Page 39 of The Rogue and His Flower

“My lunch break is over. I need to get back to work,” she replies, placing her half eaten sandwich back on her plate.

“Caroline has agreed to cover the rest of your shift. I want to clear the air.”

“So it’s okay for you to rearrange my breaks, but not me. That figures.”

“I’m not below using my powers as the manager of this hotel to my advantage. We need to talk,” I repeat.

“There’s no need.”

“I beg to differ,” I reply, refusing to back down. “Come with me.”

“No.”

“No?” My nostrils flare at her stubbornness.

“Like I said, I have work to get back too. Caroline shouldn’t have to cover for me.”

“She was happy to do so. Besides, this is non-negotiable.”

Daisy stands, lifting her chin defiantly as she glares at me. “What are you going to do, Dalton, throw me over your shoulder like some caveman?”

“If I must,” I retort, blocking her path as she tries to sidestep me.

“Get out of my way!” she insists, trying to skirt around me.

“You really are a stubborn woman!” I grind out.

“And you’re an arse. I have nothing to say to you,” she snaps back, shoving her palm against my chest. “Now move!”

I smirk at her aggressive tone, enjoying that spark lighting between us once more. I’d take her anger over avoidance, any day.

“Dalton!” she warns when I grin mercilessly at her.

“You asked for this,” I say, and before she’s had a moment to react, I bend at the waist, wrap my arms around her thighs and haul her over my shoulder.

“DALTON GUNN PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT!” she screeches, her fists bashing against my arse and thighs as I storm across the staff room, kicking the door open with my foot. I’m not sure what has possessed me, but what I do know is that I’m not backing down, damn the consequences.

“If I put you down will you come with me?” I ask, striding towards the exit that leads to the staff car park at the back of the hotel.

“No, but Iwillpunch your lights out!” she screams in response, slapping her hands against any spot she can reach.

“Then I guess I won’t put you down,” I reply snarkily.

“You’re breaking our agreement to respect each other’s personal space!” she argues.

“And you broke it by ignoring me,” I retort in frustration.

“With good reason, you jerk!”

“Still angry about our little tiff, I take it?”

“Which one? We’ve had a few,” she snaps, thumping my arse with her fist.

“Just let it go, already.”

“Fuck you, and put me down this instant! People will see!” she protests, her body wriggling as she tries to free herself.

“Let them.”

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