Chapter Nine #2
Cesare directed her to sit in the front passenger seat and started to fasten a four point harness over her. Two straps going over her shoulders joined a connecting buckle in the center of her chest, connecting to two straps below, on either side of her hips.
“Arms up.” He instructed.
She obeyed, hazel eyes sparkling, as she extended her arms out as if they were wings on her sides.
“Good girl.” He gave a roguish grin as he reached for the restraints on either side of her hips, in the close confines of the cockpit. He paused at the audible hitch in Sabrina’s breath.
Cesare lifted his focus from the connecting belts in his hands, up the curve of Sabrina’s body, and met her waiting gaze in the deliciously thick silence. He looked down at her lips; they were close enough that all she had to do was tilt her head up just an inch or so, and her lips would be on his.
“Arms down.” He rasped.
Sabrina followed the direction, but instead of placing her hands at her sides, she reached out with both hands and combed her fingers through his hair.
He leaned into the touch, melting like a jungle cat as she gently scratched his scalp with her nails. Her heart skipped a beat and steadied, and Sabrina didn’t think she’d ever felt more powerful or protective of someone before. Was this what Cesare felt when he made her blush for him?
“You like this.” She mused, with a tenderness in her voice.
He gave an almost pained exhale and nodded before pulling back to look at her. He swallowed thickly as Sabrina slowly withdrew her hands, and he fastened the straps over her shoulders into the connecting clasp across her upper chest.
Sabrina couldn’t hide her gasp at the sensation of his hands brushing across her sensitive breasts as he tightened the harness, and she squeezed her eyes shut.
“Eyes.” Cesare rumbled.
Sabrina opened her eyes to meet his gaze before she looked down at her hands clasped nervously in her lap. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what I’m doing.” She whispered, an uncomfortable feeling of shame wrapping its prickly fingers around her.
“Look at me when we’re talking, Sabrina.” He answered, not unkindly.
Sabrina looked up, unsure why she’d been so nervous when his expression was so…tender.
“There she is.” He smiled, reaching a hand out and tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
“You said it’s been a while. So I think it’s perfectly normal to be nervous.
I’d be surprised if you weren’t. But the only thing you need to do is enjoy yourself and trust me to take care of you. Can you do that for me?” He asked.
Sabrina let out a pent-up breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding and nodded. “Yes.”
“That’s it.” He nodded encouragingly. “I want you to say it back to me, Sabrina. You only have two rules tonight; what are they?”
“Um, to enjoy myself and let you…” Sabrina found herself caught on words that were suddenly so hard to say. Let you take care of me. Why was that so hard to say? She looked up at Cesare, wanting to say it, but frustrated at her body’s response.
“Breathe, baby.” Cesare coaxed, and Sabrina followed the instruction.
Cesare nodded, visibly pleased when she obeyed. “Again.”
Sabrina took a deep breath and then released it once more, her eyes held in his icy blue gaze.
The air in the cockpit was still, and Cesare’s hand drifted down the side of her face to the hollow of her throat. Sabrina’s heart skipped a beat at the feather-light touch.
“Again.” Cesare commanded.
Sabrina took the freest, deepest breath she had in a long time. She then smiled at the devilishly handsome man in front of her.
“What are tonight’s rules?” Cesare asked again, watching her every move; every micro-expression.
“To enjoy myself, and let you take care of me.” Sabrina answered evenly; successfully.
“Is that something you want?” Cesare asked gently.
Sabrina nodded, feeling warm and soft-spun. “Yes.”
“Good.” Cesare nodded, looking at her like she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. After another moment, he sat back in his own seat and strapped in.
◆◆◆
Cesare checked that all the instruments were on and calibrated correctly, and set the radios for departure.
Butterflies erupted in Sabrina’s stomach as they lifted off the ground, and she turned to look at Cesare, her excitement palpable. “Thank you!” She spoke through the intercom.
“My pleasure.” He nodded. “Are you ready to learn some more?” He asked.
“Yes!” She answered.
“Good. We’re going to do what’s called a hover check, and then we’re flying to Plum Island. Are you ready?” He asked.
“Ready, Captain!” She grinned, appreciating the visual before her.
She wanted to take a mental picture of this moment.
The evening sun shone in as Cesare grinned in her direction, wearing a pair of classic black Tom Ford shades; a large hand wrapped around the yoke stick as he steered the helicopter.
She finally tore her eyes away to watch the ground beneath them grow farther and farther away until Sabrina imagined they were closer to the stars than they were to the ground.