Arden stood up quickly. “Hey Ben, how about we go show my mum all we got today? She was asking me to bring you round.”
Bengie didn’t get a chance to respond before Arden dragged him out of the house.
As soon as they were out of the door Faith turned on Kane and glared at him.
“So, Kane, is that what you want in a mate? Is that what you think you need, what you think I need, or are you just making a suggestion?”
Fuck, what was he supposed to say? “The other women I’ve been with just wanted to stay at home, spend money, go out to fundraisers, and have fancy parties.”
Faith gaped opened-mouthed at him by the time he ended. She pulled herself up straight to her full height of five foot three, shut her mouth, turned, and started to walk away.
“Why are you walking away?”
She whirled around, her fists clenched, giving Kane a look that if looks could kill he would be dead.
“I didn’t realize I’m one of your ‘other women’. I really thought you knew a little bit about me. I may not have spoken to you in four years, but for ten years you were in my life, you would save me from the dragon, get Jamie and Devlin to scare the boys who picked on me, you let me cry on your shoulder, you knew most of my secrets. For Christ’s sake, you even let me trick you into being my dance partner for ballroom dancing. My God, even in the four years we didn’t talk I know you asked about me. Sometimes I felt, knew, you were outside the front door, listening. Waiting, knowing I would leave as soon as you came in. Now all of a sudden you don’t know me at all. No wonder I left the frigging country to get over you. Well, that’s how it started out. Then I started to enjoy myself, my independence, I guess that’s why I stayed so long. The last two months before I came home I was having fewer visions. I had heard you were with a woman and it was serious. There was even talk you were going to mate her, so I thought it was safe to come home.” She smiled a bitter smile. “Stupid me, I haven’t even asked where this woman is that your brothers talked about. You would think with me being a psychic I would know, but no, anything to do with you I rarely got a glimpse or feeling of.”
Kane winced. He debated whether he should tell her everything. “We lied, made her up. We all thought if you thought I was settled, distracted with a mate, you would come home. Everyone started to worry when you started dating.” He growled. “Then you started talking about Brett.”
“Brad,” Faith corrected.
“How you really liked him, that there could be something between you and him, so that’s when my brothers told you I was going to mate the woman. You booked your flight home right after you were told that.”
He looked down at her now. Tears streamed down her face, and he used his thumb to wipe them away.
“I could never have another mate because there has always, is always going to be you. I’m so sorry we deceived you, but we…I needed you home with me. I couldn’t stand the emptiness anymore. I missed when you would call me just to tell me what one of my goofball brothers had done or what you had done that day.” He moved her over to the lounge and placed her on his lap. “Do you know my brothers stopped calling me when they figured out I was the reason you weren’t coming home? Please don’t be angry, you don’t have to come to the parties or functions. I love you, I want you to be happy.” Kane kissed her lips lightly, hugging her close.
* * * *
Faith couldn’t believe all she had just been told. She should be angry that they had tricked her into coming home, but how could she be anything but filled with love after that confession?
“I don’t mind going to some parties or fundraisers. I love you. I want you to be happy too. I’m not thrilled you all tricked me, but I know it was done with good intentions.”
They sat for a while just hugging, snuggling, and talking about old times.
Bengie came in later yelling, “Arden’s in the car. He said Jamie’s going to come around tomorrow to play video games with me and help you find a job.” He stopped yelling when he came upon them. He smiled. “I got a new game, Star Wars.” He ran to his room saying, “I’m going to go play it.”
Kane kissed her. “He’s so big I’m scared to think what’s going to happen when he hits puberty.”
Faith laughed.
* * * *
The next morning came way too early. At six o’clock the alarm went off, and Faith groaned. “Noooo, don’t take away my heater, the best pillow ever.”
Kane chuckled. “I’m glad to know I’m needed for something.”
Faith snuggled into his chest.