I found my mum in the ballroom surrounded by plans and sketches of table placement. This had to be the prep work for the autumn ball, which was only two weeks away.
“Peregrine, darling boy, what a lovely surprise.” Mum rushed towards me, her grey curls bouncing as she sprinted across the ball room.
“It’s only been two weeks since we saw each other.”
“Yes, my boy, two whole weeks. How could you be so cruel to your mother?” Mum gave me a wicked smile, then hugged me again.
“Take it you're drawing up battle plans for the ball and dinner?” I followed Mum back to the table, laughing at the notes she had written alongside some of the names of people attending.
“Do you really think calling Lord Smart, the right royal lord, a pain in the arse is a good thing?” I picked up the table cards and laughed.
“Well, he's not going to see my notes, and I will admit he's not as annoying as some.” I laid the cards back on the table and leaned back.
“Have you ever met with the Tewsburys?”
“You mean your man Cullen's parents? Sadly, yes. I have a fair warning they’ll be at the ball. I assume you were bringing Cullen with you?”
I tapped my fingertips on the table and hummed in affirmation. “I want to. I was wondering about those amazing ball gowns you used to wear when we were kids. You know the ones with the huge skirts?”
Mum smiled. “I loved those dresses. They were an absolute nightmare to get into, but they were so much fun to wear. Why?”
“I want to find a skirt, well a ball gown skirt, organza probably, deep purple.” I already had the image in my head. I had found a corset vest in that same colour that I had decided Cullen would look amazing in and when I had sent the link to Cullen, he had been just as excited about it.
“I actually know of a place. He's only open a few days a week, but his gowns and skirts are amazing, and his shop is very inclusive. I'll write down the address. Let Trent know I sent you.” Mum gave me a measured look. I wouldn't betray Cullen's confidence yet. If and when he chose to wear his skirts was his decision, but I was most certainly going to fill his wardrobe with as many as I could.
“Thanks, Mum.”
“You’re welcome, Pet. I hope you find something nice for whoever it is.” Mum's eyes twinkled. I knew she was itching to know who, she could find out at the ball like everyone else.
I couldn't keep my eye off the package I had sitting in the passenger seat. I'd gone straight to the shop Mum had recommended after we talked. I was going to have to bringCullen back on Friday. He would go crazy with everything Trent had on offer. The shop owner himself was a darling dressed in the most exquisite pantsuit with a rope pearl necklace. The man oozed refinement. Cullen would either adore him or loathe him on sight.
While looking around the shop, I saw something I had to buy. A pale blue organza skirt with tiny yellow flowers embroidered all over it. I purchased it and the gorgeous blue lace panties and camisole top as well, praying my guess on Cullen's size was not too far out.
All through the drive home and then my shower, I kept worrying that maybe I had overstepped, and Cullen wouldn't like the gift, but I was going with my gut, which said Cullen was going to love his gifts, and it was just my own insecurities speaking.
I still had half an hour to kill before I headed down to Cullen's house. I was half tempted to text Aiden but then I remembered Cullen saying Aiden had another afternoon shift at the hospital. He would probably come back here to crash, but he had his own key now. I was half tempted to tell him to move out of the place he was in and just move into mine. I didn't want to jinx anything, but I hoped I'd be spending more of my time with Cullen than moping around at home.
Message sent and fresh linen and towels set out on the spare bed, it was finally time for me to head down to Cullen’s.
I couldn't wait to see my boy. Each time I said those words, the more I felt like his Daddy. I grabbed his surprise and the bottle of red that Cullen had suggested I pick up. He'd addressed me as Master Daddy, which was adorable, but also showed me the mindset he was in tonight. Seeing his father today had rattled Cullen more than he was probably letting on. Well, tonight, I was going to make sure Cullen focused on nothing but us. I was going to make my sweet sexy boy forget everything apart from us.
When Cullen opened the door wearing a fitted corset vest and a pair of sexy as fuck black trousers, I nearly forgot how to speak. His hazel eyes danced with mirth as I just stood and stared at him. The vest was cut to perfection, accentuating his narrow waist. His arms were bare save for black leather cuffs. His hair was combed back from his forehead in thick silver waves. How my boy could ever think he wasn’t appealing was beyond me.
“How the hell am I going to get through my meal without throwing you down on the table and making a main meal of you?” I walked forward and pulled Cullen into my arms.
Cullen came willingly, laughing lightly. “Oh no, Daddy, that would be terrible after all the effort I put into dinner.”
“And what delicacy have you prepared for me?” I buried my face in Cullen's neck, inhaling his scent. He'd worn the aftershave I adored on him.
“No laughing, but I cheated a little bit.” Cullen said.
Grabbing his waist, I led him backwards to get inside and kissed his face and lips. “How did you cheat, Princess?”
“Well, I wanted to make sure dinner was perfect, and we know what happened last time.”
“Yes, we do sweetheart, but you made sure to use the timer on your phone didn't you?”
Cullen nodded his head rapidly. “I did, Daddy, but I was worried about the meal, so I may have brought a ready-made lasagna, but I made the salad and garlic bread myself.”
