Page 75 of Swan

Family.

Club.

“Birdy?”

Hearing him approach, I quickly said, “I-I’ll be back down in a second. I got something in my eye.” And then I bolted up the stairs.

It was wrong.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

You stupid bitch. The man you love just died, and you think you can want someone else. What happens if you get him killed? He doesn’t even want you. You selfish, stupid little cow.

Biting my bottom lip, I slammed into my room and shut the door, leaning against it.

Get it together.

Stop.

Just stop.

Please.

It was simple. All I had to do was ignore this… attraction to Drake. I had no right to even want him. The realisation just took me by surprise.

God, why did it have to be now of all times when he was in the house. I was so messed up. How could I be full of guilt and sadness but also feel… warmth and happiness about Drake?

Groaning, I rubbed at my face and wiped the few tears that had fallen away before I straightened and took a deep shuddering breath.

I’d talk to my psychologist. She’d know what to do. She’d know if I was a horrible person for being attracted to another man so soon after losing so much.

After another inhale, I opened my door and jolted. Drake stood on the other side.

“Birdy?” Concern shone in his gaze.

Damn him for looking good and making my pulse race. His hair was dark, messy, and wavy. He’d somehow grown in a blink of an eye in not only height but build.

How had I never noticed how fit he was?

His dark blue tee hugged his forearms like a second skin. My face flamed.

Stop looking at him.

I shot my gaze over his shoulder. “All good now,” I told him.

“Sure?”

I nodded and then waved a hand to the side. “Dinner is probably ready.”

My throat closed over when he reached up and traced a finger along my jaw. “Then let’s go.”

I made a noise and blushed again. I brushed by him and flew downstairs in hope of a much-needed distraction. It was wrong. I shouldn’t look at him like that and want… and want…. I wanted to kiss him.

Dear God.

I am a terrible person.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN