
Finn raised an eyebrow. “Well? I can’t read your bloody mind, woman. What did she say?”
~~~
The second Arabella smiled whilst talking to her dragon, Finn’s confidence at her accepting him ticked up a few notches.
As he expected, his female was stronger than she’d given herself credit for. It made both man and beast more impatient to finally kiss her.
Using every ounce of restraint he possessed, Finn kept his eyes trained on her gaze rather than her lips when she finally answered, “If I do this, I want to lay some ground rules.”
He sighed. “What rules?”
Arabella lifted her chin. “Kissing is as far as you take it until I say otherwise.”
Given her past and the decade she spent as a recluse, he had a feeling she’d never been with a male before. “For now. But if you string me out for months, my dragon will lose his mind.”
“Fair enough.”
Resisting the urge to nuzzle her cheek again, he asked, “Anything else?”
Her face softened. “I’ve only kissed one male before, so I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. While I’ll probably be shite at it, don’t point it out. Just show me what to do.”
Moving one of his hands from her shoulder to her cheek, he brushed the back of his fingers against her soft skin. “You’ll do fine, Ara. Kissing you will be the best moment of my life.” Her breath caught and he smiled. “And yours too, I bet. You’ll never be the same afterwards, and not just because of your dragon. The ground will sway beneath your feet after just one kiss.”
She narrowed her eyes and he grinned. Arabella’s voice was strong again as she ordered, “Stop it with the lines, Finn.”
“I bet your nervousness has eased a fraction, am I right?”
She hesitated. “Maybe.”
“Good.” Chuckling, he moved another few inches toward her lips. “Now, kiss me, Arabella MacLeod, and make me the luckiest dragonman in the world.”
She rolled her eyes and he leaned closer. Her breath was hot against his lips as she replied, “I can’t believe I’m about to kiss such a cocky male.”
“Then kiss me, already, woman. Otherwise, I’ll need to think of some more lines.” He touched his nose to hers, the contact sending a little shock through his body. “Maybe I should compare you to the heather on your blouse. Yes, beautiful and delicate-looking, yet hardy and strong, just like you. Heather can be my pet name for you from now on.” He stroked the skin beneath her lips. “What do you think, heather?”
Arabella growled, “No fucking way you’re calling me that again,” before standing on her toes and pressing her lips to his.
The second her soft skin touched his, he wanted to haul her up against his body and feel every inch of her tall, lean frame against his before stripping her clothes and fucking her senseless.
Sending a warning to his dragon to get it together, he focused on the innocent movement of Arabella’s lips. It reminded Finn that she’d never been kissed properly before. He needed to make it good.
Cupping her cheek with one hand, he nibbled her lower lip before sucking the top one. When Arabella copied him, he couldn’t help but smile. Arabella pulled away, her breath hot against his lips. “Don’t you dare laugh at me or I will kick you in the balls, Finlay.”
With a chuckle, he took her lips again. Since her mouth was partly open from speaking, he dared to taste her mouth.
Fuck. Arabella’s taste was sweet nectar, and despite his desire to take it slow, he pulled her up against h
is body and took the kiss deeper. The second his lass stroked back against his tongue, his cock turned hard as stone.
Finn growled, loving the little moan he elicited from his lass. When Arabella actually ran her hand to the back of his neck and made contact with his skin, his dragon broke free in his mind. She is ours. If you don’t want to scare her, break the kiss now. The first taste is too much. I want her badly.
Hearing the frenzy in his dragon’s voice, Finn pulled away. Arabella opened her slitted dragon eyes and whispered, “What happened?”
Stroking her cheek with his thumb, he smiled. “My dragon wanted more and told me to stop.”
She ran her fingers against the back of his neck, each movement like a brand on his skin. What he wouldn’t give to have her fingers travel down his chest and grip his cock.
His dragon huffed. Stop it. I want her. The images make it harder to hold back.
I’m not doing it on purpose.
Well, stop it.
Arabella’s husky voice snapped him out of his head. “Mine is actually demanding more.” She tilted her head. “Kiss me again, Finn?”
He ran a possessive hand up and down her back. “For you or the dragon?”
She hesitated before whispering, “Both.”
“Good, lass. Always ask me for what you want. Don’t ever hold back with me.” Nuzzling her cheek, he added, “But to avoid you calling me a liar again, just know that every time I kiss you, it will become harder to resist you. You’re my mate, Ara. I want all of you.”
As Finn waited for Arabella’s answer, his heart pounded faster. Being truthful was new to him after so many years of flirting and hiding his true self. If she decided to back down and wait, he had no bloody idea how he’d handle it, let alone his dragon.
His beast did a mental stretch. She will be fine.
Maybe she doesn’t want all of us.
Why not? We are brilliant.
A little modesty would be nice.
Modesty is for humans. We make Ara stronger. She knows it. She’ll always want us.
Healed by the Dragon: Boxed Set (Parts #1-4) Page 7
