Page 71 of Seducing the Dragon
Evie met his eyes. “I’m not worried about that. It’s just that I never thought I’d have the chance to be a mum. Hearing you call me that makes me happy.”
“Evie.” He gave her a gentle kiss. “This is just the beginning for us. We’ll see how you feel when he wakes you up at four a.m. The reality might be a little less rosy.”
She frowned. “Don’t you have clan matters to attend to?”
Bram laughed. “I can take a hint. You want to enjoy the rosiness of being a new mum without a reminder of the realities to come.”
Scanning the tent, he noticed Nikki sitting in a corner. He shouted her name and motioned for her to come. As she made her way toward them, he whispered to Evie, “I really do need to take care of some clan matters. Nikki will take you home. Are you okay with that?”
Evie’s stern voice returned. “Why wouldn’t I? Blaming her for my capture and Charlie’s death is pointless. A number of factors contributed to that happening.”
The corner of his mouth ticked up. “Good. My clever lass understands.” Before Evie could reply, Nikki approached. Her expression was unsure and her posture a little less confident. Bram decided to fix that. He ordered, “Take Evie and Murray to my cottage and help her settle in. Then call Melanie and Tristan to come over. I want you to watch over them all until I return.”
Nikki twisted her hands. “Are you sure you want me to do it?”
“Nikola Gray, unless there is a valid reason for why I shouldn’t send you, then you have your orders.”
Nikki’s voice was faint when she replied, “The last time I was given an assignment, Charlie died.”
Pushing aside the loss of his clan member, Bram focused on healing the one still alive. “You aren’t responsible for Charlie’sdeath. If anyone is to blame, it is I. Now, do you wish to keep arguing or will you take Evie and Murray so I can ensure the clan’s safety?”
Nikki glanced to Evie, but his mate smiled and bobbed her head in encouragement. Nikki looked back to him. “I’ll take her.”
Bram nodded. “Good lass.” He turned toward Evie, kissed Murray’s forehead and then hers. “I’ll be home soon. Don’t destroy the place in the meantime.”
Amusement danced in Evie’s eyes. “I’ll see what I can cook up.”
As he watched his family walk away, his dragon said,Hurry up. I want our mate as promised.
You are calmer than five minutes ago.
Tasting our mate and claiming our new son helped, but I need her. I am strong, but even I am reaching my limit.
His inner beast’s words rang with truth. Bram couldn’t risk the mate frenzy breaking out while the clan was still in danger.Then let’s find Finn and Kai.
After checking in with Sid, Bram left the tent. It was time to talk to Kai and find out what Finlay Stewart had done.
Finn knockedon the door of Tristan MacLeod’s cottage. He didn’t have long before Bram found him and while Finn stood by his decision to kill Neil Westhaven, the act might break the new alliance with Stonefire. If that happened, he wanted to see Arabella MacLeod one last time, both for his dragon and himself. For some reason, he didn’t want the lass to think ill of him.
The door opened. Instead of Tristan’s glare, Arabella’s dark brown eyes greeted him. She frowned and said, “What do you want?”
“It’s nice to see you, too, lass. Can I come in?”
“Why? Everyone is gone. It’s just me.”
“Aye, that’s why I’m here.”
She hesitated. He’d gleaned from his last visit that the lass didn’t like being alone with strange men. “We can talk out here, if you like.”
“Since we’ve spoken twice, I’m sure all you need to say can be said whilst standing at the door.”
He gestured at his body, clad only in a casual kilt. “It’s a wee bit cold out here and the warmth from the door is enticing.”
Her eyes darted to his chest and lingered. Finn was leaner than most dragon-shifter males, but only because he was taller. The lass’s eyes didn’t seem to mind and his dragon rumbled.I want to feel her skin.
Not now.
His beast growled, but Finn ignored him and cleared his throat. “If you’re quite done with the view, let me in or toss me a jumper.” Arabella’s cheeks flushed and he grinned. “Unless you want a longer look at my epitome of male perfection.”
