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An Officer and An Italian Ch. 01

By: dragontatto



This story came about when a reader emailed me wanting to know where she could find Sergio's and Rachel's story. The sad truth is that I hadn't written anything about Nicola's brother from the Empress's New Clothes. I hope this satisfies that particular reader. This is the first chapter of what I am planning on have be a six to eight chapter story. All feedback is welcome. 

Sergio Rambaudi tried to hold his sigh of impatience in check. It was a hot summer day and due to the intense heat, he wanted nothing more than to go to his brother Nicola's house -- strip down to nothing and take advantage of his private beach. But the woman in front of him was just moseying along but due to the road 'con-fucktion' --construction he amended - he couldn't pass her. It made him wonder what had ever possessed him to drive out of his way to give his sister Amina the package that had just arrived from Italy. What had made the trip worth it was her promise of a tray of warm dolce di fichi- that was the reason he had changed his mind. The combination of the soft chewy fig and crisp cookie was his downfall and Amina knew that it was a sure enticement.  He shouldn't be bitching about doing the errand. He loved his little sister and she was more than generous with the dolce di fichi. It was amazing that he didn't weigh over two hundred and fifty pounds... not that he couldn't pull off such a weight with his height of over six foot five inches. But he wasn't about to stop exercising so his weight was well under two hundred pounds on a tall lean frame. 

He sighed in relief when he saw his exit come into view. Flipping his turn signal on, he entered the on ramp. Moments later the flash of blue and red lights in his rear view mirror had him wanting to hit something or someone. He cursed under his breath, and slowly pulled off onto the shoulder. He leaned over and reached inside the glove box for his registration. His bad day had just taken a turn for the worse. With his obvious Italian ancestry, name and accent, he was often given the suspicious eye by the authorities even though he had been in America for almost ten years.  As he pulled back, he knocked the plate of cookies that Amina had given him onto the floor. 

"Damn it!" he cursed as he contorted his tall body into a pretzel when he tried to rescue his precious "loot" from the floorboard on the other side of the car.

"Straighten up slowly and let me see your hands, sir," a firm woman's voice instructed him.  Shocked - he straightened up too quickly and hit his head on the rear view mirror. 

"Son of a bitch!" he groaned as he placed his head over the injured area on the back of his head. 

"Are you all right, sir?" the voice asked him.

"Yeah. Just peachy," he muttered. 

"I need to see your driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance," she replied.

He reached over and picked up the items that she asked for and handed them to her. If he hadn't been nursing a sore head, he would have noticed the young woman's beauty. Even in a cop's uniform, she was definitely cute. She was barely over five feet tall and had warm chestnut hair that she kept pulled back in a tight French braid due to the heat. He was still rubbing his head as she took the requested information back to her cruiser with her. ----------- Rachel Arnsworth walked quickly back to her cruiser. Slipping inside she kept her eyes on the suspect as she quickly tapped his name into the laptop mounted in the middle of her cruiser. She hummed briefly to herself as she waited for the requested information to come up. She wasn't expecting much more than a traffic violation to pop up. Given the man's attire and the car that he was driving, she was shocked when she saw an old charge --one that was nearly a decade old. How it was still on his records surprised her - since anything older than seven years was normally dropped. Public Indecency. She tried to picture the uptight man in the car, streaking. She shook her head, before grabbing her citation book and heading back to Mr Rambaudi's car. 

"Mr. Rambaudi, do you know why I pulled you over?" Rachel asked him.

"No. I don't believe I was speeding." he protested.

"Your brake lights and turn signals aren't working correctly, Mr. Rambaudi.  I suggest you have your mechanic look at it and get if fixed right away. I would hate to be called to an accident because some idiot tailgating you didn't realize that you were slowing down." She finished writing his ticket before handing it to him.

"What's this?" he asked, looking at a different type of citation.

"It's a "fix it" ticket. Get the repairs done and take the receipt to the courthouse where they will validate that you have fixed it. Then there is no fine and no penalty. Or simply pay the fine and hope that I or another cop won't catch you again. Because I won't be so lenient on you next time. Have a good day, Mr. Rambaudi." she said before turning back to go to her car.

"Brutta birbona! he muttered as she walked towards the car.

-----------

Rachel stilled as memories washed over her. She hadn't heard that phrase in years. Her nanny was the last one to chastise her with that saying. And it had been years since 'Smeralda' had said it to her. The phrase reminded her that she needed to visit her beloved nanny. It had been several weeks since she had spoken with the elderly lady that had truly raised her.  She should call him on his utterance but she was going to let him go. 

She had just entered her car when there was a squeal of tires and the loud sound of a semi 'jake braking'. She looked up and paled as she realized that there was a semi truck barreling down the on-ramp in the wrong direction. She could see a man wearing some kind of institutional clothing at the wheel. She cursed when she saw that the huge rig was headed straight for her squad car. She quickly strapped her seat belt on and braced herself for impact. She fingered the radio attached her shoulder. 

"Headquarters this is unit 385. I have a 480 in progress." 

"Location, unit 385?" dispatch asked as the semi hit the side of her car and forced her through the guardrail. She braced her head as the squad car teetered on the edge before falling into the steep gully next to the off ramp. She screamed as the ground raced up to meet her. She prayed that dispatch got her location and for some reason Sergio Rambaudi's face was the last thing she focused on before the blackness overwhelmed her.

----------

Sergio stared in horror as the eighteen-wheeler roared by him and hit the cop car behind him. He fumbled frantically for his seat belt then shoved the door open. The eighteen-wheeler stopped for a brief moment. He memorized the plate number before he realized that the lunatic driving it was backing up. He jumped back in his car just in time. He winced as his driver's side door was ripped off it's hinges.  "Son of bitch!" This car was a lease. He would never get his deposit back now!  He frantically grabbed his cell phone and punched in 911. He waited for the operator to come on. 

He quickly gave the operator his location and told her about the license plate number for the truck before explaining that the cop car had been pushed through the guardrail.  

"Sir, can you see the unit number on the car?" she asked him.

"Just a sec." He got out of his car on unsteady feet and walked to the gaping gap in the guardrail. He peered down into the gully. He squinted trying to see the white number that was painted on the trunk of the cruiser.  "I think it's 38...shit I can't see the last number. The car is on it's side. I can't make out the number.  Wait, a second. I think the officer's name is on the ticket that she gave me." 

"Ticket, sir?" 

"Yeah, my tail lights aren't working apparently," Sergio said sheepishly as he grabbed the ticket off the seat. "Officer Rachel Arnsword....no Arnsworth." He said trying to read Rachel's signature.

"Stay on the line, sir." He dropped the ticket back on the seat and headed back over to the opening. "Rachel, can you hear me?" he called down to the car. He strained to see if there was any movement inside of the cruiser. 

"Unit 385, this is dispatch, respond please." 

He stilled as he heard the tinny voice of the police radio. 

"I can hear you calling the officer." he told the woman on the phone. "I think that she might be unconscious. She was plowed pretty hard by that semi." 

"Affirmative dispatch, this unit 385," Rachel's weak voice echoed through the connection in his ear. 

"She's alive!" he said as intense relief flooded his system.

"Status, unit 385?" 

A long silence followed. 

"Sir, can you see the officer?" the dispatcher asked.

"No. But give me a minute. I'm going down there." Sergio replied as he slipped his cell phone into his suit pocket before grabbing one mangled edge. He slid down the bank and came to rest against the side of the car.  Peering inside of the vehicle through the shattered glass of the car door - he tried to make out Rachel.  She was slumped over in the seat, her seat belt holding her in place. 

"Miss!" Sergio said loudly, hoping to get a response from her. He reached into his pocket and retrieved the phone. "She's unconscious. I don't see any blood but it's hard to tell. The car is on its side in the ditch below the roadway.  There's broken glass everywhere." he told the dispatcher. 

"All right, sir. Can you smell any gas?"

"No. I think we got lucky. The drivers' side of the car is all mangled but it just slid down the embankment on it's side. I don't think that I can get the door open. It's jammed!"

"We're sending help, sir. Please stay with the vehicle and help will arrive shortly," the dispatcher assured him. 

He sighed as he turned the phone off.  Propping his hip on the mangled edge of the fender, he reached into the car and brushed his fingers over the sleeve of her uniform shirt After brushing away the fragments of glass from her shoulder, he sighed roughly. He felt so helpless. Maybe he should try to rouse her again.

"Rachel? Rachel – wake up! Help is coming!"

--------

Rachel struggled to answer the gentle voice. But her head hurt and so did several of her ribs. She knew that she had been hit by the semi but she wasn't sure how long ago it had happened and who was trying to get her attention. Her last recollection was of pulling Sergio over and giving him a ticket for his taillights. She groaned softly as she tried to open her eyes. 

"Rachel? Mi bella, please open your eyes and talk to me," the voice pleaded with her.

"I'm not your beauty," she growled, "and quite shouting!" 

"Thank God. I've already called 911. They are sending help right away. I can't get you out of there. The door is all mangled. They are going to have to use the 'saws of life', I think." Sergio said more softly.

"Saw of life?" Rachel asked as she turned her head to look out her cruiser's window.

"Yeah, you know the can opener thing for cars?" Sergio said earnestly.

Rachel looked at him blankly for a moment. Can opener for cars? Then it finally clicked. 

"Oh you mean the Jaws of Life!" Then she sobered. If they used the Jaws of Life on her cruiser, her boss was going to be pissed. She had just gotten the specially equipped cruiser for her and her K-9 dog, Rambo.  Rambo? How had the accident affected Rambo?

"Hey can you do me a favor?" she gasped after trying to turn around to check on Rambo and nearly passing out from the chest pain again.

"Sure." Sergio said as he continued to lean over the car.

"Can you check on Rambo? He's in the back of the car, " she said trying not to cry from the pain coming from her ribs. She had definitely broken a few of them

---------

Sergio stared down at Rachel in disbelief. She had to be delirious. He knew who Rambo was and even though this was California, he didn't think that she had Sylvester Stallone in the back seat of her car. 

"Please," she pleaded. "He's my partner." 

"Okay." He decided to humor her. He moved slowly down the car, not wanting to push the car any further off balance with his weight. He peered into the darkened backseat of her crusier and nearly had a heart attack when a dog surged up towards the window and started barking at him. 

"Hey Rachel, is Rambo your dog?" he asked as the dog continued to bark.

"No, he's my partner." she said. "And what did you do to piss him off?" she joked weakly as she listened to Rambo bark at the man.

"Nothing." he said in defense. 

"Dispatch, this unit 385, copy?" she said into her radio.

"Copy unit 385. Status?" 

"Minor injuries. K-9 officer Rambo is uninjured. Christ, Kevin -that is Captain, is going to be pissed. My car is totaled." she told the dispatcher.

"Don't worry about the car, Arnsworth. He'll be happy that you and Rambo are okay. What are your injuries?" 

"Probably a concussion and it feels like I have a few busted ribs. Civilian on scene checked on Rambo. From the way he's barking, I am sure that he's uninjured."

"Good. We are trying to get an ambulance and the fire department to you; but with the road construction and the rush hour traffic it's going to be a bit. Hold on tight and we'll get there ASAP. Over."

"Copy that dispatch." she replied. 

"Is help on its way?" Sergio asked as he came back to her window, careful of the broken glass that littered the frame.

"Yeah. It'll be a while. If you want to head home you can." she said, hating the idea of delaying him. "I am sure that you have a wife and kiddos at home waiting for you."

"Nope. Even if I did mi famigila would understand. Rambaudi's don't run from trouble."

"Well, I will be the first to admit that this is trouble." Rachel laughed and then groaned as her ribs protested.

---------

Sergio leaned more comfortably against the car as he conversed with Rachel. It had been almost an hour since the accident and help was no closer than it had been when the accident first occurred.  In the process he had learned a few things about her, such as the fact that she was an only child of widower father. Her mother had died giving birth due to the hemorrhaging. Because of that she had been raised by her father and a very strict but loving nanny named Smeralda.  Sergio listened as Rachel talked, but he could tell as the time drew on that she was becoming more and more uncomfortable. 

"I'll be right back, Rachel." Sergio told her before he scrambled back up the embankment. He walked quickly to his car and rooted around inside of it. Gathering up a handful of items, he hurried back to Rachel. Sliding back down the embankment, he hit the car with his full body weight. He cursed softly as Rachel moaned from inside the battered cruiser as the movement jarred the car. 

"Sorry, Rachel. I came down a bit faster than I intended. I thought you might be thirsty or hungry. And I have some over the counter pain relievers. I thought they might help." he said as he dug the bottle of aspirin out of his pocket after balancing his plate of cookies on the car and taking a bottle of cappuccino out of his other pocket. 

"Really? What kind?" she asked hopefully.

"Aspirin, 400 mg." he said reading the label.

"Damn it." Rachel said dejectedly.

"What's wrong." 

"I can't take it. I'm allergic to aspirin. I can have non-aspirin or ibuprofen but not aspirin." 

"Well, hell. Can I at least offer you a cookie and some cold cappuccino?" he asked her.

"Coffee? Cookies?" Rachel said just before her stomach growled. 

"I'll take that as a yes." he laughed as he pulled the plastic wrap off the plate. He grabbed two of them then he handed them inside of the car to her. 

She stared at him and then the cookies. 

"Are those dolce di fichi?" she asked as she sniffed at them.

"Yeah. My sister Amina, makes them for me. They're my favorite," he said sheepishly. 

"Well that's one thing we have in common. Smeralda couldn't bake but her younger brother would make them up by the dozens and send them to us. He was a baker in Italy. It must have cost him a fortune but about every 3 or 4 weeks we would get a care package from him." 

"Really, what part of Italy was he from?" Sergio asked out of curiosity. 

"Ah, I think Smeralda said he's in Ventimiglia?" she as she tried to remember. 

"Really. That's where my family is from!" he said excitedly. "We would all go to Capo Mortola every summer."

"What's in Capo Mortola?" Rachel asked innocently.

"Why it has one of the few nudist beachs in Italy." he said neutrally.

"Really? Just out of curiosity, Sergio. I noticed on your record you have a charge of indecency. I was wondering about that...." she trailed off, obviously picturing him on a public beach walking around in the buff.

"Oh yeah," he said sheepishly. "I was new to your country and didn't realize that your beaches didn't allow nudity." 

She stared at him in silence before laughing softly. He arched a brow at her merriment.

"I'm sorry, Sergio! It's just the idea of you stripping down to your skin and having some lifeguard try to explain to you that the beach wasn't a clothing optional one - just strikes my funny bone. I'm sure that it was embarrassing for you at the time." 

"At the time, a bit. My brother teases me relentlessly about it."

"Is he younger or older." 

"Older. In fact I was on my way to his house when you pulled me over."

"I'm sorry to ruin your plans, Sergio." 

"Don't worry about that, Rachel. What kind of man would I be if I ran off and left you here by yourself," Sergio asked. ----------

Rachel sat in the cruiser, munching on cookies, sipping on a cold cappuccino, and couldn't believe - that even though she was in pain- she was envisioning Sergio walking on the beach in the nude. She sighed, glad that her Kevlar vest hid the fact that her nipples were hardened and peaked.  There was no way that she was going to try and explain that occurrence to him. 

"You know, Rachel, I can almost hear the wheels in your head turning," Sergio said as he crouched down next to her window. 

She laughed at him. 

"You think that's funny?" he asked as he lifted a dark brow.

"Sure. I was just wondering about the nude beach thing."

"What about it?" he asked - surprised that she was curious. 

"I can't imagine all those men and woman wandering around on the beach like Adam and Eve. All I can envision is a wild orgy taking place." she said as her cheeks flushed.

"You know as long as I've been going to the beach, I've never actually seen an orgy take place." 

"I think it would be distracting to have all those guys running around nude. Now a woman can hide her reaction to seeing all them walking around but a man...well I'm sure that it's a bit harder....to ah..." she stammered as her face grew red.

He leaned forward, into the car and gently turned her face towards him. 

"Is that your way of asking if I ever gotten hard on the beach, Brutta birbona," he asked her, watching as the blush deepened on her face.

"I wish you wouldn't call me that," she mumbled.

"Why's that, Rachel?"

"Because you remind me of Smeralda when you do."

"Oh believe me the last person I want to remind you of is your nanny, mi bella" Sergio stated.

"What?" she squeaked, her nerves draw tight at his intense stare.

"You, Officer Arnsworth, are a very attractive woman. One that I wouldn't mind seeing again."

"You are crazy," Rachel laughed. "I am a mess. I have bruises all over me, a goose egg on my head and probably several broken ribs and you say I am attractive. You, Mr Rambaudi, are a flatterer and you need to have your eyes examined," she informed him.

"I thought you were beautiful when you pulled me over." he countered.

"You were pissed when I pulled you over, Sergio. I could hear you cussing ten feet from the car." she shot back.


An Officer and An Italian Ch. 01



"Ah yes, I was pissed. But you know, I didn't stay that way long. You were very sexy walking back to that car of yours. I about had a heart attack when the semi roared by me and hit your car. When this over, I would like to take you out. Of course when you are feeling better."

"I don't think so, Mr. Rambaudi," Rachel told him softly.

"We'll see about that, Brutta birbona," Sergio said with a soft smile.

--------

Two weeks later

Sergio waited patiently outside the police department. He knew that Rachel was inside. Her new car was sitting out in the parking lot and Rambo was laying in the backseat.  She had left the car 'on idle' as per state regulations to keep him cool. 

He nodded at a group of officers that exited the building. Leaning up against the building he crossed his legs at the ankle. His patience finally paid off as Rachel walked slowly out of the building. Her blond hair was pulled up into high ponytail. It swung back and forth sexily as she made her way down the steps. She was still moving stiffly so it was obvious - to him - that her ribs were still bothering her. It worried him that she was pushing herself too hard - too soon. 

She was just a petite little thing and that brought out all his protective instincts.  He wasn't sure what had exactly happened that day on that off ramp, but something had changed in him. It was as if he had met his soul mate -- the perfect woman for him. And now all he had to do was convince her.

" Brutta birbona,  why have you been avoiding me?" His voice boomed, drawing attention to them. 

Rachel froze. She slowly turned around and glared at him. He pushed off the building and slowly walked down the stairs towards her. She had set her mouth in defiance.  He was tempted to kiss that frown right off her lush lips. 

"Mr. Rambaudi. I wasn't expecting to see you again." she said stiffly, obviously hoping that if she gave him the cold shoulder he would go away. Not likely, he mused. 

"Let's go, shall we?" he murmured as he took her arm and guided her down the rest of the steps. 

"And where exactly are we going?" she asked frostily. 

"To lunch." he answered as he lead her to her car. Opening the door, he held it for her waiting for her to sit down. "And I'll even let you drive." he added before walking around the car.

---------

Rachel moaned softly. She would never hear the end of this. She had tried to break things off with Sergio after the accident. But it had not been as easy as she had hoped. He had come to the hospital and visited her each day for the week that they hospitalized her. Unfortunately one of her broken ribs had grazed her lung and they had kept her as a precaution. Then after she had gotten out and was released back to work on light duty; she arrived to find a huge flower arrangement on her desk with a plate of dolce di fichi. 

She had tried to put him off but he wouldn't be persuaded. After the flowers and cookies, she had received a personal invite to come and sunbathe with him . "Swimsuit optional!"  She had almost given in to that temptation. It was worse than the cookies had been. And she was sure that he would be harder on her heart than those rich buttery delicious cookies were on her waistline.  

She had tried to let him down nicely. She wasn't ready for any relationship, especially not with a man like Sergio that she knew was going to be a possessive throwback. He had it stamped all over him. 

She watched as he walked around the front of the car. She was tempted to throw the car into reverse and escape him but her fellow police officers were all around and she knew that she would never hear the end of it if she ran from him. She was already getting enough 'bullshit' from them about the accident. 

She gritted her teeth in frustration and bit her tongue. She would take them somewhere, where she wouldn't be the center of attention and drop him on his sexy ass. Her womb clenched at the thought of 'said' ass; she had dreamt about it for the last two weeks. It just wasn't right - she fumed.

"So, are you going to give me the silent treatment, Rachel or we going to talk this over?" he asked after he buckled his seatbelt and she pulled out of the police station parking lot. In back-Rambo growled warningly. 

"Do I have to worry about you feeding me to Rambo?" he teased as she made a turn at the intersection and pulled into heavy traffic. 

"If you keep harassing me, I can make no promises." she said flatly. 

"Harassing?" he asked coolly. "How is that? I thought that women liked being courted."

"So sending me flowers, cookies and 'invites to sunbathe nude' are your way of courting me?" she asked, looking over at him for the first time since he sat down in the car.

"Ah Rachel, dolcezza, of course I have been courting you. There's something about you that pulls at me. I thought you would like the flowers and cookies. And you seemed interested in nudity." he said as he took her hand in his. "How are your ribs?" he added as he stroked the palm of her hand with his thumb.

"My ribs are fine, Mr. Rambaudi. And don't call me honey. I'm not your sweetheart!" she growled.

"So what would it take then?" he asked as if he hadn't just listened to her outburst.

"What would what take?" she said between clenched teeth. 

"If cookies and flowers don't work, what do I need to court you, Officer Arnsworth?" 

"Don't you get it, Sergio Rambaudi!" she hissed as she pulled into the open parking lot that sat next to his building.  It was obvious she hadn't been medicated enough while in the hospital or she wouldn't have remembered when he had told her about his clothing design business with his brother and it's exact location.

"Get what Rachel? That you are fighting the attraction between us? Or that you are scared to let a relationship develop?" He asked as he turned and leaned against the car door.

"You have a lot of nerve, Sergio, to assume that I would want any relationship with you. For Christ's sake, I just met you two weeks ago! On a routine traffic stop. If I had a dime for every man that I pulled over who tried to ask me out, I would be a rich woman and be buried up to my neck in men." 

"Of course you would be, dolcezza. You are beautiful. But I like your feistiness best of all." he assured her.

"Get out of my squad car, NOW!" she spat out hoarsely.

He started to protest.

"NOW! or I'll sick Rambo on you." she threatened. In the backseat, Rambo growled menacingly.

"All right, Rachel. I'll get out for now. But you never answered my question."

"What?" she screamed.

"Temper, temper, Brutta birbona." he scolded.

"You have two seconds to get out of my car." she warned.

"Or what?" he asked as he leaned forward. 

"I'll shoot you and then feed you to Rambo." she hissed.

"No you wouldn't." he said after a moment and leaned forward and covered her mouth with his. 

Rachel's eyes widened in astonished surprise; then his lips were firm against hers... she could taste mint on his breath. He must have brushed his teeth before ambushing her at the station...or had been eating mints. She didn't know what aroused her more...the idea that he had taken the time to brush his teeth or the fact that he loved mint.  Before she could stop herself, her eyes drifted shut and her arms crept up to wrap around his neck. He murmured his approval against her lips before running his tongue across the seam of them. She parted them without thought. She moaned as he teased the inner curve of her lips with his tongue. 

After a few long seconds of exploring he gently rubbed his tongue over hers, shyly coaxing her into returning the caress.  He held her gently against him obviously in deference to her broken ribs. After a few moments he gently broke their kiss and released her back into her seat. He smiled when she softly pressed her fingers to her now swollen lips. 

"I can't believe you just did that," she whispered.

"Why? I've been telling you for weeks now that I find you attractive. And I've been dying to kiss you since the first time I climbed down that embankment and realized you were all right." 

"What the hell am I going to do with you, Sergio. I've tried and tried to be nice about this." She said hotly.

"Why not let nature take it's course," he suggested. 

"Because 'Mother Nature' is a bitch. And she does care who gets hurt in the process. Therefore - I am not going to be another casualty along the way." 

"So what do I do to change your mind?" 

"There's nothing you can do," she told him flatly. "It's as hopeless as finding a nude beach here."

"And if I could find you one, would you give me a chance?" he asked.

"Yeah. But you'll never find one, Sergio. Now please get out of my car. I have to be on duty in fifteen minutes and I would like to grab a sandwich before I go back on duty." 

"I'll being seeing you soon, Brutta birbona," he warned her, as he easily exited her cruiser then stood so tall against the door. She just smiled tightly and backed up.

"Not if I see you coming you won't," she muttered to herself. -------- Sergio watched as she drove away. He sighed and shoved his hands into his linen trousers. He watched until she was out of sight before entering the building. Walking into the elevator, his mind lingered on her. She had tasted just as sweet as he had expected, so he knew that it wouldn't take much to send him careening out of control. It had taken all of his will power to keep their kiss gentle. He had wanted to ravish her senses but he was very aware of the fact that her broken ribs weren't quite healed yet; and the very last thing he wanted to do was cause her pain. 

As the elevator dinged, signaling its arrival on the top floor, he exited the elevator and headed straight for his brother's workroom. Not bothering to knock, he strode in and found his brother sitting on a stool in front of his work bench, his silver framed glasses perched on his elegant nose. 

"Nicola, I need a favor." he said without any pleasantries. He paced back and forth between the work table and windows, his long stride eating up the substantial distance in three to four strides. 

"Wound a little tight, Sergio?" Nicola asked before taking the glasses off his nose and massaging the bridge of it.

"She's still running from me." Sergio said shortly.

"Have you thought maybe she's not the one?" 

"NO!" Sergio protested with a violent shake of his head.

"Calm down, brother. What can I do to help?" Nicola asked.

"I need to borrow your house."

"My house?" 

"Yeah. The only way she'll give me a chance is if I find a nude beach in our area. She thinks that she is so clever."

"Well as a police officer, Sergio, she probably knows that there aren't any public nude beaches around here."

"That's why I need to borrow your house."

"But she said public nude beach right?"

"No," Sergio said with a slow grin. "She just said 'nude beach'. She didn't say it had to be public." 

Nicola just laughed.

"So when do you need it?" 

-------

Rachel sat at her desk in the police station and mindlessly stared at the computer in front of her. This week she had been delegated to desk duty. It was all because that idiot punk had sucker-punched her in the ribs while resisting arrest. Her captain had heard about it and had gone through the roof - he had ordered her to desk duty and told she wasn't going back on the beat until her ribs were completely healed. No amount of pleading and arguing with him had changed his mind. That's what she got for having her god-father as her captain, she fumed. Damn, she hated sitting behind the desk. She needed action....she needed excitement....she needed....

"Hello, Brutta birbona," Sergio greeted as he leaned over her desk, his long arms trapping her effectively in her chair. 

Not this, she moaned silently. She swallowed roughly. 

"I thought I got rid of you!" 

"Dolcezza, you won't ever get rid of me." he told her before covering her open mouth with his. She jerked and tried to pull back from him. He held her effortlessly in place... careful not to hurt her throbbing ribs ...but firmly enough that she couldn't get away from him.

When he finally tore his mouth away from hers--- the entire squad room was staring!  He rested his forehead against hers.

"Damn, if you don't taste good, Brutta birbona, But so help me God, if you go out injured again, I'll paddle your little ass." 

She jerked back and stared at him in disbelief and growing anger.

"Who the hell...." 

"Shhh....just be quiet and come with me, Rachel. I have something to show you." 

"As if I want to go anywhere with you!" she hissed.

"You'll come with me, or I'll camp out next to your desk until you do," he said matter-of-factly. 

"You wouldn't dare." 

"Wouldn't I? I'd dare about anything with you." he said as he slowly straightened to his full height. She swallowed roughly. She was short and she accepted that most people, especially men, were going to be taller than her -- but he had to be at least 6 foot 5!. 

"Don't think that just because you are taller than me, that you can push me around, Mr. Rambaudi!" she said as she slowly pushed back from her desk and rose slowly out of her seat. 

He smiled equally slowly before grabbing her waist and lifting her up to eye level with him. He picked her up as if she weighed no more than a few feathers. 

"Put me down!" she hissed - very aware that the entire squad room was watching their interaction.

"Such a feisty little thing. I can see why Smeralda called you Brutta birbona. But you know what, Rachel? You are going to be MY Brutta birbona" he said before tucking his arms under her legs and turning her, so he cradle her in his arms.

Rachel was about to protest when her captain came out of his office. Finally, she thought, someone who would make Sergio listen. Her god-father was so good at intimidating people. 

"Captain!" she exclaimed.

"Rambaudi?" her god-father asked softly.

"Captian Stocktard," Sergio greeted him in his accented voice.

"You know him?" Rachel squeaked.

"Yes, dolcezza. I met him while you were in the hospital." he explained.

"Uncle Hank, aren't you going to help me?" she asked.

"Help you what, Rachel? Remember? You are a big girl. Isn't that what you told me yesterday?" he said before he turned around and headed back into his office –his back hiding his huge grin.

"Uncle Hank!" she protested. 

"I don't think he's going to rescue you, Rachel." Sergio said as he nuzzled the top of her head. 

"Traitor!", she yelled as he strode out of the squad room with her and they passed the captain's office. Hank didn't even bother to look up at her. 

She squinted as they exited the building and bright sunshine hit them.  Sergio walked down the stairs quickly –vigorously and headed towards a extended cab pickup truck. It looked new.

"You replaced your BMW with a truck?" she asked him in disbelief?

"Yes, I did. I figured that Rambo wouldn't like riding around in the backseat of a BMW. This will give him more room." Sergio said as he set her on her feet next to the idling truck.

"And what makes you think that you are going to be taking Rambo anywhere?" she asked him defiantly. 

As if hearing his name, her partner barked in greeting from the backseat of the truck. 

"Who the hell told you that you could take him?" she hissed. 

"Captain Stocktard brought him out and put him in the truck." Sergio said calmly. "Now why don't you get in and we'll go for a little drive."

"I have to work." she told him flatly

"It's already taken care of, Dulcezza," he whispered against her ear after he opened the door and lifted her into the high cab of his truck.

"What?" she gasped as he took the opportunity to explore the inside of her ear with his tongue. 

"Come with me, Rachel. Please?" he coaxed as he lightly bit the lobe of her ear. 

"Where are we going?" she asked as she leaned towards him.

"It's a surprise." he told her again, before gently turning her around in the seat and fastening her seat belt. He must have figured that reaching behind her to grab the seatbelt would cause her pain. His thoughtfulness, instead of making her feel smothered as she had thought it would - it made her feel protected. And that was not a feeling that she was accustomed to. 

----------

Sergio concentrated on the road as he drove to his brother's house. Nicola was being wonderful about this. His brother had bought the house nearly ten years ago. He had taken one look at the two-story home and promptly announced that it was going to be his future family's home. And he had babied it since, restoring it to it's former glory by his own sweat and blood and plenty of cash. 

"What a beautiful house." Rachel exclaimed as they pulled into the drive.

"This is where I was headed on the day of the accident." Sergio said before opening the door. He walked around to Rachel's side and opened it for her. In the backseat, Rambo barked once. He cocked his eyebrow at her.

"Is it safe to let him out?" he asked. "He's not going to eat me or anything is he?" 

"Yeah!" she said. "It's safe. He won't attack as long as you don't threaten me." 

"Or you sic him on me?" he asked as he lifted her down to the truck. 

"Or that. And after your high-handedness today I think that you might want to keep that in mind and thank me for not doing just that." she said with a straight face.

"Somehow, Officer Arnsworth, I don't think that you will. Come with me." he said offering her his hand after he let Rambo out of the backseat. The dog stopped and stood at attention next to Rachel. She absently rubbed the German Shepard's ears after he impolitely nudged her hand with his head.

"Rather persistent isn't he?" Sergio said as the dog leaned heavily against Rachel's petite body.

"Of course. He's a police dog." Rachel laughed before following Sergio up the walk.  As they approached the house, a man, even taller than Sergio, appeared on the porch. He had a beach towel wrapped around his waist.

"My brother," Sergio said as he saw where her gaze had landed.

"They grow them tall in your family?" 

"I guess so." Sergio said as Nicola joined them on the walk. "Rachel, this is my older brother Nicola."

"Hiya, Nicky. I'm the woman that your brother keeps trying to date." Rachel said outlandishly.

"Yes, I know." Nicola said with a chuckle. "Rachel Arnsworth, the lady police officer that Sergio had to rescue?"

"That's right. Your brother was very kind to stay with me. He didn't have to do that."

"I told you Dolcezza I couldn't leave you there." Sergio said gently as they followed Nicola up the walk.

"So this is what you wanted me to see? And how many times do I have to tell you, I am not your honey!" She added without much heat.

"You are going to be." he assured her.

"And why do you say that?" she asked questioningly as they followed Nicola around the side of the house. 

"Because you said so." Sergio said calmly as they waited for Nicola to unlock the gate. In the distance Rachel could hear the surge of the waves and then she smelled the pleasant scent of the ocean. 

"And when did I say that?" Rachel demanded as Rambo assumed the at ease position while they waited.

"You said that if I could find you a nude beach that you would agree to date me."

"So," Rachel replied as Sergio opened the gate. In the distance she could see the waves lapping at the sand. And people. Next to the fence was a hand carved plaque. It said: Le spiaggia de nudo de Rambaudi.  Vestiario facoltativo, in Italian. And under it in English it said.  Rambaudi's Nude Beach. Clothing optional. Rachel's jaw about dropped. Next to her Rambo whined softly. He loved to play in the water but like any well-trained police dog, he wouldn't act until ordered to. She swallowed roughly as she looked at the people and then the sign again. 




An Officer and An Italian Ch. 01



"Sergio?" she asked uncertainly.

"Welcome to the Rambaudi's Nude Beach." Nicola said before dropping his beach towel and jogging towards the people. 

She closed her eyes quickly rather than look at his brother's well-shaped buttocks as he ran easily towards the waves. She could hear them yelling out in greeting just before he dove into the water.  She swallowed before jerking her eyes up to Sergio's smiling face.

Her eyes couldn't have gotten any wider as he unbuttoned his shirt. Her mouth watered as he bared his broad chest. He was dark from obviously sunbathing in the nude. As he unbuttoned his chinos and lowered the zipper, she could see the flash of white from his snug boxer briefs. Then the chinos dropped onto the warm sand. Under the cotton of his boxers, she could see the outline of his cock. A whimper was building the in the back of her throat and it was all she could do to stop it from escaping. He was huge and he wasn't even hard yet! Before her astonished eyes, he began to grow. She looked up and met his heated stare.

"Come Rachel. Let's go swimming." he coaxed. She looked around her at the nude people that were laying out on beach towels and splashing in the waves. She returned his stare and slowly reached for the zipper on her uniform pants. She smiled at him mischieviously and then answered him.

"Sic'em Rambo," she commanded her dog.  

--------

Sergio's eyes widened in surprise and then he hit the warm sand as 120lbs of active eager German Shepard landed on his chest. He braced himself for unbelievable pain when Rambo growled playfully and began attacking every inch of exposed skin with his long wet tongue. Sergio froze in utter surprise as his little Rachel's vicious attack dog continued to slobber all over him. 

Rachel! You little Brutta birbona. Call this dog off! " he ordered as he tried to shove the dog aside only to have him lay across his chest and continue to lap at his neck, shoulders, and face. Burying his fingers in the dog's thick coat he tried to move him. Rambo only barked and wiggled happily on top of him.

"Now you did it, Sergio. You found his special spot." Rachel laughed.

"His what!" Sergio's voice was muffled.

"His special spot. He loves to be scratched right there." Rachel said as she bent over and retrieved the keys out of Sergio's discarded pants pocket  She smiled at Nicola as he ran up from the beach. She darted out the side door. A moment later Sergio heard his truck fire to life. 

",Cazzarola!" Sergio growled as his brother leaned over him. Obviously he thought that Rambo was attacking his younger brother. Laughter rolled out of Nicola as he finally understood his brother's predicament,. 

"This isn't funny, Nicky!" Sergio grunted as he tried once more to move the dog off him. Rambo had him at a serious disadvantage He was trained on how to keep a body pinned to the ground; and he was doing an excellent job of it while his mistress escaped.

"Sure it is. You finally found a woman that momma will love." 

"Andare all'inferno! he said as telling his brother to 'go to hell' before succumbing to laughter as Rambo continued to lick him wetly - sloppily on every exposed inch of his skin.



An Officer and An Italian Ch. 02



Sorry about the delay in posting this chapter. It has just been pure craziness around my house lately. All feedback is welcome.

Rachel looked over at the cell phone that was lying on the seat of Sergio's truck. She hadn't driven very far - she didn't want to be arrested for 'Grand Theft Auto'. In fact she was planning on dropping the truck off at his office for him to find later. She had just pulled into the lot when Sergio's cell phone began to ring again. It had been ringing off and on for the past ten minutes. 

Finally she reached over and picked it up. Dare she answer it? She noticed on the display it said 'Nicola'. She dropped it as if she had been burned by it. His brother knew that she would have that phone - and he was trying to use it to his advantage.

After ten more minutes of insistent ringing, she finally picked it up. She cautiously placed the phone next to her ear.

"Hello," she answered.

"That wasn't very nice of you, Rachel," Nicola said in greeting. 

"Hello, Nicky. Who ever said I was nice person?" she asked as she slid out from under the wheel and got down out of the large truck. 

He laughed heartily in her ear. 

"You know, I do believe you are just going to be what my little brother needs. He's a bit uptight but I think you will loosen him up fast."

"I have no intentions of loosening him up, Nicky. I have been perfectly blunt about that. I do believe that your brother will be a bit too possessive for me."

"Irregardless, Rach, I need to know how to get your dog off him without loosing a hand or either of us getting bitten."

She laughed at the thought of Rambo eating Nicola's hand.

"Now, we wouldn't want to do that. The world would be at lost without one of it's premier clothing designers." 

"Sergio told you about that?" he asked - his interest piqued.

"Of course. I think he was trying to take my mind off the pain at the time. He told me that you two owned a clothing design firm. I believe he put it that you were the creative side while he was the bean counter." 

"Nicola!" she heard a man's voice from the background.

"As much as I have enjoyed chatting with you, Rach, would you mind telling me how to get your dog off of Sergio?" 

"Why, is he being persistent?" she asked sarcastically.

"I do believe he won't have any skin left if he continues to be licked by your dog."

"Fine. I'll give the instructions. Just take the phone over by Rambo." 

"Rambo?" 

"Yes. His name is Rambo. And don't give me any guff about it - I didn't name him. His trainer at the academy named him; yes, he was an action flick buff. There was a Bond, a Callahan, and a Rocky in his graduation class." She could hear the mumbled laughs and protests as it became obvious that Nicola was close enough that Rambo should be able to hear her. "Rambo! Cease!" she ordered.

* * * *

Sergio sighed in relief when the dog on top of him paused in his licking before cocking his head and staring at the phone in Nicola's outstretched hand.  He could barely hear her voice. He reached out and took the phone slowly from Nicola's hand. He did not want to trigger an actual attack by Rambo.

"Brutta birbona?" 

"You know I really should have had Rambo attack you. How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?" she said tartly. 

"Well, if the shoe fits..." he said evenly as Rambo focused his deeply soulful amber eyes on him.

"And I'll tell you the same thing I tell Smerelda. I am not a 'bad little girl'."  

"Okay....well since you say you aren't a Brutta birbona would you mind calling off your dog?" he said softly as the dog continued to stare at him and listen to their conversation. 

"That all depends?"

"On what, mi bella?" he asked as he tentatively rubbed Rambo's neck. The dog leaned heavily into his hand. 

"How serious you are about this dating thing," Rachel explained.

"I'm very serious, Rachel. All I want is a chance," he stated softly. 

"We'll see."

" How about ten o'clock, Saturday morning at Bianchi's. I can come and pick you up?" 

"No. We'll meet there. I'm dropping your truck off at your office. You can have your brother or who ever bring you there. You can bring Rambo with you on Saturday. I won't need him again until then. He eats any thing you put in front of him, so be careful what you place in front of him. He likes leather shoes - so hide them from him."

"Is that all?" he asked.

"No, but you'll figure the rest out. Now hold the phone out to him."

* * * *

Sergio held the phone out and wondered what she wasn't telling him. He could barely hear her voice before Rambo gave him a quick lick of obvious thanks for letting him use him as his personal salt lick, before bounding off of him and joyously heading for the water. Sergio rolled to his knees, watched and listened to the sequels of laughter from his cousin's children as Rambo jumped in the water and splashed them.  He slowly lifted the phone back to his ear. 

"All right mi bella, how do I get the dog out of the water?" he asked. His question was met by silence. 

"Rachel?" 

More silence. Frowning, he glanced at the display on Nicola's cell phone. 'Call ended', flashed on the screen.

"Well, hell," he muttered before shucking his boxer-briefs and heading down the beach to join the children and the happily barking Rambo. 

* * * * 

Rachel yawned as she waited for the coffee to finish brewing.  She glanced over at the clock on the stove - it read 4:38 am. She had actually slept in.  Rambo was prone to wanting his morning walk at four due to the fact that they normally worked the daytime shift at the station. But after Sergio's little stunt on Thursday, she had called Hank and asked him if he would let her use a vacation-day on Friday. He consented much to her relief. 

After pouring herself a cup of coffee, she opened the sliding door that led out to her deck. Sitting down on the glider, she watched the waves roll in. She found it very ironic that she lived just down the beach from Nicola's place.  She had inherited the beach house from her mother's family. It was nothing like the huge mausoleum that her father called home. But she had wonderful memories of visiting her grandparents here; as they had lived here for many years until they both retired to Arizona. She remembered many nights sitting out here with her Gramps. As a painter, he had loved to sit and paint the ever-changing landscape of the ocean. They had a private beach, but they had always let all the families and neighborhood kids come in and frolic in the sand. It had been a bittersweet day when their only child – their wonderful daughter -- had died of complications while birthing her.  

She was startled when the phone inside began to ring. Lazily she rose from the glider and stepped inside to grab the phone off it's cradle. "Hello,"

"Brutta birbona?" came a raspy voice.

"Bambinaia Smeralda! 

"Rachel, there is no need to yell in my ear. I am not deaf yet," the elderly voice scolded. 

"I'm sorry. Is everything all right? You normally don't call this early!" 

"Everything is all right, Brutta birbona. I knew that you would be up this early. I was wondering if you would like some company."

"Oh, no. Are you fighting again with Dad?" she asked. Smeralda had started dating her father about five years ago, after she had finally moved out of the house against her father's wishes. Her father didn't exactly want her to become a police officer; he had expected her to go into the family business and become an attorney. She knew that it had greatly disappointed him, but she couldn't find the same pleasure in defending the guilty when she could be helping send the same crooks behind bars. So they often came 'head to head' over not only 'police vs defendant rights' but also court defenses; but she still loved him deeply and knew that Smeralda was just perfect for him. 

"Don't worry about that. Can't I just come and visit mi brutta birbona?" the older lady asked. 

"All right, Bambianaia. When can I expect you to arrive?" she asked.

"Can you pick me up at the bus station in 30 minutes." 

"You're here?" 

"My bus will arrive at 5:30...or so the driver promised me." Smerelda said - her voice harsh from the years of smoking. 

"All right. I'll be waiting." Rachel promised before hanging up the phone. Not two minutes after hanging the phone up, it rang again. Looking at her 'caller id', she groaned. Her father! She mentally weighed the pros and cons of answering it; but she knew that if she didn't, he would show up on her doorstep. And he still might - if he and Smerelda were fighting like she thought they were.  

"Hello?" she answered .

"Rachel,"

"Good morning, Dad." Rachel sighed as she rinsed her coffee cup in the sink and then placed it in the dish drainer. "I am quite surprised to hear from you this early."

"Nonsense. Can't a father call his daughter? I spoke with Hank and knew that you were still working the early shift, so I assumed that it would be all right to call this early," he said defensively. 

"I love hearing from you, Dad. But I wish you wouldn't use the pretense of concern to find out whether or not Smerelda has shown up here. I would much rather have you call and ask me straight out." 

"Rachel Loren Woodsworth!" His voice was full of pretended shock that she was even suggesting such a thing.

"Can it, Dad. I received a call from her a little while ago. I am supposed to pick her up from the bus station in a little while. I will tell her that you called for her, but I can't promise that she will call you back." She told her father with the utter calmness that had taken years to perfect. 

She heard the rough sigh before he spoke again.

"I don't know what happened to us, Rach. I wish your mother was here."

Rachel stiffened as pain lanced through her. If she had a nickel for every time her father had uttered those words, she would have been able to retire from the force and live comfortably for the rest of her life. He never was going to let her forget that with her birth, she had taken her precious mother from him. 

"Good bye, Dad." she said softly before placing the phone back in its cradle. She hung her head and took a deep breath; then suddenly jumped as the phone rang once more. She glanced at the 'caller id' and groaned - it listed a S. Rambaudi as the caller. Fuck! She didn't need this! She yanked the phone back up and snarled into it.

"Do you realize what time it is?" she asked hotly. Not entirely mad at him, she was just frustrated by her two previous calls.

"I am well aware of what time it is, Brutta birbona. Rambo insisted that I get out of bed at 4 am!! to take a walk on the beach. Did you realize that he was prone to this behavior?" Sergio asked her softly.

"That wouldn't surprise me, Sergio. He normally takes his walk at that time. We have to be to work by five." she said sweetly before hanging up the phone on his startled exclamation.

She shook her head before heading off to shower. Smerelda would be arriving soon and she needed to be on her toes around her very perceptive former nanny.

* * * *

Sergio sighed as he hit the off button on his phone. He glanced over at Rambo who was lying in front of the door. With his half-closed eyes, the dog looked as if he was on the verge of going back to sleep. He wasn't sure if that was a mere ruse or not.

"Now you want to go back to sleep! Couldn't the walk have waited until seven?" he asked the dog. Rambo's ears perked up and his tail thumped the floor. "Of course not. You have to be just as difficult as your handler. I bet you drag her out on walks every morning." he groused.

Rambo lifted his head and barked once as if in complete agreement. 

Sergio shook his head before stretching and turning to head back to his bed. Surely the dog would be content to let him sleep for another couple of hours. As he headed for the stairs, Rambo trotted behind him and up the stairs. He paused by his door. As he went to shut it, Rambo plopped down on his behind and whined. Sergio rubbed the back of his neck and tried to figure out what the confounded dog wanted now. 

"You know, I wish I would have gotten a manual from Rachel on how to figure out what you want. I took you for a walk, I gave you water and food. Now what do you want? To sleep with me?" he asked the dog in frustration.

Rambo tilted his head and yipped once. Sergio laughed. 

"Well come on. I'm tired and going back to bed." he chuckled as he entered his bedroom and flopped down on his bed. Rambo whined from the doorway. 

"Come on, boy." he said with a sigh. 

Rambo bounded into the room and jumped on the bed. 

Sergio buried his head under the pillow as he felt the comfortable weight of Rambo settle against his side.  

* * * *

Rachel was wrapped in a warm embrace by Smerelda, when she picked her up from the bus station.

"You look wonderful." Smeralda said happily, as she hugged her.

"For 6 in the morning." Rachel laughed. She picked up the one piece of Smeralda's luggage and led her beloved nanny to the car. 

"Where's that wonderful partner of yours?" Smerelda asked as they approached the car.

"Rambo? Ah, he's staying with a friend."

"A friend?" Smerelda asked her interest obvious.

"Yes. His name is Sergio. He's keeping Rambo until Saturday. Speaking of which, how would you like to go to Bianchi's with me on Saturday morning. I do believe that Sergio said something about meeting me there." Rachel explained. She knew it was wrong but she didn't trust herself to be alone with Sergio. It wouldn't take much more than a soulful look from his dark eyes to melt her resistance to him; and she knew that once she gave into him, she would forever be his. How she knew, she wasn't entirely sure; but she remembered her grandmother once telling her that when she had met Rachel's grandfather, she had known immediately - instantly - that he would change her life forever. 

Rachel was scared that she had the same feelings towards Sergio. But she wasn't sure if she was ready to take on a man that she was certain was going to be a domineering man - in bed and out of it. She had not escaped one highly domineering man to only replace him with another. She knew her father loved her, but she wasn't at all happy with the way that he tried to control her every move. 

"I would love to met your young man, Rachel." Smerelda said as she closed her eyes and leaned back against the seat. 

"I hate to bring this up  Bambinaia but Dad called right after you this morning. Are you sure if everything is all right?" Rachel asked as she pulled out of the parking lot.

"Don't you worry your little head. I just wish to enjoy your company for a while, and that old man can get over his little tantrum." 

"Bambinaia Smerelda!" Rachel scolded.

"I'm a grown woman, Rachel! That man will not dictate what I will or will not do. He can cry a river, or he can build a bridge and get over it!" she said tartly.

"Bambinaia Rachel said in disbelief as she pulled onto the highway. She often wondered where her former nanny came up with such sayings; sometimes, she thought that Smerelda simply made them up. 

* * * *

The next morning came with an unseasonable rain and the sky was deeply overcast. Sergio stood on the beach and watched as Rambo ran up and down chasing the innocent seagulls. He couldn't help but laugh as the birds scattered with cries of outrage at their interrupted breakfast. The last thing that he had expected was to be standing in his sweats at five o'clock in the morning on a Saturday!! watching a dog chase the seagulls. Even though his body was protesting the earliness of the hour, he knew that once Rambo got the first burst of energy out of his system, he would be content to hop up on Sergio's king-size brass bed and go back to sleep for a couple of hours. 

"Come Rambo," he yelled out before whistling for the dog. He was slowly figuring out some of Rambo's commands. 'Come' always seemed to have the huge police dog running toward him. 'Sit' worked as he had expected; and he had tried the 'sic'em' command on his nephews yesterday. They had rolled in laughter when Rambo had looked at the kids - then pounced on him! Maybe the dog was selective on who he treated like a salt lick. After another half hour session under the dog's tongue, he decided to not try that particular command again. 

He laughed as Rambo raced up to him, skidded to a halt and then shook himself vigorously. 

"Hey now, none of that. Do you do that to Rachel too?" he asked the dog as he held his hands up in protest. 

Rambo cocked his head to the side as if he were listening and then barked at him twice.

"Come on, Rambo, let's head back inside. How about an nap on my soft bed?" he asked before turning to head back up to his house. While it wasn't the huge monstrosity that Nicola called home, he was quite content with his four-bedroom cottage – even if his brother called it quaint. But then again, he didn't have the eight-bedroom house that Nicola called home. He hoped that Nicola's future wife wanted lots of kids because Nicola was determined to fill all those bedrooms.

Opening the patio door, he waited for Rambo to trot in after him. The shepherd immediately went to his dog dish and nosed the empty bowl before plopping heavily down next to it while he stared at Sergio forlornly. Sergio walked over to the storage cabinet and grabbed the bag of dog food that he had Nicola purchase for him. He poured a generous amount into the bowl and set it back down in front of him. Rambo attacked his food as if he hadn't eaten in several days - even though Sergio knew that he had been fed only hours ago. He had filled the dog's bowl before he had gone to bed.

* * * *

Rachel yawned as she sat down across the table from Smerelda. Her nanny was dressed in an outfit she had seen a million times as she grew up. She was wearing a long cotton, sleeveless nightgown, with her hair wrapped up in a hair wrap, and she was wearing one of the many pairs of fuzzy bunny slippers that Rachel had bought for her though out the years. Rachel waited until the coffee was done brewing before greeting Smerelda, as she poured her first mug. 

"Good morning,  Bambinaia"

"Good morning, Rachel. What time are we going to meet your young man?" 

"He's just a friend, Smerelda. He's not 'my' anything." Rachel said after sipping deeply on her coffee.

"So, this friend of yours, Sergio? He sounds Italian."

"He is. He's very traditional, Smerelda. And that's why there can be nothing aside from friendship between us. I love being a cop too much; he would want me to quit my job, stay at home and have several little bambinos."

"Has he said so?" Smerelda asked before taking a sip of the herbal tea that she had prepared for herself.

"More or less. He gave me hell the other day for going out in the field."

"Was this after the accident, Brutta birbona?" 

"Why?" Rachel asked as her cheeks started to flush.

"Because I gave you hell for going back into the field while you were injured. I can imagine this Sergio, if he is any man at all, was upset that you put yourself at risk while you weren't at your peak –either in strength conditioning or physical endurance." 

When Rachel started to protest, Smerelda held up her hand.

"No protests or arguments, Rachel. I respect your career and the fact that you want to help people. But I don't like the idea of you putting yourself in harms way when you are hurt and have no reason too. I spoke with Hank and he told me that you could have manned the desk for a few more weeks until your ribs had completely healed. But YOU were the one that choose to go back into the field."

"Yes, I was. I felt fine,  Bambinaia and I wasn't expecting some punk to tackle me. For Christ's sakes, I had Rambo with me. Most normal people would think twice about attacking a K-9 handler. The guy was lucky Rambo didn't really hurt him."




An Officer and An Italian Ch. 02



"That is as may be, Rachel, but you were the one that placed yourself back in the field with two broken ribs."

She stared over at Smerelda before shaking her head.

"Remind me to kick Uncle Hank's ass next time I see him."

"Why? He did what any man would do when he saw his best friend's daughter putting herself in harms way."

"Just remember you said that when I call Dad and tell him to come and get you." Rachel groused as she carried her mug over to the sink.

"You wouldn't!" Smerelda said knowingly.

"Care to test me?" Rachel asked with an arched eyebrow.

"I'll call your bluff, ,Brutta birbona. You need me too much to call your father down on me. " Smerelda said as she joined Rachel at the sink.

 "Really, for what?"

"To keep you from getting to close to Sergio." Her nanny said knowingly with a twinkle in her eye.

* * * *

Sergio groaned in his sleep. Next to him Rambo watched him avidly. The dog wasn't sure why the human next to him was making such a noise, but he could smell the hormone level coming from the human rising....Sergio threaded his fingers through Rachel's hair as she continued to press kisses down his torso. He held his breath for a moment as she hovered over his throbbing erection. His soft strangled shout escaped him as she sucked him deep inside her mouth in one fell swoop. She moaned appreciatively as she sucked firmly and ran her tongue over as much of his erection as she could while he was bucking into her waiting mouth. 

"Rachel, mi bella." he pleaded as the need built inside of his balls. He was wound tight as if their foreplay had lasted for hours rather than mere minutes. 

"Hmmm." she whimpered as she slid her fingers down and over his hair-roughened scrotum before pressing lightly on the sensitive skin behind his balls. He arched upward before his full balls released their first stream of his burning seed. Between his legs, Rachel moaned in approval as she milked the bottom of his cock with her small fingers as she continued to suck on the head and as much of his long shaft as she could fit into her mouth.

"Madre Dios!" he gritted between clenched teeth as he arched off the bed and strained toward her sucking mouth. Oh the exquisite pleasure!  

He dropped back to the bed with a heartfelt groan. He reached down and caressed her shoulders before sliding his hands under them and pulling her away from him gently. Dragging her up along his body he wrapped his arms around her, pressing open-mouthed kisses against the side of her neck. He then rolled her under him, and started to slide down her body. 

"What are you doing?" She giggled as his morning stubble tickled the delicate skin of her stomach. 

"It's my turn. And I want to eat you..." he said as he pulled lightly on her soft mound of curls with his mouth. 

"Sergio," she breathed as he nuzzled her before he ran his tongue down her lips and parted them with his thumbs. He growled as he took in the glistening folds. Damn he wanted to taste her,

* * * *

Rambo stared at the human as he mumbled while he tossed and turned. When the man's hand accidentally cuffed him, he growled. Then as Sergio flipped back over, his other hand brushed by his leg. Oh! Now he understood. The human wanted to wrestle. Rambo just loved to wrestle and he pounced on him with a happy bark.

* * * *

Sergio moaned as he lapped at Rachel's juice laden folds. Damn, she was sweet, and from the moans and gasps escaping her, it wouldn't be long before she came for him. He moaned his approval against the sweet flesh under his mouth. She squirmed under him while he could feel her thighs trembling along the sides of his face. He growled and pulled her thighs farther apart - spreading her open to his hungry mouth. He listened to her breath jerk as he fastened his lips around her hard clit and lapped at it. 

"Sergio!" She screamed as her orgasm began. He was preparing to lap up all her cream when he was suddenly awakened.

"What the hell?" he muttered as he opened his eyes when he was pounced upon by 120 lbs of German Shepard wanting to play!

"You know, Rambo, you have lousy timing." He groused as he grabbed at the joyously yipping police dog and gave him the wrestling match the dog so obviously wanted.



An Officer and An Italian Ch. 03



Rachel and Smerelda left the house and arrived at Bianchi's about ten minutes before she had arranged to meet Sergio.  After deciding on a booth, she slid in and Smerelda sat down across from her. When a petite woman with long dark hair came over to the booth, she offered them both a menu. 

"Good morning. Welcome to Bianchi's. Would you like anything to drink?" the woman asked in a slightly accented voice. 

"Good morning, Amina. I would absolutely love a mug of your delicious hot chocolate." Rachel said warmly. 

Amina nodded with a smile and then turned to Smerelda. 

"And for you Mdme.?"

"Oh, pish posh, no need to stand on formality, Miss Amina. I'll have a cup of tea if you have it." Smerelda told her.

"Of course." Amina said just before she was lifted off her feet by a pair of masculine arms from behind. 

"Morning Squirt." Sergio said as he squeezed her.

"Sergio Rambaudi, put me down!" Amina said trying to look back at him.

"Now, why would I want to do that, Squirt?" he asked with obvious affection. Next to him, Rambo barked at Rachel in greeting.

"Good morning, partner. Did you enjoy your stay with Sergio?" she asked him affectionately as she rubbed his head in greeting.

"I would say so. But I have a bone to pick with you, Ms. Wordsworth."

"And what's that?" she asked as she looked up from the dog.

"You take Rambo for early morning walks everyday?" he asked her.

""Well, yes. We take a walk every morning on the beach before work. It clears my head." Rachel said defensively. 

"It would have been nice if you had told me about that. I almost killed your "partner" yesterday morning when he shoved his cold nose against my leg and demanded that I take him outside at 4:00AM." he told her before leaning in close enough for only her to hear. "Next time Rambo stays at my place, you are taking him out."

"What?" she asked.

"You heard me. Your sexy little ass will be staying because I am not going to be the only fool outside at 4:00 in the morning with your crazy dog." he assured her.

"You assume a lot, Mr. Rambaudi." Rachel said coolly, her voice belying the tremor of desire that raced through her at the thoughts of sensual delights his eyes promised.

He lifted his eyebrow in response before sliding in next to Rachel. He looked over at Amina. 

"I'll take an espresso and a muffin, Sis." he said as he slide his arm across the back of the booth and effectively trapped Rachel against his side. 

"Really?" Amina asked in a drawled out voice. 

"Of course." 

"He's your brother?" Rachel squeaked as Amina turned back to her to take her order.

"Guilty. He's one of them -- knotheads, one and all!" Amina said as she waited to take Rachel's order.

Rachel turned and looked over at Sergio. The louse had the audacity to smile broadly at her.

"You are a rat!" she hissed.

"Brutta birbona!" Smerelda scolded. 

Rachel glanced over at her as her face flushed.

"Now, why don't you tell me more about yourself- may I call you Sergio?" Smeralda asked.

"Of course. I assume that you are Rachel's childhood nanny?" Sergio asked as he accepted his espresso from Amina.

"Yes. I popped in on her yesterday. She was gracious enough to invite me along this morning."

"I see." Sergio said before glancing over at Rachel. "Then this doesn't count as a date does it, mi bella?" he asked her softly.

"Yes, it does!" she protested.

"Let me ask you something Ms. Smeralda?" 

"What's that?" 

"If you were planning on going on a date with a man and he brought another guy with him, would you still consider it a date? Or would you say that it was just a 'get together'?" he asked pleasantly, his gaze never leaving Rachel.

Rachel flushed with embarrassment. 

"Why that would be a 'get together'. A date should be a man and woman. Double dates are acceptable although." 

"Shall I call my father, Smeralda?" Rachel asked sweetly - looking behind her nanny and seeing her father storming into the cafe.

"He won't be able to arrive in time to turn this into a date, young lady!" Smeralda said smoothly.

"Woman, what do you think you were pulling, running off on me like that!" Marshall Wordsworth asked as he approached the table where his daughter, Sergio, and Smeralda were sitting.

"Your father, I take it?" he asked silkily as he toyed with a piece of her hair.

"Yeah. And all hell is about to break loose. I suggest you leave while you can." She advised as Smeralda stood slowly -- turned around and planted her hands on her narrow hips. She met Marshall's gaze head on, while Rachel was sure the look on her nanny's face was not a pleasant one. 

"Don't you take that tone with me, Marshall Wordsworth. I am a grown woman. You have no claim on me!" Smeralda declared hotly.

"Really - the fact that you've warmed my bed for the last five years has nothing to do with it?" he asked as hauled Smeralda into his arms. 

"No longer, Marshall!" Smeralda told him angrily, before jerking out of his arms and returning to the table.

"You think you can turn your back on five years of intimacy?" he angrily thundered.

"Five years of giving you for free what I should have been charging!" Smeralda shouted back.  

Rachel held her head in her hands.

"Is this normal?" Sergio whispered in her ear..

"I warned you. You should have left while you had the chance." She lifted her head and slowly slid out of the booth. "Do me a favor and see Smeralda home? She'll give you directions." she whispered as she grabbed her purse. She whistled to Rambo who immediately popped out from under the table where he had been lying. As she turned to leave, her father stopped her. 

She knew her father well. Just the sight of her partner was enough to distract him.

"I can't believe that you brought that flea bitten animal into a respectable restaurant"

"Dad, he is trained police dog and the last time I checked he was free of fleas. I wouldn't let him sleep with me if he wasn't"

"You let that thing sleep with you!" her dad exclaimed. She went to walk around him and he grabbed her arm. She jerked it out of his hand. 

"Don't manhandle me, Dad. I don't want Rambo to attack you."

"You'd sic your dog on your old man; after everything that I've done for you. I wish your mother was here." he huffed.

"Well, she's not, Dad. So I guess you are just stuck with me the way I am." Rachel said as she watched Sergio usher Smeralda out of the cafe. She sighed with relief. When she got home, it was time for her and Smeralda to have a talk; even though it was obvious that Smeralda didn't want to explain what was going on. She was going to get to the bottom of it, "come hell or high water," as her nanny would have said.

* * * *

Sergio and Smeralda pulled up in front of the beach house. He looked around after he turned the engine off. 

"You know, I didn't realize Rachel lived so close to my brother." Sergio commented. 

"Really. Where does he live?" Smeralda asked.

"About a mile and half down the beach but on the same street." Sergio explained.

"So tell me about yourself, Sergio. My Rachel can be a bit closed mouthed at times."

"My brother and I own a clothing design business. He is the real talent behind all of our clothing designs. I am the bean counter. I take care of all the pesky details that he doesn't want to deal with."

"There's nothing wrong with that. We need both types to make this world go around." she said with a laugh. 

"Can I walk you to your door, Ms Smerelda?" he asked as he turned his truck off.

"Of course. Why don't you come in for a cup of espresso? I know you didn't get yours at the cafe and I'd be more than happy to make you a cup." Smeralda offered.

"You know I would love a cup." Sergio replied. It would give him a chance to find out more about the woman that had captured his attention from the moment she had pulled him over.

He followed Smerelda as she led the way up the walk to the small home that sat back from the street. He waited patiently for Smeralda to unlock the door; when they entered, he was not surprised by the cozy feel of the house. The antique wallpaper with it's faded rose print gave the living room a soft, comfortable glow, and Smeralda gestured for him to have a seat, before disappearing into the kitchen. The furniture was large, overstuffed and comfortable as Rachel had used several large throw blankets and pillows throughout the room. He easily could imagine snuggling up with Rachel on the couch that faced the bay window overlooking the beach. His loins tightened painfully as he thought of making love to her on the couch while the waves crashed against the shore. 

"This room is absolutely beautiful. I can imagine that Rachel spends many happy hours in this room." Sergio told Smerelda as she rejoined him. She carried a small tray that held two cups of deliciously steaming espresso.

"When the weather is rough - yes. But come with me, young man. I want to show you Rachel's favorite place in the entire house. She has many good memories of this." Smerelda explained as she went through the kitchen. She gestured to the sliding glass doors that led onto the deck that ran along the entire back length of the home. 

"Wow," Sergio said softly as he took in the view from the deck. Where the bay windows had opened out onto the water, he now realized that they were merely a window above the deck. From the living room, he hadn't seen the wooden deck -- he had seen nothing but open skies and endless ocean. Now he realized that the deck had been cleverly built to enhance the view, but not detract from it. He took the tray from Smeralda and set it down on the small table next to the wooden swing. After they seated themselves, he offered her one cup before snagging the other for himself. He took a small cautious sip, savoring the heavenly taste of rich, strong Italian coffee. 

"Rachel spends every morning out here. She used to sit out here with her grandfather. He was an artist - she would sit and watch him paint for hours. For many years I thought she would be an artist. Lord, knows she has the talent! But as she grew older, her desire to help others outgrew her desire to paint. I'm very proud of her. So that brings me to ask - Mr. Rambaudi..."

"Sergio," he cut in with a smile. "Mr. Rambaudi is my father."

"Sergio," she agreed before continuing. "As I was saying, I would like to know what your intentions are concerning Rachel. I love her and I don't want to see her hurt."

Sergio turned and faced the woman head on. He had not expected this but he could not fault Smeralda for being concerned about Rachel.

"My intentions are most honorable, Miss. Smeralda. When Rachel pulled me over and gave me that ticket, she took my heart with her that day."

"Love at first sight?" Smeralda asked disbelief evident in her voice.

"I know, I know. It sounds unbelievable in this day and age. But the truth of the matter is, I fell in love with an incredible woman. I am sure that I don't have to tell you that. I spent a week with her in the hospital as she recovered from her injuries...."

"And many would say that those are less than ideal conditions to decide that you love some one." Smeralda said - playing the devil advocate.

"I would normally agree with you. I am the level-headed brother, I am not the impulsive type, and I always look before I leap. But with Rachel...I don't want to look... I don't want to analyze... I just want to be with her. I want to take care of her. I want to stand next to her, to protect her when she needs it and hold her when she's blue...."

Smeralda looked at him. 

"I hear all these "I wants". But have you thought about what she wants?" 

"I am not asking her to marry me, Ms Smeralda. much as I would love too. I am asking for a simple chance."

"A chance? Is that what you call pestering me at work? Kidnapping me from the station? Holding my dog hostage?" Rachel asked from behind them.

"I did as you asked, mi bella. I found you your nude beach. I have given you flowers and cookies. What else can I do to convince you to give me a chance. Maybe it will lead to something, maybe it won't but I don't want to go through life wondering what would have happened if I didn't take the chance." Sergio said, as he slowly stood. He stopped in front of her; placing a finger under her chin - he lifted her face until her eyes met his. "JUST think about it, Rachel."

"It won't work, Sergio." she whispered.

"I never figured you for a coward, Brutta birbona." he taunted softly before covering her startled mouth with his.

* * * *

Rachel sat down across from Smeralda. Sergio had left after kissing her senseless. She hadn't met her nanny's eyes since Sergio had gone; she was that embarrassed about Smeralda witnessing her lapse in judgment.  She picked at the sandwich that she had prepared mindlessly, and at her feet Rambo sat patiently, waiting for her to give him the crust off the sandwich. She knew she should have never started it - but she just had been unable to resist. 

"How long are you going to ignore me?" Smeralda finally asked.

"I'm not ignoring you." 

"Really? You haven't looked at me once since your young man left. Are you worried about what I am going to think about him? I assure you, Rachel, you are a grown woman. And as such, I think that you could do a lot worse than go out with Sergio Rambaudi." 

Rachel finally looked up at her nanny.

"I'll tell you what. I talk about Sergio when you start talking about what's going on with you and Dad." 

"Are you trying to negotiate with me, Brutta Birbona?" Smeralda asked loftily. 

"I am about as anxious to discuss my love life as you are." Rachel replied.

"I am returning to Italy."      

Rachel choked on the sandwich she had been eating -- after coughing for a few moments, she took a deep gulp of her water.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. It is time for me to return home."

"When are you and Dad leaving?" she asked.

"I'm going alone. I've spent the last five years loving your father. In reality I've been in love with him since you were just a toddler trying to tag along after him."

"Then why are you leaving him?" Rachel asked confused.

"I'm tired of waiting for him to remember that he has a warm and loving woman at home. Since you have moved out, he has buried himself in work; he never comes home until after I am in bed. He's forgotten about me until I've become nothing more than a piece of furniture."

"Does he know how you feel, Bambinaia?"

"I have explained it to him until I am blue in the face. But no more! If he wants a mistress, he can go out and find himself one and lock her away in her own place. I will no longer cater to his needs when he cares nothing of mine."

"Oh, Bambinaia, I'm sorry Dad is being a total asshole." Rachel said softly, her heart aching because she hated seeing her 'parents' at odds. After her father had finished blowing up at her about the dog, she had settled him down and he had breakfast with her. He had forgotten to mention to her that Smeralda was leaving him. Maybe he didn't believe that Smeralda would really leave? Maybe it was time to have a serious talk with her dad; and this time he wasn't going to skirt around the issue of her late mother or the subject of Smeralda. She was going to get some answers and maybe in the process free him from the past. Surely he could be made to see that Smeralda was his future -- he would be lost with out her. She was tempted to let Smeralda return to Italy just to prove to him that he needed her fiesty Bambinaia. But she knew if she did, he wouldn't have a prayer in hell of getting her to return to the US or to him. And now – as much as in the past she needed Smeralda's wise

counsel and sage advice.



An Officer and An Italian Ch. 04



Rachel sat in her car in front of her father's mansion. She hadn't been back since last Christmas. After living at her Grandparent's home for the last five years, she now found the pretentiousness of her father's home uncomfortable. Pressing the call box next to the gate, she waited for her father to answer. She still had the remote that opened the gates but was reluctant to use it, especially when she wasn't sure of her welcome. Even though she and her father had not fought after their recent breakfast, she was sure that today's outcome would be much different.

The topic of the conversation was not going to be pleasant, but she knew it had to be done. Over the last few days she had gotten tired of seeing Smeralda subdued - really not acting her normal self. She wanted her feisty nanny back. And she also wanted her nanny home with her father and not helping the "oh so sexy" Sergio. Smeralda had taken to inviting Sergio over for espresso every morning. The first morning that she had come in from taking Rambo on his walk to find a very sexy Sergio sitting at her table drinking espresso with her nanny. 

When her father's gruff voice barked from the call box, she was jerked out of her thoughts.

"Hey Daddy, can I come up?" She asked hesitantly.

"Of course. You know you're always welcome to come home," Marshall said before buzzing the gate. 

"But for how long?" she muttered to herself as she drove her car up the long driveway after the gate opened in front of her.

* * * *

Sergio knocked on Nicola's door. When his disgruntled brother finally answered, he looked at him as if he had lost his mind. Sergio brushed by him and walked into the house.

"Morning!" Sergio said cheerfully. 

"You have a death wish, don't you?" Nicola asked shutting the door behind his brother and following him into the kitchen. 

"Now, you don't want to kill your "bean counter". Who would do all that tedious paperwork that you hate?" Sergio asked his brother as he started Nicola's espresso machine.

"Why are you preparing espresso in MY kitchen when you could be over at Rachel's, having espresso with her and her nanny?"

"She had plans this morning and Smerelda had to pack. She is returning to Italy tomorrow and needed to get everything in order. I am sure going to miss her. She is a wonderful lady who did a fine job raising Rachel."

* * * *

"Would you like some refreshments?" Marshall asked as Rachel sat down in the chair across from him. 

"I'm fine, Dad."

"So what brings you here this morning, Rachel. You normally don't seek me out." Marshall asked coolly.

"I'll be blunt, Dad. Are you aware that Smeralda is leaving?"

"Leaving?"

"Yes. She is leaving for Italy tomorrow."

"She said she wanted to go home and visit." Marshall said defensively.

"It's going to be more than a visit, if you don't get your head out of your ass Dad. She is going home to stay -- as in forever! In fact she asked me to come over and get a few of her things today."

"She what?" Marshall yelled as he surged out of his chair.

"She is serious. She intends to go home and she isn't planning on returning. The only question is what are you going to do about it?" she asked.

"Do about it? She is a grown woman, Rachel. I can't hold her hostage. Even as much as I would like too," Marshall said roughly.

"Is this MY father?" she asked as he started pacing in front of her.

"What?" he asked defensively.

"Are you really going to let her go?" 

"Do I have a choice?" He rubbed his neck as he continued to pace.

"MY father wouldn't let his girl-friend leave him without a fight. I know you are zealous and passionate in court, Dad. All she is asking is that you share your real self with her."

"What are you talking about?" The confusion on his face made Rachel want to give him a hug.

"When was the last time that you were home before she went to bed, Dad? Or when you made time to sit down and have a romantic evening with her?" 

"So my own daughter is trying to lay a guilt trip on me, now?"

"No, Dad. I'm just trying to warn you, that if you let Smeralda go back to Italy, she'll never come back. In fact the reason she sent me here is to get her passport and her cookbook." 

"Her cookbook," he whispered as the color left his face. She could tell by the look on her father's face, he finally realized that Smeralda was serious about leaving him. Her mother's cookbook was her most treasured belonging, one that she would never leave behind.

"If she wants her things that badly, she can come and get them herself! I never figured her for a coward." He abruptly stood and started pacing the room.

"Dad..."

"You go and tell her that, Rachel. Tell her that if she wants her precious cookbook she'll have the balls to face me. If she wants this to be over, then she needs to have the gumption to tell me. Not send my daughter!" His face was now red with anger. 

"Dad, calm down. I didn't come here to upset you. But I don't want to see you lose the only woman that you have let into your heart since Mom died. If you won't let me, at least, let her in. She loves you."

Marshall stopped his pacing. He swung around and pinned her with his steely gaze. He placed his hands on his slender hips. For a man approaching fifty, he was in fine shape. Age had not diminished his rugged masculinity; if anything the wings of silver at his temples increased it. 

"What makes you think that I don't love you, Rachel?" His voice was soft but his gaze was intense. 

"I know my position in your life, Dad. I am a constant reminder of what you lost. I know this and I've come to accept it. But Smeralda is different - you have had a relationship with her for at least the last five years. Whether it was a partnership or just an agreement, she has been an integral part of your life. When you started shutting her out, it hurt her."

"She told you that?" He glared at her, daring her to respond - to interfere, in something that was not her business.

"No, she didn't have to. She raised me, Dad, while you worked a gazillion hours and were never home, she took over and raised me."

"That's what I was paying her for!" 

"Yes, to make sure I was fed, bathed, off to school and a million other little things. But she didn't have to love me - yet she does. Just as much as she loves you. And you are a fool if you throw that away out of fear or misplaced pride." Rachel stood up and turned to leave the room.

"Don't you dare walk out that door, Rachel Arnsworth!"

"Or what?" 

"I'll cut you off, I swear it! How long do you think you will last without my money?" He stopped in front of her. 

"I don't need your money, Dad. I earn a good salary from the police dept." She stared up at him with deep hurt showing in her eyes. "It always comes down to control with you. You are angry that you couldn't prevent Mom's death. You're angry that you couldn't stop me from becoming a police officer. You're even angry that Smeralda is demanding more than just your presence in her bed. How dare we do something that the great "Marshall Arnsworth" can't control." 

"You dare speak to me this way?" he thundered. 

"When I became a police officer, I learned how to read people and you know, when I look at you, Dad, I see a bitter man clinging to the past when his future is right in front of him. But you are too blind to see it!"

"I should have spanked your ass when you were a little girl. Then you wouldn't dare even think about talking to me like this." He scowled at her and begun to pace furiously up and down the room.

"Do you think I would have let you, Marshall?" Smeralda's voice cut through the thick tension between Marshall and Rachel.

Rachel swallowed roughly. She turned around and gazed at her nanny.

"I asked you to wait in the car, Bambinaia."

"I was concerned. As well I should be. Don't you dare threaten your daughter when all she has ever done is love you."

"Woman, you aren't leaving me. You will take yourself up to our room and unpack everything you intended taking." Marshall crossed his arms over his chest.

Smeralda planted her hands on her hips and stared at him.

"I don't know who you think you are talking to, but I do believe you have lost what little bit of sanity that you had, Marshall."

"Do it! His outrage was painted across his face and shook his voice.

"Don't take that tone with me. I am a grown woman. If I choose to go home there is nothing that you can do about it."

His face turned even redder before he stalked over and jerked her into his arms then threw her up over his shoulder. Spinning he began to walk away.

"Dad?" 

Marshall stopped in the open doorway.

"Yeah?"

"Where are you taking her?" 

"To the courthouse." 

"The courthouse?"

"Yeah. I am going to stop this nonsense for once and all. In fact I want you there. I am going to put to rest those "ghosts" and you," he lightly swatted Smeralda's bottom, "are going to marry me. If being your lover allows you to pull this stunt on me, we'll see what happens when I put my ring on your finger. Impatient little witch!" 

"Rachel!" Smeralda's cry echoed in the cavernous hall. Rachel shook her head as she followed her father and the struggling Smerelda down the stairs, through the house, and into the garage. She watched in disbelief as her dad dumped Smeralda in the passenger seat of his BMW and belted her in.

"Don't you move," he ordered her sternly before turning his attention back to Rachel. "Are you riding with us or are you going to follow?" He fished his car keys out of his pocket.

"I'll take my car, Dad." 

He nodded before sliding into the driver's seat. Even through the closed windows she could hear Smeralda chewing him out. He tipped his head as he listened before saying something briefly. She couldn't hear exactly what he was saying but obviously it wasn't to her Bambinaia's approval. She winced as she passed the car on her way out of the garage. If anything Smeralda was shouting louder and louder in her feverish protests.

* * * *

Marshall waited for Smeralda to finished spewing at him. Leaning against the door, he smiled when she finally sputtered, stopped and stared at him defiantly. 

"Are you done now?" 

"Yes! With you! Let me out of this car!" she hissed as she tried to unlock the door only to have him hit the automatic lock. She stabbed at the unlock button, only to have it re-lock. She turned and scowled at the stubborn man next to her.

"Why are you protesting, sweetheart? You know you want to be married to me."

"When cat's soar!" she retorted.

Marshall laughed.

"Don't you mean when pigs fly?" He arched an eyebrow at her. 

"Let me go, Marshall. You don't want to marry me and I refuse to marry a man that is only offering because he wants a woman to warm his bed and cook his meals. Marriage is more than that!"

"I'll agree with you there." He nodded before leaning toward her and lifting her chin to gaze in her eyes. " I am marrying your stubborn little ass because I happen to love you and I'll be damned if you go back to Italy to some young Italian stud."

"What Italian stud?" Smeralda had a look of utter bewilderment on her face.

"I found a letter from Antonio," he said sheepishly --not meeting her eyes.

"Antonio?" She looked at him, shook her head and laughter erupted from her small body.

"What's so funny?" He looked so uncertain -- so uncomfortable.

"Antonio is my nephew. He just took over my brother's business. He was writing to let me know his dad was retiring and that if I wanted any more dolce di fichi to let him know."

"Dolce di fichi?" He licked his lips - savoring the memories of the warm buttery taste of his favorite Italian cookie.

"Yes." She crossed her arms over her chest. "Now, let me out of this car."

"Sure. When we get to the courthouse." He turned and started the car. 

* * * *

Rachel let herself into her house with a sigh. Tossing her keys on the counter, she was greeted by Rambo barking happily outside. It was not uncommon for him to be outside. She had installed a doggy door for him shortly after they had taken over the beach house. 

Pulling an ice-cold bottle of water from the fridge, she opened it and guzzled half of it down. She carried it with her as she went out onto the deck. She squinted against the sun and saw Rambo playing in the waves with a man. Her heart started to race as she recognized him. Sergio was giving the dog a run for his money with the bright red plastic Frisbee. She leaned against the rail and watched as he threw it once more. As it sailed over the sand and water, Rambo took off after it like a shot. She couldn't help but smile as Sergio trailed behind the dog. He truly seemed to be enjoying playtime with Rambo. 

As if he knew that he was being watched, Sergio turned to look up at the house. She could see that he shielded his eyes with his hand. A huge grin lit up his face before a sharp whistle broke the silence. With an excited bark, Rambo came charging back up the beach with his Frisbee in his mouth. 

Rachel watched as both man and dog made a dash up the beach towards her. Her skin tingled as she watched him jog easily beside her dog. She moved back from the railing. She couldn't help but smile when she heard the scrape of Rambo's nails against the wooden steps and Sergio's muffled laugh as he tried to get out of Rambo's way. She knew from bitter experience to get out of her dog's way when going up and down any stairs. 

"Hang on, Rambo." Sergio laughed.

Rachel braced herself as Rambo cleared the last step and charged for her. She crouched down and grabbed him as he jumped at her. He was a well- trained police dog at work, but when they were at home she expected him to behave like a normal dog. She laughed as he tried to lick her face. 

"Calm down, boy. I wasn't gone that long." She dug her fingers into his fur and affectionately squeezed at him. He growled happily before giving her one last huge sloppy lick and settling down onto his haunches. 

Rachel rose to her feet as Sergio finally came to the top of the stairs. He looked wonderful, his dark hair wind blown and the edges of his khaki shorts damp from the surf. 

"Hi," 

"Good afternoon, Rachel." He came within touching distance of her and gently stroked her cheek. "How did your morning go?" 

"Interesting." She stepped back from him nervously. 

"Why's that?" He leaned back against the rail where she had been only moments before.

"My dad and Smeralda got married." 

"Did they? Isn't this sudden - I thought she was going back to Italy?" 

"They are going there on their honeymoon."

"Your dad changed his mind about getting married again?" He crossed his arms over his chest and waited for her to answer.

"I guess. I went in today to try and talk to him about her. He went through the roof when I told him she wanted her passport and cookbook."

"Cookbook?" He frowned. "I understand passport but what does she need with a cookbook?" 

"It's been in her family for years and she couldn't leave it behind."

"Ahh - now I understand - and your dad knew this?"

"Oh yes." She nodded and walked over and leaned on the rail next to him. "We had a fight and she walked in while Dad was threatening to disown me, AGAIN." 

"For a lawyer he seems to have a problem with his temper." 

"Not really! He just blows a lot of hot air when he can't control everything. But it made him finally realize that she was serious about leaving this time. It's not the first time that she has threatened to leave, but it's the first time she has ever walked out on him and packed both her cookbook and passport. It wasn't really a demand that he marry her -- but rather include her in all parts of his life! No more empty nights when he hides behind his work instead of including her."

"So he gave into her and they got married this morning?"

"I wouldn't call it giving into her demands, Sergio. Dad loves her but he is very set in his ways. He was scared of losing her like he did Mom. He probably figured that as long as they didn't get married, he wouldn't lose again." 

"So the whole thing has changed - the girl-friend is now his new wife?"

She nodded, while watching the waves crash against the shore.

"I hope you are not as stubborn as he is, Rachel." 

She shrugged before looking over at him. She knew he wasn't going to let her avoid the subject of their relationship much longer.

"I think it's time we had a talk, Rachel. I love the time that we have been spending together. Even if we did have a chaperon."

"Smeralda wasn't my chaperon!" She turned back to watching the waves.

"Look at me, Rachel." His voice was firm. 

"I don't want to talk about this." Her hands gave her away, twisting nervously, but then she straightened up and faced him.

"Why?"

"You want something that I can't give you, Sergio. A man of your heritage will want a mate whose world will revolve around you. I can't be that kind of mate, Sergio. I am independent. I like my life. I love being a cop and having Rambo under my feet twenty-four hours a day."

"Have I said anything about wanting you to give up your job or Rambo?" He grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. 

"Well, I..."

"No, I haven't Rachel. I fell in love with the feisty woman, who gave me my first fix-it ticket. The same woman who sic'ed her dog on me. Which by the way, why in 'Hades' does he always play-attack me?" He glared at her and then Rambo.

Rachel couldn't help herself - she burst out laughing. Rambo woofed in response and thumped his tail, then he turned and curled up in the shade. The dog was very savvy - he knew how his beloved Rachel felt about the big man who played with him almost every day. He trusted Sergio and he trusted him to

take care of Rachel. He wasn't attacking -- just giving everything to their special 

playtime.

"He must like the way you taste." Her body continued to shake with laughter. She wished that she could jump all over Sergio and nibble on some

sensitive areas too. Rambo was only doing what she wanted to do.

"Really?" He yanked her into his arms and carried her over to the swing. Sitting down on it, he arranged her across his lap, facing him directly.

"Sergio," she mildly protested, before looping her arms around his neck.

"Let's find out if you like the way I taste." He lowered his head and captured her lips with his. She sighed in pleasure before running her tongue over his tempting lower lip. She tugged and then nibbled on it, delighting in the way her actions made his breath catch in his throat. Need flared out of control when his hand cupped the underside of one breast. She whimpered deep in her throat as his thumb rubbed across the tip of her sensitive nipple while he thrust his tongue against hers. She dragged her mouth away from his to moan loudly when his other hand caressed her hip and pressed her inner thigh against the hard ridge of his erection. 

"Rachel, baby?" He stilled as her hands drifted down from his neck to skim over his hard chest and flat stomach. He drew a sharp breath as she slid from his lap to kneel at his feet. 

"Sergio, I agree that we should talk -- but let's make it later. Right now we

both have something very - very different in mind, don't we?"

He clenched his fists as she slid her hands across his knees and over the tight muscles of his thighs. Her next move was to begin to unbuckling his belt as she was kneeling in front of him. This way their difference in heights was to her advantage. After the belt was open, Rachel attacked the almost taut zipper stressed by his large, fully engorged cock. Sergio was not a small man in any aspect and his erection was very prominent behind tight chinos. He gave her some immediate help when he flexed his hips so that she could slide the zipper down.




An Officer and An Italian Ch. 04



"Rachel are you sure? I've wanted to be with you but it has never been

the right time. Now we can be together....."

Her head had been bent over as she concentrated on her task -- but as she began to slide the zipper down, she looked up and directly into his eyes with a beautiful, expressive smile -- it lit her face and made a window into her deepest feelings.

"I want you, Sergio! I am going to show you how much!" She bent back to her task. "Now, be a good boy and lock those hands behind your head." 

Sergio's eyes widened at her command. 

"Rachel?"

She looked back up at him. "Do I need to handcuff you?" 

He shook his head, before lifting his hands and lacing his hands behind his neck. He sighed in relief as the zipper was released and the tightness of the material around his swollen cock eased. Keeping his hands laced, he watched with hunger as Rachel pulled down his boxer briefs, and cupped him with gentle fingers. 

"Oh my, you look so swollen and needy." She licked her full lips as she bent her head. A moan erupted from his mouth when the head of his cock was sucked between wet lips and into an even wetter mouth. 

"Dio santo!" 

Rachel concentrated on the hard flesh before her. She couldn't get enough of his taste! He was slightly salty from his play with Rambo in the surf. Sliding her mouth up and down, she traced every inch of skin she could with her agile tongue. She loved the feel of him, the hardness under her tongue and the steady beat of his heart in her mouth. Wrapping her hand around the base of him, she slid her mouth off of him with reluctance. 

"You taste wonderful, Sergio." She locked eyes with him, seeing the intense blaze of desire in his. 

"Come up here, Brutta birbona."

"Why?" 

"No more teasing. I need you, Rachel." Holding her gaze with his, he unlaced his fingers, and lowered his arms in slow motion, waiting for her to object. Her lips parted as he lifted her from her knees in one swift motion then pulled her on to his lap. 

"Sergio?" 

"Shhh, relax." He grabbed the hem of her shirt and slid it up with a quick deliberate motion. After he whisked it over her head, he tugged the front clasp of her peach bra open, spilling her petite breasts into his waiting hands. Thumbing both rose-pink nipples, he listened to her sharp intake of breath. 

"So beautiful." He leaned in and sucked one pebbled peak into his mouth and laved the tip with the flat of his tongue. Rachel stroked the back of his head as he switched from one breast to the other.

"Please!" She squirmed on his lap, grinding against his still exposed dick. She needed him inside of her! 

He lifted his head and smiled before running his hands up under the edge of the skirt she was wearing. She wiggled when his hands found the edge of her underwear and snapped the slender ties at her hips. He pulled the ripped garment out and in the most erotic thing she had ever seen, he pressed her damp panties to his face. 

After inhaling sharply, he tossed them away and captured her mouth with his. She tasted herself on his lips. He must have licked at the dampness in her panties. Separating their mouths with his tongue, he groaned as he pulled her closer to him. 

"Damn, I want you! Can I have you right here?" he begged.

"We should go inside." Rachel looked around nervously.

"Please, Rachel. No one can see us up here, and I would really like to make love to you out here. Smeralda said you had special memories out here, and I would love to add to them." His plea was whispered into her ear. 

She couldn't help it, his words caused her to melt. "Oh yes! Yes!" 

"Thank you, mi bella." 

She protested when he started to turn her away from him.

"I want you to be able to see the beautiful sunset, Rachel, while I love you. I absolutely love watching the sunset on the water." He leaned forward to whisper in her ear as he began to join their bodies. "Almost as much as I love you." 

"Sergio!" Rachel's scream echoed across the beach, startling Rambo who had gone back down to investigate and pursue the seagulls. He mumbled a reassurance against her shoulder as he began to deepen their connection. His hands on her hips held her steady for his invasion. They were both moaning in pleasure by the time he was fully imbedded. 

"So deep!" She gasped in surprise.

"So tight!", was his immediate response. 

Sergio tried to control his desire to thrust as deep and hard as he could. He thought he had it licked until Rachel wiggled her ass against him, in an obvious ploy for more. 

"Please!" Reaching up, he cupped her breasts as he began to move against her with slow deliberate movements.

"Oh, yeah!" she moaned her approval as he began to pick up speed.

"Damn, you're so wet and tight. I'm not gonna last, Rachel!" He slid his hand down in search of their joining only to find her skirt in the way. He hissed in frustration before using strength Rachel had never imagined, as he surged to his feet, holding her impaled on him. Her muffled groans teased his ears as he staggered over to the railing. 

"As....assume the...pos...position." His broken command brought a smile to her face.

"I thought that was my line." She tried to laugh but it came out more as a groan as he tossed her skirt up and over her hips and pooled at her waist. Any response she was going to give him flew from her head as his fingers found her hard clit and circled it with a firm touch. 

"Sergio!" 

"Yes, mi bella!. Come for me!" 

Within moments both of them were crying out their release to the stars just beginning to shine on the open water. 

Sergio held Rachel in his arms, and tried to steady his breathing when he felt a wet tongue trail up his calf. Groaning, he dropped his head to Rachel's shoulder. 

"Rach, honey, I love you to death, but your dog has a lousy sense of timing."

Looking over her shoulder, she couldn't help but laugh, seeing Rambo sprawled at their feet and busily licking Sergio's calf. 

"I told you, he likes the way you taste!"

* * * *

Later in her bed, they snuggled with Rambo sprawled at their feet. Rachel felt comfortable and so well relaxed, that she felt like she was ready to have the truly serious talk they had put off earlier. Toying with the hair on his chest, she began to speak.

"Sergio, being with my father and Smeralda today has opened my eyes

to one part of me that I didn't recognize. I am sort of stubborn...but I think I may love you. I only hope it's worth the time it takes for both of us to find out. I want to learn about your family and see if I can fit in. You've met mine and must realize how 'dis-functional' it is. My father has been very angry with me since I chose to become a police officer. I love the independence and the public relies on me to be there to protect and serve. Other than Smeralda, I haven't had anyone support me whole heartedly in my career choice."

"Rachel, sweetheart, I love the idea that you want to 'protect and serve'. And I would never change that. I love you as you are and yes, I am willing to be patient. All I have ever asked for is for you to give me a chance." 

She grinned up at him, absolute relief self-evident across her face.

"You have it, Sergio. Now we both have a chance at love."