Chapter Twenty-Two
(Sabrina)
Sabrina woke up to a text from Walter telling her he’d handle feeding animals for the day.
She rolled over with a relieved sigh and immediately went back to sleep. She woke up again an hour later feeling so wonderful she had to take a moment to pinpoint why she was so happy.
Memories of Cesare’s hands on her body came rushing back, and Sabrina warmed just at the thought. She sat up in bed and drew a harsh breath at the sensation of pressure and sore muscles in her hips and between her legs. After a moment, she reached for her phone to text Cesare.
Sabrina: Good morning
Her phone immediately rang.
“Hello?” She asked, her voice still husky from sleep.
“Good morning, tesoro. Well done texting as you were told.”
Sabrina flushed at the praise, whilst simultaneously rankling at the words as you were told. To add further insult to injury, she could already feel herself growing wet at the sound of his voice.
“As I was told?” She repeated slowly, mulling over the words even as they came out of her mouth.
“Mmm.” He rumbled through the line. “I look forward to ensuring it’s always a pleasurable experience for you.” His voice was low and husky, and Sabrina stifled a soft moan at the ache between her legs.
“How are you feeling this morning?” Cesare asked.
“I’m sore.” She chuckled ruefully. “But I feel good.”
Cesare's grin was audible over the phone. “Tesoro, if you only knew how good you feel.”
Sabrina turned pink. “I didn’t mean it like that, Cesare.”
“No?” He answered, amused.
Sabrina bit her lip shyly. “I should get ready.”
“I want to pick out your underwear.” Cesare answered. “It doesn’t have to be today. When you’re ready. I want to pick out anything that touches your pussy; anything that holds your pretty tits.”
Sabrina swallowed, feeling herself become more aroused, tempted to reach down and touch her clit.
“How does that make you feel, Sabrina?” The arousal in his voice added to her own.
Sabrina closed her eyes, leaning into a soft, almost cosseted feeling. She was warm, safe, and wanted.
“Cesare?” She asked, her voice sounding innocent and soft.
“Yes, tesoro?” He answered.
“I need to pick out my outfit for the day.” She bit her lip. “Can you help me?” She asked.
“Of course.” Cesare responded approvingly. “FaceTime me and show me what your options are.”
Sabrina looked at her sleep tossed curls and flushed cheeks, and pressed the FaceTime button with a smile.
Cesare’s hungry gaze came onto the screen. “Beautiful.” He praised, looking her over.
Sabrina glowed.
Cesare was dismayed to find out Sabrina didn’t own any matching sets, and promised that he would ‘fix that for his tesoro’.
They settled on a soft white cotton bra and yellow lacy panties.
The jeans she was wearing the first time they met went on next, followed by a white cotton t-shirt that felt soft against her skin.
They finished with a University of New England sweater.
“You are a treasure, tesoro.” He complimented, his hungry gaze melting away any remaining insecurities lurking in the shadows.
“Thank you, Cesare.” She beamed.
“Do you like how this feels when I help you pick out clothes?” He asked.
Sabrina nodded. Knowing Cesare had chosen the clothing on her body made her feel like she was wrapped in Cesare. She liked it.
“Good.” He nodded, looking her over through the camera. “I’ll be working from the hotel most of the day, but if you need anything, I’m just a phone call away. What time do you go to sleep?”
“Around nine.” She answered.
Cesare nodded. “I’ll call you at 8:30.”
Sabrina smiled. “Have a good day, Cesare.”
Cesare nodded. “I will, tesoro. You too.”
Sabrina ended the call and left the house, wondering what it would feel like to start every morning off like this.
She walked into Society, surprised to see almost double the usual quantity of cinnamon rolls and bread loaves for sale in the display case.
“How long have you been here?” Sabrina asked, eyeing the quantity of baked goods and the coffee jitters that Marie seemed to be fighting.
“I woke up at three and couldn’t go back to bed.” She mumbled. “Can you grab the…”
Sabrina was already handing over the chocolate sauce, and Marie smiled gratefully. “Thanks. Could you grab some oat milk from the back?”
“Sure.” Sabrina walked into the storeroom, only to jump at the sight of a homeless man sleeping in the corner.
Sabrina immediately stepped back, only to bump into Marie, who looked very guilty as she held up a finger to her lips. “I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you!” She whispered.
“Who the hell is sleeping in our pantry?!” Sabrina whisper-yelled.
“It’s Dante!” Marie answered, gesturing toward the man.
Sabrina took a closer look, and sure enough, the top of his head was covered in the Lombardis' signature dark curls.
Sabrina looked back at Marie. “I’m still unclear on why he’s asleep on the floor of our storeroom between the refrigerator and the Rice Krispies!”
“He came over after he’d been up all night at your rescue, and he fell asleep.” She shrugged, as if this were a normal occurrence.
Sabrina was about to remind Marie that normal people did not sleep in storerooms, when she reflected on the many places she’d taken naps since taking over Maine Marine Rescue, and shut her mouth.
“Okay.” Sabrina muttered.
Now it was Marie’s turn to raise a brow. “Okay?”
“I’m currently wearing panties picked out by a man I met on Wednesday.” Sabrina shrugged. “So, okay.”
Marie stared at Sabrina for another moment and then chuckled. The chuckle slowly turned into uncontrollable giggles with an occasional snort.
“It’s going to be okay.” Sabrina smiled ruefully. “We’re both going to be okay.”
Marie continued to fall back into sleep deprived giggles intermittently for the rest of the hour.
The rest of the shift was quiet. Marie was closing the till, and Sabrina had just finished locking the doors when Dante walked out of the storeroom, a sleep flushed scowl on his face.
He walked up to Marie, as if Sabrina didn’t even exist, and rumbled a single word. “Coffee.”
“Take a seat. I’ll make a fresh pot.” Marie answered with a soft expression on her face.
Dante grunted in response, then sat directly on the coffee counter, right beside the space where Marie was beginning a fresh brew.
Sabrina cocked her head, unsure if she should be amused or concerned. Marie looked up, meeting Sabrina’s gaze, and smiled. “I’ll lock up.”
“That’s kind of you to offer, do you need anything before I go?” Sabrina asked, amusement starting to win over.
Marie bit her lip, shaking her head as her cheeks flushed with a tinge of pink.
Dante looked over, nodding her way. “Good to see you.”
Sabrina looked once more at Marie, still biting her lip as she started a pot of drip coffee. She looked like a dark haired pixie, next to the mountain of a man beside her. Marie looked up to meet Sabrina’s gaze once more with a reassuring smile.
“Call me if you need me.” Sabrina sing-songed as Marie made a playful shooing motion.
With a departing nod to Dante, Sabrina left Society.
She walked by the rescue on her way home and peeked through the front windows of the building, peering into the main reception room.
Walter and Travis were sitting on the couch, as Travis gestured wildly about something on his phone. Walter slowly sipped an IPA.
From where Sabrina stood, she could hear the muted chirps and chatters typical of the rescue. The familiar sounds reassured any worry, and with another fleeting, grateful look at her friends inside, she left to go to the beach.
That night, Cesare FaceTimed at 8:30. Sabrina was in bed, snuggled under the covers with a book borrowed from Marie.
“How was your day, tesoro?” He asked. His arctic blue eyes looked tired, and the faintest of creases lined his forehead. He was sitting in the back of the Town Car, as Monty drove them to the hotel.
“It was good. Work went well, and I went to the beach after.” She smiled.
“That is very good, Sabrina.” He nodded approvingly. “I am glad you took time to do something fun for yourself. Where did you go?”
Sabrina told him about shells she had collected and a bird feather she found. She asked him how his day had been and he grunted.
“It was full of boring things. Nothing as lovely as you.” Cesare answered, eyes tracing over her features with a yearning that made her heart warm.
He frowned regretfully. “We made plans, and I am very sorry, but I need to reschedule.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I received a call today about a client back in Philly. I need to go back. My flight leaves Wednesday afternoon.”
The words were a sucker punch to Sabrina’s stomach. She had finally let him in, and now he was going to leave. She never should have let him get so close.
“I want you to listen to me, tesoro. I’m coming back as soon as I can.” Cesare spoke calmly.
Sabrina fought the sudden urge to throw away the phone and burn her yellow panties.
“Look at me, tesoro.” He requested.
Sabrina reluctantly looked back at the camera.
“I want you no matter where I am. Whether I’m 15 minutes down the road or 15 hours away.” Cesare reassured.
Sabrina’s body was frozen and taut.
“I’m in court meetings most of tomorrow, but I want to see you before I go.”
Sabrina furrowed her brow. “I’ll be at the cafe. You can stop any time before three o’clock.”
“What does your schedule look like after three?” He asked.
Sabrina frowned, unable to stop the pout forming on her lips. “None of your business.” She tried to say it with a bit of sass, with a smile; she really did. But even to her own ears it just sounded like she was trying not to cry.
“You can go. It’s okay. We’re both adults. Sometimes things just happen.” She said almost robotically.
Cesare visibly tensed his jaw, his brows furrowed. “Come with me.”
Sabrina blinked. “What?”
“Come with me back to Philly. Even if it’s just for a week or two.” He urged.
“That would be crazy.” Sabrina answered, wide eyed.