If Only...

Chapter 10

"Come again?"

"I want to move in with you."

Sonny stood stiffly, needing as much distance between them as possible. She couldn't mean what she was saying. He busied himself with the papers on his desk, collecting his racing thoughts. "Why?"

Carly blinked. "Why?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Well I don't really have anywhere to go."

"That's not exactly true. Jason..."

"I don't want to move in with Jason. I want to live here."

Sonny turned to look at her, keeping his eyes to the floor. "Why do you want to move in with me? I mean... I just thought that now that your free... you and Jase..." He let the sentence trail off.

Carly sighed. "Jason and I are so not even an issue, Sonny."

"You've loved him for a long time."

"Have I?"

Sonny stared. "You have."

Carly shook her head slightly. "I don't know anymore, Son." She picked at her fingers nervously, tossing her blond hair over her shoulder.

The muscles in his chest constricted at the simple movement. He could make out the line of her cheek, her long eyelashes, the fullness of her perfect lips. He clenched his hands into fists, resisting the urge to touch her. "What do you mean?" He silently willed her to look his way, to turn those soulful eyes towards his own. If he could see into them he might just understand where she was headed. As if she read his thoughts she stared directly at him and his heart contracted at the sadness he could read in her gaze.

"I don't think I love him Sonny. I mean, I love him of course but not like I thought. He's been my rock. My savior more times than I can count." Carly sprang up, pacing in a circle in front of the fireplace. She stopped, taking the picture of Michael and Jason from the mantle. After a long pause, she spoke softly. "But I learned something in the last few weeks." She placed the frame down gently. "I always believed I could only count on Jason when I was in trouble. When I needed someone to save me. But that's not true."

Sonny's eyes followed her every move. "It's not?"

"No." Carly glanced at him then quickly averted her eyes to the table. "I learned that I could count on myself... and you."

"You can always count on me." Sonny said softly.

Carly met his eyes and smiled widely. "I know that. That's why I want to live here...with you..."

Sonny shook his head. "Carly...I don't know..."

"Listen to me, okay." She came to stand by his side, gripping his jacket lapels lightly; she turned him to face her. "It's not forever or anything. Just until I can get a decent enough amount of money to get a nice apartment for me and Michael."

"Carly, if you're worried about your financial situation, you know I can..."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because you've done so much for me already. I don't want you to go anymore out of your way."

"Carly, I don't see it like that."

"I do. You're my friend. I'm not going to use you. I plan on paying you back."

Sonny rolled his eyes. "Carly..."

"Sonny. Look, letting us stay here will be enough help"

"I could find you and Michael a great place."

She picked at a piece of lint of his arm. "Michael's been uprooted a few too many times and I just want to bring him someplace that's familiar."

Sonny sighed. "That makes sense. But he's been at Jason's..."

"Sonny, he grew up in this penthouse. He's spent the most time here. He loves you."

"And I love him..."

"Okay. So. What's the problem, Corinthos?" She joked, shaking him slightly. "It's not like you'll be bringing women home...anytime soon." She added at his narrowed stare.

"Well, what if I do want to bring a woman home? What then?"

Carly shoved the rush of jealously aside. What woman? She'd been away for a week and he'd already met some bimbo. She cleared her throat while she smoothed her hands down his shoulders. "Then, Michael and I will make ourselves scarce."

"Ha."

"Ha?"

"Yeah. Ha."

Carly crossed her arms. "What the hell does that mean?"

"It means you wouldn't know subtle if it bit ya in that cute behind of yours."

"I resent that!"

"See. Here's another reason why you living here just wouldn't work."

"What?"

"We fight all the time, Carly."

"So?"

"So, I like it to be quiet and peaceful in my home." Sonny moved to the bar, pouring a hefty amount of scotch in his glance and ignoring Carly's pointed stare. "You are many things but quiet ain't one of them."

"I know what you're doing Corinthos and it's not going to work."

"What am I doing?"

"You're trying to make me angry so I won't want to stay here. It's not going to happen for two reasons."

"Which are?"

"One. I've made up my mind and once that's done, no going back."

"Uh-huh. And two?"

"I can't really stay angry with you."

"Since when?"

"Well, since you started flashing those dimples my way. I'm a sucker for dimples." She winked at him, leaning back against his desk. "But don't tell anyone I said that."

Sonny barked out a laugh. "You are going to be the death of me, Benson."

"I hope not." Carly made her way to his side. She placed her head on his shoulder, looking up at him sweetly. "So is this a yes?"

Sonny stared at her for what seemed like hours. Carly bit her lip, waiting with bated breath for his response.

"I know I'm going to regret this..."

"Yay!" Carly clapped her hands together. "I knew you would do it." She hugged him tightly. "I have to go get Michael and Lettie." She picked up her purse and ran for the door.

"Carly. There are some ground rules..."

"Yeah. Yeah. Ground rules. Just write them down, I'll look at them later." She sent him an air kiss and shut the door behind her.

Sonny rubbed his face, staring at the closed door. "What the hell did you just get yourself into Corinthos?"

Cortland Street

AJ leaned his head back against the pillows, pulling the warm body of his companion to his side. "That was incredible."

He heard her raspy laugh and opened his eyes slightly to stare at her dark eyes. She straddled his lap, licking her lips in anticipation. "We always are."

AJ smirked. "Very true. So, what where we talking about?" He positioned himself and watched her eyes darken slightly as he entered her roughly. He gripped her hips hard.

"AJ..."

"Tell me again what we were discussing?" He smiled as he drove into her sharply, faster. He could feel her tightening around him. He paused, groping her breasts painfully, enjoying the gasp she gave. "Say it again."

Hannah grinned down at him. "We're going to kill Carly."