I checked my room; the sunblock drapes had been pulled fast, and I had set my alarm for 4pm. That would give me plenty of time to eat and get showered and off to the club.
I pulled out my Judge Dred comic to read but my eyes were feeling heavy. Rolling over, I carefully placed my comic on my bedside table. I'd ruined one too many comics by falling asleep with them in bed and crushing them.
My chin was gently knocked as Tennyson wiggled his tiny body between my chin and chest. “I thought we talked about this.”
Tennyson made a soft chirping meow and headbutted my chin again as if to tell me to shut up.
“Okay fine, you furry rascal. Even though you have a luxurious bed of your own but, for whatever reason, my chest seems to be the place to sleep.”
I blinked sleepily and stroked Ten's soft fur, his warm body and soft purr lulling me to sleep.
Chapter Three
The sun was setting behind the low hills as I pulled up the long drive that led to Crimson House. I wound down my window and breathed in the fresh earthy smells. The land around the house had been a working farm for generations before Roman and Marco bought the place, and they continued with it once they owned the land, though they hired a local family to do the actual farming side. As I drove down the gravel drive, it seemed like the large trees that ran on either side of the road opened to reveal Crimson House. Its stone walls glowed under the pastel spotlights that dotted the yard.
It had been close to two years since Roman and Marco had uprooted themselves from the city to move out there. Their club back in the city was still going strong, but was now under the stewardship of their club manager, Andrew, who'd been with the original club since its inception and was a long-term member like me. Crimson House, in the short amount of time it had been running, had become my home away from home, and I was already mentally kicking myself for spending so much time away from the place.
Walking through the big arched doors did something to my brain. My clinical doctor persona took a hike and that softer side, my younger self, peeked out. I could feel myself relaxing my shoulders. The tension I carried slipped from me, but not totally. I was never able to fully surrender myself, always holding onto that thin sliver of sensible doctor as a safety net, I supposed.
“Cullen, looking sexy as ever.” Marcos's heavily accented voice floated through the entrance hall. I smiled, spotting him and Sebastian walking towards me.
Before I could answer, I was wrapped in an attack hug from Sebastian. “Missed you, grumpy pants.”
“Hello, Seb. You know there’s nothing stopping you from coming up to the clinic when you’re in town. I always have time for a visit from you, and I know Rhys would love to spend more time with you.” I answered, hugging Seb to my side for a moment before letting him return to his daddy.
“I know, but I know how busy doctors can be, and I don't want to be a bother.”
“Nonsense. Let us know next time you're in town, and we’ll make time for a catch up. And you're right; I've spent too much time away from the club. But now I need to go and get changed and find Master Peregrine.” I managed to keep my tone neutral when saying his name, not letting my usual sarcasm slip through.
“Oh, Daddy Ro said you were going to help Master P with his demonstration tonight, that must be so exciting. I'm not sure I would be any good at all the pretty poses I've heard you have to do, or be quiet long enough to make a good slave boy for my daddies.”
“We would have you no other way, Pet.” I forgot Marco was standing there. For a large man, he was able to seamlessly blend into the background when he wanted.
Sebastian tilted his head towards Marco and chuckled. “Not my daddies being super biased or anything.”
“I've heard a rumour that daddies like to do things like that, and he's right, you are perfect the way you are. And believe me, keeping my brat in control can be a challenge even for me, but sometimes letting him out is worth it.” In my mind, I pictured the last scene I had with a Dom named Tobin. We had such fantastic chemistry in scenes that I felt free enough to let my brat and middle out to play. He baited and challenged me, and I took the bait, earning a lovely red backside thanks to his amazing paddling skills.
Sadly, Tobin had moved away for work before we'd been able to see if we were compatible longer term, but we still emailed and talked often.
“Perry is in the lounge. We'll let him know you're here if you like,” Marco said, guiding Seb back towards the club proper, and I headed towards the changing rooms.
The club’s changing rooms were something out of a period drama piece. The door from the hallway opened into a huge dressing room space that was almost oval in shape, with two plush ottomans at its centre. Along one wall was a bank of dressing tables with oval mirrors surrounded with lights. Hidden along another wall was a bank of lockers built into an ornate wooden unit. Each member had their own locker, and there was another bank of lockers on the other side of the room for guests. My locker was closest to the showers. I threw my bag onto the nearby bench and started to unpack. First out were myshorts and harness. The leather was soft and supple and smooth to the touch. I loved how it felt when I wore it.
I laid them out on the bench, then reached back into my bag and touched the plastic bag that held my colouring books and pencils. My steam deck was tucked into an inside pocket. I didn't know if I would get a chance to hide out in the playroom, but my brain was itching for some downtime. I'd not let myself connect with my middle side in weeks, and I felt like I might explode if I didn't get a chance soon.
I didn't regress as young as Rhys, though I'd never really had a daddy around to feel safe enough to truly let go and find out where I fit. My fingers brushed against smooth satin and soft chiffon, and I smiled as I lifted the tutu. My tiara was also in my bag and, depending on how I felt after the scene with Perry, I might come back and get changed. I could always see if Seb was in the playroom and hang out with him and Sam.
Leo was last in my bag. I gave him a quick squeeze before I put him aside. Though I saw myself as more of a middle, I still loved some things that others would associate with being a little, like my stuffies and my divided plates, but as with all things kink, there was no one-size-fits-all, and I was a very odd-shaped block.
My halter fit like a second skin; its thick leather straps sat comfortably across my chest and shoulders. I wasn't ashamed of my body. I'd always looked after myself even if I did have a devilish sweet tooth that I gave into more often than not, but I exercised regularly. In the mirror, I could see the latest tattoo I had gotten. Cal hadn't quite finished the shading yet, but I could see part of the phoenix’s wings wrapping around my waist.
Ink adorned most of my skin by this point. What started as a ‘fuck you’ to my parents turned into an obsession. Each piece that I got had some meaning, and not just world-changing events, but things that were personal to me. My grandmother'sfavourite flowers in remembrance of a kind and supportive soul who was there for Anne and me, a caduceus for when I graduated medical school, a Game Boy, a tiara, and a shadowed outline of a man kneeling. So many stories that brought a smile to my face each time I looked at them.
I lifted my eyes and saw Perry staring back in the mirror, his expression unreadable. My stomach swooped, and I couldn’t break my gaze from his until I saw his eyes dip towards my belongings.
I spun on my heel and faced him, trying to keep my expression neutral. “I was coming to see you once I changed.” I don't know why I felt I had to justify what I was doing. Perry gave a slight inclination of his head, and his lips twitched into what was almost a smile.
He moved further into the room towards one of the padded benches and sat. I cursed inwardly at how he could make something as humdrum as sitting look sexy.
