Chapter One - Hiding and Secrets

Through the rain-soaked café window, in the early evening darkness of autumn with the road glistening from spotty rain, Seth watched a Yellow taxicab pull to the curb. Windshield wipers made intermittent journeys back and forth. Light from a lamppost cast yellow reflections on the damp hood. The cab's curbside indicator light blinked, orange, off, orange, off. A newspaper dispenser displayed this morning's New York Post's front page, the headlines screaming about chemical weapons and a dictator and America's moral right. A subway rumbled along the raised overhead tracks in a blur of lights, shaking the ground, steel on steel screeching before it passed, fading away.

The street-side taxi door opened and a middle-aged man emerged. He wore black slacks and a black overcoat. A gust of wind flapped his overcoat open revealing a black jacket underneath and a flash of white.

Seth studied him.

Dark brown hair highlighted silver grey streaks at the temples. Slender and lithe, the man moved well as he circled the taxi and opened the curb-side door, extending his hand to another occupant. Seth caught the gleam of his well-polished black shoes before being distracted by a gloved hand reaching out for the man's.

He helped a young girl out. She looked quite ordinary in jeans, dark blue sneakers, and a short brown coat. Her hair was dark, a gust of wind making it whip. She reached up with her free hand trying to tame it.

The man turned towards the café still holding the girl's hand. The cab pulled away. Seth saw his face and the flash of his white collar. Father Frank Calhoone hadn't changed in eleven years since Seth had last set eyes on him. He still had a narrow, determined face, a firm jaw, and dark, intense eyes that could coax confessions out of his parishioners.

With a curt nod Father Frank let Seth know he'd seen him. Seth sipped from a chipped mug, the coffee as weak and characterless as the café, and watched them approach. The café door opened bringing a brief wash of coolness.

"Frank," Seth said simply in greeting without standing.

"Seth," he replied extending his hand.

Seth shook it. "Coffee?"

"Thanks. And a Coke. This is Sabrina Dougan. Sabrina, this is Seth McCall."

While they waited to be served, Seth studied Sabrina. Faint freckles dusted her small, straight nose and cheeks. Eleven or twelve he thought. What he'd taken for dark hair was in fact a rich dark burgundy red dampened darker in spots by sprinkling rain. It was layered and feathered to just below her shoulders. It was a beautiful color and he might have appreciated it more except she looked at him and waylaid his thoughts.

Sea-green eyes with darker flints of emerald stared back at Seth in a frank assessment. She looked directly at him without flinching from his examination. He'd never seen more fascinating eyes. They penetrated and absorbed.

Drinks were served and still she studied him.

Turning to Frank, Seth asked, "How long?"

"I don't know. It depends on how much time it'll take for me to . . ." Frank's voice trailed off. "I just don't know, Seth," he finished, his hand wiping his face, fatigue evident.

"Okay." Seth glanced out the window casually taking note of the passing cars and occasional pedestrians walking quickly, heads bowed against a blustering wind. He automatically assessed each.

Father Frank reached into an inside pocket and withdrew a thick envelope, placing it on the Formica-topped table and sliding it across to Seth. "It's all I could get. I'll have more soon."

A spark of annoyance hit Seth, his eyes flashing. "I told you I don't need money from you," he said curtly, almost angrily, pushing the envelope back towards Father Frank.

"Take it anyway. For Sabrina. Just in case."

"Okay." Without opening it, Seth slipped the envelope into the inside pocket of his leather jacket. He wasn't going to argue. Father Frank Calhoone had been able to out-argue Seth for as long as they'd known each other. Twelve years Seth's senior, Father Frank had been the one to steer Seth into the armed forces.

Seth glanced back at Sabrina. She watched him with far too much frankness, those eyes so mystical and penetrating. To change the subject he asked Frank, without looking away from the girl, "Does it talk?"

A quick smile flashed across her face before she turned to look out the window.

"I have to go. Take care of her, Seth. I'll be in touch when it's safe." With a final sip of coffee, Father Frank stood, the chrome and vinyl chair scraping on the grimy linoleum floor. He extended his hand.

Seth shook it. "You know how to find me," he said.

With a nod, Father Frank rested his hand on Sabrina's shoulder and squeezed it gently. "Seth will keep you safe. Remember what I told you." He patted her shoulder, bent and kissed her crown before leaving. The café door let in another gust of cold air when he stepped out. A glance left and right and Father Frank Calhoone disappeared, his black coat flapping in the wind.

"So," Seth said to Sabrina, sipping coffee. He waited.

She studied Seth and eventually spoke. "So what?"

He liked her voice. It had a silkiness to it, very gentle on the ears with a faint lilt of Irish. Not at all like the grating, strident kids' voices he was used to hearing.

"So, ready to go?" he asked.

She nodded and stood.

Tossing a few dollars onto the table, Seth led her out into a cold autumn night.

Sabrina Dougan was an enigma. He knew two things about her: she was an orphan living in a Roman Catholic home for children and she was in some kind of danger. He didn't know why she was in danger, just that she was. What Seth found hard to accept was, according to Father Frank, she was in danger from the Society of Jesus, better known as Jesuits. It made no sense.

When Father Frank contacted Seth and asked him to look after Sabrina, Seth had been unable to refuse him. Not only did Father Frank's tone of voice tell Seth he was serious, but Seth owed him more than he could ever repay. He'd been the one to steer Seth away from the self-destructive road he'd been on as a teenager and into the armed forces. Fifteen years later, educated, and finally mature, with a career in army intelligence behind him, Seth was happy and reasonably well adjusted.

"This way," Seth said, leading Sabrina up the stairs to the overhead subway station.

An hour later, after four changes on the subway, doubling back once, Seth let Sabrina into a hotel room, their temporary accommodation while in New York, a rundown hotel off eighty-sixth street in Brooklyn.

"You can take that bed," he said, pointing. "The bathroom's yours. I need to step out for a bit. Will you be okay?"

Sabrina nodded and watched Seth leave the room. She glanced around the seedy hotel room and sat on the edge of the bed. It sank under her. She already missed Father Calhoone. For the last six days he'd been her constant companion. Even before, he'd been one of the kind ones, always treating her as if she was normal when he visited the orphanage.

Seth had scared her at first. She'd glimpsed him through the café window and seen hard, icy-cold blue eyes that sent a shiver down her spine. His eyes stood out in sharp contrast against his dark brown hair. But, even though his expression hadn't changed, when he asked Father Calhoone if "it" talked, there'd been a sparkle of amusement in his eyes that softened them. They became quite riveting. Somehow she knew those eyes missed nothing. They were restless eyes, in constant movement, not flitting but deliberately looking around as if aware of everything, touching down, seeing, and moving on.

Sabrina glanced down at her gloved hands and sighed. She pulled the gloves off. It felt good not to wear them. Where had Seth gone? Where was he taking her? How long would she be away? Sometimes she felt despair settle into her. Would it ever stop? Would she ever be able to relax? It wasn't her fault! Why didn't they learn? Why wouldn't they leave her alone?

Sabrina unbuttoned the coat slowly, her eyes taking in the faded wallpaper, the scarred dresser and the television bolted to it. Yet another anonymous room. Through the grimy window, night reflected back at her, drops of rain spotting the window pane. She didn't need to pee. She couldn't brush her teeth. She couldn't change into fresh clothes. Everything had been left behind in the sudden scramble yesterday to leave, Father Calhoone hustling her out of the motel after receiving a phone call.

Sadness washed over her. She felt loneliness return and didn't like its solitary company. Where had Seth gone? Why couldn't she have stayed with Father Calhoone?

Seth shook Doug Freeman's hand and accepted the keys and papers he offered. The pale cream Toyota Land Cruiser was old, rust-streaked around the wheel wells, and dented here and there. But Seth knew mechanically it would be in perfect shape. That's why one went to Doug; innocuous but reliable transportation.

"Thanks, Doug. I'll pick it up tomorrow morning, okay?"

"Sure, Seth. Anything you want. It'll be here. Where are you going?"

"West, I think. Maybe the Rockies."

"Nice time of year to head out that way. Safe journey."

Seth had no intention of heading west. It was simple protection - misdirection. By the time Seth returned to the hotel room it was past ten - late. He found Sabrina in exactly the same spot, sitting on the side of the bed. With the exception of her coat being unbuttoned, it looked like she hadn't moved one inch.

"Didn't you shower?" he asked.

"No."

"Aren't you going to change for bed?"

Sea-green eyes studied Seth, quizzical. He wondered if he was being stupid or something.

"Change into what?" she asked.

Seth mentally kicked himself. How could he have missed the fact that she had no luggage? Where was her stuff? "Sorry. I must be tired. It's been a long day."

Reaching into his duffel bag, he tugged out a white T-shirt and offered it to her. "Why don't you use this," he suggested. Hunting some more he passed her a tube of toothpaste. "You'll have to use your finger tonight."

"Okay. Thanks," she replied softly, rising and disappearing into the bathroom.

Morning brought a peek of cold sun through scudding grey clouds. Sabrina sat across from Seth in the diner eating scrambled eggs and sausages. Seth sipped spineless coffee and read the New York Post. It was seven-thirty. They'd need to start their trip soon.

On page seven, two-thirds down, a small article sent chills down his spine.

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Mystery Surrounds the Death of a Priest
by Ken Russel - City Desk

Police were called to West Eighty-Eighth Street late last night to discover the body of a priest. No name has been released pending notification of next of kin. However Homicide Detective, James Doyle confirmed the priest had been shot to death. An anonymous source in the department said detectives were surprised as it looked like the priest had been executed by a professional and there were signs of coercion.

The investigation into this disturbing murder has just started. The police have asked anyone with information to please come forward or contact them anonymously at 1-800-555-TIPS.

-----------

Was it Father Calhoone? Had he been killed? Ridiculous. Still. Seth glanced around the diner. Nothing tweaked his radar; an old couple eating in a booth and arguing with each other in what looked like a well worn disagreement, a solitary middle-aged man hunched over his plate at the counter, a young bottle-blonde girl dressed as if she'd been busy with the night trade eating lethargically, two construction workers sipping coffee and energetically disagreeing over a union proposal.

"Wait here. I'll be right back," he instructed Sabrina, rising and heading back towards the toilets.

Still nervous, using the pay phone, he placed a call. Four minutes later Seth was back at the table and reassured. Father Frank was alive and well and knew nothing about the murdered priest.

That news lowered his guard almost fatally.

Sun couldn't warm the air. Autumn chill gusted at them when Seth led Sabrina down the street towards the subway. They crossed the street diagonally and he missed it. He missed the sudden acceleration of a late model Ford. He wasn't even looking the right way. Yet some instinct made him turn his head.

The sedan was charging towards them, engine racing. If Seth thought it wasn't after them he only had to look at the hard face behind the wheel. The driver stared with focused intensity not at Seth but Sabrina. That first moment of fear hit, a microsecond of inactivity, frozen in shock, muscles waiting for instructions. Adrenalin kicked in and, bending, Seth grabbed Sabrina wrapping her in his arms and lifting her off her feet, twisting away to place his body between her and the car. He moved to avoid the speeding vehicle. Too late.

It hit, sideswiping Seth and sending him flying onto the sidewalk, Sabrina still gripped in his arms. He twisted in mid air. Breath exploded when he hit the ground, his head snapping down against concrete, stars exploding.

Rolling, his side in pain, Seth stood, dragging Sabrina up. They dashed into the subway, racing down the stairs. Three minutes later they were safely on a train heading away.

Mentally Seth swore up a storm. How could I have been so stupid?

"Are you okay?" he asked, his back cramping in pain.

Sabrina nodded, her eyes wide.

An hour later they were in the newly acquired Toyota and heading north out of New York. Sabrina was silent. So was Seth. He hadn't doubted Father Frank when he said Sabrina was in danger. But, in truth, with Father Frank being a Roman Catholic priest Seth didn't think his definition of danger was quite so real. Seth assumed Father Frank meant internal politics within the church, plots and conniving. Attempted murder wasn't part of his expectation, even after talking to Father Frank this morning.

What was it about Sabrina?

While they took the route north towards Vermont Seth glanced across at her. She sat quietly lost in thought watching the urban sprawl pass, her hands fidgeting with her gloved fingers.

"Who wants you so badly?" he asked.

Sabrina shrugged without turning her attention away from the passing scenery.

"Why do they want you?" he asked.

Sea-green eyes turned towards Seth and studied him. She shrugged again and turned her face back to the passing scenery. It was obvious to Seth she knew why and probably who and was choosing not to tell him. Why? Why wouldn't Father Frank tell him either? What was so secret and why would it stir such violent disagreement within the church?

Lost in thought, Sabrina paid no attention to the passing scenery. In her mind she was trying to come to grips with what had happened. One minute she'd been crossing the street and the next Seth had her in a tight hug, an engine roaring. She'd actually felt the impact of the car on his body, a scary solid thump that tossed her through the air.

Before she could ask, Seth had pulled her up and she saw in those remarkable blue eyes a flash of pain followed by icy-cold anger that sent chills of fear through her. She knew people wanted her, but this was new. That car had almost run them over!

Sabrina felt guilty. She couldn't tell Seth. She'd promised and, when you make a promise to a priest you have to keep it, don't you? Otherwise you'd go to Hell. Sabrina didn't want to go to Hell.

She wrestled with the dilemma. It felt wrong to keep secrets. She paid abstract attention to Seth's questions, shrugging or nodding where appropriate.

Four hours later, when he pulled off the Interstate and into a mall, she became aware of him again.

"You need clothes," he said, steering into a parking spot.

"Can we find a bathroom first?" she asked, blushing.

"Okay. Bathroom and food, then shop till you drop."

Sabrina smiled to herself. Shopping was not something she was used to. You didn't get to shop when living in an orphanage. But an hour and a half later, with a pleasantly full stomach and blessedly empty bladder, Sabrina found herself laughing for the first time in months. It happened when Seth, trying to be helpful, started pointing out T-shirts to match socks she'd reluctantly picked out.

"Here," he said picking up a lavender T-shirt. "This will match your socks."

Despite the fact that the T-shirt was five sizes too big, lavender didn't come close to matching light blue socks. And then there was the funny part; why would she match a T-shirt to socks?

Taking the T-shirt she hung it in front of her. "A bit big, don't you think?"

"Huh. You're really small."

"Am not. The T-shirt's big. Do you really think lavender matches light blue?"

Seth looked surprised. "That's lavender?"

Sabrina laughed again. "Uh-huh."

"Then let's buy something that matches it. I like lavender. It complements your eyes."

Sabrina giggled softly. "My eyes are green. Lavender doesn't match green." This Seth was a completely different person than the one this morning. This Seth was easy-going and relaxed, much easier to be around. Yet she noticed how his eyes were restless, in constant movement.

"Here. Feel this. It's soft. Let's buy it," Seth said picking up a soft cotton-blend pastel green blouse. "And it's green."

Without conscious thought, Sabrina slipped off one glove and felt the fabric. It was really nice; silky soft. Then she saw the price tag - $29.99! Too expensive. Still, she liked that he wanted her to buy it.

"Let's get it," he insisted. "It'll look good on you and match your new socks." He reached out to pick it up.

Sabrina laughed. The new socks were blue! What was with him and colors? She reached out to restrain him, her hand brushing his. She liked that he thought it would look good on her. She liked him when he was relaxed, too. He should smile more, it looked good on him. "It's too expensive."

Seth smiled. He liked Sabrina when she relaxed. That fleeting thought passed as fast as it had arrived.

"We're getting the blouse for you," he insisted and then became confused by her reaction, a frown emerging as she slipped her glove on.

"Sorry."

"Sorry for what?" he asked.

Seth dismissed the incident when they became embroiled in an argument over two versus three pairs of jeans. Sabrina confused him. She seemed to have an allergic reaction to shopping, refusing to buy anything she considered too expensive or too indulgent. Was it a Catholic sensibility? Seth tried to explain she'd need a wardrobe to last for several weeks which intensified the argument.

Then he told her to buy panties and asked, "Do you wear bra's?" Her furious blush at his question highlighted freckles and distracted him, the argument forgotten. It took Seth a few minutes to understand; she was from a Catholic orphanage and he was a stranger. No wonder she blushed.

"Here," Seth instructed, "give me the clothes and go buy your underthings. Don't forget something to sleep in, too." He handed her a wad of bills and took the clothes they'd already selected, leaving her to shop in privacy.

While on his own Seth also grabbed several more clothes in her size, a green down jacket, and knit scarf and hat and, after pausing to consider, he grabbed the lavender T-shirt.

Forty minutes later Sabrina carried a newly purchased duffel bag to the Toyota and they were back on their way.

Evening arrived as they made their way through Vermont heading north. A panoramic carpet of reds, oranges, and yellows unfolded before them, autumn's magnificence emerging. Conversation was sporadic, an occasional question followed by a short answer. Sabrina expressed no interest in where they were heading.

At eight in the evening they stopped. The roadside motel took cash, had a single vacancy, and sat next to a small family restaurant. Seth didn't think twice about the single queen-sized bed until, after dinner, Sabrina emerged from the bathroom hesitantly, shy in her white and blue flannel pajamas.

She glanced at Seth and stood stock still.

He didn't get it. "Come on. It's been a long day."

"But you're in the bed," she said softly.

"I know, but this was all they . . ." Pausing, Seth reminded himself this girl was probably a prude, Catholic indoctrination strong. "Okay. You take the bed. I'll take the chair."

Around eleven fifteen a small hand shook him awake.

"It's okay. You can sleep in the bed, too," Sabrina told Seth. "I can't sleep when you're so uncomfortable."

"Don't worry about it," Seth suggested. Probably Catholic guilt now.

Her hand touched his bare arm. "I want to share the bed."

So did Seth. It was unquestionably the right thing to do. It felt right.

The bed dipped under him, its old mattress soft but welcome. The blanket was warm and comforting. Sabrina settled on her side facing Seth, her sea-green eyes watching him. An appropriate, chaste space separated them.

"Thanks," Seth said, closing his eyes. Two minutes later he was asleep.

The Toyota jostled from side to side. Trees closed in on them from both sides, branches brushing noisily. It was very dark, the moon obscured by clouds laden with moisture, the Toyota's lights out. Ahead the landscape glowed green in Seth's night-vision goggles. Sabrina was hanging onto the door and seat, jostled by the harsh ride.

After leaving Highway 114 Seth had taken progressively smaller roads, wending their way north through Vermont. They'd entered a rough dirt track about an hour ago. Ahead was the most dangerous part of the journey.

Somewhere ahead of them there was a break in the tree cover, ostensibly a fire break. In reality it was the U.S./Canada border, an invisible line patrolled by drones and irregular patrols. Fortunately the attention was focused on illegal incursion from Canada to the States, not the other way around. American government agencies, responsible for ninety percent of the coverage, didn't care about people leaving the States.

An hour and a half later they were safely across. Seth found Highway 147 and they were on their way to Sherbrooke. Two days of hard driving and they passed Parry Sound in Northern Ontario. Twenty-five minutes later Seth pulled into an almost hidden drive. The Toyota squeezed down the rutted lane, around a bend and they arrived.

The cottage, really a large log cabin, sat on an open piece of land at the edge of Mountain Basin, a lake connected to Portage Lake, and Mill Lake, and an ever-expanding network of water. Northern Ontario was cottage district, summer homes, retreats and resorts. At this time of year it was almost deserted with only the hardy in winterized cottages and locals still around.

The log cabin belonged to a Toronto lawyer who'd bought it with dreams of weekends at the lake with a wife and kids, wiling away hot summer days. Infertility and a less than understanding ex-wife had dashed his dreams. He was wealthy enough to forget he owned the cottage and a good enough friend to gladly let Seth use it. Over the past few years it had become Seth's vacation spot, loaned to him on the condition he did the caretaker duties.

Seth let Sabrina wander around while he resuscitated it; reconnected the water, turned the electricity back on, primed the pump and checked the propane tank, all the duties needed to make a winterized cottage livable.

Sabrina stood on the deck overlooking the lake's dark water. It looked deep. Small ripples moved across the surface. Pines mixed with oaks and birch in a riot of autumn yellow and burnt orange and red crowded the lake's edge. What got her attention was the utter silence. She'd never been anywhere so quiet. The orphanage had been noisy, even at night, other girls tossing and turning or talking in their sleep. New York had been noisy. The drive up had been noisy. She liked this silence, so peaceful.

She heard Seth clattering around behind her. He was an odd guy. He never needed to fill silence by talking. She'd noticed most people did, as if quiet was rude or bad. Seth didn't. He'd go for hours without saying a word, like her. She liked it.

The sun warmed her left cheek, a late afternoon sun slowly dropping towards the treetops through an endlessly huge blue sky. It wasn't warm, nor cold; sweater weather.

"Can you help?" Seth asked from behind, startling her.

"Okay. Help do what?"

He nodded to a tarp. "Bring out the chairs and table?"

Sabrina nodded.

"Thanks. Hungry? I can make dinner."

"No thanks," Sabrina said.

"Okay. Let me know when you are. I'm almost done."

Sabrina pulled the tarp off a stack of wood chairs and a low table, lifting and dragging them out onto the large deck. At the sound of a haunting hoot, she returned to the railing and looked out. The sound was so unusual, eerie and lonely. What was it?

Across the moss lawn a wooden dock jutted out into the lake and next to it, a small white-painted boathouse. She stepped off the deck and ambled over, the dock creaking and moving from her weight. That haunting sound echoed around the lake again. Standing at the end of the dock Sabrina scanned the large lake. She saw nothing except for a couple of black and white ducks with spotted backs. Maybe the sound was from the forest around them. What would make such a weird sound?

She headed back. The cottage was one floor, quite large with a kitchen and sliding glass double doors on the right, a propane barbecue on the deck outside the doors. In the center were large three-quarter windows. To the left was a bedroom window. It really was a log cabin. Huge logs made up the walls, round and interlocking at the corners, the wood aged to a golden honey color. The steep roof was covered in a grey slate.

Stepping through the glass doors she inspected the kitchen. It was rustic with frosted, glass-fronted light maple cabinets, steel sink, white fridge and a cooking range. A chrome toaster sat next to the draining board. A rack of spice bottles was attached to the backsplash behind an old, well-used cutting board.

The kitchen table looked old, too. Four wooden chairs sat around a rectangular table.

The open-concept kitchen led into a larger dining room with a long table covered in dust, an intricate wrought iron chandelier centered over it and seating for six. To the left, the living room was wide, full of comfortable-looking furniture and a huge stone fireplace so big she could crouch inside it.

Seth walked in from the front door, his arms loaded with cut wood.

"We're going to have a fire?" Sabrina asked with excitement. She loved fires.

"Yeah. It gets pretty cold at night this far north. Hungry yet?"

"No. Why do you ask about food so much? Are you hungry? Can I help with the wood? Can I make the fire?"

Seth piled dry logs next to the hearth, brushed his shirt and turned. "Do you always talk in questions?" he asked.

"Why would you think that? Where's the wood?" Sabrina answered deliberately with a slight smile.

Seth studied her with his penetrating blue eyes. "This way."

He led her out the front door, to the left, and over to a large shed. The interior was dark and smelled of mold and dust. Stacked on both sides were neatly cut and split dry logs. Without a word Seth started handing her some. She held her arms out, each log heavy, the weight growing.

"Don't you think that's enough?" she asked, staggering a bit.

Seth smiled at her slyly as if he'd deliberately overloaded her. Fine. She'd show him. Turning, Sabrina walked carefully towards the cottage door. The load grew heavier, her arms sagging. Her toe caught. She tripped. Logs went flying in a loud tumble.

"You dropped some," Seth commented, passing her with a light load of kindling.

Seth felt Sabrina's glare as he stepped passed her and smiled to himself. It was fun watching her struggle. Kneeling at the fireplace he piled the kindling in a basket. They now had enough wood for a couple of nights, maybe more.

"Do you want these?" Sabrina asked, huffing a bit.

Seth turned and smiled to himself. She was clearly still put out, her remarkable sea-green eyes glittering. "Do you want help?" he offered, belatedly.

"Do you want me to drop them again?"

"Is that what's about to happen?" he asked, now grinning.

Sabrina saw his grin and paused. It was a good grin, a dimple emerging on his cheek. It was a crooked grin full of mischief that softened his face and made him younger. She smiled and asked, "Can you help me, please?"

"What would you like me to do?"

"Can't you guess?"

"Tie your shoe laces?" he asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Are you always so dense?" she asked, her smile growing into a grin.

His grin became sneaky. "Are those logs getting heavier?"

Sabrina laughed and let them go, the logs clattering to the floor, bark falling off some. She brushed her front. "Satisfied?"

Cool autumn wind blew her hair, the ends whipping. The small outboard motor roared as it propelled the aluminum boat across a glassy lake. Behind her Seth piloted, his eyes squinting into the bright sun reflecting up coldly from the water. Dense-packed trees passed on the shore.

Sabrina sat and enjoyed the ride. She was completely at peace. She'd never felt so good. It was the kind of good where she worried it was too good. Her sweater kept her warm. Small drops of water occasionally sprayed up and moistened her face. Behind, a long curving wake looked almost white in the dark bluish-green of the lake.

This was the third time she'd gone to town and back in the boat with Seth. It was so much better than driving, so much more fun. Leaning to the side she let her hand trail in the cold water.

Seth called out, "Careful."

Sabrina glanced back and smiled in reassurance, nodded and faced forward again.

For almost two weeks she'd studied Seth. She was used to observing people and Seth was perhaps the most unusual person she'd met. She'd known he was comfortable with silence, but he was the embodiment of silence. She'd discovered he hardly ever made noise when he moved. Even when he'd been chopping wood all she'd heard was the whoosh of the axe and sharp crack as it hit a log, never his breathing. He walked quiet and talked quiet. He never raised his voice, never seemed hurried, excited, or upset.

It had taken a couple of days before he was smiling and at ease with her and boy his smiles were great. They reached his blue eyes and softened them just enough. His grin was lopsided and cute.

She'd discovered other things that seemed odd. He read cookbooks and gourmet magazines and had an amazing knowledge of foods and yet he only cooked simple stuff; eggs, steaks, boiled potatoes, roasted chicken pieces. Each dish was plain and uncomplicated and only slightly better than the food at the orphanage. When she asked why he just shrugged, saying, "You can cook if you want."

The boat curved around a pine-covered island, its shore a granite rock. Their cottage appeared. Sabrina spotted some loons. She grinned. When she'd asked Seth what the sad animal was that kept calling he'd chuckled and told her it was the 'ducks' she'd seen, loons. Their call was so haunting. And the way they'd suddenly dive and disappear was fascinating.

The outboard engine stopped. Silence arrived. Seth guided the boat to nudge against the dock with a gentle bump. Sabrina scrambled out onto the dock and tied the rope to a davit using the knot Seth had taught her.

The boat rocked when Seth stood.

"Need some help?" she asked.

Seth smiled. "How much can you carry?"

"How much do you think? Should we make a few trips?" Sabrina replied.

"You're not too tired?"

Sabrina smiled and countered, "Do you think just because I'm a girl I'm gonna get tired?"

Seth laughed. "Okay. I give up. Here."

Sabrina smiled with pleasure. It was a game of conversation by questions, simple, just something that had evolved, but she liked playing it with Seth. Actually, she liked Seth. Reaching out she waited for Seth to hand her a shopping bag.

Seth reached up and passed a plastic bag full of groceries to Sabrina, her hand touching his as he transferred it to her. He experienced that warm appreciation for Sabrina that hit him every so often. She was a lovely girl.

Sabrina was remarkably easy to be around. She wasn't like any other kid he knew. She seemed quite happy to sit and read a book rather than talk. She wasn't antsy. Seth found himself enjoying her company which, for a loner, was odd.

He was convinced there was a bright intellect behind those sea-green eyes. Sabrina was far too mature for a twelve-year-old, far too aware.

With the last four grocery bags in his hands, Seth climbed out of the small boat and secured it to the dock. He followed Sabrina as she made her way across the moss lawn.

His mind wandered. Three times he'd tried to call Father Frank from town and hadn't been able to connect. Over the past several days Seth had grown increasingly concerned with the whole situation he found himself in.

First was Father Frank's situation. It worried him. Father Frank had appeared drawn and tired when they'd met, lines deeply creasing his usually youngish face. Sabrina puzzled him, too. She was an enigma. As far as he could tell she was perfectly charming. In fact, he'd begun to grow quite fond of her. Why in the world would anyone want to harm her?

Seth worried that Father Frank was in danger and was beginning to believe he needed Seth's help. But not knowing what the danger was or why it existed left Seth helpless, and Seth wasn't used to being helpless. Not at all.

He'd noticed other incongruous things; Sabrina never sat near him, she wore gloves frequently during the day even inside the cottage, and she was watchful around him despite her open smiles.

Several times Seth had asked her what she was in danger from and Sabrina had just shrugged her shoulders. It wasn't good enough. With everything going on and nothing known, he was very uncomfortable. It wasn't the sort of situation he enjoyed.

Tonight Sabrina was going to talk.

Dinner was unspectacular; baked potatoes and roasted chicken leg quarters. It was consumed in relative silence. After dinner Sabrina did her usual, starting a fire in the hearth. She loved fire and would sit near it, poking and playing all evening. Not tonight, Seth decided.

"Sabrina, do you like Father Frank?" he asked, as she stoked the new fire.

Sabrina nodded, not turning.

"He's disappeared. I can't find him. I think he's in danger."

Sabrina turned her head, sea-green eyes wide.

Seth continued, "If I could help him would you want me to?"

"Yes," she said softly, still staring.

"If you could help him, would you?"

Sabrina nodded.

"Then you have to talk to me. I need to know why people are after you."

Silence hung in the air. Sabrina's mystical eyes stared at him. She didn't move. It looked like she'd stopped breathing.

"Sabrina?"

In a voice just above a whisper, Sabrina said, "I promised Father Frank I'd never tell."

Seth studied her. She seemed to be telling the truth and yet looked sorry at the same time. He didn't want to upset her but ignorance was no way to protect. "If it helps him I'm sure he'd understand you telling me," Seth said gently. "I promise I won't tell a soul."

Sabrina seemed to steel herself. She placed the poker down slowly. Looking into the fire she started talking in a hushed tone.

Seth listened, not believing. It was impossible. It just wasn't possible . . . was it?

Sabrina talked about living in the orphanage, nuns looking after them. She talked about abuse, verbal at first then physical, slaps, shaking, corporal punishment meted out at the slightest infraction of ever-changing rules none of the girls understood, and worse, how some of the nuns seemed to enjoy it.

Sabrina talked about how she reacted in self-defense, letting anger rule, silently furious, grabbing them when she was slapped to try to stop them.

At first she didn't realize the impact she had on them, nor that it was so severe that some of the nuns had lost their faith, a few even going catatonic. She didn't understand at first. But slowly she did. Somehow she could change how people felt. If she was feeling good she'd make those she touched happy. But if she was sad she'd make people sad. And when she was angry . . . when she was angry the nuns would . . . change.

Seth sat quietly trying to believe her. "Is it something you can decide to do?" he asked.

Sabrina glanced at him. "I don't do it. It happens when people touch me. I can't stop it."

"But, can you chose good or bad?" Seth asked.

Sabrina nodded.

He sat quietly for a few moments. If it was true, why would a sect of the Catholic church want to harm her? That attempt to run them down wasn't just to maim, the driver had been intent on killing her. Seth wrestled with it, not believing her but trying to understand. Finally, he decided. He needed to experience it to understand it.

"Do it to me, Sabrina. Make me feel bad like you did with the nuns."

"No!" she exploded.

"Sabrina, I need to understand why they're trying to hurt you. I need to see. Don't worry. You can't hurt me. I'm not a nun."

"It isn't just nuns. It happened with priests, too."

"It's okay. I'm not religious. Come on," Seth encouraged, extending his hand. He was confident. Her story was just too unbelievable. Perhaps if he proved it to her she'd feel a bit better about herself.

She frowned, brows scrunching.

"Come on. It can't hurt me," Seth encouraged.

Sabrina stood and walked over to him. She lifted her hand, paused, her sea-green eyes searching his intently. With a sigh, she gently put her hand in Seth's extended hand and closed her eyes, a frown emerging.

In Seth's eyes the living room vanished to be replaced by a bleak, barren landscape of dust and rock and dead trees, shriveled leaves still on blackened branches. Black-clad nuns and priests wandered aimlessly. Abject horror welled up inside him from nowhere and spread for no reason. His heart raced painfully. The earth cracked and death emerged, the flesh-eating breath of Satan. Like a fog it spread low to the ground across the landscape swirling around the devout. Screams of agony filled the air. He knew with absolute certainty everything he'd believed was a lie. There was no God and never had been. Insidious fear began to rise inside him followed by panic. All was lost. There was no heaven. What he'd been told was wrong, totally, utterly wrong. Dread followed. He was going to die, his flesh consumed to leave nerves exposed and raw; an eternity of pain. He was going to Hell.

His body shook with deep terror when he realized he had no soul. Before his eyes skin on nuns and priests was melting, blackening and flaking off, consumed, raw pink bodies left screaming in agony. The cloud of Satan's breath crept across the ground towards him. Panic intensified, his heart racing as if ready to explode in his chest, his feet unmoving, frozen in place. He'd never been so afraid. How could he have been so wrong? How could he have believed in a non-existent God? The flesh-eating mist, Satan's evil breath, touched his feet, agony lancing through him. A scream welled in his chest needing to escape.

With a Herculean effort Seth jerked his hand away from Sabrina.

The living room slowly reappeared. Sabrina was watching him with worried eyes. His heart raced and fear lingered, deep, utter terror. He was sweating. Sabrina touched his hand again. Warmth flowed in. God she was perfect, so sweet and kind. He felt good, warm, at peace. She was such a beautiful girl.

When her hand fell away, Seth sat quietly. He looked at Sabrina. She'd been telling the truth. He wasn't religious, but if he had been, like those nuns, how would he have reacted to that all-consuming fear, that utter loss of faith?

What interested him was, not being religious in any way, what he experienced must have been influenced by Sabrina's beliefs. Is that what she thought of as Hell? No. No child could imagine that.

When he noticed her worried expression, Seth smiled. "I'm okay." He reached out to comfort her. Sabrina immediately backed away.

Little things coalesced in his mind; his fleeting feelings for her that would come and go with her touch, the gloves she wore so frequently. He understood, she was protecting not herself, but others. He tried to imagine living with her condition. How lonely would it be, afraid to let people touch you; people afraid to touch you? Suddenly it occurred to him. He had to find out.

"Sabrina, have you ever been held or hugged?" Seth asked softly.

Sabrina froze. For a moment she looked lost. She swallowed, sadness emerging. Then a firm, resolute look appeared. She shook her head sharply.

"Never?" Seth asked, unbelievingly. How could no one want to hug such a wonderful girl?

Sabrina shook her head again.

Without a word, his chest heavy, and despite Sabrina backing away, Seth grabbed her hand and drew her into a hug. To Hell with the consequences - literally. He'd take the terror to give her a hug.

It was the most unusual experience he'd ever had. Feelings assaulted him from joy to sadness. They weren't his. They were Sabrina's influencing his. He felt warm and loved and safe. Regret washed over him for what he'd missed; being held gently, personal touch, comfort. In his gentle hug Sabrina began to tremble, her body so small and delicate. Shocked, with the first touch of dampness in his eyes, he realized Sabrina was crying, and his tears fell too, a reaction utterly alien to him and beyond his control.

Steeling himself, Seth tried to concentrate. Nothing. He tried again, focused on one thing - resist her, don't cry, don't cry, don't cry. His tears stopped. Fascinating. Could he learn to protect himself from her strange power?

Seth leaned back in the prow of the boat, facing backwards as Sabrina piloted it. The smile on her face was spectacular, full of simple joy, her sea-green eyes twinkling with pleasure as she carved circles and arcs in the dark, blue-green lake. Her burgundy hair whipped where it fell from her knit cap, her freckled cheeks red from exposure to brisk northern cold air.

Seth stretched out his legs and crossed his ankles. "That's the way to town," he yelled over the sound of the Honda outboard motor, pointing at an ever-moving target.

"I know! Can't you see I'm going that way?" Sabrina yelled.

He laughed. She was taking the least direct route possible. They were going to be hours getting there and would be going in circles when they arrived if Sabrina could help it.

For almost three weeks since that fateful night when Sabrina had demonstrated her remarkable affliction - for that was what it was, an affliction, not a gift - Seth had worked at her. He'd discovered exposure reduced the severity of the impact, like turning down the volume on a stereo. He'd discovered just touching her bare skin anywhere would affect him, but the effect was much stronger when she'd touch him with her hands. That took a much greater effort to subdue.

He now believed members of the church saw Sabrina as the Anti-Christ, the Devil on earth, and that might be why she was in such danger. It was, in his opinion, a stupid reaction. But religion was never, ever logical.

Something else had happened. Sabrina had started loving him. It was a strange emotion he'd been flummoxed by. It was unfamiliar. The symptoms emerged whenever he touched her and most strongly when he hugged her. A warm blanket would settle over him, calm arriving. He'd feel himself relax before heat arrived. He'd suddenly feel as if hugging Sabrina was the best thing he'd ever experienced and worried it would end, afraid she'd leave him. Angst would arrive and determination take hold - he'd never let her go, never! He couldn't imagine being without her.

Seth understood they were emotions driven by what Sabrina was feeling. But secretly he also recognized it was more than that. He still felt many of those emotions when he steeled himself from her influence and, even at times like now, watching her pure joy in piloting a boat, with no physical contact, he still felt a draw to her.

Sabrina was easy to like. She was quiet and uncomplicated and honest. She had a spark of wit that peeked out every so often and communication would become questions, only questions. She also had a laugh that, while rare, when it emerged it sent thrills through him. Sabrina could laugh with pure, unadulterated pleasure.

The small boat made another circle. Seth felt mildly dizzy but, in the passing scenery he caught sight of Parry Sound. Sabrina changed from circles to arcs, the boat tipping back and forth as it literally wended its way down towards the dock.

Concentrating, ignoring Seth, Sabrina guided the boat towards the dock.

"Oops. Sorry," she said when, misjudging the speed, the aluminum boat thumped against the dock with unusual force. Sabrina couldn't stop smiling. She really liked the little boat.

She didn't resist when Seth took her hand and led her towards the Co-Op Supermarket. It was a natural action she'd grown to love. Who knew just holding hands could be so special?

She glanced up at him. He was off somewhere again, his blue eyes in a thousand-yard stare. Over the last month or so she'd started learning him. She'd started understanding him. He was a remarkable guy. Still the quietest person she knew, he was the most communicative guy she'd ever met. Sabrina didn't need to ask. He'd look at her and his eyes would soften. Crow's feet crinkles would emerge when his smile reached his eyes. He liked her, really liked her which, all things considered, was good given she loved him.

She'd understood his cooking. Seth was lazy. It wasn't an I-don't-care laziness. It was an it's-not-important-enough laziness. He was full of determination and commitment for important things, like her.

She couldn't get enough of Seth. A lifetime wouldn't be enough. She couldn't get enough hugs, couldn't touch him enough or have him touch her enough. She'd been aware of how he tried to adjust to her impact, his eyes determined and hard. He'd grabbed her and forced contact and slowly she'd felt him relax.

Sabrina loved him. She loved his smell, all wood and smoke from the fire. She adored the tenderness in his touch, so contrary to his hard body and personality. And, more important to her, she felt safe with him. He wasn't going to slap her, yell at her, disapprove of her. He demanded nothing from her and in doing so she wanted to do everything for him.

"Do we have a lot of shopping to do?" she asked.

"How much is a lot?" Seth responded.

"Can we cook something good tonight?" she asked as supermarket doors opened with a hiss.

"My food isn't good?" Seth asked, his face deadpan.

"Does the Pope pray?" Sabrina asked, equally seriously. She liked his lop-sided grin. Reaching into her back jean pocket she pulled out a folded page from some magazine called Epicure. "Where do we find liver?" she asked.

Seth stopped. He glanced down at her, his expression serious. "We are NOT eating liver!"

Sabrina smiled. "Got 'cha. It's not a liver recipe," she said. "Look. We need ground beef and Italian sausages. What are Italian sausages?"

Seth smiled despite himself. Sabrina's joy at such simple things was beautiful. How could anyone want to harm her? In her happiness he found peace. Overcome with unfamiliar feelings, he decided they'd make a detour before heading back.

With Sabrina trailing him, forty-odd minutes later he held the door open to Chapters, a Canadian bookstore. Sabrina loved reading. She'd consumed all five books at the cottage twice. It was time for new ones.

"Go to town," he said.

Sabrina looked around, her eyes wide. "Any book?" she asked as if not believing him.

"Yup," Seth said with a smile.

Following her around the tall bookshelves, he saw her pause at a display of watercolor painting kits, the sort one would buy as a gift. After giving them a wistful look her attention was drawn to a pile of books that seemed to all be about vampires, then she wandered in a haphazard way, absorbed, picking the occasional book off the shelf, reading the back cover summary or the one inside the cover on hardbacks, replacing the book and moving on. He noticed how she handled the books, reverently, almost caressing them.

Bored, Seth stopped following her and found a convenient, comfortable armchair. With grocery bags piled at his side he waited. His mind inevitably went back to Father Frank. Where was he? Why wasn't he answering his phone? Five weeks was a long time to be out of contact.

Almost an hour later he was restless. He went in search of Sabrina and found her in an aisle with one paperback book in her hand, her eyes staring longingly at something on the shelf.

"Have you picked?" he asked.

Sabrina glanced at him, then down at the book in her hand. She nodded. "This one, I think."

Seth took it. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. He looked at the shelf. A black box sat next to individual books. It looked to him like a collection of hardcover Harry Potter books. Why buy only one? He put the single paperback back on the shelf and grabbed the boxed collection.

"We'll get this," he said.

Sabrina looked shocked. "It's over a hundred dollars! You can't!" She tried to grab the box to return it to the shelf.

"It's my money so I can do whatever I want. Besides, if we buy all seven I won't have to waste seven hours of my life when we come back for each separate book," Seth claimed, adding a crooked grin.

Two hours later Sabrina sat on the deck, her emotions still in turmoil. She studied the tree line across the lake, how evergreens mixed with yellow and burnt orange maple leaves, and how dark, almost black tree trunks contrasted with the almost white trunks of silver birches. Dark blue-green lake water rippled as an autumn breeze brushed the surface. Three loons bobbed, their eyes red, heads and necks shiny black, backs black with white spots.

She glanced at the artist pad in her lap and added brush strokes, burnt orange forming a minimalist interpretation of the view in front of her, tree trunks painted like Japanese brush strokes. She still had a hard time understanding how Seth knew she liked to paint. Despite her protests at everything being too much, Sabrina had hugged that bag of books and the paint set all the way home. She'd never been given such an expensive gift and it made her feel odd.

Seth was so full of surprises. He seemed so detached and cool at times and then he'd do something like this, something considerate and thoughtful. Sabrina wasn't used to it but she loved it.

Concentrating on the brush, she started outlining the aluminum boat in grey paint and wondered if Seth would like her painting. Maybe she'd give it to him.

Days slipped by in a cocoon of isolation, fall yielding to the onset of winter. Seth stretched his stocking covered feet towards the roaring fire. Wood crackled and sap popped as it burned in the hearth casting a flickering red glow over the living room.

The sound of a page turning broke the silence.

Cuddled close to him, with her legs curled to the side, Sabrina was gone to the world, lost in book three of her Harry Potter series. Seth let his arm rest over her slender shoulder, his hand once again finding her bare arm where she'd rolled up the sleeve of her sweater.

He relaxed his defenses and it came flooding in; pure joy wrapped in fascination, magic so wondrous. He lived her excitement. Not knowing what the book was about, he enjoyed how, through Sabrina, it absorbed him, full of awe and intrigue and more.

He lifted his hand. Peace returned. The fire roared. Concentrating, he touched her arm again. Nothing. Seth smiled. It might have taken over a month but he'd learned how to mute her impact completely. However, more and more he was finding himself not wanting to.

He had another reason to feel good, too. This afternoon on their trip to town he'd actually talked to Father Frank. The conversation had lasted almost an hour. Father Frank was annoyed but relieved Seth knew about Sabrina's affliction. He'd been fascinated to hear Seth could, by concentrating, mute her impact.

Seth had been right. A fundamentalist sect within the Jesuits were convinced Sabrina was the Anti-Christ, Satan on earth, brought to the church to bring it down from within by erasing the faith of priests and nuns alike. They were convinced the threat was so severe, so disastrous, that Satan - Sabrina - had to die. They were quoting obscure sections of religious texts as justification.

Father Frank asked for more time. He was having trouble identifying who was at the core of the threat to Sabrina and had no proof to bring to those higher in the church. Seth had told Father Frank to take as long as he needed. Sabrina was healthy, happy, and safe.

She was, too. Sabrina was a beautiful girl when she was happy. She was also a remarkably talented girl. Her paintings, all small landscapes demonstrating a sharp eye, were pinned to the walls in the kitchen where he could look at them.

She was a talented cook, too, capable of following directions once she understood what "julienne" meant, and "roux", and "sauté". And she had no reservation about using Seth as the labor in the kitchen, directing him while she studied the recipe alternating with inspecting his work. Seth truly enjoyed not just her company but the resulting dishes.

She was very easy to like.

That night cold late autumn temperatures seeped into the cottage and as the fire turned to ash and died, the cold took over, slowly lowering the temperature.

Sabrina tossed as she battled a rare unpleasant dream; nuns reaching out with hands like claws trying to grab her as she fled, their faces contorted in hate. She didn't understand. Why did they hate her so much? Why did they want to hit her? One caught her sleeve and hissed. Sabrina shrieked and tore herself away, running, heart racing. She woke suddenly, her heart thumping. She didn't even think about it. Rising, she tiptoed down to Seth's bedroom, his door open as it always was. Slipping under the covers carefully and, with an appropriate space between them, Sabrina slept, comforted by Seth being close.

Cold continued to seep into the cottage. Bodies unconsciously sought warmth. Gradually they moved, coming together. Seth unconsciously hugged Sabrina in his sleep when their bodies touched.

He started dreaming, a confused maelstrom of images; a puppy running and tumbling all fluffy and white, a small boat curving through the water, autumn leaves spread like a quilt of yellow, burnt orange, and red. He smelled a fire in the hearth, smoky and woodsy and somehow he loved it. He felt good in his dream, warm and safe, loved. Each sensation, each image was nice. In his sleep he smiled. He dreamed of a kiss, his very first, soft lips. He dreamed of being hugged, held gently and it felt so wonderful. He felt the spark of arousal, a warm glow emerging and spreading through his body. He felt love, a strange and comforting emotion.

In his sleep, Seth became erect.

Morning arrived. Sabrina opened her eyes to find Seth's blue eyes studying her. She had pressed herself to him, his arms around her. His body was hard yet warm, his hands caressing her back. She was being held so gently, so perfectly. It seemed the right thing to do so, without thinking about it, Sabrina kissed Seth lightly, hesitant, testing.

She saw his eyes narrow and held her breath. His eyes lost focus for a moment before coming back to her. A crooked smile emerged.

"Morning," he said softly, his lips brushing hers.

To Sabrina it was like her body was melting, tension she wasn't aware of fading away. His hug tightened and she sighed. She'd just discovered heaven.

Then he kissed her again and Sabrina moaned quietly.

Inundated by Sabrina's emotions, Seth succumbed to the second kiss, the harder kiss that seemed so appropriate, so desirable. By the time his sleepy mind woke up and he became aware of her influence it was too late.

Kissing Sabrina was just about the most perfect thing he'd done. And despite easing back from her, despite her wearing blue and white flannel pajamas, her small bare feet touched him, her delicate bare hands touched his bare chest, and her gorgeous, mysterious sea-green eyes filled his vision. Her emotions cascaded through him if they were his, longing, adoration, love.

He concentrated, fighting the onslaught of her emotions and closing the door, succeeding. But what remained was appreciation and desire, strange emotions he wasn't used to. Protective feelings merged with those other emotions and suddenly he knew he adored her. But that was impossible! How could he adore a twelve-year-old girl, an innocent girl, a religious girl?!!

When Sabrina shyly kissed him again, her soft lips gently blew away all worries. How could something so beautiful be wrong? He responded, wrapping her tightly in his arms, hugging her slender body, lips pressed together. It was a chaste kiss full of promise, a beautiful kiss. It was a kiss that changed everything.

Over breakfast Seth couldn't take his eyes off Sabrina. She seemed to blossom. Her smiles were shy but intense, her eyes full of excitement. Freckles stood out and looked beautiful. She kept brushing her dark burgundy hair behind a delicate ear where it wouldn't stay, falling free to frame her face. Sea-green eyes watched his every move, his reactions.

"What happened?" he asked, wiping egg yolk up with some toast. "Did you do that?"

"Do what?" she asked.

"Make me feel so strongly about you."

Sabrina blushed. "I don't know. What do you feel?"

Seth sat quietly for a moment studying Sabrina. He spoke softly, "Like I need to kiss you again."

Sabrina smiled shyly. "Need to?" she asked.

Seth nodded. "Need to. It's nothing to do with what I want. You're only twelve after all. Nope. I just need to."

"Then maybe you should," Sabrina said, her blush intensifying.

"Yes. Maybe I should," he replied, standing up, the chair scraping across the wood floor. Seth reached for her hand and drew Sabrina out from the table. He tugged and drew her into him, his arms slipping around her slender body. Sabrina's eyes glistened with excitement. She looked up at him.

He bent his head. Lips touched.

In a separate part of his brain, Seth assessed his reactions. Kissing Sabrina was addictive. It was such a strange experience. He felt her sweet pleasure, her excitement, her longing. They were very powerful emotions in her.

At the same time he enjoyed her silken lips pressed to his, her slender body, her tight, tight hug. But with a very quiet murmur, Sabrina expressed such love it sent chills through him. Kissing Sabrina was an experience like nothing else on earth. His heart was actually racing when the kiss ended and it didn't surprise him to feel a partial erection. Sabrina was seductively addictive, very dangerous. It would be too easy to do so much more with her.

Releasing her he frowned. "Enough with the distractions, young lady. I have chores to do. You may wash the dishes."

Her light, pleased laughter followed him as he stepped out into the early winter chill.

Sabrina finished washing breakfast dishes and, bundled up in her thick sweater, grabbed a book and went out onto the deck. The temperature was just cold enough for her breath to mist, but the sun's radiant heat kept the chill away. Sitting on a chair, her book on her lap, Sabrina studied the lake.

The water was calm, dark, cold looking. Most of the leaves had fallen leaving dark trunks and twisted branches and evergreens. Grey granite lined the shore, tiny wavelets brushing up against it.

Movement out of the corner of her eye distracted her. Seth walked across the deck silently carrying a window shutter. He passed behind her, pausing, his bare hand briefly settling on her neck and caressing affectionately before he continued, disappearing around the other side of the cottage. It felt nice. But what was that about?

Sabrina read Harry Potter, every so often interrupted by Seth passing behind her on his way to or from somewhere, every time resting his large hand gently against her neck for a moment. What was he doing?

Then it hit her. He was feeling her emotions! Letting the book rest in her lap again, Sabrina wondered if she could deliberately influence him. Wouldn't that be nice. Just imagine the possibilities. But how?

The next time Seth passed, Sabrina, pretending to read, concentrated. "I want you to kiss me," she thought hard when he caressed her neck. He left. Nothing.

Pondering it, Sabrina decided maybe it was a perspective thing. The next time, some twenty minutes later, as Seth passed, she concentrated again. "I need to kiss you," she thought.

A shudder hit when Seth bent and kissed her crown before moving on. Wow! It worked!

She read her book, waiting patiently. On his next pass she concentrated hard. "I have to touch those lips with mine."

Seth touched her bare neck gently. His hand rested. He bent around her, bright blue eyes twinkling at her making her heart beat. She'd done it! Seth was going to kiss her! She held her breath.

He smiled. "If you want a kiss, just ask," he said.

Sabrina burst into laughter and blushed. "Kay. Can I have a kiss?"

His lips brushed against hers sending bolts of excitement through her. For the first time she felt her body respond. As he pressed his lips to hers in a sexy kiss, Sabrina felt her areolae pucker, her newly emerging breasts grow heavy, and arousal emerge.

He left her breathless when he walked away. For a moment Sabrina drowned in the enjoyment she'd felt. Then it hit her and she blushed furiously. Oh no! Had Seth known she got horny?

At the front of the cottage Seth finished attaching the last of the winter shutters. It was mindless work. He was still suffering an erection tight in his jeans and an ache in his groin. He was so aroused, unbelievably so. If he'd thought Sabrina full of love was powerful it was nothing compared to Sabrina horny. Was it really that powerful in a young girl?

The ache of arousal stayed with Seth until lunch. It was at lunch that he noticed Sabrina behaving strangely. As they made simple ham sandwiches and chicken noodle soup warmed in a pot on the stove, Seth realized Sabrina was avoiding him. Not just avoiding his touch, but evading him by walking a wide path around him and not looking at him, her responses to his comments or questions just nods or shakes of her head. It was as if she'd regressed.

"What's up, Sabrina?" he asked, setting his lunch on the kitchen table, pulling the chair out with his foot and sitting down.

Sabrina finally looked at him and blushed, freckles in sharp contrast, her sea-green eyes sliding away.

"What is it?" he asked again.

In a soft voice, Sabrina responded. "I just realized I have no privacy with you. You know everything when you touch me."

Seth nodded. He took a bite of his sandwich and chewed, his eyes studying her. He swallowed. "True. At least, I know what you're feeling."

Sabrina fiddled with her sandwich, moving it around on the plate. The bowl of chicken noodle soup steamed next to it. "It's not fair," she stated.

"Why's that?"

"Because it embarrasses me. Besides, I know nothing about how you're feeling."

"Would knowing what I was feeling make it fair?"

"Yes . . . No . . . Maybe."

Seth put his partially finished sandwich down. He rested his arms on the table and studied Sabrina in a frank gaze, his blue eyes intense. "Let me start by telling you what I know. I agree with those nuns. You're a dangerous person."

Sabrina's face fell in shock.

Seth calmly continued, "But they had it all wrong. You're dangerous because you're so pretty. You're dangerous because you're intelligent and funny and sweet and great company. I've never been comfortable around kids but I'm very comfortable around you. I think that's because you behave like a young lady, not a kid.

"But what makes you beautifully dangerous is what's inside you and, trust me, you are beautiful, perhaps the most beautiful person I know. If someone had told me I'd find a twelve-year-old girl attractive I would have laughed in their face, but I can't. I can't deny what I feel."

Sabrina's eyes widened. "You think I'm attractive?" she asked slightly breathlessly.

Seth nodded and grabbed his sandwich taking another bite.

"That's all?" Sabrina asked.

After swallowing, Seth continued. "No. If you weren't so young I'd seriously be trying to get you into bed."

Sabrina blushed and laughed. "I was in bed with you. Remember?"

"Ah. Right. But that wasn't quite what I meant."

Sabrina finally took a bite of her sandwich, her mind racing, excitement making her blood rush. He likes me! She steeled herself, watching Seth carefully. Her cheeks flushed. This was scary and thrilling. "What if I wanted to get in bed with you?" she asked.

His clear blue eyes looked at her. He was so quiet, unmoving. His expression was frank, assessing. Sabrina wondered if he was watching her stomach flutter or saw her wiping her damp palms under the table. What was he thinking?

Seth nodded. A smile emerged, lazy and lopsided. "I think I'd like that very much."

With a breath of relief, Sabrina smiled. "Kay."

Silence followed.

After taking a spoonful of soup, her hand shaking only slightly, she asked, "Now what?"

"Now what what?" Seth responded.

"What do we do now?"

"You don't know?"

Sabrina grinned, recognizing the game. "Can you remind me?"

"How do you feel about finishing lunch?"

With a laugh, Sabrina asked, "What if I'm not hungry?"

"You aren't hungry? For anything at all?" Seth asked, his eyebrows rising.

Her giggle escaped. She blushed. "Okay. I give up."

Despite the excitement humming inside her, that afternoon Sabrina went back to reading her book on the deck, warm in her thick knit sweater. Every so often Seth would pass by and his hand would either caress her neck or her cheek, an amazing, gentle touch that she found so affectionate it made her heart flutter every time. It was just a touch in passing, a personal connection, but it was so full of care.

Sun set early. Darkness echoed with the sound of lonely loons calling their haunting song. Dinner passed in a flurry of nerves, Sabrina so nervous she hardly tasted her food. After dinner she made the fire in the living room, something she loved doing. When she sat on the couch next to Seth, he put his heavy arm over her shoulder and his thumb caressed her forearm. She snuggled close.

"Relax, Sabrina. Don't worry so much," he said.

"Stop reading me."

"Why? I love experiencing you."

"Kay. But it's still not fair," Sabrina said. "It's so one-sided."

Seth, in his calm voice, started talking, "All right. Fair's fair. I'm preoccupied. My mind is full of a girl called Sabrina, such a nice name. I'm puzzled by how you can be who you are, so full of goodness when all you've known is an orphanage. And then I remember hugging you in bed this morning.

"I'm confused by how you've affected me. I'm usually a pretty cool person, not given to strong feelings. And then I remember hugging you in bed.

"Perhaps most confusing to me is how wonderful it felt to kiss you. It should have felt wrong, I mean, you're twelve after all. And, did I mention I keep remembering how it felt to hug you in bed this morning?"

Sabrina giggled quietly, her body shaking.

"I liked hugging you so now I'm preoccupied with it. I keep wishing time would pass faster, the fire to die out, for a girl called Sabrina of the sea-green eyes to get tired. I'm so looking forward to . . ." Seth's voice trailed off.

"Hugging me?" Sabrina asked with a laugh.

"Nope. What gave you that idea? I was thinking kissing."

Sabrina laughed. "You're just weird." She might have been amused, but his inane banter made her relax. Reaching out, she grabbed her book, snuggled closer to his side, opened the book and prayed she'd never leave the cottage, ever. She didn't want to go back.

Later, Seth paused when, after brushing his teeth, he entered his bedroom. Night was inky black in the window. In his room a small table lamp cast a soft glow across the bed, the bedspread folded down. Sabrina was in his bed, sitting up and leaning against the carved maple wood headboard. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, one perennially loose strand falling down over her left cheek. Sea-green eyes watched him. Her blue and white flannel pajamas looked very young.

A brief moment of indecision hit him.

He looked into her beautiful eyes and saw shy excitement.

When he slipped under the covers, Sabrina smiled and slipped down. He reached out and drew her to him, her slender body warm, delicate, alive. Breath wafted against him. She emitted an aroma of sweet warmth, clean soap, and a hint of minty toothpaste.

Sea-green eyes watched him. He relaxed his defenses and her emotions swamped him. He was surprised. He felt embarrassed and nervous.

"Relax," he said in a soft voice.

"Please don't do that," Sabrina responded.

"What?"

"Don't read me."

"I don't."

"You know what I mean. Can't you block me?" she asked.

"Why? I like it."

Without looking at Seth, Sabrina answered, "Because I'm embarrassed and scared."

"Scared?"

"Maybe not scared so much as nervous."

"Nervous? What do you think's going to happen tonight?"

"We're going to have sex, aren't we?"

Seth chuckled and hugged her a bit harder. "Wrong. We're not going to have sex. We're going to cuddle and kiss and maybe touch and caress, that's all."

"Oh."

"Is that why you're embarrassed?" Seth asked, stroking her back.

"No."

"Then why?" Seth probed softly, enjoying caressing her back. Sabrina felt so good in his arms, surprisingly good; warm, alive, even sensual in her delicateness.

"Because I'm . . ." Sabrina just couldn't tell Seth she was horny.

"What? Because you're aroused?" Seth asked.

"You said you wouldn't do that!" Sabrina exclaimed, her cheeks flushing.

"I didn't do anything. I guessed. Besides, you're not the only one. Can't you tell?"

"How?" Sabrina asked. When Seth took her hand and drew it down between them, when she felt him over his boxers, hard and so big, her cheeks radiated fire. That's Seth's erection! "Oh," she whispered.

"See?"

Sabrina touched gently, tracing the length, so long. It felt huge. How could something that big ever fit? She turned her face up when he nuzzled her. Bright blue eyes studied her. "What do I do?" she asked. His crooked smile made her flush with pleasure.

"Anything you want as long as it includes a kiss," he said.

Warmth flushed through her. She moved her lips close to him, her eyes closing as his mouth settled against hers. In her hand his large erection pulsed. Her lips tingled. Her heart fluttered. And then it washed over her, a soft wave of arousal making her areolae crinkle, blood rushing down, her pussy aching. She moaned softy. This was perfect.

Closing his eyes, Seth kissed Sabrina. He drowned in her sweet excitement. Soft lips pressed to his in an innocent, yearning kiss. Unable to resist he touched her lips with his tongue. Her soft moan sent shivers of pleasure through him. He'd never experienced such a sexy kiss. Desire rushed in. Too soon.

Breaking the kiss, he reached out and turned the bedside lamp out before hugging her again in a tight embrace. Inky darkness surrounded them. His hands caressed her back from shoulder blades to the beginning swell of her beautiful rear. He ached with desire, fueled in no small part by her sweet yearning.

"Is that it?" Sabrina asked in a whisper. "One kiss?"

"And a hug," Seth said, his hand carefully dropping lower over the sensual swell of her small bottom. His erection ached when he gently pulled her petite body tight against him trapping it between them. "And a grope."

"It's not enough," Sabrina complained.

Waves of frustration rolled into him; Sabrina's frustration. Seth rolled, drawing Sabrina up on top of him. Her legs fell to his sides. He eased her higher and felt her breath on his cheek. Her mouth was so close to his, her small bottom held in his palm. With his free hand he guided her head. Lips touched again.

The waves of frustration disappeared and Seth drowned in Sabrina's pleasure. When he felt a surge of desire in himself, he concentrated, closing her off to protect himself from the power of her joy. Instead he let his hand find her pajama top, slipping up underneath to caress her bare back. Sabrina squirmed on top of him, pressing her pussy against his erection. Her tongue emerged to lightly touch his before the kiss broke, Sabrina gasping.

"Okay?" he asked.

Sabrina hunched, pressing her pussy on his shaft. She trembled. "Uh-huh," she whispered, hugging him.

In the inky darkness, Seth held Sabrina gently, caressing the silky skin of her back. He drowned in her small movements. In a gentle, almost non-movement, Sabrina humped her pussy on his shaft. Her breath wafted hot onto his neck, her arms hugging him. It was beautiful; sweetly innocent yet intensely erotic.

His erection ached, heavy and hard. Turning his face, still holding her carefully, still caressing her back under her pajama top, Seth gently kissed her silken cheek. Sabrina trembled in his arms, her pussy pressing harder. She let out a quiet whimper, her small body shaking slightly and slowly Sabrina calmed on top of him, her body coming to rest. Her hot breath slowed, her legs relaxing.

Silence reigned. Seconds became minutes with neither moving. Seth smiled when he realized Sabrina had fallen asleep in his arms, exhausted from a day of sexy teasing and her beautiful quiet climax. Despite his aching erection he held her gently, loving her weight, her slenderness, her delicateness. Eventually his need was too strong, his erection too determined.

Rolling, he eased Sabrina onto the bed, slipped from her hug and left the bed, the bathroom door closing quietly behind him. In the dark he found release.

Chapter Two - In The Name of God

"It has been almost two months. Are you suggesting finding a twelve-year-old girl is beyond your extensive capabilities?"

"No. But we have information she is being helped by a man called Seth McCall."

"And who is Seth McCall?" Father Jerome asked in a soft voice.

Daniel Roper glanced down at his iPad. He suppressed the surge of annoyance he felt at being treated as if he was incompetent. Father Jerome had no concept.

"Seth McCall, ex army intelligence, is a friend of Father Calhoone. Father Calhoone stepped into Seth's life when he was falling under the influence of Detroit street gangs and convinced him to redirect his anger by joining the armed forces.

"His file is sealed. However, what we know is Seth McCall became a Ranger before being transferred suddenly to Intelligence. Our assets have made discreet inquiries and the feedback is consistent, lending credence to the profile."

"And what is that?" Father Jerome asked, folding his hands together on top of the intricately carved antique desk.

Daniel looked up from the iPad. "Those who know Seth McCall tell of a dispassionate man of higher-than-average intellect. They all agree he is very, very sharp and icy cold. He speaks four languages. Most disturbing is that all our sources," Daniel paused for emphasis, "all our sources have warned us not to interfere with him. They are unanimous in their opinion that he is a very, very dangerous man."

"No one is above God," Father Jerome replied. "The question is the same. Is finding the girl beyond your expensive talents?"

"No. However, I should advise you that I and my people will in no way be involved in any action against him."

Father Jerome waved a hand in dismissal. "You can leave that to us. How long before you'll know?"

Daniel responded, "Perhaps another thirty days. We're now vetting all of his acquaintances. We'll find him."

"Thirty days it is," Father Jerome agreed. He stood, the chair scraping on the stone floor, and extended his slender hand. Shaking Daniel's hand, he added, "Go with God."

As the carved door closed behind Daniel, Father Jerome lifted the black receiver on an old telephone and dialed. He waited.

"Thirty more days," he said quietly. "Yes, I am confident Mr. Roper will succeed." After a short pause to listen, he nodded and added, "Are you sure?"

At the other end of the call, a Cardinal, resplendent in red robes, set the receiver down gently and crossed himself. In the name of God, it had to be done.

Father Jerome sat at his desk and once again pondered the morality of his instructions. Was killing morally justified to protect God's messengers? Yet the potential harm that girl represented to the church was truly horrific. She had to be stopped. It was his duty to stop her, wasn't it?

With a sigh, he made his decision and picked up the telephone. Instructions needed to be passed on.

"Don Fantino, come stai?" Father Jerome said in fluent Italian when the phone was answered. After listening, he added, "La chiesa ha bisogno di nuovo del vostro aiuto. This time you must not miss."

Chapter Three - Sabrina's Unstoppable Charm

Ice had formed at the rocky shore. It would melt by noon only to return overnight, slightly thicker, slightly larger; the inevitable onslaught of winter now a physical presence.

Standing at the closed kitchen sliding glass doors with a steaming mug of coffee in one hand, Seth stared out at the peaceful view. Behind him the sound of a shower was loud, the bathroom door open. He smiled at Sabrina's newfound familiarity with him. It seemed her one gentle climax last night had eased her fears and embarrassment; that and this morning's episode.

His erection was still present, too. The peaceful scene outside vanished as his mind went back. Waking up with Sabrina this morning had been inordinately sexy. He'd been spooning her, holding her in a tight hug, his knees bent up to press to the back of her legs.

As wakefulness seeped in he'd felt her blue and white flannel pajamas against him, her petite body emitting heat inside them. She breathed quietly in sleep, her chest barely moving. Then he understood what it was he was feeling. His hand was underneath her pajama top. His hand was resting on the smallest naked breast he'd ever touched, newly formed, the size of a half golf ball, pubescent and firm.

Seth's thoughts drifted. He'd not been aware that she even had breasts, Sabrina being constantly swathed in loose clothes around him. He'd not realized she was entering puberty, either, her body so slender. And he'd never actually touched such a young girl intimately. The experience was powerful, his erection forming as he fondled her petite breast slowly, amazed at how firm it was.

For minutes Seth had caressed, exploring the sensual shape, a sexy petite mound topped by a small nipple. For several exciting minutes his erection throbbed with arousal while he gently held the most exciting breast in the world. His mind pictured it and he imagined her areola being a light pink. He imagined Sabrina on her back as he eased her pajama top open one button at a time to slowly reveal her young breasts. He imagined his lips lightly touching the tip of one, how soft yet firm it would feel as he kissed it. In his mind he took the whole small breast into his mouth, the thought so unexpectedly erotic.

For minutes Seth luxuriated in the illicit treat. Then a hand gently pressed his hand to her breast. Sabrina was awake. Her emotions flooded him, surprise followed by a flush of warmth followed by adoration and happiness and, hitting him hard, Sabrina's arousal.

He shut her off, her emotions too strong. But it was too late. He ached for her. He knew, too. He knew he wanted her. Sabrina's sweetness was too powerful. Seth wanted her completely, no doubts, no questions remaining. She was indeed a very dangerous young girl.

Needing relief, Seth started to withdraw his hand. Sabrina grabbed it, pressing it to her small breast. "No. Not yet," she whispered, pushing her bum back at Seth's erection. "Don't get up yet."

In the morning light Seth smiled and buried his nose in her dark burgundy hair, inhaling deeply. She smelled of subtle blooms and sleepiness, a powerful, rather intoxicating combination. "Okay," he agreed, returning to caressing her incredible little breast.

"You're . . ." Sabrina's voice fell silent but a gentle press of her bum against Seth's erection told him what she was too shy to say.

"Horny?" he asked.

"Uh-huh."

"I am," he admitted.

"Does it just go away after a while?" Sabrina asked.

"Sometimes," Seth replied, kissing her crown gently.

"And the other times?"

"I handle the problem, so to speak."

Sabrina's body shook with silent giggles. "Could I watch?"

"No."

"How come?"

"Too embarrassing," Seth admitted. He couldn't imagine masturbating under her innocent, watchful gaze.

"If I can't watch, can I help?"

"No."

"How come?" she asked.

"It's too soon. You're too young. I'm not ready," Seth replied softly, although the desire in him was strong.

Standing at the sliding glass doors, as the shower ended and the sound of a shower curtain being pulled back reached him, Seth understood something about himself. He'd lied to Sabrina. It wasn't too soon. Yes she was too young, but he was ready anyway, even eager to make love to her. The memory of touching her young breast was powerful, arousing, and now deeply attractive. He smiled remembering her comment. "If you're not ready now, when will you be?"

Sipping coffee, Seth's erection strained in his jeans. Not since being a teenager had he suffered such desire, the driving need for sex. Sabrina was a very, very dangerous young girl, perhaps the single most dangerous person he'd ever met.

"What's for breakfast?" Sabrina asked from behind him.

Seth turned. She wore a thick cream-colored cable-knit sweater and jeans. Her burgundy hair was damp and dark. Freckles stood out where they dusted her cheeks and nose. Sea-green eyes twinkled with a smile. There was no sign of her petite breasts but she was beautiful, edible.

"How hungry are you?" Seth asked.

"Are you cooking?" she countered.

"What if I am?"

Sabrina tilted her head and studied him. She smiled suddenly. "Can I ask for something special for breakfast?"

Suspicious of her sudden smile, Seth replied cautiously, "Like what?"

Her cheeks flushed rosy red.

"Like what?" he repeated, admiring how pretty the blush made her.

"Can we go back to bed?" Sabrina asked softly.

Sabrina trembled. She could feel the heat in her cheeks. She was so embarrassed. But she was so, so horny, too. Since waking up and feeling her small breast being touched, fondled gently by his big hand, she could think of nothing but sex. Her body ached to be touched again, her cotton panties damp. And having Seth spoon her from behind with his erection nestled to her bum had been so sexy.

Horniness had wound up her body like a tight spring that needed release or she'd explode. She ached in her lower stomach. Her boobs felt swollen. She watched Seth closely waiting for his answer.

Seth was at war. He wanted and shouldn't have. But she was so beautiful, such a sexy girl, cute, her bold innocence so attractive. His body cried out for her, his hands actually moving as he remembered touching her.

His desire was too strong. "Okay," he agreed softly.

Sabrina's mystical eyes opened wider. "Really?" she asked almost in wonder. Then a determined expression emerged. "No reading me."

"Okay."

"Promise?"

"Okay."

"Okay what?" Sabrina insisted.

Seth grinned. "I promise not to read you."

Sabrina nodded and let him take her hand.

The bedroom was simple and rustic. A high spring mattress queen bed made of Canadian maple dominated the room. Patterned rugs partially covered the wood floor. A credenza and dresser lined two walls, the en suite bathroom to the left. Picture windows across from the bed provided a view of the lake, sheer cream curtains framing it.

Seth lied to Sabrina when he promised not to let her emotions in. He took peeks just to guide him. Her nervousness overwhelmed her excitement. Pausing just inside the doorway, he drew Sabrina into a gentle hug, her body so delicate in his arms. She turned her face up, eyes big. He bent his head and let his lips brush against hers. It was electric and sexy, the kiss gentle, her lips so soft.

As they kissed Sabrina's arms wrapped around his waist. Seth's hands caressed her back and lower, settling on her small jean-covered buttocks. Sabrina pressed herself against him.

His hands edged up off her beautiful behind to grip the bottom of her cable-knit sweater. He drew it up.

The kiss broke, Sabrina raising her arms, her cheeks still flushed with excitement, not embarrassment, her mystical eyes twinkling. The plain navy T-shirt underneath caught and rose exposing her tummy. Seth's fingers collected the hem of the T-shirt and drew it off with the sweater.

His breath paused at the sight of a plain white cotton bra. It was simple, virginal, sweet and sexy with a small silk bow in the center. His heart beat faster at the very small mounds the bra covered. Desire washed over him in a dizzy wave. He needed to touch her, cradle her small breasts, caress them.

"Your turn," Sabrina whispered.

Seth smiled at Sabrina. "It's so sexy," he said.

She smiled with pleasure and reached for the buttons of his shirt, undoing them while he studied her. She spread the front of his shirt open and caressed his chest before slipping the shirt off his shoulders.

Both paused.

Seth moved in and wrapped Sabrina in a hug, lifting her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck, her face level with his, a smile of pleasure greeting him. The kiss started soft, lips touching lips. Pressure built and Seth succumbed, parting his lips to gently touch hers with his tongue.

Sabrina paused for a microsecond before opening her mouth. Her legs tightened around him. She murmured quietly and her tongue touched his. It was electric.

He opened himself to her and closed her off quickly. Sabrina's emotions almost overwhelmed him. In that brief exposure he was hit with excitement and intense arousal and wonder, but the love he'd felt was so powerful it shook him deeply.

Her sweetness intensified his pleasure. His tongue eased into her mouth, eyes closing. Seth gripped her petite buttocks and lightly rubbed the crotch of her jeans. Sabrina moaned and pressed herself against his hand, responding, encouraging. She came alive in his arms, a sensual little girl responding to him in an intensely arousing way, overwhelming him.

Seth shuffled backwards, the back of his knees hitting the bed. He fell gently bringing Sabrina with him. Her lips banged against his.

"Ouch," she exclaimed, breaking the kiss to stare at him.

"Sorry."

Sabrina smiled, knelt astride him and kissed him. She pressed her crotch against the lump of his erection in his jeans, pulses of pleasure making her pussy ache. His hands caressed her bare back, pausing on her bra strap. A snick sounded and it fell loose. A shudder shook her.

Sabrina thought she was horny but it was nothing compared to what happened. When Seth drew her small bra off, his hands eased her closer. Astride him, Seth's head rose from the bed and he kissed her boob. A wave of arousal washed over her, intense and so sexy. His tongue rasped against her nipple and then she moaned loudly, Seth's suction making her boob ache as it never had before.

Sabrina drowned, so horny, so horny. She humped him, her jeans tight, panties moist. Pressing her pussy she felt his erection and humped harder, pussy pulsing, need driving her. Seth kissed and sucked her other boob, his thumb teasing the first. A wave hit her. Sabrina gasped. She shook. Her pussy contracted and, unable to stop herself, she came, her climax washing over her. She humped him, waves of pleasure hitting her. Pressing her pussy against the lump of his erection, Sabrina came, gasping quietly, her breasts being sucked and caressed, her pussy clenching. She came, her body trembling as each wave of pleasure washed through her leaving her breathless and tired and satisfied, the pressure gone, relaxation and peace arriving, sweet release. Slowly, Sabrina relaxed on top of Seth, her eyes closed.

Seth held Sabrina gently wondering how she did it. How did such a young girl have such beautiful orgasms? He'd never seen anything like it. She announced her climaxes clearly but so gently, so soft, and so intense he wished he could experience one. There was no holding back nor any embarrassment. She didn't squeal or cry out loudly. There was no jerking or gasping or drama that he'd been so accustomed to. And because of it, Sabrina's climaxes were some of the most intense he'd ever seen, pure; innocent pleasure.

In a slow move, Sabrina uncurled her legs at his sides and stretched. She grew heavier on top of him. He caressed her bare back and played with her fragrant burgundy hair, still slightly damp from the shower. She relaxed and sighed quietly.

"I'm hungry. Let's have breakfast," she said conversationally.

Seth chuckled. "That's it?" he asked.

"Uh-huh. I feel much better now," Sabrina said, her voice quite serious. "Nice and relaxed."

Seth kissed her hair with a smile. "Okay. Let's get breakfast."

Sabrina showed her shyness when she climbed off him, her arm carefully covering her perky little breasts. The bra was left on the bedspread as she faced away from Seth and pulled her T-shirt and cable-knit sweater over her head.

He watched small buttocks held tightly in jeans move sensually as she left the bedroom.

"What do you want?" she called out.

Buttoning his shirt, Seth paused to rearrange his erection. "You!" he responded.

A laugh echoed back to him. "I meant for breakfast."

"You!" he repeated.

By the time he was seated at the kitchen table, a bowl of Cheerios in front of him matching the bowl in front of Sabrina, his erection had subsided slightly. "Are we ever going to get undressed together before you're done?" he asked.

Sabrina blushed bright red. "I can't help it," she claimed.

"It's lovely," Seth said casually, taking a spoonful of cereal and chewing slowly, his eyes studying Sabrina. He swallowed. "But may I point out you've managed to 'relax' twice now and I haven't even 'relaxed' once." Seth didn't mention the bathroom event last night, wanting to see how she'd react.

Sabrina's blush intensified, freckles standing out. Her sea-green eyes briefly met his and darted away, only to return and study the slight grin that gave humor to his words. She smiled. "We could try again," she offered. "Maybe if we undressed first?"

"Tonight. Right now we have some shopping to do. But tonight, before you get into my bed, I want to watch you undress, okay?" Seth said, smiling. "It's only fair since you've had all the 'relaxing' so far."

Sabrina laughed and blushed, feeling pleased Seth actually wanted to see her naked . . . Oh! Naked? Maybe she'd keep her panties on.

Throughout the day Sabrina noticed how Seth kept her close, his hand resting on her shoulder as they walked along the downtown streets. In every way he was his quiet self, eyes in constant motion seeing everything. But his thumb would rub her shoulder in a subtle but intimate gesture.

She didn't have much to say, her mind preoccupied. It was full of conflicting emotions. Shyness battled with excitement. Her climaxes with Seth had been so much better than touching herself but she didn't understand why. And she'd felt his erection! She'd felt Seth's erection!

Just thinking about it made her nervous and excited. It had felt so big, too big. Yet she ached for him, too. She decided it didn't matter if it hurt the first time. She'd take the hurt if it made Seth feel good. She couldn't imagine anyone else she'd want as her first.

Early afternoon was spent in front of a fire, curled up on the couch reading. Wind gusted occasionally. With half of her attention she followed Seth as he puttered around the cottage fixing and cleaning things. Cold air blew in every time he opened the front door to bring a load of wood in.

She was used to his silence. He never talked unless he needed to, preferring to just brush her with his hand in passing, so lovingly, she thought. And as late afternoon slipped into early evening and Sabrina rose to help make dinner, her nervousness returned. Naked. It battled with excitement. Naked with Seth. What would his erection look like?

Sabrina was antsy when dinner was finished and fidgeting on the couch, sitting close to Seth, his hard body pressed to her. Was it too early to go to bed? Her nerves tingles, stomach fluttered. Would they go all the way? And even if they didn't, what would it be like to cuddle with Seth naked?

Seth had it down to a fine art. He finally understood that little peeks were the safest. Opening himself to Sabrina's emotions in small increments was the best way to enjoy her without losing himself. Some of her emotions were just too strong for him, her love being one. He wasn't used to being loved and not sure how to handle it. Thank goodness she hadn't actually told him she loved him. He wouldn't know what to say.

But this evening he was having fun. Sabrina was nervous in an excited way, her excitement a pleasure to feel. He knew what it was about, too. Tonight. Tonight he was going to watch her undress. He looked forward to it, not even having seen Sabrina in panties. Tonight he was going to see what a twelve-year-old girl's pussy looked like. And if it was anything like as spectacular as her small breasts were, well, just imagine!

Leaning slightly, Seth kissed her crown.

"What was that for?" she asked, her eyes still on the book.

"I needed it," he answered.

"Kay."

The fire flickered red and yellow, crackling, flames moving with hypnotic motion, licking up the side of the logs and retreating. Seth's eyelids grew heavy, warmth pervading him. He shook himself. "C'mon. Bedtime."

In the bedroom, when Sabrina grabbed her blue and white pajamas and headed towards the bathroom, Seth reached out and stopped her.

"Nuh-uh. You're undressing for me. Remember?" he reminded Sabrina. Walking over to the bed, he picked up a small, white cotton bra left there that morning and handed it to her. "Don't forget to put this on, too."

Sabrina's eyes opened wide. She took the proffered bra. "You want me to do a striptease?" she asked in surprise.

"That'll work," Seth answered with a sneaky grin.

"But I don't know how."

"It's easy. Just take one thing off at a time."

Seth sat on the side of the bed and waited. The toilet flushed, sink ran. Sabrina emerged still dressed but moving very hesitantly. She looked at him and blushed.

"I can't," she admitted softly. "It's too embarrassing."

Seth relented with a smile. He really liked her shyness, a sign of sweet innocence. "Okay. I'm gonna brush my teeth."

When he emerged from the bathroom Sabrina was sitting up in the bed just like last night, leaning back against the headboard and wearing blue and white flannel pajamas. She was watching him carefully, her sea-green eyes twinkling with excitement.

Seth tamped down his disappointment and stripped down to his boxers before slipping into bed. As he lifted the covers he saw a bare leg. He raised the covers higher and discovered two bare legs, nice legs, slender legs. He followed them up and stopped breathing for a moment. Soft white cotton panties hugged a small pubis, cotton mounded sensually with the slightest crease hinting at a camel toe. Sabrina was only wearing the pajama top.

"Surprise," she whispered, a smile in her voice.

Seth moved close and let his hand rest on her small, boney hip. "I actually daydreamed of opening your pajama top one button at a time."

"You did? What happened next?" Sabrina asked.

Looking at her pretty face, Seth continued, "I opened your pajama top to reveal your breasts and kissed them."

"Did I like it?"

"I think so," Seth said, caressing her hip.

"Maybe we should find out," Sabrina suggested, the slightest color dusting her cheeks at her forwardness.

"Mmmm. Good idea," Seth whispered, drawing Sabrina down.

On her back next to him he was reminded of how young she was, petite and slender. He leaned over her, his hand now resting on her stomach. Watching her mystical eyes, Seth kissed her softly, lips touching lips, an exquisite kiss. It sent tingles of pleasure through him.

Rising onto his elbow, Seth's fingers found the top button of her pajama and opened it. He opened the next, and the next, each exposing creamy skin. When the last button opened he paused and looked into her mystical eyes.

Sea-green with flecks of emerald watched him, her expression serious, dark burgundy hair loosely spread on the pillow. He brought his hand up to rub the faint freckles on her cheek. Sabrina was such a pretty girl.

His lips brushed hers lightly. He smiled, Sabrina responding with a slight smile. Seth looked down and drew her pajama top open.

They were so beautiful, so small, so delicate, light pink areolae with tiny beaded nipples making up almost half the mounds; the very first stage of puberty. It shook Seth. They were perfect and sexy and so desirable.

"Beautiful," Seth murmured, lowering his mouth to softly kiss the tip of the nearest. His hand moved up from her stomach, his thumb gently rubbing the other small breast. They were surprisingly firm as if filled by a pad.

Sabrina's arm rested over his shoulder. She shifted slightly when he sucked her petite breast carefully. He tasted saltiness and silky skin, her nipple a tiny hard bead.

With his thumb caressing the other, Seth moved back up to her face. He smiled. "You have the most gorgeous breasts," he whispered. Her small blush of pleasure made him ache for her. He relaxed his wall slightly and inhaled sharply. Sabrina was very aroused.

"Don't," she whispered. "You said you wouldn't read me."

"Sorry. It slipped," he answered, bending to kiss her. Lips pressed. He caressed her petite breast. Sabrina reacted, the tip of her tongue touching his lips.

Suddenly Seth found himself French kissing Sabrina. It was a disorienting experience. She was so young, too young to be French kissing, and that added to his excitement. Her tongue was moist and sensual, caressing his. But when she tilted her head and opened her mouth fully, Seth drowned in the sexiest kiss of all. His erection strained, precum dampening his boxers. Desire built. He wanted Sabrina more than he'd wanted anyone before.

Drowning, Seth broke the kiss suddenly. His heart was beating hard, his breath short.

"What happened?" Sabrina asked in a whisper.

Taking a deep, calming breath, Seth replied, "You. You happened, Sabrina."

"I don't understand."

"Your kiss almost ended everything too soon. It was too good."

Sabrina smiled with pride. "Kay," she whispered. Her smile melted away when Seth's hand edged down her body.

Seth glanced down. Soft, plain white cotton panties stretched from little hip to little hip. Lower, soft white cotton mounded high where a young pubis pressed. Below, two slender thighs cradled Sabrina's pussy and formed a small triangular gap below.

Seth's hand brushed down across her flat stomach, over her cotton waist and settled lightly on her mons, so small yet so sexy. He caressed the sensual shape of her mons, his erection aching. With his heart racing, he grabbed the middle of her waistband between his fingers and lifted slightly.

Peeking inside, his breath gushed out. His erection strained hard, hard. Sabrina's sexy mound was coddled by white cotton. But the sight that hit him so hard was how perfectly hairless it was. He let the waist go and closed his eyes, breathing deeply to calm his racing pulse. It was so sexy, too sexy. It was also indelibly imprinted on his mind.

It was there when he kissed her again, lips parting. Sabrina murmured her pleasure as Seth once again caressed her panties. She eased her legs apart for him and he was cupping her, a full yet small mound. He ached with desire.

The kiss ended with Sabrina emitting a big sigh. Seth's mouth was so close to hers he breathed in her clean breath. His hand eased up off her panties and, with a slightly trembling hand, his fingertips eased under the elastic waist.

Sabrina's eyes opened, sea-green, beautiful. She stared at him. Her nostrils flared, her inhalation deep when his fingers slipped inside her panties, down to slide up and over her hairless mons, and down to cup her pussy. Soft cotton pressed against the back of his hand and pressed his hand to her warm pussy.

All movement stopped. They stared at each other, faces close. Sabrina moved first, her hand reaching down to press Seth's hand against her. He saw a shudder pass through her.

He responded, his body trembling lightly when the tip of his middle finger detected a hint of silky moisture. "You're so sexy," he murmured.

Intense need made him move. Removing his hand and rising, he knelt next to her. Under her observant gaze, Seth kissed the tip of each small breast before slipping his hands under her to tug the back of her panties.

Sabrina responded by lifting her bum, her pussy mounding higher. Panties slipped down over her buttocks and she settled back onto the bed, her eyes never leaving Seth's, watchful.

Seth broke eye contact and looked down. He watched as her cotton panties slowly revealed her pussy. It looked silky soft with full labia forming a tight little cleft. Her pussy mounded up off her stomach sensually, a delicious pad. Sabrina lifted her legs. He drew her panties down and off, feeling their warmth from where they'd hugged her so intimately before he let them drop.

Bending, Seth pressed his mouth to her mons, kissing her pussy. This close he detected her slightly musky scent, just a hint of her arousal. He was taken with a desperate need to taste her, to taste a twelve-year-old.

When he shuffled down and eased her legs apart, Sabrina blushed and covered her pussy with her hands. Seth paused.

"Sabrina, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. You're simply glorious."

"You think so?" she asked.

"I know so. You have a gorgeous body. It suits you."

Sabrina smiled. "Kay," she whispered, pleased. But her hands remained covering her pussy. When Seth knelt between her legs and bent, she asked, "What are you doing?"

He caressed her thighs gently. "Just relax. I'm going to make you feel something you've never felt before." His hands found hers and eased them away from her pussy.

Sabrina's cheeks grew rosy. She let him move her hands, her knees twitching as if trying to close. And then he touched her. His thumb touched her clit and sent a wave of warm comforting arousal through her. Her embarrassment melted. She closed her eyes.

Seth caressed her cleft gently, still amazed at how sexy her pussy was. Two full labia cradled her clitoral hood, the tip poking out, a small cowl protecting her clitoris. With her thighs parted her cleft was slightly open revealing a pink interior that glistened with moisture. Below the small immature wings of her inner labia her entrance showed, a tiny dark opening at the base. Sexy buttocks bulged where they pressed to the bed. Seth's erection bobbed inside his boxers, the front stained with precum. He bent.

The delicate aroma hit him first, a clean yet musky scent of female arousal, muted by immaturity. His lips touched her clitoris and he opened his mouth, pressing, her pussy yielding. Warmth, silky skin. He sucked gently. Tart.

His tongue probed carefully to discover the silken interior of her cleft. The tip of his tongue touched her entrance. Sabrina moaned.

Seth teased her clit, reaching down to lift her legs from under her knees. He curled her up, opening her cleft. His lips gripped her clit and he sucked again.

Sabrina moaned loudly, her legs tensing. With gentleness, Seth started eating her, tongue caressing, mouth sucking, lips nipping. He watched her face over the sensual pad of her mons, how her eyes were closed, her nostrils flaring. He sucked, caressed and probed her tiny entrance tasting her tart moisture. Sabrina started moving her pussy slightly, an up-and-down motion. She'd started humping his mouth.

Seth sucked and caressed and slowly increased pressure lockstep with Sabrina's increasing arousal. He waited, watching. What would her climax be like? Soft and quiet? Louder?

He didn't wait long.

Sabrina snorted in a breath. Her thighs twitched, a frown emerged as her mouth opened. The grunt was almost silent but came with a full-body cramp. Breath exploded and, gasping quietly, Sabrina came, her body twitching, pussy humping. Another quiet grunt, "Ngh," and her body arched. The third cute grunt hit and Sabrina twisted, trying to turn onto her side, body twitching with each wave of her climax, a pained expression on her pretty face.

It passed suddenly. She collapsed, chest heaving, residual tremors passing through her. Her brow glistened with perspiration, eyes closed. Slowly her face relaxed, the frown passing.

Seth moved up over Sabrina, let himself down onto her delicate body and rolled to her side, bringing her with him. She was damp with perspiration, hot, soft and limp, her breath slowing. Despite his rigid erection crying out for attention, he cradled Sabrina in a gentle hug, so petite and young, so sweetly sexy. He listened to her breathing as it slowed, calmed. She melted against him her face pressed tightly to his shoulder.

Seth groaned mentally then let out a rueful smile when he realized Sabrina had slipped into sleep. He laughed at himself silently. Was he ever going to get relief with her? Maybe it was a hopeless desire. Reaching behind him he turned the bedside lamp out. Darkness filled the room.

A soft hand caressed his chest waking him. The opposite bedside lamp was on casting a yellow light. The bedroom window was inky black. Sabrina, on her side, smiled at him, her sea-green eyes twinkling.

"I fell asleep again," she said apologetically. "Sorry. It's just that when . . ." She fell silent when he touched her lips with his finger.

"I know," he said with a smile. "It's beautiful to see."

Visibly pleased, Sabrina continued, "I thought it's your turn to . . . relax."

Seth chuckled. "Thanks. But if it's all right with you, I'd like to save that pleasure for morning. I love sex in the morning."

"Really? Is it different in the morning?"

"Yes."

"Better?"

Seth smiled at her inquisitiveness. "No. Just different."

"Okay." When Sabrina turned the lamp off, she asked, "Would you like to get naked, though? You're still wearing your underwear."

Some shuffling shook the bed. Sabrina, remembering waking up and being spooned by Seth, turned her back to him. She sighed when his arms wormed their way around her. His warm, hard, naked body nestled up against her. She guided his hand back to her breast and relaxed. This was perfect, absolutely perfect.

Then she felt it pressing against her thighs.

Seth buried his nose into Sabrina's hair and inhaled deeply. She had such an attractive aroma, unidentifiable but really quite beautiful. Her small body was warm in his arms, her nakedness very pleasing. Her skin was silky, her petite breast in his hand delicious. He could feel her spine pressed against his chest and her small buttocks pressed to his groin. Holding her so close, so intimately, a beautiful naked twelve-year-old in his arms, Seth's erection returned. It pressed against the back of Sabrina's thighs.

He would have been content to just enjoy the sexy titillation but Sabrina moved.

Her leg rose. A hand fished around and guided his shaft between her thighs. Holding it pressed to her pussy, Sabrina lowered her leg trapping his erection in a tight, warm embrace. She clenched her thighs and all thoughts of morning sex fled his mind.

Since waking up this morning Seth had been acutely aware of the sexual attraction he had to Sabrina. Like a blanket it had wrapped around him all day, filling him with the ache of desire. He'd been unable to leave Sabrina alone, his hand seeking physical contact with her as if he was addicted and needed a steady dose of her.

Sabrina had befuddled him with her beautiful climaxes, her shy blushes, her sweet disposition. She was an intensely sexual being yet young, so desirable. Holding her in his arms, with her scent wafting over him, her petite body warming him, and his erection held between silky thighs, Seth's need grew stronger and stronger.

His subtle move was involuntary, a slight back and forth motion. But Sabrina noticed, responding with a gentle squeeze of her thighs, encouraging him, a message, "I felt that."

His erection swelled.

In the inky darkness Seth tried to restrain himself but desire was thrashing his body. He moved slightly. Sabrina responded, her thighs squeezing his erection.

"Sabrina," he whispered, his hand caressing her small, perky breast.

"It's okay. It's your turn," Sabrina whispered, pressing her bottom back at him.

His erection pulsed hard. He moved slightly. Suddenly there was slippery moisture, precum leaking. The sensation changed completely. His erection slipped back and forth easily. Warm thighs and a hairless pussy caressed his shaft making it feel as though he was actually having intercourse with her. His erection ached. It felt heavy and so hard, so rigid.

Still moving only slightly, spreading slippery precum, he hugged Sabrina tighter. His moan broke the silence. Sabrina's hand gently cupped his crown and pressed him to her pussy, her palm slippery. Her small buttocks flexed against his groin when she joined in the gentle fucking motion, her pussy caressing his shaft.

"Sabrina," he whispered as a wave of arousal coursed through him, his erection straining.

Tilting his hips slightly, his crown pressed up and slipped through her cleft, a silken moist caress. Sabrina trembled in his arms when his crown rubbed across her cleft. She tightened her thighs and humped back at him, her beautiful buttocks flexing.

Eyes closed, his nose buried in her hair, his lungs full of her scent, Seth relaxed and drowned in the sensation of his crown sliding back and forth through her cleft. It was as close to actual penetration as could be and, every time his tip rubbed across Sabrina's clit, she trembled in his arms and tightened her thighs.

Pressure built in his groin. An ache emerged deep inside, the sign of an imminent orgasm. He fondled her little breast and inhaled her scent, stroking, stroking.

Sabrina took him over the top with a quiet surprised whisper, "Oh." In the silence of the dark bedroom, Sabrina's little grunt sounded louder, "Ngh." She shook in his arms and Seth let himself go.

"Sabrina," he gasped. It hit. A surge of pleasure washed over him. His erection swelled, stiffened, and pulsed, semen erupting in an explosion of ecstasy to flood her cleft, hot, thick, wet.

Sabrina grunted quietly, "Ngh," and Seth exploded again, cum erupting as he thrust, his wet crown sliding through her cleft. Another agonizing pulse hit when he pulled back and thrust. He came, semen spurting, his crown feeling like it was actually penetrating her. Holding her tightly, Seth let his orgasm roll through him, thrusting and spurting, thrusting and cumming in intense wave after wave of pleasure, building until he peaked with an agonizing pulse, hot cum erupting, ecstasy, ecstasy.

Peace returned quickly. Sabrina's breathing slowed but her grip on his arms tightened. Seth's heart calmed and beautiful lassitude permeated him, peace and satisfaction arriving. He became aware of just how messy they were, Sabrina's crotch soaked in his semen.

When he reached behind himself to find his T-shirt, Sabrina grabbed his arm tightly. "Don't go," she whispered.

"I'm not. Hold on."

With the cotton T-shirt in hand, he reached down and wiped them both, Sabrina only lifting her leg to help, but not letting his other arm go. Tossing the T-shirt to the floor, Seth cuddled up to her. His hand returned to her perky little breast. He kissed her crown.

Sabrina wiggled her butt back against him.

Morning brought change.

Overnight the weather had shifted and white, fluffy snow fell from an overcast sky, settling on the ground and melting into the lake.

Morning brought Seth awake, Sabrina facing him in his arms, her bare leg pressed between his legs. As if she knew he was watching her, she woke, her mystical sea-green eyes opening. Unprepared, Seth gasped at the power of her emotions; adoration, her love, her pleasure.

He shut her off. Then she caught him off guard.

Without a, "Good morning," or even a, "Hi," or a smile, Sabrina said, "I want to try sex." And, as if there was some confusion about her desire, she added, "With you."

Seth smiled and caressed her cheek. "Good morning to you, too."

Sabrina didn't return his smile. "I'm serious, Seth. I want to try sex."

"I know you are." Seth kissed her gently. Her lips didn't respond, her beautiful eyes determined. "Okay. When?" he asked.

Her eyes grew wide. "Really?"

"If it's what you want, I want to, too."

"Good. I have to pee first. I'm hungry. Are you hungry? Maybe we should have breakfast first." She rolled away from him and lifted the covers, paused and turned back to Seth. "Don't look."

"What?" Seth asked, puzzled.

"I'm naked. Don't look."

"Sabrina, that doesn't make sense. We just slept together, naked, I might add."

"That's different."

"How?" Seth asked, completely confused.

Sabrina thought for a moment. "Okay. Maybe it's not. But don't look anyway."

Seth, flummoxed, shrugged and closed his eyes. As soon as he felt her leave the bed he squinted and watched her grab her panties and big sweater and head towards the bathroom. From behind she was slender and almost without curves, the exception being a beautiful bum, rounded and perky and small; very sexy indeed.

He called out to the closed bathroom door, "Would you like to shower together?"

He received a muffled, indistinct reply. It didn't sound like a yes.

Snow drifted down in big fluffy, lazy flakes as Seth sat at the kitchen table buttering a piece of whole wheat toast. His attention wasn't on the pristine view of a white-carpeted landscape. His attention was on Sabrina. Was it a Roman Catholic thing, her odd perspective on sex and nudity? He wanted to understand so, after swallowing his bite of toast and clearing his mouth with a sip of coffee, he asked her.

Sabrina shrugged her shoulders. "Naked in the daytime is just different than naked in bed together at night," she said.

"Why?" he probed.

"Because."

"But it's not," Seth commented.

"It is," Sabrina insisted. "In the daylight you can see everything."

The conversation went around and around until, finally, Sabrina explained her real reason - she was embarrassed because she didn't have any pubic hair. It made her feel like a child. Ger embarrassment was reinforced by reddening cheeks and a refusal to look at Seth as she talked.

Seth withheld the laugh that wanted to escape, instead settling for explaining to Sabrina that many women shaved their pubic hair because they like the look and feel. And a lot of men prefer it that way, too.

She glanced at him, sea-green eyes assessing. "Do you?"

Seth studied her before answering. It was very clear she was infatuated with him. Perhaps it was real love, not puppy love. Her only care was what he thought, what he liked, what he wanted, and Seth rather enjoyed it. Was that care a Catholic thing, too? It sure put responsibility squarely into his camp.

Sabrina's eyes were truly beautiful in the morning light, offset by her dark burgundy hair. He studied her lips, liking how equally matched and full the upper and lower lips were. In her thick sweater he could see no trace of her development. She looked like exactly what she was, a pretty, twelve-year-old girl. Then the image of her naked played through his mind.

Seth smiled. "I told you last night when you were naked that you are gorgeous, and you are. You're gorgeous. Don't ever doubt it. And it has nothing to do with pubic hair or no pubic hair. It's the whole package and you've got it."

A dazzling smile emerged, bright white teeth flashing at him. Just beautiful.

"Thanks. So would you like to?" Sabrina asked.

"Huh?"

"You asked me if I wanted to shower with you. Do you still want to? I've finished eating." Sabrina's eyes twinkled.

"You're not too embarrassed?" Seth asked.

Sabrina shrugged.

Five minutes later, with warm water cascading down over his body and a Gillette razor in hand, the shower curtain rattled as it was pulled open. Seth watched Sabrina step in, naked and beautiful, one hand covering her pussy, the other across her chest. He smiled and shut the curtain, turning to face away from her while he shaved. Giving her a bit of privacy until she became comfortable was the least he could do.

Sabrina studied Seth's naked butt. It was hard and sexy and muscular. His legs were the same, well defined muscles, with sparse dark brown hair. She lathered herself and inspected his back. On the lower right side there was a star-shaped puckered scar. His back was tapered, widening to broad shoulders, muscular arms. Not bodybuilding muscles, just sleek, well defined, nice.

Out of curiosity, Sabrina took the soap and started washing his back. He paused before resuming shaving. She let her soapy hands feel each muscle and explore the star-shaped scar. Her hands drifted lower and, surprising her, she got horny when she started washing his buttocks. They were so tight and sexy. Sabrina grinned when her fingers slipped into his bum crack and he clenched.

"Ow!"

"What?" Sabrina asked.

Seth glanced over his shoulder at her, his crystal-clear blue eyes piercing her. "Don't do that. I cut myself."

"Sorry."

She went back to washing him, her hands on his hard thighs. Touching Seth was remarkably arousing and with each stroke of skin she became bolder, horniness giving her courage. She slipped her hands to the inside of his legs and drew them up.

"Ow! Godammit, Sabrina!" he exclaimed. "Don't do that when I'm shaving."

"Do what?" Sabrina asked with a quiet, pleased giggle. The giggle faded away when he turned around.

It was so big, so thick, erect and jutting out. Had she made him horny? She must have! Staring at it, inspecting the mushroom-shaped tip, the different textures, and how it seemed to pulse as if alive, Sabrina started washing his stomach and hips, being careful not to touch his erection. She was unaware of his studying her naked body and unaware of the sudden intensity in his eyes.

Sabrina washed his navel, poking it, her mind occupied with memories of that erection being between her legs last night, how it moved slowly making her pussy tingle, how slippery they'd become, and the amazing, amazing feeling she'd experienced when that tip had rubbed up and down through her slit.

Sabrina clenched her thighs, her pussy tingling. Almost hypnotically she reached out and wrapped her hand around the shaft; so thick, alive, warm. Seth's erection, she was holding Seth's erection! Why did it make her dizzy and weak and all flushed? Her heart beat hard in her chest and ears. She glanced up and froze.

Seth's eyes were so, so intense. He looked . . . hungry! "What should I do to make you feel good?" she asked, gently squeezing his erection.

His hand dropped. It brushed lightly against her boob sending sparks of arousal from her nipples to her pussy. She couldn't pull her gaze away from his eyes. They were so intense, so riveting. Her body trembled at his caress, her boob aching. Something was going on inside him, his inspection of her so deep, so penetrating. Then he smiled, lopsided, a dimple emerging. It made him boyish and cute, his dark brown hair plastered to his forehead.

"You stroke it," he said.

"Kay."

It felt heavy in her hand. She reached under with her other hand and gently explored the sack underneath. Those were testicles. She weighed them. They were heavy, too.

Letting them go, Sabrina used both soapy hands to stroke his erection. It pulsed and jerked. Smiling, she stroked again. Would he cum? What would it look like? She knew how it felt, but what did semen look like when it spurted?

She stroked again. "Like this?" she asked.

His grunt made her smile. Concentrating, she started stroking him in earnest, a light grip, all the way up, all the way down. She was fascinated by how it pulsed and throbbed. Lost in the experience she was startled when his hand reached down to stop her. She glanced up.

"I'm about ready to cum, Sabrina," he said.

Sabrina smiled. "Good. I want to see."

She did. It wasn't like she imagined at all. Stroking Seth's erection slightly faster, she heard him inhale sharply but didn't understand what it signified. Suddenly his erection swelled and jerked. It pulsed and a small bead of white leaked out and down. So little! Last night it had felt . . .

A huge spurt launched out, a long white rope landing on her neck and chest. It was hot and wet and started dripping down. Before she could breathe, another huge rope exploded and semen splashed onto her boobs, then another and another, Seth's erection swelling and pulsing, spitting semen and covering her. It dripped down. She felt his cum run over her pussy and still he jerked, pulses weakening and slowly they stopped. In her hands his erection lost its rigidity.

She glanced up.

Seth was holding himself up with a hand on the tiled wall. His eyes were soft and sexy and full of something. Sabrina smiled shyly. "Did I do it okay?"

"Lord help me," he replied with a grin.

Chapter Four - Found

In a nondescript office at a nondescript building on East 125th Street in a bustling New York, a computer expert sat at his workstation surrounded by four LCD monitors. Experienced fingers tapped away at the keyboard while the analyst studied information flowing across screens, flashing up, being assessed and dismissed or set aside for more study.

One small image made him pause. It showed Seth McCall fishing with another man. The analyst studied the image. He pulled up an image search and comparison program and, highlighting the stranger's face, set the program digging into Facebook and YouTube, seeking a match, a name, an address. Another acquaintance of Seth McCall had been uncovered.

Twenty minutes later the analyst had a name and location - Robert Preston, Toronto, Ontario. That led to an occupation - corporate lawyer.

The analyst got busy. It wasn't the first time he'd done this with someone who knew Seth, so he wasn't ready to announce anything. First he hacked into Canadian servers and analyzed Mr. Preston's tax returns. He was very well paid. On one form a second property was listed.

Turning to tax rolls, the analyst hunted unsuccessfully. Not discouraged, he hacked into the electrical utilities provider's accounting department and searched.

There.

A property listed in Parry Sound, wherever that was. What caught his attention was the electric usage. It had surged starting late September. Someone was there.

Returning to Mr. Preston, the analyst started searching. It didn't take long. On his Facebook page he found updates that put Mr. Preston firmly in Toronto. So he wasn't using the other property. Who was?

Back to the tax filings, the analyst found claims for alimony. Divorced. So not a wife living in the other property.

His blood raced. Like a hound he could smell the digital scent and all indicators pointed to that property. Could Seth McCall and the girl be there?

There was still much to do to confirm it. They'd need to get feet on the ground for a visual confirmation, but the analyst had a strong hunch, this was it.

Reaching for the phone, he dialed an extension. "Mr. Roper, I think I've found Seth McCall," he informed the boss.

"What do you mean no jeans?" Sabrina asked, her expression showing her puzzlement.

"Just that," Seth said with a serious face. "We're not going out today. It's snowing, we have a roaring fire inside and it's warm and toasty, so I'd like you to spend the rest of the day with no jeans on. You did ask me what I wanted."

Sabrina's eyes grew wide. "I was asking you what you wanted for lunch!"

"And I told you, no jeans."

Sabrina smiled suddenly. "Okay. Ask me what I want."

Seth grinned. "What do you want for lunch?"

"To wear jeans!" Letting out a laugh, Sabrina turned and headed to the kitchen, smiling broadly. No jeans? Sheesh!

Seth stretched his legs out and put his feet up on the coffee table. The fire crackled. His grin spread. She was sharp and he truly enjoyed that. She was also remarkably relaxed, comfortable around him. He saw it in how she behaved, her shyness fading ever since the shower they'd taken together.

But, secretly, Seth was enamored with her. He'd never met anyone like her. It probably had a lot to do with his peeks into her emotions. Sabrina was just so full of love and sweetness it amazed him. He was more at ease with her than he'd ever been with anyone else. She put no demands on him, could sit quietly for hours reading a book, and could make him laugh. She was simply a wonderful girl.

"I'm making a sandwich. Do you want one?" Sabrina called out from the kitchen.

"No thanks."

Seth picked up the latest issue of Epicure magazine and flipped it open.

"Here," Sabrina said, handing him a plate with a sandwich on it. She sat next to him with her own plate and took a bite of half a sandwich.

"I said I didn't want one," Seth mentioned.

"I know. But you'll steal mine as soon as I start eating. This way you don't have to."

"Okay. That works," Seth agreed. Then with a grin, he took the second half of her sandwich.

"Hey!" Sabrina exclaimed then laughed.

An hour later, slouched down next to Seth, absorbed in her book, number seven in the Harry Potter series, her second reading of it, Seth spoke.

"Please?"

Sabrina smiled. "No."

Sometime later, when he put his magazine down and selected another, he spoke. "Please?"

Sabrina giggled quietly. "No."

Not long after, Seth spoke again, one word. "Please?"

Sabrina laughed. "Okay, all right."

She stood, smiling broadly. Lifting the hem of her cable-knit sweater, she unbuttoned her jeans and wiggled out of them, folding them carefully and laying them over the arm of the couch. She settled back next to Seth. "Satisfied?"

"Mmm-hmm. Very," he answered with a smile. Blue eyes twinkled. "The fire needs stoking and another log. Want me to?"

"No. I'll do it," Sabrina answered, rising.

Seth sat quietly observing her every move. Sabrina had an exquisite little butt that white cotton panties made even more delightful. Her bum was still narrow and as she moved, indents in each buttock would appear and disappear. He watched her bend to grab the poker and felt his erection form at the sight of that sexy gap filled with her pussy. Her panties gathered in her bum crack and a camel toe formed. Just delicious. Very, very sexy.

He tried to be unobtrusive when she returned to the couch, studying how her plump pussy moved inside soft cotton. But he couldn't resist when she turned to sit. His hand opened and she dropped, her butt landing in his palm.

Sabrina shot up, turned, sea-green eyes shocked. A blush dusted her cheeks. When Seth grinned, she giggled. "Very funny," she said. "If you're not going to behave, I'll put my jeans back on."

"I'll behave," Seth answered with a smile.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Satisfied, Sabrina settled next to him and grabbed her book. She relaxed and enjoyed it when he let his hand rest on her bare leg. He caressed gently, lovingly. It felt wonderful. So taken in, Sabrina didn't register it until the edge of his hand brushed against her pussy.

She shoved his hand away. "Hey! You promised to behave, Seth." She tried to frown despite feeling a stab of arousal.

"I didn't promise to behave well," Seth countered, his expression deadpan, hand trying to return to the top of her thigh.

Sabrina caught his hand holding it away from her crotch. She giggled quietly, pleased with his groping. Eventually he relented and rested his heavy hand on her thigh. She picked up her book with one hand, her other resting on top of his, just in case.

Seth knew exactly what he was doing. Throughout the afternoon and into the evening he casually touched Sabrina, sometimes slightly more intimately earning a pleased frown, sometimes very subtly, caressing her gently. Every so often he'd let his defenses down and measure her emotions and use them to guide his actions.

Throughout the passing hours he had a partial erection, the intimacy with Sabrina very, very nice, the arousal she generated extremely welcome.

But he had a plan. He wanted Sabrina extremely aroused. It would make it easier for her when they made love, which he hoped would happen tonight. So he teased with soft, intimate caresses, small touches, and on odd occasions, bending to kiss her hair. He felt her pleasure with each act and she'd react, cuddling a bit closer, or reaching for his hand and bringing it back to her bare thigh.

By the time the fire was collapsing in on itself in burning embers it was late. The night was inky black, clouds obscuring the moon. Snow still fell in light flakes.

"Ready for bed?" he asked, stroking her thigh.

"Just another minute. I'm almost at the end of the chapter."

He waited. Five minutes later he stroked her thigh. "Bedtime."

"Just a minute. I'm almost there."

Five minutes later Seth smiled. "I'm going to bed. I'd like to go to bed with you, but if the book's more important . . ."

Sabrina shut the book. She smiled. "Sorry. It's exciting." Reaching up, she let Seth pull her up from the couch and lead her from the living room.

With the bathroom sink splashing with water behind him, Seth stood at the bedroom window peering into the inky dark. He could see nothing except for the occasional snowflake drift against the window. The water stopped. A reflection caught his eye. Sabrina walked towards the bed pulling her thick sweater over her head, her T-shirt coming off at the same time. Plain white cotton panties looked good on her. Her head disappeared inside the inverted sweater and Seth studied her very small breasts. From the side they were more prominent on her slender body. From the side Sabrina was full of sensual curves, her bottom swelling out attractively, shapely thighs, thin but sexy. The sweater and T-shirt were dropped into a chair and, with just panties on, Sabrina slipped into bed.

Seth reacted, growing partially erect. She was so sweet and sexy. Turning, he undressed under her watchful sea-green eyes. He didn't try to hide the bulge of his erection inside boxers, instead dropping them before slipping under the covers.

Sabrina rolled towards him with a shy smile. He rolled towards her and drew her into his arms. His hand found her perfect bum, soft cotton, rounded buttocks. Her knee slipped between his legs. She snuggled close.

Dropping his protective wall he let her excitement wash over him, so beautiful. Sabrina was aroused. He smiled, closed her off and let his lips touch hers. The kiss was gentle, sensual. Seth hugged her tighter.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered when the kiss broke. He spoke what he felt. "So perfect."

Sabrina pressed herself against him. Her eyes drew him back. Her lips touched his, parted and suddenly Seth was French kissing her, his tongue toying with hers. Without realizing it his hand slipped under her cotton panties to hold her sweet bottom, her buttocks cool and firm and sexy. Suddenly arousal stormed in and he wanted Sabrina, needed Sabrina. He had to have her.

Sabrina let him ease her panties down, one side at a time, edging them lower until she kicked them off, her breath puffing through her nose against his cheek. The kiss ended when Seth sucked her small lower lip, his fingers probing between her buttocks.

He inhaled her scent.

"That's so sexy," he murmured when the tip of his finger touched her pussy from behind and found slippery moisture, his heart racing with excitement. He fought his desire. It was so strong, almost uncontrollable. Sabrina was so petite and delicate in his arms, so sweet, her yearning so intense.

Seth caught himself and inhaled sharply. He'd let that defensive wall down. Her emotions, combined with his emotions, were overwhelming him. Jesus!

A small hand carefully held his erection. Sabrina watched his face. He breathed deeply and smiled.

"Are you all right?" Sabrina asked.

"I knew you were dangerous. You make me lose control, Sabrina."

A smile emerged, broad and proud. "I like that," she whispered.

"Mmm. Me too, I think," Seth said, caressing her cleft from behind, soft, moist, silky labia hugging his fingertip.

Sabrina curled her bum back forcing his finger deeper. He touched her clit. She trembled against him and raised her knee over his thigh, opening herself to him. She moved, trying to guide his erection between her thighs. Seth stopped her.

"You should be on top the first time. You'll have more control," he told her quietly.

"No. Please," Sabrina responded. "I want you on top."

Seth kissed her and, holding her small butt, rolled over her being ultra careful not to put any weight on her. She was so petite, so delicate he worried he might hurt her. Sabrina's knees rose. Her thighs cradled him. Her arms reached up from below to hold his back and shoulders. The crown of his erection rested on her stomach. It throbbed and leaked precum. Waves of arousal pounded him.

He looked down and almost came. His erection was so large on her young body, almost covering her hairless pussy, her mons full and mounded and lush, so damned sexy. Narrow hipbones stuck up emphasizing her slenderness. Her petite breasts cried out to be kissed.

Hunching, Seth kissed her breast lightly, his erection flexing, rising off her tummy and thumping back down. Precum oozed. He shuddered, arms trembling and kissed her other little breast, this time slipping his lips over it until he took the whole breast into his mouth. He sucked gently. Sabrina moaned quietly, her chest arching up against his mouth.

Arms trembling, Seth reached down. He kissed her areola lightly and looked up into her mysterious eyes. "Ready?" he whispered.

Sabrina nodded, her eyes searching his. He smiled. She smiled briefly, her smile melting away when Seth gently slipped the tip of his erection along her short cleft. His heart raced.

Silken labia gently hugged his tip. Still staring into her beautiful eyes, Seth slipped his crown down and up, spreading slippery precum. Sabrina trembled each time his erection rubbed her clit. He brought his mouth right up to hers, breathing each other's air. "Okay?" he asked almost silently.

Sabrina nodded, her eyes going soft.

As carefully as he could, Seth eased his crown deeper, up and down her short cleft, gripping his shaft. The teasing almost took him over the top. The simple act of being poised to penetrate her was thrilling, so arousing.

He felt his crown stop, held up by the base of her cleft. He pressed and eased off, his erection pulsing with excitement. He pressed and eased off, desire pounding him. Sabrina's legs curled around his thighs. She tightened them as he pressed.

A wince of pain made her eyes narrow. Seth stopped, not quite penetrating her, sexy labia hugging his crown. It was exquisite agony.

Sabrina relaxed. "Again," she whispered.

Seth pressed, her entrance dilating slightly. Sabrina winced again. He eased off.

"Again," she whispered.

He pressed gently, firmly. It was sudden. One minute he was applying pressure the next a tight, tight sheath gripped his crown. Sabrina groaned, eyes closed, a frown emerging. Worried, Seth pulled out, pressure abating.

"No!" Sabrina cried out, her eyes opening. "Don't take it out."

"It hurt you," Seth whispered.

A determined expression reinforced her words. "I don't care. Put it back." She tightened her legs around his thighs.

Trying to be gentle, Seth guided his erection into her cleft, pressing, silken labia hugging him. He slipped his crown up and down, lodging it once again at her entrance. Pressing gently he felt every millimeter of progress. Her labia edged over his flared crown. Moist heat welcomed him as Sabrina sucked air in between her clenched teeth. A tight, tight sheath suddenly slipped over his crown to grip him in velvet warmth. He throbbed. Sabrina gasped and clenched, her pussy suddenly ejecting him.

"Noooo. Don't," she complained.

"I didn't. That was you," Seth said, kissing her cheek. He pressed his tip back against her cleft. This time it was easier, still tight, but Sabrina's pussy oozed over his crown to hug him again. He pressed, penetrating her slightly deeper. Sabrina inhaled sharply.

"Does it hurt?" he asked.

"No. You're so big, though."

Seth kissed her and, with his mouth next to her ear, whispered, "You're very tight."

Letting his shaft go, still supporting his body off her with knees and arm, Seth found her stretched cleft and clitoris. He caressed her earning a quiet moan and clench. Easing his erection out slightly, Seth pressed back onto her, half his shaft gripped in velvet, a tight, tight hold. Waves of pleasure washed over him. He'd never felt anything so tight, so erotic, so exciting. He ached to thrust but couldn't. He ached to bury himself in her all the way but couldn't. Not yet.

Pausing, he kissed her, ending by sucking her lower lip. "Delicious," he murmured. Bringing his hand up, he teased her petite breast, caressing her beaded nipple. Sabrina moaned and clutched at him. He kissed her again, at the same time partially withdrawing from her tight pussy, reversing, easing in, deeper now, so incredible.

Seth did it again, easing back and pressing forward gently, his crown penetrating her deeper, deeper, his shaft gripped tightly inside her. Unbelievably, he felt her pussy press to his groin. He was almost buried in her, his erection throbbing, held in exquisite tightness. All movement stopped.

"How does it feel?" Seth asked in a whisper.

"Weird."

"Weird?" Seth asked, surprised.

"Uh-huh. Nice weird."

Reaching down, Seth gathered her knees, lifting legs enough to curl her bum off the bed. With her pelvis tilted up his groin rubbed against her pussy and, deep inside her, his tip pressed against her end. He ground himself against her gently.

"Oh," Sabrina exclaimed softly.

"Better weird?" Seth asked with a smile.

"Oh yeah, really better weird," she answered. Her pussy squeezed him.

Seth paused to tamp down a dangerous wave of pleasure. Sabrina was so damned tight.

"Why'd you stop?" she asked softly.

"Too good."

"I am?"

Seth kissed her lightly. "Yes, you are," he confirmed with a smile. Still close, staring into her beautiful eyes, he withdrew from her, a long, slow withdrawal. Her eyes narrowed in disappointment. He reversed, slowly penetrating her, deep, deep, his groin bumping against her clit. Her eyes opened wide, unfocused, and slowly closed, her hands rising to find his neck.

Seth's erection swelled, held tight in her warm, moist embrace. He was starting to struggle to restrain his orgasm despite only stroking into her a few times. The feeling of sex with Sabrina was just too good. He'd never experienced anything like it.

Then, when he withdrew slowly from her beautiful pussy and pressed in again, deeply, the tip nudging against her end, Sabrina clenched his erection gently and sighed, full of satisfaction. She humped her pussy up trying to get him even deeper and Seth experienced a hard wave of arousal that washed through him leaving him trembling, his erection swelling.

It was more than he could handle. Releasing Sabrina's legs, he gathered her gently in his arms and carefully let his weight down on her. Inhaling her beautiful scent deep into his lungs, his nose nestled into her dark burgundy hair, he eased his erection out and thrust back in, her pussy so snug, so sensual.

Breathing deeply, he repeated the motion, a slow, exquisite withdrawal, reverse and thrust in, his crown tapping against the entrance to her womb. Utter pleasure washed through him, his erection swelling, aching, feeling bigger than ever in her velvet warmth. Unable to restrain himself, Seth fucked Sabrina gently but firmly, long strokes, beautiful strokes, her breath hot against his shoulder, her body so small, so delicate underneath him. He fucked her harder, firm strokes, firm strokes, her pussy gripping him exquisitely. And, unable to hold back any longer, Seth whispered in a gasp, "Sabrina," and climaxed.

Thrusting into her, buried deep inside her, his erection swelled. An ache emerged deep in his groin, pressure building, building. With a deep groan, semen rushed up his shaft and, as a burst of pleasure hit him, Seth exploded, cum erupting deep into Sabrina's small pussy. He felt the agonizing spurt, had time to inhale, withdraw and thrust hard and another stronger pulse slammed into him, semen exploding in a huge wave, wetness flooding his crown.

"Oh God, Sabrina," he gasped, hugging her small body tightly.

Withdrawing, he thrust and exploded, cum released deep inside her. He withdrew and thrust, exploding, cumming hard, exquisite ecstasy pounding him, his heart racing. Seth thrust and came, each pulse agonizing and beautiful and hard, Sabrina so tight.

A raging storm washed over him as he lost himself in his climax, disorienting, almost painful, emptying himself into her until, with a final, aching pulse, it passed, his orgasm fading. Seth slowed, heart racing. He stopped, his erection still throbbing with remnants of his orgasm. Hearing returned. Sabrina was quiet in his arms, his weight heavy on her.

For a moment Seth let his mind explore his body. He was drained, utterly drained. Peace permeated his body, his muscles melting. Yet the feel of his softened but still thick erection held snugly inside Sabrina felt wonderful, perfect. She also felt very, very wet.

Reaching down to hold her bottom, with one arm around her holding her gently but firmly, Seth rolled onto his side bringing her with him. The move expelled him from her pussy. Sabrina nestled close. Exhaustion and lethargy washed at him, sleepiness arriving.

"How do you feel?" he asked quietly.

"Okay."

"Did you cum?" Seth asked, holding her close, her warm naked body so sensual.

"No."

"Sorry," he whispered, sleep tugging at his eyelids.

Sabrina's scent filled his senses. Reaching behind him he turned the lamp off. Darkness. He closed his eyes. As sleep arrived he thought he heard Sabrina murmur, "You're mine now."

Peter Monk turned the collar of his coat up, shivering from a stray snowflake hitting his neck. He eased the door of his rented Ford Explorer closed so it made little sound.

Around him trees were thick but bare of leaves, the snow a pristine carpet. Five hundred yards to the east he could just make out the log walls of the cottage. With binoculars in his gloved hand, he edged to the left trying to find a line of sight.

His instructions were simple. Confirm the presence of a man and girl. In his pocket he had a printed photograph of the man. Apparently there was no photo of the girl anywhere, one never having been taken. Peter inhaled the crisp air deeply, hair in his nose freezing. This was just the type of assignment he liked; no fuss, nothing illegal, just a simple confirmation and a lucrative paycheck.

Bringing the binoculars up, he tried to see the cottage. Frustrated, he reluctantly worked his way closer, moving from tree to tree. He couldn't do anything about the tracks he was leaving, but who would walk in these trees anyway?

Two hundred yards out, he had a good view of the front door, a window to the left and another to the right. A small shed stood to the right of the cottage, a large white propane tank to the left. An old cream-colored Toyota Land Cruiser was parked to the side covered in snow. He admired the log cottage. It was just the sort of getaway place he'd like to have.

How much would it cost? A million? More? Less? Not that it mattered. If it cost more than a few thousand it was more than he had.

The front door opened. A dark-haired man stepped out, slender, lanky, but moving fluidly. Peter mentally compared it to the photo. Confirmed. It was Seth McCall.

Where was the girl? Was she here?

Peter watched Seth enter the shed and emerge with an armful of logs. He paused and looked towards Peter. Peter held his breath. Had he been spotted?

A faint sound reached him. A young girl's voice.

"Seth?"

Peter watched Seth McCall turn and continue to the cottage, the front door closing behind him. Being ultra cautious, Peter Monk backed away, his hand reaching into his coat pocket to find his cell.

Half an hour later, he left Parry Sound behind him heading back to Toronto.

Seth dropped the pile of logs next to the fireplace, his mind busy. Had that flash of light been anything? Should he investigate? He walked into the second bedroom that faced the trees and peered out the window, his eyes tracking slowly, moving from tree to tree, gradually looking deeper into the tree line. Nothing.

Still. His instincts were twitching. The sun in the east would have reflected off glass or something shiny. Had he really seen a glint?

"Seth?"

"In here."

Sabrina wandered in, a magazine in her hand, eyes studying one page. "What 'cha doing?" she asked.

"Nothing. You?"

"Can we go into town to the Co-Op? Would you like to try this recipe?" she said, pointing at the page.

"What is it?"

"Do you like Lasagna?"

"With pasta, and oozing cheese, and tomato sauce, and garlic?" Seth asked, his eyes still observing the trees.

"How do you feel about lasagna with prawns and layers of sliced zucchini with something called Lactose-free ricotta?"

"That's not lasagna!" Seth exclaimed.

Sabrina smiled. "Got 'cha. It's actually meat lasagna. Want to try it tonight?"

Seth smiled. Satisfied he'd mistaken the flash of reflected sun he turned from the window. Sabrina was watching him, sea-green eyes intent. Man she was pretty. "We need to have that talk first," he told her, trying to be serious.

"No we don't."

"Sabrina, we do," he insisted. He followed her out of the bedroom, admiring her compact little butt in jeans. In the kitchen he poured a coffee. Sitting at the kitchen table, he nodded at the other chair. "Sit," he ordered.

Sabrina sat, placing the open magazine on the table. "What?"

Seth studied her, the quiet determination in her expression, her eyes firm. She really was a beautiful girl, even when being stubborn. When he'd woken up this morning to a hand fondling his erection, at first he'd been delighted. Then, when Sabina had admitted she was really sore but, since he had an erection she now had to take care of it so he could relax, Seth had asked why she thought that. She'd ducked answering.

He'd remembered her murmur from last night, "You're mine now," and asked her about that. She'd ignored him. When he'd ordered her to talk, removing her hand from his erection, Sabrina had frowned and rolled out of bed.

Now, sitting across from him, he saw the same stubbornness in her expression.

"We're not going anywhere until you've talked," Seth said casually.

Sabrina sighed loudly. "It's simple. We had sex so you're mine now. When I'm old enough we're going to get married and have a big family. Since you can't sleep with anyone else ever again, I have to make sure you're satisfied. You know, relaxed. That's what I'm supposed to do."

Seth sat quietly and tried to digest it. He sipped his coffee and debated how to approach her weird religious beliefs. "Let's take this one thing at a time. Having sex doesn't make you mine nor me yours."

Sabrina immediately disagreed. "Yes it does. It's okay to have sex if we love each other, even if I'm young, as long as we get married. If we don't get married then sex is a sin. See?"

"Sabrina . . ."

"And," she continued, "since we're getting married, I want lots of children and a home where they'll have their own bedrooms and we'll be together, always."

"Sabrina . . ."

"And," she continued, her expression intent, almost forceful, "since we're getting married you can't have sex with anyone else so I have to make sure you're satisfied. See? It all makes sense," she finished.

"Is that what they taught you at the orphanage?" Seth asked cautiously.

Sabrina nodded. "It's in the bible, too," she added.

"Just because we had sex doesn't mean we have to get married," Seth informed her in a soft voice, deciding to ignore the bible reference. That was a losing argument.

"You don't love me?" she asked, her eyes widening.

"I didn't say that," Seth immediately responded.

"Then what? If you love me why wouldn't we get married?"

"I didn't say we wouldn't get married," Seth replied, beginning to feel as if he'd stepped into quicksand.

"So you don't want a family, is that it? You don't want children?"

"I didn't say that, Sabrina."

"Then what? Is it the sex thing? Only having sex with me?"

"I didn't say that either," Seth replied. Where in the Hell had he lost control of this conversation?

"So what's your beef?" Sabrina asked with a frown knitting her brows.

Seth threw up his hands. Man she was stubborn. Besides, he did sort of love her, in a my-God-you're-gorgeous-but-impossible sort of way.

"Shopping it is," he said.

A satisfied grin emerged on Sabrina's face, her pretty eyes twinkling.

Seth felt like he'd just been hoodwinked. "Do you really believe all that stuff?" he asked.

Sabrina laughed. "Not really. Just the part about us getting married . . . and lots of kids . . . and a big house. Oh, and you really are mine now."

Seth chuckled and shook his head. Dangerous. She was dangerous.

"So, let's go," she said, standing up from the table.

As they drove away from the cottage, Seth automatically scanned the snow searching for any signs of disturbance. He saw nothing, further relaxing him. The distraction of Sabrina was leading to mistakes he wasn't aware of.

Through the shopping trip Seth let his protective wall down to feel her emotions, his hand resting on the nape of her neck. He experienced utter happiness, complete joy, something he'd never experienced before. Sabrina was very, very happy and, in her happiness Seth felt his adoration for her grow. She was truly a beautiful girl.

The afternoon was spent outside in the light layer of snow. A brief snowball fight warmed them up and loons drew them out onto the dock to admire. Lake water moved like oil, thick with coldness. It would freeze over soon. Breath misted in the cold air.

Sabrina smiled at Seth. He was more animated today than he'd ever been, a contrast to his normal hardness. He really was too easy to tease. But, despite the kidding, she was serious about marrying him, some day when she was old enough. It was a nice dream to have.

She relaxed and enjoyed his good mood, laughing at the snowball fight and arguing with him about who won. Clearly she did despite his claims. Standing at the end of the dock, the air crisp and cold, three loons slowly passing, she told him he was a loon, as in looney. When he shoved her away playfully, not to be outdone, she shoved him back with both hands.

Shocked, she watched Seth slip, his arms windmilling. He tilted and, in slow motion, fell off the dock landing in the lake with a huge splash. Watching him climb out, soaking wet, she tried to hide her smile at his cussing.

"Fudge! That water's friggin' cold! What did you do that for?" he asked.

"I didn't mean to!" Sabrina exclaimed.

"I knew you were dangerous," Seth muttered, walking towards the cottage, shivering. "I could lose my toes, and eyebrows," he muttered. "And then where would I be? Unable to stand without tipping over and unable to frown at my condition, that's where!"

Sabrina giggled quietly, following behind him. "You should have a hot bath," she suggested as he undressed in the kitchen. "I'll turn the water on."

With steam rising and the tub filling, Seth walked in, naked and shivering. Sabrina couldn't stop another giggle.

"What?" he asked with a frown, dipping a toe into the water before tentatively lowering himself.

Sabrina giggled again and blushed.

"What?"

"It's so small," she laughed.

"Don't you laugh at me, young lady. You're responsible for its condition," Seth exclaimed with a frown. "Go make me some tea or something."

She did, still shaking with giggles. His penis was really small. Maybe she should make it big again since it was her fault for it being so small. Maybe even give him an erection! How?

Grinning to herself, Sabrina shucked her jeans. He seemed to like her in panties. She made tea. Before taking the tea to him she grabbed the waist of her panties and pulled them up tightly, checked herself and suppressed another giggle.

Seth was lounging back in the bathtub when she handed him a mug of tea. She sat on the closed toilet and watched him, letting her knees move, open slightly, closed, open slightly, closed. "Are you warm yet?" she asked.

His clear blue eyes looked at her. He sipped tea. His eyes wandered lower and froze. "Where did your jeans go?" he asked, staring at her pantied crotch.

"They were wet from snow. Cold, too."

"You were cold?" he asked.

Sabrina smiled to herself when his penis reacted to her display. It excited her that she could turn him on. "Uh-huh. Still am," she answered.

Seth glanced up at her face and smiled, a crooked smile with a dimple and laughter in his eyes. "Perhaps you need a hot bath," he suggested.

With a shiver of pleasure she watched his erection grow, extending, thickening. She was doing that! "How much longer are you going to be?" she asked. A wave of horniness hit her.

"Quite a while," he said. "The tub's big. It might fit two," he suggested with a sexy grin.

Sabrina smiled. "It doesn't look wide enough."

"Hmmm. You could lie on top of me, or sit in my lap," he suggested with an arched eyebrow and deadpan expression.

When his erection bobbed under the water Sabrina laughed. "You just want to ravish me," she said.

"Yes I do."

A wave of heat hit her. She loved being desired by Seth, absolutely loved it. Standing, she pulled her sweater up and off. Her breasts felt fuller, heavier, nipples sensitive. Watching Seth she eased her T-shirt up and off. His blue eyes were staring at her small bra. Pleased, she unhooked it and let it slip to the floor, exposing herself to him without any embarrassment. His erection bobbed under the water. His expression didn't change. He started to sip his tea.

Feeling naughty, Sabrina tugged her white cotton panties up, elastic digging into the sides of her pussy and a clear camel toe forming.

Seth choked on the tea, coughing to clear his lungs.

"What happened?" Sabrina asked innocently, keeping the smile off her face.

"Did they teach you this stuff in the orphanage?" Seth asked in amazement.

"No," Sabrina answered with a pleased laugh. "You did."

"I did?"

"Yeah. You like my panties."

Seth nodded. "I do, absolutely. Very sexy." He admired how her succulent pussy was sharply outlined by white cotton. It was so, so sexy. "So, get in," he urged.

Sabrina surprised him. She climbed in still wearing her panties, standing astride him. "Aren't you going to take them off?" he asked.

"Nope."

"Why not?"

With a small smile, Sabrina said, "Watch."

Kneeling astride him, she settled onto his stomach, water rising to her waist. Her white cotton panties turned translucent and form-fitted to her body outlining her pussy in sharp detail, her hairless mons prominent, her cleft visible. She settled lower pressing her crotch against his erection, her pussy plumping out, lush and sexy.

Seth groaned, the sight and feel sending pulses of arousal through him. Who the Hell taught her this stuff?

She glanced down at her panties, hair falling forward. "See? They're almost see-through now. Do you like it?"

Seth flexed his erection in response, earning a delighted laugh from her. "You're not embarrassed," he noted, reaching up to slip his hands under her arms, a perfect position for his thumbs to caress her small, new, perky breasts.

Sabrina, shuddering lightly, reached down to slip her hand underneath his erection, pulling it tightly against her pussy. "Nope," she answered, "I'm horny. Don't know why but when I'm turned on I'm not as embarrassed." she humped her pussy against his shaft.

"Good to know," Seth murmured. "Nice breasts." His thumb pads teased her tiny nipples.

"Thanks."

Another slight shudder passed through Sabrina. She lifted herself slightly and pulled her panties aside exposing her pussy. Seth's erection throbbed at the sight, hairless, her cleft parted, lush labia. She brought his shaft firmly against her cleft and eased her wet panties back over her pussy, his tip now pressed inside the front panel.

With her hand holding the underside of his shaft as if cupping her pussy, her thumb caressed the tip of his cock. She started humping him, back-and-forth, water sloshing. Seth teased her perky little breasts, his eyes locked on the sight of his erection, the crown pressing against wet cotton, easing back, pressing. Sabrina's head bowed further, hair a curtain shielding her face.

He reached up and tried to brush her hair behind her ears, failing. Instead, he used his finger to tilt her face up. "I want to see you," he said softly.

Sea-green eyes looked into him. Her expression was calm, serious, concentration creasing her brow, lips parted. Her hips humped, pussy moving back and forth gaining speed, her hand under his erection still holding his shaft pressed to her pussy.

Sabrina's eyes dilated, focus lost. Her nose flared, water sloshed and she moaned, her hips twitching. Seth's erection ached but his climax wasn't close, his attention too wrapped up in Sabrina's stunning pleasure.

She started humping his shaft faster, the tip of his cock pressing and easing off against thin, wet cotton panties. He squeezed her small breasts gently. Sabrina snorted softly, a sharp inhalation. Her eyes closed, a frown emerging. Breath panted, hips humped faster, faster, Seth's erection straining.

He watched intently, raptly, the sight of her youthful pleasure intoxicating. Then, with a quiet grunt, "Ngh," and a hip jerk, Sabrina fell over the cliff and announced her orgasm. Her whole body seemed to jerk. Another grunt followed, "Ngh," and she collapsed forward into his arms, water splashing.

Lying on top of him Sabrina humped his erection and climaxed, the sweet sound of her grunts taking Seth over the top. He slipped his hands inside her wet panties, held her small buttocks and thrust, his erection stretching her panties. Thrusting and holding her, Seth came, his cock swelling, aching, semen exploding into her panties in a breathtaking pulse. Another wave hit. Holding her small bum tightly, he erupted, semen exploding, pleasure thundering in. In a cascading wave Seth came again and again, his cock held inside her panties, her pussy caressing him. He heaved and spurted, pleasure washing over him, her sweet little grunts spurring him on. Seth came, draining himself, his orgasm passing too soon leaving him empty and trembling and regretting it's passing.

Peace rushed in. The scent of Sabrina's hair rushed in. The feeling of her panting, petite body, warm on top of him, rushed in. Affection rushed in. Adoration arrived and, on its heels, love.

"I'm all warm and relaxed now," Sabrina whispered.

He hugged her tightly, very, very tightly.

"Can't breathe," she complained.

Seth smiled. How could a twelve-year-old be so damned sexy, so damned lovable?

Chapter Five - Orders Given

The black telephone rang loudly. Father Jerome lifted the receiver, a ring on his finger glinting in the lamplight. "Pronto."

He listened without saying a word. A fountain pen scratched across a piece of paper, dark blue ink forming elegant script.

"Thank you, Daniel. We will forward payment. Ciao," Father Jerome said calmly. His finger cut the connection without replacing the receiver. He pressed buttons, dialing a new number from memory. After a short wait he glanced down at the paper on his desk and repeated the address. "Please don't miss this time," he asked in a reasonable voice and, after listening, added "Grazie, Don Fantino."

Father Jerome placed one more call before leaning back, this one to a cardinal.

In a chilly Montreal, snow gusted, racing across the street at an angle. Inside the Modena Social Club, a small, discreet storefront on rue Saint Philippe, a lone man responded to a ringing cell phone. He glanced at the screen and straightened in his chair. "Oui?" he said answering it.

He listened.

"D'accord," he agreed, jotting an address down. "No problem, Don Fantino. Two days."

Five minutes later he drained his demi-tasse of espresso and left. He started a slow two-day journey to Parry Sound.

Consciousness arrived slowly for Seth. The bed was warm. He listened to silence. Something was missing.

Opening his eyes he saw the bed next to him empty. Sabrina was gone. He missed her, missed cuddling up to her in the morning and watching her wake up, her smile of pleasure and the way she'd snuggle close to him, so loving.

Where was she?

Stretching, a yawn escaping, he heard a thump and muttering. Rising, shivering slightly from the overnight chill that had wormed its way into the cottage, Seth pulled on a loose, soft T-shirt and grey sweat pants before heading to the bathroom.

Five minutes later he walked towards the kitchen and the aroma of brewed coffee. Passing by the living room he saw Sabrina sitting by the fireplace poking a newly started fire.

"Morning," he said.

Sabrina turned to look at him. A smile radiated. Beautiful eyes sparkled. "Morning. I made you coffee, lazy-bones."

"Thanks."

As Seth poured coffee into a chipped mug he checked the weather by looking out through the double sliding glass doors. The deck was covered in a pristine layer of ultra white snow. The lake had a shelf of frozen water around the shore, eight or nine feet by the look of it. Snowflakes drifted down from an overcast sky. A perfect day to stay inside, he decided.

Coffee mug in hand, he went to join Sabrina, walking over to her at the fireplace, bending and kissing her hair. "How are you this morning?" he asked. "Did you sleep well?"

"Like a log," Sabrina responded, poking the fire before turning to smile at him.

"Are you going to get dressed?" Seth asked, settling onto the couch. Sabrina had a familiar blue and white flannel pajama top on with no bottoms, just soft white cotton panties. Very nice.

"In a while," she answered.

Over the next half hour or so Sabrina grabbed her book and sat on a cushion close to the fire for warmth, her attention absorbed. Seth sipped his second cup of coffee and mulled over what chores, if any, needed attention. None as far as he could figure out. A lazy day, then.

Sabrina moved, rolling and stretching out, on her front with her elbows on the cushion, book held open on the floor in front of her.

Seth admired her. He really liked her coltish body. It was so obviously young yet surprisingly sexy. He admired how her slender legs had a natural gap and, as his eyes trailed up, he enjoyed the sight of her little bum covered in plain white cotton. The cotton dipped slightly, a depression hinting at her bum crack.

From his vantage point, her feet towards him, he got to appreciate how narrow her hips and butt were. And then she parted her legs. She bent her knees and sock-clad feet gently waved back and forth in the air.

Seth's erection arrived when he studied Sabrina's panty-clad pussy. It was pressed to the floor making it pooch out, plump and sexy. The dip of cotton over her bum crack continued down to form to her cleft. Small buttocks mounded high. As her feet moved back and forth her pussy moved, bulging and pressing, lush and sexy and more desirable by the minute.

His erection tented his soft grey sweats. Arousal washed through him, warm and welcome. Eyes locked on her pouty little pussy, Seth pictured her on her hands and knees, peeking back over her shoulder at him, smiling and giving her sexy bum a little wiggle. Damn! His erection strained.

Watching her sexy panty-covered buttocks flexing slightly from her moving feet, Seth pictured himself on his knees behind her, peeling those plain cotton panties down over her bum to reveal her hairless sex. Damn! Maybe he should.

Putting his mug down, Seth stood and moved towards Sabrina. He knelt, bent and kissed her hair. Sabrina smiled and turned her face up towards him. Her sea-green eyes sparkled with pleasure.

"What was that for?" she asked.

Seth's hand settled onto her perky bum. He rubbed, cotton sliding over sensual little buttocks. His erection pulsed.

Sabrina wiggled her bottom against his hand. Seth suppressed a groan. Her beautiful eyes studied him. "You're horny," she said with a smile.

"I am. You left the bed too early."

Sabina laughed. "That's not it. It's my panties, isn't it?"

"And your bum," Seth admitted with a smile.

"Wanna go to bed?" Sabrina asked.

Seth fondled her beautiful rear. "No. I want you here, in front of the fire."

"Here?"

Seth smiled. "Yup. Here, like this," he confirmed, sliding his arm under her waist. He raised her effortlessly onto her hands and knees.

"Like this?" she asked, her sea-green eyes wide with intrigue.

"Like this," Seth confirmed. "Can I?"

"Can I have another cushion for my knees?"

"Here," he replied, grabbing one off the couch and positioning it.

Sabrina looked back over her shoulder at him. She smiled. "Well this is different. You really are a bum man, aren't you?" she asked with a sexy wiggle.

Seth caressed her shapely, cotton-covered little butt with admiration. "I am," he said softly. "At least I am when it involves your bum."

Sabrina's smile broadened. "So what happens now?"

Seth grinned. "We have sex."

"That's it? No cuddling or kissing or anything?"

"Fine. Some kissing then," Seth responded, grinning and bending to kiss her rear. "In a moment I'll cuddle up to your butt, too."

Sabrina burst into laughter. "You're just weird. Cute but weird."

Moving her knees together, Seth reached for the waist of her panties and slowly drew them down, revealing small, rounded buttocks, a sexy bum crack and, when they fell to her knees, he paused to admire how her hairless pussy pooched out from behind, cradled by slender thighs. His erection strained.

Bending, he kissed a cool buttock and caressed the shape of the other. His fingertips traced down her bum crack to her tightly closed cleft. The very tip of her clit peeked out. He touched it. Sabrina trembled.

Bending further, he kissed her cleft gently, slipped his hands up her sides and under to her stomach, sliding them under the hanging pajama top, and up to carefully cup two petite breasts.

"So sexy," he murmured, fondling them.

Sabrina's arms trembled, her head drooping. "What am I supposed to do?" she asked in a whisper.

"Nothing," he replied, equally softly, kissing her buttock. "Just enjoy."

Sabrina's response was almost silent. "Kay."

With a final loving caress of her delightful small breasts, Seth withdrew his hands and stripped his sweats off, his erection jutting out. His eyes were locked on the sight of Sabrina's small rump, her sexy pussy squeezed between slender thighs and the plain white cotton panties collected at her knees. It was both sweetly innocent a vision yet intensely arousing, very, very erotic.

Bending, Seth kissed her pouty little cleft and eased his tongue between her hairless labia, seeking and finding moisture, her arousal, her tiny entrance.

Sabrina moaned. "Seth," she whispered, her body trembling. "That feels . . ."

Seth teased her clitoris, sliding his tongue through her tightly closed cleft. His need, an ache for her, became too strong. With a parting kiss on each small buttock, he rose and knelt behind her, her knees between his.

A log fell in the hearth making a crackling sound. Seth brushed her blue and white flannel pajama top up revealing her slender, young back, her spine, her sharp shoulder blades. From this position Sabrina had sensual curves, a waist and narrow hips flaring out to a sensuous lovely bottom, a sexy bottom. Seth's erection jutted out over it, hiding her bum crack. He shuddered. Just comparing them, realizing how deep into her he could go, sent waves of arousal through his tense body. Precum leaked.

"Ready?" he asked in a heated whisper.

"Uh-huh."

He started by caressing her small buttocks, silky smooth. His thumbs slipped down to gently pry apart her tight little slit, easing her open, her small clit emerging, the glisten of smooth pink inside her cleft visible and, as he opened her cleft further, the astonishingly small entrance to her vagina appeared.

His heart raced. She had really taken him in before? She was so small!

Excitement pounded through him, the visual enhancing his imagination. Gripping his shaft, holding her cleft open with his fingers, Seth touched her with his crown, his body shuddering. He was huge, huge!

A glistening, slippery trail of precum was spread when he carefully slipped his tip up and down her cleft. Pressing harder he did it again, Sabrina's labia bulging before oozing apart to kiss his crown. A couple more gentle swipes, a bit more pressure and, with a groan, Seth's tip was lodged at her entrance.

The sight had his cock swelling and aching. Until now he hadn't truly appreciated how small or how young Sabrina really was. Seeing his adult erection poised to penetrate her hairless pussy, her buttocks so petite and firm, Seth was shocked at the storm of arousal and desire that slammed into him. God he wanted her.

Taking a few deep, calming breaths, he bent over her back, brought his mouth to her ear. "You are so sexy," he whispered. "I can't believe how much I want you."

Sabrina trembled and pushed her bum back at Seth. "Don't wait," she whispered. She pressed back harder. "Please?"

Rising, Seth reached for her hips, so narrow. He held her, his erection lodged, poised, ready and throbbing. Copious precum eased the way. With gentle, small thrusts, he watched as his crown eased into her, each gentle thrust pressing him deeper, each thrust forcing her plump labia to stretch, pale, and grow thin, his flared ridge seemingly far too wide to penetrate her.

Sabrina groaned and shoved her bum back at him. His crown disappeared inside her, warm moist velvet greeting him.

"Jeez," he groaned. "That feels so good."

"Uh-huh," Sabrina huffed, her arms trembling.

Now in, Seth eased himself back and forth, small movements, each resulting in him penetrating her tight pussy deeper, deeper. His shaft glistened wetly with each small withdrawal before he reversed and pressed in, deeper, deeper, her small buttocks getting closer to his groin.

Seth's heart raced, blood pulsed, his hands trembling. Holding her small body he thrust again and groaned when her bum pressed against him, his erection gripped in her warm, velvet pussy. Pausing, his cock swelled.

"I felt that," Sabrina whispered.

Pressing harder, Sabrina's little buttocks flattened against his groin and he felt it. The tip of his erection was sealed to her cervix, poised ready to flood her immature womb with his semen. God she was tight.

Arousal washed over him demanding relief. He withdrew with a moan, his shaft glistening, her vagina gripping, almost everting in its effort to hold onto him. As the ridge of his crown oozed out of her he reversed, sinking into her on a long, exquisite stroke, his groin pressing against her buttocks.

Too much. Too good.

"God you feel good," he groaned, withdrawing and thrusting. He did it again.

Sabrina grunted when his tip knocked into her end. Holding her hips, Seth lost himself, withdrawing, thrusting, withdrawing, thrusting. Her buttocks started slapping against his groin. Breath panted. He stroked into her, so tight, velvet moisture caressing his erection. His balls tightened and grew heavy in his groin, the first sign of an orgasm awakening.

Seth, holding her narrow hips tight, stroked into her, fucking her firmly, deeply, rewarded by Sabrina's gasps of pleasure. His erection felt thicker, longer, harder. He fucked her, now tugging her bottom back into him, thrusting, urgency emerging.

Breath panting, heart racing, Seth closed his eyes and drowned in the sensations, fucking her, fucking her, thrusting, erection stiff and heavy, so close.

Sabrina's body shook suddenly. A louder grunt emerged, "Ngh," her pussy tightened and she collapsed onto her elbows. Seth thrust. Sabrina grunted, her body cramping.

Seth gasped, "Sabrina," and thrust hard, his cock swelling. His orgasm hit, slamming into him. Crying out his pleasure he thrust his erection deep into her, held her hips tightly and exploded, semen erupting into her womb in a painful pulse. He groaned and thrust again, cum erupting in a hard, hard pulse, ecstasy crashing over him. Suddenly Sabrina's pussy was very wet, very slippery, her grunts of pleasure washing over him. Seth fucked into her, exploded, hot cum spurting. He stroked into her spurting, spurting, his stomach cramping, erection aching.

It crested in a hurricane of agony and ecstasy, the final thrusts hard and exquisite. Sabrina collapsed onto her shoulders. Seth thrust one last time, holding her tightly, her bottom pressed to his groin as a final pulse shook his body, the last of his semen expelled weakly. Chest heaving, he slowly fell over her, forcing Sabrina onto her front, his weight holding her down.

Nothing was said. For a minute or two there was silence, the crackling fire the only sound other than panting breaths. Sabrina groaned and squeezed her pussy expelling him. She groaned in disappointment.

Seth slipped off her to her side. Sea-green eyes peeked out at him from messy dark burgundy hair, freckles dusting flushed cheeks. Sabrina smiled. "I'm really relaxed now."

Chapter Six - All Things Must End

"Let's stretch our legs," Seth suggested, restless from being cooped up. Through the kitchen glass doors he studied the pristine layer of snow, an overnight arrival. The lake moved slowly, water thick as oil and on the cusp of completely freezing, ice rimming the shore in a twenty-foot wide swath, the temperature plummeting overnight.

"Kay. Let me get my coat," Sabrina said, putting her book down and jumping up from the kitchen table.

Seth pulled on heavy boots and a thick parka while he waited. He could already feel the sharp, cold air in his nostrils before even opening the door, anticipating its fresh brisk purity.

"Ready," Sabrina said.

Glancing behind, Seth's heart squeezed. In her parka Sabrina looked small and young, a beautiful girl. Her knit hat didn't cover her hair, dark burgundy tresses brushing at her shoulders. Sea-green eyes looked at him with a smile that made him ache. Sabrina was perfect, just perfect. The tightness in his chest was now ever-present. For the last few days it had puzzled him until he'd understood. It was a manifestation of intense love and damn if it wasn't uncomfortable.

The sliding glass door let in a blast of cold air as they stepped out, snow crisp and crunching under their boots. Hair in his nose froze. He paused after closing the door behind him, waiting for Sabrina to put her gloves on, then took her hand and led her towards the shore. Sun made the snow bright, clean, pure.

He felt good, too good. His grip on her hand tightened. He'd never known anyone like her. In every way she suited him, her habits, her sense of humor, her likes and dislikes, her quiet beauty. He felt safe here at the cottage, anonymous, in a protected cocoon with a beautiful girl.

Seth didn't realize he'd just made his last, fatal mistake.

"It's going to snow heavily soon. Can you smell it?" he asked, leading her towards the shore.

Sabrina sniffed the air. "Nope."

"We should do some shopp . . ." Before he finished his sentence Sabrina was torn from his hand like a rag doll.

A sharp crack echoed across the landscape. Seth's heart stopped. He recognized the sound of a sniper rifle. In slow motion, horror hit. Sabrina! Before turning he knew what he'd see and it scared him to his core.

Terror flooded his system. He turned. His life stopped. Sabrina was splayed on the pristine white snow, a hole in her parka and a growing red stain underneath her. His heart stopped. Diving to the ground he whispered, "Sabrina! Sabrina!" his hands reaching for the zip of her parka.

A puff of snow exploded next to her head. The shot echoed loudly in the still air.

Spurred into action Seth grabbed Sabrina's limp body, rising and running to the closest cover, the boathouse near the shore. He lay her down gently his hand covered in blood. Sabrina's face was white, bloodless.

His emotions took control. He roared, "Nooooo!!!" It echoed in the crisp, cold air, loud, a cry of rage, hot, visceral, deadly.

Ice cold calm descended over Seth. Another bullet slammed into the boathouse. He ignored it, tearing his glove off, and reaching for Sabrina's throat. Nothing. No emotions, no movement, no Sabrina. Fear froze him. Then he felt it, thready but there, her pulse, alive, just.

Another bullet slammed into the boathouse, the crack of the shot following. Seth ignored it, tearing her parka open. The bullet had hit her high to the right, maybe a lung, maybe higher. Packing snow inside her clothes to chill the wound and slow bleeding, Seth assessed his options. With the shooter out there he had no hope of getting Sabrina to his car and to the hospital which was now critical. He had to get the shooter first.

Bending close, he whispered into Sabrina's ear, "Hold on. Please hold on. I'll be right back." Before rising, he added, "I love you, Sabrina," kissing her cold forehead.

Seth, icy cold with rage, rose into a crouch. Time to hunt. Shots had come from three hundred yards to the right. That's where his target was hiding. Judging by the shots he had to be elevated, perhaps in a tree. It wouldn't protect him. He was already dead, he just didn't know it.

Twelve minutes later the shooter was dead, his neck broken. Three minutes after the shooter's neck snapped, Seth was back at the boathouse, falling to his knees next to Sabrina.

So pale. So pale. Seth gathered her in his arms. So cold. "No. Please, Sabrina," he begged, his hand desperately reaching for her neck, "Don't leave me."

A sudden cry of utter agony echoed over the icy water, full of pain and horror and anger. Had anyone been near it would have sent chills down their spine. It was the feral sound of a wounded soul.

Father Calhoone scanned the International Herald Tribune. He read the small article and, reaching for scissors, snipped it out, adding it to others in the small envelope on his desk.

Placing the newspaper to the side, he pulled out all of his clippings, sorted them and read them again in chronological order. He should have condemned what they represented but he just couldn't find it in him. Did that make him unworthy to be a man of God?

He scanned the first article from the Parry Sound North Star newspaper; a male, mid thirties found frozen with a broken neck by hikers. Identity of the male still unknown.

The second article was from the Giorni Italiani three weeks later. Italian police had discovered the body of Don Luca Fantino and three of his bodyguards, all with broken necks. Police attributed it to a mafia disagreement although the method of killing was unusual.

Shuffling the articles, Father Calhoone scanned the next. The New York Post obituary announced the passing of Father Jerome, a quiet and well respected Jesuit who spent a lifetime dedicated to the basic principles of the Catholic faith. The accidental fall down the stairs had broken his neck.

Father Calhoone scanned another and another, each just a small article announcing the passing of an individual, the final article one from the Catholic News agency from Vatican City announcing the passing of Cardinal Peretti, seventy-eight, from a slip in the shower, an understandable accident given his age and frailty.

Father Calhoone replaced the articles in the envelope. He knew most of the names in those articles. He knew them because he'd been investigating them, trying to stop the persecution of Sabrina Dougan, trying to protect her. He'd failed, on all counts. Seth hadn't. Payment had been demanded and made. Seth was the wrong man to hurt.

Many lives taken against one innocent child. Was there a morality scale one could balance them on? Who was to decide what was right or wrong? Father Frank shook his head. He felt sorrow and pity. It had all been so unnecessary.

Closing the envelope, he slipped it into the desk drawer and turned the key. It was over. He'd say a prayer for the dead and pray for forgiveness for not feeling remorse.

Epilogue

She moved on the hardwood bench trying to ease the numbness in her butt. A stab of pain lanced into her making her massage her distended stomach and move her baby inside. It moved the wrong way. Now she squirmed with a desperate need to pee, the baby pressing against her bladder. Her lower back ached again, like a wave of soft pain washing over her.

Should she to go to the toilet again?

Glancing to her right, Sabrina smiled to herself. He had that thousand-yard stare, his clear blue eyes looking at something invisible to everyone else. Seth hadn't aged a day in the last eight years. Reaching across, Sabrina took his hand, love flushing through her.

Seth glanced at her. A smile crinkled his eyes. Her heart fluttered.

"Can we go now?" he asked hopefully.

Looking to the front of the church, Sabrina tried to concentrate on what Father Frank Calhoone was preaching from the pulpit. Inwardly she grinned. Seth hated going to church and she loved his grumbling every Sunday when she dragged him here. She loved that it never occurred to him to let her go on her own. He simply accepted that, if it was what she wanted, he had to be with her. Even now he was protective, she noted, his hand separating from hers and resting on the nape of her neck, thumb caressing.

"Ow!" she gasped, reaching down to hold her lower stomach, the pain now a sharp stab.

"That hurt. It's time. Those are contractions," Seth said. "Let's get the Hel . . . heck out of here."

"Not yet. The sermon's not finished. And stop reading me," she added with a smile.

Four minutes later Sabrina couldn't ignore the contractions any longer. "It's time," she whispered with a grimace, reaching for Seth's hand.

Seth helped her stand. Father Frank paused his sermon, glancing out at her. He smiled and nodded before resuming.

As he read his sermon by rote, Father Frank decided it was God's work. It was God that had temporarily stopped Sabrina's heart. It was God that gave her back to Seth when he resuscitated her. It was God that kept her alive as he rushed her to the hospital. So it must have been God's retribution guiding Seth when he took his revenge against so many.

Father Frank ended his sermon. "Let us pray," he said, bowing his head and wondering if their first child would be a boy or girl.