Page 38 of Tattoos and Tiaras
The lunch was spread out on a patchwork blanket. Cushions were thrown about, making the whole thing look very decadentand comfortable. Perry held his arms open as I approached, and I gladly sunk into them.
“Busy morning.” Perry lifted up a sandwich, and I gladly took it. Fresh crusty bread with slices of leg ham and fresh tomato and just a pinch of salt and pepper. It was the best thing I'd ever eaten.
“This is amazing. Where did you find time to get ready for a picnic? I thought you had clients all morning.” I peered into the basket. Spotting two bottles of juice, I reached for one.
“I got up early. It didn't take too much to get ready, but I wanted to surprise you with this today.”
“I'm seriously going to have to up my game. You’re pulling out all the stops.” I stopped talking long enough to finish my first sandwich as Perry handed me another.
“This isn't a competition, Princess. I like being able to spoil you and it seems to me you needed some spoiling today. Are you really okay?”
I blinked up at Perry and smiled. It was going to take a bit to get used to having someone who wanted to make sure I was okay and cared about how I was feeling.
“I think so. Normally, my father’s visits throw me out. The really bad ones had me retreating into my middle space for a few days. Seeing him brings back painful memories.” I closed my eyes for a minute, and Ethan's face appeared for once in my memories. It was him smiling. I'd like to think he'd approve of Perry.
“I'm sorry, Cullen. I hate that he does that to you. Is there anything I can do?”
I rolled and straddled Perry, bringing our faces together. “You just being here, listening to me. The fact you're willing to face my family is more than anyone's wanted to do for me in a long time.”
Perry's lips ticked up into a sweeping smile, and his blue eyes sparkled. “Darling, I want to do everything for you, you have noidea how hard I've had to restrain myself. I've never been like this with anyone. I didn't know how much I needed to let my Daddy run wild and that is down to you, Cullen.”
“I think you’re a pretty amazing Daddy so far, though I'm still going to argue with you when I think you’re wrong.” I answered, then leant down to kiss Perry softly. “And for the record, I'm scared shitless about fucking this thing up between us. My track record isn’t great.”
Perry brushed his fingers through my hair, tugging gently. “I don't want that either. The past is the past, and we’re working towards a future. Yeah, we've dived in headfirst. But I think we've got something.”
“Me too, Daddy.” I kissed him again and grind down on him, earning a breathy chuckle. “Want to fool around until Rhys comes out to scold me for not being in the office?”
“Most definitely. Exactly how private is this yard?”
Chapter Fifteen
Leaving Cullen rumpled and thoroughly kissed was the highlight of my afternoon. The smirk on Rhys’s face as I escorted Cullen back into his office was priceless. I had left with strict instructions from my boy not to be at his house before six pm. That was fine. I had a couple of errands to do today, and I wanted to visit with my parents. It wasn't often I had the afternoon off during the week but today I'd made sure to block off some time. It had been a few weeks since I'd gotten to spend any time with my family, and I really wanted my mum's advice on a few things.
The drive out to the estate only took half an hour, and it wasn't long before I was driving up the gravel drive into the forecourt of the house. My family home… When most people said that, I don't think they imagined a Grade 2 listed ten-bedroom six-bathroom building built when Henry the VIII was a boy. The house wasn't as grand as some but the upkeep and running of the place was still a costly exercise. With the thirteen outbuildings and twenty acres of woodland, it was a lot, but my family had been smart. They had dinners and open days in themain house, and a section of the woodlands was an adventure experience that all the local schools and scouts and guides used. My eldest brother Regie ran a riding school and a rescue organisation as well as starting to take over from my father who was slowly winding back to finally take time for himself and my mum.
I couldn't wait to bring Cullen out here. I knew for a fact my parents were going to adore him. I just hoped the crazy chaos that was my family didn't scare him off.
I'd barely pulled up, and my brother was jogging up to the car. Nearly fifteen years older than me, you'd expect we wouldn't have grown up close, but we did. All my siblings were close. We actually liked spending time together, which quite frankly, with the mass of personalities we had, was surprising.
“Per, what are you doing here? Thought you'd be spending all your time with Cullen.” Regie gave me a wink before he grabbed me in a tight hug.
“I see Mum’s been telling everyone the news?” I wasn't cross, quite frankly, I wanted everyone to know I had bagged who I considered the hottest man in Tewsbury.
“She did.” Reg grinned, slapping my face gently. “But the way you're smiling would've given it away.”
“Yeah, I'm pretty stoked to be honest. I can't believe it. I can't wait to properly introduce him to you all.”
“I've met him a few times as well as a doctor, and he seems like a smart guy, a bit grouchy for my tastes.”
“Ah, the grouchy has its own appeal.” I looked at my brother. His hair was a darker shade of blond than mine with copper highlights that my mum said were from my father’s side of the family. He had the same pale blue eyes I did and like all my siblings, he was tall. He looked tired though.
“Are you taking care of yourself?”
Regie backed away from me laughing. “I'm fine. I just need a decent night's sleep or two weeks on a tropical island where there are no grumpy ponies or annoyed parents.”
“Riding school is going well then.”
Regie groaned, then shooed me off. “Mum’s in the ballroom, and Dad’s off with a youth group teaching them about wombles or something.”
