The Rogue and His Flower (Princetown Heirs #2)

Chapter 12

DALTON

CHAPTER TWELVE

“Daisy, wait!” I call, quickening my pace to catch up with her, but she gathers up the delicate folds of her exquisite dress and takes off into the darkness, the pale moonlight catching the stunning jewels that adorn the bustier of her gown as she disappears into the maze.

As I navigate through the twisting paths, the sound of her footsteps against the paved pathway grow fainter and the hedges loom high around me, casting eerie shadows in the moonlight. Straining my ears, I hear faint sobbing coming from somewhere to my left. Without hesitation, I change direction, following the sound. Drix had told me what happened with her ex-boyfriend, how the prick had humiliated her in front of everyone when she was in college, but I had no idea about the extent of the situation, or that Clarissa had been involved. If I had, there’s no way I would have gone anywhere near her, let alone fucked her.

Just as I turn a corner, I see Daisy standing in a small clearing, her back to me, shoulders hunched over as if she’s trying to contain an inner storm. Slowly, not wanting to startle her, I reach out a hand, and touch her bare arm.

“Daisy, you really need to stop running away from me,” I say, hardly words of comfort, but it’s all I can think of.

She lets out a tremulous breath, her pretty blue eyes glistening with tears as she turns to face me. “Why are people so cruel?” she asks, her vulnerability cutting me deep.

Wordlessly I take her hand and lead her to the stone bench situated beneath an arch of shrubbery. We sit together as I contemplate her question.

“Some people are just arseholes, Daisy. I could psychoanalyse them and say it’s because they’ve got their own insecurities that causes them to act that way, and whilst it might be true, it doesn’t excuse their behaviour.”

“I’ve never done anything to hurt her. I would never do anything to hurt her like she hurt me, despite what I just said,” she replies, swiping at the tears on her face. “At one time I thought she was my friend. I’d trusted her, trusted Jonathon. I was so stupid…”

Her voice trails off as she falls into silence, and I feel the urge to comfort her, to make this right somehow. It’s a feeling I’m not used to, least of all equipped to manage. “Having a kind heart, and trying to see the best in people, doesn’t make you stupid, Daisy.”

“Really, because there have been times in the past when I distinctly remember you saying otherwise.”

I flinch at her response, knowing it’s true, and my hand tightens around hers. “If you hadn’t already noticed, I don’t always say or do the right thing, but I’m working on it.”

She nods, her attention drawn to the moon hanging in the sky above us. As she looks up, her profile is bathed in a soft, silvery glow, highlighting the delicate curve of her jawline and the vulnerability etched on her features.

“Daisy,” I start, clearing my throat, ignoring the pulse that beats in my bastard cock at how beautiful she looks. I’ve always seen her beauty. I’m not blind, but I’ve never allowed myself to really appreciate it, my friendship with Drix curbing those thoughts. Over the years I’ve encouraged our fiery relationship because it allowed me to keep my distance, to place her in the never to be touched category, and until very recently I’ve been okay with that.

Now, it’s getting harder and harder to keep her there.

“You’re one of the most genuine and caring people I know,” I say, meaning every word. “It’s not a weakness to believe the good in people, even when they disappoint you, it’s your strength. I’m beginning to understand that now. But aside from that, I’m so fucking proud of you for standing up to Clarissa. I want you to know that.”

She turns her head, her eyes meeting mine, a frown pulling together her brows. “I’ve not been very kind to you over the years. In fact, I’ve been pretty terrible towards you,” she admits.

“I dare say I’ve deserved it,” I reply with a shrug, my thumb drawing circles on the back of her hand. “I can be a self-centred, egotistical prick. I won’t deny it.”

A soft smile pulls her lips up at that. “Dalton, can I tell you something?” she asks after a moment, chewing on her lip as she looks at me.

“Of course.”

“I’ve hated every second of tonight. Apart from the few people who genuinely like me, I’ve felt everyone else’s judgement. I’ve felt their eyes on me, heard them whispering behind my back. It’s like I’m back in college again, reliving that nightmare. Worse still, it drags up memories of my childhood. How can I expect anyone to like me when my own parents couldn’t even love me?”

Her voice wavers, the pain of old wounds reopening before me. I know very little about her childhood, apart from the snippets Drix has revealed over the years, but looking at her now, I see that there’s a deep well of hurt and trauma that I had never fully comprehended, that I’d selfishly never even tried to uncover.

“Do you want to talk about it, your past I mean?” I offer. “Truthfully, I’m not sure how much help I’d be, but I’m willing to listen.”

She considers me a moment, then shakes her head. “Probably best not to dredge all that up tonight. I’m feeling vulnerable enough as it is, but I do appreciate you standing up for me back there,” she replies, and I can’t help but feel like she’s protecting herself from me. I’ve got to admit, that stings.

“And I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” I say, choosing not to push her on the matter.

“Because you have to?”

“No, Daisy, because I want to,” I say firmly.

“Is this real, Dalton?” she asks after a beat.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean how you’re behaving towards me. Are you being sincere?”

“You think this is an act?” I question, unsure what to make of the fact that she believes me to be so disingenuous

“I don’t know. You tell me.”

“Like I said yesterday, I like you Daisy.”

“Because I’m Drix’s sister, and you have to?”

“You were Drix’s sister before we entered into this arrangement, and we hated each other then.”

“And now it’s different? What changed?”

“Are you saying you still hate me? I thought we’d evolved into frenemies,” I retort, avoiding her question altogether.

“This you, this person now. I could grow to like him.”

“That’s good to know. I’ll do my best, but I can’t promise I won’t fuck up.”

She wipes at her eyes, sniffling a little. “I expect you too, but I guess what I’m saying is that I’ll try and do better too.” She chuckles then, side-eyeing me.

“What is it?”

“Did you really pity-fuck Clarissa?”

“Put it this way, I regret ever sleeping with her.”

“Why? I assume you enjoyed it. You like sex after all.”

“Because she hurt you, that’s why.”

She looks up at me, her eyes searching mine. “Thank you, Dalton.”

“For what?”

“For making this night almost bearable.”

“It’s not over yet,” I say. “There’s still my speech to go.”

“You have a speech? Oh God, I’m not sure I’m ready to hear it.”

“Yeah,” I reply, swiping my hand through my hair. “My father wrote it. That's why he wanted to speak to me earlier.”

“He wrote your speech?” She blows out a breath. “Now, I’m even more concerned.”

I check my watch. It’s almost nine pm. “We should probably head back inside soon. I imagine people will be wondering about our absence.”

“Can’t we stay a little while longer?”

“Tongues will be wagging. I wonder what whispers will be going around right now,” I muse.

“Given your reputation, they probably think we’re fucking,” she mutters, laughing a little.

“Chance would be a fine thing,” I reply, the ache in balls reminding me of how long it’s been since I’ve had sex.

She laughs again. “Are you alright?”

“Alright?”

“In that respect. You clearly have uncontrollable urges.”

“I won’t lie to you and say that abstaining from sex hasn’t been the hardest fucking thing I’ve ever had to endure,” I reply, shaking my head ruefully. “But I have a hand, I use it.”

She snorts, dropping her gaze to our entwined fingers. “I’m not sure you should be admitting that whilst holding my hand.”

“What do you take me for, I’m not a complete animal. I do wash, Daisy,” I reply, laughing with her.

“I don’t know, you certainly act like one at times.”

“Touché,” I reply.

“Seriously though, this can’t be fun for you. I almost feel guilty.”

“Are you offering to relieve me of my urges, Daisy?” I ask her, cocking a brow.

“Now I know you’re desperate. I’m not your type, remember? Or maybe you do just fuck anyone with a vagina.”

“After tonight, I’m beginning to see the error of my ways.”

“Well, that’s a step in the right direction, I guess,” she replies, moving to stand.

“Daisy, just wait a second,” I say, pulling on her hand, not willing to let her go just yet. This isn’t like me, I don’t do this kind of thing. Talking with women is usually just a prelude to fucking, but I’m enjoying my time with Daisy and, admittedly, I don’t want it to end.

“What?” she asks, sitting back down.

“I never told you how beautiful you look,” I say.

“Actually, you did, back in the ballroom,” she points out. “Unless of course that was all part of the act.”

“It wasn’t. I meant it, and I want to say it again. You look incredible tonight. That dress is perfect for you. You truly are the belle of the ball. I also happen to like the colour very much, it reminds me of something…”

“What?”

“Did you choose it because it matches the colour of my eyes?” I ask teasingly.

She rolls her eyes. “You really are extremely egotistical. I chose it because it made me feel good.”

“Is that so?”

My gaze drops from her face to the sweetheart neckline of her dress, and the way her pale, freckled skin seems to shimmer in the moonlight, and I find myself wondering how she’d react if I reached out and trailed my fingers across her skin, feeling her softness. Would her breath catch? Would she flinch away, or lean into my touch? Would she want me to touch her as much as I want to touch her right now?

“Would it be so wrong if I kissed you?” I ask, the words tripping out of my mouth before I can stop them.

Her eyes widen, a blush spreading across her cheeks as our gazes clash. “You want to kiss me?”

“I said so, didn’t I?”

“You asked if it would be wrong to kiss me, not that you want to.”

“Okay then, can I kiss you, Daisy?” I ask, shifting closer, my hand cupping her cheek as I rest my forehead against hers. “Because I really fucking want to.”

“Aren’t you the kind of man who just takes what he wants?” she whispers back, her lips tantalisingly close to mine.

“Usually, yes,” I admit.

“So why aren’t you then?”

“Because I want you to want me to kiss you.”

“That’s new…”

“It is,” I agree. “Maybe I was abducted by aliens.”

“It would explain a few things,” she replies, her soft laugh dying on her lips as I brush my lips ever so gently against hers.

“So, can I kiss you?”

“I don’t want to make a mistake,” she whispers back.

“It doesn’t have to mean anything,” I argue, wanting so badly for her just to give in, to let me taste her sweetness, to savour this moment and explore whatever the hell is happening between us, because something’s shifting, and I need to figure out what that is. I need to know if this is just my desire to fuck burning brightly within me, or if it’s because I’ve been spending so much time with her without the tightly bound constraints of my relationship with Drix keeping me in check, or if this is something else entirely.

She pulls back, putting space between us once again. “But that’s where you’re wrong. It has to mean something, Dalton, or what’s the point?”

Sliding her hand from mine, she stands. “We should probably go inside now.”

Gritting my jaw, I nod. “Yeah, you’re right.”

“Where have you been?” my father asks, his anger barely veiled by the thin smile he gives us both as we head back into the ballroom.

“I needed some fresh air,” Daisy says before I’m able to respond.

“Well, we’ve all been waiting for you. It’s time for your speech, Dalton,” he replies curtly.

Next to me Daisy stiffens, but I take her hand in mine, tugging her into my side. “Come on,” I encourage her. “Let’s do this.”

“Fine,” she murmurs, falling into step beside me as we both follow my father onto the stage at the back of the ballroom that’s been set up for this very moment.

“Ladies and gentlemen, can we have your attention, please?” my father says, plastering a smile on his face as we approach. “Dalton would like to address you all.”

As we take our positions on the stage, the room falls silent, save for the soft instrumental music playing in the background. I steal a glance at Daisy, her eyes locked on to the crowd, the warmth of her fingers seeping into mine as she grasps my hand tightly. I squeeze her fingers briefly before reaching into my pocket and pulling out the speech my father has written for me, my eyes scanning the words. Yet none of them feel right for this moment, they’re too stark, too perfunctory, entirely untruthful, and certainly not how I want to express myself to these arseholes. So, I pause, clearing my throat, before folding the paper up and sliding it back into my pocket. Daisy notices, her eyes widening a fraction.

“Ladies, and gentlemen,” I say, my voice steady. “I stand before you all tonight, not just as the heir who will eventually take on the mantle of his family’s legacy, but as a man who has been humbled by a woman willing to point out his flaws and marry him despite them.”

“Dalton, the speech,” my father hisses under his breath, but I ignore him, reaching for Daisy’s hands, wanting to say this part directly to her.

“Daisy, I’ve known you for as long as I’ve been best friends with Drix. I’ve watched you blossom into a beautiful, resilient, compassionate individual despite the cruel treatment you’ve received from some members of this town, and the judgement of many others.”

As I expected, there is an audible gasp from the crowd and a flurry of whispered comments erupts in the room. But I remain steadfast and pay no attention to them. Nor do I pay any mind to my father’s obvious disapproval. I really don’t give a fuck what he or any one else thinks for that matter. Right now, I need Daisy to know that I’ve got her back, that I will stand by her as my fiance, my wife, and eventually, the mother to my child. This might not be a declaration of love, but it is meant to be a declaration of my support, and I hope to fuck she sees it that way.

“I’ve come to admire you more and more with every passing day, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen to be my wife despite knowing that we will have many more hurdles to overcome. I believe, wholeheartedly, if we face them together our relationship will only strengthen,” I add, surprising myself.

“Dalton, what are you doing?” Daisy whispers, a question in her gaze as she glances out into the audience.

“Despite my past mistakes, of which there are many, I promise to honour our relationship, and the vows we will soon make to one another.”

Stepping closer, I release her hands, and cup her face in my palms. She blinks up at me, uncertainty clouding her features, before a deep blush spreads across her cheeks.

With fierce determination, I lower my voice to a whisper and say, “I’m taking that kiss now, Daisy.”

Then, without hesitation, I press my lips against hers with bruising force, causing her hands to fly up to the lapel of my jacket as she holds on tight, drawing her closer as her fingers dig into the fabric. Our kiss deepens as she melts into my embrace, and my fingers curl into her hair, tugging on the strands. She whimpers a little, and by fuck the sound is like music to my ears and a jolt of electricity to my cock. This kiss ignites the embers of my attraction, fueling them until they’re fanning flames. I feel them lick over my skin as our tongues dance and my body presses against hers in an indecent embrace. I’m vaguely aware that we have an audience, but honestly as she whimpers into my mouth, I don’t give a fuck about anything other than the taste of her glossy lips on mine, the feel of her silken body pressed against me, the heady scent of her skin, and the soft moans and whimpers that send me fucking feral.

“Well, Dalton,” I hear my father say, his firm grip on my shoulder forcing me to break our kiss, as everything comes back into focus. “I think it’s time you release your fiance, don’t you?” he adds with a forced chuckle, mirroring the insincere laughter of the crowd. “A toast to Dalton and Daisy!”

Daisy’s cheeks are flaming as she lifts her trembling fingertips to her mouth, her eyes as round as coins, shiny and bright as I slide my hand into hers, squeezing it tightly. She attempts to pull her hand away, clearly angry that I stole that kiss, but I refuse to let her go as my father’s words cut through the air like a sharp knife, stinging me with their disapproval.

“To Dalton and Daisy,” the crowd replies, raising their glasses, despite the glares of disdain and the palpable shock at my defiance.

I find myself searching the crowd, finally settling my gaze on Drix and Lia. Lia smiles in what seems like approval, and Drix acknowledges my gaze with a tight nod. I can tell he’s pissed off that I kissed Daisy, but I’m hoping he at least trusts my promise, because despite selfishly stealing that kiss, I meant everything I said.