Page 61 of The Rogue and His Flower

“She’s got a great voice,” Riley answers with a grin.

“I agree, so maybe you should spend more time listening to it than flirting with my fiance!”

“Flirting?” Riley questions, flicking a bemused look my way. “We were just talking, weren’t we, Petal?”

Dalton’s nostrils flare. “Petal?!”

“Ignore him, Riley, he’s had a little too much to drink, clearly,” I interject with a scowl of my own.

“I’m not nearly drunk enough for this shit!” he snaps back.

“You’ve got it all twisted, Dalton. Daisy’s a friend,” Riley says, his tone conciliatory.

“You called herPetal,” he growls.

“It’s just a nickname,” Riley shrugs, nonplussed. “All the guys at the gym call Daisy that.”

“All the guys at the gym?!” Dalton counters, a muscle in his jaw flexing as he grits his teeth.

“It’s cute, right?” Riley asks.

“Cute? It’s fucking–” Dalton begins, but I cut him off.

“This is ridiculous. Maybe you should go outside. Get some air, and sober up a bit?” I suggest.

Riley clears his throat uncomfortably as he casts his gaze between us, eyes widening a fraction. “I should probably go and get that drink now,” he says, but then hesitates, turning to face me. “Are you going to be alright?”

“Of course she’ll be alright, what the hell do you take me for?” Dalton snaps at him, before reaching for my hand. “Come with me. Now!”

I take a step back from him, shaking my head. “With you acting like this, absolutely-fucking not.”

“Listen, I can see you’re pissed off,” Riley interjects, “Though I’ve no idea why given we were just talking.”

“You were flirting with her!” Dalton argues, his voice rising.

“You need to calm down, and consider how you’re acting,” Riley scolds, none too impressed with Dalton’s behaviour.

“Fuck. Off. Riley!”

“Dalton, that’s enough,” I hiss, embarrassment heating my cheeks.

“You need to get your shit together, man,” Riley argues, reaching out to grasp Dalton’s shoulder, a mixture of concern and warning on his face. “This ain’t a good look.”

“Don’t tell me what I should do,” Dalton grinds out.

“Someone needs to!” I say, flicking my gaze across the room.

Thank goodness everyone is entranced by Harlow’s singing and Drix is preoccupied dancing with Lia because I know for a fact he’ll lose his shit if he sees the way Dalton is behaving right now.

“Come on, Dalton, have a little respect for Daisy. She doesn’t deserve this,” Riley adds.

Dalton grits his jaw, and for a moment I think things are going to escalate, but instead he nods sharply, swiping a hand through his hair, his expression falling. “Fuck!” he exclaims.

Riley frowns, genuinely concerned. “Seriously, though. Are you alright, man?”

“Apologies, Riley, Daisy. I’m being a dick,” Dalton replies, blowing out a breath as he shakes his head. “I should probably go outside and get some fresh air.”

“Yeah, seems like a good idea,” Riley agrees as Dalton twists on his heel and storms off, shoving the door open before stepping outside. “What the hell was that all about?”

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