Chapter Thirteen
Fergus MacKenzie stared at Gina's sleeping face and couldn't stop smiling.
His mate carried his child.
He had no idea how many days had passed during the frenzy, but more than enough had gone by to wear out his wee human. Ever since his dragon had told him she carried his scent, meaning she was pregnant, Fergus had wanted to pull her close and hold her.
But she deserved some sleep after how many times he and his dragon had taken her, so he let her rest.
His beast yawned. You don't have to worry about the frenzy any longer. If you pull her close, she'll probably just fall right back asleep.
I don't want to chance it.
Gina's sleepy voice filled the room. "I can feel you staring at me, Fergus." She opened her eyes. "Is something wrong?"
Running a finger down her cheek, he answered, "Nothing is wrong, lass. The frenzy is finished and you need the rest."
Gina sat up confidently, not bashful about her nakedness. Fergus should be the gentleman, but he couldn't help but glance down at her glorious breasts.
"Fergus." He met her gaze and she frowned. "What do you mean the frenzy is finished?"
Raising a hand, he lightly played with her nipple. "You carry my scent, which means you carry my child."
She batted his hand away and moved hers to cover her belly. "I'm pregnant?"
"Aye." He covered her hand with his. "I'm sorry it's so soon after wee Jamie, lass. But I'm also happy I don't have to worry about doing this anymore."
He pulled her close and hugged her against him.
Many people took the simple act of holding a loved one for granted. However, Fergus had denied both of them the luxury for weeks, so he closed his eyes and savored his female's heat against him.
Kissing the top of Gina's head, he finally murmured, "I love you, Gina."
She snuggled into his chest. "Oh, Fergus. I love you, too. And I hope you know that I'm going to be glued to your side for a little while. I've missed my dragonman."
"You were only asleep for half an hour, love."
She lightly hit his chest. "You know what I mean. Maybe I should start using Jane Hartley's phrase of dragon cuddles." Leaning her head back, she met his eyes. "Promise me that you'll listen to me more from now on. I enjoy protection as much as the next person, but if you try to shut me out again, I'll leave. I need you to be open and honest with me, but also value my input, too."
His dragon grunted. Don't you dare lose her.
Ignoring his beast, he cupped her face with his hands and searched her gaze. "I just hated the thought of losing you, lass. I know the doctors said you endured childbirth easier than any human they'd seen with a dragon-shifter mate before, but that doesn't mean you're invincible."
"Oh, Fergus. I'm not about to go anywhere. After all, if I leave you alone to raise our children, they'll never be allowed to run and play like normal kids."
"Of course they would be allowed to, provided they have several supervisors to watch over them."
She laughed. "See? That's why I have to survive childbirth. I need to conspire with your siblings on how to insert a little fun." Putting up a hand, she added, "Fun with some limitations. I'm not like your brother Fraser."
"I'm sure Fraser will change somewhat once he's a father." He kissed Gina gently. When he finally pulled away, he murmured, "As much as I miss wee Jamie, I wish I could have another week alone with you so that we can enjoy each other. I've missed my lass as well. Not just the physical, either, but simply talking with you, too."
Closing the distance between their lips, Gina took his in a slow, lingering kiss. When she broke it, her hot breath danced against his lips. "We'll figure out some way to have a little alone time before our second child is born. But for now, we should probably see how everyone else is doing. After all, Holly might've given birth by now."
"And no one barged in to tell us?"
She raised her red eyebrows. "And if they had tried?"
He sighed, because Gina was right; he would've kicked them out instantly. "Fair point." After one more kiss, he looped an arm around one of Gina's shoulders and opened the small drawer on the nightstand next to their bed. After plucking out his mobile phone, he glanced at his mate. "I just want to check and make sure everything is all right. Is that okay, lass?"
Gina rolled her eyes. "I'm not a delicate flower that requires every second of your attention. I'll continue to snuggle my dragonman as you make sure both of our families are fine. I trust that our son is behaving more than my sister right now. If she's not careful, she's going to cause a fight between some of the younger dragonmen."
Fergus switched on his phone and grunted. "I've tried telling your sister that flirting with every dragonman who looks her way isn't wise. But she's either going deaf or enjoys the attention."
Gina sighed. "She has always enjoyed getting attention from men. I was hoping Finn would assign her a personal tutor on the ways of dragon-shifters, and that might help her understand the trouble she could cause. Unfortunately, Finn has had a lot going on."
"I'll make sure it happens sooner rather than later." His phone turned on and he clicked his text messages. There were messages from every member of his family, and then some.
After reading the first one, he froze. Gina peered at his face. "What's wrong?"
"Fraser and Holly had twin females."
Patting his chest, she murmured, "Good. Freya could use some female cousins. But I sense there's something you're not telling me."
Fergus explained the stories of twin females being good luck and bringing on change before adding, "I'm not sure if Fraser is going to play it up and soak up the attention, or if he's going to keep his children locked up and out of danger."
"Don't worry, I'm sure all of us can help with that. Faye will especially be determined to make sure his babies get into trouble and I can help her."
Fergus raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure you want to step into that lifelong war of pranks and tricks."
"Oh, come on. There's nothing wrong with a little fun. You were that way as a child, or so your mother says." Laying her head on Fergus's shoulder, they sat in silence for a few minutes before she spoke again. "I can tell you miss them, Fergus. How about we shower and visit? And not just because I miss our son. I miss everyone."
"They're going to fuss over you, lass. Be prepared."
"More than you already do?"
"Maybe not quite that much, but a fair bit."
She grinned at him. "I could always play it up and see how far they'll take it."
At the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled, his heart skipped a beat, and he forgot all about their conversation. "You're so beautiful."
She searched his gaze. "You already had me many times over. There's no need for compliments to get into my pants."
He threaded the fingers of one hand through her hair. "I mean it, Gina. You're beautiful."
"And you're quite the catch yourself." She gently stroked his bare chest. "How about we take a long shower and then head out?"
"You must be sore, lass. I'll help you wash and promise to leave you alone."
"I want you, Fergus. After so many months of strain, I want the chance to take it slow. Maybe even make you come once with my mouth."
His dragon growled, Yes.
Before he could answer, Gina slid out of bed and glanced over her shoulder. "It's your call, dragonman. But now's the time to prove you're listening to me. Because right now, I want you. End of story."
As Gina sauntered across the room and into the attached bathroom, Fergus didn't hesitate to get out of bed and follow her.
After all, he couldn't disappoint his female. If she said she wanted to suck his cock, he was all too happy to oblige.
Of course, Fergus had a few surprises of his own for her. But he didn't think she'd complain.