Surprises

Part Twenty-eight

Another yawn passed from her lips. Parting couldn't be delayed for a moment longer. Sonny kissed Hope's forehead and wished her a good night. She offered the same sentiment before ascending the staircase.

Sonny stood near the front door and watched until she turned the corner, disappearing from his sight. Mumbled voices carried down to him. Dara. He waited and then she was there.

"Are you staying until she falls asleep?" Dara asked as she reached the bottom step.

Every night, Dara asked the same question. Every night, his response was the same.

"If you don't mind." His gaze leveled on hers. He never knew what he was watching for exactly. A hint of recognition? A spark from the past?

Sure, it wasn't smart to tempt fate. But after so many years apart and pretending that there was never anything between them, the strain got to him. He wanted a reminder. He wanted to know that she felt the pull, too. And tonight, he got what he wanted. The rapid fall of her chest as she inhaled a deep breath and the sweep of her pink tongue against her full bottom lip. It was just the reaction he'd been longing for and dreading.

Of course, the longing outweighed the dread.

"It's up to you," she replied as usual.

"Then, I'll stay." He stood still, waiting for Dara to sit. She chose the sofa, and he joined her. Her eyes widened in surprise. Or was it excitement?

He was a damn fool to play this game. It was like dancing in the dark with the devil. But what did they say about fools? They ventured where angels feared to tread. And everybody knew that Sonny Corinthos could never be classified as an angel.

"Do you need help making arrangements with the move?" he asked.

Dara shook her head. "Everything is done. We're just waiting for the day to arrive."

"You were always efficient," he murmured.

She looked away from him. Her fingers dug into the sofa cushions, but she made no move to rise. "Someone has to be."

"I wish you and Hope would stay," he said, "but you have to do what you have to do. Taggert giving you grief?"

"I'd rather not discuss that with you."

He cocked his head to the side. His voice dropped lower. "There was a time when no topic was off limits between us."

She jerked and slid to the edge of the cushion. "That was a long time ago. Hope is our middle ground. Everything else is out of bounds."

"Everything?"

She shifted on the sofa, moving to face him. "You know it has to be that way. What will you share with me? Your illegal dealings? Make me compromise my principles? I don't think so. We can share Hope. We can't share anything else."

"Can't?" he asked, enjoying the display of emotions that flashed in her eyes.

When they were last together, they had been kids. Discovering their sensuality together and finding the little things that pleased the other. He wondered if she'd changed. Were her inner thighs still sensitive to the flick of a tongue? Did she still squeal when her nipples were stimulated?

Dangerous ground, Corinthos, an inner voice warned.

Sonny's pants became too snug. He attempted to shift without drawing too much attention to the area. Her eyes darted to his crotch despite his best efforts. This time, she bolted from the sofa.

"That," she stated firmly, pointing to the bulge in his pants, "is not gonna happen."

He smiled and closed his hand over his throbbing manhood. "It wouldn't be because you didn't want it. What are you afraid of, Dara? Have you set a date with Taggert or not?"