Chapter Eighteen
The week had dragged, the weather had come in foul, and the surgery had been busy. I was in a grumpy mood, and I couldn't seem to snap out of it. Knowing my parents' anniversary dinner was tonight did nothing to improve my mood.
“Cullen, you’re my friend and my boss, and I say this with all the love in my heart, but I am seriously going to tell on you if you don't stop snarling and snapping. It's not my fault you're having a shit day.” Rhys crossed his arms and glared at me as if daring me to deny it.
“You wouldn't dare.” I countered, crossing my own arms.
“Try me.” Rhys answered. While Rhys may have the sweetest nature, he was also immune to my temper tantrums and found it a source of pride to call me on my shit.
It was very frustrating.
“What about the little and middle code?” I tried gambling on our mutual kink. I know it was an underhanded tactic but the last thing I needed this week was Daddy being disappointed in me.
Rhys narrowed his eyes. “What code?”
“No telling on fellow boys to their Daddy's code.” I walked past him and grabbed my coat.
“There is no such code, and this is different. You need your daddy to tell you to pull your head out of your arse.” Rhys said bluntly. I rolled my eyes but knew he was probably right.
“We've got no more patients today. Why don't you head home to Simon. I'm going to take a walk and clear my head.” I pulled Rhys into a brief hug. “Sorry I've been a pillock today.”
Rhys smiled and shook his head. “You're not a pillock, I just worry about you. Bad moods like this generally mean your arsehole parents are involved.”
“You're a perceptive man, and you're also correct. I have to attend a dinner tonight, and I'd rather not. Anne was going to be my wingman along with Perry, but Benji has caught chicken pox so she's staying home with him, which honestly, I don't blame her.”
Rhys followed me through to the waiting room where he shut down his computer and grabbed his jacket.
“I'll walk with you down the hill. I might go out to the Lighthouse to think.” I held the door open for Rhys, then locked it behind us.
“Why are you going?” Rhys blurted out giving me a quizzical look.
“To my parents’?” I answered.
“Yeah, you don't owe them your loyalty. They've treated you like a pariah and Anne and Benji the same, you don't owe them jack shit. Just tell them no and be done with it.” Rhys said firmly.
I shook my head. “It's not that easy,” I answered
Rhys shrugged, looking at me quizzically “Why?”
“I just have to.” I answered.
Rhys patted my arm, then looped his arm with mine. “You really don't, Cullen, but that’s for you to work out,” Rhys said.
We walked in companionable silence until Viking Ink came into view. Simon was sitting outside on the bench soaking up the late afternoon sun, and he threw a wave in our direction when he saw us walking towards him.
“Weren't expecting you to be finished yet.” Simon walked up and picked Rhys up in a bear hug not caring about the looks from passersby.
“Daddy, you're mussing up my clothes.” Rhys patted Simon's chest until he put him down.
“We were actually quiet today so Cullen said we could knock off early. Besides, grumpy pants is in need of a break.” Rhys shot me a playful grin.
“Once again, you're right on the mark. I'm going to leave you to it and head out to the Lighthouse.”
“Hey Doc, are you okay?” Simon cocked his head to one side giving me a concerned frown.
“I'm fine. Rhys can fill you in. But I think a walk out to the point will be what I need,” I answered.
Simon nodded out towards the point and the old Lighthouse. “Don't be out too long, the weather is supposed to be coming in nasty.” I could see dark clouds on the horizon already building up.
I nodded and started off at a light jog, my Converse slapping on the pavement as I jogged along the road towards the gated off path to the point.
The road was gated off but there was a path leading off to one side for ramblers only.
The local council and the local surf rescue club used the road leading to the point.
The gravel path was uneven and ran along the cliff top, long grass whipped back and forth in the brisk sea breeze.
Luckily, I'd grabbed my lined jacket, and it kept me from freezing as I walked further out on the point.
The Lighthouse sat out on the point only accessible by a narrow foot bridge, the access gate was padlocked but a council member who I'd attended boarding school with had happily made me a key knowing that the place held special memories for me.
I followed the walkway over to where the Lighthouse and its cottage sat.
The cottage had long since fallen into disrepair, but the lighthouse was still in good nick the light automated now a custodian no longer needed.
I shove my hands into my jacket pockets and head to the railing looking out at the crashing surf beyond.
This had been our spot, mine and Ethan's, and it was still the place I came when I needed my brain to quiet. Rhys was right. Why was I going to my bloody parents’ house tonight?
Why was I willingly putting myself through their scornful looks and thinly veiled digs?
They didn't deserve my loyalty regardless of the fact they were my parents.
A familiar scent tickled my nose. Perry's aftershave. Before I can turn, strong arms wrap around my waist and warm lips kiss my temple.
“You walk too bloody fast.” Perry said breathlessly. “I tried catching up to you when you left Rhys and Simon.”
I turned in his arms and could see he was rosy cheeked from running.
“I'm sorry, Daddy. I was kind of off in my own head.” I reached out to push strands of Daddy's hair out of his face. It still amazed me that I had this now. I had a man who cared for me as his boyfriend, boy, and submissive. Each day we were learning about each other and some days I sassed, and Daddy got to spank my arse. Some days I came home from the clinic and wanted nothing more than to sink into my slave headspace, to serve Daddy’s every need. I loved this turn my life had taken.
“I can guess why you're stuck in your head.” His arms tightened around me, and I sank against him, breathing in deeply, feeling more grounded than I had all day.
“Yeah, them. Rhys asked me why I was still going after all the shit they'd pulled in my life.”
Daddy reached up and stroked his fingers through my hair. “And what do you think, Princess?”
“I think Rhys is right. I don't owe them a damn thing.
This paternal guilt they use to make Anne and I do as they bid has got to stop or they will just keep doing it until the day they die.
They don't care about how Anne or I actually feel, and they sure as hell feel no remorse for what they did to me.” I looked out at the tumbling waves, and my decision was made.
“Fuck it. Daddy, I want to stay home and cuddle on the couch and watch Netflix and eat an unhealthy amount of chocolate.”
“Well, apart from the unhealthy amount of chocolate, I think that sounds like an amazing plan, and I want you to know I'm incredibly proud of you.” Perry pulled me against him and kissed me softly. The wind started to pick up but neither of us noticed because we were so wrapped up in each other.
“Let's go home and make toasties, and you can put on those cute Miss Piggy pyjamas, and we'll find something to watch.” Daddy suggested.
I swooned in his arms. “You know how to seduce a man, Daddy. Would you carry me back up the hill?” I really wasn't looking forward to the walk back home.
Daddy threw his head back and laughed. I couldn't be mad because he looked so happy. “Hell no, I may adore you like mad, but I will not carry you up that damn hill. But I will drive you home. I parked just up from Viking Ink.”
“Oh, thank fuck.” Looking in Daddy’s blue eyes, I was struck with how hard I had fallen for him. In the space of a week, he'd gone from my nemesis to my daddy and the owner of my heart.
Fucking hell I was falling in love.
“Daddy.” I had found my pyjamas, but I couldn't find where Leo had gone, and Ten was no help. She was more focused on rubbing her body all over the pillow Daddy slept on. He might be more than a touch jealous of Daddy, but at least he hadn't tried tripping Daddy over again.
“Downstairs, sweetheart, use your inside voice please.” Ugh, inside voice. This was a life-or-death emergency. Where was Leo?
“I can hear you stomping up here.” Daddy stuck his head into my room looking concerned.
“I've lost Leo,” I grumbled, stomping my foot down. This was not good. I needed my Leo tonight. After calling and cancelling tonight, then having to deal with my father’s yelling, I was feeling more than a little fragile. I needed my Leo, and I needed Daddy to help me find him.
“Okay, Princess, take a deep breath for me.”
“I'm trying, Daddy, but I need Leo.” I clutched my hands together, ignoring Tennyson who wound around my legs mewling softly.
“Cullen, baby, we're going to find Leo, I promise. I need you to sit on your bed for me, okay,” Daddy said.
“But I—”
Daddy shook his head and pointed to the bed.
“No buts, Cullen. Go sit your cute little butt down and let me look for Leo. You had him upstairs when we got home, right?” A small smile crept over my face.
Daddy called my place home. I mean, it could mean nothing, but right now, I latched onto that thought.
Daddy was on his hands and knees looking under my bed. To be fair, most things did have a habit of ending up there.
“Daddy?” I poked his shoulder with my toes from where I sat on the bed.
“Yes, Princess.”
“You said this was home.” Tennyson crawled into my lap, and I hugged him tightly as I waited for Daddy to respond.
I didn't have to wait long. Daddy's head popped up, and, in his hands, he held Leo. “Yes, I did. Being here really feels more like home than my small place, and I think part of that is down to you.” Daddy held out Leo for me but before I could grab him, Daddy kissed me firmly.
“You make this home Cullen.”
Ah, I had to say it. Daddy couldn't say such amazing things to me without me telling him how I felt. But what if it was too soon? What if he didn't feel the same?
“Cullen, what's wrong?” Daddy looked scared. Oh shit, he thought he said the wrong thing. I patted his arm reassuringly.
“Daddy, I have to tell you something, and you are not allowed to freak out, but first I'm going to need Leo.” I held my hand out and Daddy passed him to me.
I patted the bed next to me, and Daddy got the hint and climbed up next to me. Once he was sitting comfortably, I clambered onto his lap, bringing our faces close together.
“I've got a secret.” I said in a whisper.
Daddy grinned and touched my face lightly. “And what's that, Princess?”
“I think I'm falling in love with you.” The words fell out in a rush, and I closed my eyes, terrified that Daddy might not feel the same and to see that look in his eyes would crush me.
I could feel Daddy's hands touching my cheeks. “Cullen, baby, open your eyes for me.”
I opened them and saw Daddy smiling at me. The corners of his eyes were scrunched up in that cute way they did when he was super happy. He was happy.
“I've fallen, Princess. I think I fell the first day I saw your grouchy face. I love you, and I don't care if it's too soon, it's my truth and it's how I feel.”
I was the one grabbing Daddy and kissing him for all I had until we were both breathless and Tennyson was meowing his disgust between us.
Daddy picked her up. Bringing her up to eye level, they both seemed to be glaring at each other. “Time you learned to share little man, your human is mine too.” Ten reached out and swatted his nose gently as if to say whatever, then started to purr loudly.
I laughed, taking him from Daddy and placing him on the bed. “I think that’s him saying he agrees.”
“She better because I'm not going anywhere.” Those words made me the happiest man in Tewsbury. I didn’t care about Netflix or cuddling on the sofa right now. Right here, I was the happiest I'd ever been.
I loved Perry, and he loved me back.