Page 122 of Swan

“It hurts.” She touched her throat.

“I know. This’ll help.” I quickly grabbed the bottle and undid the lid; she glanced down at the mattress. “Don’t even think about it. Have these first.” I held out the tablets and water.

She took them, wincing.

“One more sip of water, please.”

She glowered at me.

“For me, Birdy.”

She did. Even as a grump, she was still my sweet little birdy.

“Thank you,” she muttered before lying back down.

Standing, I bent down and kissed her cheek. “You sleep. I’m just in the kitchen. Call if you need anythin’, Birdy.”

“Hmm.”

After another kiss, where she tried to swipe me away, grumbling about germs, I left with a smile.

Goddamn, it felt good to have her in my place. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to let her leave once she felt better. Was it too soon for her to move in? I’d already been in love with her for years, so for me, I was at that stage, but she wasn’t.

At least I didn’t think she was.

Maybe I could hint at it and see how she’d react.

Fucking hell. There I went getting ahead of myself again.

For now, I needed to cook my woman some vegetable soup.

Mum taught me a lot in the kitchen. She made sure Ruby and I could cook, and we’d been more interested in it than our older siblings.

My phone rang. I pulled it from my pocket and snorted at the name flashing on the screen.

“Hey, I was just thinking about you and how your cooking lessons are comin’ in handy.”

“I’m glad. What are you making Swan?” Mum asked.

“How’d you know she was here?”

“Besides Deanna and Griz, Cody rang and told me. Do you need any help?”

“I’ve got it covered, Ma.”

“All right…. I’m very proud of you, Drake.”

I dropped my head and closed my eyes. “I know. But I’m just doin’ what needs to be done.”

“Because she’s your one?”

“Because she’s mine.”

“Did I tell you how happy I am for you?”

Smirking, I opened my eyes. “You’re just sayin’ that ’cause you and Hellmouth will eventually be mothers-in-law.”

She scoffed. “I would never.” I stayed silent. “Okay, but that’s not the only reason I’m happy. Even in those hours I was around you and Swan, I could see how content you are. You look at her like your dad looks at me. Like she’s your world.”

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