Page 33 of Rogue Royal
There was no way Mav could get into all the different aspects of his life that were causing him to be unsettled, but he could use a sounding board, for one thing.
“How do you let someone in when you know it could end badly?”
Ron rolled his shoulders, staring at his mug. “If you cared about them enough, it shouldn’t matter. Letting someone see who you are shouldn’t be a choice. If they mean that much to you, it just happens. You can’tnotgive them everything. If the relationship has a time limit…” He shrugged. “You still have no choice, Maverick. Allowing yourself to feel is second nature. Love, lust, attraction all compete with hate, loss and disappointment. It’s natural to feel all those things, and if you try to stop yourself, you’re not living…you’re existing. There’s an enormous difference, and I wouldn’t want the latter for you.”
Mav understood what his father was trying to tell him, and it gave him a lot to think about. He changed the subject, and they chatted for a while, Mav staying for lunch before going home to get some more work done. He wouldn’t see Douglas until tomorrow now, but he wanted nothing else. If he went to the club, he would see him, but Mav wasn’t ready. Douglas had told him he could teach him everything he needed to from outside of it, and Mav was happy with that.
It’s a shame his brain teased him with images of Douglas with others in the same way he was with him. He brushed aside the thought several times as he worked, but it didn’t want to disappear.
Mav could give Douglas his body, but could he give him his trust?
****
Chapter 12
Douglas
Douglas could not get the image of Mav climaxing hands-free out of his head. He’d seen subs do it before, but Mav differed from the rest of them. Mav appeared in control, but as soon as Douglas’s hands touched him, he was as meek as a kitten, and it suited him well.
He couldn’t wait for Mav to arrive at his apartment that evening. He hoped everything would go to plan, and Mav could get into the building without being seen. Once he was in there, no one would bat an eyelid at him being there, but Mav had never needed to meet with him outside of Windsor before. If Douglas wanted to ensure Mav was safe from scrutiny, then, although he wanted him there with him, he needed to consider other factors.
The meetings that day had finished, and he was excited about the unity between him and the Council for British Archaeology. Being able to open archaeology to all people, not just those who could afford it, was something Douglas liked the sound of. Encouraging young children especially was something he wanted to explore. Imagine the fun they’d have digging for fossils and learning where they came from.
He pulled his tie off, deciding not to wear one to dinner with his parents. They wouldn’t mind. Although they always dressed up despite it being with their children, the siblings didn’t have to. Douglas usually appeared well-dressed, mainly because he wanted his father to see he was taking his role seriously, but tonight, he wanted to let loose a little.
Checking his watch, he sighed and left his rooms, his footsteps advertising his presence ahead of him. He pushed into the family dining room, smiling when he saw George already seated but checking his phone. His brother would hide it as soon as their parents arrived because they refused to allow phones at the dinner table. Douglas could imagine the controversy should they ignore their parents and answer messages instead.
“Hey.” He slapped George on the back. “How’re things?” Douglas took his seat, which was always next to his mother’s, and relaxed back.
“Good, good. Everything is going as well as expected. How’s the media circus going for you?” George crossed his arms and leaned on the table—another thing that wouldn’t be allowed soon.
Douglas held back what he wanted to say and instead explained the new plan of focusing on charities and eventshewanted to support.
“Obviously, I’ll take part in the ones Father and Mother say are necessary for me to be involved in, but I want to focus more on those close to my heart. I didn’t study archaeology for nothing.” He lifted his filled water glass, sipping to stop his flow of words.
George held up his hands. “I know you didn’t. You don’t need to plead your case to me. Whatever you’ve been doing has worked wonders on your mood, if nothing else.” George winked.
“Shut up!” Douglas shook his head, his mouth unable to stop from curling.
“What’s he done now?” Freddie entered the room, looking every inch the prince he was, and Douglas was, once more, happy he didn’t have the weight of the crown on his shoulders. He knew Frederick was the best person for the job, although there were other members of their extended family who would like to see someone else as the heir apparent. Douglas should be more grateful for small mercies in that respect.
“He’s being his usual cocky self.” Douglas grinned.
“There’s a word to describe our entire family.” Freddie laughed and took his seat to Father’s right, reaching for his glass. “Don’t forget to put your phone on silent this time, George.”
“Shit, yeah.” George fumbled with his phone and shrugged as he replaced it in his pocket. “I don’t know why I always forget. It’s not like the rule has ever changed since we were first given them.”
“It’s because you have so many things cluttering up that brain of yours.” Freddie’s eyes gleamed, but he hid his grin behind his glass.
“Well, that’s what happens when you have a brain,” George shot back, straightening his spine and rolling his lips inwards, and Douglas knew he was trying to stop his smile.
“Who has a brain, and what are they using it for?”
His father’s voice was loud in the small area but filled with humour, much to Douglas’s relief. He hoped it meant Father was in a good mood himself, and therefore, Douglas might escape unscathed.
His father helped his mother into her chair as he did for every meal they had together, then sat, staring around the table at his family. “I’m glad you could all make it.”
“Oh, hush, dear. Stop sounding so strict. You know they always make time for family dinners.” His mother smiled at his father and tapped his hand as if reprimanding him.
