Page 127 of The Rogue and His Flower

Shifting, I feel a wetness between my legs, and despite the joy I feel, my heart sinks a little knowing without needing to look that I’m bleeding. Pulling back the covers, I slide off the bed, noticing a small patch of deep red on the pristine white sheets and the cotton of my pale blue pyjama shorts.

“Shit,” I murmur, padding towards the bathroom, a deep ache from my period spreading across my stomach as I lift up the toilet seat and pull down my pyjama shorts and underwear.

My periods have always been on the heavy side, and this time is no different. When I think about it, I realise that my last period was just before I moved in with Dalton, over seven weeks ago now. They’ve always been irregular, but it’s never really concerned me, it’s just a part of who I am. Yet here I am staring at the blood, disappointment blooming inside my chest, and even though I know that it’s foolish to believe that I could fall pregnant so quickly, I can’t help but feel a little sad about it.

“Daisy?” Dalton calls, a question in his voice, and my cheeks flame as I realise that he’s probably spotted the blood.

“Just give me a moment,” I reply, relieving myself and wiping between my legs.

“Are you okay? There’s blood,” he says, approaching the bathroom.

“Don’t come in. I need to clean up,” I say quickly, sliding off my stained shorts, and reaching for a towel, wrapping it around my waist as he pushes open the bathroom door.

“You’re bleeding,” he repeats, concern etching his features with a frown.

“Dalton, I’m fine. It’s just my period.” My cheeks heat as I gather up my dirty clothes, but he doesn’t leave. Instead he steps into the bathroom, eyeing me.

“You’ve got your period?” he asks, almost as if he can’t believe it himself.

“I’m a woman. It happens,” I shrug, smiling to cover up another rush of disappointment.

Dalton blinks a few times before shaking his head. “Of course it does. Sorry. It’s just…”

“You’ve never spent long enough with a woman to have to deal with situations like this? Don’t worry, I’ll call room serviceand get them to change the bedding,” I reply, wincing at how that sounds.

“That wasn’t what I was thinking at all,” he mutters, swiping a hand through his hair.

“What then?” I question softly.

“I guess I thought…” he mumbles, swiping a hand through his hair.

“That I’d fall pregnant straight away?” I smile then, trying to ease the sudden tension between us. “It doesn’t happen like that. I mean, for most people anyway.”

“Maybe… I… Shit, sorry. I’m not sure how to handle this.”

“A cup of tea would be good,” I offer.

“Of course, yes. Let me get that for you,” he says, hovering in the doorway, sleep still lingering around his eyes. My heart tugs at that, at how I’ve seen him polished and smart in his business suits, confident and sure in his motorbike leathers, relaxed and playful in casual clothes, and mussed-up with sleep. I like knowing I’ve seen so many sides to him.

“What is it?”

“So, erm, are you in pain? Should I get you some painkillers?”

I nod, feeling another twinge in my stomach. “I’d appreciate that.”

“Okay, sure. Do you need anything else?”

“Could you grab me some clean underwear and a sundress, please?” I ask him.

“Sure, hang on.”

A moment later he returns with the items, passing them to me.

“Thank you,” I murmur as he steps closer and presses a kiss against my forehead, his hand sliding into my hair. For a moment we stand pressed against each other with his lips brushing against my skin, his fingers coiled in my hair. I let out asoft sigh, wanting nothing more than to curl into him, to tell him that I love him.

I love you.

But I don’t of course, knowing that he isn’t ready to hear the words, that he isn’t at the same place I am, even though last night it felt like maybe he was, maybe he is. I push that thought away.

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