It made Cesare even more eager to introduce her to everything the world had to offer; the good parts at least. He would stand between her and anything else. He was whipped, he knew. But he didn’t care. She could have anything she wanted as long as she kept holding his hand and looking at him with those soft hazel eyes.
Cesare wore dress pants and a button-down shirt with no tie. His sleeves were rolled up for a more casual look. The contour of his biceps were visible beneath the silk shirt, and he suddenly wondered if Sabrina liked his muscles. Did she notice them? Were they big enough?
Cesare scowled.
“Are you okay?” Sabrina asked, eyeing him curiously. She wore a pale yellow sun dress that framed her sweet tits and wrapped around her perfect curves, twirling around her long legs with every step she took.
She was so fucking pretty, and if another idiot with a death wish eyed her ass, he was going to politely excuse himself to break their bones.
“Fine.” He grunted.
Cesare kept her close as he guided them through the Philadelphia International Airport on the way to baggage claim.
Sabrina’s stomach audibly growled as they walked through the terminal, and Cesare raised a brow, impressed at the volume, even as Sabrina flushed with embarrassment.
“I’m fine.” She muttered.
Cesare grinned, tugging her towards Chickie’s & Pete’s, an iconic local pub she was going to love. “Time to feed you, tesoro.”
“I’m not a seal pup.” Sabrina grumbled, grinding to a halt, cheeks still red.
“No, you are my tesoro, and I take care of you, no?” Cesare asked, his cadence taking on a distinct Italian rhythm.
Sabrina looked down at their clasped hands with a sudden frown, visibly struggling with something internally even as the savory scents of butter, lobster, steak, and smoke wafted from the nearby pub. Her stomach growled again.
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.”
