Page 113 of Swan

I had my woman finally at my side.

Never thought it’d happen. I’d always told myself that I’d have to watch her from afar and never be able to touch her, hold her, kiss her, and love her like I knew I had it in me to do.

I picked up her hand and kissed the back of it before placing hers in mine on my thigh as I drove. Swan was mine, and I’d do everything in my power to make sure it stayed that way.

Back in Ballarat, I got off my ride and walked to Swan’s car that she’d parked in her parents’ driveway. I opened her door, and she got out with her bottom lip between her teeth.

She only released it when I took the edge between my own teeth for a beat before I licked over it and kissed.

Her gaze darkened.

My beautiful birdy.

“Are you sure you want to come in?” she asked again. At lunch, I suggested I escort her inside to inform her family we were dating. She’d been hesitant, worried for my own sake about what her father would say or do. I hadn’t told her that Griz already knew that I completely fucking adored his daughter.

I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t said anything, but she’d soon find out because I wasn’t ready for this day to end with her.

“Yeah, Birdy.”

She sighed and nodded. “Okay then.”

I grabbed her bag out of the boot, and with my other hand in hers, we walked up to the front door. Swan entered, and I heard voices coming from the kitchen. I dumped Swan’s bag near the staircase on the way through.

Deanna was wiping down the counter while Griz and Nicky sat at the table together playing a card game.

Griz and Nicky looked over first, and their gazes dropped to our clasped hands.

“Whoa,” Nicky yelled and then laughed. He stood, pointing at us.

Griz placed his cards on the table and leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest.

Deanna suddenly gasped and flung the cloth to the sink before she pressed her hands to her chest. “What the hell is this? What. Is. This? Oh my God… is this for real? Drake? Sweetheart? Tell me this is for fucking real.” Her eyes widened even more, which I wasn’t sure how she managed, as she slowly turned to Griz.

“Um, hi, everyone,” Swan called.

My sweet, shy woman was already blushing.

Nicky was busy grinning and looking from his dad to us over and over as if he was waiting for Griz to attack.

Griz asked his daughter, “He what you want?”

It felt like my heart was caught in my throat, waiting for her reply.

“Yes.”

His gaze shifted to me. “You know my thoughts already.”

I nodded. “I do.”

Griz grunted.

“Wait, you knew?” Deanna accused her man.

Swan’s shocked gaze swung up to me. I gave her a tight smile and shrugged.

“You already spoke to him?” Swan asked.

Deanna fell silent from ranting at Griz to look at us.

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