Page 17 of Rogue Royal
Zara’s full lips spread into a smile, her teeth showing brightly. “But it’s different to see your face.” She frowned. “You’re tired, TG. What’s going on?”
‘TG’ had become Zara’s nickname for him as soon as he had told her his name was Maverick. She had shortened the filmTop Gunto TG and forever called him it.
“Nothing a couple of days off won’t cure.”
“You have two days off?” Zara’s mouth dropped open. “Now I know you’re ill. What happened?”
Mav rolled his eyes. “I had a migraine. They offered me a couple of days to get over it. That’s all.”
“Hmm.” Zara narrowed her eyes. “Not sure I believe it’s everything, but whatever. You’re as stubborn as a mule with explaining stuff. Ooh, were you playing?” She gestured towards the phone, and Mav assumed she meant the guitar.
“I was about to when you messaged.”
“Please! Play me something. I’ve not heard you for ages!” She pouted and clasped her hands together, her phone obviously on a stand on her desk from what Mav could see in the background.
“All right. What do you want to hear? Bear in mind, I’ve not practised for a while.”
“You don’t need to ask, do you?”
Mav shook his head. “Give me a sec.” He reached for his stand and rested his phone on it on the coffee table. She wouldn’t be able to see all of him, but she could hear. He hoped he could do it justice since he’d not played it for months.
As the first bars ofCalifornia Dreamin’shakily floated through the air, he lost himself to the music. The song took him back to his university days when they would sit on the grass in the sunshine, and he would play the guitar, and Zara would sing, along with anyone else who wanted to join in. It was a regular event many people looked forward to, he was told later.
The last note ended, and he opened his eyes, focusing on the phone where Zara was sitting with tears in her eyes.
“I love the way you play that song.”
Mav chuckled and ducked his head, uncomfortable with the words. “What are you doing today?” He changed the subject, removing the guitar strap and resting the instrument against the sofa. Picking up the phone, he drifted to the kitchen for more coffee while Zara told him about the events they had booked in. Their business was growing so fast, they’d needed to hire two employees to keep up with the workload.
He discussed several ideas with her for their business while he made a snack—cheese and crackers and a bowl of mixed fruit—and sat with his feet up on the coffee table. He’d taken a bite when Zara’s words made him choke.
After he’d cleared his throat, he drank some water, then asked her to repeat what she’d said.
She chuckled. “Someone booked us to provide a BDSM-themed wedding.”
“Isn’t it…Won’t they…Why?” Mav couldn’t get his mouth to work.
Zara’s eyes twinkled. “Why not? If it’s what they want, and they don’t want to hide, why not?”
Mav frowned, staring out of the window into the cloudless sky. Why would someone want such an intimate part of their relationship spread out before their family and friends? He could hardly talk about what his relationships were like, and he certainly couldn’t let them view it.
“You’re thinking awfully hard over there.”
Mav glanced back to Zara, who had her head propped on her palm. “I don’t understand how someone could be so…” He paused, unable to find the right word.
“Upfront? Outgoing? Exposed? Free?”
“Yeah, any of them.”
Zara sighed. “The world is changing, Mav. People are not as shy about their relationships now. They choose happiness instead of hiding.”
He understood the underlying meaning of her words, though he knew she wouldn’t say anything to him. Opening up to people was his downfall, as several previous relationships had taught him. Or as his exes had said when they explained why they had cheated on him.
He bit his lip, chewing on the side of it. He didn’t see his life changing soon, especially with the high-profile job he had now. It wasn’t only the royal family scrutinised in the media; staff members were, too. Including him.
“How isyourHighness?”
Mav pursed his lips and tried not to laugh. “He isn’tmyanything. And he’s a thorn in my side, most of the time.” The words hurt to say because Douglas had been so kind the last couple of times they’d met. The animosity they usually displayed had disappeared for some reason.
