Page 52 of Rogue Royal
The hands smoothed down his body, working on the aching areas like his hips and thighs. Once his calves and feet had surrendered to the heaven of massage, a cover was pulled over him, and a weight dipped the bed beside him.
Douglas pulled him into his embrace, the man’s firm but gentle hold settling something inside Mav. Douglas removed the blindfold Mav hadn’t realised he still wore, and he blinked in the bright sunlight, taking several moments to allow his eyes to adjust before glancing at the prince.
The minute he saw Douglas’s face, he slid a hand to his cheek and lifted for a kiss, which he granted him with a smile.
“Thank you.” His voice was hoarse and used. He could only assume he’d been shouting or screaming at one point.
“You’re welcome. Sip this.” Douglas reached for a cup of orange juice and helped Mav to rise a little to drink, then moved them both back into their positions.
Mav closed his eyes and revelled in the peace he felt in Douglas’s arms. He had never,everfelt this before. Nothing had ever been as intense as that orgasm had been. It was more, though. The connection to Douglas was strengthening, and Mav wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or not. He’d wanted to open himself to Douglas, but what would come of it if he did? Heartbreak? For sure because he’d heard what the king had said. They could play, but no relationship would ever be allowed.
He pushed the thought aside, not wanting to dampen his euphoric mood. Allowing Douglas to soothe him and bring him down, Mav drifted off.
****
With his eyes shut, Mav let his fingers work along the strings as he played and croonedCan’t Take My Eyes Off Youby Lady Antebellum. Everything that had happened with Douglas kept playing on repeat in his head as the lyrics passed over his lips. He didn’t know why the song came to mind when he’d picked up his guitar, but there was some truth to the words. He couldn’t stop playing it.
The song reminded him of how he’d woken the previous morning—late morning—wrapped once more in Douglas’s embrace. When he’d glanced at the clock, he’d scrambled out of bed and dragged on his clothes, despite Douglas telling him not to worry. Mav had slowed down and taken a breath when Douglas had rested his hands on his shoulders and ordered him to.
As he’d headed for the lift, Douglas had followed, giving him a mind-blowing kiss before Mav had staggered onto it, panting. Douglas had smirked, and the image was burned into Mav’s retinas. Every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was the confident smile and sparkling blue eyes of a man he couldn’t have.
His fingers paused when his phone rang, and he was tempted to let it go to voicemail, but he didn’t. Putting the guitar on the sofa next to him, he reached for the phone, smiling when Zara appeared.
“Hey, handsome… What’s up? You look like someone has changed your password to your media accounts.”
Despite the headspace he was in, he snorted. He rested the phone in a holder on the table so she could see him without him having to hold it, then sat back, rubbing a hand over his mouth. “Why am I putting myself through this, Zara?”
“With Douglas?” At his nod, she continued, “Because he’s given you the chance to be yourself and learn more about what makes you tick.”
“There’s nothing at the end of it.”
Zara stared at him, and her eyes widened after several seconds. “You’re falling for him.”
Mav gave a rueful smile. “There is no ‘falling,’ I’m afraid.”
“Holy shit, Mav. You’re in love with a prince.”
He huffed a laugh. “It doesn’t matter. There’s no happily ever after despite what fairy tales tell us.”
“Why not? Stranger things have happened.”
“What? Even when the king himself says a relationship will not be allowed?”
Zara’s mouth dropped open. “He said that? When? Why?”
“You know I was meeting up with Douglas the other night?” She nodded. “I’d put it in his diary as a meeting with Prince Frederick. King Andrew turned up wanting to speak to his sons.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Yeah. I was in the bedroom, but I heard every word he said. Douglas and I may play behind closed doors, but nothing else.”
“Does Douglas know how you feel?”
Mav laughed. “No, and I intend to keep it that way. I don’t know how the hell it happened. One minute, I was thinking he was sleeping with other people, and the next, I trusted him with everything I am.” He rubbed both hands over his face and groaned into them.
“How’s the sex?” Keeping his hands steepled over his mouth, he stared at her and raised an eyebrow. “Ooh, that good.”
“I need to get out of there. For good.” He sighed.
