Chapter 26: This Could Become A Habit

Gina puts her arms around Nikolas' neck. "Nikolas, make love to me."

Nikolas captures her mouth in his, passionately kissing her until
they're both out of breath. Nikolas breaks away, attempting to regain
control. Gina threads her fingers through his hair, drawing him back to
her. They kiss again, this time more fervently. Nikolas plants sensuous
kisses on her face.. starting with her chin, moving to her cheeks and
eyes. He stops when she begins to unbutton his shirt.

Nikolas forces Gina to look into his eyes as he stills her roving hands.
"Are you sure, Gina? We can just hold each other."

Gina looks at him with eyes filled with newly awakened passion.
"Nikolas, I want you more than I've wanted anyone. Make love to me.
Please." She begins planting kisses at the base of his throat as she
continues to unbutton his shirt.

Nikolas groans. "And I have never desired a woman the way I desire you,
Gina. I want only you." He lifts her off the couch to carry her to the
bed, laying her gently on it. Standing back, he holds her gaze as he
removes his shirt. Kneeling on the bed, Gina reaches for his belt buckle
While he unbuttons her blouse. Sliding it from her shoulders, he trails
kisses as his hands caress her. Gina moans as she falls back bringing
him with her. She kneads his muscled chest and back with her hands,
reveling in the feel of him.

Nikolas pauses before murmuring. "Speak now or forever hold your peace."
Gina(pulling his face to hers):"You talk too much."

............................

Stefan, Laura and Lulu arrive at Lesley's cottage. Stefan carries a
sleepy Lulu to her bed. Laura watches as he kisses Lulu's forehead
before he leaves.

Stefan(in a whisper):"This is becoming a pleasant habit, angel. Sweet
dreams."

Lulu(half asleep):"Night, Uncle Stefan."
Laura stiffens but says nothing. Stefan leaves; Laura and Lulu are
alone. "Good night sweetheart. I'll see you in the morning. Wake me up
if I'm not already awake. " She kisses Lulu's cheek.
Lulu: "Night, Mama." Laura watches her daughter drift off to sleep.

Stefan enters the cozy livingroom. Lesley comes in from the kitchen and
gives him a warm hug.

Lesley:"Stefan. Thank you for bringing my Granddaughter. "You took a big
risk. You could have been caught, you know."
Stefan attempts to deflect. "LesleyLu needed her mother. I only did what
was right."
Lesley:"You're not getting off that easy, Stefan. I see right through
you. Have you forgotten that I know everything?"
Stefan flushes. "Please, Lesley. Have mercy. If I knew that you would
remember everything, I would not have revealed all my secrets."
Lesley:"Everyone should have a confessor, Stefan. Even you. Don't worry,
I have no intention of telling your secrets. But I will not allow you to
pretend detachment either. I saw how you cared for Lulu; you adore her.
And from my daughter's report, you still have a soft spot for her as
well."
Stefan looks positively terrified. So much so that he doesn't sensor his
words. "Am I that transparent?"
Lesley looks at him in amusement. "No. I made an educated guess.
Besides, no one resists my granddaughter."
Stefan feigns anger. "Damn you, Lesley."
Lesley gives a small laugh.
Laura(appearing suddenly):"Mother, why are you laughing? What are the
two of you talking about?"
Lesley:"Just catching up, that's all. I think it's time we all slept.
Stefan, you look like death warmed over. Laura, honey, you don't look
much better." Suddenly Lesley looks very tired herself. "Laura, why
don't you show him the guest room? All of a sudden I feel exhausted. No
serious talk tonight, kids. Doctor's orders." With that speech she
disappears to her bedroom.

Stefan:"She still has spells?"
Laura:"Yes, but only when she's tired or stressed."
Stefan:"Where is her husband?"
Laura:"Hans is presenting a paper at a medical conference in Paris. He
should be back tomorrow afternoon." Laura leads him to his bedroom.
"Goodnight Stefan. We have a lot to talk about tomorrow."
Stefan stiffens when he hears the warning tone in her last statement.
"Goodnight, Laura."

..........................

Cassidy waits for him at the designated spot. She can see the private
plane coming to the gate from the airport windows and knows it won't be
long.

Cassidy isn't disappointed. She sees him stride through the gate
handsomely tanned, his honey-colored shirt a perfect match for his hair.
The man makes eye contact with her and gives her wink. Within moments he
is in front of her, arms outstretched, waiting for a hug.

Cassidy smiles as she wraps her arms around his neck and feels his
strong arms embrace her, swinging her around once playfully.. "Hiya,
partner," she murmurs into his chest.

Man:"Hello, luv. Miss me?" He crooks his forefinger under her chin,
lifting her mouth to his for an intimate kiss.

Cassidy chuckles as the kiss ends. "With a greeting like that, yes. Come
on. Let's get you settled. I'm sure you're exhausted from your long
flight." Cassidy and the man walk together, an arm wrapped around each
other's waists.

Man:"Lead on, mate. Port Charles Hotel, right?"

Cassidy looks surprised. "How did you know? Have you been holding out on
me again?"

The man gives her a mysterious smile. "I have my sources."

Cassidy:"So did you come to Port Charles just to see me? Or are you
following a trail?" They reach her Ford Explorer. The man tosses his
duffle in the back.

Once on the highway, he answers her question. "Both. What can you tell
me about Alexis Corinthos and Jason Morgan? "

Cassidy replies casually, her eye focused on the road. "Not too much.
As you know, my late brother was married to Alexis, but I've only met
her since his death. I never got to meet Sonny." Her tone turns sad at
the mention of her estranged brother.

The man takes her free hand and squeezes it gently. "I'm sorry, luv.
This case might be too personal for you. You could transfer, you know."

Cassidy:"Thanks for the concern, but I'm okay with this assignment.
Besides, you'll be pleased at what I have accomplished already. But do
you mind if we put off business until tomorrow? If we start now we'll be
up all night."

Man(flirting): "I thought you liked being all night with me, darlin'."

Cassidy pulls into the hotel parking lot. "You're incorrigible!"

Their conversation ends as the man checks into the hotel. Cassidy
escorts him to his room. As she gets ready to leave, he grabs her hand,
his blue eyes gazing intently into hers. He walks towards her, closing
the distance.

Man:"Stay with me tonight, Cassidy."
Cassidy struggles to breath normally. "I can't. My Dad is expecting
me..."
The man's hand reaches up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
He smiles at her gently. "Daddy? Darlin', you break my heart. My life
ain't worth livin' if you've found a new love."
Cassidy(mockingly): "This from the man who has a woman in every port!"
The man chuckles as he subtly backs her up against the door, his hands
against the wall on either side of her. The desire in Cassidy's eyes
mirrors his own. She finds her hands are irresistibly drawn to the broad
expanse of his chest. Once her hands make contact, his head lowers to
draw her into a passionate kiss.

The man breaks the kiss first, his breathing jagged from awakened
desire. "Sure you won't stay with me, darlin'?"

Cassidy(clearly torn):"We've had this discussion before. I need time.
Time to get used to 'us'. " The man stands away from her so they can
both clear their heads.

The man runs his fingers through his hair in frustration. "I know. And I
said take all the time you need, darlin'. I still mean that. But seeing
you again, looking so... incredible. I forgot my promise. Damn! I'm
sorry."

Cassidy: "There's nothing to forgive. You've no idea how wonderful I
feel right now, knowing you still want me. But if you stop kissing me
like that, that I will never forgive. Shall we meet for breakfast
tomorrow?"

Man:"Sounds grand." He pulls her close for a kiss. "See you tomorrow,
luv." He opens his hotel room door for her.

Cassidy:"'Night Jerry."

...........................

Nikolas and Gina lay together blissfully, satiated from their passionate
lovemaking. Gina's head lies on Nikolas's chest, his arms around her
shoulders.

Gina plants a small kiss on his chest. "I don't want this night to ever
end, Nikolas."

Nikolas kisses the top of her head in reply. "Neither do I. I can't
remember a time I've been happier."

Gina savors the feel of Nikolas. She feels like a starved child who has
just been given a feast. Happy but scared. Scared that she'll go hungry
again. "I wish you didn't have to go. I feel so peaceful, happy."

Nikolas looks at his watch as reality hits him. "Damn! I wish I didn't
have to go too. But Lucky shouldn't be alone tonight. Not with
everything that's happened. I was supposed to pick him up 15 minutes
ago. Can I use your phone?"

Gina:"Sure. It's on the nightstand." Gina attempts to break away from
Nikolas, but he holds onto her tightly as he makes his phone call.

Nikolas:"Mike, it's Nikolas. Lucky still there? ...Thanks." Nikolas
plants a kiss on her neck as he runs his fingertips erotically over her
shoulders, causing goose bumps. She sucks in her breath. "Hey, brother.
I'm late. Can you wait 30 minutes?" Gina, figuring two can play that
game, starts kissing him behind the ear, trailing kisses down his neck
and across his chest. Nikolas closes his eyes, enjoying the sweet
torture. "Okay, okay. I owe you. I'm sure you'll figure out something.
I'll see you then. Bye."

In a single motion, Nikolas rolls Gina onto her back as he returns the
phone to the nightstand, kissing her hungrily. "Gina, you'll drive me
crazy if you keep kissing me like that..."

Gina(breathlessly):"Would that be a bad thing?"

......................