Comfortable silence reigned as—always—hand in hand the newlyweds exited the Conservatory and made their way along the dimly lit halls of the estate’s West wing; the couple who had joined them for the evening’s impromptu “anniversary” celebration strolled a few feet ahead, conversing in hushed tones that were occasionally peppered by muffled peals of feminine laughter.

“Do you think they’d mind terribly if we didn’t join them for a stroll along Spoon Lake?”

Alexis Davis Taggert’s query was met with a knowing chuckle from her husband of almost two years, Detective Marcus Taggert. A broad, indulgent smile spreading across his toffee colored features, he eased his hand from within hers, snaking it about her waist to draw her shapely form to his, her back pressed against the muscled planes of his chest and abdomen.

“They’d have to first notice we’re here, Lex,” he murmured.

Leaning in, Marcus placed a soft kiss along the area of her neck he knew could all but cause her knees to buckle, making sure to allow the scruff of his five o’clock shadow to sweep along the region as well. Just as the handsome law enforcement officer expected, his wife serenaded him with a breathy sigh as his mouth lingered upon the area for a few seconds more before his teeth nipped the lightly trembling expanse of flesh. Marcus knew that sound. He loved that sound. What he had not anticipated, however, was the slow, deliberate grind of Alexis’ behind against his crotch, the act only serving to increase the bulge in his jeans.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, Detective.” Alexis moaned softly as she gave a particularly sinuous swirl of her hips against his straining erection. “But based upon what I’m feeling it’s in your best interest they don’t notice us.” She paused, the wicked smile upon her lips accompanied by soft, knowing laughter as she turned in his loose embrace. “Or should I say you?” Her fingers lightly danced along the outline of the tumescence desperate to be freed from the confines of Marcus’ button-fly Levi’s.

“Lex, don’t…” he warned through gritted teeth. Even as seemingly of their own volition his hips thrust back against her hand.

“What?” Her brown orbs glittering with delight, she feigned innocence as she gazed up at him. “So you’re saying you’d rather we go for a moonlight stroll…instead of going back to our suite and letting me show you the gift I got your for our 18 month anniversary?” She didn’t wait for his answer but instead began to saunter away in the opposite direction. “Did I mention I’m wearing it?” Turning to face him, she continued to back away as she slowly began to undo the buttons of the white silk blouse with one hand as the other reached behind to unzip the coal black Prada skirt. “I mean what little there is of it…”

“Hey, you two!” Marcus called over his shoulder to their dinner companions as he took off after his unrepentant temptress. When he caught up with her, deftly he drew Alexis back and maneuvered her so that her body obscured the now blatant evidence of his arousal. “We’re gonna pass on the lakeside stroll!” He spoke as if he had five seconds to utter five minutes worth of information. “Thanks for joining us for dinner! ‘Nite!”

The couple being addressed looked back just in time to see Marcus and Alexis hastily bend the corner leading to the maze of halls that would take them to the wing of the estate that housed the family suites.

“And then, it was just you and I.” Bowing slightly at the waist, Andresj’ Cassadine winked then gallantly offered his arm to the dark-haired young woman at his side. “Shall we?”

“Yes, we shall!” Emily Quartermaine beamed as she linked her arm in his. “I guess it’s safe to say your Thea and Uncle wanted to be alone, huh?”

“That would be an accurate presumption. But the more pressing question should be will they make it back to their suite before their desire for each other consumes them?”

“Well, rumor has it Wyndemere is full of hidden passages.” Emily looked over at Andresj’ as they journeyed along the hallway and grinned. “All they need to do is find one…”

“You speak as if you have, shall we say…intimate knowledge of said passageways,” Andresj’ intoned. His gaze serious he studied the young Quartermaine heiress. “Tell me, Em. Just what exactly went on between you and my brother Koyla when you would come for…riding lessons?”

“What?!” she gasped. “Oh, no, ‘Dre!” Emily’s steps screeched to a halt and she wrenched her arm free from Andresj’s as if his were made of molten rock. Her cheeks were practically vermillion. “I would never! I mean, like I said…that’s what I heard! Nikolas and I…we…never…” Her words trailed off, her once saucer-sized, expressive eyes narrowing as she watched Andresj’ just barely keep the corners of his mouth from curving into a smile. “That is not funny, ‘Dre!” she wailed, swatting his Armani clad arm even as she joined him in laughter.

“I would say I am sorry, Emily,” he offered, still laughing as he extended his arm once more, “but I do so enjoy teasing you…far too much to apologize! Besides, you make it so easy to—”

His words trailed off as they strolled past the West wing’s library and he noticed the shadows dancing along the wall. Save that which was supplied by the fire, the room was devoid of light. There were two members of Andresj’s family who always viewed the library as a place of sanctuary. His beloved Koyla, his brother Nikolas, was in Greece on family business, so that ruled him out. Thus, the room’s occupant could only be one person.

“’Dre, are you alright?” Emily asked, worried. She followed his gaze in the direction of the imposing room.

“Yes,” he nodded. Slowly he tore his gaze away and turned his attention back to Emily. He was beyond moved by the concern reflected in her eyes. “I am fine. But I fear someone else is not,” he answered cryptically. “I apologize, Emily, but our plans for later this evening will have to be postponed.”

It physically pained him to watch the flash of disappointment flicker across her face. For all the poise and quiet confidence she now possessed ‘Dre silently marveled some things just were intrinsic; they could not be denied no matter how hard one tried. Such was the case with Emily. When dealing with those she loved or cared deeply for, the youngest Quartermaine saw no need to pretend with regards to her feelings; the emotional walls she ensured were fortified when dealing with others were easily scaled by those she opened—and gave—her heart to.

‘As she has done with you,’ a tiny voice reminded him.

Andresj’ was all too aware Emily was aware of the subtle shift that had occurred between them—as well as within their friendship—over the past few weeks.

It became astoundingly evident to the intense 23 year-old Cassadine heir the gentle but passionate 17-soon-to be-18 year-old aspiring physician who left Port Charles in the Spring – amid the blustery protests of the family Patriarch, Edward, as part of a volunteer group offering aid to the small Indonesian village ravaged by yet another natural disaster – had undergone a transformation. Always in possession of a quiet strength, no doubt courtesy of the losses and challenges in her past, Emily departed an average, normal American teenager—well, as ‘normal’ as anyone amongst the Quartermaines could be, Andresj’ scoffed.

She returned from her unintentional “apprenticeship” nearly six months later very much a young woman. Shy, at times—like now—even skittish, but womanly nonetheless.

“If you would not mind going ahead to wait for me in my suite, I promise I will not be long.” His finger blazed a languorous yet sensual path along the alabaster expanse of the contours of her cheek. “You have my word, Em, I will make it up to you.”

“Your…did you say…suite?” She sent up a silent prayer of thanks she managed to utter the words without stammering. “But what about…you mean we’re still going to watch the lake… I mean the moonlight?”

“The view of a full moon from my suite is incredible,” Andresj replied, his voice low. “And when the room is plunged into darkness, with the draperies parted just so?” He paused, not for dramatic effect but as if savoring a most pleasant memory. “The moonlight streams into the room, glittering brilliantly as if its sole intent is to do so for my benefit.” He smile was a thing of feral beauty as he looked down at a completely enraptured Emily. “But that will pale in comparison to the sight I shall behold this evening.”

“What is that?” she rasped.

“That of you, Em. Beneath me…as I make love to you. Over and over and over again…” Smoothly Andresj’ motioned and a guard, who Emily marveled seemed to materialize from the very shadows, stepped forward. “Anton, please escort Miss Quartermaine to my suite.”

“Yes, Master Andresj’.” The sentry gave a curt nod of his head. “If you will please follow me, Miss Quartermaine.”


Author's Note: The character of Andresj' Cassadine was created by and appears with the permission of jrsgirl

Casting: Andresj' Cassadine—Model Ricardo Crespo