Page 19 of Swan

Though I should have guessed. She hated how close Lockland and I had always been. Which was why Lockland had always been at my place. I’d been reluctant to go inside their home since Alisa would tell me off for eating their food or drinking their drinks or using their electricity.

It’d always been when Lockland was out of the room.

I’d never told him, and I wouldn’t still.

She would think I was coming between them, but I refused to be that person. I would never say anything mean about her to him.

When Lockland pulled away, he cupped my cheeks and met my gaze.

“It’s good to have you in front of me, Swanny.”

I shivered from his touch and the intense look in his eyes. I didn’t want to read into it in case I was wrong, but his eyes kept flicking down to my lips.

“You too, Lockland. We have so much catching up to do.”

He grinned, leaned in, and kissed my cheek.

Oh my.

There was a swarm of butterflies in my belly.

“And I can’t wait to learn everything.”

“We have time now,” I whispered.

“We do.” He nodded and let go of me to stand. “Show me the spare room.” He chuckled. He stretched, his tee slipping up to show me a peek of his abs before I stood too. “I think I’ll actually have a good night’s sleep.”

“I hope so,” I said, leading him towards the stairs.

We climbed them and walked down the hall in silence. I stopped outside the bedroom and turned to him. “This one.” I pointed across the hall. “That one’s Mum and Dad’s. The one down the hall on the left is Nicky’s, and mine is at the other end to the right.”

“How come you moved upstairs?”

“Dad had my room built on, and it’s bigger than the one downstairs. That’s the new structure over the carport. The one I had is now a game room for Nicky.”

What did I do now?

Say goodnight and leave.

Stop staring at him as if you’re waiting for something.

A new blush rose, and I glanced away from Lockland. “Well, um, goodnight. Just, ah, come and wake me in the morning if you wake up and I’m still asleep.”

He took a step closer. “Swan?—”

The door opposite us opened abruptly. Lockland jumped back as Dad looked out with a scowl. “You come find me in the morning for our chat, and then I’ll go wake my daughter. Hear me?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good,” Dad clipped and waited there.

“Dad—”

“Bed, the both of you,” he ordered.

Lockland opened the door without looking. “Night,” he called before walking in and closing the door after him.

“Seriously, Dad?” I whispered snappishly.

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