The Dragon's Heart (Lochguard Highland Dragons #3)

by Jessie Donovan

  “Not as long as you stay on my good side, human.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” He kissed her nose. “Now, if I were twenty years younger, I’d sweep you off your feet and carry you up the stairs. But I don’t want to break that old hip you keep mentioning.”

  Lorna chuckled. “Considering I’m not as light as I once was, we’d better be safe and walk.”

  “I don’t care about what you looked like when you were younger. You’re perfect to me now.” He cupped her cheeks and stroked them with his thumbs. “Shall we go upstairs so I can devour you?”

  Her pupils flashed before she smiled. “We’d better, or you might start dozing off.”

  He lightly smacked her bum. “Cheeky dragonwoman.”

  Lorna laughed, and the sound echoed inside the kitchen. Ross decided right then and there, he would be the one to make Lorna laugh for the rest of her days.

  Releasing her, Ross took her hand and tugged. “Then let’s get going before I fall asleep and snore your ear off.”

  They exited the kitchen and ascended the stairs. “You do snore loudly, unfortunately for me.”

  “That just means I’ll have to lay on my side and hold you close, all through the night. I don’t snore on my side.”

  Tenderness flashed in Lorna’s eyes, and Ross ached to simply hold his dragonwoman in his arms.

  But he was fairly certain his hard cock and Lorna’s flashing dragon eyes weren’t going to let that happen.

  As soon as they entered Lorna’s room, she shut the door and released his hand. Ross was about to ask what she was doing when Lorna tugged off her jumper, and all thoughts left his head.

  ~~~

  With her heart thumping inside her chest, Lorna somehow managed to swiftly tug off her jumper and toss it aside as if she did it every day. Maybe she could fool Ross into thinking she was confident about taking him to bed. After all, it had been decades. The last time had been with Jamie.

  Jamie. For a split second, Lorna wondered if she were being selfish in wanting Ross. She and Jamie had always promised to look out for the children if one of them were gone. Lorna’s children still needed her help with the babies and new mates. Faye, in particular, was still healing from her wing injury the year before.

  Her dragon growled. Why is this so difficult? All of the bairns are adults. They need space to grow and strengthen their new families.

  My mother helped me when I was a new mum. I should do the same.

  Aye, and you will. But what about the mornings or nights? Soon we’ll be all alone in this house.

  Ross’s voice interrupted her conversation. “What’s the matter, Lorna? Are you having second thoughts?”

  Her beast growled. Look at the desire and heat in Ross’s eyes. He wants us, and I want him. Don’t you?

  Remembering Ross’s kisses, his teasing, and even his companionship since arriving on Lochguard, Lorna knew she did.

  Maybe it was time for Lorna to take some time for herself after raising four stubborn-headed children on her own.

  Pushing aside her nervousness and doubts, Lorna answered, “Of course not. A little waiting might do you good.”

  Chuckling, Ross winked. “Not too long, I hope. It’s getting close to my bedtime.”

  Lorna shook her head and moved her hands to her skirt. After wiggling out of it, she yanked off her socks and stopped at the hem of her panties. Once they were off, she doubted she would be able to stop her dragon from claiming Ross.

  Ross’s voice was husky as he said, “Show me, love. I want to see all of you.”

  The wanting in his voice gave Lorna the courage she needed to slide off her panties and undo her bra. Even though the room was warm, she shivered. Ross’s long perusal of her body only made her heart pound harder and wetness pool between her legs.

  In the next second, Ross tugged off his shirt and her eyes moved to the gray hair on his chest. While Ross wasn’t a dragon-shifter, he had a lean hardness to him that she looked forward to touching and exploring with both her hands and her tongue.

  “Like what you see, love?”

  Frowning, Lorna motioned toward his trousers. “Hurry up and take them off before I freeze to death.”

  With a chuckle, Ross unzipped his trousers and dropped them to the floor. His erection punched against his underwear and her dragon growled in impatience. Tell him to hurry up. I’m starving.

  Before she could think of how to reply to that, Ross pulled down his underwear and stood tall. Unable to resist, she looked down his lean, tall body until she reached his long, hard cock.

  His desire for her was plain to see.

  Of course it is. You need more confidence when it comes to our attractiveness.

  Shut it, dragon.

  Ross strode up to her and pulled her against his warm body. The press of his erection against her belly caused a pounding ache between her thighs.

  After a brief kiss, Ross guided them back toward the bed. “I hope you’re ready, Lorna.” He gently guided her down to the mattress and caged her body with his arms. “Because I’m not stopping until you scream my name at least twice.”

  She was about to say that was a tall order, but Ross’s fingers brushed the juncture between her legs and she sucked in a breath.

  Chapter Seven

  Only because of his formidable self-control, could Ross caress Lorna’s most sensitive flesh and take his time. With each stroke of his fingers, Lorna’s legs parted a little more. The flush of her cheeks was a lovely contrast to her blondish gray hair fanned out behind her head.

  Damn, she was gorgeous.

  It’d been a long time since he’d last made love to a woman and regardless of what his brain wanted, his cock wanted to thrust into his dragonwoman and claim her straightaway.

  Lorna’s breathy voice caught his attention. “Ross, please.”

  Hearing his name on her lips was the tipping point. Removing his hand, Ross positioned his cock at her entrance. “Ready, love?”

  With her pupils flashing, she murmured, “Hurry up.”

  Not wanting to keep his woman waiting any longer, Ross inched his way inside. Lorna might not be a virgin, but it had been a while, and he didn’t want to hurt her.

  As if reading his mind, Lorna growled, “Don’t you dare be delicate with me, Ross. I want the fire and passion I know is there.”

  Lowering his head, Ross nipped Lorna’s bottom lip. “As you wish.”

  Thrusting the rest of the way inside, Lorna moaned and grabbed his biceps. She dug in her nails, and something primal sparked inside Ross.

  He moved his hips and increased his pace with each movement. He loved the way Lorna gripped his cock with just the right amount of pressure.

  However, he wanted to feel more than just his cock inside his dragonwoman. Transferring his weight to his left arm, Ross cupped Lorna’s breast and squeezed. The large, warm flesh was softer than he’d imagined.

  But touching wasn’t enough. He pinched her hard nipple between his fingers and Lorna moaned. “Yes.”

  Sucking her nipples and worrying them with his teeth would have to wait. Ross needed to make Lorna his. The desire to hear her scream as she came only pushed his hips faster.

  Yet as the pressure built at the base of his spine, Ross gritted his teeth. He wouldn’t come like a lad of fifteen before Lorna. His dragonwoman deserved better.

  He glided his hand down Lorna’s soft stomach to the hair at the juncture of her thighs. Finding her hard nub, Ross rubbed it in firm circles. Lorna squirmed her hips below him. When she dug her nails further into his skin, Ross wanted to let go.

  Thankfully, Lorna screamed his name and arched her back. As she gripped and released his cock, Ross roared and stilled inside her. Pleasure raced and crashed through his body as he finally made Lorna MacKenzie his own.

  Once she had wrung every last drop out of him, Ross collapsed on top of her.

  For a short while, they both merely lay there, breathing heavily. Then Lorna’s nails lightly traced
his back as she purred, “You still have a few tricks left in you, old man.”

  With a grunt, Ross rolled to the side and took Lorna with him. The dragonwoman laid half on his chest, which gave him the perfect opportunity to grab her arse cheek and squeeze. “I’m more interested in seeing your tricks, love.”

  Lorna raised her head. “I thought we had a deal? I cook and you give me fantastic sex.”

  “So you think it’s fantastic, aye? Good to know. Maybe it’ll make all the dragonmen jealous.”

  “Don’t you dare go bragging to the public, Ross Anderson. What happens in this bed is private.”

  Ross swept Lorna’s long hair over her shoulder and then traced her collarbone. “So does that give me leave to do whatever I wish as long as I don’t go havering on about it?”

  Leaning down, Lorna whispered into his ear, “I can’t answer that question yet. I need to see more of your moves to make a better-informed decision.”

  He chuckled. “You just want me to do all of the work.”

  Lorna moved to straddle his hips, her lovely curves in full view. Not waiting for a reply, he traced her breast, her waist, and the stretch marks on her belly. Meeting Lorna’s gaze, he noticed her expression had shuttered. She was hiding something. “Tell me what’s on your mind, love.”

  ~~~

  Lorna was raring to go another round with her human. The things that man could do with his fingers made her skin burn.

  Then he studied her body and lingered on her belly, and Lorna’s confidence faded. Between wrinkles and stretch marks, she wondered how Ross found her beautiful at all.

  Her dragon huffed. Remember our talk before, about self-confidence? We’re gorgeous. Accept it.

  As she tried to think of how to reply, Ross’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Tell me what’s on your mind, love.”

  Looking down at her human, Lorna saw concern in his gaze. Her dragon chimed in again. You’re being foolish, and I don’t like it.

  Ross stroked her back in slow circles, and she sighed. “I just wish I’d met you years ago.”

  He raised his brows. “But would you have been ready then? I somehow doubt it. Every heart needs time to heal, some more than others. I never thought I’d be able to accept Anne was gone and to find someone else, but I did. Hell, I’m even glad of the cancer now, since it brought me to you and my second chance.”

  Placing her hands on his chest, Lorna teased his chest hair with her palms. “Those are fancy words considering we only kissed this morning.”

  Ross rolled them over until he caged her with his arms. “It’s been nearly half a year since we met and I don’t know about you, but I’ve treasured most of the days.”

  “Most?”

  “Aye, the constant bickering with your youngest son I could’ve done without.”

  She smiled. “His protectiveness comes from his father. His spirit might have come from me.”

  “Might have?”

  She chuckled. “Okay, all of it did come from me.” She remained quiet a minute. When she finally replied, her voice was sober. “I still miss him, you know. Jamie.”

  Ross caressed her cheek. “Aye, I know. I miss my Anne every day. But I think she would’ve liked you. Even though Anne was quiet, she was stubborn and strong-willed. She found creative ways to get her way.”

  “Jamie was a wee bit possessive, but deep down, I know he’d want me to be happy.”

  “Then why do you keep pushing the chance away, Lorna? One minute you can’t get enough of me, and the next you shut down and keep me at arm’s length. I don’t like the latter, lass.”

  She searched Ross’s eyes. This was one of those important moments in life when a person knew it could shape their future. If Lorna didn’t open up to Ross now and speak the truth, she might lose her chance with him in the long run.

  Her dragon spoke up. Just tell him already so we can have more sex.

  Such a single-track mind.

  We’ve done it your way for decades. Now, I want my way, too.

  “So, is your dragon on my side?” Ross asked.

  Lorna snorted. “Of course she is. I think she does it to get back at me for all the years of celibacy.”

  You have that right, her beast stated.

  Ross replied before Lorna could, “Then maybe she could convince you to tell me why you pulled away earlier.”

  As Ross stroked her cheek, Lorna decided she was done with hesitating. She wanted Ross to know all of her. “It’s been more than two decades since I’ve been with a male and my body has changed. I’m still getting used to being naked around you.”

  “Oh, aye? Then maybe I need to make you so used to my touch that it feels strange to be apart.”

  “Trying to charm me, human?”

  He grinned. “Yes, and don’t expect me to stop anytime soon.”

  Lorna laughed as Ross moved away to sit on his heels, his legs straddling the sides of her own.

  He ran a finger across one shoulder and then the other. “These shoulders have had a lot to bear over the years, and yet they’re still straight and strong.” He moved his hand and laid his palm over her heart. “This heart is big enough to take in a nephew to raise, as well as an old man and even help with her daughter-in-law’s sister.”

  Lorna should frown and tell him that almost anyone on Lochguard would do the same, but she didn’t want to break the spell. Ross’s husky words and gentle touch were addictive.

  Ross cupped her breasts and gently lifted. “Not only did these nurture your bairns, but they also make any straight man dream of doing this.” Leaning down, Ross took one of her nipples into his mouth and suckled. Each pull made her core pulse. Then he switched to the other one and Lorna bit her lip to keep from moaning.

  Releasing her nipple with a flick of his tongue, Ross released her breasts to take hold of her wide hips. “And your hips. Hell, Lorna, they have just enough cushion to protect you from my fierce grip. And as for your arse,”—he slid one hand to under her arse cheek—“let’s just say I can’t wait to take you from behind. Your lovely arse will keep me from breaking my bones.”

  She smiled. “You’re being silly. Sex isn’t going to break you.”

  “I don’t know.” He thickened his accent. “I hear dragonwomen can be verra demanding in the bedroom.”

  Her dragon hummed. He doesn’t know the half of it. Just wait until I can wrest away control.

  Lorna opened her mouth to reply, but Ross placed a hand on her belly and rubbed slowly. If dragons could purr, Lorna would be doing it.

  Her human said, “You display the scars of child-bearing, but more than that, they are a symbol of both the past and the future. Not having stretch marks or children wouldn’t suit you, Lorna. You love to care for others, so embrace it.”

  Staring into Ross’s eyes, Lorna saw truth. Her human truly believed everything he said about her.

  Her beast huffed. Between me and Ross, will you believe us now and embrace your sexiness?

  Ross took her hands and threaded his fingers through hers. “Have I convinced you of how much I want to see you naked yet, love? Because I can keep going.”

  Lorna blinked back tears and cleared her throat. “I’m glad you came into my life, Ross. You’re a fine male and were more than worth waiting for.”

  He widened his eyes and gave a fake gasp. “Is Lorna MacKenzie actually opening up to me? Or am I dreaming?”

  “Ross,” she bit out.

  Leaning down, Ross took her lips in a gentle kiss. “I’ve waited so many months for you, Lorna, that I’m ready to take you again.” He brushed her cheek with his fingers. “Just don’t expect this every night. An old man only has so much in him.”

  She smacked his bum. “Stop saying you’re old. To me, you’re just right.” She nipped his bottom lip. “And let’s see if we can get two more times out of you tonight.”

  “Someone’s demanding.”

  “Aye, so get used to it.”

  Ross chuckled before taking her lips i
n a rough kiss. As his tongue slipped into her mouth, Lorna clutched his shoulder and pulled him close. With each stroke, Ross let her know how much he wanted her. And for the first time, Lorna didn’t doubt herself or him.

  Chapter Eight

  Ross watched Lorna finish cooking up his breakfast in her nightshirt. He would’ve preferred her cooking in the nude, but given the proclivity of Lorna’s children to show up unannounced, she’d convinced him of the necessity of wearing some clothing.

  Yet he couldn’t resist coming up behind her and taking her hips as he kissed her neck.

  Despite leaning into his touch, she said, “Don’t think your kisses are going to convince me to make you a full Scottish breakfast.”

  Stroking up and down her ribcage, Ross murmured, “You know how much I bloody hate porridge. Why are you making it yet again?”

  “Because of your health. Not even your prowess in the bedroom will convince me to change my mind in this.” She glanced at him. “I just found you, and I’m not about to lose you to a heart attack.”

  The fierceness in Lorna’s gaze stole his breath away.

  Kissing the side of her mouth, he replied, “My fierce dragon lass.”

  “Too right. Now step back or I may just drop a little of this down your pants.”

  He chuckled. “That’s an empty threat, love, and you know it. Your dragon is quite fond of my ‘prowess’ as you put it.”

  “You’re such a scamp.”

  “Aye, but you love that about me.”

  Lorna stared for a second more before turning back to her pan on the cooker. Ross’s statement had been lighthearted, but he wondered if Lorna had taken it to mean more.

  Ross had wanted the dragonwoman for so many months, he was practically in love with Lorna MacKenzie already. Not that he could tell her truthfully just yet. While cancer had put Ross’s life and priorities in perspective, Lorna was still battling memories of her late husband. However, he hoped she didn’t go back to keeping him at arm’s length again. After the night before, Ross didn’t think he could go back to being merely friends.