A/N: Heads up - some smut in the second half. It's not super graphic or descriptive, so this fic will stick with its "T" rating.

It was just her luck that both Sonny and Alexis were in the penthouse.

Nina rushed into the main room, stopping abruptly at the sight. She looked between the two, eyebrows raised in surprise and mouth hanging open.

"Everything okay?" Sonny asked.

"Uh…" Nina stood still, gathering her thoughts, "yeah, yeah. I just…thought…"

"That I wouldn't be here?" Alexis asked, "I like to drop by sometimes, especially when it concerns our daughter."

"Oh…?"

"Yeah," Sonny stood up, "Kristina is interested in owning a bar."

"Oh, oh! That's…that's great! That's really great."

"You think so?" Alexis scowls in confusion.

"I mean, Kristina is pursuing something she wants. Isn't that good news?"

"It would be if she had a plan. The Floating Rib is going on sale soon since renovations are done, and Kristina's interested in owning it."

"I see," Nina nodded slowly before looking at Sonny, "Do you support this?"

"I support my daughter," he answered, "and if she wants to go from managing Charlie's to owning a bar, then she can do that."

"And you're opposed to it," Nina looked back at Alexis.

"I just want what's best for Kristina," she replied, "I don't think owning a bar is the best. She likes working at Charlie's; why change that?"

"Well," Nina muttered, "that won't be the only thing you'll oppose-"

"What?"

"What?"

"You," Alexis pointed at her, getting to her feet, "you just said that this won't be the only thing I oppose. What else would I be opposing?"

"Oh I-"

"I want to know too," Sonny raised an eyebrow at the woman, "What's the issue?"

"I…uh…"

"Nina," Alexis's voice is firm and authoritative, "is something wrong with Kristina?"

"No, no," the woman shook her head rapidly, "nothing's wrong, per se-"

"Then what is it?"

"It's just…" Nina glanced between the two before settling on Sonny, "You're not going to like this."

"What am I not going to like?"

"Well," Nina walked past them. She trembled as she spoke, "I saw…Kristina…out…with someone."

"Out?" Alexis raised an eyebrow, "Like she was on a date?"

"Yes."

"With who?"

"Uh…" Nina flashed back to seeing Dex from the Noodle Buddha window. The bright surprise and fear in his eyes hit her with a sharp pang of guilt and apprehension. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to figure out what to say, "Um…"

"Nina, just tell us. It's fine," Sonny said.

"It's…someone…who…"

"Someone Sonny doesn't like?" Alexis asked, "An enemy?"

"No! Well, kind of, no."

"Kind of?"

"It's not an enemy, but it's someone he likely wouldn't want to see with his daughter."

"I wouldn't want to see anyone with Kristina; that's my little girl," Sonny responded, his voice loud, "But I need a name! I need to know what man is messing around with my daughter!"

"I just…" Nina gulped, her voice growing soft, "I just don't want him to get in trouble with you."

Sonny and Alexis raised their eyebrows together, the realization washing over them soon thereafter. Alexis's mouth clamped shut, her spine stiffening, while Sonny ran a hand down his face. He then began to pace across the carpet.

"Of course," he muttered, "of course it's him."

"Did you see…" Alexis began, "did you see Dex Heller with Kristina?"

"I…" Nina sighed in defeat, "Yes."

"That bastard!" Sonny swiped at a few items on the fireplace mantel, "I told him, I warned him, to not go anywhere near her, and he defied me!"

"Sonny," Alexis snapped before turning to Nina, "Just…tell us what you saw."

"I…I saw them together at Noodle Buddha. They were having dinner."

"Okay…"

"They were…talking and getting to know each other, and Dex was being really good to her, and it was…it was nice."

"Nice?" Sonny hissed.

"Sonny, please," Nina's eyes sparkle with sadness, "Dex wasn't doing anything to Kristina besides being a gentleman on a date. He really likes her and she clearly likes him too. Is it…is it really so bad that they're together?"

"It is when it's one of my kids," Sonny turned to Alexis, "Are you okay with this?"

"I…" Alexis glanced between him and Nina, "I…I'm okay with it."

"What?! You're okay with our daughter dating my employee?"

"I mean, it's not ideal-"

"So you're okay with Kristina hooking up with Dex, but you're not okay with her getting her own bar?"

"I…" Alexis took a deep breath, "I see where I'm being hypocritical, but I've met Dex. He's very polite, and Kristina clearly cares about him-"

"I can't believe you're okay with this…" Sonny shook his head, facing away from both women.

"Look, I'm not okay with it, okay, I'm not. But…I've had enough arguments with Kristina over the years. I don't need another one. Yes, Dex works for you and that's a red flag all on its own, but…of all the people Kristina's liked and been with, this one's not that bad."

"How so?"

"Because he likes her. There's no agenda or ulterior motive, at least not one I can detect. All we can hope for is that someone wants Kristina for all she is and all she isn't."

"And you think Dex is that person?"

"I have no reason to think he isn't."

Sonny stood firm, heat in his face as he looked between Alexis and Nina. He sighed after a moment or two in silence.

"Please, Sonny," Nina approached him, holding his hand, "don't go after Dex over this. Kristina looked happy and so did he," he softened the more he looked at her face, "Wouldn't it be better to just let them be what they want to be?"

Everything was on fire.

Kristina kept hold of Dex's shirt in her fists, her cheeks burning as she looked him over. His question stayed put in her mind.

What do you want to do, Kristina?

She leaned in and captured his lips in another kiss, moving slowly. His moans were muffled the more she pushed against him. She briefly let go of his top, moving her fingers down and hooking them around the hem. She tugged and pulled at the garment, his arms up in the air the more she moved it up his body. He then pulled the shirt off completely, his arms dropping and his hands on her waist. He gently pulls away, looking at her straight on.

"May I?" he asked, his fingers grazing the hem of her blouse.

"Please," her voice cracked as she raised her arms. He removed the shirt with ease before pulling her in for another kiss. The room began to spin for them both, a haze in their heads that intensified the moment. His hands ran up and down her sides before settling around her hips, her arms around his neck. She pushed her body against his as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He held her close the more she moved, beginning to recline against the sofa.

"No," she abruptly pulled away.

"No?"

"Not here."

"Not…oh!" Dex looked around the room before looking down at the couch. His head shot up, his eyes widened when he got the message.

Kristina donned a half-hearted smile before she was lifted into the air, Dex's hands gripping her thighs. She giggled in his ear as they moved to his bedroom, his cheeks turning red. He gently laid her on his bed, climbing on top of her to resume kissing. Her hands were splayed across his back, fingers flat against his skin. His lips then moved to her cheek, to the underside of her chin, and then to the pulse point on her neck. The joints in her fingers shot up, her fingernails gently hooking into his skin the more he focused on the spot.

"Ugh…" she grunted, her eyes fluttering closed. They snapped back open when she felt cool air brush over where his lips had been. He began to lay down, rolling her over to be on top, immediately pulling her into another kiss after. His hands ran up her back, toying with her bra until he undid the clasp to take it off. Her hands grabbed onto his belt, removing the leather strip for easier access

"Oh God…" he moaned as he felt her hand underneath what's left of his clothing. Her fingers brushed up and down against his skin, stopping at times to tightly grip him. It took everything in him to lie still and let the pleasure wash over him.

His eyes suddenly snapped open when he felt her tugging his pants down. He gently grabbed her wrist when she got it down to his ankles, "Wait, wait, stop."

"Stop?" Kristina raised an eyebrow, letting go, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Dex answered, "It's just…I want this to be about you…for you."

Kristina's face turned red as Dex swapped places with her. He removed his pants entirely before removing hers, descending upon her with a deep kiss. Their lips moved in sync with one another before he moved back to the pulse point on her neck. He sucked at the skin for a bit before moving downward. One hand grabbed one breast while his lips toyed with the nipple of the other. Kristina groaned at the sensation, her back arching off the bed. He switched lip and hand placements, causing the same reaction.

"Dex…" her voice was hot and hoarse the lower he went. His lips kissed the length of her stomach, and she gripped the beige comforter all the while. He took off the rest of her clothing, her legs spread out on either side of his hips.

"Uh…" she managed to compose herself enough to look him in the eye, her head slightly above the bed, "are you…?"

"Not yet," he replied, running his hand up the inside of her right thigh. She settled back into her position, a loud moan leaving her as she felt his fingers against her. She rotated her hips in response, her back arching the more he danced across her skin.

"Deeper," she cooed. He did as she said, the present haze in her head growing more intoxicating, "Yes…more…God…"

Dex pulled his hand away when he felt her tighten. Kristina's pout was short-lived when she felt his mouth instead. There was a tightness at the base of her stomach, a euphoric heaviness. She came apart moments later.

"Damn…" she breathed out as Dex pulled her into a sitting position. He brushed a few strands of hair, stuck to her face from sweat, out of the way.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"Good," she answered, her breathing labored, "really good."

"Good, I'm glad," he pulled her onto his lap, her breath hitching in her throat. His hands sat clasped together at the small of her back as he captured her lips with his own. They stayed in their respective positions for a moment, stifling each other's moans the more they kissed.

"Thank you," she sighed, pulling away.

"For?"

"Tonight. Everything. I'm really enjoying it."

"Me too."

"God," she cuddled him, "it's been awhile since I've been with someone like this."

"No way," Dex shook his head, "that can't be right."

"Don't flatter me," she laughed, looking away.

"I'm being serious! I mean, look at you! You're confident, loving, feisty, open-minded, not to mention absolutely beautiful. I just can't wrap my head around you not getting a bunch of attention from people."

"I've had my fair share, don't get me wrong, but…yeah. Not since Aaron and Parker-"

"Parker?" Dex raised an eyebrow.

"The professor."

"Ah."

"Yeah…" she sighed, "I really haven't been with anyone since them…until you."

"Aw, I feel special."

"You should," Kristina smirked, "you make me feel special. It's nice to be with someone who wants me, y'know? I like you a lot; I'm happy with this. I'm happy with you."

"I'm happy with you too," Dex flashed a brief smile, "Um, earlier, when you asked about-"

"What about it?"

"...Do you feel like you want to? I-I know it's technically our first date and all, I just want to make sure-"

She shut him up with a deep kiss.

"Life's too short to wait," her answer was soft, her forehead against his, "and besides, I've done this before. What I want is you, and if you're comfortable with it, then I am too."

Dex stared at her, brightness in his eyes and redness in his cheeks, "Are you sure?"

"Are you?"

"Yes."

"Then you have your answer," she grinned before kissing him. He reached down towards the nearby nightstand, pulling on the drawer and fumbling around until he got what he needed. She freed him from the last bit of clothing he had and he put on the rubber in his hand, a large pressure pushing between her hips. She settled into his lap and pushed against him, urging him to move. Their bodies moved in tandem with one another, hips against hips. Kristina held onto Dex tightly, her arms around his shoulders and her cheek on top of one.

"God…" Dex's husky voice tickled Kristina's ear, "So…close…"

So close, the words filled her thoughts, the heat and intensity in her core growing bigger and bigger. They moved faster, skin slapping skin, with Dex stifling his moans and Kristina dancing on the edge. She bit into his skin as she came apart, grunting against him as the spectacle of it all officially swallowed her whole.