Alexis growled in exasperation as she tried, once again, to fit her key into the lock on her penthouse door. Third time might be the charm for some, but for Alexis it was simply more of the same - the key still wouldn't enter the lock. Alexis laid her forehead against the door and shut her eyes, squeezing back tears. This day just keeps getting better and better, she thought defeatedly.

The morning had started horribly when she nearly set Sonny's apartment on fire trying to make him breakfast. Then Kristina had shown up, continuing her relentless crusade to get Alexis' feelings for Sonny out in the open. Sonny showed up soon after that, having spent the night at Carly's. Yeah, it was because of Michael but still, it only served to remind Alexis of the connection Sonny had with Carly, a connection that appeared strong in spite of their divorce. Then Taggert had shown up, ready to arrest Sonny on charges of kidnapping Skye Quartermaine. The attempted murder charges were thrown in there for good measure, considering Skye had almost drowned trying to escape what was obviously another one of Carly's infamous plans. That blonde bubble-head would be the death of Sonny yet. And still, he either couldn't or wouldn't break her hold on him. Instead, he tried to take the fall for the idiot, asking Alexis to violate her duty as an officer of the court and to provide Carly an alibi. 'Oh, get serious, Alexis. Who's the real idiot here?' Obviously, it was she because she'd done just as Sonny asked. Then she managed in a side conversation to convince Jax that Sonny hadn't been responsible but was covering for Carly. And while Jax could blow that cover, the publicity wouldn't do his little club venture with Carly any good. And Carly never meant to harm Skye, she only meant to find out where AJ took Courtney and she went about it in a typically stupid Carly-like fashion. Jax eventually was persuaded that Alexis knew what she was talking about, and he asked to have the charges dismissed, claiming that there had simply been a misunderstanding and that Sonny had done nothing wrong - this time.

It was late when Alexis left the PCPD, walking out as Carly wrapped her arms around Sonny's neck in a celebratory hug. That was something Alexis didn't need to see at all. Not wanting to share a limo with Sonny and his so-called ex, Alexis hailed a cab and headed home. In keeping with the horrible luck of her day, the ride home had taken forever. First there had been the fact that her driver didn't seem to speak much English and had managed to get lost three times between the police station and the Harborview Towers. Each time Alexis tried to explain the correct directions, but he couldn't understand. Instead he'd pull out a cell phone and babble into the mouthpiece, apparently getting directions in his native language. She couldn't understand a word he said except for the names of the streets that he read into the phone as he attempted to tell the listener on the other end where the cab was. Then in between wrong turns and cell phone calls, her cab ended up behind the slowest drivers on the road, and the cabbie apparently wasn't about to pass anyone. So they crawled along through the night, catching every red light, being detoured by roadwork that hadn't been there the day before, and or course taking wrong turns and getting lost. It took forever to get home and the last thing Alexis needed was to be stuck on the wrong side of her door. But today, it didn't surprise her.

"Ms. Davis?" Alexis jumped, startled out of her reverie by the sound of Johnny's voice.

"Johnny! Could you help me? I can't get my key to work on this darned lock and. . ."

"Mr. Corinthos had the lock changed," Johnny explained matter-of-factly.

"He did WHAT?" Alexis was incredulous. Today, of all days, she didn't need one more complication in her life compliments of Sonny Corinthos.

"He said to tell you that he owed you a new lock and always replays his debts. He'll be out in a moment with your new keys."

Alexis sighed and collapsed against her door, letting her head hit the wood with a thud. Perfect. This was just perfect.

It was only a few seconds later that Sonny's penthouse door opened and a quite self-satisfied Sonny stepped into the hallway. Approaching Alexis as she slumped against her door, he flashed her his full-wattage smile.

Alexis was not amused.

Sonny reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a key ring with a set of shiny new keys dangling from the ring. "Looks like you could use these," he teased, obviously pleased with himself.

Alexis stepped away from the door without a word, allowing Sonny access to the lock. In a quick second the door was open and Alexis pushed past Sonny into her apartment. She dropped her briefcase and coat onto the table behind her sofa.

"Leave the keys on the table when you go," tossed back over her shoulder, her back still to the door and to Sonny. It took all of her composure to keep her voice even and her tone distant.

Sonny said nothing. Alexis heard the clatter of metal landing on her desk, followed by the soft click of the latch as her door shut behind her. Alexis' hand went to her mouth as she stifled a sob. The tears wouldn't wait for long, though. This was a night for a hot shower and a good cry.

The soft sound of movement behind her alerted Alexis to the fact that she wasn't alone. Warm hands fell softly on her shoulders, sliding slowly to her upper arms.

"Sonny, what are you doing?"

His answer came as a low whisper near her ear. "Taking you to bed."

Alexis' breath caught in her throat. Every muscle in her body tensed at his words. She wasn't in the mood for more of his games tonight. If he was bored, he could go play cat and mouse with Carly this evening.

"I told you how sweet it was for you to take me to bed last night. . ."

"Put, Sonny. I put you to bed."

"Whatever," he whispered against her ear. "I'm repaying you tonight."

Alexis let out an exasperated sigh. "Some other time, Sonny. I'm not in the mood for this tonigh. . ."

"Are you hungry?" he asked, ignoring her protest.

Alexis grinned in the darkness, glad that she wasn't facing him to let him see her reaction. The man was incorrigible. And irresistible. Damn him.

"What would you do if I was?" she asked, getting into the game in spite of herself. "Whip a gourmet meal out of your back pocket?"

"No, I'd sit you down over there and feed you," he lifted his hands to her head, gently turning her to face her dining table where several silver serving dishes and a setting of fine china glowed in the soft moonlight.

Alexis shivered in response to the intimacy of his touch and his voice. With the agility of a cat, she slipped out of his grasp and stepped away from him.

"I'm not really hungry," she answered softly, knowing that what she hungered for wasn't food but more of his touch.

"I could warm you some milk," he offered, echoing her teasing words of the night before.

Alexis felt the corners of her mouth tug up into the tiniest of smiles. "No thanks. But I might take you on a lullabye."

"Sorry, I don't sing," he replied.

"That's too bad," Alexis teased. "I thought you could do everything."

"I was in a band in high school, though," he offered, "playing bass guitar."

Alexis finally looked up, rewarding him with a glimpse of her face. "Were you any good?" she asked, trying to imagine Sonny as a teenager in a rock band.

Sonny smiled broadly. "I stunk. But it still got me plenty of girls."

Alexis laughed softly. "I'll bet it did."

"You want me to get a guitar and play for you?" he asked, his voice taking on that flirtatious timbre that always made her pulse race.

Alexis offered him a strained grin. "No thanks, I've already gone the groupie route with Ned." She stepped away again, but Sonny stepped with her, staying so close she could almost feel the heat from his body.

Sonny cursed himself silently. Great move, Corinthos, reminding her of another man. Time to fix that, and fast.

"I guess there's just one thing left to do, then," he whispered, turning her to face him. He took her hand in his and gazed into her eyes. "Let me take you to bed, Alexis."

Alexis melted inside, overwhelmed by the innuendo in his teasing, the sexy purr of his voice, and the warmth of his hand holding hers.

"You mean 'put' Sonny," she answered hoarsely.

Sonny simply smiled and turned toward the stairs, leading her by the hand up to her bedroom. Alexis felt lightheaded by the time they reached her bedroom door. When Sonny turned the knob and entered her room without hesitation, she felt close to fainting. He was going to kill her with his teasing tonight.

Entering her room, Alexis found it bathed in the glow of candlelight.

"How did you. . ." She bit off the question, knowing that it was a ridiculous thing to ask. Somehow, whatever Sonny wants he manages to get.

Alexis gasped as she felt Sonny's fingers in her hair, releasing the clip that held her locks in her lawyerly up-do. Why did this feel so familiar, she wondered.

Sonny turned her around to face him. He smiled as he ran his fingers through her hair, pulling forward to frame her face. "There, that's better," he crooned softly.

A sense of deja-vu swept over Alexis, making the whole experience seem dreamlike. It was like watching from outside her body when his fingers fell to the buttons on her suit jacket. Deftly, he began unfastening the buttons one by one.

I'm going to unfasten every single button on this thing and we are going to have a good time.

Alexis gasped as the image from a long-forgotten dream flashed through her mind.

Sonny felt her tense as he slid the suit jacket from her shoulders. "Relax, Alexis," he whispered as he dropped the suit jacket to the floor. "You know what? You gotta just let go. Just breathe."

Alexis' eyes widened at his words. This couldn't be happening, she told herself. She had to be dreaming again. That's it. She'd fallen asleep in the back seat of the cab on this interminable ride home and she was dreaming.

Encouraged that she wasn't pulling away from him, Sonny gently tugged the tails of Alexis' silk blouse free from her skirt. Gazing into her soft brown eyes, Sonny held Alexis' attention with his stare while his fingers unfastened the tiny pearl-like buttons of her blouse. Alexis stared back at him as if mesmerized. Sonny slipped the blouse from her shoulders and let it fall onto the jacket on the floor. In short fashion, he undid the button and zipper on her skirt, pushing it over the curve of her hips so that it, too, fell to the floor, pooling at her feet.

Alexis stood before him in her slip, watching as his appreciative gaze swept the length of her body, lingering on the swell of her breasts. She felt her pulse pounding and wondered if it was possible to have a heart attack while dreaming.

Sonny's soft hands rested on her bare shoulders. "Sit down, Alexis," he whispered, guiding her backward to the edge of her bed. Sonny knelt in front of her and smiled as he let his hand stroke the curve of her calf. His fingers danced from the ticklish spot at the back of the knee to the small circle of her ankle. There, his hand gently grasped the back of her pump and slipped the supple leather of the shoe from her foot. The second shoe was removed in a similar manner. Sonny smiled up at her as took first one foot and then the other into his hands for a gentle massage.

"Feel good?" he asked, softly.

Alexis nodded.

Sonny's smile broadened. "Good," he answered.

The foot massaged lasted for several silent minutes before Sonny's hands began to travel back up the length of her legs. His fingers didn't stop at her knee this time, though. Instead, they slipped under the hem of her silk slip, searching until they found the very top edge of her thigh-high stockings. Slowly, sexily he rolled the stocking from her thigh, exposing the smooth skin of her leg as he went. As Sonny removed both stockings, dropping them to the floor, Alexis swallowed, wondering how long it would be before she awoke.

Sonny rose then, moving toward her, his hands resting on the mattress on either side of her hips. This would be the part of the dream when he lowers to the bed and covered her body with his, Alexis thought. What she didn't expect is what happened next. Sonny reached behind her for something. Drawing his hand back into view, he dropped into her lap a shallow, white box topped with a deep red bow.

"I saw this and thought of you," he whispered.

Alexis looked down at the box in her lap. This hadn't ever happened in her dream before. Lifting the lid, she found a protective layer of tissue paper. She pulled the paper back, revealing a garment of silk and lace, the soft golden color of champagne. Lifting it from the box, Alexis saw that it was a nightgown, the most beautiful gown she'd ever seen. It was simple and elegant in cut and design, and completely, utterly feminine.

"Try it on," Sonny urged her. Alexis looked up at him, at the openness and vulnerability in his eyes. This was no dream, she thought. Could Sonny really be thinking that they might. . .

"Please, put it on, Alexis," he asked again, reaching for her hand and pulling her from the bed.

Alexis found herself on wobbly knees wondering if she should do as he asked. She knew that she shouldn't. But she also knew that she wanted to. She wanted to see how far he was willing to take this game of his. She also wanted to see what his eyes would show her when he saw her wearing his gift.

Alexis lifted her gaze from the silk in her hand and caught his eye with hers. "Turn around," she whispered, surprised at her own daring. Alexis felt Sonny's breath against her cheek as he exhaled in a deep sigh that sounded almost like a moan.

Sonny turned his back to her as instructed. Obviously, though, Alexis hadn't realized that from this position, her movements behind him were reflected in the mirror over her dresser. He knew he shouldn't watch. But that didn't stop him. Instead he stood transfixed as she turned her back to his and lifted her slip, slowly revealing the pale pink panties and bra underneath. Pulling the slip over her head, she dropped in onto the floor. Next Sonny saw her head dip as she reached in front of her to apparently unhook the front of her bra. In a moment, that too fell from her body and onto the floor. Her skin glowed in the soft golden candlelight as she slipped the last piece of silk from her body, exposing the full curve of her hips to his hungry eyes. Sonny's heart hammered in his chest as he watched her, knowing that he had only to turn around and she could be in his arms like that.

Alexis slipped the nightgown over her head, letting it fall to drape her body. It was made of the softest, sheerest silk she'd ever known. The bodice was cut in a deep 'V' in the back, exposing most of her back. In front two lace cups held her breasts on either side of a 'V' almost as deep as that in the back. The neckline plunging to an empire waistline just below her breasts created the optimal effect in presenting cleavage. A fine braid of lace trimmed the bodice and edged the waistline, where the whisper thin silk of the skirt fell to drape her body in a veil as soft as butterflies' wings.

Alexis turned to see the effect in her mirror, and was shocked to find her eyes meet Sonny's in the glass.

"You look beautiful," he proclaimed in a sensual whisper. Then he smiled. "Even more beautiful than I imagined."

Alexis dipped her head and even in the reflection of the mirror Sonny could see the color rising in her cheeks. She truly had no idea, he realized. She didn't know how much she embodied as a woman, didn't have a clue what she did to him just with her presence.

Sonny turned and slipped two fingers under her chin, raising her face to his. "Time for bed."

Alexis felt her lungs seize, her breath unable to escape. Sonny's dark eyes held hers and she wondered if she was imagining the desire she thought she saw reflected there. Sonny stepped closer, bringing his body so close she could feel his heat through the silk of her gown. Her eyes started to flutter closed as she fully expected his lips to brush hers.

But there was no kiss. Instead, Sonny reached past Alexis to pull back the covers on her bed.

"In you go," he crooned, motioning to the newly turned back bed.

Alexis swallowed her disappointment as a flush of embarrassment crept across her cheeks. Of course he was toying with her, how could she have expected that he'd really want to kiss her. She was just a toy for when he was bored, isn't that how Carly so kindly put it?

Alexis hid her gaze from him under lowered lashes. Turning toward the bed she determined to crawl quickly between the sheets and send Sonny on his way, ending this humiliating game.

What she saw when she turned stopped her in her tracks. Sheets. New sheets. New satin sheets. On her bed. Deep wine red satin sheets covering her bed. Alexis shivered at the implied intimacy of the gesture, even as she told herself that she couldn't read too much into the gift.

"Satin," she said simply.

"You said you'd try them," Sonny reminded her. "Go ahead."

Alexis sighed and shook her head slightly. He was just too much. She should be so angry with him for toying with her like this. And yet she found herself idiotically amused at his efforts for something that was merely a humorous diversion for him. She couldn't even imagine what it would be like for a woman to have Sonny Corinthos seriously wooing her. It would have to be a completely breathtaking experience. No wonder he always got what he wanted.

Alexis slipped in between the smooth satin sheets, feeling the soft caress against her skin. She laid her head back on the pillow as Sonny pulled the covers over her, sitting on the edge of the bed at her side once she was tucked in.

"You like them?" he asked, seeming to genuinely want to please her.

"They're very nice," Alexis replied, this being one of the few times in her life that she found herself largely at a loss for words.

"That's not very high praise," Sonny smiled down at her. "If you don't like them, I'll have the sheets changed back for you."

"They're fine Sonny," Alexis answered. "I guess I just have to get used to them. They're kind of. . ."

"Slippery?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe the silk nightie wasn't such a good idea. You could take it off," he suggested with a wicked glint in his eye.

"Maybe I will," Alexis answered, slipping toward the middle of the bed. "After you leave."

"Really?" Alexis heard two thumps as Sonny kicked his Italian shoes off his feet and onto the floor. "And here I was planning to stay and watch you sleep," Sonny purred, stretching his body along the length of hers.

"I don't think that's really necessary," Alexis choked out through dry lips.

"A lot of enjoyable activities aren't exactly necessary," Sonny answered, again grinning at her seductively.

"I hardly think that watching me sleep will be your idea of a good time."

"You're right," Sonny answered, reaching his hand up to draw his fingers through the hair framing her face against the pillow. "We can have a better time breaking in the new sheets. . ."

"Sonny. . ."

"They're great for sex."

"Stop, Sonny, please."

"I haven't even gotten started yet," he smiled, running the pad of his thumb across her trembling lower lip.

"Stop," she sobbed, tears finally spilling from the corners of her eyes.

Sonny's expression suddenly turned serious. "Alexis, what's wrong?"

Alexis squeezed her eyes shut, embarrassed at having her vulnerability to him exposed like this. "Please go," she whispered tearfully.

"Alexis, baby, tell me what's wrong." Sonny slipped his hand underneath her back, drawing her into an embrace.

Alexis pushed against his body, her palms planted firmly against the hard wall if his chest. "I can't take this anymore, Sonny."

"Can't take what?"

"This. You teasing me like this. I'm a person with feelings, you know," she snapped through her tears. "It may amuse you to play with those feelings, but it isn't fair to me."

Sonny's eyes widened in surprise. "Alexis, I'm not trying to play with your feelings. . ."

"I know what Kristina told you," Alexis accused. "I get that it might be a little flattering for you to think that your uptight attorney might have fallen for you. But have you ever once considered what these games might be doing to me if I really did have feelings for you?"

"Are you saying that you do have feelings for me Alexis. . ."

"That's beside the point!"

"No!" he shot back abruptly. And then more gently, "No it's not beside the point. It is the point, Alexis. Trying to figure out what you feel for me has been the point of everything I've done around you for weeks," Sonny admitted.

"Why? So you can have a big laugh?" Alexis swiped.

"No," Sonny snapped, hurt. "So that I could have the guts to do this."

Time stood still for Alexis as Sonny's face drew closer to hers. Suddenly she knew what he was going to do, and that she was going to let him. Maybe, she thought, this is a dream after all.

Sonny's lips brushed hers tentatively at first as he worried about how his kiss would be received. Alexis lay rigid in his arms, but she didn't pull away. That was something, at least. It was enough to encourage him to deepen the kiss a bit, taking her mouth more possessively, though still with gentleness. Carefully, lovingly, he caressed her lips with his. Gradually, he felt the tension in her body release as she molded herself to him. With a dash of daring, Sonny parted her lips with the tip of his tongue, thrilling when she met his challenge with the gentle flick of her own tongue. Sonny moaned into her mouth, his hands beginning to roam hungrily as their kisses grew more impassioned.

This was insane, Alexis thought. How in the world would they look each other in the eye in the morning? Yet it seemed rather difficult to truly care about the morning. All that existed was this moment in time, this experience of being in Sonny's arms and feeling him hunger for her as she'd been hungering for him. She couldn't worry about what it meant or if it would ever happen again. All she could do was give herself over to the feelings that had simmered so long, the feelings Sonny had brought to a boil in her blood tonight.

Alexis pulled away from his kiss, fighting against his groaning attempts to draw her back.

"Sonny," she panted breathlessly against his skin.

"Do you want me to stop?" he asked, knowing that he had to ask but dreading the answer that he might get.

Alexis peered into his desire darkened eyes and shook her head. "No," she smiled. "I just think that you're terribly overdressed for taking me to bed." Sonny smiled broadly and pulled her back into a loving embrace, capturing her mouth with his as they worked together to correct the problem of his attire.

Some hours later Alexis lay sated in his arms. Sliding her palms over the smooth skin of his chest, she couldn't suppress a giggle.

"What are you laughing about?" Sonny asked groggily.

"I was just thinking that you were right," she answered.

"Of course I was," he replied cockily. "What was I right about this time?"

"Satin sheets," Alexis answered, slipping her hand under the smooth fabric. Sonny groaned in pleasure as her fingers found their mark.

"What about 'em?" he asked, quickly losing interest in conversation.

"They really are great for sex," she answered lightly, only a split second before Sonny pounced on the opportunity to drive his point home yet again.

Alexis closed her eyes. One final giggle escaped before she lost herself in the growing tide of passion Sonny aroused. Sonny lifted his head and looked questioningly into her eyes.

Alexis smiled up at him and shrugged. "I was thinking this sure beats the hell out of warm milk."