This chapter was inspired by the song my confession by Josh Groban. I'll pass on the lyrics if you email me, but I won't waste anyone else's time.

CHAPTER 9

Chloe looked at Clark in silent shock. She didn't really know how to react to that confession. He loved her?

"When…how…I don't understand Clark" she stuttered, her mind whirling with the possibilities.

Clark remained kneeling in front of her when he answered. "I don't know when I fell in love with you Chloe. All I know is that I realized it after…Sheryl" His eyes didn't meet hers when he said the other woman's name. "And how? The how is easy" he chuckled softly. He moved his hand to her cheek then. "You have been my best friend for a long time Chloe. I loved you then, for the amazing person that you are. You are…perfect" he paused to sweep her face with his eyes. "Spunky and intelligent; you never give up or give in. And I trust you with my life...Then I noticed how beautiful you are"

Chloe sucked in a breath, but couldn't break their gaze. It was like Clark was hypnotizing her with his words.

"I mean, I always knew you were pretty, but…I didn't really…notice" he looked at her questioningly. "Can you understand that?"

Chloe nodded silently, not trusting her voice to work. Clark was telling her everything that she had ever dreamed of him saying. Then a horrible thought came to her. "I'm not dreaming am I?"

Clark laughed out loud. "Do you often dream that I attack you on my couch?" he asked playfully. Chloe couldn't help but blush and Clark laughed again. "Good answer" he said huskily as he leaned in to kiss her again.

Chloe kissed him back sweetly and moved her hands to his wrists. Both of his hands were now cradling her face. This kiss was more tame then the last one, but it was still perfect.

Clark broke away again and swore under his breath. "You keep distracting me" he said to her with a playfully accusing tone to his voice. Chloe's pulse raced at the heated look in his eyes. She had never thought that she would put that kind of look into Clark's gaze.

Chloe forced out a weak laugh. "You're the one who keeps kissing me" she said, defended herself.

"Yeah, but you're the one who keeps looking beautiful" Clark retorted hoarsely, moving his head forward again. He stopped himself before their lips met.

This time it was Chloe that swore under her breath. Clark laughed again and sat back on his haunches. He moved his hands from her face and rested them on her thighs instead. Chloe felt a thrill of desire rush through her at his touch.

"Chloe, I need to know that you understand about Sheryl" Clark said, suddenly serious again.

Chloe sobered too. Did she understand? She still had some questions. "Why did you decide to go to her Clark? Why tonight?"

Clark blushed and moved his hands from her thighs to behind his back. Hetook a deep breathand looked away from Chloe. "I went to Sheryl because I…I got…" he swallowed. "...aroused when I was at your apartment the last time" Clark almost choked on the word and his cheeks got even more red.

Chloe looked at him blankly. What…?

"Um…you were wearing these…little red shorts and a shirt that barely covered you" he said hurriedly, his voice becoming defensive. 'And then you started up with the hugging…and I…couldn't help it" he finished in an embarrassed whisper.

"That was why you were hunched over on the couch? I thought that it had something to do with your powers" Chloe said in shock.

Clark laughed ruefully. "More like your powers, Chloe. Do you know how amazing you smell?" he asked her seriously.

Chloe had no idea how to respond to that. She gaped at him with her mouth working. Then a thought came to her.

"So why did that make you go to Sheryl? Why didn't you stay with me?" Chloe asked. She didn't like knowing that he had replaced her with another girl so easily.

"I didn't know if you felt the same way. It would be awkward between us and…I didn't want to take the chance that it would ruin are relationship" Clark answered seriously. "Added to that was the fact that I hadn't realized then how much I love you. I thought that my…attraction for you was just because it had been so long and I…" he broke off in embarrassment.

Chloe thought that she was beginning to understand. "You weren't willing to take the risk for a…few kisses" she said.

Clark nodded, obviously happy that she understood.

Chloe took in a deep breath and spoke again. "So what about Sheryl now? What is your relationship with her?"

Clark winced and stood suddenly. He walked back to the window and looked out at the stars again. His arms were braced on the sill and he leaned forward.

"Clark?" Chloe said suspiciously.

"I uh…broke it off tonight" he said withoutturning back toher. Chloe could hear the guilt in his voice.

"You broke things off right after you guys…"

"Yes!" Clark answered harshly as he stood straight, his hands moving to comb through his hair. He turned back to her. "I know that it makes me a jerk but I couldn't lead her on" he explained roughly.

Chloe stood up and moved to stand in front of him. "I know that it makes me a jerk too, but I'm glad that you did" she said in a whisper, moving her arms around his shoulders and leaning into him.

"Chloe?" Clark asked in a hoarse voice, his eyes searching hers. He must have liked what he saw because he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her again.

This time no one broke away until the next morning.

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"Clark?" Jonathan's voice called up from the barn's door. Clark was suddenly wide awake and he sat up quickly. Chloe was lying on his chest and she mumbled a reproach at his movement. The blanket that had been covering them slipped down to her waist and Clark was briefly distracted by the sight of her white flesh.

She was sitting now too, but only because he had. She wrapped her arms around him and burried her face into his chest. Clark gritted his teeth at the feeling. "Get up Chloe" he whispered urgently into her ear as he lifted the blanket to cover again. "Coming dad" he yelled out to his father.

Chloe's eyes snapped open and she looked up at Clark in shocked dismay. They were both completely naked on the couch with only a thin blanket to cover them. Clark winked at her and zipped away.

He was a blur as he dressed and then jogged down the steps, stopping Jonathan from going up. "Hey dad what's up" he asked cheerfully. He tried to look as nonchalant as he could.

"We didn't see you at breakfast and were wondering where you were" Jonathan said with a suspicious look in his eyes. Clark was about to come up with an explanation when his father continued. "And then we saw Chloe's car out front"

Clark's mind turned blank.

"I got here really early" Chloe said from upstairs. Clark looked up and was relieved to see that she looked completely put together. Even her hair was neat; not at all like the cloud of soft blond strands that had tickled his chest all night.

He smiled at her quickness and felt his heart expand; she was so smart, and sexy. God, he wanted to take her back into the loft for another hour...or six.

"I just called out for Clark and he came out. We didn't want to wake you guys so we stayed out here" Chloe continued explaining.

Jonathan looked stopped looking suspicious and smiled. "Well we're up now. Come on in and Martha will make you some breakfast" He said as he turned back towards the door and walked out.

Clark sighed in relief and waited for Chloe to join him downstairs. He gave her a quick kiss on the mouth when she did. "Good one" he whispered.

Chloe laughed and walked ahead of him, following Jonathan out.

Martha went to give Chloe a hug when they entered. "Chloe! When did you get in?" she asked. "We saw your car outside but not you"

"I didn't want to bother you Mrs. Kent, so I bothered Clark instead" she said on a laugh. Clark joined in, feeling light hearted. She could bother him any day.

"It's good to see you. It's been over a month since the last time" Martha said to Chloe as they ate. "And I don't think that Clark has been out to see you in a few weeks"

"A few weeks?" Jonathan said in confusion. "I don't think he's been out there since he helped her move"

Martha chuckled and kissed Jonathan on the cheek. "Come on Jonathan" she said teasingly.

He still looked confused for a second before it hit him. He looked at Clark accusingly. "You run out to Metropolis Clark?" he asked.

Clark looked guilty and Chloe stepped in. "He was always worried about me, so he would come out to sleep on my couch every once and a while. It made us both feel better; especially with all the muggings and break-ins in the past few months" she explained.

Jonathan's face softened. Chloe knew that he was a big marshmallow; he wouldn't want her to be scared in her apartment all alone. He looked at Clark and gave a nod of approval.

The rest of the meal went on without problem. Chloe was just grateful that the Kents didn't notice the smouldering looks that their son kept sending her way.