One Too Many
[Rosco’s POV
“Watch your step.”
Reaching out, I wait until Denali hesitantly takes my hand so I can lead her up
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 would 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, 1 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.
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 being 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 guanded expression is completely at ease while she watches the waiter wnload our desires. 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?”
“Anuther?” 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?”
1/3
One Too Many
1
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 p, 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 wenn be ended up dumuging ber
‘T’ll let you figure that one out, princess.” I chuckle. “And when you do, you cam hai
Growing quiet, 1 watch as confusion flashes in her eyes, but she duen
Carque funtsen, lastend, the focuses on Finching her meal and downing man
By the time we are far enough out to see all of Italy’s coast Denali is two sheets. if 1ned to stop het, it would end up being a fight since the wins an adult and as
“Preth,” she murmurs, getting up on wobbly feet, “Was this why you brought me out bers
eah I respond coming to join her. “I thought you might enjoy the mes
alephot
ind, and 1 immediately regret letting her drink. However, I was sur
“mm” she puns before attempting to make her way to the side of the ship to get a better look. 1-ant
Careful. I hit when the stumbles. Don’t want to ruin that pretty an.
Bushing forward, I wrap a protective arm around her and begin to lead her forward so that she pet inter look. When we reach her. I lock her in with
1 but “kice and secure
non me and letting out a sigh of contentment, “Securit
befonteing up
be med sky and the
and then the moon.
speak as she lets her gaze travel along the lat buildings and bum Tech to be lost in it, but when her lips twitch into a frown and sorrow fills her eves, I feel sometim
‘I ask, not wanting to puch but wanting her to tell me what was going on in ber bead.
øves platening with tears. “I was past wondering what I did on wrong”
nje zid water slamming into me sobering me and making my need to protect her grow even mure
“The moon proses is supposed in bless in with so much,” she explains.continuing to watch the moon. “But that it the case for me. Instead of bumings,
was probably among those curses, and that pissed me of beyond belief, Fuck, here I was warning her to actually This clearly the
bepio, deciomg in push my luck a bit. I past think that she showed you what wasn’t night so you could prope
“Hell no.” I grow!, durchung the bur in my hunda harder.
“Then who?” She continues, wriggling around so we were Lame–to–face. “Are you referring to yourself?”
As she speaks, she kerns her pets lad
“Until you get your invenge on my father” ise munten. “kche that, I’ll be thrown aude fincause I’ll no longer be useful, it’s always the same. Use me at
want, and then dippe
By this point, the words are
slamming my lips gautat her and when
to see her this way, and before I can even think of what I’m doing, Em edanuk try to fight me off, I press my tongue against her still–closed lips and wait m see if the
