Page 40 of Rogue Royal
Douglas
Douglas had so much control over himself on a daily basis, but one taste of Mav and his body had released hands-free as if he was a teenager. He had not done thatsincehe was a teenager. In some ways, it annoyed him he’d lost control, but in other ways, he’d enjoyed Mav’s reactions so much, he wasn’t surprised. He wouldn’t be advertising the fact—he’d never hear the end of it from his brothers if he did.
He rested his head back against the headboard, holding Mav while he slept. His instincts had been correct because Mav had enjoyed the sensations Douglas had used. Not wanting to push Mav too far, Douglas had chosen some “lighter” sensations: a makeup brush and some feathers on the end of tassels, and of course, his fingers and hands.
Despite the tears Mav had shed, he hoped Mav wanted to try more. Douglas believed he would benefit from a visit to the club, but he wouldn’t push him too fast. It would be the worst thing to do because Mav might pull back, and it would ruin everything. Douglas was happy to keep things here for now, though he would love to show Mav what he was like at the club. He grinned to the ceiling. It might shock him.
Straining his neck, he checked the clock and stroked Mav’s hair and face when he realised he needed to get ready for the club. Mav snuffled and rubbed his face against Douglas’s chest.
“Wake up for me, sweetheart.” He tried not to think too much about how the endearments rolled off his tongue for Mav.
“Hmm?” Mav lifted his head until his face was against Douglas’s neck and inhaled. “You smell good,” he mumbled.
Douglas snorted. “I need a shower.”
Mav slid his arm around Douglas’s neck and tightened his hold, keeping him in place. “No, you don’t.”
“We both do. Come on. Time to get up.”
When Mav didn’t move, Douglas shook his head and scooted to the edge of the bed, holding him. He lifted Mav bridal-style and stepped towards the bathroom when his name was called from the front of the apartment.
“Shit. Who’s that?” Mav wriggled, and Douglas put him down before he dropped him.
“Douglas!”
“It’s my father.” Mav’s eyes widened, and they stared at each other for a long second. “Stay here. I’ll see what he wants.”
Mav nodded, tightening the blanket around him. Douglas dropped a kiss on his lips, hoping to reassure him, but he couldn’t do much else. What was his father doing there?
He dragged on his trousers, going commando, and grabbed his T-shirt before slipping out of the room and closing the door behind him. His father was every inch the king as he stood in the centre of Douglas’s apartment with his hands on his hips, his gaze taking in every minor detail he and Mav had left behind. He pulled his T-shirt over his head.
“I was hoping to speak to both you and Frederick, but I’m assuming by your state of undress, your brother is not in the bedroom with you.”
“How can I help you, Father?”
“I wanted to inform you your punishment has ended. You can return to your original shift pattern at the club.”
Douglas’s heart soared. “Thank you, Father.”
King Andrew pointed out Mav’s bag sitting by the kitchen. “I’ll allow your…play with him but ensure it does not become public knowledge. With his job and background, it shouldn’t be too hard. A little fun on the side is fine, but there will be no relationship with him. Understood?”
Douglas had to wonder how his father knew who was there, but he’d never figured out from where the king received his information. “It’s my business who—”
“No, it’s not. The royal family must uphold their family values. Messing around with staff is not part of the picture. Therefore, everything you do is my business. I know I said at dinner before I was being hard on you, but it’s because I know what you’re capable of, Douglas. You have so much potential.”
Douglas ground his teeth, holding back what he wanted to say because he knew there was no way his father would listen. He felt like he was a kid again, instead of a thirty-six-year-old man.
“If the media gets wind of this, this latest punishment will seem like fun.” His father turned to leave, throwing a comment over his shoulder, “You should keep this out of the club. Ensure people don’t see you together, other than for royal business.”
Douglas shook his head, listening to his father leave the penthouse. The door opened behind him, and he whirled around. Mav was dressed and silently moved to his bag, lifting it and disappearing around the corner to the exit.
“Wait!” He rushed to the entrance. “Where are you going?”
Mav raised his eyebrows. “Where do you think I’m going? I’m going where the ‘staff’ should be.” He slid on one shoe.
Douglas stepped closer. “No. He wasn’t saying we couldn’t do this.”
Mav laughed. “We’re disillusioning ourselves,Your Highness. Thank you for sharing this with me, but this won’t work.” He pulled the other shoe on.
