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CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

SWAN

O ver the next couple of weeks, Drake and I had gotten into a routine. Some nights I stayed at his, and others he slept in the spare room at my place since Dad wasn’t ready to know his daughter had a life. Then there were the nights we didn’t see each other since he was on the roster in Melbourne.

I missed him a lot those nights. Heck, I even missed him when we worked.

He was addictive.

His smiles, his touches, his words—I wanted them all the time.

I loved being at his place the most. It was becoming more like home to me because he was there.

My cell rang from on my desk. I picked it up and smiled. “I was just thinking about you.”

Drake hummed under his breath. “Was it something good? Like the way I had you screamin’ last night when I had my tongue?—”

“Drake!” I did not want anyone to walk in here to see me in a puddle of arousal.

His chuckle was low and dirty. “Is my little birdy blushing?”

Yes!

“No.”

His laughter grew louder. “Bullshit. But that’s okay. Love all your blushes, Birdy.”

My body warmed, so I fanned my face with my hand. “What did you call me about?” I asked.

“Bad news. Knife and Beast are sick, so I gotta take another shift in Melbourne.”

Dang. Of course I understood. They needed to find these people kidnapping women. Another one had disappeared just the other day. The police were doing everything they could, but it would be the Hawks brothers who went beyond what the law could.

“That’s okay. Just stay safe, please.”

“Always. Gotta come back for my woman to cook her famous country chicken.” That was what I had cooking at home in the slow cooker, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. I didn’t want to upset him, and I knew he would be. Instead, my family would enjoy it.

“You just tell me when you’re available again.”

“Coyote can let you in tomorrow while I’m travelling back. Would love to see my woman in my kitchen when I got home.”

This man rushed me through so many sweet emotions. “I’ll be there.” I blew out a nervous breath and quickly added, “I like taking care of my man.”

“Christ,” he bit out. “Wish I was near you to show you how much those words meant to me, Birdy.”

“I can wait until tomorrow,” I told him with a smile.

“And I’ll make sure I show you nice and slow.”

Closing my eyes, I breathed out his name.

“Yeah, Birdy, that’s how I’ll have you soundin’.”

“I have to go before you make me combust,” I confessed with an edge to my tone as I glared down at my desk. His chuckle made me smile, though. “I wish you were here too. I wouldn’t mind practicing you know what as you sit in my office chair and I’m under the desk.”

“Jesus, Birdy. We’re makin’ that happen one day. Now I gotta go before the brothers see I’m walkin’ around with a hard-on.”

Laughing, I said, “Bye.”

“Later, darlin’.”

Just as we ended the call, my phone rang again. “Hi, Maya.”

“Hey, girl. I just heard my brother will be out of town. Texas is going too. Would you be interested in coming over? We can have a little drink, some food, do some pampering, and watch movies?”

We hadn’t done that in such a long time.

“I’d love to.”

“Awesome,” she yelled. “I’ll see you when you get here.”

At least I wouldn’t be home alone, worrying so much about Drake. Maya and I could do it together.

It wasn’t until I’d been home that I’d realised I’d forgotten to text Mum about the slow cooker, but luckily she’d been there when I’d stopped in to get changed, so I could tell her the meal would be for just them.

It doesn’t bother me that I’ll be making the same thing tomorrow night since it’s for Drake , I thought as I pulled up out the front of the tattoo shop and headed for their home, which was connected to the store.

After knocking, I heard footsteps from inside.

The door swung open, and Julian smiled. “Well, hello there, my little spring bean. Come in. Come in for some pampering.”

“Hi, Julian, it’s good to see you.”

“Of course it is, I’m wonderful.” He winked and hugged me tightly, which I returned. “Just ask my man.” He laughed. We walked down the hall to the open area of the living, dining, and kitchen. “Might I just say you are practically glowing with this relationship.”

I blushed and took the bag I held over to the counter. “Drake’s been….”

Julian followed. “Wonderful? Kinky? Sweet? Horny? Tell me everything , my pretty princess.”

“Julian, I do not want to hear anything about my brother,” Maya said as she walked in from the back door. “Hey, girl.” We hugged, and she then looked in the bag I brought. “Oooh, I love these.” She pulled out the strawberries and chocolate dipping sauce. “You didn’t have to bring anything, though.”

“I wanted to.”

“Can we get back to how Drake is treating you?” Julian asked.

“Nope,” Maya said, shooting her uncle a glare. She poured us all glasses of champagne.

“Boo, bitch. That’s boring.” He sighed, picking up a strawberry to dip. “Fine. We’ll talk about something else.” He tapped his chin at he ate a bite. “Did I, by any chance, hear about a certain swan tattoo?”

I choked on the sip I’d just taken and coughed.

“What’s this?” Maya asked.

Groaning, I shook my head. “Mum?”

He smirked. “Dee and Zara happened to be gossiping, and I overheard.”

It didn’t surprise me Mum had shared. She and Zara were the closest, but I wasn’t bothered she’d done it either. I knew if I’d asked her not to say anything, she wouldn’t have.

“What tattoo?” Maya asked.

I nodded at Julian, who was keen to tell her. He spun her way with wide eyes and a big smile. “Your brother has a tattoo of a beautiful large black swan on his side.”

“No way!” Maya said, gaping at me.

I nodded and took another sip.

“When did he get that?”

“He’s not ready to tell me yet.”

“Wow,” Maya whispered.

“Indeed,” Julian said. “I think I need to talk Mattie into getting a tattoo. He would look way hotter than he already is.” He stilled and placed his glass down. “Actually, I don’t think he should. Too many men would be after him, then. I already had to pee on him the other day when this guy at the coffee shop asked him for his number.”

“You didn’t actually pee on him, though, right?” Maya asked.

We never knew with Julian. He’d try anything once.

“No. My poppet would be peeved if anyone else saw my privates. Instead, I walked up behind Mattie and slid my hands around his stomach and kissed his neck while glaring at that man.”

“That’ll do.” Maya smirked.

We laughed and Julian nodded. “He did back off quickly. Aeila also helped by calling out to her dads.”

“How’s she going at school now?” I asked.

Julian waved a hand around. “Fine. The bully backed off, but I think what helped was having her guards walk around with her one lunch.”

“Wait, before we get into this, let’s go sit in the living room. Bring the snacks,” Maya suggested.

We all grabbed something and placed them on the coffee table before we rested on the couch and chair.

“What do you mean by guards?” I asked as I tucked one leg up under my butt.

“You don’t know?” Julian asked.

I scrunched my nose. “No.”

“I suppose they didn’t get in trouble, so they probably didn’t share. Koda showed up one lunch to see your brother, and they walked around the school with Aeila. She said they made sure everyone they passed knew that Aeila was under their protection.”

My mouth dropped open.

“Wait, what?” Maya cried and laughed.

“But Koda lives in Melbourne with Dive and Mena,” I said, still confused.

“Dive came down to Ballarat that morning. He’d given Koda the day off school to come with him. Koda told Dive he was going to see Nickolas for lunch at his school.”

“Wow,” I muttered. “That’s really sweet. Why didn’t Nicky just warn them off himself?” He already went to the same school as Aeila.

“Most know him, and they don’t find him intimidating on his own. Add in Koda and people listened.”

I nodded. “That makes sense.” My brother did come off as a goof and nice guy. Koda had grown bigger and taller than Nicky. He was just as nice as my brother, but Koda could come across to someone who didn’t know him as gruff or scary.

“I’m glad they’re all close,” Maya said.

I nodded. “It’s from playing those video games together.”

Julian groaned. “Don’t get me started on those. If she’s not playing, she’s reading or hanging out with friends. I miss my little girl who loved doing everything with me.”

“She still loves you,” I tried.

He sighed. “I know. I’m too loveable not to love me.”

Maya and I laughed.

Julian clapped his hands. “How about we get down to some facials before we start the first movie?”

I nodded, and Maya stood. “I’ll grab the face masks.”

* * *

After hours of drinks, food, and two movies, I announced drunkenly, “I can’t drive home.”

Maya slipped off the couch to the floor on her butt in her rush to get over to me on her knees. “I agree! No driving. My brother will torture me if I let anything happen to you.”

“Oooh, he really would,” Julian said from where he lay on the floor. “I’m too old to drink with the youngin’s now.” He sniffed.

Maya crawled over to him, and I followed her.

“You are not,” Maya said.

“You’re the coolest person to ever be on the planet,” I told him while patting his forehead.

“Do I want to know what’s goin’ on?”

We gasped, and then Maya screamed, “My husband.” She managed to get to her feet and fly across the room to Texas.

I pouted. “I wish my guy was here.”

Julian sat and hugged me to him. “It’s okay.”

“Hey, Birdy.”

My eyes widened as I looked back over to see Drake standing there with a smirk. I leaned into Julian to whisper, “Is he real?”

There was laughter.

“He is, sugar tits.” He pushed at me. “Go now, go to your man. I release you into the world to have fun and kinky times.”

“I will.” I hugged him quickly and got to my feet.

Next, Drake was there, and I was wrapped around him like a monkey. Legs and arms.

“Say goodnight,” he demanded.

“Say goodnight,” I said and cackled. Then, while waving as Drake walked us towards the hall, I added, “Goodbye, my beautiful people. I love you.”

There were many words shouted back, but I didn’t hear any because my attention went to the man I clung to. “How did you get here?”

“Shift ended early. Texas and I rode home instead of stayin’ down there. Wanted to get back to see you since Maya told Texas you were gonna be here drinkin’.”

“Drake Marcus. You’re my human.”

His chuckle sent a shiver down my spine. I buried my nose into his neck and inhaled. “I love the way you smell. I love the way you show me how important I am to you. I’m going to keep you forever and ever.”

“Yeah?” he asked, backing me out the front door.

“Most definitely.” I heard a door close, but I was too interested in sticking my nose back at Drake’s neck. “Delicious. Do you know what else is?”

He grinned. “What?”

“Your taste .”

“Fuck, Birdy.”

“Yes, please.”

He chuckled again, waking up my hormones even more. “We’ll talk about that when I get you home, and if you’re still awake.”

“Hmm, okay.” I squeezed him to me. “Happy you’re here.”

I felt his lips brush over my forehead. “Me too, Birdy.”