image courtesy of Maurice Benard Connection

a Sonny & Brenda Story
by scullysboy

Chapter 5

"Why did that man run away like that?" Brenda asked. "What, you wanted him to stay?" Robin asked back. "Well no, of course not. But why was he so scared of Sonny?" "Wouldn't you be? You saw the look on his face," Robin answered, trying to be as evasive as possible. Brenda sighed in exasperation. "Come on Robin, tell me what's going on? That guy knew who Sonny was, and didn't want to mess with him. Why would a restaurant owner get that kind of reaction?" Robin looked her right in the eyes, "I think you should ask Sonny." "Ask Sonny? We hardly know each other. I'm not going to ask him about this," Brenda declared. "Robin, just tell me something...anything." Robin smiled, "OK, I'll tell you what I was about to tell you when he came in." Brenda smiled too, "OK." Robin proceeded to tell her what Stone had relayed regarding Sonny's "attributes." Brenda felt an ache between her legs. "Are you serious?" she whispered, her eyes wide. "Brenda! You're practically drooling!" Brenda reached out and grabbed Robin's hand across the table. "You don't understand Robin...it's been almost a year since I've...you know." "Really?" "Really. And now you're telling me that the sexiest man I've ever met is hung like a...forgive me if I get a little excited." Both women burst into loud laughter. Then Brenda got quiet, and put her hand on her head. "Oh God Robin, what am I going to do?" "What, about Sonny?" Brenda nodded her head. "Don't worry about it," Robin confidently told her; "he's going to make the first move...and soon."

Later, after their meeting had finished up, Jason and Sonny rode in Sonny's limo back to Il Paradiso. Sonny was thinking about Brenda; about how he'd feel if she started seeing someone else. Jason commented, "you really should ask her out." "Stop reading my mind Jason," Sonny replied good-naturedly. Jason smiled. "What are you worried about Sonny? You think she won't want to go out with you? That's not likely; most women want to." Sonny turned his head and looked Jason in the eyes. "She's not most women Jason. Most women, I don't ask out, they ask me. Brenda's...special. I don't want to blow it. But when I saw that guy today, I wanted to..." "I know. So ask her out, and then everyone in town will know she's your girl. Then no one will try anything with her...unless they've got a death wish." Sonny laughed. "What would I do without you Jase? You break it all down for me so nicely." "Well, you don't have to worry about that Sonny, I'll always be here for you." "Thanks man...I mean it," Sonny replied, patting him on the leg. He was very grateful for Jason. When Stone died, Jason helped keep all Sonny's businesses on track, even when Sonny was to distraught to concentrate. Sonny didn't know how he would have made it through without Jason and Robin. They rode in silence the rest of the way, and Sonny vowed to himself that when Brenda came into work that night, he would approach her about spending some time together. And he really hoped she'd say "yes."

When Brenda got to the restaurant that afternoon, she entered with trepidation. She was totally confused about Sonny. On the one hand, she wanted him like nobody's business, and was starting to believe that he wanted her too. On the other hand, she had the feeling that he was a whole lot of trouble. Was he, as Robin said, too much to handle? "Oh but it'd be worth it I bet," she whispered to herself. She looked around and didn't see him, so she headed towards the back to use the ladies' room. She walked right into Sonny, who had just emerged from his office. He instinctively put his arm around her waist to steady her, causing their faces to be only inches apart. "Oops!" Brenda exclaimed, her heart racing. She prayed he couldn't feel it as he held her body near his. "Don't worry," Sonny said in a quiet voice, staring deeply into her eyes, "I gotcha."

Brenda felt all her self-control slipping away...quickly. She disengaged herself from Sonny's arm. "I'm fine," she stated. "Good," Sonny replied. "Listen, Brenda...I wanted to talk to you." "You did?" "Yeah, can we go in the office?" Brenda thought about it, and decided it was safer to stay out in the open. "Can we talk here?" she asked. "Sure," Sonny said, not wanting to make her uncomfortable. "So," he continued, his eyes still locked on hers, "was everything OK after I left Kelly's?" "Why wouldn't it be?" Sonny shrugged, "I don't know, with that guy bothering you and everything." "No, it was fine." "Good. If you ever have any problems like that, you can tell me you know," Sonny informed her. "And I'll beat the tar out of them," he commented in his head. "Why?" Brenda asked, half hoping he'd make some confession about his life, and half hoping he'd tell her how much he liked her. She almost got the latter when he said, "because I was hoping we could go out; get to know each other." Brenda couldn't respond. Sonny added, "and even if you don't want to...I'd still look out for you." He'd never felt this insecure around a woman before. Normally, he hardly had to make any effort at all. "You would?" Brenda managed to ask, even though she was still reeling from him asking her out. "Yes Brenda; I take care of people who are important to me." "And I'm important to you?" Brenda asked in a low voice. Sonny smiled, "so what do you say? Have dinner with me, tomorrow night." Brenda's head was swimming; she wanted to have dinner with him, but she was still unsure of what to do; she was more than a little intimidated by him. "Oh, I have to work tomorrow night," she blurted out. Sonny kept smiling at her, but didn't respond. Then Brenda realized how silly her statement was; "oh yeah, right...you're the boss. So, I guess you're giving me the night off?" "Only if you say 'yes.' Otherwise, you're working," Sonny retorted. Brenda laughed, "oh it's like that, huh? OK Sonny, I'll have dinner with you." Sonny ran his tongue over his lower lip; he was dying to kiss her. But he controlled himself, and said, "I'll pick you up at seven." He reached behind his back and re-opened the office door. He walked inside, leaving Brenda thinking about what she just set in motion. She already knew, it wouldn't be an ordinary date.

Next chapter