Perry should smile more often. He looked handsome when he did. The way his eyes crinkled in the corners was surprisingly attractive.
Wait. What the hell was I doing? Why did I care if he smiled enough?
“You do like him,” Seb whisper-hissed at me, grinning like the kitten who'd gotten the cream. He was almost bouncing in excitement.
“I bloody do not. He's just not the stuck-up arsehole I thought he was, that's all. I still think he’s a bit of a snob, but for a Master like him it’s not strange.”
“But you like all that fancy stuff, the proper poses and kneeling.” The way Seb said it sounded like it was the most boring thing in the world to him.
“Not interested in it?”
“Daddy and I have tried a couple of times. I like being able to do things for him, um, acts of service I think he called it. You know how much he and Papa work, so it’s nice to do things for them, but the poses and ceremonial stuff…let’s just say last time Daddy tried teaching me, I might have fallen asleep. It really was his fault for taking so long.”
A loud laugh escaped from me, causing the men at the bar to turn and look.
I smiled sweetly at them and waved, then turned back to Seb. “Don't ever change, Seb.”
Seb bumped his shoulder gently against mine. “I won't, but before I forget, Mouse said after he and Cal have their scene, he’s going to chill out in the playroom and said if you could, you should come join us.”
It was tempting to say yes, but I didn't know how I would feel after my scene with Perry. “I'll see how I feel later.” Sebastain seemed appeased. I couldn't say no to him. Still, I always felt like the odd boy out when I went in there because most of the littles and middles in the club had a Mommy or Daddy and there I was on my own. Cal and the others tried to fill the void by acting like my big brothers instead of daddies, but I still felt on the outside.
“Okay.” Seb was a sweet boy and knew better than to try and push me. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and hugged me before he stood and then ran back over towards his Papa.
I shook my head, laughing softly at Seb's retreating figure. That boy had nearly as much energy as Mouse did.
“Here you go. One roast beef sandwich and a side of crisps.” I looked at the plate held in front of me. How the heck did he know that was my go-to meal here? Perry smiled and rubbed the side of his face, looking guilty.
“I cheated and asked Marco what you prefer to eat, and he said you loved these roast beef rolls, but you also have to have a side of crisps with it. Marco told me to remind you to eat the roll first, then you can have the crisps.”
I snorted, then looked at the plate, and my stomach growled loudly. “I’ll forgive you this time.” I took a bite and moaned loudly. Ewan, the chef, made his own rolls fresh at his restaurant and brought them to the club to make up the snacks. They were buttery and soft, and the roast beef was cooked to perfection.
Perry sat down next to me, crossing his legs and looking relaxed. “These couches are heaven. I'd love to know where Marco and Roman found them.”
“Knowing Roman as I do, he probably found some amazing secret sofa shop that you have to sell your soul and ten years’ worth of earnings just to peek inside.” Perry chuckled softly at my answer. “So, a bit rich for my tastes then.”
I stopped chewing and looked at him. “But aren't you some high and mighty earl’s son?”
“I am, which means I'm more comfortable in hand-me-down clothes and helping my parents run open days at the house to help fund the repair of the east wing roof.” Perry answered before stealing a crisp from my plate.
“Now, I want to check if you’re okay with what I have planned for the demonstration tonight.” Perry turned his body towards me. I felt I had his full attention.
“Everything you said about tonight sounds good. Are you wanting me on speech restrictions? I would suggest it would be for the best lest my natural inclination to sass may sneak out.”
Tipping his head towards me, Perry spoke, “You would follow that rule even though I’m not your actual Dominant?”
“You are for the scene we’re undertaking, even if it is only for demonstration. It's still a scene and disregarding what you may or may not think of me, I do respect Dominants. I just don't suffer fools easily, and I’m beginning to understand you are no fool.”
“I think you just gave me a compliment.” Perry clutched his chest in mock shock.
“Don't get used to it. Now let me finish the food you told me I had to eat.” I shoved a handful of crisps into my mouth and chewed loudly
“You really can be a cheeky brat.” Perry shook his head, still smiling at my shenanigans. “It strikes me that you and I know fuck all about each other,” he added bluntly. I found myself nodding in agreement.
“What do you want to know?” I said before I shoved another handful of crisps in my mouth. I really was hungry after all.
“Okay, for starters, how did you get into D/s?” I nodded again. It made sense to ask about my kink history.
“As I said, I found a magazine a fellow student had, and it had these amazing drawings by Tom of Finland.” Perry smiled in recognition. “There was something about those men that sixteen-year-old me found heavenly, still do, to this day. Once I got to uni and med school, I didn't have a lot of free time, but I made a friend who had the same newly awoken interests, and we spent what free time we had trying to find places where men like us with more than a slight kinky side might hang out. This was long before Roman and Marco set up the original Club Crimson, but we'd found some amazing leather clubs.” I smiled remembering those times.
