Stefan
glanced over at his companion as they made their way from the main house.Her supple lips remained curved in a private little smile that made him
curious about its meaning.“Would you care to share your humor?”
“I
was imagining Marcus Taggert’s face if he found out just who was responsible
for Sonny’s organization’s recent run of bad luck,” Dara shared.“I’m afraid Marcus doesn’t hold you in much higher regard than he
does Sonny Corinthos or Jason Morgan.”She
shrugged in answer to Stefan’s unspoken query.“You are rich and you are powerful,” Dara explained.“And,” she arched a brow at him, “you have a tendency to ignore the
rules that don’t suit your purpose.”
“And
you?” Stefan came to a stop just before their destination.“Do you consider me comparable to common street thugs?”
“Hmm…no,”
Dara finally replied slowly.“I am not sure exactly what you are comparable to.But whatever it is, it is hardly common.Beside, I don’t know you well enough to make that kind of value
judgment about you.”
“Obviously
you believe that you do,” Stefan insisted quietly.He pulled open the stable doors and led Dara inside.“Or you would not have entered into this endeavor with me.”
A
silent groom approached, leading a magnificent black stallion who snorted and
impatiently pawed the stable floor.“That had better be for you,” Dara said tartly and cautiously stepped
back a pace.
Stefan
fought the tiny smile that threatened to appear.The playing field had suddenly tilted in his favor.“Yes, Sarezin is my personal mount.”He stroked the stallion’s neck and the horse became still and at ease.With an effortless grace, Stefan pulled himself onto the stallion’s
back.“Now you.”He reached back for Dara’s hand.
“You
want me to ride that monster with you?Don’t you have a mild little pony named Daisy that I could have?
After
several moments of patient waiting, Stefan grasped the hand that Dara finally
offered.With the groom’s assistance, the attorney was placed quickly behind
Stefan astride the big stallion.“Wrap your arms about my waist,” Stefan murmured.
He
sensed Dara’s hesitancy.“Don’t you think,” he put forth quietly, “that you should begin
growing accustomed to touching me intimately?”
