Forced To Be His Bride. Fated To Be His Mate by Eliza Selmer

A Step Too Far 

[Rosco’s POV] 

I keep my gaze fixed on Denali as she slowly begins to understand what I’ve said. I didn’t only bring her here because of the news going around about me and Nadia. I also wanted her to be a part of the opening of the resort that Harold was doing a piss poor job of handling finances for. 

“Did you just say a wedding gift?” Nadia demands, her eyes flashing. “You can’t be serious! For someone like her! How could you…” 

She doesn’t get to finish her words before her father’s hand is covering her mouth and he is shooting a glare her way. Once he finishes, he gives me and Denall an apologetic look. 

“I do apologize for her,” he says quickly. “Please, you were leaving, correct?” 

“That’s right,” I confirm. “I’ll check the ledgers tomorrow, so don’t think you’re off the hook.” 

Nodding, he gives us a shooing motion while continuing to keep Nadia quiet. After giving them another look, I turn and begin to lead Denali out. 

“That was,” she huffs, untangling herself the minute we can’t be seen. “Something, but are you really opening a resort for me?” 

Frowning, I take her in, as I wonder if she would even believe me if I told her. Honestly, when I first started this cooperation with Harold, I wasn’t intending to dedicate this resort to anyone, but after hurting her so badly and making a piss poor first impression, I thought that it would be a good way to apologize. 1 

“Are you not satisfied?” I ask, hailing a cab. “If not, I can get you something else. Maybe a yacht, a big diamond, or maybe even an island.” 

At my words, Denali’s eyes grow wide with shock, and a look of fear begins to cover her 

features. 

“Why on earth would you do something like that?” She asks, eyeing me in disbelief. “I don’t need any of those things.” 

“I know,” I chuckle, reaching out and grabbing her hand so I can help her into the cab that stops in front of us. “And that’s the reason I want to give it all to you.” 

us.” 

Just knowing all the shit that Denali went through up until this point made me want to give 

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her all the finer things in life. However, I knew it was because of that upbringing that the wouldn’t want any of it and would most likely think that she wasn’t even worthy of it. 

Sighing, I get comfortable in my seat and turn my gaze out the window while Denali eyes me. 

“Why are you staring?” I ask, slowly turning to meet her gaze. “Did you finally fall for me?” 

“No,” she responds immediately, taking a jab at my ego. “I’m just wondering again why you’re doing all of this after I agreed to work with you to get back at my father.” 

“Because I want to.” I shrug. “You’re my wife, and as such, you should be spoiled.” 

“Not hardly,” she whispers, tearing her gaze away and looking out the window again. 

Opening my mouth, I debate on whether or not I should bother arguing with her since I knew that it was most likely a lost cause. And after deciding that I would start by helping build up her confidence, I remain silent until we reach our hotel. 

After climbing out of the cab, I lead Denali through the busy lobby while people watch us curiously and then head into the elevator. When we are alone, I turn my attention to her once more and find that she looks slightly uncomfortable. 

“Afraid of being in a small space alone with me?” I ask, taking a few steps toward her. “I’ve asked you multiple times if you’re afraid of me, and you keep saying no, but your actions say otherwise.” 

“That isn’t it,” she sighs, then nervously bites her lip. “It’s i 

out, and that is unnerving.“. 

that I can’t really figure you 

“Figure me out?” I repeat with a chuckle. “Why in the world do you need to figure me out? Just stop overanalyzing and try to let your hair down a bit, princess. You may find that you’re much happier and more free that way. You did say you wanted freedom, yes?” 

“I did,” she confirms. “But what if I do all of that and then it is ripped away from me?” 

Gasping, she shoots me a look that screams that she didn’t intend to say that. 

“Nevermind, forget what I said; I was… 

“Finally opening up,” I finish for her. 

I didn’t know why, but hearing that left a sour taste in my mouth because I was pretty sure she was referring to her fucking piece of shit ex. Or maybe she was also talking about her mother. The more I was with her, the more broken I realized she truly was, and with each passing day, I wanted to fix her more. Even if, in the end, she didn’t end up with me, just knowing that she was whole for once in her life was enough for me. 

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“Come on,” I say, reaching out and grabbing her hand when the elevator doors open. “I’ve got something ready for you to wear this evening.” 

“Where are we going?” She asks, allowing me to lead her to our suite. “And you really don’t have to do all of this.” 

‘Right, right,” I huff. “But do know, each time you tell me I don’t have to do this or say that something unpleasant is fine, I’m going to start punishing you.” 

“Punish,” she squeaks, her eyes growing large like deer in headlights. “What do you mean by punish?” 

“Exactly what I said,” I respond, whirling around and pinning her to the wall. Reaching up, I clasp her chin between my fingers and squeeze just enough to tilt her head up so that she has to look at me. “I’m going to punish you, but I won’t tell you how. Just keep my words in mind; otherwise, know that you’ve been warned.” 

Leaning forward, I nip her nose to show her that I mean business and then pull away so that I can start to unlock the door. The minute I manage to open it, Denali rushes inside and then disappears into the bathroom. 

Letting out a long puff of air, I flop down on the bed and watch as the canopy above me billows in the wind from the balcony, whose door is currently open. Turning, I take in the city beyond and find myself growing excited to be showing it to Denali. 

I don’t know how much time passes as I wait for her to get done in the bathroom, but when she finally emerges, her hair hangs in wet tangles along her robed body. 

“You can use it now,” she says shyly, trying to avoid meeting my gaze. “I’m sure you probably want to shower before we go out, right?” 

“I do,” I confirm, getting up and pulling off my shirt. “But I was hoping to shower with my wife.” 1 

As I speak, I toss my shirt to the side and watch as Denali’s eyes begin to take in my body. She could say that she wasn’t interested in me until she was blue in the face, but I could easily see all the perverted thoughts that were going through her innocent head. I suppose I had those mommy porn books to thank for her even being this curious. 

“You can touch if you want,” I offer, reaching out and grabbing her wrist, then placing her hand on my chest. “I don’t mind.” 

“Who said I wanted to touch?” She gasps, attempting to pull away. 

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“Your eyes,” I counter, holding her hand in place. “There’s nothing wrong with being interested in my body,” I continue, gently sliding her fingers along my skin so they leave lines of fire. “I’m a man, and you’re a woman. We are going to be spending a lot of time together and alone; it is only natural that we will become more and more curious about one another.” 

Smirking, I listen to the sound of Denali’s heart rate increasing and the way she sounds, swallowing with nerves. She really was adorable, but I wanted to see more of her expressions. I also wanted to hear her more, but not in this way. I wanted to see how she looked beneath me while I fucked her senseless and hear her voice screaming my name. Fuck, she truly was alluring, and I realized too late that in my attempt to get her to show some interest, I was turning myself on. And when Denali’s eyes shift to my crotch, I realize a minute too late that I’ve grown hard. 1 

“Dammit,” I 

Pulling away and heading to the bathroom. “I guess I do need a shower.”