Chapter Eleven
(Sabrina)
Sabrina wanted to climb this man like a tree. She was also painfully aware of how inexperienced she was, so she had no idea what she was doing. But Cesare made her feel so comfortable and safe, that she didn’t have room to feel worried about anything.
The idea that Cesare thought he may have competition was comical. With the exception of one attempt gone hilariously wrong in college, she hadn’t done much with the opposite sex. For the most part, she’d been in class, studying, or at the rescue.
Sabrina’s dad had played football in high school with several friends who went on to join the local police force.
Every Saturday night the garage would fill with his friends, and Sabrina would sneak a peek at the group of large, sometimes burly, lumberjack-esque men that gossiped worse than any women she’d ever met.
Sabrina’s mother, Nicki, also had worked part time at City Hall until finances from the rescue could cover basic expenses.
Her parents had known everyone, and everyone knew her parents. As soon as Sabrina started talking about boys, Fred Hamilton made it a point to ensure every guy in town knew they’d have to contend with him, half the police force, and most of the shipyard crew if anyone so much as looked at Sabrina.
Her parents’ sudden death had brought her back home to Kittery to take care of her little sister, Brooke, and the rescue. Sabrina had been trying to pull herself out of survival mode ever since.
She wanted her first time to be with someone meaningful. In truth, she knew very little about Cesare. But the way he looked at her made her feel like he knew exactly what she needed, and how to take care of it.
Sabrina wanted to trust him. She wanted to relax, wanted not to worry; to let someone in, really in, for the first time ever. And that desire alone meant this, whatever this was, was something important and worth exploring.
Sabrina continued to text Travis. Cellphone reception along the coast was infamously terrible, but they managed to confirm that equipment and supplies were on the way.
He’d meet them on the beach, and whoever arrived first would try to ensure as much space as they could get between any beachgoers and the seal pup.
Cesare announced over the radio he’d be making an emergency landing as soon as they entered York airspace. His voice, ever calm and controlled, remained so as they circled the harbor, assuring local air traffic that no help was needed.
“There’s the group! Oh my gosh, they’re literally having a party.” Sabrina muttered. “Which is great for them, but terrible timing for the pup.” She shook her head.
“Do you see the pup?” Cesare asked.
“No, but I’m going to guess it’s in the middle of the circle of humans on the edge of the beach.” She answered, feeling somewhat exasperated. “Anyone who’s grown up here has been told a million times not to touch the seals.”
Cesare nodded in support as he narrowed in on options for landing.
“York Harbor Traffic, Helicopter N2367Y, clear of hotel parking lot, York Harbor.” He radioed out.
Sabrina looked down at the traffic circle they were landing in the center of, just down the road from a hotel beside the beach.
“This is a parking lot?” She asked wryly.
“Close enough.” Cesare shrugged with a grin. “If anyone has a problem with our landing here, I would love to discuss it.”
Sabrina tilted her head to the side, as if suddenly seeing him in a new light. “You get off on confrontation, don’t you?” She remarked, her voice tinged with amusement.
At that moment, they made touch down and Cesare gave her a rogish grin.
“What I get off on is dominance and control.” He answered in a deliciously deep voice.
Sabrina couldn’t help the hitch in her breath, or the warmth that flooded her cheeks. Maybe she had a sound kink. Was that a thing?
Cesare began flipping switches and controls with a speed and efficiency Sabrina found impressive. The sight of his large hands and muscled forearms flexing every time he reached for a dial or lever made her blood pulse with awareness.
Why did everything he do turn her on? Was this going to be her new normal? Constantly distracted by the walking, talking sex machine that was Cesare Lombardi?
“I’m also a trial attorney.” Cesare added after a moment of contemplation. “I enjoy the element of competition, and knowing I’m honing in on something; perfecting my work even more. I appreciate precision, and control.” He added as he unbuckled.
“How does that translate to a relationship?” Sabrina asked curiously.
Cesare looked at her with a wolfish grin before exiting the helicopter wordlessly. He walked around the aircraft and opened Sabrina’s door, stepping up and partially in. He leaned over her as he unbuckled her harness, hands gently disconnecting the buckles. His touch was disappointingly respectful.
Cesare looked up once he finished undoing the harness and took a long lock of Sabrina’s copper hair between his fingertips, playfully tugging it before tucking it gently behind her ear.
“I pay extremely close attention to detail, and I am thorough.” He answered lowly.
“When I see something I want, I go after it until it’s mine.
And then I protect the shit out of it. I am a complete ass to anyone else if I think they’re a threat to my peace, or the peace of my family.
Sometimes that will annoy you. But I would take better care of you than anyone ever has, and you would want for nothing. ” He finished matter-of-factly.
Sabrina exhaled shakily and reached a hand up to touch his hair, mirroring his affectionate gesture. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re kind of intense?” She asked with a slight smile.
Cesare gave a pained chuckle. “Uh. Yeah.”
Sabrina relaxed under his gaze, and then her smile deepened.
“I need to go see a seal pup, which means we’re stepping back into my wheelhouse.
Normally I have more backup, but right now it’s looking like it’ll be just me handling the pup.
Would you prefer to watch, or are you willing to get a little more hands-on? ” She asked.
Cesare stepped out of the helicopter, extending a hand, and assisted her down to the grass below. “Whatever you need, you tell me.” He answered firmly.
“Yes, sir.” She teased, eyes fixed on his lips.
“I like that.” He answered, his voice deepening.
“Sir?” She asked, flicking her gaze back to his.
Cesare nodded silently, watching for her response.
“I’ll bear that in mind.” She replied cheekily, walking away from the helicopter.
The broody Italian took a step forward, taking Sabrina’s hand in his as they made their way towards the beach.
Sabrina smiled.
Dusk had arrived as they approached a small parking lot leading to the beach. Travis had parked a van with flashers on in a no-parking zone in the crowded parking circle. He gave an appraising look at Cesare before looking at Sabrina and holding up a pair of dark green waders.
“I wasn’t sure if you wanted these or not. But I brought everything else on the list.” He informed her, pointing towards a few white plastic five-gallon buckets filled with various supplies.
“Let’s start with vests on everyone and gloves. Cesare, this is Travis. Travis, this is Cesare.”
“Good to meet you.” Cesare nodded, extending a hand.
Travis shook it with a side-eye to Sabrina. “Where are you from?” Travis asked.
“Philly.” Cesare nodded. “Here to visit and ready to help. You?”
“I’m from here. Born and raised.” Travis folded his arms.
Sabrina watched in horrified amusement at what looked like the beginning of a turf war. “I think it’s time to suit up.” She remarked dryly. “Vests make us identifiable to the public and local agencies. These are oil rigger gloves. They’re cut proof which means bite-proof…mostly.”
Cesare accepted a pair of bright yellow gloves from Sabrina as she continued. “The seal pup seems as far from the water as it can get, so we can pass on the waders for now, but we’ll need the safety boards and a seal net just in case.”
The red head picked up two wooden boards, approximately two feet wide and three feet tall, with handles on top. “Can you carry those?” She asked Cesare.
He was already reaching out for the boards. “Of course. What else can I carry?” He asked.
“You can take the net too, if you want. I’ve got the rope bag. Travis, do you have the camera?” Sabrina inquired.
Travis scoffed. “Of course I do.”
“Good.” Sabrina nodded, gaze shifting towards the beach. “We probably have another half hour before it’s dark. Let’s go check out this party.”
The trio made their way onto the sandy beach, approaching the group circled around something making a sound similar to a sniffling baby goat.
Without any hesitation, Sabrina deftly maneuvered herself into the middle of the circle, eyes widening at the sight of a tiny, premature spotted leopard seal.
Its black and white spotted coat still had the fluffy fur typically lost before birth.
Wide, frightened black eyes looked up at Sabrina.
Its nose was dry, and its whiskers drooped as the seal pup continued to make a high-pitched snuffling sound that tugged at Sabrina’s heartstrings.
“Who called the hotline?” Sabrina shouted out, projecting her voice over the crowd.
A young woman in a green tank top and jean cutoffs, standing on the outskirts of the circle, stepped forward nervously.
“Thank you for calling.” Sabrina nodded. “Can you stay to answer a few questions?” She asked.
The girl nodded hesitantly.
“Good.” Sabrina nodded again, lifting her gaze to make eye contact with the rest of the group.
“Good news is I don’t care what’s in your drink as long as you’re 150 feet away from this seal pup.
” She projected her voice once more. “Bad news is the police are on their way, and if you don’t leave right now, the police will probably have some questions. Up to you.”
“The fuck we will. Who the hell are you?” A broad-shouldered young man stepped towards Sabrina.