Page 71 of Rogue Royal
“Have you finished?”
Freddie and Damon glanced at each other, smirked and turned to him. “Yeah,” they said in unison.
“Wonderful.”
Freddie sat forward again. “We know you’re in love with Mav, Doug. You’ve had hearts in your eyes for weeks.”
Douglas’s cheeks heated, but he held his brother’s gaze. “Father is the problem.”
“How come?”
“He found us together. You remember the night I asked you to cover for me?” Freddie nodded. “Father turned up to talk to us both but found Mav and me instead. In no uncertain terms, he told me I could play with the staff but not have a relationship with one.”
Freddie sighed and sat back, staring up at the ceiling. “It’s how—”
The ringing of Douglas’s phone ended what Freddie was going to say, and Douglas answered when he saw it was the club calling.
“Prince Douglas, I have a sub requesting help with a new activity. Are you free to have a session tonight?”
He had hoped to spend the evening with Mav, but he couldn’t ignore his responsibilities, although he would have to explain to Mav.
“Sure, Clarice. Can you schedule it for eight o’clock?”
“Of course. Thank you, Prince Douglas. Have a wonderful afternoon.”
“I need to find Mav,” he said once he’d finished the call. Standing, he slipped his phone back into his pocket.
Freddie stood, clapping him on the shoulder. “Things have a way of working out for the best, Doug. Try not to worry about Father. I have a feeling everything’s going to be fine.”
Douglas tried not to get his hopes up, but it was difficult when he wanted it so much. “Thanks. Anyway, I’ll see you morons later.” He slipped out of the door before they could retaliate, although he knew that wouldn’t be the end. No doubt he’d have some reaction from them over the next few days. He was glad Freddie had grown out of putting frogs in his bed.
He knocked on Mav’s door, trying to hide his smile at seeing him before he was behind closed doors, which was becoming harder and harder to suppress. Mav opened his door with a frown, which quickly morphed into a smile. Douglas stepped closer and waited until Mav closed the door before sealing their lips. He never had enough of kissing this man.
“That’s a nice greeting. I’m tempted to ask what you’ve done.” Mav’s eyes twinkled.
“I’ve been good, but they have called me into the club for a teaching lesson at eight. It shouldn’t take more than an hour, then I’m all yours.” He wrapped his arms around Mav’s waist.
Mav slid his hands up Douglas’s biceps to his shoulders and linked them at his nape. “It’s okay. I know you have a job to do.”
“Itisjust a job, you know.”
“It’s all right. I know we’re not…exclusive.”
Douglas stepped out of Mav’s arms. “What?” His heart raced. Had he got it all wrong? Was this nothing but a notch on Mav’s bedpost?
Mav had the decency to seem uncomfortable and sniffed several times. “I heard what the king said. I’m not stupid, Douglas. I know we have an expiry date, though I ignore it most of the time.” He pivoted away, striding to his desk and dropping into the chair.
“And that means we’re not exclusive? Have you slept with other people?” Douglas wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer, but he needed to hear it.
“No! Never!” Mav stood again. “But you have to work at the club and do the lessons. Are you telling me there’s no intercourse during those?”
Douglas’s heart calmed. He kept forgetting how little Mav knew about the club. There and then, he decided he’d fight tooth and nail to get Mav into the club, either with or without his father’s permission, since his father had changed his tune about wanting Mav to visit the place. He wandered over to Mav, placing his hands on his shoulders.
“I promise you, there is no intercourse during those sessions. You are the one I’m sleeping with. BDSM does not have to culminate in sexual intercourse or any kind of sexual activity. The lessons are just that, lessons. Teaching ‘how to’ to those who don’t have the knowledge yet.”
Mav sighed and played with a button on Douglas’s shirt. “Sorry. I know I’m a complete newbie when it comes to this.”
Douglas tucked a finger under Mav’s chin, lifting it to meet his gaze. “And I can teach you.”
