Page 19 of Tattoos and Tiaras
“Yeah. He was getting himself all tied up in knots —and not the fun kind— thinking about the wedding, so I offered to help. You know I love organising that sort of shit, and Rhys was one of the first people to make me feel welcome and at home in this town.” I said turning back to face Aiden, blurting out the random thought that hit me. “Rhys, Mouse and Cullen have more in common than you would think. I think the three of them balance each other out well. Cullen is as protective of those men as they are of him.”
Aiden scratched his beard and frowned. “Oh yeah, I get it, but Cullen's a sub and Rhys and Mouse are little in Rhys’s case and a Maso Middle in Mouse's.”
“You’re a sadist Daddy Dom, and I'm a Master with a love for High Protocol and bondage, and we're friends. Different kinks don't mean we can't be friends,” I answered firmly. Sometimes, I swore Aiden spoke before he thought.
“I know. That’s not what I mean, I just…” Aiden gave me a cheeky smile.
“You're just fishing to see if I have more knowledge on what makes Cullen tick in your not-too-subtle way.” I climbed up the stairs with Aiden following. I could hear him grumbling andturned to face him when I got to the landing. “I'm not going to be sharing any of Cullen's secrets. You should know better. Swear to gods, the older you've gotten, the more of a busybody you've become.”
Aiden shrugged his large shoulders and gave me a repentant smile that I didn't buy for a minute.
“Look, it’s just me being invested in my friend and my new friend getting along after months of sniping and griping between the two of you.”
“Bullshit. It’s the fact that you, Aiden McKellen, are very nosy.” I pulled the spare room door open and walked in, going straight to the small built-in wardrobe. Fresh sheets and bed linen were inside.
“No. Okay, maybe a little bit, but I’m also invested in the two of you finally seeing you're actually perfect for each other.”
I threw the linen on the unmade bed and scowled at Aiden. I should make the nosy bastard make his own bed, but my mother didn’t raise me that way.
Hmm, that reminded me. “Keep hassling me, and I’ll let it slip to Mum that you still haven’t found a boyfriend. I know she would be more than happy to set you up.”
“Peregrine Emanuel Bowers, you are fucking evil, and no, I do not need Lady Bowers trying to set me up with one of the sons of the horse and title club.”
“No? I thought a spoilt little lordling would be just what you need. Fine, I will keep my mouth shut, but you can pull your head in where Cullen is concerned.” I grabbed a sheet and motioned to Aiden to help me. “Look, I like Cullen a lot. I'm not ashamed to admit it, but as everyone likes to point out, we have been in some kind of war of words since I moved to town. Tonight was different, and I think it might be a chance, and the last thing I want to do is fuck it up.”
Aiden came around the bed and pulled me into a bear hug and nearly smothering me. “Sorry. You know I like to stir shit, but I really am happy for you, man. I promise to keep my yap shut next time I see Cullen if you promise to keep your mum away from me.”
I snorted in laughter and pushed him away but not before he smacked a loud kiss on the top of my head. “Not sure I can remember. You’re supposed to come to their anniversary dinner next month. You know she’s going to ask if you’ve found a boyfriend.”
“Then I better find myself a date before then.” Aiden shuddered. I did feel sorry for him. My mum adored him and hated seeing him single. She couldn’t understand that he was happy being single and carefree. It was only because I’d put my foot down that she’d stopped trying to set me up on dates. The final straw had been a spoiled brat of a boy who had been rude to the waiters at the restaurant we ate at. He'd been more interested in if I had a title than me as a person.
“Alright your bed is made. Unless you need me to tuck you in, I’m going to hit the sack. I have an early start tomorrow, but if you don’t start till the afternoon, take the chance and sleep in. There’s bread in the bread bin and marmalade and jam, so make yourself breakfast before you head off, and fresh towels are in the bathroom, so you don’t have to drive back to yours before work.”
“Thanks. I’m going to take your offer up on a sleep in and shower. Part of the reason I headed back here was because I was wiped. How was Cullen holding up?”
“Tired. I know he would’ve denied it, but after our scene, I could see he was exhausted but wouldn’t say, so I took the decision away from him.”
“You’re sounding like Cullen's Daddy.” I rolled my eyes at Aiden’s comment, not wanting to admit that was something I might want.
“Good night, Aiden.”
“Night, Per.”
I lay awake for an hour before I gave in and sent Cullen a brief text. Nothing over the top, just thanking him for helping me and that I looked forward to spending time with him the next day. I didn’t expect Cullen to respond as I hoped he was already asleep, but my phone pinged just as I was about to switch my lamp off and attempt to sleep.
Cullen:
Thank you, Sir. I look forward to tomorrow too.
The message made me smile, and I quickly sent one back telling him to get some sleep and laughed out loud when he sent an emoji of a snoring man.
Such a cheeky boy.
Chapter Eight
Mouse and Rhys were sitting at our usual booth at the café when I walked in. Mouse looked like he was still flying high from the flogging his Daddy had given him, and Rhys was giving his best friend a bemused smile.
“Oh, here he comes. Looks like Doc and Perry reached a détente last night.” Mouse mock whispered to Rhys as I approached.
