Logan laughed. He knew he wasn’t going to beat his mate and besides, he would have just ended up asking his mate what he wanted to do, anyway. Rolling over, he inhaled deeply, one more time, the delicious scent of his mate on the pillow.
~/~/~/~/~
Showered and fully dressed, Kieran sat at the breakfast table, studying his phone while occasionally tapping the screen. The day he was planning was going to be epic and while they wouldn’t have time to see everything he wanted to, there was enough time for the main places he thought his mate would enjoy. Chewing on the corner of his lip, he thought it was still a little bit surreal that he was sitting in an opulent country home with his Fated Mate.
Watching Kieran was Logan’s new favorite pastime and one he would never tire of—well, maybe listening was his favorite as Kieran told him where they were going and why he picked them. Nodding his head in agreement, Logan was impressed with the choices Kieran made. It would be a full day, but it sounded just perfect to him.
Breakfast over, it was into the car. The day was sunny, the temperature perfect and Logan was eager to spend it with his mate, free of all worries and problems. As they motored down the long driveway, he thought of how fearful he’d been when he arrived, searching for Kieran and hoping he’d be forgiven. Now, that was all behind them and Logan had smiled and laughed more in the last few days than since his childhood. Unable to resist, he lifted his mate onto his lap, craving his closeness.
Arriving at the first of several country homes listed on his schedule, Kieran gasped at the size of it. Turning to Logan, he said, “I was astounded at the size of the Blackwood Pack house when I got there, but this house, holy shit balls, you could put ten of them into this one and still have room left over.”
Taking Kieran’s hand, Logan chuckled. “Yup, it makes our home look downright puny. C’mon, let’s ogle everything.”
Three houses and a castle later, Logan and Kieran stopped for lunch at a country pub for another serving of Kieran’s favorite dish before heading into Dublin. Their first stop was Ireland’s National Museum featuring exquisite decorative artwork made in Ireland. Then to the National Leprechaun Museum where they had fun sitting in the oversized furniture, making them feel a puny three feet tall.
When Kieran learned of Logan’s love for modern art, he added a stop at the Irish Museum of Modern Art where they leisurely strolled through the rooms, pausing at paintings that caught their eye. He was amazed at the extensive knowledge Logan had and enjoyed listening to his mate’s deep melodious voice as he offered up tidbits and little-known facts about different artists and their work.
Then, Logan insisted they stop for afternoon tea and refreshments. After consulting with their driver, they were soon seated at the Westbury, surrounded by beautiful furnishings, a crackling fire and live piano music playing softly in the background. There Logan and Kieran took turns tasting and devouring the petite sandwiches, muffins, scones, and delicious desserts along with their tea.
Finally refreshed, Logan suggested they go for a short walk through the shopping district nearby, grinning as he saw Kieran’s face light up at the mention of shopping. Holding hands, they strolled along, pausing to look into shop windows, browsing in a couple of book stores, trying on some clothes—and buying several pink t-shirts for Logan—and after stopping to watch some street performers, they finally made their way back to the waiting car.
Seeing Kieran dragging his feet, Logan knew their day had come to an end. Once their packages had been stowed in the trunk, Logan helped his tired mate into the car and slid in after him. “Babe, I know you had something else planned but I’m tired and I was hoping you would agree to heading back and making it an early night. Our day actually started when we got up early to see the sunrise.”
Smiling tiredly at his mate, Kieran was happy Logan wanted to call it a day. He’d had a fabulous time and it certainly fulfilled his dreams of what he and a mate would do. Giggling to himself, he knew this day had been just what he’d pictured ever since he realized he was attracted to men. Many a night he’d lie in bed, picturing himself and his mate spending the day together, having fun, exploring, shopping, and eating delicious foods. He felt like a fairy princess whose godmother had granted every wish.
Wanting to be closer to Logan, Kieran climbed into his mate’s lap, resting his head against his broad chest. Listening to Logan’s steady heartbeat coupled with the car’s movement put Kieran to sleep before they left Dublin.
With one arm holding his mate securely, Logan reached up and ran his fingers through Kieran’s hair, ruffling it, making his scent waft up to him. He would never get enough of it, no matter how long he lived. Those scents would always remind him of the person who was his home. Finally, Logan had found the love and peace that had been so elusive in his childhood.
Chapter 36
Logan and Kieran were sitting in the VIP lounge, at Edinburgh Airport after they’d arrived in Scotland, waiting for Miss L, Theo, Norm, Ian and Colton to arrive. Logan wasn’t sure when Ian’s parents were coming, but he was going to take everyone else out to dinner. He figured it would give Ian and Colton some time alone with Ian’s parents. Checking the time, he glanced at Kieran who was nervously jiggling his leg and, guessing why, said, “Relax, babe, Theo and Norman are not angry at you. I bet as soon as they see you they’ll come running to you, wanting to know you’re all right.”
“Maybe. I hope so, but we had a deal about sticking together and I broke it so I’m pretty sure they’ll be mad at me.”
“That’s a possibility, but I don’t think so and I’ll tell you why. True friends always understand and forgive. That’s not to say they want it to happen again but if you talk to them about your reasons and why you did it, I’ll bet they’ll forgive you. Really, babe, just be honest and that will mean a lot.”
“Thanks, it’s just that I never had friends before and I don’t want to fuck it up. Huh, well, not any more than I already have.”
“Come here,” Logan said patting his lap. Then, after Kieran was in his arms, he continued, “Babe, Theo and Norm are true friends and there’s a world of difference between friends and true friends. You could easily call all the other prisoners ‘friends’ because of how you met and supported each other during a hard time but they are not true friends because they went back to their lives and you, yours. However, Theo and Norman vowed to be there for you in good and bad times. That’s a true friend.So yeah, they were angry when they discovered you left. But only because they had no way of making sure you were safe. That’s what bothered them most. Remember this, Kieran, just as you want what’s best for Theo and Norm, they want what’s best for you. So, at the end of the day, the only thing that will matter to them is your happiness. Once you have assured them of that, everything else will be fine.”
Kieran thought about what his mate had said and knew it was how he felt about Theo and Norman. No matter what they wanted, if his friends were happy then he was happy. “This friend business is complicated,” Kieran said.
Chuckling, Logan agreed. “It can be, but if you treat Theo and Norman the way you want to be treated, everything will be all right. By that, I mean be honest as to why you left.”
His eyes sparkling mischievously, Kieran replied, “Okie dokie, but if there are any problems, I’m blaming you.”
“I have no problem with that because I know I’m right. Look, I think everyone has arrived,” Logan said, pointing to the door.
Kieran looked toward the door and saw Theo and Norman standing there, their eyes searching the room. Jumping up and squealing, Kieran ran to his friends, arms out stretched, anxious to hug both of them the instant his hands touched them.
Theo and Norman saw Kieran barreling toward them and ran to meet their friend halfway across the room.
“Are you all right?”
“What happened? Why did you leave us?”
“I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you!”
