-/-

It was decidedly nice to be out of the proverbial dog house, or at least that was how Blake Carrington felt as he woke up in a bed…a bed that contained his wife.

Turning onto his side Blake Carrington watched Alexis sleep; she looked so peaceful curled up next to him. Those dark curls that he loved so much were mussed from sleep, her full lips were pulled into half a smile and Blake was glad whatever she was dreaming about was pleasant; god knows Alexis deserved pleasant dreams after everything she had been through.

Reaching out Blake gently brushed the hair out of Alexis's face, his fingers lightly tracing the curve of her cheekbone. Her skin felt soft and warm under his fingertips…Alexis was real and not a mirage.

It was still something of a miracle in Blake's eyes that Alexis was here, with him, his wife in reality and not just in his fevered dreams. All those years apart when Blake would wake from dreams and turn over only to face an empty pillow and a cold bed had hardened his heart to accept disappointment. Blake had vowed upon their second marriage never to take Alexis's presence in his bed for granted…or his in hers…the last few days had taught him that.

"You're staring." Alexis mumbled into her pillow, not even opening her eyes and Blake could only laugh at his wife's clairvoyance.

"You're nice to look at." Blake replied simply, watching as his wife blinked sleep filled eyes.

"I'm a mess." Alexis grumbled reaching up to fuss with the rats' nest her hair had tangled into.

"Well then you're my beautiful mess." Blake insisted his hand catching his wife's and bringing it to rest over his heart.

"Humph." Alexis huffed, yet there was no hiding the smile that played about her full lips as she shifted to snuggle into Blake's side. "You're not so bad yourself Mr Carrington." Alexis added reaching up to tug on one of Blake's stubborn curls.

Catching Alexis's hand Blake pressed a kiss to each of her fingers in turn before turning her hand over and kissing her palm. "Hmmm…You taste nice too." Blake muttered against his wife's skin causing Alexis to laugh.

"That tickles Blake."

Smiling Blake dropped Alexis's hand and turned to press a stubbly kiss to his wife's shoulder before trailing his lips along her collarbone.

"Blake…" Alexis began warningly; as much as she was enjoying this closeness she couldn't help but wonder where it was heading.

"It's alright." Blake insisted as he began nuzzling Alexis's neck. "I know we can't. I just want to be close to you."

Tugging on her husband's hair to lift Blake's lips from their detailed exploration of her jaw line Alexis stared down into her husband's dark eyes. "What do you mean you know?"

"Darling I am not a fool." Blake replied gently. "And it is not the first time I have had to wait to be with you…I can wait until you are ready but that doesn't mean I can't hold you and kiss you does it? I fact I would be a very poor husband if I didn't, especially after everything we've been through recently, I think we need to show each other just how much we love each other more and not less. Perhaps we could make the most of the next few weeks? Get to know each other all over again? We've never had the most conventional courtships, perhaps now we can take our time and I can woo you properly?"

Tracing her fingertips along Blake's strong square jaw Alexis studied the stubble on his chin. "And just how do you propose we do that?"

"Well….." Blake drawled suggestively leaning forward to place a kiss on his wife's cheek and then her nose. "I was planning on laying here for a while and kissing my girl until that damn alarm clock goes off but if you have other ideas I am open to suggestions?"

Pursing her lips as she pretended to think Alexis's bubble of laughter was smothered as Blake took the initiative. Slowly and sensuously Blake's lips teased and pressed against her own and Alexis sighed in contentment, opening her mouth to meet her husband's unspoken request. There really were worse ways to start the morning.

-/-

If the memory of her husband's gentle loving kisses kept a smile on Alexis's all morning, the two dozen pink and white roses that were delivered little more than an hour after Blake left for the office promised to keep it on there all afternoon. Clearly her husband was on a mission and Alexis had no intention of stopping him, if Blake Carrington was determined to woo her all over again then so be it Alexis was far from upset with the results so far.

"So are you planning on telling me what you are smirking about?" Startled by the sudden question when she was clearly lost in her thoughts Alexis all but jumped when Adam spoke.

"Sorry I was just lost in my thoughts." Alexis replied honestly yet there was no hiding the blush on her cheeks and Alexis was rather thankful for the fact that their car had just arrived at Seven Oaks.

Fortunately the grand estate proved distracting enough and Adam quickly forgot to interrogate his mother further, simply accepting her good mood for the unexpected boon that it was. Adam had mistakenly assumed his mother was the type to hold a grudge and he had been more than a little nervous about accepting her invitation to join her for lunch with his little sister…The first meeting with his sibling paling into insignificance next to the worry that his mother might not have forgiven him about Montana.

"Wow and really Fallon lives here?" Adam couldn't help but be impressed. It was the sort of house you saw on the cover of some glossy interior design magazine or peeking out of the pages of some society section of a national paper.

"Temporarily." Alexis corrected as she straightened her outfit and resisted the urge to check her makeup. "As soon as the repairs to the house are complete she and LB will be moving back to the mansion."

"And what about her husband?" Adam commented, his quick mind picking up on the omission.

"That is up to him." Alexis replied diplomatically, leading the way up the stone steps and to the front door.

Now really wasn't the time to fill Adam in on the complicated back story to Fallon and Jeff's marriage. The only reason a divorce hadn't already taken place in Alexis's opinion was because of Fallon's pregnancy and then the disruption of LB's kidnapping. Once things had settled back down Alexis doubted her headstrong daughter would allow the grass to grow under feet before she was jetting off to the Caribbean for a divorce.

It was a shame; Jeff was a wonderful young man and a Colby heir to boot but after the way they had gotten together Fallon was never going to appreciate that. So perhaps it was best they parted now on friendly terms and Fallon got the freedom back she obviously craved. Her daughter had inherited all of Alexis's wanderlust and Fallon was far too wild to settle down, at least not yet, no her daughter needed to sow her wild oats first before she committed to another serious relationship.

After all it was only after years of kissing frogs that Alexis came to realise the prince she had had in Blake. Oh her first husband may have had his own fair share of warts but in her youth Alexis had been naïve enough to think there would be other great loves that would overshadow whatever she had felt for Blake Carrington. Only no man had even come close. Blake was able to stir a passion in her, passionate love, passionate loathing, like no other person alive; he was her match and it was only now she had him back that Alexis felt ready to settle down.

Nodding at the houseman who opened the door Alexis was relieved to see Fallon already coming to greet them. Her beautiful daughter showed no obvious signs of stress, even if she did look a little tired, but with a baby in the house that wasn't surprising.

"Fallon darling." Alexis greeted her daughter exuberantly, surprising them both as she pulled Fallon in for a hug.

"Mother." Fallon greeted Alexis politely and accepted her mother's unexpected enthusiasm. Yet even as she loosely returned her mother's hug Fallon's attention was most decidedly on her other guest.

"So you're my big brother?" Fallon couldn't help the slightly sarcastic tone of voice as she cast her eyes over the young man in front of her.

Sure he was good looking like a Carrington should be but Fallon had an inbuilt suspicion of interlopers trying to push their way into her family. She had never gotten along with Krystle and time had proven Fallon right in her sixth sense, her father's mistake should never have been allowed into the Carrington family in the first place.

"Fallon please." Alexis chastised her daughter, shooting an apologetic glance at Adam who fortunately didn't seem in the least offended by his sister's less than warm welcome.

"Hello Fallon." Adam greeted his suspiciously little sister coolly yet politely. Clearly Fallon took after Blake in personality and their mother in looks. "It is very nice to finally meet you after hearing so much about you."

That earned him a raised eyebrow but at least Fallon kept her scepticism to herself. "If you'd like to follow me, luncheon has been set out in the conservatory."

Only it wasn't like any conservatory Adam had ever seen before and it was only his own strict control that kept him from gawking as he was led past priceless paintings and objects of art. It was like living in a museum. Fortunately although large and ornate the conservatory was a far more welcoming room and unlike the copious rooms they had passed, this one was not totally devoid of people.

"Steven." A surprised Alexis greeted her younger son enthusiastically, rushing forward to pull an awkward Steven into a hug.

He had been so busy lately managing the house project and sleeping on site that Alexis had barely seen her other son. She certainly hadn't expected to see him here today, and as wonderful as it was to see him Alexis could also see her daughter's hand in this.

Fallon had clearly invited Steven as back up, if necessary she would encourage Steven to close ranks just like they had as children. Alexis had intended to introduce Adam to each of his siblings separately so that way he wasn't overwhelmed and actually had a chance to talk to them.

Pulling away Alexis frowned slightly as she stared up into her son's tired and drawn face. Cupping his cheek Alexis inspected him closely. "Steven have you been sleeping? Have they even been feeding you properly?"

"Mother I'm fine and I promise Joseph and Mrs Gunnerson have been taking excellent care of me." Steven insisted before turning to the newest member of their family.

"Hi I'm Steven." Steven greeted his brother calmly, offering his hand, not surprised when Adam's handshake was firm and controlled.

"It is good to finally meet you Steven." Adam replied sizing up his younger brother, the baby of the family, and clearly the golden Carrington boy. Yet at least his little brother wasn't openly hostile to his reappearance, not like his sister, Fallon's piercing blue eyes were still boring into his back.

"Well shall we sit?" Alexis suggested determined that despite the shaky start things could get back on track...

She could still have her family back together again. Starting with today's lunch. No one got in the way of Alexis Carrington.

-/-

"So Adam..." Steven ventured after an awkward silence had descended over the table, the only noise the scraping of cutlery against the fine china plates.

"Have you had the chance to see much of Denver yet?"

Setting down his wine glass Adam savoured the taste of what was probably a ridiculously expensive bottle of wine before answering his brother, weighing up the genuineness of Steven's interest. "Not really, I found the central library..."

"The library?" Fallon scoffed rolling her eyes in disgust, the second glass of wine she was sipping loosening her reserve enough to allow her real feelings to show through. "Of all the places to choose you wasted your time going there?"

"I had some research to do for my next case." Adam retorted bluntly, scowling at his sister's open scorn, unable to bite back his own temper. "Some of us choose to work for a living."

Leaning back in her seat Fallon saluted her new big brother with her glass. "Some of you have to...Still I suppose it's better than gassing cars or wiping down tables." Fallon added spitefully, watching as the dig at her brother's poorer circumstances and upbringing hit their target and Adam visibly bristled.

"I suppose you think you're oh so clever…"

"I know I am." Fallon cut in smugly, as she trailed a finger around the rim of her wine glass. "But did you honestly think someone in this family wouldn't check you out Mr Torrance than you really are very naïve. Tell me do you enjoy being a lawyer more than you did a busboy?"

"Fallon." Alexis barely bit back her her own cutting jibe, pregnancy had turned her daughter into something of a lightweight, not that Fallon had ever needed alcohol as an excuse for her bitter tongue. "Your brother's name is Adam, he is a well-respected lawyer; he has even set up his own practice."

"Oh well now that makes all the difference." Fallon drawled in mock reverence. "Let me guess what do you specialise in? Fraud...with a side dish of confidence trickery?"

"Fallon that is enough." Alexis snapped setting down her fork, a scowl marring her own flawless face as Fallon waved Cecil's butler over to top up her glass. "I think perhaps you have had quite enough already judging by your behaviour."

"Well at least I am getting to know the real Fallon and its Commercial and Criminal Law actually." Adam bit back. "But I wouldn't want to bore you with the details I doubt you have the attention span to manage the explanation."

"Adam please?" Alexis pleaded turning to face her eldest who was sober and clever enough to verbally fence right back, but this was not how she had wanted the meal to go.

"No let him say what he thinks Mother I don't care, I mean being rich and lazing about all day with nothing to do has to have some privileges." Fallon snapped back, savouring the delicate crisp Riesling that the butler had selected to go with the fish course, ignoring her mother's pointed gaze and sigh.

As much as she loathed having to stay under Cecil Colby's roof a day longer Fallon had to admit the smug Colby bastard kept an excellent wine cellar and after almost ten months of abstinence Fallon felt she was entitled to let loose a little...and it was only a couple of glasses of wine it wasn't like she was swigging beer out of a bottle.

"Fallon come on todays supposed to be a good day." Steven cut in, trying to cajole his big sister out of her bad mood. "We've had so many bad ones recently shouldn't we focus on the good when it comes along?"

Huffing Fallon shrugged her elegant shoulders. Alexis's request was always going to be easier to ignore than one coming from Steven or their father; as even though her relationship with her mother had improved Fallon just couldn't let go of her nagging doubts and it was far easier to take that out on Alexis than it was to confront them.

"I am prepared to apologise and start again if Fallon is?" Adam magnanimously suggested, earning him a beaming smile from his mother and a sarcastic eye roll from his sister.

"Fallon?" Alexis demanded turning to her daughter who appeared mutinous for a moment, muttering something probably unflattering under her breath.

For a moment Fallon cursed her mother and this stranger who claimed to be her brother, just why did they have choose now to upset the family with all this change, hadn't the Carrington Clan been through enough?

"Fallon come on." Steven pleaded locking eyes with his big sister. "We've got enough outsiders trying to tear us down already."

"Fine." Fallon conceded grudgingly. "I'll play nice…." For as long as it took Blake Carrington to prove this imposter for what he really was but Fallon was damned if she was going to apologise. She was a Carrington, by upbringing if nothing else and someone had to show this interloper how a real Carrington behaved, and a real Carrington didn't apologise.

-/-

Blake Carrington could tell the moment he stepped foot inside his hotel suite that afternoon that something was wrong. Not that it took any particular psychic talent on his part, the room looked like a tornado had swept through it, and the rather bland decorations that had once adorned the suite now lay scattered or smashed. It was only the fact that his beautiful vase of roses had escaped the widespread destruction that prevented Blake from avoiding his wife and heading for a fortifying drink in the bar.

It was certainly not the scene Blake had hoping to come home. All day he had entertained himself through some rather dull meeting with plotting just how he could court his wife properly, a trip away somewhere just the two of them at the weekend was a definite must, something to take Alexis's mind off of Adam's imminent return to Montana.

Setting down his briefcase Blake retrieved a long pink rose from the arrangement that been delivered earlier in the day and holding it before him like a shield or a peace offering Blake ventured forth.

"Alexis?" Blake called out tentatively relieved when no projectiles appeared as he ducked his head around the bedroom door.

His wife was curled up on the small chaise that sat in the corner of the room and she only lifted her head when Blake called her name. Yet there was no hiding the pink puffy tinge to her eyes or the way she tried to surreptitiously wipe at her cheeks.

"Sweetheart." Blake was immediately concerned, rushing over to pull his wife into his arms, relieved when she went so willingly and buried her face into the warmth of his neck. "What's wrong?"

"What isn't wrong?" Alexis muttered mutinously, "Why is it whenever something good happens in my life something has to come along to spoil it? I must be cursed never to be happy." Alexis added whilst tightening her grip on her husband as if afraid he would be taken from her as well.

"Alexis what happened?" Blake insisted. "You seemed so happy this morning…"

"Yes well that was before lunch." Alexis retorted. "Before your daughter decided to be as downright hostile to Adam as she could possibly be! She practically called him a con artist and liar to his face!"

Ignoring the fact that Fallon was once again his child only whenever she was throwing a spanner into Alexis's plans and upsetting her mother, "I'll talk to her." Blake offered with a sigh.

Yet Alexis was not prepared to be so easily appeased. "You need to do more than just talk to her Blake, she has always been able to wrap you around her little finger, and she's more likely to convince you than you are to convince her!" Alexis countered petulantly.

"I just don't know what has got into her lately? I mean one minute she is blaming me for everything and calling me horrible names, the next she is inviting me shopping like nothing has happened and now she acting like…well like a stuck up little bitch." Alexis added her green eyes flashing as Blake opened his mouth to protest.

"You weren't there Blake she was horrible to Adam."

"I don't doubt that Fallon was less than welcoming." Blake tried his best to sooth the situation, his own nagging doubts over what might be the real reason for Fallon's outbursts lately, that it might have more to do with Fallon's own uncertainty than anything else.

Yet that was not a pandora's box that Blake had any interest in opening, he had spent years convincing himself that Alexis had been lying, had just wanted to hurt him, when she had thrown that vile lie over Fallon's parentage at him. Blake was not prepared to let himself doubt for a single moment so he couldn't allow Fallon to do so, and he certainly didn't want Alexis to discuss the matter with their daughter.

"Do you suppose it's because she's jealous?" Blake suggested another very plausible explanation, watching as his wife rolled her eyes.

"Of course she's jealous." Alexis scoffed. "Fallon has been used to being the centre of attention since she was born and woe betide she has to share you with anyone else. And that's not even to touch on what it would be mean for their inheritance…"

"I wasn't merely suggesting jealous of Adam and what his return would mean financially Alexis." Blake chastised his wife gently. "Fallon appreciates money but it doesn't motivate her like that. And yes she might be worried that if Adam is proved to be who he says he is that I would invite him to join me at Denver Carrington to learn the oil business and…"

"And would you?" Alexis's question was soft yet earnest. "Would you mentor him like that?"

"If that was what he wanted." Blake replied cautiously, his mind still lingering on the fact that tomorrow he would get the preliminary report from Hess and what it contained might change everything. "He is a very independent young man and it might not fit with his own plans for his future…"

Pausing Blake couldn't deny the pleading in his wife's gaze, and it was true if Adam really turned out to be who he claimed to be then Blake would want nothing more than his eldest child working side by side with him. "I would try very hard to convince him and it would be nice to have a son to teach…"

"You have Steven." Alexis couldn't help but point out, "All these years you had him all to yourself Blake, how come you didn't mentor him?"

"Steven and I…well we are like oil and water, and Steven has always refused to take a executive job in the company." Blake replied defensively. "I have tried Alexis to mould him into the kind of man that could be CEO of Denver Carrington one day but he has fought me at every turn."

"Maybe because he didn't want to turn into the sort of man you wanted him to be...Steven has always been an old soul, he knows his own mind..."

"Oh believe me that I know." Blake scoffed shaking his head, this was an old argument and not one Blake had any interest in repeating.

Seeking to distract and placate his temperamental wife Blake offered her the rose he had selected from the vase, relieved when Alexis took it from him with a smile and brought the flower up to her face to smell.

"Alexis I will do my best to make my peace with Steven. I admit I have been impressed with the way he has handled himself through all this business with Sammy-Jo, and the way he has taken the renovations out of my hands...Although he could probably use your guidance when the decorators start getting involved." Blake added as he dreaded to think what Steven would chose, besides choosing wallpaper and curtains was definitely a woman's job.

Staring down at her fingers as they tightened on the stem of the rose Alexis couldn't completely hide the way her face fell slightly.

"Darling?" Blake prompted sensing as his wife's mood fell once more. "What is it?"

"I...I just...the house." Alexis began hesitantly as she rolled the stem between her fingers nervously.

"Its coming along well." Blake prompted gently, aware that the subject of the mansion renovations were a delicate subject considering the associations.

"Much of the exterior damage has already been repaired, and Steven said the builders have done such a good job matching the stone you cannot even tell there was ever any damage. I could take the afternoon off if you like and we could go out together and you could start making plans for the interiors..."

"No!" Alexis couldn't help it, the answer was ripped from her throat causing Blake to start in surprise. "I can't tomorrow...Adam only has a few days left in Denver..." Alexis stuttered getting to her feet as she started to pull away from Blake.

"Well Adam can come with us, you wanted to show him the house after all." Blake added reasonably.

"But not like this...oh honestly Blake you just don't understand I don't want him to see our home like...like that!"

"Alexis I hardly think the boy will mind, it's not like the fact that there was some damage to house hasn't been in all the papers." Blake pointed out.

"Well I don't agree, I am not going, you go if you are so bloody set on going but you can go by yourself."

"Hey now wait a second." Blake insisted reaching out and catching Alexis by her wrist before she could storm off.

"Blake let me go."

"No I won't." Blake insisted holding his huffing wife in place. "Why don't you even want to talk about the house? I mean normally you would be already planning everything down to the last detail, I can understand you not wanting to go out there to see it but surely you want to be involved in someway even if its just to select the furnishings. Have you even used the credit card I gave you?"

"Oh right because that's what a good trophy wife should do with her day." Alexis hissed sarcastically rolling her eyes.

"I mean heaven forfend I have more important things on my mind than worrying about what shade of wallpaper I should do the hallway in. I don't want to see it alright, not until it is finished. I don't to walk back in that house, our home and see it in pieces and be reminded of everything we've lost...don't you think seeing it in the mirror every time I get out of the shower is hard enough?"

"So that's what this is about..." Blake sighed, he had suspected as much, and Alexis accused him of ignoring things he wold rather not face. Well the miscarriage was something neither of them could hide from, Alexis was right there was an all to visible reminder on her beautiful body. Even if his wife did her level best these days to hide her naked body from both of them.

"It's not going to go away just because you're burying yourself here Alexis. You can't go around avoiding mirrors for the rest of your life either." Blake spoke softly trying not to provoke is wife to further fury.

"It will only make it harder the longer you avoid going to the house, the memories will still be there waiting for you, for us both. Even after every physical sign is gone it won't matter if you don't let yourself heal mentally and emotionally..."

"Since when did you get a degree in psychology?" Alexis sneered turning her face up to glare stubbornly into her husband's face.

"And I know you think I am being a silly irrational little girl about this, but I'm not that seventeen year old girl you once married. I'm a grown woman and if I think my time is better spent elsewhere then dammit that is where I will spend it and I don't owe you any explanations! I'll deal with this in my own way and in my own good time and there is nothing you can say or do that will make me change my mind!"

Staring down into his wife's upturned face Blake was torn between exasperation and amusement, Alexis was infuriating and adorable in the same breath, in some ways it was just like being married to her at seventeen only she was more not less stubborn.

"Dear god woman fine have your own bloody way don't help in any way, but it will serve you right if our son ends up picking something completely unsuitable, and don't you think I am going to fork out to have it renovated twice! You'll just have to learn to live with it!"

"Yes because money is such an issue." Alexis drawled sarcastically.

"Why did god have to make you so damn stubborn?" Blake growled as Alexis pouted up at him, those damn fine full lips pursed as Alexis stared right back up at him.

"Oh that is rich coming from Mr Jackass himself!" Alexis spat back, poking her husband in his chest, surprised when instead of retorting angrily Blake snorted in laughter and shook his head. "Oh and what pray is so funny?"

Staring down into his wife's scowling face, Blake took in the flushed cheeks and flashing emerald eyes that seemed to grow more incensed by Blake's amusement. "Do you realise how beautiful you are when you're angry?"

For a moment Alexis could only stare up at her husband in stunned silence, before Blake's gaze seemed to drop and...

"Don't you d..." Alexis squeaked as Blake's lips came crashing down to cover her own, yet that didn't stop her from returning his kiss or threading her fingers through his silver grey curls as Blake's own hands cradled her face.

Sighing into Blake's mouth as her husband's skilful lips teased hers open Alexis melted into Blake's passionate kiss, unable to resist pressing and rubbing her body firmly against his. Teasing him Alexis smiled against Blake's lips as her husband groaned and reluctantly pulled away.

"You are a very wicked woman." Blake groaned as he tried to combat the effects of Alexis soft breasts rubbing against his chest. Yet it had been a long couple of weeks and he had missed his wife's touch.

"You started it Mr Carrington." Alexis cooed, her previous sour mood evaporating completely as her husband gave her that look, like his whole world was right now in his arms, and she felt the proof of his affection pressing against her stomach.

"Yes but unfortunately I am unable to finish it." Blake grunted, trying his best to regain control, perhaps a cold shower was required. It had been nearly two weeks and it would probably be a good two or three weeks more before Alexis was able to resume their normal way of dealing with the situation, and Blake had never wished time away so quickly.

"Well its good that I can then..." Alexis drawled suggestively sliding her hand down to cup her husband through his trousers, and watching Blake's expression closely, the way he tried not to groan out loud and the way his eyes seemed to half close as they darkened with pleasure.

"Alexis don't tease." Blake panted with the exertion, with resisting his first urge which was to open his fly and push his wife's hand inside his trousers.

"Who said I was?" Alexis replied softly, and Blake's eyes shot open, the look in his eyes a mixture of longing and agony.

"But you can't...and it wouldn't be fair..." Blake grunted out almost unintelligibly as Alexis stroked him through his trousers.

Smiling at her husband's almost bizarre sense of chivalry, Alexis slid down the zipper on Blake's trousers and slipped her hand inside, her smile growing as Blake seemed to tremble at her touch. "Don't worry Darling I am sure I can find plenty of ways for you to make it up to me."

-/-

"We should do this more often…" Blake sighed as he sank into the soft pillows that were now scattered over their bed.

Snorting in amusement at the thoroughly content expression on Blake's face, Alexis watched as he allowed his eyes to drift closed. "I don't doubt that you would like that." Alexis drawled sarcastically, yet she too had enjoyed herself. Blake could be quite determined on occasion and inventive when his mind was put to things and Alexis had appreciated the effort he had made to try and incorporate things that would please her.

The joint bubble bath had been a treat as Blake normally preferred to shower, but clearly her husband was set on indulging her. The sensuous massage she had not been expecting and Alexis's skin still tingled at the thoughts of her husband's strong rough fingers moving over her flesh in those long firm strokes. He had certainly gotten her toes to curl and just the memory of his fingers in certain places brought a wanton flush to her cheeks.

It was ridiculous they hadn't even had gotten further than a pair of horney teenagers and yet Alexis felt wonderful…loved…safe…

Smiling like a giddy school girl Alexis pressed a kiss to Blake's chest. "I love you B."

Blinking open his heavy lidded eyes Blake smiled down at his wife, relishing the way she seemed to curl up against him like a cat, her soft silky skin so warm against his own flash. "I love you more." Blake retorted teasingly.

"That is not possible." Alexis replied with a smile, reaching up to stroke Blake's cheek. "I am so happy we found each other again, I think I can cope with anything as long as I have you."

"I will never willingly leave you Alexis." Blake promised softly. "I know things haven't exactly been easy for us lately but never ever doubt that. You're my girl and you always will be."

"Well then I had better take very good care of you." Alexis teased her hand drifting lower as she pressed kisses down Blake's chest, watching through her eyelashes as Blake's half closed eyes suddenly shot open once more.

"Woman you really are a wonder." Blake grunted as he forced himself back down against the hotel pillows. If Alexis was in the mood to indulge him further then Blake certainly wasn't going to stop her…He was just going to have to think something incredible to ever make up for it.

-/-