CHAPTER TWENTY
…is
never done
The mood in the room was tense, despite its light and airy décor. Opponents sat across the table from one another, unsmiling, and even with the scents and sounds of the ocean paradise that surrounding them, the atmosphere was edgy. The words spoken were sharp and short at the beginning, and only now, two hours later, was there any semblance of softening.
Alexis leaned
forward. "By forgoing the ten percent increase in wages now and accepting
profit sharing that will commence at the beginning of the year, you and your
workers actually come out ahead in actual monies…" Alexis pulled another sheaf
of papers from the pile between them and pointed at several column figures. She
showed them to Marisol Ramirez, chief of the newly formed workers union. "Mr.
Corinthos is not opposed to you and your people sharing in the growing profits
of the casinos, since he recognizes your valuable contribution to his
projects…however it is in everyone's best interests if demands are kept low for
the time being…these are the projections made by your own people of the profits
for the next five years… and by taking the course Mr. Corinthos recommends…"
Sonny watched with pleasure as her long and lean fingers trailed themselves
across the pages.
She'd
been surprised that her main adversary had turned out to be a woman as well.
Latin men were notoriously chauvinistic in some ways…and she had had her
growing relationship with Sonny to underscore that fact. Marisol Ramirez was
older than Alexis by at least more than five years, maybe as much as ten, and
even so, she was still a handsome woman – and a shrewd one as well. They'd
taken each other's measure early on in the meeting, recognizing a worthy
adversary in one another. Marisol took several of the papers from Alexis and
sat back studying them intently. One of her group began to argue loudly, but
she turned and hushed them heatedly before turning back to the papers in her
hands.
Intent on her
opponent, Alexis didn't notice Sonny as he sat back and watched with pleasure
at the sight of Alexis in action. Just as he knew she would, she was handling
the negotiations with firmness, no-nonsense, great skill and diplomacy. And
charm. Most of the members of the union committee were eating up her every
word, despite themselves, and all he'd had to do after the introductions was
sit back and enjoy the show.
Careful
not to let it show, he grinned to himself. Sonny had expected no less either,
he'd known what she would do once she'd finished telling him off in no
uncertain tones about his totally high-handed manner all the way to the
airport, all while he escorted her onto the private jet and as he buckled her
in. [all of it had been half-hearted anyway...they both knew that] Sonny
patiently explained for the twentieth time about the urgent negotiations that
he'd told her abut earlier...which gained him little more than a disbelieving,
very un-ladylike snort.
After that, it was time for the second part of his plan…He appeared to give up trying to argue with her, instead Sonny had simply handed a folder full of files outlining the current dilemma of the casino workers' demands being put forward, along with some notes and figures. Then all Sonny had to do was sit back, just like he was doing now, and watch Alexis' lawyer's mind take over. Once she got going, he knew she be fascinated in spite of herself. Creating order out of chaos… Alexis wouldn't be able to help herself…
A flood of Spanish burst out among the group. After a moment, Marisol turned and spoke rapidly to them directing most of her comments to the man beside her. A fresh argument ensued.
Alexis took the opportunity to lean towards Sonny. "What's going on?" she whispered.
"They're
debating our latest offer. Marisol has been the president of their union for
five years now. Her husband is the man who was our most vocal opponent. The man
in the blue shirt, that's him, Esteban."
"The
one who has been the main opponent to any offers…." Then she noticed what Sonny
had said…. "Our, Sonny? Since when is it "our" endeavor?" Alexis asked. "I
wasn't aware of any stock options offered in lieu of payment…and by the way,
this will be a triple, no, make that a quadruple billing fee."
As if he
couldn't afford her. He grinned in answer to her words, but Sonny kept on
talking as though she hadn't spoken. "They work well as a team, wouldn't you
say? They save each other's face, with him being against this and that, it
gives her leeway to convince the others to do as she decides is best. You have
to admire such teamwork."
"And you, Mr. Chauvinistic-me-man-you-woman-me-always-in-charge, have no problem with this?" Alexis arched a questioning brow.
"I find a woman
in charge…sexy." He let his voice drop. "Feel free to take charge of me anytime
you please." He was gratified by
Alexis' sudden blush. He loved it when he could get to her. Oh, the things he
could say to her now to make her not only blush but stammer too. Unfortunately,
they were conducting business, and he'd better remember that. Sonny
deliberately steered the conversation back into safer waters. "Since Marisol's
decisions are made in the best interest of the union and not for her own
personal gain, it works out best all around for them. I respect that…. And you.
Have I thanked you properly for helping me with this?"
"You
can thank me by paying my bill on time." She turned in her seat just in time to
catch Marisol watching her. Hearing her name must have caught her attention;
the others were still loudly debating among themselves. Alexis felt as though
the older woman was measuring her again, but it was different somehow.. Her
dark eyes seemed to read Alexis in a way she couldn't begin to explain, but
felt all the way down to her toes. It was one woman regarding another as a
woman, not as a business opponent… and yet Alexis felt a strange sort of
kinship, in spite of the fact she'd only met the woman a few hours before.
"And
that's what you're using me for?" Alexis tuned her attention back to Sonny,
giving herself a little shake.
"Use you, Alexis? Never." Sonny answered. He leaned in closer, so close that his breath was a curling warm sensation in her ear. "Employ that beautiful mind? Any and every chance I get." His words and the touch of breath on her flesh sent a thrill through her. Alexis sat forward in her chair, pretending to look over the papers on the table before her… in reality, they were little more than a blur.
Sonny sat back in his chair. From his vantage point behind her, he could see the smooth curve of Alexis' neck. In the few moments they'd had to freshen up before the meeting had begun, Alexis had pinned her hair up into a smooth french roll. No doubt, it was the unaccustomed heat she was feeling, after leaving frigid Port Charles.
He liked it better when she wore her hair down and loose, when her hair framed the strong cheekbones in her face and the wisps of her bangs got into her eyes. How many times had he wanted to just reach over and brush them out of the way. His eyes lingered on the spot …at least this way he could take a moment to indulge a fantasy or two…like imagining how the curve just under her ear tasted, or what the scent of Alexis would be like if he were holding her in his arms and his face was buried there, where her throat curved softly into her shoulder blade or the feel of the pulse point at the base of her throat would feel against his lips. His imagination was all to ready to take him past there…
"A penny for
your thoughts?"
Sonny had to shake himself mentally to free himself from his wayward thoughts… Alexis had leaned back in her own chair to look at him. God, she had the most beautiful brown eyes… a man could drown in them….Finding his lips suddenly dry, he leaned forward to pour himself a glass of water. Sitting back again, he half turned in his chair towards Alexis.
"Oh, but wait, I should quadruple that as well for absconding with your lawyer and removing said attorney into international waters?" She wasn't going to let him forget his little stunt for a long time to come…that was obvious. She seemed to remember suddenly, that they weren't alone... "Do you think the negotiations are going well?" Alexis asked. Out of habit, she bit her lip and Sonny found his eyes drawn to her mouth and found it ridiculously hard to tear his gaze away.
"I think
everything is going well." Sonny answered. "I couldn't ask for more."
"I
find that hard to believe." Alexis gave him a small grin, her voice dry. The
dimple in her cheek flashed into view, enchanting Sonny all over again.
"Sass, you're giving me sass, aren't you?" Sonny said, returning her grin with one of her own. "Be careful, Councilor, don't dish out what you can't take."
"I can handle anything you dish out, Senor Corinthos."
Alexis leaned forward to reach for her own glass of water, but before she reached it, she was frozen in mid-motion by the shock of something warm ...the feel of a hand on her knee. Sonny's hand on her knee. And the touch drew a silent gasp from her. She sat back in the chair, stunned on one hand, but inexplicably, unexplainably stirred by the simple touch.
"Are you really sure about that?" Sonny picked up the glass of water Alexis had been reaching for. He sipped at it, and still unnoticed by the others, licked his lips slightly. Slowly. And all the while staring directly into her eyes. He put the glass into her hand, allowing his fingers to caress hers before letting go. "Careful, Alexis… you were saying something about handling things?" His innocent tone belied the havoc his hand was wreaking on her leg as it began to slide upwards, hidden by the tablecloth.
Alexis tried for a glare, but lost miserably. She bit her lip again as his fingers moved again, caressing her skin above her knee. She tried to grab at his hand, but he simply clasped his hand in hers, and let his fingers play with hers lightly.
"Buena…Good. It is finished." Alexis was grateful as Marisol spoke. Sonny gave her knee a final squeeze and let her go. His face betraying nothing.
Marisol turned to the men beside him and there was a quick but excited final exchange of words in Spanish, after which she turned back to them "It will have to go to a full vote of the union, but I will say now that I am sure that the others will see the wisdom in accepting your offer." The others nodded in agreement and even Marisol's husband, the man who had been her main opponent and hardest negotiator, smiled now. He spoke rapidly Amazingly, his face had turned from a scowl to an almost beatific smile. Marisol nodded…Puzzled, Alexis turned to Sonny for a translation.
"First of all,
Esteban apologizes for not speaking in English, but sometimes, he says, the
words just do not suffice. Espanola is so much more suited for complimenting a
beautiful woman as yourself. … and I can't argue with him for that." Sonny added. "He is saying that he has never
been charmed into such an attractive proposition." Sonny translated. The other
man hadn't finished speaking either, but continued on in a rush. All the while
he was smiling hugely, all Alexis could pick up was senor Corinthos and
senorita Davis, everything else was nothing more than a laughing rush of words.
"He's also inviting us to his family's hacienda tonight to celebrate the most
generous offer that you've put to him and his people." Sonny said. "Many of the
men here are related to him by either blood or marriage… such a celebration
after a successful negotiation is a custom here." He shifted his chair closer.
"You've allowed him to accept my demands and still retain his honor. Honor is
something very important here."
"I can appreciate that."
"Can you, really?" Sonny asked. Before she could answer, he continued. "Then you can appreciate that it's very important that we accept his offer."
"But, Sonny, I
wouldn't know how to act…or behave… I mean, I've never been to a …"
"Trust me, Alexis. We're not in Port Charles. As hard as it may sound to you, all you have to do is have fun." Before she could answer, Sonny had turned back to Esteban Ramirez and had accepted his very kind and generous offer to join him and the others later that evening.
