Page 13 of The Rogue and His Flower

“You’re welcome.”

“You know, some people might see this as a sign of remorse or a way to make amends,” she says, pinning me with her gaze.

“And how do you see it?” I ask.

“If I didn’t know you well enough, I’d assume the same thing.”

“But…”

“But I do know you, Dalton, and as pretty as these are, this gift feels like you’re trying to buy my affection.”

“I’m not.”

“Or at the very least, my obedience,” she adds.

“Not that either,” I retort, flinching at the accusation. “I’ve also booked you in for a massage this afternoon after you finish your shift, but just so you know I haven’t done that to buy your affection or your obedience. You’ve had a rough few days, and I thought it might help.”

“Lia, Drix and Toby have had a rough few days. Like I said to you last night. I’m fine.”

“Either way, I’ve booked you in. Have the massage or don’t. It’s up to you.”

She hesitates for a moment, her gaze locked on the gift bag before her. “I’ll give you the benefit of doubt, and accept these blouses as a thoughtful gift. The massage… sounds nice. I’ll consider it.”

I try to read her expression, but she keeps her emotions guarded, so I respond with a simple, “That’s good to hear. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

“I will,” she responds, standing up from her seat.

As she adjusts her skirt, the glint of her engagement ring catches my eye. I half expected her to leave the ring at home, but seeing it on her now causes a storm of possessive emotions to stir within me.She’s mine.Unwillingly, yes, but she’s mine regardless, and now that she’s committed to marrying me, she’s bound to me whether she wants to be or not, the good and the bad. For better or for worse.

For a while, at least.

“Samantha, did Daisy leave already?”I ask, stepping up to the reception desk. It’s a few minutes past four and I was hoping to catch Daisy before she left, figuring she’d pass up the opportunity for a massage to spite me.

“Actually, she went to the spa for the massage you booked for her,” Samantha replies, trying to smother her smile. “Congratulations, by the way.”

“Thank you, we’re very happy,” I reel off, a little distracted by the thought of Daisy naked and relaxed. She may not be my type, but I’m still a man, and it’s been over a week since I’ve slept with a woman. Which, for me, feels like a fucking year.

“Seems like it,” she mutters in response, slamming her mouth shut when I snap my attention back to her.

The email I sent this morning about our engagement erupted in a torrent of gossip that has only seemed to fuel Daisy’s ire throughout the day when I’ve caught glimpses of her at work.I probably should’ve consulted her first, but it’s done now. Nothing I can do to change it.

“Who is she booked in with?” I ask, moving the conversation on.

Samantha returns her attention to the computer screen, clicking on the mouse a couple of times before glancing back up at me. “Tomasz.”

“You’re fucking joking, right?” I snap, that possessiveness I felt earlier rearing its head.

“Is there a problem?” Samantha replies, almost a little too sweetly for my liking. “Daisy asked for him specifically,” she adds.

“I bet she did,” I mutter, grinding my teeth. “Which room is she in?”

Samantha’s eyes flick back to the screen, her lips twitching as she tries to smother another smile. “Room three.”

I don’t bother to thank her as I push off from the counter, striding towards the spa. As I approach Room Three, my initial plan is to burst in and fire the bastard who dared to lay his hands on my fiancé's naked body. However, a different idea crosses my mind and I decide to use this as an opportunity to get back at Daisy for choosing Tomasz as her masseuse. Sure, she’s made it perfectly clear that she doesn’t want to have sex with me, but she hasn’t mentioned anything about metouchingher, and I intend on exploiting that. Composing myself, I reach for the door handle, taking a deep breath as I push the door open.

Inside, the room is dimly lit, with the scent of essential oils permeating the air. Daisy is lying face down on the massage table, a white towel folded across her arse, the rest of her naked and exposed as Tomasz’s skilled hands glide up her calves. It takes everything in me not to punch his fucking lights out, especially when she murmurs howgood it feels. Instead, I liftmy finger to my lips, motioning for Tomasz to come outside the room.

“Excuse me, Daisy, I’m… needed. Please relax, I won’t be long,” he says, picking up on my vibes not to tell her it’s me.

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