Chapter 2

Two

CALLUM

I watched Mouse swaying to the music, his deep brown eyes lost in thought while the youngsters danced around him. The music changed to a slow melody, one made for dancing close, and I glanced over at Simon and saw he was doing just that, Rhys nestled in his arms.

Sappy bastard that he was, he saw me looking and grinned like a big, orange cat who'd not only stolen the saucer of cream, but the whole damn bottle.

I couldn't think of two people more perfectly suited. I glanced over to see Mouse looking in the same direction, his expression wistful. Mouse was a barrel of contradictions. Infuriating and blisteringly funny, moody and giving. I'd given up trying to understand the man years ago, and now I was beginning to think I'd done him and me a disservice.

I was fond of him. I'd never made any bones about that. But of late, I'd found myself watching him with more than a platonic gaze. Having Mouse move in with Alice and me after his split from Ziggy had been a spur of the moment decision. Seeing him at the pub, drunk and depressed, I'd had to do the right thing.

I was surprised how easily he slipped into our household, bonding quickly with Alice, even offering to pick her up from school when my mum or I couldn't. He was still argumentative and given to darker moods, but he kept them hidden, or tried to. I'd become good at reading him in the years since he'd been a bratty, fun-loving, young teenager hanging around at the shop wanting to learn how to tattoo and pierce.

He'd changed after the crash. The death of his mum had affected him deeply. He'd gone back to art school, and I understood why. He'd needed a distraction from the loss of his mum and the guilt he probably felt, and he'd needed to be away from his dad and Simon.

When he'd come back to Tewsbury with Ziggy in tow, he was a changed man. He was missing some of that cheeky brat, the young man who'd flirted and sassed me when he was younger, who was always up for a laugh and teased his brother mercilessly.

Over the last year, I'd started to see his spark coming back. Him leaving Ziggy had been a bonus. I'd never hidden my dislike for the guy. Mouse was too good for that shiftless wanker.

Mouse stirred feelings in me that had been dormant for a long time. When he sassed me or did something bordering on bratty, the urge to put him over my knee and spank some sense into him was getting stronger. It had been years since I'd had a submissive of my own, not just one of Club Crimson's sweet subs. Mostly they were darling boys who enjoyed a good spanking or a turn with my paddle, but few of them craved what I really wanted to give them.

Shaking my head, I had to laugh. Mouse didn't have a submissive bone in his body—well, as far as I knew. Simon said he was more than accepting of Rhys's Little side, and even spent time with Rhys when he was in Little space.

Looking over at him dancing slowly with Alice, I could admit, at least in the privacy of my own head, that he'd grown into a sexy man. One, if things weren't so complicated, that I would happily fuck until the only thing he could think about was my cock in his arse. But life was complicated, and I had Alice and the shop to think about, not to mention the close to twenty-year age gap between us. All those reasons didn't stop me wanting him.

I had a handle on this though. It would be fine.

Without thinking, I made my way to Mouse who was slowly rocking to the haunting voice of Sinéad O'Connor. I leaned in close. "You saving this dance for anyone special? Or can I cut in?" Mouse opened his eyes and blinked at me. It was nearly impossible not to get lost in those dark depths. Up this close to Mouse, our difference in height was really noticeable. The top of his head barely brushed my collar. He looked up at me and smiled, a faint twist of his lips, soft and genuine.

"If you want, though I'm pretty shit at slow dancing."

I slid my arm around his waist and pulled him against me as we rocked slowly to the music. I could hear Mouse singing softly along to the song.

"You were brilliant with young Benji," I told him as I spun us around slowly. Mouse brought his arms up and laced his fingers behind my neck, slowly relaxing in my arms.

"I didn't do anything special. He seemed like a brilliant kid, and Alice likes him." Mouse smiled softly as he talked about them. His arms were a comforting weight around my neck. This close I could smell the spicy cologne he was wearing. I wanted to dip my head down and run my nose along his throat, where I knew the scent would be at its strongest, but thankfully, I kept my composure and my wits.

"Should probably arrange a proper play date for them after school, but I was booked solid all week with clients and Mum's going to be picking Alice up most days," I said, as I turned Mouse around in another slow circle. I liked the feel of him under my hands, the way my hands sat just right on his narrow hips.

"I've got a quiet day Friday. I could pick them up. Arrange it with Benji's mum," Mouse answered, turning his head to look at the two youngsters dancing with Doc, who seemed to be enjoying himself.

"You'd do that? You know you don't have to. I can try to shift around some clients." I was flummoxed by how willing Mouse was to help with Alice. I just worried I'd made him feel like he had to.

Mouse tugged gently on the short hairs on the back of my head. "If I didn't want to, I wouldn't have offered. Besides, Friday is half day for Alice. The teachers have a staff thing, and your mum has her trip to visit your aunt's, remember?"

I stared blankly at him. "How do you know all of this?" I asked, a little chagrined .

"Um, that would be because I pay attention to when your mum talks and don't zone out. Seriously though, the shop has been slammed, and you and Sy have been working double time since Rez headed back to London. We really need another piercer so I can start taking on more tattoo clients."

I nodded in agreement. We really did need another artist. I was hoping Simon's cousin coming over would take off some of the stress. "Simon said your cousin might be willing to stay on a bit longer, if we can get his visa sorted out."

"Jesus. Another bloody bearded giant, just what the shop needs." Mouse laughed, shaking his head. "Jakob is a good bloke, even if he does like country music. Kinky fucker too, so he should fit in well with you and Simon."

I arched a brow. "And how do you know who's kinky or not in the shop?"

"You'd be surprised what I know. Just because I am that red-haired idiot's little brother doesn't mean I'm vanilla ice cream."

I coughed, trying to cover my shock. "I wouldn't be stupid enough to assume anything where you're concerned."

"Uh-huh." Mouse gave a sad smile before he dropped his arms. The song had finished, and he reached into the back pocket of his jeans. "Sorry, I have to take this."

"Yeah, no problem. And see, I didn't even stomp on your toes."

Mouse's lips twitched in a half smile. "You were a perfect gentleman." His smile turned teasing as he stepped away from me .

I found my way to the open bar and considered having a glass of the top-shelf single malt I knew Simon had hiding behind the bar for family, but I opted for a pint of bitter. I'd only have one drink, as I'd put my hand up to be taxi tonight. Scanning the crowded hall, I couldn't see Mouse, but I was sure he'd be back.

Taking a long swallow of my beer, I nearly spat it back out again when Doc slapped me firmly on the back. The man was totally unrepentant when I shot him a glare over my shoulder.

"Sorry, couldn't resist." Doc didn't look sorry at all. He was grinning like the Cheshire cat. The man was a Grade A brat.

"Did you get tired of trading barbs with Perry?" It was my turn to grin when Doc scowled and muttered expletives.

"That man is insufferable. Argues with me on every point. Will not see reason or meet me halfway."

I sighed, taking another drink of my beer. This had to be about the laneway that Doc's practice and Perry's hair salon shared. "The laneway?"

"Yes, and his propensity for listening to pop music too early on a Sunday morning. He's living in the flat above his shop, which just so happens to be right alongside mine." Doc sighed and let out an amused chuckle. "I'm being a grump again, aren't I?"

I held my hand up with my thumb and pointer slightly apart. "Just a little bit."

"I don't know how or why he does this to me." Doc stole my beer and took a long swallow before handing it back, ignoring my raised eyebrows .

"Better?" I asked, looking sadly at the empty pint glass.

"Much. Now tell me, did I see you and young Mouse dancing?"

"Yeah, we promised the kids we'd dance with them. Alice has taken a real shine to Benji."

Doc looked over towards the two where they now sat colouring, surrounded by a mound of party food. "Fast friends, I would say."

"Yeah, Mouse has suggested the two of them have a play date Friday after school. He said he'd watch the kids so they could hang out."

"Did he now? He seems to have settled in well at yours." Doc's eyes twinkled with amusement.

"He has. And get your thoughts out of your pants, you dirty brat. We're mates."

Doc shrugged, smiling. "I never said you weren't, but you seemed to be quite close over Christmas."

"We were no different than we normally are. I'm letting him stay at the house, that's all. He's a good man despite his prickly nature, and it works well." I may have answered a little more gruffly than I intended, but with Doc you had to draw a firm line. The man was relentless when an idea got stuck in his head. He needed a boyfriend, or at least a firm Dom to keep him occupied.

"Yes, I'm sure you're right. It's just, I'm not sure if you realise how he looks at you." Doc was serious now, all teasing gone.

"He looks at me like I'm the annoying bastard he works for and shares a house with," I answered, reaching for another beer but stopping myself.

Doc ran his hand down his beard thoughtfully. "Yes, there is that, but I think he's looking for something. Something I don't even think he is aware of."

I shook my head, not wanting to get into this conversation. "Just because Rhys and Simon found each other doesn't mean you have to start matchmaking the town, Cullen. Besides, if we're going to start pointing Cupid's arrow around willy-nilly, what about you and Peregrin?"

"If you want to keep your balls where they are, you will never utter such slander again. That man is the devil in blue eyeliner."

I let out a loud laugh at Doc's indignation. He was blind. With the unusual dynamic that was building between him and Perry, I personally thought the strong-willed, handsome hairdresser was a perfect foil for Doc. He didn't seem easily cowed by Doc's growl—but that wasn't my barrel of monkeys to deal with.

"Fine," he said. "I take the hint. I will keep my opinions on your lack of love life to myself, though you really do need to find a nice little sub and beat their arse. I'd offer, but we both know I'm a bit of a delicate flower compared to the submissive you need, Sir." Then the shit stirrer batted his long lashes at me. Whoever was lucky enough to finally tie that man down was going to be in for a hell of a ride.

"I'm going to go terrorise our newly engaged friends. Care to join me?"

Doc stuck his arm out and I linked mine through his.

"Sounds like a good plan. Let's see how red we can get Rhys to blush," Doc replied as he snagged another drink off the table. "Oh, and don't forget you promised Rhys a song." He smirked at my groan.

"A man should not be held accountable to what he said under the influence of scrumpy." I shook my head, wishing I hadn't promised Rhys I'd sing. I'd do it, though. Otherwise, the lad would give Simon the puppy eyes and then Simon would look all hangdog and I'd give in anyway, so there really was no point in trying to get out of it.

Goddamn it, why had I decided to be the sober one tonight?