Page 31 of Swan

And I liked where I was. No, I loved that it was Lockland. The boy I’d hoped would be mine. Had dreamed and prayed that he would see me as more than a friend.

My body was warm from all his attention. I really wasn’t used to any type.

Not in a romantic way.

Drake had always been a tease, but he never meant anything by his flirting. It was just fun for him to see me flustered, and I only got flustered because he was a good-looking guy who knew how to say the right things.

Why was I thinking of Drake again?

Lockland brought my hand to his lips to kiss the back of it. I glanced up at him and grinned.

“I can see us doing this in the future,” he said.

I laughed a little. “Sitting in the compound, watching my crazy family?”

He winked. “Yep. Anyone who watches your family can see the love and pride they have in each other. It doesn’t just stick with your immediate family either.”

“True. I love them all like they’re my close relatives. It’s the best thing about being a part of the club. Though sometimes it can be overbearing when the men get too protective.”

He shook his head. “I’m glad you’ve had that for your whole life. Made you safe when I wasn’t around.”

“I can take care of myself too,” I told him with an edge to my tone. His words made me feel a little defensive. I’d been brought up in the club. I knew how to throw a punch. All the women did.

“I know you can. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Sorry.” I ducked my head. “I didn’t mean to say it like that.” And I wasn’t sure why I had. It didn’t matter that he wanted me safe. I wanted him that way too. Maybe it was because it reminded me that we still had a lot of getting to know each other since so much time had passed.

At least we had time.

I’d already made up my mind about Melbourne. No one could keep me away from a weekend with him, and the rest we’d figure out soon. There wasn’t any need to rush.

He tapped under my chin, and I brought my gaze back up. His smile was radiant. “No need to apologise.” He chuckled, but the mirth left him as he ran his gaze over my face. “I have an idea that I’d like to share with you.”

Apprehension had me tensing.

“Okay.”

“Even if your answer is no for Melbourne, I’d still like to come back here for the month before my tour in Japan, instead of flying home to record.”

My heart went wild. “But… don’t you need to record?”

“It’s not urgent. I could probably find a place around here for it, if need be.”

“I don’t want you to put anything off for my sake.”

“It’s not for you, Swan. It’s for me. I just got you back. Spending only the weekend with you won’t be enough. I’m a selfish prick. I want more time. And then you might even consider coming to Japan with me.”

“Japan?”

“Yeah. I’ll be there for a few weeks. You can treat it like a holiday if you’re owed time off and only if none of this is going to disrupt your life.”

“I-I’ve never travelled out of Australia before.”

“Well, at least you’ll have someone with a world of knowledge about travelling at your side. That’s if you want to go.” He dipped down and kissed my temple. “Think about that with the weekend to Melbourne.”

Think about it?

I didn’t need to.

---