Clark drifted back to sleep first. Gwen lay cradled in his arms, his face just inches from hers.

"Clark?"

No answer. He was truly asleep.

She traced her thumb along his jaw. He really was beautiful. Lying there asleep - content - he was more gorgeous than she'd ever seen him, and that was saying something.

Loving him was easier than she expected, but it still scared her.

She nuzzled her face into his neck, and took a deep breath.

"I do love you," she whispered.

Gwen woke again to a bright sun. She lay on her back, and Clark lay practically on top of her. His leg over hers, and his arm stretched out across her. She rubbed her eyes, then ran her fingers through his hair.

"Clark?"

He hummed softly, but didn't move.

"Clark?"

She ran her hand down his back and kissed the top of his head.

"Hmm?"

"Comfy?"

"Mmhmmm."

She smiled and played through his hair again. Clark nuzzled against her chest, and she shivered. He took a deep breath, and stretched, covering more of her than before.

"Good morning," he said.

"Good morning."

"Sleep ok?"

She nodded.

"Feel ok?"

She pulled his face to hers and pressed a kiss to his lips.

"Better than ok," she said.

Clark smiled and kissed her again.

"What do you want to do today?"

"Can we just stay here?"

Clark brushed his fingers along her temple.

"We could," he said.

"But?"

"Gwen… you know this isn't just about sex, right?"

For the first time since she met him, Gwen saw doubt in his eyes. She pulled his face to hers and kissed his forehead, then rested it against hers.

"I love you, Clark. I loved you before we made love. I loved you before we even kissed. So, we can stay here in bed all day, or we can go out and do stuff all day. As long as I'm with you, I'll be happy."

Clark buried his face in her neck, then kissed his way back to her lips.

"Why don't we shower, and I'll meet you in the kitchen for breakfast?"

"Is it breakfast? I don't even know what time it is."

"I don't care. I'm making you breakfast after our first night together."

Gwen smiled. "I like the sound of that. Are we showering together?"

"Tempting," Clark said with a grin. "But I think we'll be faster if we don't." He kissed her forehead. "I'm hungry."

Clark got out of bed and put on his robe.

"I guess we have to eat," she said.

She gave an exaggerated sigh, and Clark laughed.

"I guess so." Clark sat on the edge of the bed and leaned in for a lingering kiss. "I love you."

Gwen brushed her fingers over his jaw.

"I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing that."

"Good, because you'll hear it a lot."

They ate breakfast, technically brunch, and decided to walk on the beach. Clark waited for her by the back door with her coat. He held it as she slipped her arms inside, then he buttoned it up and wrapped his arms around her.

"It's cold out there," he said.

"Won't you keep me warm?"

Clark brushed his nose alongside hers.

"Absolutely."

Gwen pulled a beanie from her pocket and pulled it down over her ears.

"Good. I hate to be cold."

"Good thing I run hot."

"Yes, you do."

Gwen bit her lip, and Clark swept her into his arms. She yelped and held on around his neck.

"What are you doing?"

Clark stared at her. His eyes traveled over her face.

"Trying to decide if we should go for our walk, or if I should just take you back upstairs."

Gwen kissed his jaw. "I'm good either way."

He groaned as he put her back on her feet.

"What have you done to me, woman?"

"What do you mean?"

"Taking a walk over sex. That wasn't me before I fell for you."

"Maybe it was. You just weren't with a woman who brought it out of you."

"Hmmm. Maybe." He pressed his lips to her forehead. "Ready?"

Gwen rubbed her hands together. "Ready."

A light blanket of snow covered the beach. Clark held her hand as they walked. Her other hand sat in her coat pocket to keep warm.

"So, you stole my beanie," he said.

"Borrowed. Didn't you say something to the effect of 'whatever's mine is yours?'"

Clark shook his head. "I don't recall that."

"Uhhhh... Ok, I stole it. What're you gonna do about it?"

"Well, I could always toss you in the water."

"You wouldn't."

"I wouldn't?"

"Clark, it's freezing out here?"

"Well, it would be a punishment."

"Don't even think about it."

"Is that an order?" Clark laughed.

"Damn straight."

"Maybe you forgot…" Clark scooped her into his arms. "I'm the one who gives the orders."

"Clark!"

"You must need a reminder."

He strode toward the water.

"Clark, no!" She tried to get out of his grip, but he held her tight. "Stop! Don't you dare!"

"Those sound like more orders."

"Fine! Ok, you give the orders. I'm sorry!"

He pulled back as if to thrust her into the water, but she grabbed tight around his neck.

"Please, no! I'm sorry. Clark, please."

"I'm in charge?"

"You're in charge." She looked him in the eyes. "You give the orders, sir."

Any hint of a smile slipped from Clark's lips as he backed away from the water.

"What?" Gwen held on tighter. "Did I say something wrong?"

"You haven't called me 'sir' since…"

"I'm sorry. I know you just want me to call you Clark. I just—"

"No. It just kind of… it felt different."

Gwen smiled. "Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"You're saying that you liked it… sir?" Gwen swallowed hard.

"Yeah."

Clark dropped to his knees and kissed Gwen hard as he lay her back in the snow. The cold seeped into her coat and she gasped his name against his lips.

"It's like being trapped between an iceberg and a furnace."

Clark smiled as he kissed down her neck.

"The contrast should make it more exciting."

Gwen moaned and reached out to her side. She grabbed a fistful of snow and pulled Clark into a kiss before she shoved it down the collar of his coat.

"Shit! That's cold!"

"But the contrast should make it more exciting."

"Oh, you're asking for it today."

"You promised to keep me warm, sir."

Clark smeared a handful of snow over her face, and she gasped.

"I also retaliate. Never forget that."

"Really? So, if I were to…"

She undid his pants and slipped her hand inside.

"Son of a bitch!" His entire body shivered. "Your hand is like ice."

"Good thing it's warm in there."

Clark nipped at her earlobe. "Pull your hand out. Now."

Gwen froze. The authority in his voice sucked all the defiance from her. Joking or not. She removed her hand, and Clark got to his feet. He zipped up his pants, then hefted Gwen over his shoulder.

"What are you doing?"

"I always keep my promises."

"And what promise are you keeping?"

"Getting you warm."

He smacked her ass, and she yelped.

"God, you're such a caveman."

"Are you complaining?"

She ran her hands down his back. "Not at all. I like the view." She smacked his ass, and he growled.

"You'll pay for that."

"Yeah? I think you're all talk."

"You're just digging deeper."

Gwen laughed.

Back at the house, Clark opened the back door, but set Gwen on her feet just outside of it. He brushed the snow from her coat and pulled the beanie from her head.

"You have ten seconds to get upstairs, get undressed, and get in my shower."

"Ten seconds?"

"Starting now."

Gwen backed away, then took off running. She stripped as she ran up the stairs and through Clark's bedroom. He joined her in the shower just as she got the water going.

He pressed against her as he wrapped his arms around her from behind, and he kissed her neck.

"Good girl."

"Thank you, sir."