image courtesy of Maurice Benard Connection

a Sonny & Brenda Story
by scullysboy

Chapter 7

"You look...incredible," Sonny finally told her, after they'd stood staring at each other for several moments. "You do too," Brenda replied. He looked even more handsome than usual, if that was possible. "Are you ready?" Sonny asked, staring into her eyes. Brenda nodded her head, but felt that he was referring to more than just going to dinner. They walked downstairs and through Kelly's, where Brenda turned more than a few heads. Sonny felt his blood boil, and thought about what Jason had said. "Once she's my woman," he silently mused, "no one will dare even look at her." Outside, Sonny led Brenda to his car. Brenda stopped, her mouth hanging open. She had long had a fantasy about owning a Jaguar sedan...in British racing green; and that's what sat before them. Sonny had decided to drive his own car, rather than using the limo and a driver. After his discussion with Robin, he thought the limo might prompt too many questions. And he still didn't know how he would answer those questions when they came...and come they would. "That's...that's your car?" Brenda asked. Sonny unlocked the passenger side door and held it open for her. "Yes, why? Is there a problem?" Brenda got in and immediately let out a soft moan as she sat on the leather. Luckily for her, Sonny didn't hear it, as he had already closed the door. He walked around to the driver side and got in. He looked at Brenda, who was running her hand over the dashboard. "Why do I get the feeling that I have competition for your attention this evening?" Sonny joked. "You don't understand," Brenda explained, "I love this car!" Sonny beamed, "well good, because I hope you'll be in it a lot." Brenda looked at him and smiled back, "will you let me drive it?" She batted her eyes at him. Sonny laughed, "good try sweetheart, but it'll take a lot more than that for me to let you drive my car. I don't let anybody drive my car." Brenda pouted and sank back into her seat. Sonny started the engine and drove off, smiling to himself, and thinking about all the ways she could try to convince him to change his mind.

They pulled into the garage of Harborview Towers, and Sonny pulled into his reserved space. He cut the engine and unbuckled his seat belt. Brenda didn't make any motion to do the same with hers. "We're here," he told her. "Where are we Sonny? This isn't a restaurant." "It's the best place in town," Sonny replied. "Oh yeah, right. Like you'd say any place was better than Il Paradiso. I don't believe you." Sonny was insulted, "I'm not lying to you Brenda. This is the best place in town. And you're right, I wouldn't say another restaurant was better than mine, but this place has something the restaurant doesn't...me as a chef." "I see. So this is your place, where you live?" Sonny nodded his head. "I don't know about this," Brenda said. Sonny studied her eyes, and saw a fair amount of apprehension there. "Brenda, you have my word...it's just dinner. I know how to control myself." Sonny got out of the car and walked around to her side. He opened her door and put out his hand. "It's not you I'm worried about," Brenda thought as she unbuckled her seatbelt, and put her hand in his.

"Well, you didn't lie Sonny, you are a fabulous chef," Brenda told him, sitting back in her chair filled to the gills. Sonny beamed, "thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed it." "So how come you don't cook at Il Paradiso?" "I don't have the time. Of course, that doesn't stop me from putting my two cents in." Brenda giggled, "oh Giovanni must love that!" "He hates it, but he doesn't have a choice but to stand there a listen to me." "Why's that?" Brenda asked suspiciously. Sonny looked at her quizzically, "because he works for me; I own the restaurant, remember?" "Oh yeah, right. Listen Sonny, I need to ask you something." Sonny knew what was coming next, and tried to delay it, "why don't we move over to the sofa so we can relax?" Brenda agreed and followed him over. "Brandy?" Sonny offered. "No thanks," Brenda replied taking a seat. She watched him as he poured himself a drink, and wondered if she was about to blow everything. Finally, he joined her on the couch. "So, what did you want to ask me?" Brenda took a deep breath, and let it out; Sonny couldn't help but watch her chest rise and fall. An image of him kissing her breasts flashed through his mind. He took another sip of his drink and tried to concentrate on what she was saying. "Please don't get upset," Brenda began. "Oh boy, I hate it already," Sonny replied. "I'm not trying to judge you, or anything," she continued; "I just need to know some things about you before we go any further." Sonny raised his eyebrows, "you mean you want to go further?" "I meant us dating...I...I didn't mean tonight, necessarily." Sonny felt dejected, "oh." "OK, so what I was wondering is...what do you do exactly?" "Brenda, you know what I do, you work for me!" Brenda shook her head, "I mean other than the restaurant Sonny. Come on, you're a smart guy, you know what I'm asking." Sonny's eyes got cold, "and maybe you're a little to smart for your own good." Brenda felt a chill wash over her, "Sonny..." "No, it's OK, I'll tell you what I can. I'm a businessman, I have interests in several areas." "That's it? That's your answer?" "What do you want me to say Brenda?" Sonny yelled. He felt her slipping away from him before she was ever really his. Brenda just stared at him, and wished she'd never opened her mouth. Now he was going to hate her. "OK, you think you know so much," Sonny said, "so why don't you tell me what you think I do?" Brenda figured she'd gone this far; "OK...I think you're involved with...the mob." Sonny had to stop himself from smiling; he couldn't believe she'd figured it out so soon. "Involved, Brenda?" he questioned. "Well, actually, I think you're in charge, or something." Now Sonny did smile, "and why would you think that?" Brenda shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe it's the way people act around you, like they're afraid of you." Sonny stared into her eyes, "are you afraid of me Brenda?" Brenda shuddered then replied, "a little." "Well don't be...I would never hurt you." "OK." "Now, as for everything else you said, it's better for both of us if I don't respond." "Right. So, that means it's true, cause if it wasn't, you'd deny it." "What if it is true, and I'm not saying it is, does that mean we don't go further?" Sonny asked. "I don't know," Brenda replied; "it makes me nervous." Sonny shook his head and then finished his drink. He put the glass on the table, and turned back to face her. "I don't think it makes you nervous...I think it turns you on." Brenda gasped, "no!" "Yes. I think the fact that I'm mysterious and possibly dangerous is what attracts you to me. Come on, you can tell me the truth." Brenda felt light-headed. She couldn't tell him the truth; the truth was that he scared the hell out of her, and that she'd never wanted another man more. But what was it that excited her so? Was it like he said, that she was attracted to the danger? Or was it because he was so damn gorgeous? Could you even separate the two?

Sonny touched her face with his hand, "you asked me a question, now it's my turn." Brenda replied, "OK," even though he never really answered her question. "Do you want me to kiss you Brenda?" Without hesitation, she answered, "yes." Sonny smiled, then took her face in his hands. As his mouth descended on hers, she braced herself for a rough, hard kiss. But when his lips touched hers, they were soft and gentle. They caressed her, coaxing her mouth to open. When his tongue slipped into her mouth, the kiss became more urgent, and Brenda never wanted it to end. She put her hands on his head, and snaked her fingers through his hair. Through the light coating of gel, she fingered his curls. Sonny groaned, and moved his hands so he could embrace her in his arms. Brenda melted against him and knew...this is where she wanted to be.

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