Page 62 of The Rogue and His Flower

“Things are a little tense,” I admit.

“Tense?”

“With the wedding plans,” I lie.

Riley reaches out and squeezes my shoulder reassuringly. “I can see how that could happen. Looks as though you could both do with talking things through?” he says reasonably.

“Yes, you’re probably right,” I agree, chewing on my lip, though I’m honestly not sure how to handle the situation. Daltonhad warned me he was possessive, but Riley is a friend to both me and Dalton, and I don’t know how to feel about how he’s acting. I don’t like his behaviour, not one bit, but equally, I’m confused by it. His apparent jealousy would imply that he feels some type of way about me, but then again, perhaps I’m reading too much into it.

Riley gives me a sympathetic look before nodding. “Want some moral support?” he offers.

“Probably best if I do this alone,” I reply, my attention drawn to Dalton through the window. He’s standing outside, his hands shoved into his pockets, staring off into the distance. “I’ll go talk to him now.”

Riley offers me a smile before excusing himself to get a drink. I take one last glance out of the window before heading outside to find Dalton leaning against the wall, his gaze fixed on the ground.

“Dalton,” I start tentatively.

“Just give me a moment, Daisy, or should I say,Petal?” he adds, cutting his gaze my way.

“He meant nothing by it,” I find myself saying.

“It’s too familiar,” he counters.

“He’s a friend. Yours too,” I remind him. “Riley isn’t like that. You know that.”

“And the rest of the guys at the gym?” he questions. “Because apparently they all call youPetaltoo.”

“Are just friends. I do have some you know,” I point out.

Dalton pinches the bridge of his nose, muttering something under his breath. “I just–”

“You just what, Dalton?” I press, folding my arms around myself, white clouds escaping my lips from the cold.

“I was…”

“...Just super rude to both Riley and me? Acting insane? Trying to manhandle me? Should I go on?”

“I warned you I can be possessive,” he retorts, a muscle in his jaw feathering as he side-eyes me.

“What I don’t understand iswhy? Is it because you don’t like someone else paying attention to one of your toys, is that it?” He opens his mouth to respond, but I hold my hand up, refusing to let him speak. “Firstly, I can talk to whomever I want, and secondly I’m a human being, Dalton, not some possession that you can pick up and discard at whim. You’ve pretty much ignored me all week, but the moment anyone else pays me any attention you act all possessive!”

“You’re not a toy, Daisy, but you aremine,” he retorts, taking a step towards me.

“We’ve been over this,” I reply, exasperated. “I am not yours, I am my own person. After everything you said at the engagement party, I thought you were beginning to understand that! Clearly, you don’t.”

Anger blazes across Dalton’s face as he reaches for me. One minute I’m facing him, the next my back is against the brick wall with his body pressed against mine.

“You’re driving me insane!” he snaps.

“I think you’ll find that you’re already a little unhinged,” I shoot back, trying to shove him off me, but he reaches for my hands, pinning them above my head with one hand whilst the other clasps my jaw. I gasp, a mixture of fear, and something else I don’t want to look too closely at, scattering down my spine at the intense way he looks at me.

“You don’t get it,” he grinds out, his fingers curling tighter around my wrists.

“No, you’re right, I don’t get it,” I heave out, my heart pounding as hard as his appears to be right now. “Now, let me go!”

We share a heated stare, our bodies communicating more than words ever could. I don't want him to treat me this way, yetmy body is betraying me once again as a flood of arousal pools between my legs at theheatbetween us.

“I think you want me to kiss you, not let you go,” he accuses, his lips brushing against my cheek.

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