"Courtney, I want you to stay away from Jax." Sonny's voice was quiet, yet vehement and as Carly looked at his younger sister's face, she was well aware that Courtney -- despite only knowing him for a few months -- must know that he meant every word he said. Carly had already given the blonde a brief history about the animosity regarding the two. With a slightly frosty look Courtney’s way, Carly decided that, quite frankly, if Sonny's hatred for her Australian partner, kept the young girl away from Jax, that was fine by her. She was much too much disconcertingly similar to Chloe Morgan, in attitude (if not looks, although she did have the wholesome blond/blue-eyed thing going) for Jax not to have taken notice of her.

Why that bothered Carly, she simply ignored.

“Look, Courtney, I know that Jax is handsome, and rich and charming and every girl’s dream,” Carly turned briefly to her ex-husband and met his slightly narrowing eyes with a bland smile, “but, really, I have to agree with Sonny here. Jax is not … he is not what you should be concerning yourself with right now.”

”Jax is my friend,” Courtney whined, her big blue eyes widening in a way that would have most men (no doubt, including the Knight in Shining Armor that Jasper Jax so aspired to be) falling at her feet in an effort to make her day. “I don’t see why my relationship,” and again, Carly felt that tightening of annoyance – the fact that it clearly and obviously deserved the name ‘jealousy,’ she chose also to ignore – at that specific choice of word, “with Jax should have anything to do with ancient history between him and Sonny. Besides,” she turned to Sonny, moving closer, a long blond wave of hair falling against him in a self-conscious action designed to endear him to her with her innocence, “Jax treats me well. He’s nice and he’s sweet and –“

“— oh, please, you don’t actually believe that you’re special to him,” Carly interjected. “He treats every female on the planet that way … hell, he’s even nice to Skye Quartermaine. That oughta clear up any misconceptions you may have about his devotion to you,” and her voice was withering. She hadn’t quite realized it before, but my God, Courtney was nearly as bad as Saint Robin and Little Lizzie. Lord save her from simpering ‘innocents.’

“Why do you care so much if Courtney spends time with Candy Boy?” Sonny asked, his attention fully focused on his ex now. “After all, you’re just … partners, right? You have no intention of adding Jasper Jax to your list of rich men." And there was just enough of a hint of menacing jealousy to reveal to Carly that Sonny still had feelings for her.

Why, she asked herself, did that not send a thrill of elation through her? Instead, she felt a vague sense of annoyance that she might have to deal with his inability to let go. She certainly had. And a radiant smile lit her face. She had let go.

“Oh, my God!” Courtney’s gasp broke into her private epiphany. “You like Jax!? But, but … Jax would never be interested in you. You’re Sonny’s ex-wife and you’re –“

”I’m what?” Carly demanded, ice and fire melding nicely in her voice and so seething was she, that the slight sound of the door opening didn’t even begin to penetrate. Taking a step closer, with hand on hip and the other pointing in the young child’s direction, she continued before Courtney could respond. “Listen, honey, if I wanted Jasper Jax, you wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Really?” came a voice, heavily amused and accented enough to show his Australian background. Carly relaxed her stance and couldn’t help the smile that curved her lips. Turning around, she met those twinkling blue eyes (and easily dismissed Alexis – who stood beside him – from her mind) and couldn’t deny the sheer pleasure the very presence of Jasper Jacks generated within her.

“Really.” She replied, her smile stretching to a grin, and then lying through her teeth, she added lightly, “not that I want you.” Pausing, she took in his raised eyebrow and that damn smile that had enough charm to steal honey right from underneath the queen bee’s nose, and added. “I don’t.” Turning away, she met the quietly simmering antagonism from Sonny and the loudly simpering adoration from Courtney, both sent Jax’s way. “And now I have to go.”

Heading towards the door, she gave Alexis a chilly look, while sending a breezy one her partner’s way. “Goodbye.” And with that less than graceful exit, she slipped past both of them and walked out of the penthouse, the devastating smile blatant and knowing upon the face of the blond Adonis.

Jax stood still for a moment, a measuring glance upon his face as Carly swept past him and out of the penthouse. “Alexis,” he looked down at his friend, “I’ll get back to you later.”

“Where – where, I thought we were going to discuss …” she trailed off.

“I have to talk to Carly,” he paused, “about something. I’ll call you later tonight.” He turned his attention to the brother and sister, both watching him intently, no doubt for very different reasons. "Sonny," his voice held just the hint of a smirk, "Courtney," and nothing more than friendliness laced her name. Ignoring the consternation on the faces of all three in the room, he swung around and walked out of the door, calling out Carly's name as she stepped into the elevator. "Hey ..."

She paused, a slight flush lighting her face. Watching him as he walked towards her, she thought of a lion, golden and imposing, stalking its prey ... and she realized with a giddy start that she liked it. Liked the idea of Jax wanting her, showing that passionate, intense side that only came out in brief glimpses.

Without a word, she eased into the elevator, Jax moving in beside her. Both were quiet as the doors closed.

"Jax." She finally spoke.

"Carly." He responded, the hint of a smile in his voice.

Looking to the side, she felt a smile curve her lips, and the beginning of a laugh fall from her throat. "I don't want you."

"Okay." And that damn smirk was in his voice.

"I was just ... Courtney," and she couldn't keep the irritation out of her voice, "was being so ... ugh. Jax, she's a child!" She burst out.

"She's cute," he offered.

And she fought the urge to hit him.

"Carly," his voice was soft and she felt a slow, soft, melting sensation slip and slide through her body. Moving towards her, he leaned in, his arm reaching across to the panel of buttons by her side. "Are you going down?"

Tilting her head up to meet his eyes, her tongue lit out to lightly lick her upper lip and a hot gleam filled her dark eyes. "Only if you want me to."

And his gaze burned into her, the heat of his body enveloping her and she thought of how big he was, how safe and warm and comforting and yet now, she thought of his bigness as exciting, thrilling, and his unpredictability shot through her mind. With every other man she had ever known, she could predict their movements with remarkable accuracy ... even Sonny, especially Sonny.

But Jax ... oh, with Jax, she never knew. He was a mystery, a surprise, a delight and at this very moment, sexy as hell.

He moved in closer, his breath whispering against her face, her name coming out on a shaky sigh and she found that she suddenly couldn't breathe. Her lips parted slightly and his eyes arrested her, the blue of oceans normally calm, now turbulent and dark with passion. Leaning into him, she felt time stop as he lowered his head and his mouth captured the soft pillow of her upper lip, sucking gently and then his tongue slid in between her mouth, sliding along her bottom lip, tasting her. He withdrew for a moment and her lids slowly opened as her tongue came out, gently licking her lips in a daze, his name falling from her lips. His mouth descended upon hers once more, raining whisper-soft kisses upon her, his tongue flicking out, dancing with hers.

Blood was rushing through her, she heard thunder in her ears as her heart began contracting and she could feel the blood pumping in and out as the taste of him filled her. She felt dizzy, light-headed. She was whimpering, soft sounds emanating from in between their kisses. She wanted him. She needed him. Her breath came fast and heavy as she pulled away, her gaze meeting his and seeing the mirrored need revealed there. “Take me.” That smile curved his lips again and she found her own mouth flashing a smile that must have matched. “Now.”

The hard wall of the small space was at her back as his hand wound around her neck, the other moving to her bare leg as he pushed her pale dress up. She met his gaze, looking into his eyes, blue and green burning together. His body pressed into her and now his breath was warm upon her earlobe as his tongue wet her flesh. She lost reason, all thought disappeared into a fog that knew only this need and want.

Want and desire. She pressed herself against him, desperate, desperate to have him inside of her, loving her, one with her. “God, Carly” he whispered into her ear, his voice a honey-dripping, lust-drenched erection of feeling. Pulling away slightly, he gazed down at her, his whispered exhalation reflected in his eyes … those beautiful eyes.

“Yes, Jax. Yes.” She whispered between wet lips, begging for his touch. He smiled – that devastating, trademark smile -- and she felt her heart beat faster and faster, bounding into a rhythm it hadn’t known in so long. His lips once more found hers, ravishing her mouth, his tongue colliding, clashing, sucking, dancing, clinging to hers.

Driving her hard against the elevator, he grasped her underwear, pulling the silky material down as she clung to him, her hands beneath his jacket, her nails clawing into his back through the material of his linen shirt. He slipped a finger inside of her and she was wet and tight and perfect. Heaven. Carly.

One in the same.

She reached in between them, her fingers pulling at the button, grabbing at his zipper. Now, now, she thought, an urgency filling her; she needed him inside of her now. All thought fled as his fingers feathered at the core of her, touching, tightening, pulling and her body screamed out as she felt a rippling sensation flood through her. Her hand encircled the hard heat of him, tightening around him, “now, now, now, now” she whispered, her breathing ragged.

His touch was gone to be replaced – God, the wall was hard but she could barely feel it as he plunged into her. Carly felt as if her entire body were aflame as he thrust inside of her, filling every emptiness within her. She gripped his arms, his shoulders, his head, her fingers digging into his blond, tousled locks, afraid that if she let go she would fall into oblivion.

Heaven. She felt so right, so perfect. He was all sensation, all feeling as he pulled her up, her legs winding about him. With every thrust every silken tug from her called to him, answered him, completed him all at once. This … this, God, this is what he had missed, had all but forgotten what true lust merged with a true warmth and depth of feeling felt like. His lips fell upon her throat, savoring the taste of her flesh. He captured her mouth, thrilling to the desperate pants and cries, moans and frantic whimpers she uttered in between each brush of his lips, every touch of his tongue. He felt alive, on fire, emotions, passions stirring within him that he hadn’t felt in years.

This was too much. She was too much. But not enough, never enough. He never wanted to let her go; never wanted this sensation to end … never wanted this to end. He was close, so close, his eyes closed and everything went black around him, then white, then a rainbow of colors exploded inside his head as she let out a sudden shout, his name buried in the cry.

There was silence, marred only by the heavy sound of their breathing. Her head lay in the crook of his neck, her legs still wrapped about him, he still inside of her. Slowly she looked up, her eyes wide and searching. She felt so alive, more than she had in ages. And happy, she was happy.

Carly felt a burst of laughter slip from her throat and found the same measure of happiness in his eyes, smiling, twinkling, overwhelmed with satisfaction, need fulfilled and joy. In his eyes, she saw joy. Her breathing was still ragged as she marveled at the warmth flooding through her. Even as she unwound her legs, even as he slipped from her, she felt this blooming inside of her. Something had changed.

Everything had changed.

The line that they hadn’t even considered, spoken of before today had been crossed. They were more than partners … more than friends, even more than lovers, she felt, as their eyes continued to lock. “Jax,” she said his name softly as her finger rose to run lightly across his face. “I think I could fall in love with you.”

And he smiled as he bent down to press a kiss briefly upon her lips, his words breathing against her mouth as he pulled away, “I’m already falling.” Standing back, he straightened his clothes, his eyes never leaving the smile on her face. Carly brushed back her hair and smoothed her dress and then with a smirk, she spoke.

”I lied, Jax. I lied to you,” and the smirk grew to a grin as he raised an eyebrow in question. “I do want you.”

Drawing her into his embrace, his arms wrapping about her, he let forth that charming smile of his and nodded, “I know.” Bending down to kiss her once more, he repeated softly against her lips, “I know.”