Without Hate - Chapter 13

As Sonny made his way to the door, Alexis heard Carly scream from the top of the stairs where she'd been spying. Her words betrayed Alexis's thoughts. "Sonny, what the he!! are you thinking? You can't go."

Both Sonny and Alexis turned to face Carly, completely dazed by her outburst.

Foolishly, she continued on. "What's your problem? You were going to kiss her. Why did you back off?"

"Carly, please!" Alexis felt as though her insides would erupt and she doubted it was due to morning sickness.

"What?" Carly plastered her hands to her hips. "I saw him standing there trying to turn you on, staring in your eyes and touching your mouth. Then suddenly he backs off. I know what he's trying to do: he wants to get you all hot and bothered so you'll be panting after him."

"Just how do you know that?" Sonny was growing increasingly irritated with Carly by the minute.

Yes, that was a game he'd played before, but not this time. He'd genuinely wanted Alexis in that moment, but he remembered she'd said they could only be friends. Her friendship meant the world to him and he wouldn't risk losing it by ignoring her wishes.

Carly half-smiled. "Because I've done it myself. How do you think I swiped Jase away from the ever so-drab and so-perfect Robin Scorpio?"

Alexis was aware of Sonny's affinity for Robin and of his less than fond feelings for Ms. Benson. She cautioned, "Carly, I really wouldn't go there if I were you."

"Look Lex," Carly was probably the only person on the planet who could get away with calling her, "Lex," because Alexis hated nicknames. "I won't let anyone screw you over not even the oh-so powerful Sonny Corinthos."

Both Sonny and Alexis couldn't help but smile at Carly's fierce protectiveness of Alexis, though she'd annoyed them both just minutes ago.

Alexis spoke up first. "Carly, I'm not the helpless innocent you think I am. Besides, this is really none of your business. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."

Sonny shoved his hands in his pockets and peered at Alexis with a most innocent expression coupled with the deepest dimples he could summon. "Yeah, besides I have a code."

Alexis sighed loudly then flopped on the sofa. "What does your godforsaken code have to do with anything?"

He joined her on the sofa. "You're pregnant and you've got your hormones jumping all over the place. If I were to kiss you, it might seem like I was taking advantage of you. And I wouldn't want that, especially after you made it so clear that nothing could happen between us."

"Did that really just come out of your mouth? You're concerned about my pregnancy hormones?" Alexis shook her head at first, because she couldn't believe the chauvinistic sentiment underlying Sonny's statement. Then she smiled because underneath it all, Sonny was attempting to respect her wishes; the problem was she no longer knew if her wishes remained the same. "You are unbelievable, but what if--"

The trio was interrupted by a brief knock on the door which was followed by Jason's appearance. Immediately, he could tell he'd interrupted something. "What's going on?"

"Your girlfriend is minding other people's business." Sonny deadpanned.

"Carly." Jason sighed. He knew loving someone else would be easier, but it wouldn't be half the fun and it was no longer a possibility. "How many times have I told you to stay out of Sonny's way?"

"Jase, why do you always do that? You always take Sonny's side without even knowing my side of the story."

"But I know you."

Carly just shrugged then giggled before she landed at Jason's side. "You love me anyway, right Jase?"

"Yeah Carly," Jason shook his head. He was unable to hide the smile that was forming. "I guess I do."

"You know there's only one way to get me out of Sonny's way." In a flash Carly had Jason by the arm and was ushering him out of the doorway. "See you later Lex, I'm going to go mind my own business, if you know what I mean." She winked at Alexis which caused her to blush.

Alexis let out a small chuckle.

"What's so funny?" Sonny loved the way she would go from serious to jovial in the blink of an eye.

"Oh, I was just thinking how it was completely like Carly to create an uncomfortable situation and then bounce right out of the room."

"Yeah." Sonny fumbled with hands as he avoided Alexis's gaze. Then he looked up, catching her gaze. "Before Jason came in, you said, 'what if?'"

Alexis squirmed beneath his stare. "Oh you heard that, did you?"

Sonny nodded. "So, what were you going to say?"

Alexis looked down and noticed her own hands shaking. "I was going to say: what if I wasn't sure anymore that nothing could happen between us? I mean, don't get me wrong; the ink on my divorce is barely dry and I'm carrying Jax's baby, which he still doesn't know. And the two of you still hate each other. So, it would be wrong for me to imply that I'm ready to begin a new relationship. But I mean, I guess I don't see the harm in a casual kiss between us, here and there."

Alexis could feel her heart beat through her blouse as she spoke. She couldn't believe the words that had just come from her own mouth. Had she really just asked Sonny to kiss her?

"Did you just ask me to kiss you?" Sonny raised an eyebrow.

Alexis became flustered, which made Sonny smile. "No, no, I think I just implied that I wouldn't object if you kissed me, you know, only if the opportunity presented itself. But I certainly didn't ask you to kiss me."

"Alexis," Sonny stretched her name not knowing that she found it a bit of a turn on. "I think we need to clear up a couple of things. One, nothing between us has ever been casual, not even the first time we met."

"Yes, you irritated me that day." She couldn't tell him he'd intrigued her even as she was asking him to leave her table.

"I brought you flowers the next." Once again, Sonny flashed his dimples. He looked at her. This woman was the total package: beautiful, intelligent, sophisticated and tough as nails. Plus, she had legs that ran on for a mile. Alexis reminded him of the kind of woman he saw when he took his mother to the opera once when he was younger. Growing up in Joe Scully's organization didn't leave him a lot of room to think he might have a woman like Alexis. However, she just opened the door to the possibility and he wasn't about to let her close it. "As I was saying, nothing between us has been casual and I am absolutely sure that kissing you will lead to both of us wanting more."

Alexis felt herself shiver as Sonny stroked her cheek with his hand. Her mouth was met with his finger as she prepared to speak.

"I have no problem kissing you as many times as you ask me to."

"But I didn't ask you..." She protested, though she suspected she really had.

Sonny paid no attention to her denial. "And I'm more than happy to kiss you as many times as the opportunity presents itself, but I won't make love to you until you tell me it's what you want."

Alexis blushed in spite of her attempt at the contrary. She moved her face from his hand as she struggled to regain her composure. "You mean you won't make love to me unless I ask you to; until sounds a bit like a foregone conclusion, don't you think?"

"Alexis, one thing you should know about me by now is I mean exactly what I say." He inched closer to her. Again, he placed his palm on her cheek and brought her head toward his own. "We will be together, but I'm okay with it being on your terms."

She smiled because although her heart was racing, she had no desire to pull away. Her voice became a low purr, "Did you just call me easy or completely resistible?"

"Neither. You are amazing." His voice was coarse, but his hands were soft as they moved from her cheek to her neck. "Hey, do you hear that?" He looked around, still not moving far from her face.

"Do I hear what?" She asked, though she didn't look around.

"Opportunity knocking." He smiled. Then he brushed his lips against hers.