They were still keeping their mutual affinity under wraps. A secret from the rest of the Leaguers. Their very own private moments.
No intrusion from anyone.
Not the JLA. Not Perry White. Not Donna. Not Connor. Not Cassie.
Certainly not Queen Hippolyta.
Just Clark and Diana. Trying their best to have as near a normal relationship before the world came rushing in.
Mostly at Clark's apartment. Because anywhere else wouldn't be as discreet.
Clark liked having Diana around in his apartment. He liked those cool, measured glances she gave him when they talked, and the hot, greedy stares she sent him when they were tangled up in sex.
He liked the sound of her voice. Cool again while they were discussing some point of art or music. Husky when she said his name in the dark.
He loved the way she was unconscious about her nudity.
Even at his desk at The Daily Planet, he could still see the way she'd looked across the breakfast table at him, her feet bare, her hair brushed smooth, her mouth soft and faintly curved in female awareness, comfortable in her own skin. And that earnest look in her eyes as she'd explained to him why they had to handle the Olympians carefully.
They'd spent more than a dozen nights together now, some in her bedroom, some in his, and most usually in a frenzy of hunger he'd come to acknowledge baffled them both.
He loved the way she curled beside him on the nights that they had together, wearing nothing, snuggled under the bed clothes.
Diana overwhelmed him.
Harmonia, the Naiad Nymph, looked at Ares balefully as she said, "It's not enough that you seduced me. You also attempted to rape my people."
"The Amazons are my people, too," said Ares silkily. "But they seem to forget it. This generation of Amazons has forgotten the links that they have to me. It is my right to do with them what I will."
"Ares, I fell to your charms. I don't think this current Princess of the Amazons will."
"That's why you need to do what I tell you," responded Ares, his eyes glittering red.
"And if I refuse?"
"You cannot refuse," murmured Ares, "You know that you love to please me. And I would be very pleased to have this Amazon Princess in my bed."
"Better I should I die."
"You're an immortal. No, Harmonia, you must do what I tell you now, you know you want to." Then, Ares smiled. It was a smile that Harmonia – the Naiad knew well, that warm, lazy, ingratiatingly sweet smile that lured almost everyone he turned it on. She felt herself melt under its radiance.
Ares knew the effect his smile had on Harmonia. He closed the space between their bodies in one easy movement. He brushed his lips over her temple, her cheek, found her mouth. His kiss was soft and warm, his hand that stroked over her as gentle as the air.
Harmonia sank into the kiss.
What did she care for except for Ares' loving?
"Earth to Clark. Earth to Clark. Come in, Clark…" Kadia's strident voice shook Clark out of his reverie.
"..eh? Kadia…"
"Say my name again in that sexy manner, Clarkie boy, and you've got me," said Kadia. "Where have you been? Perry wants to meet you. He's frantic."
Clark smiled as he came out of his Diana-reverie. The warmth of that smile showered onto Kadia, who grabbed his hand as began to stand up. She shot him her very best smile in return. "Can you believe that I'm off on vacation tomorrow?"
"I hope you enjoy it."
Kadia kept her eyes on his. "Don't think I will as much as I'd like to."
He skillfully extricated his hand from hers. "You will. Don't think of the office at all. Now, er, excuse me."
Kadia watched him walk away, blew out a wistful sigh.
Oh God, he was so perfect, she thought. A beautiful man, in every way. It was perfectly true. It wasn't the looks, his little-boy lost charm, his boring clothes.
He was kind and he was caring. He wasn't some young hot-shot reporter who had a few mega headlines under his belt and had turned arrogant with it. He worked, and worked hard, and had put his personal stamp on every inch his columns. He had integrity, he had…
Oh well, Kadia, enjoy your vacation!