I shook my head, trying to chase those intrusive thoughts away.
There was nothing —and I meannothing— sexy about Peregrine bloody Bowers.
Honestly, I didn't believe myself either. The man was sex personified, and it irritated me to no end how much he ticked all my boxes.
I quickly packed my gear back into my bag, but not before Peregrine saw my tutu and stuffie. I shoved everything quickly into my bag while avoiding his eyes until I had my bag safely in my locker. Turning, I stood waiting for Peregrine to continue the conversation.
“No rush, Cullen, we have plenty of time. I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for doing this.” Perry crossed his absurdly long legs and leaned forward slightly. “I wanted to go over what I had planned for this evening and to go over yourchecklist. If there are any triggers or hard limits, and also if you have any impediments like, say, kneeling for a long time?”
I bristled at that. Was he having a dig at my age? But before I could launch into a self-indignant speech, Perry caught my eye and smiled softly. “My usual helper is recovering from a serious knee injury. We found ways to work around it.”
I straightened up a little, linking my hands behind my back and lifting my chin, giving Perry eye contact.
“Thank you, Sir. My knees are fine as long as it's not prolonged kneeling, then I've found a cushion helps with the pain.”
Perry nodded as he stood up and gracefully walked towards me.
I lifted my chin and sucked in my gut, pretending I really didn't care if he found me lacking. If I had sense, I would laugh at my own self-deceit.
“Roman tells me that you have had experience in High Protocol positions.” Perry walked slowly to the side of me, keeping his eyes focused on me the entire time.
I nodded but quickly realised that Perry wanted spoken answers. “Yes, Sir. It’s always been one of my core kinks.” I chuckled softly. “I discovered a friend's dirty mags when I was away at boarding school. They had some pretty interesting pictures, and I fell down the hole of D/s discovery.”
“We've not had the most cordial of relationships. Why did you agree to do this demonstration scene with me? A handsome sub like yourself cannot be that lacking in partners to scene with.”
I unwillingly let out a dry, humourless laugh. “Don't you mean old? Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be the same number of willing Doms as there were in my younger years. Is it my disagreeable nature or my advancing age? Who can tell? But I promise you, I will be the picture perfect submissive for you tonight.” Perry walked another circuit around me. I dropped my eyes and triedto even my breathing. I could behave. I could hold back the urge to argue and backchat him. I could.
The longer Perry stayed silent, the more nervous I became. Until I got there, I didn’t realise how much I needed to do the scene, even if it was only for demonstration purposes. I needed to feel the gentle press of dominance and the calm that it brought to my mind.
I felt the weight of Perry's stare on me. Did he want me to snap, to react to his prolonged silence? Well, he had another thing coming. Two could play at that game. I breathed deeply and willed my body to relax, to accept that this was a test and one I would ace.
“Forgive me my incredulity, but when Roman first suggested you, I couldn't believe it. You’re not a person I picture wanting to serve. I may have been mistaken.”
“You wouldn't be the first, Sir.” I avoided rolling my eyes. I really didn't want to start the night off by annoying the Dom I was about to scene with.
“Can you honestly say we can move past whatever the aggravation was between us?”
“We're both adults. I don't see why not.” Maybe what I thought was his judging me was my own insecurities. The annoyance I felt towards him misplaced and ill-directed. That was an unsettling thought.
“Look up, Cullen.” Peregrine's voice was firm, but I almost believed there was some warmth in his tone. I lifted my eyes and saw that he was smiling and that did strange things to my brain.
“You and I are going to have a wonderful evening, and I’m certain you will do me and yourself proud.” My chest constricted at the words.
In a moment of clarity, I saw, maybe for the first time, the man Perry was and that maybe my own prejudices regarding Perry had caused much of the animosity.
I cast my eyes downward. “Thank you, Sir.”
I needed to think about it all, but not right then. Right then, I wanted to drop to my knees and wallow in my submission. My initial reluctance when Roman had suggested this scene had vanished, and it was replaced with a need to prove myself to Perry.
Chapter Four
After I finished getting changed, Perry led me towards one of the plush couches that were off to one side of the main area of the club. We'd be doing our demonstration on the smaller stage later in the night. The Saint Andrew’s cross had been set up on the other stage in preparedness for Callum and Mouse. I hadn't seen either of them yet, but I was certain they were around some place.
“I think we should take the time we have to sit and talk. Most of our conversations before today have consisted of sarcastic quips and thinly veiled insults.”
“Not so veiled from me,” I answered, my cheeks heating in shame when I thought of our various interactions. I felt uncomfortable. I didn't like feeling I might be in the wrong. It made my stomach hurt, and my brain felt knotted up. I also just didn't like being wrong on principle.
“You look deep in thought Cullen.”
