\[Rosco’s POV\]
“Watch your step.”
Reaching out, I wait until Denali hesitantly takes my hand so I can lead her up the steep ramp for our ship.
After getting ready, we headed out to the marina, where our date would be taking place. It wasn’t just enough to take her to some fancy restaurant in the heart of the city when I could take her out to sea so she could take in all that Italy had to offer. It also ensured that no one would dare try to interrupt or crash our date as well.
“Is all of this necessary?” Denali asks me once we are aboard. “I just feel..."
“Watch what comes out of your mouth next, princess,” I warn. “Don’t forget what I said earlier. Anytime you put yourself down, I will punish you.”
She could think that I was joking all she wanted, but if she dared say anything that belittled the woman that she was and deserved to be treated as, I would be sure to make her remember not to think like that.
“That is too much,” she finishes, shooting me a look that says to not just assume what she is going to say. “A normal restaurant woulde fine.”
“No, it wouldn’t,” I counter, beginning to lead her toward the deck, where our table should be set and ready. “I intend to only give you the best, and a simple restaurant doesn’t fit the bill.”
Sighing, Denali doesn’t argue further and allows me to continue leading her until we reach our destination.
Reaching out, I grab her chair and pull it out, then wait until she is seated before scooting her in. Once she is in place, I head around to my seat, which is directly across from hers. Once I’m seated, our waiter comes out and sets two flutes in front of us.
“Champagne?” He asks, grabbing a bottle that sits on the table.
“Sure,” Denali responds, eyeing the flute until it is full. “Thank you.”
Nodding, the waiter begins to fill my glass and then disappears so that he can get our food together and allow us time alone.
“Can you hold your alcohol?” I ask as she lifts her drink and downs it. “If not, I’d suggest slowing down. This champagne has a high alcohol concentration.”
“I’ll be fine." Denali shrugs, giving me an adorable smirk. “I’m not as fragile as you think I am.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Growing quiet, I wait as she considers, and when she gives a nod, I know that she has decided to be stubborn.
"Then, please drink your fill.” I laugh.
Since she was with me, I knew she would be safe even if she were to get drunk, but I didn’t want her to deal with the consequences.
“But try not to overdo it,” I add for good measure.
“I’ll be fine,” she sighs, filling her glass again and taking a big sip.
“Famous last words,” I chuckle.
Sitting back, I grab my flute and bring it to my lips, taking a sip while watching Denali down a second drink and then a third.
By the time our food arrives, Denali’s cheeks are flushed a beautiful pink, and her guarded expression is completely at ease while she watches the waiter unload our dishes. Only when he is gone does she lean forward and give me a look of curiosity.
“Why are you watching me like a hawk?” She asks, stabbing a piece of shrimp and bringing it to her lips. “It makes me uncomfortable, you know.”
“Does it?” I ask. “Is it because you’re scared of me, or is it for another reason?”
“Another?” She repeats, cocking her head to the side. “What do you mean, another?”
“When I watch you, does it make you want to run far away, or does it make you tempted to move closer?"
“Hm.”
I wait as Denali puckers her lips to truly consider my question, and when they relax into a shy smile, I already know the answer to my question.
“Both,” she admits. “Why is that?”
Why? Because I was making her feel safe. I knew that I still had a very long way to go, but I was sure that I was probably the first person to show her kindness in a long time, aside from that piece of shit Alexander, but even he ended up damaging her.
“I’ll let you figure that one out, princess,” I chuckle. “And when you do, you can tell me.”
Growing quiet, I watch as confusion flashes in her eyes, but she doesn’t argue further. Instead, she focuses on finishing her meal and downing more alcohol.
By the time we are far enough out to see all of Italy’s coast Denali is two sheets to the wind, and I immediately regret letting her drink. However, I was sure if I tried to stop her, it would end up being a fight since she was an adult and, as such, could make her own decisions.
“Pretty,” she murmurs, getting up on wobbly feet. “Was this why you brought me out here?”
“Yeah,” I respond, coming to join her. “I thought you might enjoy the view.”
“Mmmmm,” she purrs before attempting to make her way to the side of the ship to get a better look. “I do.”
Careful, I hiss when she stumbles. Don’t want to ruin that pretty face.
Rushing forward, I wrap a protective arm around her and begin to lead her forward so that she can get a better look. When we reach her, I lock her in with my arms.
“There,” I huff. “Nice and secure.”
“Mhm,” she agrees, leaning against me and letting out a sigh of contentment. “Secure.”
For a moment, neither of us speak as she lets her gaze travel along the lit buildings and homes before traveling up to the star-filled sky and then the moon. At first, she seems to be lost in it, but when her lips twitch into a frown and sorrow fills her eyes, I feel something in me tug.
“Are you feeling alright?” I ask, not wanting to push but wanting her to tell me what was going on in her head. “Are you feeling sick?”
“No,” she whispers, her eyes glistening with tears. “I was just wondering what I did so wrong.”
Her words are like ice-cold water slamming into me, sobering me and making my need to protect her grow even more.
“What do you mean?”
“The moon goddess is supposed to bless us with so much,” she explains, continuing to watch the moon. “But that isn’t the case for me. Instead of blessings, I’ve gotten nothing but curses.”
Curses… I was sure that marrying me was probably among those curses, and that pissed me off beyond belief. Fuck, here I was wanting her to actually trust me and rely on me, but I was also clearly the enemy.
“I don’t think that’s true,” I begin, deciding to push my luck a bit. “I just think that she showed you what wasn’t right so you could recognize what was actually right when it was in your face.”
“What’s right?" she huffs, narrowing her gaze. “Like Alexander?”
“Hell no,” I growl, clutching the bar in my hands harder. “That bastard was a walking mistake.”
“Then who?” She continues, wriggling around so we were face-to-face. “Are you referring to yourself?”
As she speaks, she keeps her eyes locked on mine while she waits for my response.
“I am,” I confirm. “I’ve already told you that I’m your ally.”
“Until you get your revenge on my father,” she counters. “After that, I’ll be thrown aside because I’ll no longer be useful. It’s always the same. Use me until you get what you want, and then throw me aside.”
By this point, the words are flowing freely along with the tears. It fucking kills me to see her this way, and before I can even think of what I’m doing, I'm slamming my lips against hers, and when she doesn’t immediately try to fight me off, I press my tongue against her still-closed lips and wait to see if she will allow me access. And when she does, I let instinct take over.