The Dragon's Dilemma (Lochguard Highland Dragons Book 1) by Jessie Donovan Page A

up a second time. “This male is only sensitive when it concerns you.”
    She blinked. “You’ve known me for two days. Why do you care so much?”
    Fraser tugged one of his arms. “Let me go and I’ll bloody well tell you. I’m not about to have this conversation with you whilst I’m tied to the bed.”
    “Answer the question first, Fraser.”
    “Of course my true mate would be stubborn,” he muttered. When Holly merely raised an eyebrow, he sighed. “Fine. I’ve never been drawn to a lass as much as I am to you, okay? Now, let me up.”
    “Is it only because of your dragon’s instinct?”
    “Just what has my family been telling you?”
    Holly shrugged. “That your inner dragon senses the person who is their best chance at happiness and it brings on the frenzy. Supposedly, it’s good news for me as it’s less likely for a true mate to die in childbirth.”
    Fraser chose his next words carefully. “So if Finn transfers the contract, you’ll allow the frenzy to happen?”
    Holly averted her eyes and traced the skin above the cuff restraints. The soft, gentle motions of her finger made him want to shiver. Only through sheer stubbornness did he remain still.  
    A section of her hair fell in front of her face and Fraser itched to brush it back behind her ear. Holly Anderson should never hide her beauty from him.
    His eyes glanced down at her breasts. He wanted to strip her and simply memorize every curve of her body.
    Before his mind could continue with his fantasy, Holly’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “That depends.” She met his eyes again. “If Finn can transfer the contract, then I want you to try to repair relations with your brother. If you promise me that and put in a good effort, then I’ll agree to the frenzy.”
    Fraser ignored the skip of his heart at her answer. “Did my family put you up to this or is it of your own accord?”
    Holly stopped brushing his skin and he nearly begged for her to touch him again.
    Bloody hell. Fraser had never yearned for a lass’s touch so much in his life. Especially without his dragon going on about it.
    He’d put it down to the lingering effects of his dragon’s need to mate. There was nothing certain between him and Holly. And Fraser wasn’t about to wish for what he couldn’t have. Hell, after two weeks, they might not be able to stand each other. True mates didn’t always end in true love.
    Bloody hell, he was starting to sound like a sappy movie.
    Despite his dragon’s silence, Fraser swore he heard his beast’s growl inside his head. Good. Maybe his dragon was waking up. For better or worse, Fraser missed the randy sod.
    Holly finally answered, “It’s my own decision. If you think I’m easily swayed by someone taller and much stronger than I, then let me set the record straight: I don’t put up with anyone’s crap, least of all a grumpy, alpha male. I may be human, but I’ve dealt with my fair share of alpha arseholes in the delivery room. I won every single time when they challenged me.”
    Fraser had always wooed and bedded females who flirted or fell for his pretty words. Holly was a completely new challenge for him.
    And bastard that he was, he rather liked the idea of winning her over. “That may be, but you have yet to handle a dragon in the throes of a frenzy.”
    The female raised her chin. “I won’t put up with crap from a dragon either.”
    There was definitely a stirring in the back of his mind. Maybe the lass’s backbone was enticing his dragon.
    After all, his beast had always urged Fraser to go after more difficult females. To his dragon, Holly was the equivalent of a fat stag waiting to be hunted and devoured. Although, both man and beast had different ideas of how to devour Holly Anderson.  
    Fraser reached out to touch her, but the leather around his wrists dug into his skin. “Release me, Holly, and I’ll make an effort toward my brother.”
    “If you don’t follow through, there will be hell to pay.”
    The