Page 18 of Rogue Royal
“Bet you’d like his thorn somewhere else.” Zara waggled her eyebrows and shoulders.
This time he did laugh. “Grow up, Z.”
“That’s better. I prefer the smile on your face instead of a frown.”
They talked for a few more minutes until Tex called for her in the background.
“I have to go, but don’t be a stranger, yeah? Call me.”
“Promise. Now, buzz off.”
Zara blew him a kiss and ended the call. Mav stayed where he was, transferring his focus to the window once more. He had always thought BDSM was something you didn’t advertise to people, but the royal family had an entire club where people knew about it. Was it different if people from the same background knew about it than people with a…vanilla—he had no idea if it was the right word—lifestyle? He didn’t know much about BDSM, but he knew he wasn’t into pain or punishment.
But Douglas had been careful with him when he’d given him the massage. What did it mean?
The thoughts circled through his mind once more before he brushed them aside. They were getting him nowhere, anyway. Despite telling Douglas he would take two days off, he grabbed his tablet and phone and did a cursory check of the media sites. Nothing jumped out at him as important or hinting at Douglas having done something; therefore, he appeared to be keeping his word.
Relaxing further, Mav picked up his guitar once more and played a few songs, his fingers remembering the placements they needed to be in. Out of practice, he had to stop after a few songs because his fingers hurt, but he planned to make it a regular thing. He might take it back to Windsor with him if he had to stay there for a while again.
He made homemade cheesy chips and a cheeseburger for dinner and settled in front of the TV. It was strange to be home and not working on something relating to the royal family. Nice, but strange.
****
A knock on his door woke him from where he’d fallen asleep on the sofa, and he blinked to clear his vision. When it didn’t work, he rubbed at his eyes and yawned. The knock sounded again, and he scrambled to his feet, frowning. He never had any visitors. Who would be here? He checked the peephole, and his mouth dropped open.
“What?” He wrenched the door open and yanked Douglas inside, closing the door again. “What are you doing here? This isn’t a place for a prince to be roaming around.” He put his hands on his hips and glared at him. “Please tell me someone knows where you are?”
“You didn’t answer my messages. I was…worried.” Douglas straightened and turned to the TV. “And yes, Eric is outside.”
Mav couldn’t see his expression. “Worried? Why?”
Douglas cleared his throat and faced him again. “You weren’t feeling well yesterday, and then you didn’t reply to my messages. I thought something had happened.”
Mav dropped his head forward and massaged the back of his neck. “Sorry. After I got your message, I received another one from a friend, and I got sidetracked.”
“Do you still have a headache?” Douglas took a step closer.
Mav shook his head. “No, why?”
“You’ve been rubbing the back of your neck.”
He slid his hands into his pockets. “Oh. No, I’m feeling much better now. I slept eleven hours last night.” He lifted one shoulder.
“You definitely needed a break.” Douglas raised his eyebrows. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.” He hesitated. “I’ll leave you.”
Douglas stepped past him, brushing against Mav. Mav shivered. “Wait.” He hadn’t realised he was going to speak before the words whispered in the air. His heart pounded, his breathing increased, and he focused on a spot on the floor, too scared to move. He didn’t know what he was asking for.
Heat bled through his silk shirt, and he knew Douglas had closed the space between them, though they didn’t touch. The hair on Mav’s body lifted as he noticed the slightest movement from behind him.
“What do you want, Maverick?”
The warmth from Douglas’s whisper coasted across his ear, and Mav tilted his head, his eyelids flickering closed. His nails dug into his thighs, from where they were resting in his pockets. He could hear nothing except the soft exhales of the man behind him and his own ragged breathing. His legs trembled, and he swallowed hard, unable to say a word when he didn’t know what he wanted. Except he knew what he wanted—he wanted Douglas, but he couldn’t have him when he came complete with a BDSM lifestyle.
As if cold water doused him, he stepped away and cleared his throat. “Sorry. Thank you for checking up on me.” He knew his cheeks were red from arousal, but he faced the prince anyway, ignoring the obvious signs.
Douglas narrowed his eyes and firmed his lips, then nodded. “I’ll see you the day after tomorrow. Enjoy your break.”
He let himself out of the apartment and clicked the door closed behind him. Mav exhaled a long breath, pressing a hand against his cock. What the hell had that been about? If he wanted to keep his job, and therefore, remain in Bert’s good graces, he needed to keep his lust in check around the prince because there was nothing there for him except pain. And he wasn’t talking about the BDSM kind.
