The Dragon's Pursuit (Lochguard Highland Dragons Book 7)

by Jessie Donovan

  Aye, and much like waiting to have her, it'll be worth the wait. There's no way I'll put the bairn's life at risk, let alone Layla's.

  And since they both wanted to try their hardest to keep their child, Layla had agreed to the conditions, even if she didn't particularly like them.

  Once Chase reached Layla, he put an arm around her waist and drew her against his side. "Are you sure you don't want to wear a blindfold and make the reveal overly dramatic?"

  She glanced up at him. "So I can trip, crash into some tree, and then have to rush back to Lochguard?"

  He kissed her nose. "I know, I know, we want to avoid any extra work for you."

  Leaning her head on his shoulder, she replied, "It's more than that, though. I just want to enjoy the day off with my male. And I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm dying to see this garden of yours. It saved my life, after all."

  The basis of her medication was made from a flower he grew. "And I hope to expand it, so it can save other lives. I may not be able to perform a surgery or diagnose a disease, but I know how to grow plants. After today, you can tell me what else it needs, and I'll do my best to provide it."

  She squeezed his side. "Then let's hurry up. The sooner we arrive, the sooner you can take your shirt off and start digging, or weeding, or some other sort of manual labor that'll allow me to ogle your sweaty chest and back."

  He snorted as he guided her down the somewhat hidden pathway to his garden. "It's bloody cold outside, Layla. As much as I wouldn't mind my female taking care of me when I'm sick, I'd prefer to wait a wee while." He lowered his mouth to her ear. "After all, today is the first time I can have you in weeks."

  She glanced up at him, heat in her eyes. "Maybe you should've taken care of that before dragging me into the middle of nowhere, in the dead of winter."

  He grinned. "I said I have a few surprises, didn't I? Now, come on, so I can start revealing them to my curious lass."

  As they continued to walk slowly—he wasn't going to push Layla too hard, even if she had been deemed healthy again—he stroked Layla's side, reveling in her heat and scent at his side. Merely having her to himself, without doctors and nurses—let alone family—looking on was pure bliss. Aye, they had a lifetime ahead of them, but Chase would never get enough of his female.

  It didn't take more than a few beats before Layla asked, "How did you find this place?"

  "As I mentioned before, I needed something to distract me from a beautiful lass destined to be mine, but who didn't give me a second glance. And as I grew tired of flying here and there, with no destination in mind, I asked Finn if I could use one of the abandoned game hunting forests for a special project. Since I had quite the reputation for trouble back then, I had to tell him it was for nothing more troublesome than a garden. He granted the request and promised to keep it secret. And every week, I tried to do a bit more, always adding or clearing a new section. However, it's no longer an escape merely for me. I want it to be our secret place, away from everything else, where we're nothing but two mates in love."

  And maybe one day, he could teach his son or daughter to help him. If he and Layla were lucky enough to have one.

  If not, he'd be fine with Layla reading a book as he worked, content that his mate was nearby.

  Layla sighed. "That sounds lovely." She glanced up. "Although I hope you don't expect me to start stripping my shirt off and digging with a shovel, too. It's not vain to say these hands are worth too much to risk damaging or maiming by mistake."

  He smiled down at her. "Of course not, love. Your admiring gaze is all I need."

  She beamed up at him, and even though he burned to show her the place, he stopped a second to take her lips in a slow, lingering kiss.

  Even though he'd done it thousands of times by now, he never got enough of Layla's sweet taste.

  When he finally pulled back, both man and beast stood a little taller at her swollen lips and flushed cheeks.

  Layla murmured, "That kiss almost makes me wish we could stop right here and celebrate your secret garden with some mind-blowing sex."

  He ran a hand down to her arse and squeezed. "Don't tempt me, love. Don't tempt me." It took herculean effort, but he turned her back toward the path. "Come on. We're nearly there."

  Even though Layla burned to see Chase's garden, it was hard to be next to her sexy male, feeling his warmth and inhaling his scent, and not think about what they could be doing inside their cottage instead.

  Today was the first day she'd been cleared to have sex again, and even if there wasn't a mate-claim frenzy, she wanted to let go and claim her male like there was no tomorrow.

  Her dragon snorted. And they say males are bad.

  Oh, stop it. You're as eager as I am to claim him.

  I wouldn't mind sucking his cock before riding it, but I'm not about to do it outside in the bloody cold.

  I thought dragons weren't supposed to be as affected by the cold?

  Aye, if we're in dragon form. But we take our male when human, and it's freezing. Besides, males shrink up in the cold, and I want all of him inside us, every last inch.

  Thinking of how she could reply to that, Chase stopped and murmured, "I'm going to put my hand over your eyes for a few feet. Don't worry, I won't let you fall, lass."

  Trusting Chase with her life, she closed her eyes. It was awkward trying to walk on a dirt path without seeing it, but after a few minutes, he murmured, "Wait right here and keep your eyes closed."

  She bobbed her head before she heard Chase race away. She shuffled her feet, trying her best to stay warm. Finally, he shouted, "Open them!"

  Layla complied and gasped.

  White fairy lights were strung around the trees and along the fences on each side, the lights ending toward the back, where they framed the overhang of a small cabin.

  It was almost as if the garden and cabin were bathed in starlight.

  Chase raced over and smiled down at her. "So you like it?"

  She couldn't tear her gaze away, finding new lights in some of the bushes and even around a chair outside the cabin. "It's beautiful. But where did the cabin come from? I know you can be handy, but I don't think you could've built it within a few short weeks."

  He grinned. "Aye, you're right, as much as I wish I could build something that fast. The cabin was here already, but just needed some updating, mainly electrical and the roof." He pulled her close against his front. "I wanted a place for you to be able to escape and simply enjoy yourself. This is our little place away from everyone, love. And Finn said we could have it for as long as we like."

  Raising a hand, she cupped his cheek. "You're spoiling me again."

  "Aye, and I'll continue to do so, so get used to it."

  Leaning more against him, she looped both her hands behind his neck. "I suppose that means I should reward you, aye?"

  His pupils flashed. "A nobler male would say he didn't need a reward. But there's a bed inside the cabin with our names on it, and I think it deserves some use."

  As his lips descended on hers, Layla moaned and instantly let his tongue inside her mouth. As he stroked, she matched him, digging her nails into his neck.

  When he moved a hand to her arse and rocked her against his erection, she managed to pull away and say, "As lovely as your garden is, I second the bed."

  "Good." He scooped her up and carried her toward the cabin.

  She kissed his neck, his chin, his jaw, the air turning too hot despite the frigid temperatures.

  Somehow Chase opened the door and carried her inside. The next moment she was on the bed, her male above her, his eyes flashing wildly. "I think it's time to create our own frenzy, Dr. McFarland."

  Layla laid her hands above her head and arched her back. "I think so, too, Mr. McFarland."

  With a growl, Chase tore off her clothing and then his own before playing out the fantasy he'd voice many times over the last few weeks.

  It was even better in real life, but she suspected anything would be better with
Chase, the male she loved more than anything else in the world.

  Epilogue

  Many Months Later

  Layla gazed down at the two wee bundles in her arms and couldn't stop crying.

  Aye, they were early and small, but they were healthy.

  And she was finally a mum.

  She choked on a sob, and Chase laid his cheek against hers, murmuring, "Love, it's okay. You'll handle twins just fine. You have me to help you, remember."

  "No." Sniffle. "It's not that."

  Chase wrapped his arms under hers, helping to hold their sons. "Then what's wrong, love? Tell me. I can't stand you crying."

  She leaned into Chase's face. "I-I didn't know if we'd ever get here."

  Layla had had a difficult pregnancy, to the point she'd been on bed rest for the last three months.

  They'd both learned early that she was having twins. Sid had told her she needed to know as soon as possible, in order to be more careful and keep them to term.

  She'd nearly lost them once, but between Chase's dedication, as well as the help of more doctors than any one person would need, she'd made it through.

  And now she held two tiny, beautiful sons in her arms.

  Chase nuzzled her cheek. "But they're both here, you're healthy, and I'm sure one day you'll wonder why you ever wanted children in the first place."

  "Never," she answered with a sniffle. "Both of them will always know they're loved and wanted."

  "Of course they are. Although I suspect their cousins will occasionally try to lose them in the woods, or who knows what. The MacKenzies are good at stirring up trouble, after all."

  The MacKenzies were up to six offspring, plus Finn and Arabella's three. Not to mention Yasmin's son, and her sister was already pregnant with another.

  Aye, her sons would have more cousins than they knew what to do with. And Layla couldn't think of a more perfect future, full of love, teasing, and lots of laughter.

  She glanced from one bairn to the other, always noticing a new detail when she did. "At least they're not identical, so that should make things a wee bit easier."

  One had her dark hair, and the other had the palest wisps on his head, taking after his father's blond.

  Chase kissed her cheek before asking, "So which will be which, then?"

  "Since we each picked a name, how about we name the one with the same hair color as ours?"

  He snorted. "Such an arbitrary way to do it."

  "Do you have a better way?"

  "No." He touched the dark-haired lad. "Hello, Caelan." And then the blond-haired one. "And Harris. We've waited a long time to meet you."

  As Caelan made some motions with his mouth, Layla nodded toward Harris. "Take him for a wee while, Chase. I need to try feeding Caelan."

  Commotion sounded outside the door, and Chase sighed as he picked up one of their sons. "We can't keep them out much longer, love. Dr. Sid gave us some time alone, but they'll break the door down before soon, not caring whose wrath they'll face."

  As Layla exposed her breast and tried to get her son to suckle, she replied, "Then let them in."

  Chase growled, "I don't want them seeing any part of you naked."

  Caelan nearly latched but failed. Layla tried again. "They're all mated and devoted to their females. Just tell them to be quiet."

  He raised his brows at her. "You're aware that most of them are MacKenzies, aye? Asking them to be quiet is like asking a dragon to cut off their wings."

  "Chase," she scolded.

  "Aye, aye, I get it. Although it's not going to be a long visit. You may be a doctor, but right now, I'm in charge of your health."

  She couldn't help but smile as Chase went to the door. Maybe some females didn't like an overprotective male, but Layla secretly loved it after so many years of doing everything on her own.

  Gently caressing her son's cheek, she tried again and finally got Caelan to latch. The feeling was still a bit strange, but for that second, it was only her and her son, the rest of the world vanished. "My wee Caelan. Your mum will always be here to watch over you, no matter what."

  Then the door opened and the peaceful quiet disappeared.

  Yasmin and Faye were at her side first. Faye did try to keep her voice quiet, which Layla knew couldn't be easy for the female. "Look at how wee he is. I remember when Isla was that small. Now she's walking before learning to crawl, and I can barely keep up with her."

  Yasmin smiled. "He's bonnie, Layla. What's his name?"

  "This is Caelan. And Chase has Harris."

  "Caelan and Harris McFarland," Yasmin echoed. "Lovely, uncommon names."

  Layla chuckled. "Aye, well, we don't need another Jamie in the clan, that's for sure. Besides, there's something about calling your child's name and not having four heads turn around when you do."

  Grant, the MacKenzie twin males, their mates, and Aunt Lorna—she'd insisted Layla call her that—and her mate, Ross, all crowded around the bed. Finn and Arabella hung back toward the door, fawning over the bundle in Chase's arms.

  As Layla made the introductions again, she finally caught Chase's eyes across the room. Love and happiness filled them, and he mouthed, "I love you."

  She did the same, right before Caelan let go and cried.

  As she tended to her son—it was still surreal to think she was a mum now—Layla was the happiest she'd ever been in her life. After two decades of living as a ghost of herself, she was surrounded by family and love. And while she didn't know exactly what the future held, as long as she had Chase, her sons, and even her newfound family, it would be perfect.

  Thank you for reading! I hope you loved Layla and Chase. The next story in the Lochguard Highland Dragons series will be The Dragon Collective (about Cat and Lachlan), which hasn't released yet. However, the next book in the overall reading order is Zain and Ivy's story on Stonefire, Persuading the Dragon. After being in a coma for a year, former member of the Dragon Knights, Ivy Passmore, wakes up. Zain is supposed to interrogate her, but somehow an enemy starts to turn into something more…

  Preorder PERSUADING THE DRAGON now and see what happens on May 14, 2020! (Not in the USA? Click here for Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Amazon AU / Amazon DE )

  Ready for some American dragon-shifters living near Lake Tahoe? Victoria Lewis enters the dragon lottery on a whim and never imagined a tall, sexy dragonman picking her out of a room full of women. Little did she know, she's Jose Santos's true mate and he'll do anything to have her…

  Preorder THE DRAGON'S CHOICE now and see what happens on February 27, 2020. Not in the USA? Click here for Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Amazon AU / Amazon DE )

  I appreciate your help in spreading the word, such as by telling a friend about this book. Reviews also help readers find books! Please leave a review on your favorite book site. You can also sign-up to my newsletter for information, releases, and more.

  Turn the page for a little more information on both Persuading the Dragon and The Dragon's Choice…

  Persuading the Dragon

  Stonefire Dragons #12

  Nearly a year ago, a human female showed up on Stonefire’s land carrying a flash drive full of information stolen from the Dragon Knights. However, before Zain Kinsella could interrogate her, she soon fell into a coma and hasn’t awoken since. His initial anger fades and he starts to wonder if the thin, pale girl would ever wake again. When she does, it’s up to him to help guard her and make her strong enough to face some questioning. He most definitely shouldn’t notice her delicious heat or the sadness in her eyes. She’s their prisoner, and can be nothing more.

  Ivy Passmore finds herself inside a dragon-shifter’s hospital, bedridden and barely able to sit up. Despite the overwhelming grief at the death of her brother, she’s determined to do everything she can to atone for her part in helping the Dragon Knights and causing her brother’s murder. She’s more than ready to tell the dragons everything. Soon one tall, quiet Protector makes a deal—she endures his physical therapy and he’ll help
track down her brother’s killers. Ivy has no choice but to agree and slowly her idea of dragon-shifters changes, especially around one certain dragonman.

  As two former enemies morph into something more, the Department of Dragon Affairs finds out about Ivy and demands she be surrendered. Will Zain do his duty and hand her over? Or, will they be able to find a way to be together?

  ——————

  Preorder PERSUADING THE DRAGON now and see what happens on May 14, 2020! (Not in the USA? Click here for Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Amazon AU / Amazon DE )

  The Dragon’s Choice

  Tahoe Dragon Mates #1

  After Jose Santos's younger sister secretly enters them both into the yearly dragon lottery and they get selected, he begrudgingly agrees to participate. It means picking a human female from a giant room full of them and staying around just long enough to get her pregnant. However, when his dragon notices one female who keeps hiding behind a book, Jose has a new plan—win his fated mate, no matter what it takes.

  Victoria Lewis prefers being home with a book and away from large crowds. But she desperately wants to study dragon-shifters at close range, so she musters up her courage to enter the dragon lottery. When she's selected as one of the potential candidates, she decides to accept her spot. After all, it's not as if the dragon-shifter will pick her—an introverted bookworm who prefers jeans and sweats to skirts or fancy clothes. Well, until he's standing right in front of her with flashing eyes and says he wants her.

  As Jose tries to win his fated female, trouble stirs inside his clan. Will he be able to keep his mate with him forever? Or will the American Department of Dragon Affairs whisk her away to some other clan to protect her?