Page 26 of The Rogue and His Flower

“Daisy is a free spirit, always has been. I can no more control her, than I can the fucking weather,” Dalton responds angrily.

“You’re a Gunn, youwillget her in line.”

I don’t bother to listen to anymore, instead I stride off down the corridor, fuming.

“Daisy, wait!” Dalton calls, his footsteps echoing down the hall as he chases after me a moment later.

“He’s a complete jerk!” I seethe as Dalton catches up, his fingers wrapping around my elbow.

“I agree, he was out of line,” Dalton says, cupping my other elbow as I turn to face him.

“I will not change who I am to suit him. I’m giving up enough of my happiness already!”

Dalton nods. “I will speak with him tomorrow once he’s had a chance to calm down.”

“You really think he’s going to listen to you?” I scoff, shaking my head.

“If he wants to ensure that he has access to his grandchild when he or she is born then he’s going to need to respect you, quirky clothes and all,” he replies, dropping his gaze to my sweater. If I didn’t know any better I swear there was humour in his gaze, acceptance even.

“I’m surprised you didn’t agree with him. I know you don’t like what I wear.”

“I never said that,” he replies, his hands dropping from my elbows as he tugs at the hem of my sweater.

I lift my brows. “What did you say to me the other night? Wasn’t it,I prefer sophistication over a circus?”

“I did, and it was wrong. I apologise,” he says, meeting my gaze.

I nod, accepting his apology even if I don’t entirely believe he means it. “I’m sorry for saying that you looked like you stepped through a storm cloud. Even if it was true.”

Dalton’s lips quirk up into a smile. “And there’s me thinking I was looking suave.”

“A bit of colour wouldn’t go amiss,” I offer.

“What would you suggest?” he asks.

I hitch a brow. “You really want to know?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t. Go on, enlighten me.”

I look up at him, chewing on my lip as I consider his question. “You have nice eyes, so something to bring out the shade. A royal blue, perhaps?”

“You think I have nice eyes?”

“Don’t let it go to your head, Dalton. It’s just an observation.”

His chuckle fills the hallway, a sound that warms me towards him more than I’d care to admit.

“So, royal blue it is then. Any other colour suggestions?”

“I think that’ll do for now. Got to ease you in slowly before I start suggesting cerise pink or coral.”

“Not in a million years. I’ll leave those colours to you,” he replies, a horrified look on his face that soon fades as we stand in awkward silence, having run out of things to say. “So what now?”

“I’m pretty beat after all the excitement,” I reply. “I just want to watch some trash TV and switch off for a while.”.

“Can I join you?”

“Youwant to watch trash TV?” I ask, aghast. “Aren’t you more interested in counting your piles of money or watching porn?”

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