Chapter Twenty-Five #2
Cesare examined her with the same level of obsession he typically did, keeping his expression neutral. His tesoro was being skittish again.
He couldn’t blame her. He was reminded once again that however easy this was, it was still new and different, and Sabrina wasn’t the type to blindly follow anyone. Her choosing to trust him would be a process, not a one and done exchange.
Cesare took a cautious step towards her, leaning in close enough that his lips brushed the delicate skin of her ear as he spoke. “Do you need me to persuade you, tesoro?”
Sabrina bit her lip, shaking her head, hesitation painting her face.
Unbothered, Cesare ran a hand down her side, resting on her hip and pulling her even closer. “Do you need me to make you?” He asked lowly, evenly.
“No.” Sabrina breathed, staring out at the bustle of the crowded terminal. “Not right now.” She finished quietly.
“What do you need, then?” Cesare murmured, pleased to see goosebumps break out along her neck.
She turned her gaze to meet his, releasing a deep breath. “A choice. I need to know I have a choice.”
Ah. This was about much more than food, then. Cesare took a slight step back, realizing his doe-eyed tesoro was less of a skittish deer and more of a bird right now; a beautiful bird afraid of a cage.
He brought her hand up to his lips, and pressed a light kiss along the back, continuing to hold her hand in his.
She let him.
“You always have a choice.” He promised. “Whatever you want, you ask me, and I give it to you. As long as it’s safe.” He answered seriously.
“Whatever I want?” Sabrina raised a brow.
“I told you on our first date, tesoro. I will give you anything you want. I meant it.”
“Even if it means bringing me back here tomorrow?”
Cesare swallowed thickly. “If it is really what you want.” He nodded. He would persuade her to stay. She had to stay.
Sabrina took a deep breath and blew it out, squeezing his hand back as she closed the distance between them once more. “Okay.”
“Okay?” Cesare asked, looking for any lingering hesitancy.
“Okay.” Sabrina nodded as she allowed her hand to remained clasped in his, and rubbed an affectionate circle into the back of Cesare's hand with her thumb.
◆◆◆
Once they collected their luggage, they took an Uber to a suburb north of the city, as Sabrina munched happily on Chickie’s on a good day.” Cesare answered smugly.
Sabrina gave an amused hum. “Sounds very Medici.”
“You’re not wrong.” Cesare replied with an unreadable look behind his eyes, holding out a hand. “Let me give you a tour.”
They walked through a massive wooden plank door that Sabrina had a hunch was bullet proof.
Inside was a stunning Italian Palazzo. A spacious entry with an antique wrought iron chandelier greeted them.
A grand staircase half the size of Maine Marine Rescue swept halfway up to the second floor, where a landing led to two additional sets of stairs splitting off to go to an east wing and a west wing.
The walls were stucco in a warm earth tone.
Expansive lead-lined windows were framed with dark vivid green curtains, and the carpets were woven in a rich wine red.
Dark brown, rustic tile flooring accentuated the palazzo feel.
Renaissance paintings lined the walls and wrought iron sconces added to the polished but antiquated Mediterranean style.
Cesare walked her through the sprawling set of rooms and corridors of the Lombardi family home.
“It’s a maze.” He shrugged. “The parts that matter, that I think you’ll like best, are the outside garden, the poolroom, and the bedroom.
The kitchen is downstairs, but you can ask for whatever you want through the intercom and the chef will make it for you.
Mrs. Bonetti will bring it to whatever room you’re in.
Except for dinner. That’s always in the dining room. ”
Sabrina nodded, doing her best to memorize the layout.
“I have to get to the office, but I want to make sure you’re comfortable before I leave. I’ll show you the back gardens and work our way to the bedroom from there.” Cesare kissed her hand affectionately.
His phone rang on the way to the garden, and he silenced it immediately.
The garden was brightly colored with an array of vibrant colors and all shapes and sizes of flowers, shrubs and trees.
A large stone water fountain gurgled in the center, and birds splashed in and out of the water.
Sabrina’s eyes lit up with delight as she gently touched a nearby rose and smiled back at Cesare.
His shoulders relaxed as he allowed himself to breathe. He wanted her to be happy here. Needed her to be happy here.
He led Sabrina to another smaller entrance towards the back of the palazzo.
They walked through a set of glass double doors, into a beautiful indoor pool room built in what had originally been a sprawling victorian greenhouse.
The ceiling and walls were made of wrought iron and glass panels, allowing for a beautiful view of the gardens outside, as light flooded into the space.
A variety of house plants lined the room, giving it an exotic feel.
Sabrina shifted her focus to the pool, amused at the design in the center. An Italian Flag was tiled into the bottom floor of the pool. She eyed an underwater bench built into the side of the pool, and her cheeks went pink at the memory of being in the pool of the hotel just the night before.
Cesare, following her train of thought, grinned and pulled her close. “There are cameras throughout the property.” He told her. “I often check them when I’m at work. It would bring me great pleasure to see you enjoy yourself here, tesoro.”
Sabrina blushed as his words sank in. “Who else sees the cameras?” She asked.
Cesare’s phone rang once more, and he dismissed the call with a muttered curse. “If you want me to disable something from the group feed, all it takes is a text message.” He answered, and his eyes darkened as he gave her a roguish grin.
“I’ll bear that in mind.” She replied with a twinkle in her eye.
Cesare led her back through the main house and up a back set of stairs to the third floor. They went down a long corridor until they passed two security guards and entered another, smaller hallway.
“This is my personal area of the house.” Cesare told her. “Nobody comes back here unless I’ve requested it.”
Sabrina made a humming sound. “What about cameras?” She asked.
“In the hallways, but not in my rooms.” He answered, his eyes darkening.
Sabrina bit her lip, nodding.
“And this,” He pushed open a set of double doors, “Is my bedroom.”
Placing a hand on Sabrina’s lower back, Cesare guided her into the space. Straight ahead of them stood a large cherry wood fourposter bed, with crisp white bedding and large stuffed pillows.
Double doors to the right of the bed were already opened, letting fresh air in through billowing cream curtains leading to a balcony outside.
The phone rang again, and Cesare frowned as he shot off a quick text.
The wall to their left, opposite the balcony, had two heavy wooden doors on either side of a vintage bar cart with an assortment of beverage options. Cesare nodded at the doors.
“The one on the left leads to the study down the hall. You’re more than welcome to use it or any other room while you’re here. The door on the right goes to the bathroom.”
Sabrina hummed. “And when you leave and I can explore wherever I want, what should I look for then?” She asked with a smile across her lips.
“My house is your house, as long as you’re here. You’re welcome to go anywhere but the basement. Parts of it are still unfinished and unkept. But you can explore anywhere else inside or out on the grounds.”
“On the grounds.” Sabrina repeated, amused. “Sounds very posh, sir.”
Cesare hummed as he wrapped his arms around Sabrina’s waist, pulling her back against his chest. “I’ve never brought another woman into this room.” He admitted quietly.
Sabrina swallowed, as the implications of his words hovered in the air.
“I’m going to fuck you in this bed, baby.” He continued, placing a kiss on her neck. “Going to take such good care of you.”
Sabrina couldn’t hide the hitch in her breath and didn’t bother trying.
To both their disappointment, his phone rang once more, and with an irritated curse, he excused himself to take the call on the balcony.
Sabrina remained where she stood and stared at the bed.