CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Flames and Firelight


        
Dancing, vibrant  Alive. The flames of the torch danced golden bright in the wake of the many gentle gusts of the tropic night breezes. Alexis felt the same; alive – aware as she hadn't been in a very long time, as she gazed into the heart of the torchiere nearest her table. For the moment, she was alone. After they'd finished a dance and was heading back to their table, Sonny had been drawn away by a group of men who obviously had wanted to respectively speak to the respected senor Corinthos. Not releasing her hand, Sonny had turned am inquisitive gaze on Alexis, clearly giving her the choice. Alexis had smiled at him. Time meant nothing for the moment…she'd be fine.

On the opposite side of the compound, Sonny watched Alexis, even as he accepted the respectful offerings by the men around him. Even from this distance, he was aware of her, he marveled. Sonny had escorted her back to her seat, his hand all too aware of the feel of the cool silk of her dress beneath his palm, and the lean curves just underneath, after a dance when the group of men had approached, respectfully asking for them to join them. 

"Are you sure you don't mind?" Sonny asked as he handed her into her seat. His eyes had been dancing; now they darkened. Sonny was all too aware of his responsibilities. He'd hurt her once, by being thoughtless and letting other "business" take precedence. But this night could be special, and he found himself ready to throw it all away – for just this one night. He hadn't realized that until this very moment. H was not about to make that mistake twice.

"I understand, Sonny." Those great brown eyes looking up into his seemed to see deep inside of him. And her smile was genuine. He was amazed at this woman all over again. She did understand…without a word, without questioning him endlessly or feeling a need to insinuate herself into the situation. She understood the boundaries of who and what he was…she always did. Sonny felt a new wave of warmth go through him as he looked at her

Her smile widened. "They want to pay their respects; it's only for a little while. We have the rest of the night." Sonny watched Alexis blush as she realized what she'd said. And a number of  teasing remarks flashed into his head, any one of which would have reduced Alexis to a series of stammering and stutterings.

But he didn't.

"We have as long as we want, Alexis." He'd meant to say it lightly, but then their eyes met and held; and for a long, long moment nothing else existed in their world except the two of them. Mentally Sonny shook himself. "This won't take long. I  promise."

         ***

 Alexis' gaze shifted away from the torches, moving to look around the compound, idled across the great open space where the dancing was held and the long tables on one side that held a groaning load of tempting food and drinks. Her gaze continued to travel around the area, until she found Sonny standing talking with the men  that had claimed his attention. Even in the midst of a group of men, some of who were taller and physically stronger appearing, Sonny stood out. Even from this distance, his aura of power was undeniable.

And that was very dangerous thing, she realized. The female in her was responding instinctively to the sheer maleness that Sonny exuded without even trying. And without the restraints that their roles in Port Charles proscribed, that was a very, VERY dangerous thing.

         No man should be allowed to look so good so often, or so many ways. Alexis thought. She wasn't used to this Sonny. Shirt opened and contrasting warmly against the light-golden tone of his skin, dark hair curling free of its usual control. The lines of tension, control seemed to be banished, at least for the night.

All you have to do is relax."  Sonny's sultry voice echoed through her head. And it seemed he'd taken his own words to heart. Everything tonight had gone so easily, and all she had to do was relax….

**flashback**

Earlier that evening, after Marisol had delivered her dress and left her, she'd dismissed her nieces and had sunk gratefully into a hot bath, letting the richly-floral scented water lull her senses into sereneness. For a time, everything seemed to awaken her senses -- the sounds of the ocean caressed her ears even as the water caressed her skin. And even after, she was aware of the softness of the warm tropical breeze as it washed over her bare skin and of the glide of the oils as she rubbed it in all over her body. Alexis had decided to do her own face and hair this evening. She would be herself, whoever that was, and that would be all she wanted Sonny to see.  So she applied a light dusting of powder, and just the merest touch of eyeliner and mascara. A splash of a light scent, one of a selection that Marisol had had sent to her. It wasn't her usual lightly scented fragrance, but one heavier, richer, with notes of tuberoses and musk and a hint of vanilla sweetness… a last spritz and she was ready.

         Alexis emerged from the suite to find a guard waiting to escort her; and all too soon, she was there with him, and very much aware of Sonny's eyes on her as she descended the stairs to the pier where he was waiting for her.

He'd been standing at the pier's edge, idly twirling a flowering branch in his hands. He laughed to himself, he was as nervous as a teenage boy on prom night. But then again, how would he know? There had been no prom nights for him, not ever. Sonny leaned on the rail and stared out over the water, trying to still his thoughts. Tonight, they were away from all distractions…. Tonight, things could change between them forever…

Something turned him around, and Sonny looked up to see Alexis coming down the stairs coming towards him. A swirl of vibrant red silk caressed her body. Simple and sleek, the sultry night breeze played along its length, fluttering against her legs, and exposing a length of smooth and slender thigh that made Sonny catch his breath in anticipation.
        

Alexis raised a perfectly arched eyebrow as she saw the speedboat.. "I didn't realize we were going on another trip, Sonny."

After a moment, Sonny found his voice. "What'samatter, Alexis. Don't you trust me?"

"Didn't I tell you once already?" Alexis stepped forward and slid her hand into his. "Always."

         Then there was the boat ride, the thrill of feeling the powerboat powering thru the ocean waves was exhilarating. Alexis stood at the side of the boat, hands grasping the railing firmly as she watched the waves curl and dance along the sides of the boat. She laughed aloud, feeling the wind whip her hair back from her face.

"Why are you laughing?" Suddenly Sonny was standing behind her. The boat rocked as it danced along the waves, sending Alexis stumbling against the rail and instinctively, his arms came up from behind, sliding around her to hold her steady.

"I don't know?" Alexis said. She didn't know why, except that she felt so…free. That word again. Why was she using it so much? But here she was, free of Port Charles, and free of everyone there… The thought started her laughing again and Sonny joined in, the sound deep and rich and vibrant in her ear. "I'm just happy, I guess…why are you laughing?"

"Because you're happy. That's all the reason I need." His hands slid atop hers and their fingers intertwined. Once upon a time, not so very long ago, his nearness would have sent Alexis into stammers and blushes. But not tonight. Instead, Alexis deliberately let the motion of the ocean press her body backwards  into his. She smiled to herself as she felt his arms tighten around hers and leaned into his body, enjoying the feel of his body firm and hard against hers. Neither one of spoke again for the rest of their short journey.

         A small island soon appeared and they only moved away from one another as the boat slowed and came to rest alongside a pier, and even then, it was very reluctantly. Sonny climbed out first, and then held out a hand to help Alexis. A touch of his regular devilishment sparkled as her dress once again gave him a long clear look at of smooth thigh. Alexis could only shake her head and laugh. Incorrigible… she said to herself.  Aloud she said:

"It just occurred to me that all of the dresses delivered to my room were exactly the right size. And in specific colors. Now how did that happen?"

Sonny, at a loss for words. Alexis never thought she would see the day. He was looking at her in a little-boy-shy manner that dismantled another piece of her heart's armor. She was rapidly loosing the battle.

"I was hoping you'd wear the red."

         "Red's not usually my color of choice. I wasn't sure if it was me."

"I was."

"But size wise,  how did you know…." Alexis answered her own question. "…Kristina."

         "I plead the fifth, Councilor. But I will admit, she has her uses." Sonny laughed. As usual, only Alexis could read him like a book. "She also said to tell you something about tiny umbrellas?"

         Alexis giggled, a sound he'd never heard from her before; it melted into his heart and ran through his veins like sweet rum and he was intoxicated by the sound. "You want to share the joke?"

         "Maybe later...if you're good."

         "I'm always good..." Sonny said in a seductive tone. "And when I'm bad, I'm...better..."

         "What's that supposed to mean?"

         "Maybe you'll find out later...if you're good." He held out his arm to her.

         Alexis took it. "I'm so not talking to you, do you know that?" she said. As they walked towards the crowd gathering at the far end of the pier, she paused and turned to him.

         "Sonny?"

"Hm?"
 

Her eyes locked onto his, serious again, if just for a moment.. Alexis squeezed his arm. "Just in case I forget later on, I had a really nice time tonight."

         Sonny smiled, a genuine one that lit up his eyes and beamed a full gig hertz at her. "And just think," he said...bringing up his other hand to lace his fingers into hers. "The night is still young."

**end flashback**

It was close to midnight. Alexis couldn't think of  a more wonderful night than the one she'd had tonight. No accusing glances, no condemning words or admonitions. Just she and Sonny and a host of laughing smiling faces.

All the antagonism and opposition from the afternoon's long meeting was gone; they'd walked into a group of welcoming smiles and handshakes. They were shown to one of the tables laid out along the edges of a huge dance floor and their fun began. Dancing and food filled the evening. More than once, Sonny managed to coax Alexis onto the dance floor. And somehow, Alexis smiled to herself, she managed to keep her footing and not make a total fool of herself. Dancing had never been a strong point of hers. But in his arms, Alexis had felt sure of herself… the magic, the moonlight and the music, all of it was weaving a moonlit, flame kissed web of magical possibilities…and Alexis let it all sweep her away.

They had eaten and danced the night away. Dinner had been an event.. nothing formal, but a large -  no huge - buffet spread out along three enormous flower strewn tables. They'd joined the crowd around them, plates in hand. Most of the food was exotic dishes she had never tasted before, but Sonny had been all too happy to pick out those that he knew she'd most likely enjoy, and then spent most of dinner feeding her by hand.  Feeling equally adventurous, Alexis had even gone so far as to lick the juices off his fingers more than once.  If no one had known differently, they would have sworn the two of them were lovers in every sense of the word. Up 'til now, they'd only danced around that issue, Alexis realized; could things change….would they?

That was all up to her, wasn't it?