Page 3 of Tattoos and Tiaras
“So why have we never done a scene together?” Aiden sprawled out on one of the sofas, and I took the other. These couches were uncomfortable, but at that moment even its lumpy cushions felt like heaven.
“Well, that's probably because you like your boys younger with a little more masochist to them, and I think I might be a little long in the tooth for you.” I smirked over my coffee. I'd seen the pretty boys he liked to scene with. I'd even watched, a little envious, when he and Perry had doubled-teamed a cheeky sub named Tim. Not that I would admit that to Perry. That man was the devil in electric blue eyeliner, and I wanted no part of him. I was just envious of the scene and watching Tim go into subspace.
Aiden looked over his coffee mug and smiled. “Not a pain slut then?”
I shrugged while taking a long sip of my coffee before answering. “It's not as cut and dry as that for me. Pain is one of those things that needs to be at the right time and situation. I'vefound that good paddling can help centre me when I'm feeling out of sorts and when the brat in me is switched to eleven, so to speak.” I stretched my legs out and groaned as my joints popped in relief.
Aiden nodded, smiling. “I've had more than one sub tell me a similar thing.” Aiden took a biscuit out of the box and took a bite, groaning as he chewed noisily, bloody heathen. Hobnobs should be savoured and not demolished.
I nibbled my own, praying this lull in activity would continue for another thirty minutes, then my shift for the night would be officially over. I yawned and stretched again, tilting my head. I saw the sun had started to rise, meaning my walk home would at least be in the morning sunshine.
“Are you going to go to the event at Crimson tonight?” Aiden asked, sneaking another biscuit.
Shrugging, I thought about it for a moment. “What was the event planned for tonight?”
“High Protocol forms I think, and Cal was going to give a demonstration on Florentine flogging.” My ears perked up. I was interested in both of those things. High Protocol was a huge kink for me. I was truly happiest when I was of service to my master, not that I'd had that in a very long time, but it was most definitely one of my core kinks, along with flogging. As I had said to Aiden, pain had its place for me, and flogging was one of those things that, when used at the right time, could send me to nirvana.
“Tempting.” Was all I could answer. Honestly, it was tempting enough to pull me out of my own self-imposed exile. Perhaps it was what I needed. To hell with trying to find a master or daddy. I just needed to go out and enjoy myself.
“Come on, Cullen, it would do you good. And if you don't get your cute arse nabbed by a lucky Dom, I will offer up my services if you're feeling in need of a spanking.” Aiden gave me a hugegrin, and I couldn't help returning it. He had that same devil-may-care attitude that Cal had. It must be a sadist thing. We had fun chemistry, but nothing that I could see turning into more than fun scenes together. But that would do me happily for now.
“So?” Aiden asked, smiling. “Are you coming tonight?”
“Alright, you've twisted my arm.” A night out would be good since I'd been working between the hospital and my clinic, but it had turned me into a hermit. Maybe that was why I was feeling so down on myself and wanting to avoid the club.
Time to get myself out of my funk and get my kink back on.
“Excellent. Now shall I pick you up?” Aiden grinned mischievously, already knowing the answer.
“Hell no. I will not sit on that death trap.”
“Don't call my baby that.” Aiden pouted, which looked thoroughly ridiculous but made sense with how in love the man was with his bike, a 1955 Vincent Black Shadow which I had been informed by Aiden on numerous occasions was a British classic.
“A motorcycle is not a baby, Aiden, and I have a perfectly serviceable car to drive.” I countered as I stood up and went to the sink to rinse out my mug. I wanted to check in on the young man with the hematoma and make sure the Russells were settled in.
“That mini of yours is not serviceable. I swear the car is the same age as me.” Aiden scoffed.
“It is not.” I did a quick mental calculation. My mini was a ‘95 Rover Mini Cooper, and Aiden would have been seven when it came out. I winced thinking about that. “It’s not old, it's mature like me.”
“Yes, Cullen.” Aiden winked and moved to rinse his own mug, then followed me out of the room. “I’m going to go check my charts, then hopefully head home. Are you off soon?”
“Yes, just going to check in on a couple of patients, then I'm heading home to bed. What time is the event starting tonight?”
“Nine, I think. Marco said he sent an email to everyone with the time.” He did, and I'd been avoiding reading them in my self-imposed kink exile.
“I'll go through my emails when I get home. Are they doing the usual canapes and drinks before?”
“Think so. Maybe aim to get to Crimson around seven. Are you sure you don't want a lift? I'll have my car.”
“I'll be fine. I never drink at the events, and I like to know I have my own way home in case of emergencies.”
“Alright then. I'll see you tonight.” I watched Aiden's lanky frame amble down the hall, and I turned towards the wards to check in, then home to my warm bed and Tennyson, my new kitten.
Chapter Two
Icut through the public garden at the top of the hill as I made my way home, the views were outstanding up there. I could see the entire village from this spot and right out to the Lighthouse.
The Lighthouse still brought a pang of sadness, even after all those years. Losing Ethan so young to cancer was a devastating blow, and the fact that I'd been sent away made it doubly heartbreaking. I couldn't help but wonder what Ethan would look like today if he were still alive, and if we would have found our way back to each other and still been together. I liked to imagine we would've been one of those disgustingly cute couples, like Simon and Rhys were.
