She staggered in her penthouse, leaving a concerned Johnny at the door. She leaned against the door as she closed it contemplating the trip to her bed. She dropped her file narrowly missing her feet.
"Oh, let it," she murmured. "Tomorrow."
She felt for the light switch. Before she turned the light on she made out a figure sitting on her couch as her eyes adjusted to the dark. A flick of the light switch revealed a smiling Luke Spencer squinting against the bright light.
"Oh, my. Look what the cat dragged in," she slurred. "Silly me, I thought that since I've been living here I'd be spared your break ins.
"I simply didn't want to see you about anything, Tash. Come on, don't tell me you didn't miss me?"
She rolled her eyes, still standing next to the door.
"Tsk, tsk Natasha, isn't 9:30 a little early to be plastered? And I was looking forward to having a nice long chat…"
"Next time call before you come."
"Oh, and spoil the surprise? Anyway, drunk is good for what I want. Good ole alcohol's the best truth serum."
"I'm going to bed. You can show yourself out."
Luke got up and blocked her way to the bedroom. He was close enough for her to smell his aftershave. It was mixed with another smell, probably tobacco or maybe Luke's individual smell, she didn't know. Whatever it was, it got to her head. She took a step back.
"Scared of me, Tash?"
She laughed humorlessly. "Don't flatter yourself."
"There's no need to be scared. You know me. Unless you hurt me or anyone I love, I'm a pussycat. And you've done nothing of the sort, have you, Tash?"
His velvety tone unnerved Alexis though she tried hard not to show it. She could feel a surge of adrenaline, dulled somewhat by the alcohol in her bloodstream. In college she used to be able to down half a liquor store and remain 100% lucid. Where had that Alexis gone?
"I don't have the time or the appetite for your idiotic games, Spencer," she said icily. "Go woo some married blonde or find a way to stick it to Helena… whatever you're doing these days."
Luke bared his teeth to her in something that could pass for a smile. There was no amusement in his steely gaze.
"Speaking of blondes, what happened to your little friend sure was a shame," he drawled.
"Taunting me about my best friend's death is a new low for you, Spencer."
"Now, now, Tash, I'm not taunting you. Whatever gave you that idea? I'm just curious. How come your brother didn't blame that one on me too?"
"Blame a brain tumor on you, that would be a bit much, don't you think?" she said fighting to keep her voice even.
Luke took a step closer to her. "You must think I'm stupid. Come on, admit it. I didn't go to Harvard after all… I didn't even finish high school."
Alexis curled her hands into fists and closed her eyes. "Whatever it is you want to say, just say it, Luke," she said wearily.
Her eyes were still closed but she realized Luke had taken yet another step closer to her. She could feel his breath on her face.
"Were you in on it, Natasha?"
"In on what?" she said opening her eyes and meeting his gaze defiantly.
"Your brother's little plan, to frame me then kidnap Blondie. You see, I don't think you'd sacrifice pretty Miss Morgan but then again, you'd probably do anything Vlad asked of you, wouldn't you?"
Alexis remained quiet keeping her gaze locked with Luke's.
"There have been quite a few casualties here, doll. Felicia's marriage for one. I suppose you don't give a damn about it, you love unearthing dirty little secrets in court for the whole world to see. You wrecked my marriage in Steffin's trial, now it was Felicia's turn.
Alexis smiled. "Now I'm to blame for Lasha's fickle affections and Felicia's adultery," she mused.
"My wife's name is Laura." Luke's tone was deadly.
"Oops!" Alexis put her hand against her mouth. "Did I hit a nerve?"
It was Luke's turn to be quiet, seething with anger.
"Laura made quite a dramatic exit at your trial. You'd think she hadn't been staying in Wydenmere, playing house with Stefan and Nik not too long ago…"
"This isn't about Laura!"
"What is it about then? Your trial? Felicia's divorce? Or Chloe's death? What interest do you have in Chloe anyway? She wasn't a Spencer."
"Doesn't it bother you that Steffin killed her? Don't you see the injustice in that?"
"Funny, hearing you talk about injustice in killing an innocent!"
"I did my homework on Miss Morgan," Luke whispered in Alexis' ear. His hot breath against her skin registered with almost as much force as his words. "She wasn't going to die, not if she'd continued taking her medication. From the little she said when she came back before continuing epileptic fits brought the need to keep her in a coma," Luke noted Alexis' wince with satisfaction, "she thought that Helena had kidnapped her but I think we both know that's not true. Steffin must have made quite an impression sitting at Chloe's bedside, day and night, I think even my baby sister was impressed but I'm no romantic, Tash. And I can see you, murder doesn't agree with you, doll. Look at you, drunk on a weekday, keeping that crooner boyfriend of yours at bay just like you did after Kat had her little accident. Only Chloe is dead for real and we both know Stefan killed her.”
Luke stared at the effect his little speech had had on Alexis. She was deathly pale, trembling slightly. There were tears in the corners of her eyes and her breathing came in short, raspy breaths. He felt a twinge of sympathy he didn't want to acknowledge. Those big dark eyes always got to him. Alexis had that effect on him probably on others too. She could let you into her soul through her eyes. He opened his mouth to try and ease the effects of the venom he'd just spurted at her. Alexis' knee connecting with his stomach knocked the wind out of him before he could say anything. He felt Alexis' fists against his chest and then hands, elbows, feet, knees and nails all over his body. He could make out words in Alexis' shrieks, "bastard", "get out", "get the f… out of my house".
"Take it easy, wildcat," he said trying to shield himself from her blind rage. There were no words from her anymore, only harsh sobs. She stopped hitting him though her hands rested on his chest. She was looking away from him, her face contorted in pain.
"Are you happy now?" she asked. Her voice was hoarse.
"When are you going to see Steffin for what he is and stop letting him hurt you, Tash? It's obvious you knew nothing, he faked his death then kidnapped your friend and let her die… doesn't that bother you? I'd be mad as hell. And I'd do something about it." Luke wondered where the almost gentle tone in his voice had come from.
"Stefan didn't do anything," Alexis said evenly. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hands slowly regaining her composure.
"Hey, what is this, some kind of mantra? Stefan didn't do anything! Stefan didn't do anything!" he mimicked her. "Stefan didn't… " Whack. He hadn't seen Alexis' slap coming. Probably because she's left-handed, he made a mental note to pay more attention in the future. He took a hold of both of her hands. "Be careful, doll. You strike me one more time I might strike back!"
There was fire in Alexis' eyes. "I'm sure you would."
There seemed to be a knowledge in her eyes. Luke didn't know whether she was referring to the rape. She'd never said anything to him that would indicate she knew but then again Vlad and his sprog had made sure that half the world knew by now. He let go of her hands. "I wouldn't hit a lady," he drawled. "Only a certain Cassadine wildcat who has hit me one too many times."
"I should have shot you when I first saw you," she said seriously.
"You lost your chance, doll," he said stroking her cheek. It was wet with tears. Tears were still running from her eyes though there was no other outward sign of her crying.
She slapped his hand away from her face. "Hands off," she hissed. "And don’t call me doll!"
"Aw… who else will? You're not getting any younger, Alexis. I'm just trying to be nice to you. You know I like you. And you like me." he leered.
Alexis rolled her eyes.
"Keep doing that, they will get stuck," Luke said pointing his finger at her. "You know you like me."
"What makes you say that?"
"You haven't raised your voice enough to get Sonny's goons in here. They may be thoroughly incompetent but I think they would suspect something might be wrong if you screamed bloody murder."
"You're right, I haven't thought of that," she said, taking a deep breath.
Luke clasped his hand over her mouth before any sound could come out. He felt her teeth close on the sensitive inside of his palm and he almost screamed himself but he bit on his lip. He pulled his hand from her mouth. She'd left bite marks on his palm, almost deep enough to draw blood. He held his aching hand against his chest, not so much to ease the pain as to stop it from slapping Alexis' smile off her face.
"Have you had your rabies shot?"
"What? No retaliation, Luke?"
"I'd hit you but I'm afraid you might enjoy it too much," he said gruffly.
"Seriously now, why did you come here? Do you really think I'm interested in your little theory about Stefan?"
"Well, my theory did upset you more than a little, I have the marks to prove it." He fingered a scratch she had left on his neck not surprised to see it was bleeding. He held his bloodied fingers up to her.
"What are you going to do? Sue me?"
"Perhaps I'll tell everyone about our wild night together."
"Oh… poor deluded Luke… Who would believe you?"
"What, you think no one has noticed the lusty looks you're always giving me? I'll tell people I decided to finally give you some."
She shuddered. "Please, you're making my skin crawl."
He leaned closer to her. "That's excitement baby! You're so hot for me you can hardly breathe."
"I'm just trying to avoid smelling your breath."
"You're one to talk. Smell's like you… Just what were you and Corinthos up to in there? You'd better not think of carrying on behind my niece's back. She'll gouge your eyes out, Tash. She's Spencer through and through."
"It's so touching of you to show your concern about Carly. It makes you look almost human."
"You didn't answer my question."
"What made you think I would dignify your disgusting innuendoes with an answer?"
He looked at her closely. "Resorting to Cassadine speech… I'm on to something here."
That dirty mind of yours never ceases to amaze me."
He leaned his face inches away from hers. "You've seen nothing," he murmured and one more time in his life acted on an impulse. He was mentally preparing himself for the pain that lay ahead as he locked lips with her. To his surprise Alexis responded fully to the kiss tilting her head slightly to deepen it. He felt her soft body crashing against his as he steadied himself against the wall. He pulled back first from the kiss, gasping for breath and stared into the burning coals that were Alexis' eyes. He had imagined what it would be like to kiss her and how he would taunt her if she acted on the attraction he knew she felt for him. But now that the time had come he was speechless. He hadn't counted on that attraction being a two way street. He could see Alexis' gaze soften as he remained quiet.
"Life is short and we're way overdue," she whispered as she pulled him to another kiss
