The Rogue and His Flower (Princetown Heirs #2)

Chapter 13

DAISY

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“So, that kiss…” Lia says, her voice trailing off as warm puffs of air release from her mouth. It’s midweek, and we’re sitting huddled together on the park bench whilst Drix and Toby run around the playground together, their laughter a balm to the churning feelings inside my stomach.

“…Was unexpected,” I reply carefully, still not sure how I feel about it, in all honesty.

“From where I was standing it looked like you were enjoying yourself,” she teases, nudging me with her arm.

“I can’t deny that he’s a good kisser,” I mumble, my cheeks heating.

“But?”

“But it’s all part of the act. We had to make our engagement look real,” I reply, hating how good it had felt in the moment, knowing that it meant nothing.

“Well if that’s the case, he’s a very good actor,” Lia muses.

“He’s Dalton Gunn. He’s been brought up to behave a certain way his whole life. Piling on the charm and putting on a show comes easily to him.”

“And the speech, you think that was insincere?” she probes.

“I don’t know…” I falter, my words trailing off. “It certainly wasn’t the speech his father wrote for him. That I do know for sure.”

“His father wrote an engagement speech for him? That figures,” Lia comments, her feelings towards Carl about the same as mine. That is, she doesn’t think much of him either.

“He did. They argued about it after everyone left the engagement party. It’s been a tense few days,” I admit.

“That doesn’t sound fun.”

“Not at all,” I agree with a heavy sigh. “Dalton and Carl are barely speaking, which has made our last few evening meals together intolerable, and Dalton has thrown himself into work. I haven’t really spoken to him much these past couple of days either.” I heave out a sigh, feeling my chest tighten at the continued strain between us. “As soon as I think we’re making headway together, something crops up and we’re back to being distant again. I’m not asking to be best friends with him, Lia. I just want to make this whole situation as bearable as possible.”

“Can I be honest with you, Daisy?” Lia asks carefully.

“Of course, I could use some honesty.”

“I truly believe that Dalton was being sincere when he said what he did at your engagement party. I think that…” she hesitates, ruminating on her words.

“You think what?”

“That he genuinely likes you, and maybe he’s struggling a little with that given the situation you’re in, and his relationship with Drix.”

“He’s already told me he likes me, as much as a man like Dalton can like anyone,” I add with a shake of my head.

“That’s not what I meant,” she continues.

“Then what are you saying?” I ask.

“Do you remember that time a few months back when you found out that he fired Lewis for sleeping with someone else whilst dating you?”

“Yes, he was being an interfering arse,” I reply, remembering the moment well. I’d been so angry at Dalton for sticking his nose in my personal business that we’d exchanged quite a few heated words in front of a restaurant full of people at the hotel, and then I called him an arsehole and stormed off.

“After you argued, I had a brief conversation with him,” she continues on.

“You never said.”

“You were so angry, and we were just getting to know each other. I didn’t want you to think I was interfering,” she explains, pulling a face.

“Lia, you’re my friend. You're the love of my brother’s life, I’d never assume you were interfering. So what was said during this conversation exactly?”

“That he fired Lewis because he was looking out for you.”

I shake my head. “He would say that. He’s a control freak. Besides, both him and Drix have always meddled with my past relationships. It’s just what they do.”

“He also went on to say that none of the men you dated have been good enough for you.”

“He said that?” I ask, a little shocked to be honest.

“Yes,” she nods her head, searching my gaze. “He told me that he sees you like a sister…”

For some reason that makes me feel worse, not better. “Fabulous,” I mutter.

“But I didn’t believe a word of it,” Lia adds.

“So you think he was acting then, too?”

“No, Daisy, I think he truly cares for you.”

“If he does, it’s because I’m Drix’s sister. Nothing more.”

“There’s something else I’ve never mentioned to you,” she continues, flicking her gaze my way.

“Oh no, what?”

“Do you remember that night Drix took me to Bandits Bar to see the band play.”

“The night when he tripped over his tongue because you looked so damn hot, you mean?” I respond playfully, remembering that moment well.

She grins. “Well, that night Dalton asked me to dance.”

“I bet he did.”

“It wasn’t like that. He was very respectful.”

“Okay, so you danced…” I let my voice trail off as I wait for her to continue.

“He asked for my advice about a woman he liked.”

“I’m not sure I want to know,” I admit. “It was bad enough that I found at our engagement party that he’d slept with my ex-friend Clarissa.”

Lia’s eyes widen. “That can’t have been fun.”

“It wasn’t, but the fact he told her to her face that he regretted sleeping with her made up for it.”

“Wait, when did that happen?” Lia asks, eyes wide with delight.

“At our engagement party. I overheard her talking about me unkindly, and I finally told her what I thought of her.”

Lia grins. “Good for you!”

“Then Dalton came along and backed me up. He was… kind.”

Lia grins, her eyes twinkling. “I knew it.”

“You’re reading into things,” I say, brushing her off with a wave of my hand. “So… this woman that he asked your advice about. Who was she?”

“He never said, but given the conversation I had with him at the restaurant after you argued, I believe that woman is you.”

“No way. Nope. Impossible,” I reply, shaking my head. “Up until very recently Dalton and I hated each other.”

“Look, I really don’t know Dalton all that well,” she says, grasping my hand, and squeezing it gently. "But I do believe there is a lot more to how he feels about you than he’s willing to acknowledge. The way he kissed you at the engagement party was not how a man kisses a woman who he sees as his little sister.”

“Dalton and I are just playing a part,” I argue, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable in my skin as my stomach does this weird flip-flop.

Lia tips her head to the side as she regards me. “But there is an undeniable chemistry between you. Even when you supposedly hated each other, I could sense it. You can’t tell me you don’t feel it?”

“I honestly don’t know what I feel, or what’s even real. I’m a little out of my depth here,” I admit, recalling how it felt to have his hands on me that time in the spa, how it felt to have his lips on mine at Bandits Bar and then at our engagement party. But more than that, how he’d had my back when Clarissa had been cruel, and how he’d supported my choice to wear a dress of my choosing.

“Maybe you’re just too scared to admit the truth to yourself.”

“What truth?”

“That at the very least Dalton’s attracted to you, and that maybe you’re attracted to him too.”

I heave out a sigh, shaking my head. “Dalton is a sex addict, Lia, and right now he’s unable to indulge his desires. That kiss was a byproduct of all his pent up sexual tension. That’s all it was, and I was playing along for the sake of our contract.”

“Okay, if that’s what you truly believe then I apologise for suggesting otherwise. But will you just do me a favour?”

“What?”

“If you do find yourself feeling something deeper for Dalton, and he reciprocates, don’t close yourself off to the potential of something real. Don’t be afraid to explore it. If I’d let my fear get the better of me, Drix and I might not be together today.”

Her words linger in the crisp January air, mingling with the distant laughter of Drix and Toby as they continue to play. I watch them for a moment, their carefree joy a stark contrast to the turmoil gathering in my own heart. I honestly don’t know what to believe. Could Lia be right? Could it be that Dalton really sees me more than just his best friend’s younger sister? Could there be the potential for something more? And even if I did want something more, is Dalton capable of something deeper than just physical intimacy? I highly doubt it.

Before I can dwell on it further, Drix strides over to the both of us with Toby in his arms. “I think it’s time we got Toby something to eat, he’s worked up quite an appetite.”

An hour later, after dropping Lia and Toby home, Drix and I are sitting together in his car on the driveway of Highwood Manor Estate, an uncomfortable tension between us. Throughout lunch at Daphne’s café he’d been thoughtful, quiet. I know there was a lot he wanted to say, but refrained given the cafe was full of people.

“So,” Drix begins.

“So?” I retort, turning my body to face him. “Whatever you’ve been keeping inside, just spit it out, Drix.”

He scowls, his fingers drumming on the steering wheel. “He kissed you, Daise.”

“He did.”

“I warned him not to touch you.”

“It would’ve been a little weird if he hadn’t kissed me, don’t you think?” I reply. “We’re engaged to be married after all.”

“He could’ve pecked you on the cheek, not practically mauled you!” he says, side-eyeing me.

“We did what we had to do,” I counter.

“He took liberties,” he argues, scowling.

“You heard what Mrs Fernsby had to say, she was surprised to hear of our engagement. She doesn’t believe it’s genuine any more than the rest of the guests did. Everyone was whispering about us, Drix. Even Clarissa believed that the only reason Dalton is marrying me is because he must’ve gotten me pregnant. The sad fact is, they’re suspicions aren’t even that far from the truth,” I reply bitterly. “God forbid a wealthy man like Dalton Gunn would ever choose to marry someone like me.”

Drix runs a hand over his face, his features softening as he looks at me. “Don’t do that,” he says.

“What, speak the truth?” I reply heatedly.

“Put yourself down. Any man would be lucky to have you as their wife. You’re an incredible person, Daisy.”

“I’m not searching for compliments, Drix, I’m just stating the facts. They sensed something wasn’t quite right, so Dalton and I tried to counter that. We have to make this believable, you know that.”

“I do, but I don’t have to like it.”

“Well, you’d better get used to it, because this is how it’s going to be,” I reply, stoically. “I’m marrying Dalton in a little under a month.”

“I know.” His jaw grits as he looks out of the window, but he doesn’t try to argue.

“Eventually Dalton and I are going to have a child together, and I need you to support me when that happens.”

“Of course I’ll support you, Daisy. I’ll even be there when you give birth if that’s what you want,” he offers, reaching for my hand and folding his fingers around mine.

“Erm, I think that’s taking it a bit far. I don’t need you seeing my vagina, Drix,” I chuckle.

“Yeah, okay, fair point,” he agrees, then his expression darkens. “And neither will Dalton.”

“He’ll be the father.”

“And he can wait outside the damn labour room with me,” he mutters.

“Let’s not think about that for now,” I reply, waving off his concerns. “We haven’t even gotten that far yet, let alone discussed the practicalities of it.”

“Don’t you think you should?”

“Yes, and we will. Don’t worry, Drix. We’ve had several conversations about boundaries already,” I say, trying to reassure him.

He nods, then falls silent for a moment. “Have you told him?”

“Told him about what?”

“What happened to you as a kid? Your fear of the dark.”

I shake my head. “He doesn’t need to know. Besides, I have a bedside lamp. I use it.”

Drix stares at me, his eyes searching mine. “What about the nightmares?”

“I haven’t had any in months, and if it hadn’t escaped your notice Highwood Manor is huge. I doubt anyone will hear anything even if I do have one.”

Drix’s expression softens, his fingers still intertwined with mine. “I just worry about you, Daisy. You’ve been through so much, and I won’t be there should anything happen,” he says, his voice filled with concern.

“You’ve always looked out for me, but I’m okay, honestly,” I say, squeezing his hand reassuringly.

“I know you’re strong, but you don’t always have to be. Call me, any time day or night, and I will come. You know I will,” he says, reaching for me and pulling me into a tight hug.

“I know that, and I love you for it,” I reply, hugging him back.

“Love you too, Daise.”

“Now, you go home, go back to that beautiful family of yours,” I say, untangling myself from his arms.

“Okay. See you at Bandits Bar this weekend?”

“Definitely,” I reply, plastering on a smile as I step out of the car. Before slamming the door, I lean down and ask, “So, what’s the deal with Ben and Harlow?”

He frowns. “Ben and Harlow? Nothing.”

“I got the impression something was going on between them. Sterling looked pretty taken aback about the fact Harlow is singing at Ben’s bar.”

Drix blows out a long breath. “Yeah, he was.”

“So?” I press, my curiosity piqued.

“So you’re barking up the wrong tree,” he replies cagily.

My brows furrow in confusion. “But…wait, are you suggesting…?” He gives me a pointed look that confirms my suspicions. “There’s something going on between Sterling and his stepsister?”

Drix pulls a face. “I’ve said too much already.”

“Wow, and here’s me thinking my situation couldn’t get any more complicated.”

“My thoughts exactly.”