Chapter 3 – Rosalind
CHAPTER 3
ROSALIND
I sit next to this stranger in silence as we drive. Nothing about this situation makes sense. Doesn’t the Governing Body even look at who they’re pairing? Or is it all just genetics and numbers, and we humans don’t factor in?
The irony that my husband is none other than the man that is putting my ex away doesn't escape me either. It’s as if they decided it was funny to pair us up. As if we could ever have anything in common. I thought genetics were finicky enough that the possible matches were few and far between.
The sample pool is only in the United States, so there can’t be that many to choose from. How is it I’m not only compatible with a hardened criminal but also a man of the law? It makes no sense to me, and every time I try to think about it, my head pounds in protest.
Leaning forward, I rub my forehead, desperate to find relief. My eyes are closed, shutting out any extra light that might pierce my eyes. It’s not a migraine, not yet at least, but I want to stave it off as long as I can.
Suddenly, warm fingers rub at the back of my neck, the gesture so intimate it makes my stomach churn. This is the action of someone who’s been with a partner for a long time and not someone they just met. Turning, I watch Michael out of the corner of my eyes.
He looks straight ahead, his face giving away nothing. With one hand, he steers the car. With the other, he threatens to shatter every bit of my resolve to hate him. His touch is somehow both gentle and firm, commanding and yielding, seeking my permission but taking it anyway.
How can one person house such a dichotomy? Closing my eyes again, I conjure up images of Jacob. Did he ever rub my neck when I was in pain? No. The bastard just yelled at me and called me useless.
It’s not my fault I get headaches every now and then. It’s not as if I choose to be in pain. But somehow to him, everything I did was on purpose to make his life harder or more difficult. Biting down on my lower lip, I hold back the sob that threatens to burst forth.
This man isn’t what I expected. But then, we’re so newly married. Perhaps he thinks by being nice to me, we’ll enjoy a wedding night. Fat chance. Just because every inch of his body screams sex doesn’t mean I have to give in.
Again, I glance over, noting the firm set of his jaw. He should frighten me. He certainly has the Alpha strength in spades, strong enough to force me to do anything he wants. Even though Jacob was massive, this man seems to exceed him.
Perhaps it’s just the size of the car. Straightening up, I urge Michael’s hand away. This time, he finally looks at me, a frown twisting his lips. “Is your headache gone?”
“Well no, but?—”
“Then I’ll keep rubbing you.” There’s a finality to his voice, a tone that brooks no argument.
He continues his rubbing, sliding down to grip my shoulders. His touch hurts, but in a good way. Despite everything going on in my head, I find myself melting into him, wanting more, craving more. Besides, if it’s helping my head stop hurting, what’s the harm?
It’s not like I’m having him ease the ache between my thighs. That’s certainly a line too far. Still though, I can’t help but look back up at him, marveling at his massive hand as he maneuvers the steering wheel with practiced ease.
Two months since I last had an Alpha touch me. Since Jacob was my first, I didn’t realize just how much an omega’s body craves them. But now that I’ve been without, my entire being sobs, desperate for relief.
It’s not my heat, unfortunately. At least that way, I would have an excuse to want to sleep with this man. No, this is simply my body being needy, wanting to be stretched out beneath this behemoth of a man.
Squirming in my seat, I opt to look out the window, studying the area I’m going to be living in. This time, it’s my turn to frown. Gone are the large houses and sprawling estates I’m used to.
Each neighborhood seems to be smaller than the last. Could this be a joke? A prank? I don’t have any point of reference for how much a DA makes, but surely it’s more than this… right?
My gut clenches as he turns off of a main road and down into a side street ending in a cul-de-sac. The houses here are a touch bigger, but still far smaller than I expected. I know my cousin was teasing when she referred to me as a princess, but it doesn’t negate the fact that I’m used to so much more than a white picket fence and 2.5 kids.
Hell, even Jacob had a massive house with servants and assistants to take care of everything. But then, as a criminal, I guess it makes sense. So many things made sense after the cops took him away.
“We’re here,” Michael says softly, interrupting my thoughts. “Home sweet home. Oh, and don’t worry about the grass. I know it’s a little tall. I’ll take care of that this weekend. I’ve been occupied with… well… you know.” He pulls out his phone and scrolls through, punching in some information.
“Yes,” I murmur, not trusting myself to speak. “I know.”
“Come, let’s get you settled.”
Looking back into the car, I glance at the empty backseat and back up at him. “It’s not as if I have anything.”
“No, but apparently your family was contacted at the same time we were. Since we both seem to live close enough, they were able to help with this arrangement. Your things should be inside the house waiting for you.”
“Oh? You have helpers to let them in?” Excitement tinges my tone as I pull ahead, relief flooding through me.
Michael tilts his head, his brow furrowing. “No. But a few of my coworkers know how to get in if there’s an emergency. And, well, let’s face it. Marriage while handling a high-profile case is somewhat of an extenuating circumstance.”
“I see.” I try my best to keep the disappointment off of my face, but apparently, I’m not quick enough.
“Do you find something about my home lacking?”
“I—Of course not,” the lie tumbles from my lips.
He crosses his arms, his eyes narrowing. “We may not know each other that well yet, princess, but there are many things I take umbrage with… some more so than others. Lying is at the top of my list of things I won’t tolerate. Are we clear on that, little girl?”
Little girl ? My heart thumps so hard in my chest I’m sure he hears it. Needing to pull my armor back around me, I rely on the tried-and-true method of having an attitude. “Of course you don’t,” I grumble, pausing as I note the heat in his gaze.
Maybe tried and true isn’t the correct response right now, given just how little I know of him and don’t want to push his buttons… yet. And so, I affix a meeker demeanor, letting him win this one so I can live to sass another day. Just barely, I managed to resist rolling my eyes. “I’m just surprised is all. Your house isn’t what I was expecting.”
“It’s got four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. What more do you expect?”
Well, for starters, maids, a pool, a game room, a den? But even as I think that I realize just how shallow it is. “I just thought DAs made more. That’s all.”
His frown deepens even further somehow, causing my insides to clench. God, but how is this hot? I should be frightened of him, not wanting to tackle him here on the sidewalk.
“Not all of us can beat people and have money appear. Some of us actually have to work for a living, and, shocker I know, pay bills. But don’t worry, I will not make you get a job or anything. If that’s what you’re worried about.”
Well, until he said that, the thought hadn’t even crossed my mind. “Well, thank you for that, at least.”
I study the man before me. Though he says nothing, I feel the irritation rolling off of him in waves. He’s upset, and it’s all my fault. Before I can make it up to him, he turns and walks up the steps to the door.
“I don’t have a key for you, but you’ll have one tomorrow. Do you have any vehicles or anything that needs to be brought over?”
“No.”
At that, he turns around, his eyes wide. “Then how did you get around? Don’t tell me someone like you took the bus.”
“Someone like me?” I narrow my eyes, aggravation crawling up my spine.
“Yes. Someone who’s obviously used to much fancier things than I can provide you with.”
“You’re out of line,” I snap out, taking a step forward.
He crosses his arms. “Am I? Then tell me how you got around?”
My shoulders slump as I realize he does, in fact, have a point. “I had a driver. Happy now?”
“Not quite, but I’m sure we’ll find some commonality before too long.”
Grumbling under my breath, I follow him in, stopping as we clear the door. Though smaller than I would have thought, the place seems well laid out. The nice open floor plan makes it look much larger on the inside, and everything is perfectly arranged. Just so.
“Where’s my stuff?”
“I had them put it into the spare bedroom. Here, let me give you a quick tour, then we’ll get down to business.”
The way he says that makes my stomach flip. What sort of business could we have so soon in this relationship? Following him through the house, I shove my worry out of my mind and concentrate on where everything is.
Even though we’re married now, I can’t say I’m not relieved to know we’ll be in separate bedrooms. I never had that option with Jacob. Though I’ll never say our first time together was forced, it wasn’t as willing on my end as I thought it should be.
But he was my husband. I couldn’t refuse him his marital rights. Just like Michael is now my husband. If he asked me right now to go to bed with him, I would probably say okay. As an omega, what other choice do I have?
I’d rather go of my own volition than be dragged to the bedroom and forced. At least by making the choice I can always say it was never taken from me. Deep in thought, I run into Michael’s back.
With a soft squeak, I bounce away, not wanting to feel just how warm his skin is or take in another deep breath of his intoxicating scent. Reaching out, he grabs my shoulders, steadying me.
Instead of pulling away once I stop swaying, he stands there, his thumbs running up and down my shoulders, brushing across my collarbones. This is it. This is when he’s going to ask me to become his wife in every sense of the word.
I stand there, my insides cringing as I wait for his subtle command, for the Alpha voice to move me into action. But it never comes. He just looks down at me, his brown eyes peering into my very soul. It’s as if he’s stripping me bare without saying a word.
“Is the room to your liking?” He finally breaks the silence but refuses to move his hands.
“It’s not as if I have a choice, you know.” I giggle, desperate to break the tension.
This time, he finally pulls away, his brows pulling down. “You will always have a choice with me.” With a sheepish shrug, he looks back at the room. “Okay, in this instance, you don’t really have a choice. It’s the only room that’s free. If you’d rather my master bedroom, the gym, or the office, I’d have to move things around.”
“It’s fine. I would never put you out like that.”
“You wouldn’t be putting me out. Not exactly. But it would take work to accommodate your request. I’m not an ogre. I can bend at times.”
“An Alpha can bend? Shocker.” His broad smile makes my heart flutter, but the moment he slides his fingers under my chin to tilt my face up, it begins to pound.
“I may be an Alpha, but I’m very much aware of the sway we hold over omegas. I will never use that against you. That being said, it’s time to go over the rules.”
“Rules?” That one little word is like a bucket of water crashing down upon my head. “I don’t need rules. I’m your wife. Not some wayward child who has to be controlled.”
For a second, his eyes darken, his pupils eating up his irises. But then, they go back to normal so fast, I’m not sure if I actually saw it correctly. However, there’s no mistaking the swirl of arousal that drifts off his body.
It calls to me, forcing me to answer in kind. For a moment, I sway toward him, desperate to be closer, to nuzzle deep into that intoxicating scent that floods my brain. But no. I must be strong. I must resist him. But for how long?