| Chapter 2 He had made love to his ex-wife, his best friend, his partner in popcorn. Not once, not twice, but several times. Where had this powerful attraction come from? He had always thought Brenda had been the love he was destined for. Chloe had been a passing fancy, that had substituted for love. This past year had taught him many things and had revealed many things. He had never subscribed to the automobile accident as the cause of Brenda’s disappearance. Her mother was ill and he had always been her protector, her lover. Brenda was a strong lady, had many unique and wonderful qualities, but in many ways was a young girl on the rebound from being passed over. Sonny had been that powerful love to her. She had learned to love him, Jax, but it was the love of gratitude, the love of need, not the love of passion, desire, fire and friendship. Chloe was a similar thing for him. She was there at a point in his life when he needed someone. He regretted any pain he had caused her. She was with Ned and happy. He had kept in touch with Alexis during his time away from Port Charles, infrequently at best. He knew about Chloe and Ned, he knew about Stefan and Florence and of course the he knew about the tragedies and happiness that haunted and prevailed upon Nik and Gia. Although he was not close to either young person, he felt the pain with Alexis of the death of Lucky at Gia’s hands to save Nikolas, the dreadful return of Gia’s father and their ultimate prevailing over these adversities. Alexis needed an outlet for her anxiety and he was it. They basically communicated via e-mail and telephone messages, initially to handle various Jacks Enterprise issues and then when he had asked her how she was doing the floodgates began to open. They filled a mutual need for connection with a non-family member. * * * * * He had received a telephone call from CC O’Neal a few months ago. She needed his help. Stefan Cassadine had been kidnapped and they needed to get him back. She was the best in this situation, ex-Interpol, very good. They had met during a Jerry escapade many years previously and had helped one another from time-to-time. She knew he was acquainted with the Cassadine family and that made him a good resource. He never expected iron woman CC to fall for Marcus Taggert or vice versa, but fall they did. Hell they even got married. He was happy for both of them, but Taggert owed him a favor for helping to save Stefan and CC and he would collect on it some day, he always did. He and Marcus had become friends. Unlikely friends, but friends all the same. After Marcus had resigned at PC Police Commissioner to head up Cassadine Security with CC, they had spent time drinking, playing pool, running, playing street hockey with Nikolas and communicating as only men can do. They laughed at the same rather off-color jokes. Poor Alexis never did not understand them until he explained them. He had even thrown Marcus a bachelor party. Although he had heard the real fun came after the party when CC had demanded her own show and had given one in return. Alexis stunned him. She was still serious, she was still a workaholic, she was still Alexis. What had changed? Perhaps nothing, perhaps everything, perhaps just him. He got off the launch the day they brought Stefan home and felt as if he had been kicked in the stomach. She still had on her tan suit and sensible pumps, but she wore a soft expression of love to see her brother. She had wept for him and she had wept for Jax, in his arms no less. She told him “I’m happy you’re home, thank you for brining him back.” The tough broad he knew had softened and as he held her, the softness grew to desire. He had kissed her. He had done that before. The fireworks however were never there before. He never felt like he was going into a sinking pit that he had no desire to escape. He had almost embarrassed her and himself with that welcome kiss. He knew because she started to blow into her bag. Saying it was excitement for Stefan. Excitement his foot, she hadn’t even spoken to Stefan. The night of Stefan’s party was a night he would not soon forget. They had previously spent many hours dining together, watching movies together and talking together in the weeks between the return and the party. They were comfortable and had shared a number of kisses, but had always pulled back in fear of where they could lead. She was also exhausted. She had worked tirelessly to bring about Stefan’s safe return and the legal issues surrounding it. She had worked with her family on the new additions to it and those legal issues and she was working too damn hard for his liking with Sonny Corinthos and his daily defense needs. What on earth did this man have that fascinated so many women? He had Brenda and discarded her. He had Lily and had gotten her killed. He was now with Carly, well he wasn’t going to argue that issue. He and Carly deserved one another. But Alexis, Alexis was smart she knew there were issues that were not exactly legal, but yet she defended him. He was worried. The war with Sorel had heated up and someone was going to go down, he didn’t want it to be Alexis. He had made plans to take her away after the party. She was unaware of them, but he had made plans. He didn’t know where there time together would lead, but he wanted to give back to this woman who gave so freely to everyone else. She stunned him that night. She appeared on the stairs at Wyndamere and she looked like a woman about to walk the red carpet at the Oscar’s. Her gown was daring, sexy and expensive. She was all those things as well that night. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her, neither could the other men – thank God they were her family. They had danced and had a little too much to drink. The dancing had gotten hotter with each passing moment and if they hadn’t left he was afraid of what someone might see. Thank goodness the double-breasted tux covered some things. He got her on the plane and went to work. He made her reschedule her appointments and lust took over, or was it love? It was a memorable night and she was beautiful. Brenda and Chloe were beautiful girls, she was a beautiful woman. She was smart, attractive and stripped down sexy as hell and for that time, she was his. It occurred to him that protection wasn’t used that first time. What was he thinking, he wasn’t and that was the problem. * * * * * They had gone to Malibu. She would only give him three days. He took it. The house was a haven. It was not the same house he had with Brenda. That held too many memories and it was gone. He had purchased a new one a few miles away. It was sleek and large, just like its owner. It had drama inside, a lot of navy, burgundy and beige. The bed was built into one wall and he had roses everywhere for her on arrival. Why did he not know she was allergic to them. She puffed up like a whale and he had had a florist remove them to a local hospital for distribution. He found the best silk ones money could buy and showered her with those. He remembered her stepping out of the shower literally and seeing hundreds of them in the bathroom, the bedroom, the living room, everywhere. She howled as did he. She was like a young girl in Malibu. They walked on the beach. They watched the sun rise and set. They dined at local restaurants. They listened to music and had both enjoyed the Beach Boy’s and California Girls – he had taken to singing that to her each morning. They enjoyed it. They also watched an old movie, a ‘70’s classic “Saturday Night Fever” and she told him how she, Stefan and even Stavros had escaped the island and seen it in a theater in Athens and how they all wanted to dance in the disco’s of Brooklyn of the 1970’s. He teased her about being an “old lady”, she had reminded him to respect his elders (even if it was by a mere few years). He even took her shopping. The gown might have been beautiful, but she couldn’t wear it for three days. He insisted she purchase only things she wouldn’t wear for work or to exercise in Port Charles, well except for those very tight running shorts that he couldn’t resist. She stunned him. She had purchased a red tankini and pareo. A large hat that was stylish. She had also purchased the tightest, sexiest Calvin Klein sundresses imaginable. He never thought beige and black could look so good. Sandals were another thing – he saw a pair of Blahnik slides with three inch heels and had bought them on the spot. She had even matched one of his blue shirts with a white short skirt and took his breath away. Lingerie was another story. He didn’t subscribe to it, but she did. He had seen that thong and had issued an “only thong” decree for the house. He never knew why she complied so easily, but he was very happy with the outcome. He had even convinced her that a bra wasn’t necessary. It was heady. They had begun to run on the beach together. He had learned a new recipe for the protein shakes. She liked strawberry, that was good. The nights were magical. Initially he did not want to rush her, nor she him. They had danced around the sleeping arrangements issue for one-half of the first day. It was a losing battle. While they were out he had bought a supply of condoms. Once he had tasted Alexis, there was no going back. They had loved long into each night. He was going to have to look into new bed springs if they stayed longer and he had wanted to. The cold light of the New York morning brought him back. The plane hit New York soil and she went into Alexis Davis, Counselor at Law mode. The phone hit her ear and Sonny and the Cassadine’s were back in the forefront. He was not about to take a backseat to anything. She had looked beautiful at Marcus’ wedding and he saw a little of Malibu Alexis there and then V had gone into labor and he had delivered her beautiful baby girl, Simone Jax Prentiss. He was so happy for both her and Simon. Alexis was another story. She didn’t spend time with him, but she could barely tear herself away from V and the baby. She also looked tired again and Sonny was out of town at present and he knew of no Cassadine trauma at the moment. V was also smiling like she knew something. What was going on? |