Page 73 of Rogue Royal
He started slow and light, checking in periodically with Umar to ensure he was with him and talking him through the process and the rights and wrongs of flogging. Douglas believed subs needed to know how the process worked; therefore, they could also understand when things might go wrong.
Douglas’s wrist ached, and he stopped, his breathing elevated.
“Colour?”
“Green, sir.”
Umar’s head hung, but he was panting. Douglas released him from the buckles and carried him to the sofa in the corner, where he praised the man and rubbed lotion into his body. He covered him with a sheet and grabbed a bottle of water and some orange juice. Douglas sat on the floor beside Umar’s head, stroking his fingers through Umar’s hair as Umar sipped the orange through a straw.
Each submissive was different in what they wanted and needed from a scene, but also how they needed to be cared for afterwards. Some needed to holding and comforting, some wanted to be left alone, some were in between. Nothing was right or wrong, but Douglas had always struggled with the aftercare of those like Umar. Douglas wanted to cuddle and assure him over and over again that he was an amazing person and worthy, but it wasn’t what Umar needed.
Once Umar’s aftercare was complete, Douglas helped him into the trousers he’d been wearing when he arrived and guided him to the changing rooms. Umar thanked him profusely and confirmed it was something he enjoyed and would consider in the future. Douglas reminded him to speak with Clarice and update his hard limits list.
Douglas bid goodbye and returned to the teaching room to clean and set it to rights ready for the next lesson, then strode to the Monitors’ changing room. Once he’d shut the door behind him, he slumped into a chair and stared at the wall. He had done nothing sexual with Umar, but he felt guilty about touching the man. Mav knew what Douglas’s job was, but he needed to speak to him in more detail or find some way to bring him into the club to allow him to see what happened. He was making more of things than he needed to, but for the first time in a long time, he had to contend with thoughts about screwing up.
Douglas jumped into the shower and washed himself clean of the club before redressing in his casual clothes. He checked out with Clarice—she needed a pay rise—and strode to his car, aiming straight for Mav’s building. By the time he was knocking on Mav’s door, he was breathing heavily again. He couldn’t wait to see him.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Douglas reeled Mav in for a kiss. He couldn’t restrain himself any further.
“Missed you.” His words were muffled against Mav’s lips.
Mav pulled away. “I’m glad you’re here. Did everything go okay?”
“Yeah, great. I wanted to talk to you about it, though.”
Mav stepped away and frowned. “Sounds ominous.”
“No, I had a few thoughts as I was doing it and wanted to talk to you about it.”
“All right. Let me grab some drinks, and we can chat on the sofa. Go choose a movie to put on in the background.”
Douglas leaned forward and pecked him on the lips again, then weaved around him to the sofa. Dropping into the seat, he grabbed the remote and switched the TV on, bringing up the list of movies on demand. Mav hadn’t said what he was in the mood for, but they could always change it afterwards. FindingSpiderman, he let it start as Mav entered the room.
“Good choice.”
Mav passed him a mug of tea and sat close, but far enough away, they could see each other.
“What do you need to talk—” Someone knocked at the door, and Mav frowned. “Are you expecting anyone?”
Douglas shook his head. “Why would I? This is your place.”
“I’ll get rid of them.”
Mav crossed to the door, opening it a little, then wider.
“I’m Commissioner Thomas. Can I speak to Prince Douglas, please?”
Douglas heard the words and frowned. Mav glanced over his shoulder and invited the person in when Douglas nodded.
He stood. “Commissioner Thomas, how can I—” Douglas froze when his father entered, followed by Freddie, Eric and two other police officers. “What’s going on?”
Commissioner Thomas stepped forward. “Douglas Sutcliffe, you are under arrest for the assault of Umar Troche.”
“What?”
“Say nothing until we get a lawyer for you, Douglas.” His father was every bit the king at that moment, but Douglas could also see something else behind his eyes.
“I don’t understand.”
