Page 5 of The Rogue and His Flower

Truth is, most men pay lip service to a woman’s pleasure, only ever really seeking their own release. But me?I pay attention. I’m willing to uncover their deepest desires, and for the time they’re with me, I give them everything they want. So what if I get something out of it too?

Both Drix and Daisy think I have an addiction to sex. Maybe I do. But, honestly, I could think of worse things. Besides, making women come is about the only fucking thing I’m good at anyway.

“Not anymore,” I say to my reflection, a bitter laugh escaping my lips as I strip, kicking my clothes to the corner of the bathroom for one of the staff to clear up later.

Stepping into the shower, I switch on the tap, and as hot water rains down on me, I grab a handful of body wash then lean my forearm on the tiled wall, gripping my cock with my free hand.

“Looks like it’s just you and me,” I mutter to my dick, allowing my mind to wander, revelling in the prickles of pleasuregathering at the base of my spine as I corkscrew my palm up and down my length.

With every stroke of my cock, the tension within me eases a little, and I allow myself this moment of pleasure, needing it,cravingit. If sex with women is an addiction, then self-pleasure is a comfort. I don't want to think too deeply about why that is, knowing that if I did I'd uncover some fucked-up emotions that I've been running from for a long, long time.

Instead, I pump my cock faster, a steady rhythm matching the beat of my heart. The water turns from hot to scalding, but I barely notice. All I feel is the rush of pleasure surging through me. Soon the guilt melts away, replaced by the all-consuming intensity of my need as I start to imagine the faces of all the women I've fucked, hearing their soft moans, and the look of satisfaction on their faces as they come. So many women, that soon they all merge into one.

Then right before I climax, one face appears in my mind, hers,Daisy's, and I come with a guttural roar, shocked by the intensity, fucking shaken by it.

"God-fucking-damn-it!" I shout, reaching for the tap and turning it off.

Leaning against the cooling tiles, I try to catch my breath as my thoughts twist and tumble. I'm angry at myself, at Daisy for daring to enter my mind, taunting me with her pale blue eyes, freckled skin and fiery spirit. She’s not even my type, so fuck knows why she even entered my head, let alone made me come so damn hard.

Then it occurs to me, Daisy had said she wasn't a game to be won, that she'd never be intimate with me, but that's like waving a red rag to a bull. No one has ever spurned my advances.No one. Yet, she has the audacity to do exactly that.

Straightening up, I step out of the shower and grab a towel, drying myself. Maybe this marriage needn't be as hellish asI first thought, and despite all my promises, I decide at that moment that she will be mine, ineveryway possible, whether she wants to or not.

The sharp trillof my phone wakes me from my sleep, and I push upright, blinking as light filters through the gap in the curtains. Grabbing my phone, I stare at the screen, noticing two things at once. First, it’s nine thirty and I’m already late for work, and secondly it’s Drix who’s calling.

“Listen,” I begin, prepared to defend myself. I know with how close Drix and Daisy are, she would’ve told him what happened between us already.

“I’m at the hospital,” he says quickly.

“At thehospital? What the fuck happened?” I ask. Our relationship may be strained right now, but that doesn’t mean I won’t drop everything to be by my best friend’s side. Fuck work. It’s not as if the hotel can’t run itself anyway.

“Lia’s husband turned up at my house early this morning,” he bites out, the heaviness in his voice, the fear, making my own pulse beat harder. “He hurt Lia, Dalton.”

“He did what?! Please tell me you killed the fucker.”

Drix lets out a shuddering breath. “I wanted to. I didn’t. He’s in police custody right now.”

“You called the police?” I ask, my own voice strained. This isn’t what we do. If there’s a problem we deal with it ourselves.

“I told Daisy to do so the second she ended the call with me. Then I broke every speed limit possible to get to them. I was just in time, if I’d been a minute later…”

“Where’s Daisy now?” I ask, my fucking heart pounding as I get to my feet and stride to my wardrobe, yanking out a pair of jeans.

“She’s with Lia and Toby. Lia is being checked over by the doctor, and they’ve given Daisy something to help calm her nerves. They’re both pretty shaken up.”

“Did he hurt Daisy too?” I ask, my voice eerily calm as a sudden feeling of protectiveness washes over me.

It’s a feeling I’m used to when it comes to Daisy. No matter how much she irritates me, fucking pushes my buttons like no one else can, she’s still my best friend’s little sister, and I’ve always tried to look out for her in my own way.

“No. She was upstairs with Toby, keeping him safe.”

“Good,” I reply, relief flooding through me as I breathe out. “I’m coming to the hospital. Give me fifteen minutes.”

“No, don’t. I called you out of respect, because I wanted you to hear the news from me first.”

“Listen–”I begin, but he cuts me off.

“Daisy doesn’t want you here. She’s shaken up, concerned for Lia and Toby, for me. It isn’t the right time.”

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