Page 11 of Forever Ink

Doc let out a barking laugh. “I know that is your roundabout way of asking if I am still coming to Simon’s dad’s and the answer is yes. My parents took it about as well as I thought they would, like I was betraying the nation, or god forbid, voting Labour.”

“Oh, that’s all?”

“You know, it was actually rather liberating telling them no. I think I might do it a bit more regularly. Besides, they’ve invited the ex up to spend the holidays, and while Elisebeth and I remain friendly, she is very much cut from the same cloth as my parents. A week of them giving me disapproving looks and snide remarks, and I would probably end up getting myself disinherited—which now I come to think of it I probably have. Oh well, I’ll just have to keep working in my lowly profession.” Doc smiled, but I could see the hurt behind his steel grey–eyes.

“I’m sorry they don’t respect your choices, Cullen.”

“Oh, I’ve put up with their disapproval for nearly fifty years, it’s water off an old duck’s back, Rhys.” Doc gave me a wide smile “Do you know, that’s the first time you’ve used my actual first name since I met you.”

That took me by surprise, but thinking about it, everyone called him Doc, or Doc Cullen. Nobody ever just called him Cullen. The mail delivered to the clinic was always addressed to Doctor Cullen Tewsbury Medical Clinic.

“Okay, this is going to sound daft, but all the letters are addressed to Doc Cullen, Tewsbury Medical Clinic. Why don’t they use your last name?”

Doc let out a soft laugh. “Actually, lad, they do. It’s Tewsbury.”

“No f—flipping way. Like the town? Our town?”

“Yep, my great great great grandfather was an old scoundrel and a sailor. I would even go as far as saying he was a bit of a pirate and he founded the cove as a resting spot for his ships. The land hereabouts was ripe for a village and most of his crews set up homes here. They moved from smuggling and other nefarious jobs to fishing and the like. I love to bring up every now and again, how my father’s forefather was a sea-going rogue and deviant in his day. I’m rather fond of the old pirate, but of course my great grandfather tried to have the whole thing covered up and made Tobias into some wealthy merchant sailor.”

“Holy shit!” This was the coolest thing I’d ever heard, and Doc looked pretty pleased at my reaction. “Okay, so you take after him then?”

Doc let out a loud belly laugh, then hushed when Mrs Owen gave him a reproachful look. “I suppose I do. Did you know there are old family rumours that say he buried his ill-gotten gains somewhere about the bay?”

“So you think there might be gold buried out there somewhere?” I asked, caught up in my thoughts of pirates and treasure.

“More likely kegs of rum, but it’s a fun thing to think about. I have a lot of old books about the area and history if you’re interested?”

Interested? Hell, yes. Mind you, the thoughts of pirates were fuelling a few fantasies of Simon in pirate garb. I must have pulled a face because Doc let out a deep chuckle.

“Do I even want to know where your mind went, Rhys?”

I blushed, then without thinking I said, “Big red-haired pirate captains taking me captive and having their wicked way.”

Doc’s eyes went wide then he burst out laughing. “Rhys, my friend, don’t ever change.”

I fiddled with my napkin, trying to think how I could ask Doc something that had been on my mind. It was probably a subject I could have talked to Mouse about, but he was a bit too close to the situation, and there was only so much I wanted my boyfriend’s brother to know about what we got up to in the bedroom.

“Spit it out, Rhys. You’re wearing your ‘I want to ask a question but I might combust with embarrassment’ face,” Doc quipped, popping another cake in his mouth.

“I’m not.”

Doc just stared at me.

“Okay, fine.” I leaned forward. “Simon’s being extra Daddy right now, careful not to push me.” I emphasised the last point.

Doc smiled “And you want him not to be quite so careful?”

I gave a huff. “He has rope and all sorts of fun things hidden in that toy chest of his, and I’m ready to explore more.”

I really was. I might have snuck a peek inside the chest the other day and seen the pretty silky rope that Simon had coiled neatly. It had felt so soft, and my brain had immediately latched onto what it would be like tied up and at Simon’s mercy.

“Talk to him, Rhys. Be open and honest about what you’re feeling, maybe use those sad eyes you’re so damn good at. But also, try to understand it from his point of view. He nearly lost you, and he’s hyperaware of the abuse you suffered.”

“But I know he won’t hurt me like that. I’ve told him I trust him,” I answered a little hotly.

Doc levelled me a stern look. “Talk to Simon, Rhys, I’m pretty sure once he knows you’re on board with trying new things, he will come around quickly.”

“Well, he better, or I am going to be the one tying him to the bed,” I huffed.

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