Page 87 of Rogue Royal
Chapter 29
Douglas
Mav and he had spent the entire morning lounging in bed. They’d arrived at Douglas’s apartment well after midnight because they’d stayed to ensure certain people didn’t think they were running scared. They weren’t. Aunt Charlotte was a force to be reckoned with, but she was also a small price to pay for being able to hold Mav’s hand in public. Douglas wouldn’t allow anyone to stop them from continuing their relationship now that they’d fought so hard for it.
“Would you like to come and meet my dad?”
Mav was curled against his chest, swirling a finger around his lover’s stomach, and Douglas ran his fingers up and down Mav’s back. Mav didn’t tense up when he asked the question; therefore, Douglas knew he felt relaxed about it.
“I’d love to. You have lots to talk to him about, though. Are you sure you want me there?” Douglas nuzzled his nose into Mav’s hair, inhaling the faint aroma of his shampoo from the evening before.
“Yes. I want Dad to meet you.” Mav kissed his chest. “Besides, he’s probably already found out who I’m seeing from the morning papers.”
Douglas had persuaded Mav not to check social media before they went to bed and, so far, had distracted him enough to keep him in bed instead of working. He knew it wouldn’t last, but he’d be grateful for every minute Mav lay with him.
“Sure. I’ll let Eric know, and he can check it out before we leave.” He quickly added, “Not check your dad out. I mean, check to see what’s around there for security.” Douglas sent a quick text to Eric.
Mav chuckled. “I know, Douglas. Don’t worry. I also know they will check Dad out, and that’s fine.”
“I hate it can be so invasive sometimes. It must be awful to have your entire life rummaged through like at a car boot.”
“You’ve been to a car boot?” Mav lifted his head to smirk at him.
Douglas grinned. “No, but I know what they are.” Mav’s tongue lapped over Douglas’s nipple, then he kissed it. “You start something; we won’t get to your Dad’s house.”
“I know, which is why…” He rolled to his other side and swung his legs off the bed, sitting up.
“Tease,” Douglas pouted.
Mav’s laughter floated back as he wandered to the bathroom. As tempting as it was to join Mav in the shower, he knew they’d be late. He refrained with difficulty, swapping places with Mav when he exited in a cloud of steam. They made a quick lunch of sandwiches and fruit while Mav checked in with his tablet, then travelled down the lift to the car park.
“Are you nervous?” Douglas asked.
“Not even a little. I’ll drive.”
Mav winked and strode to his car. Douglas followed and climbed into the passenger seat. Douglas’s phone beeped, and he checked the message from Eric, saying he was ready.
“Let’s go.”
Mav drove through the streets of London with Douglas’s gaze mainly on him, not where they were going. He couldn’t resist. Mav was a beautiful specimen of a man, but it was his heart that mattered most to Douglas. Everything Mav did was with no expectations from anyone else. It was refreshing.
When they pulled up outside the little cottage nestled between bigger houses, Douglas was immediately charmed. The two-storey stone building was covered with greenery at the front, the windows, door and roof, the only things breaking up the mass of plants. The front door had an overhang some would call a porch. The garden was filled with plants, flowers and bushes of types Douglas wouldn’t be able to name. It reminded him of the house they used to stay in when he was younger when they holidayed in Scotland, just on a larger scale to this one.
Mav opened the front door and called out, “I hope you’re not up a ladder again!”
Douglas closed the door behind them and heard, “What’re you going to do about it if I was?”
A man with a lined face and whitening hair came into the hallway, drying his hands. Douglas knew Ronald was over sixty years old, but he appeared older like he felt tired. Mav’s father stilled when he saw Douglas, then flicked his gaze to Mav.
“You could’ve warned an old man he was going to meet royalty.”
Mav rolled his eyes. “Why? You don’t need to act any differently around him. Today, he’s just Douglas.” Ronald gave Mav a flat look, and Mav chuckled. “Fine! I apologise. Next time, I’ll send a telegram.”
“You better believe it.” Ronald stepped closer and held out his hand. “Ronald Houghton. Nice to meet you, Your Highness.”
He bowed slightly over their clasped hands and stepped back, shoving Mav mildly before wandering towards the back of the house without giving Douglas the chance to say anything.
Douglas glanced at Mav with wide eyes, and Mav chuckled. “Don’t worry. He’s testing you.”
