Finn replied to the pair, "Good. Make sure Chase can be by her side for as long as needed. Talk to his boss if required and get him some time off, aye?"
The two had barely nodded before Finn's computer beeped with an incoming video call. "That will be Bram. I'll visit you when I'm done, and we can talk more about the possible threat from the Iranian clan. I trust you two to smooth things over with Yasmin and Phillip, and notify their respective families as well."
The pair nodded and left. Once he was alone, Finn clicked Receive, and Bram's dark hair and blue eyes filled the screen. Bram instantly frowned. "Why do I get the feeling this won't be a nice call where we chat about our children?"
"Someday we'll get there. For the next wee while, I may need your help…"
Chapter Ten
The next twenty-four hours passed in a blur. Layla stabilized her sister, treated Phillip for dehydration and mild malnutrition, and did everything in her power to get the pair and their child out of any sort of health-related danger.
The Seahaven doctor had come as previously scheduled, and without too much direction from Layla, Dr. Daniel Keith had methodically done the rounds and seen most of the other patients for the day. When things slowed down in the evening, Layla was alone for the first time with the doctor in her office.
She was so exhausted that she merely motioned for him to give her his notes. But rather than follow her order, Dr. Keith grunted and shook his head. "No. You need to go home and rest, MacFie."
"This is my surgery, Dr. Keith. I know how to run it."
He tossed his files on her desk. "Aye, of course you do. But these are unusual circumstances. Get some rest and I'll cover until morning."
Deep down, she wanted to say okay and go home. "I can't. My sister might need me."
"Look, I get that you care about your sister. But what use are you if you're exhausted and make a mistake? And no, I'm not singling you out. We've all made them at some point." He searched her gaze. "Be reasonable and think—what would you advise a junior doctor to do in this situation?"
Layla knew she'd tell them to rest and come back later. And yet, for her to admit she needed a break would almost seem like defeat, as if she were letting her sister down once again.
Her dragon growled. Stop it. Even Finn relies on help from the other clan leaders. If he can do it, why can't we do the same?
After five years, I don't want to abandon my sister again.
It's not abandoning her. Dr. Keith seems more than capable of taking care of her.
You've made that decision after one day? I want to believe he's a good doctor, but it's too early to do so.
Her beast grunted. He's done an amazing job today, which tells you a lot, considering the feedback from the clan about his treatments.
Layla studied the chiseled face and warm eyes of the doctor in front of her. By all accounts, he had done well with the patients, even to the point Lorna MacKenzie had praised him for how he'd treated her.
Even though Layla suspected Lorna hadn't needed to see a doctor and had only come to see Dr. Keith for herself, the dragonwoman's good word meant a lot to anyone inside the clan. Especially since Lorna remembered back when Dr. Keith had lived on Lochguard, before his father and human mother were tossed out by the former leader and their son had followed, which meant Lorna had a more well-rounded opinion of the male.
As Layla struggled to keep her eyes open, she made a decision. She couldn't help Yasmin if she passed out from exhaustion. "Fine, I'll rest until morning. And you'll ring me the second anything changes with any of the patients, understand?"
"On my honor, you have my word." He smiled slightly. "And to think that my mate says I'm the most stubborn doctor she's ever met. I'm going to have to introduce her to you just to prove she's wrong."
Standing, Layla shook her head. "I'm stubborn out of necessity, as most any dominant female dragon-shifter has to be to deal with you lot." Once she picked up her bag, she added, "Although I'd love to meet your mate one day, Dr. Keith."
"Call me Daniel. And she'll be excited to meet you, too. She's human and has wanted to come to Lochguard ever since Finn started making headlines."
The two clans had been strangers for too long. But that was more Finn's problem than hers. Layla would think of talking more with Daniel and his mate at some later time, when she wasn't about to fall asleep on her feet.
Layla gave the last few instructions, said her goodbyes, and made her way out of the surgery.
It was dark outside, with only the faint glow from the sparse streetlamps. Not that it was too much of a problem considering her keen dragon-shifter eyesight.
However, she'd barely taken a few steps away from the building when someone took her hand and a familiar male voice filled her ears, "Let me help you, lass."
Chase. A sense of relief washed over her. If it were anyone else, she'd brush off their offer. However, she was too exhausted to do it with him. She leaned against his chest and whispered, "I'm so tired."
He stroked her back. "I know, love. I know."
In the next second, Chase gently lifted her into his arms, and Layla could do nothing but loop her arms around his neck and lean into his hard, warm body. His steady heartbeat lulled her into sleep within minutes.
It had been a lot fucking harder than Chase had imagined to simply stay away from Layla and let her do her work.
But he wasn't a doctor or nurse, and all he would've done was slow her down or worse, caused her to make a mistake. Instead, Chase had run as many errands to help the surgery as he could and did his best to give an account to Grant of all that was said with Phillip and Yasmin.
Soon he'd had nothing to do but wait.
So he'd ensured there was food to warm up in Layla's fridge and did his best to get things ready for when she came home, so she wouldn't have to expend much effort to go to sleep.
And sometime during the blur of activities, Finn had given him a strange order—to make watching over and taking care of Layla his top priority.
As if he wasn't going to bloody do that anyway.
His dragon huffed. Finn knows Layla keeps everyone distant. You can't fault him for wanting to encourage any sort of closeness.
I guess this means he supports the match.
If not, he would've said so.
Chase grunted. Although it's not Finn we have to ultimately convince.
His dragon stood a little taller. She'll say yes soon enough.
A companionable silence fell between him and his beast as they waited outside the surgery. As the hour grew late, he wondered if Layla would force herself to work until morning.
He'd give her another half hour before checking on her. Aye, he did his best to not interfere with her work, but part of Chase's job was to ensure she didn't kill herself.
However, after about ten minutes, Layla finally stumbled out.
And aye, she stumbled and he had to reach out a hand to steady her.
After offering her help, she leaned against him without a struggle, and his restless energy vanished. His only job for the foreseeable future was to take care of Layla. Nothing else mattered.
Scooping her up, she weighed almost nothing in his arms. He loved the warmth of her body against his, and he knew right then and there why he'd been destined to be Layla's true mate. She would never look after herself and would always want to look after others. Ensuring her well-being would be his job. For the first time in his life, he would be responsible for someone else, instead of others trying to take care of or protect him, like his mum and brother had done.
Cuddling her sleeping form more against him, he made his way toward her house, doing his best to ignore how her scent invaded his nose. Or how the softness of her breasts against his chest sent heat through his body.
His dragon growled. How much longer must we wait? I want her.
Not now, dragon. There's too much going on.
I know we can't kiss her yet. But there's a hell of a lot we can do without crossing tha
t line. And it would relax Layla, too.
Maybe you want to accost the unconscious, but I don't.
His beast growled. Of course I wouldn't do that. But once she wakes up, worshiping her body a wee bit may give her a new type of energy.
As his dragon flashed images of them suckling Layla's breast, licking between her thighs, and watching her face as she orgasmed, Chase gritted his teeth. Stop it. If we can't prove how we can be a supportive mate, she'll never let us do any of that.
Supportive, yes. But I doubt Layla wants a passive one.
Not wanting to deal with his dragon and argue again, he constructed a mental maze and tossed the beast inside. While his dragon banged against the walls, they held.
Chase hated doing it, but he wanted to savor every second of Layla in his arms and not waste time debating how to win Layla with his inner beast.
He focused on the female in his arms. Even in the dim lighting, he could see her partly opened lips, her dark eyelashes against her skin, and strands of hair falling down her cheek.
He didn't think she could be more beautiful.
And one day, she might be his.
Instinctively, he tightened his grip. No, she would be his.
Chase finally reached her cottage and managed to get inside without waking her up. Only when he finally laid her down on the bed did she stir. "Whaaat?" she murmured.
Smiling at the sleepy response, he gently caressed her cheek before tucking a section of hair behind her ear. "We're home, love. Once I tuck you in, I'll go downstairs and sleep on the sofa."
Layla reached a hand up and grabbed his. "Stay with me."
His heart beat double-time as he asked slowly, "Is that wise? What if you accidentally kiss me in your sleep?"
She frowned and did her best to shake her head. "I won't. Please, Chase. Stay with me."
He'd done the honorable thing and offered to sleep elsewhere. However, he wasn't going to make Layla beg for his company.
Leaning down, he kissed her cheek. "Aye, I'll hold you. Let me get you settled into bed, first."
Layla remained half-asleep the whole time as he removed her shoes and maneuvered her under the covers. Maybe he should've offered to change her clothes or remove them. But a naked Layla would be dangerous and too sweet of a temptation, so he merely kept her clothes on.
Once she was settled, he took off his own shoes and climbed in behind her. The second he laid on his side, she snuggled into his front, and he put an arm around her waist.
As he held her, the heat of her body warming his own, he closed his eyes and nuzzled her neck. "Goodnight, love."
She mumbled, "Night," and was out within seconds.
Chase tightened his hold on her, trying to merely enjoy the moment and ignore his painfully hard cock between them.
It was going to be one fucking long night.
But as Layla started to snore softly, he smiled. A few days ago, Layla had done everything within her power to avoid him. And yet here she was, snoring as she snuggled against him, trusting him enough to sleep with her.
His true mate was strong and stubborn, with a hidden sense of humor he wanted to coax out more often. Not to mention, she was also vulnerable and even fragile at times. The contrast stirred something inside him. He never wanted to let her go.
He loved her.
Not that he would say so anytime soon. For the moment, he was content to hold her against his body and fall asleep with her scent in his nose.
Chapter Eleven
Layla was usually the sort of person to jump out of bed the second she was awake. Partly because of her profession, but also because mornings were her favorite time of day.
However, as she slowly opened her eyes and blinked against the faint daylight streaming in through the window, warm and toasty under the covers, she had no desire to spring from bed just yet.
Then someone nuzzled her neck and tightened his hold around her middle, and she smiled, remembering Chase had stayed the night with her.
He murmured, "Don't you dare leave me yet."
She was about to tease him when his hand stroked her lower belly. Each pass of his fingers sent more heat surging through her body, making her heart pound harder.
Her dragon sounded sleepy as she said, Move his hand lower. After so long without a male's touch, it won't take long to come.
Grateful Chase couldn't see her cheeks turn red, she replied, Why would you think of something like that right now? While I know someone would've alerted me to any changes for Yasmin, which means she should be the same or better, I don't have time for selfish things like orgasms. We should get up and go back to check on her.
Her beast growled. You're stressed, I haven't had sex for years, and we're both ticking time bombs. Encourage him. A half hour to ourselves will benefit everyone in the long run.
At the rebuke in her dragon's voice, Layla paused to consider the words. For dragon-shifters, sex was an essential part of maintaining their overall mental health. If any of her staff had been as strung tight or overworked as she was, Layla would've advised them to find a willing partner and relax a wee while.
She hated when her beast was not only rational but correct.
Maybe, just maybe, she could spend a little time on herself for once, provided there wasn't some sort of emergency waiting for her on her mobile phone. It wouldn't even be entirely selfish, either. If she were more relaxed, her sister and everyone else would benefit, too.
Her dragon spoke again. Then encourage him. He's been patient, and probably will remain so unless he knows you want his touch, too.
As she debated what to do—Layla was bold and straightforward as a doctor but less so when it came to being a lover—Chase's hand went an inch lower. He murmured, "As your future mate, it's my job to take care of you in all ways. And before you say it's not important, just know that you were moaning my name in your sleep, lass."
Her cheeks heated even more. "Don't say that."
His fingers moved even closer to the now throbbing bundle of nerves between her thighs. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about, love. But it did mean I couldn't sleep well, and instead, I lay awake thinking of a hundred ways to make you moan in reality." His fingers stilled and Layla nearly cried out no. He added, "Let me try one of them, aye?"
Layla wanted to scream yes. She'd been ready to do so a minute ago.
And yet, with him asking permission, it made reality come crashing back. There was someone waiting for her to make an appearance at the surgery, after all. So she shook her head. "Dr. Keith will want to go home."
Chase nibbled her earlobe before licking it once, twice, three times. The throbbing between her thighs pounded harder.
He murmured, "You're to have the morning off, on both Finn and Dr. Sid's orders."
"Dr. Sid?" she echoed.
"Aye, she's come up from Stonefire. Something about everyone wanting to coo over her and Gregor's son, and how she wouldn't turn down willing babysitters. Finn texted me during the night, as did Dr. Sid. They told me I was to enforce the order, too. And not to worry, your sister and her mate are doing better."
"But—"
He licked her neck before his hot breath caressed her skin, making her shiver. "If you try to set foot in the surgery before 2:00 p.m. today, Dr. Sid said she'd toss you out on your arse as many times as it takes." He smiled against her skin. "Although I admit, that would be a sight to see."
She gently elbowed his ribs behind her. "Not funny, Chase."
His hand stroked her abdomen again. "The serious, proper doctor being tossed out repeatedly? Aye, it would be. Although I'll admit, it would be hard not to kiss away the adorable frown you'd no doubt have between your brows." He bit her neck before soothing the slight sting with his tongue, and she barely contained a groan in her throat. He murmured, "However, I'm willing to sacrifice seeing that sight if it means I can have you naked and squirming at my touch."
His fingers finally reached her clitoris, and as he rubbed gently through her trouse
rs, Layla cried out and jerked at the touch.
Her dragon growled. You trust Dr. Sid. Let him fuck us with his tongue. It will be so much better than trying to fight how randy we are.
Layla tried to think of a reason why she shouldn't. But as Chase continued the delicious friction, the urges she'd long suppressed burst through.
Longing, wanting, lust. She wanted the male next to her touching her, licking her, and making her forget about everything but his touch.
Moving her hips in time to his motions, she turned her head and kissed the underside of his jaw. She whispered, "Okay."
With a growl, Chase had her on her back, and he was above her, his eyes full of desire. The look, combined with the way he held her wrists over her head, made her heart skip a beat and wetness rush between her legs.
She'd never wanted to submit to anyone. But the thought of Chase in control, teasing her, making her hot until he finally made her come, made her bold. Spreading her thighs, she lifted her chest and whispered, "I want you, Chase. Show me how much you want me, too."
With a growl, he held her wrists in place with one hand as he extended a talon on his free one. Her shirt was split down the middle in the next second, her bra gone right after, until the cool air caressed her nipples and turned them to hard points.
Retracting his talon, he drew circles around her tight bud, but never quite touching it. "You're fucking perfect, better than I ever imagined in my mind."
Before she could argue, he leaned down and took her nipple into his mouth, suckling gently, each pull making Layla spread her legs farther apart. When he moved to the other side and did the same to her throbbing peak, her skin burned hotter, and she wanted more than merely his mouth on her breast. She wanted his ferociousness between her thighs.
Her dragon grunted. Then tell him. He can't read your mind.
"Please, Chase." She raised her hips, wanting her trousers and pants gone, needing to feel his fingers against her skin.
The Dragon's Pursuit (Lochguard Highland Dragons Book 7) Page 10
