Page 128 of The Rogue and His Flower

“I’m going to take a shower now,” I say, and he steps back, giving me one last lingering look before stepping out of the bathroom and closing the door behind him.

Fifteen minutes later I’m clean and dressed, thankful that I hadn’t forgotten to bring some tampons with me. When I step out of the bathroom I notice that bedding has been stripped and warm air filters into the room as I go in search of Dalton. I find him sitting outside, nursing a cup of coffee as I approach.

Gently pressing my fingers against his bare shoulder as I pass him by, I take a seat at the table, noticing a couple of painkillers on a side plate and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, as well as the cup of tea I requested.

“Did the maid come already?” I ask, picking up the pills and popping them in my mouth as I wash them down with the orange juice.

“No. I stripped the bed, and left them folded by the front door. They’ll be here in a few minutes to collect them and change the bedding.”

“You stripped the bed?” I ask, a little surprised if I’m honest.

“It’s no big deal, Daisy,” he shrugs. “Besides, I didn’t want you to feel embarrassed or anything.”

“I’m not embarrassed, but you seem a little uncomfortable,” I point out.

“No, I’m not. Sorry, this is new to me, that’s all. Like you said, I’ve never been with a woman long enough to be around them when this happens.”

“Ahh,” I reply, trying not to laugh at the heat that creeps up his cheeks. “Well, I guess you’d better get used to it because this will be happening a lot more in the future.”

“Not if my little soldiers have got anything to say about it,” he replies, smirking a little as he peers over at me behind a swathe of auburn hair.

“Your little soldiers?” I snort out a laugh. “Are you talking about your sperm, Dalton?”

He grins. “What can I say, they’ll be marching straight to your womb the second they get the chance.”

“They will, will they?”

“Yep,” he replies, popping the ‘p’ with a wink.

I laugh, feeling a rush of warmth at his playful teasing, finding myself so at ease in his company. After all the years of hatred between us I would never have believed this was possible, yet it feels almost effortless falling for him. Despite the slight sting when he asked me not to reveal my feelings last night, I understood where he was coming from, that he needs time, and now we have it. He wouldn't have asked for my help if he didn't want to explore these emotions and our growing bond, which gives me hope that one day he will reciprocate my love. I should be more scared than I am, but strangely, I’m not.

“Well, let’s hope they’re good swimmers then,” I tease back, taking a sip of my tea, trying to hide the rush of heat flooding my cheeks at the thought of him filling me with his cum.

Dalton chuckles. “Trust me, my little soldiers are top notch.”

I giggle. “I’ll take your word for it.”

We sit in comfortable silence for a while, enjoying our drinks and watching the ocean lap at the sea gently as though it wasn’t trying to gouge out huge piles of sand last night during the storm.

Last night I’d spiralled fast and if it wasn’t for Dalton, I dread to think where my memories would’ve taken me. I shiver at the thought, my past not quite locked back into that box I keep it in.

“Hey, are you cold? Do you need a cardigan?” Dalton asks me, interrupting my thoughts.

“It’s ninety degrees, Dalton. I’m just fine,” I say.

“You were shivering,” he points out. “Are you in pain? Should I get a doctor or something?” He frowns, moving to stand as though he’s about to storm off and do just that.

“No, honestly, I’m fine,” I say, reaching for his arm and tugging on it so that he sits back down.

“Daisy…” he says, a warning note to his voice.

“Dalton. Please, I’m fine.”

“Then what is it?”

I heave out a breath. “Last night… I…”

“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to,” he offers.

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