Dara sat back with a sigh of disbelief. She ran her fingers through her hair, leaving it slightly tousled. "Do you realize the magnitude of what you have put before me?"
"It would be a major undertaking," Stefan conceded, "one that would require a sincere and complete effort on your part."
From the comfortable sofa Stefan watched Dara lay her head against the back of the loveseat in which she sat. Her eyes were closed and a tiny frown creased her forehead.
Frown notwithstanding, she was quite a beautiful young woman, Stefan realized with a start. Like any normal male, he had noticed Dara Jensen. But because the majority of their encounters had been adversarial and in a legal setting, Stefan had not been in a frame of mind to truly appreciate her beauty. It was a pleasant discovery that only made his proposition more appealing to him.
"And your part of the deal . . ." Dara opened her dark eyes and locked her gaze upon Stefan Cassadine. "Will your effort be sincere as well?"
Stefan leaned forward. His clear green eyes seemed to bore into her dark ones. "You may rest assured, Miss Jensen, that I shall personally do whatever necessary to ensure the success of our . . . liaison."
"Liaison. . ." Dara shook her head in wonder. "The word sounds so casual for what you are proposing."
"This endeavor is in no way casual." Stefan stood and began to pull on his heavy winter coat. Gracefully he reached into a pocket and brought forth a pair of fine black gloves whose softness Dara could judge from where she sat. "Should you agree to my terms," he stated, fastidiously donning the leather gloves, "once begun there will be no turning back."
Stefan turned and headed for Dara's front door. A little surprised at the abrupt end to their meeting, she quickly jumped up from her seat and rushed to beat him there. Once again Stefan had caught her offguard. She could not allow him the last word, so to speak.
Stefan refrained from smiling at Dara's actions. He understood them all too well. They confirmed for him once again that in choosing Dara Jensen, he had chosen well.
"I need time to think about this."
"As well you should," Stefan intoned somberly. "For what I require from you is total sacrifice." He gave her a sensual little half-smile and leaned in close. "Amply rewarded, of course."
Dara stood there, dazed by the nearness of the man, the warm, spicy scent of his cologne, and the intimate tone of his voice.
"Until we speak again, Miss Jensen."
