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.
Chapter Nineteen
“Son, you’re going to pace a hole through the carpet if you keep this up, and that rug is from King Henry's time.” Dad shook his head at me. We had been sent to the other end of the house while my mum was helping Cullen with the final touches for his outfit for the ball tonight. The guests were starting to arrive downstairs. Mum had invited everyone she knew from local lordlings to Mrs Smith who owned the haberdashery store. The annual ball was for everyone as far as my parents were concerned.
“I saw the lads from the tattoo shop had RSVP'd for tonight, that’s going to freak out Lady Derwent.” Dad’s grin was evil.
“Good. I'm glad you guys have made the event for everyone. If it wasn't for local support, this old place wouldn’t be standing today.”
“No truer words, my boy. I'm terribly glad you have brought your young man tonight, stand up chap unlike that father of his.” Dad had taken a shine to Cullen the moment they met. Cullen, for his part, had been his cheeky delightful self. My mother had announced that Cullen was now part of the Bowers family, andhis parents could take a flying leap, I was shocked she didn’t say outright the Tewsburys could go fuck themselves.
A bell sounded somewhere in the house. That was our queue to head downstairs. Cullen and my mother had been very secretive about what Cullen was wearing tonight. The three of us had gone to Trent's store, the man was terrifying, and Cullen was completely smitten, and I had happily drunk Trent's amazing coffee and written notes for my latest novel. I still hadn't told Cullen about my secret writing side hustle. I really should tell him he'd spurred my brain into wanting to write a whole new series. I'd tell him after the ball tonight. I wanted him to be the centre of attention and to feel like the princess he'd always wanted to be.
Dad and I headed down to the main dining hall. The guests had gathered in the grand foyer. I smiled when I saw Rhys and Mouse standing to one side giggling, so I’m sure there would be some sort of mischief afoot though I wasn't going to search too deeply. That was a job for their Daddies to sort out. Simon and Cal were off to one side cornered by Lady Mont DuRelion, a grand dame in her eighties who looked suspiciously like she was flirting with both Simon and Cal.
I found a spot to wait for Cullen and looked around the room. Mum, my sister Mary, and Jacob the family housekeeper had done an amazing job in setting up the rooms for tonight.
A collective gasp sounded around the room and turned to see my mother and Cullen descending the stairs. I stepped forward and couldn't take my eyes off my boy. Resplendent in royal purple, he smiled shyly lifting his full organza skirt so he could tread carefully down the stairs. I hid a smile when I spotted the sparkly purple Converse. He let down his skirt as he stepped down the final step. It floated around him in a sea of purple. He had a tight purple embroidered corset vest on, with the bow on the back resting suggestively over the rise of his arse. Fuckinghell he looked a vision. I could hear murmurs around me, some scandalised but a majority chiming how amazing he looked. The moment was broken when Mouse's voice rang out across the room.
“Holy shit our doc is a hottie.” A dozen voices murmured in agreement, and my boy blushed scarlet.
Mum took Cullen's arm and led him towards me. I shook my head in amazement.
“You look fucking gorgeous.” I slapped a hand over my mouth and looked at my mum. She crowed in laughter then kissed my cheek. “Don't worry sweetie, I said the same thing. Now the two of you have fun.” Mum passed Cullen to my waiting arms, then walked off to find my father.
I didn't care what was going on in the rest of the room, all I could focus on was Cullen. He looked breathtaking and extraordinarily happy.
“May I have the first dance?” I bowed slightly, tipping my head. I saw Cullen blush and smile.
“All of the dances are yours for the taking, though I make no promises on my ability.” Cullen answered, taking my hands in his and leading us towards the dance floor.
Honestly, he could tread on my toes and have two left feet. I didn't care a bit as long as I got to spend the evening, not just the night, but the rest of my life with this gorgeous man. I'd be the happiest man alive.
“Daddy.” Cullen's voice dropped to a whisper; his lips close to my ear.
“Yes, Princess?” I twirled us around sharing a grin as Simon and Rhys twirled near us. Simon moved with surprising grace for a man his size.
“I really do feel like your princess tonight.” Cullen stopped and smiled. “I didn't think I'd get the chance to ever be really happy, to be myself without the ghosts of my past haunting me, butyou've helped me see past the pain and anger and find that the world has a lot more to offer me, and you are that reason. I love you, Peregrine Bowers. or should I say James Saint Laurent?” Cullen's grin was devilish.
“I love you, baby, but how did you find out?” I was gobsmacked, and Cullen looked rather pleased with himself.
