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CHAPTER TWENTY

SWAN

W hen Mum and Dad had walked me out to my car to say goodbye, they kept glancing down the street. Suspicion gnawed my gut. Mum simply smiled when I sent her a questioning glance, and then my breath froze in my lungs at the telltale rumble of a Harley.

Mum rushed to say, “By the way, Drake will be accompanying you.”

“What?” I all but squeaked.

“He’s got some business at the club there anyway,” Dad said.

“Wait, so he’s only following me to Caroline Springs?” My heart pounded.

Mum winced. “And taking you to and from work since he’s also staying at Ruin and Wolf’s.”

“Why are you making him do that?” I asked quickly since he grew closer.

“Humour an old man, kid,” Dad said. “Drake has some time off around here to do some ink work at the compound in Caroline Springs. This worked out perfectly.”

I crossed my arms over my chest and looked from Drake, who pulled to a stop, to my parents. “And Drake’s perfectly fine with babysitting me?” Frustration tickled under my skin. I wanted to shout at them, even though I understood why. Still, I didn’t have to act happy about Drake being forced into this. Even when the thought of alone time with him had my heart pounding.

“He’s just taking you to and from work in a town you’re not used to. If any problems arise, let him know, and he’ll take care of it.”

We left quickly after that—me with a tight smile at Drake as he nodded at me to jump in my car and get out of here.

I glanced in the rearview mirror again to the motorbike that followed me to Caroline Springs. We were nearly at Ruin and Wolf’s, and I still couldn’t believe that poor Drake got dragged into acting as my guard while here.

How did this happen? How on earth did this happen?

I wasn’t sure if I was still peeved they’d dragged Drake into looking after me or scared that he’d finally see I was crushing on him in a big way.

Of course, wrapped in all of that was my guilt for wanting those moments with him, but that feeling wasn’t gnawing at my insides anymore.

The guilt didn’t suffocate me any longer. Maybe I could begin to live again without it drowning me.

Drawing in a deep breath, I glanced out the mirror again. I’d grown up around many men on their motorbikes, but none had stolen my breath like Drake did on his. A flush rose at the thought of being on the back of his with my arms surrounding him.

So close, I would feel him.

So close, I could smell him.

A tingle spread through me. It started in my belly and went to my crotch. My body’s reaction to Drake was heady. One I hadn’t had with another. It’d been different with Lockland. He was familiar and sweet. With Drake it was raw and wild.

Love?

I’d talked myself out of it the other day, but I wasn’t sure I should.

God, what would Drake do if he knew I had feelings for him? That thought alone gave me a shiver of excitement but also a twist to my belly, fearing that Drake wouldn’t reciprocate them.

My heart took off in flight as I imagined Drake already liking me.

Blowing out a breath, I laughed at myself. I needed to calm down and not jump ahead.

At the gates of Wolf’s estate, I pulled to a stop for the guard and wound down my window. “Hi, I’m Swan Daniels, and behind me is Drake Marcus. We’re friends of Ruin.” Like I did the last time, I handed over my driver’s licence and waited.

The guard nodded and went back to the gatehouse with my information while another guard spoke to Drake and got his licence. They were quickly back to us and handing over our IDs.

“Go through,” the guard near my window ordered as he waved his right hand near his shoulder, and the automatic gates opened.

It wasn’t the first time I wondered why Wolf needed all this protocol to get near his mansion if he wasn’t in the crime business any longer.

I drove through and down the path to pull up out the front. Drake stopped his ride next to my car. When I got out, he was at my side.

“I’ll grab your bag,” he said, removing his helmet.

The front door opened, and we both looked up the stairs.

Katon, Wolf’s butler, bowed. “Welcome, Master Drake and Mistress Swan. Taro-sama and Master Ruin are currently occupied, but they will be with you both shortly. Please, may I show you to your rooms?”

“You got it, Katon,” Drake called. “Pop your boot, Birdy.”

I pressed the button, and Drake went back to his bike to grab one of his saddlebags. He took it to the trunk and put it in while grabbing mine out. It must have been the bag that contained his tattoo things for tomorrow at the compound. After shutting the boot, he shouldered my bag and went back for his other saddlebag.

I met him at the bottom of the stairs, and we made our way inside together. In the entrance, we removed our shoes and slipped our feet into the provided slippers to wear around the house.

I glanced down at Drake’s mismatched socks and laughed.

“Quit it, Birdy. I forgot about this part.”

Katon smiled. “Master Ruin often has different socks on, much to Taro-sama’s annoyance.” He started for the stairs. “You’ll both be in the wing where Taro-sama and Master Ruin’s room lies. After I show you to your rooms, I will take you to the dining room. The cooks have prepared a dinner for you.”

“Thank you, Katon.”

He dipped his head, smiling pleasantly, and led us a fair way into the house where our rooms lay right next to each other.

I would be a wall away from Drake. Heat hit my face.

I startled a little when Drake ran a finger softly over my cheek. “What’s this about?”

Lie, lie, lie.

“Oh, um, nothing. It’s warm in here.”

His brows pinched, but thankfully Katon opened the first door. “Master Drake.”

“Thanks, Katon.” Drake dumped his bag inside and shut the door.

We moved to the next one. “Mistress Swan.”

Drake placed my bag inside the door. “I, um, might freshen up a little.”

Drake nodded. “Knock on my door when you’re done. We’ll find the dining room together. Unless I can bribe Katon here for a map while also cutting out the master and mistress stuff.”

Katon grinned. “There is no map, but I will wait for you both if you wish me to lead you down to the dining room.”

I shook my head and smiled. “I know the way, Katon. You don’t have to wait. But I’ll add to the bribe for you to stop with the master and mistress business.”

Katon’s grin turned playful. “I was more lenient with Master Ruin when he first arrived and gave in to his wishes. Until I explained I would feel out of sorts to not use the titles, so please forgive me, like he did, if I keep them.”

“We don’t want to upset you in any way, Katon. You go ahead,” Drake told him.

He dipped his head, but I saw his wide smile before he left.

“I won’t be long,” I told Drake.

“All good, Birdy. Take your time.” He winked and tipped his chin up at me before I closed my door.

Leaning against it, I swallowed thickly as I looked towards the wall. I couldn’t hear anything from within. At least he wouldn’t be able to hear me in here either. Straightening, I went to the bathroom.

Was he in his taking a shower? As far as I knew, Drake didn’t have any tattoos. None that were shown anyway. I wasn’t sure about his back since I hadn’t seen him shirtless.

Oh my God . I had to stop thinking about him. He was starting to consume my thoughts. That wouldn’t be good. I could slip up at some point, and he’d read my attraction from my heart eyes or something.

Back in the bedroom, I glanced to the large bed and quickly away before thoughts of Drake and me on the bed could settle in my mind. I glanced down at my clothes. Jeans and a plain white tee. Did I need to change for dinner? The ones I’d been a part of here before hadn’t been formal. With that in mind, I went to the door and stepped out of my room.

My pulse spiked when I stood in front of Drake’s.

He could be in the shower, and I’d have to go in there where he’d be naked to let him know I was heading downstairs. I wouldn’t want him to think I’d just forgotten about him.

I bit my bottom lip as my cheeks heated.

Snorting at myself, I raised a hand and knocked.

I waited and waited some more.

Had he left or fallen asleep?

The door suddenly opened, and Drake stood with a phone to his ear. He pulled it away. “I called for you to come in. You didn’t hear me?”

“No, sorry.”

“All good. One sec, babe.” He placed the phone back to his ear. “Dad, I’ll ring you later. … Yeah.” He rolled his eyes at me, smirking. I smiled as he paused, listening to his dad. “Got it, old man. Talk soon.” He pushed his phone into his pocket and stepped out of his room. I had to move back.

“Does he miss you already?” I teased.

Drake snorted. “Yeah, was breakin’ down on the phone wishin’ for his baby boy to come home.”

Laughing, I nodded. “I can imagine.”

“You sure you know the way?” he asked as we walked down the hall.

“I do. At least I know that if I need to get rid of you, I just have to place you somewhere in the house on your own. You’ll never find your way back.”

My heart stumbled over his chuckle. “Little birdy, you wouldn’t want to get rid of me.”

Boy, don’t I know it.

Why was I suddenly accepting feeling drawn to him so easily?

Why wasn’t I fighting it anymore? Why was I ready to give in to this desire, this want?

Then again, it really didn’t take much thought to come to the truth once I pushed past the guilt.

He made me happy. I liked being around him and looked forward to seeing him. The day was bright when I did see him.

Shrugging—and seriously hoping he hadn’t turned into a mind reader—I told him, “Then you better not misbehave.”

He pressed a hand to his chest. “I’ll try to be good.”

I laughed. “At least you said try.”

I liked this. We’d always had good banter—even when he added some flirty words in and I became flustered.

“Believe me, you don’t want me too good, Birdy.” He winked.

My face flamed, and I rolled my eyes before biting my bottom lip to contain my smile.

Downstairs, I led us towards the dining room and pushed the door open. Usually there were several of Wolf’s family members for dinner, but that time there were only Wolf and Ruin.

“Sorry we weren’t there when you guys arrived,” Ruin offered. Fortunately, they sat at the end of the table closest to the door, so we were able to hear him. If they’d been at the other end, he would’ve had to shout.

Wolf scoffed. “I told you if we started, we would be late.”

And we didn’t need to hear that.

Ruin grinned wickedly. “Then you shouldn’t have?—”

“Hey now, virgin ears here,” I blurted and then gasped, slapping a hand over my mouth.

Next to me, Drake stumbled and fell into the table. He quickly took a seat.

“I’m leaving,” I said, turning back around.

Ruin chuckled. “Swan, relax.”

I stilled, but I couldn’t turn around. Mortification pressed against me, and I wanted the floor to swallow me up.

“Please come and eat, Swan,” Wolf said.

“I’d rather not,” I told them.

I was an idiot.

I’m not with the girls. I can’t just say stuff like that. Especially in front of Drake.

He didn’t need to know how inexperienced I was.

“Birdy,” Drake called and cleared his throat. “Get over here and sit down.”

“Swan, I’m hungry,” Ruin whined.

Wolf sighed. “Please let Joshua eat before he gets annoying.”

“Too late,” Drake added.

Some of the tension drained away. Without looking at anyone, I went back to the table.

“Can we just forget that happened?” I asked.

“Might be hard for some, pun intended,” Wolf said.

“Sorry?” I asked.

“Nothing, sweet Swan.” He glanced to a door and ordered, “We’re ready.”

People rushed into the room with trays of food that they laid in front of us. There were salads, vegetables, meats of all kinds, and seafood.

My mouth watered; I was suddenly hungry and happy that the men with me went on talking while they helped themselves. I didn’t know what to start with. I wanted to try a bit of everything but knew I wouldn’t be able to.

Drake picked up my plate and placed his full one in front of me. “Need gravy or sauce?” he asked.

Wait, this was for me? He’d dished up my meal.

I shook my head and stared down at the food. The plate was heaped, filled with all the things I liked the most. How had he known?

“Swan, do you know what is required of you to do at the library?” Wolf asked.

I pulled my gaze up from my plate. “Ah, as far as I know, I’ll be training the new manager. I work closely with mine in Ballarat, so I know how things run. Which reminds me.” I turned to Drake as he placed a glass of iced tea in front of me. “Um, thanks. I was going to say sorry for my parents asking you to take me to and from work. I don’t want you to feel you have to just because of them.”

He smirked. “No stress, Birdy. It’s on the way to the compound anyway.”

“But you could have stayed there instead of here, right? I don’t want to get in your way.”

“There was no room at the compound,” Ruin quickly said. “Low’s got some new club girls startin’, and then there’s the prospects that don’t have a place outside of the club. All busy and booked up.”

“Oh. Well, thank you, then,” I told Drake with a smile.

He winked. “No problem. Eat up, Birdy.”

Nodding, I started on the seafood and moaned around the mouthful. I looked over at the waitstaff and said, “Please thank the chef for this delicious meal.”

They bowed.

Finally, I relaxed some more after embarrassing myself and knowing that I wasn’t a burden to Drake.