Clark lay in bed. Half past two in the morning and she was still on his mind. That was nothing new. He thought about her most nights. Especially nights he'd eaten at the restaurant. Having her in his office just heightened the thoughts. The woman, instead of the waitress. Being able to touch her. Having his lips on her skin.

He wanted her. More than her body. For more than a night.

His cell phone pulled him out of his head. It was Gwen. He settled back into his pillow as he answered.

"I didn't expect to hear from you so soon."

"I'd ask how you knew it was me, but you found out where I live, so…"

He smiled. "Did you have questions?"

"I have my answer."

Clark sat up. "And?" The line was silent. "Gwen?"

"I accept."

He smiled. "I'm glad."

"So, I guess I'll finish out my week at work while you make arrangements, and then—"

"No. This starts now."

"Now?"

"You're not to step foot into that restaurant. When you wake for the day, pack a bag or two. Some clothes, essentials, anything that has meaning for you. Bring it along, but don't stress over leaving anything, because you can always go back for it. I'll send a car for you. Your room will be waiting for you here."

"That's fast."

"Any reason to slow down?"

"No, I guess not."

"I have meetings today that I can't cancel, so I'll see you once I'm home, and we'll talk more."

"Mr. Kent…"

"Clark."

"Clark. Sorry. Old habits. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Am I sure?"

"All of this. The hassle, the expense. For me?"

"I'm more than sure."

"Why?"

"Because you're worth it all. Sleep well, Gwen. I'll see you tomorrow."

He hung up before she could respond. There was doubt in her voice, maybe over his motives, but he would prove himself.

He dialed his right hand man.

"Yes, sir?"

"Perry, sorry to wake you. I have a few things for you to take care of for me while I'm at the office this morning."

—

Gwen opened her door.

"Perry?"

"That's me."

"Nice to meet you."

She shook his hand and let him inside. Perry motioned to the two suitcases by the door.

"This is all?"

"I'm a little overwhelmed. I've never packed for a year."

"I can always bring you back for something you've forgotten."

"Thank you. I think I'm good with this. For now, at least."

He carried her bags to the car, and waited for her to do a run though to make sure everything was off.

Perry sat in the back of the car with her on the way to Clark's estate in Bridgehampton. A clear partition separated them from the driver.

"So, what's the estate like?"

"Very comfortable. You'll have your own room and bathroom. Mr. Kent wants you to be completely at ease."

"Beach?"

"Of course."

"Pool?"

"An absolute must," he said with a smile.

Gwen leaned her head back and sighed.

"Mr. Kent really wanted to bring you home himself," Perry said.

"He told me he has meetings."

Perry nodded.

"This is a long commute. I imagine he works some late nights."

"He has a driver, so he can sleep if he needs to on the commute. He also has an apartment on one of the upper floors at Krypton."

"Perks of being a millionaire? Let me ask you… if Krypton is so successful, why does he—"

"I'm not at liberty to discuss any of Mr. Kent's business."

Perry gave her a pointed look over the rim of his glasses.

"Sorry."

"It's all right. Just avoid discussing his business with anyone but him."

"Understood."

The car turned through a small gate in a hedge wall.

"Here we are," Perry said.

"Wow."

"I've been given strict orders to show you directly to your room so you can get settled, and Mr. Kent asks that you stay there until he's home. He wants to give you the grand tour himself. You can take your time to unpack. You have your own personal bathroom, en suite, and if you need anything from the kitchen, I'll grab it for you."

"Don't leave my room? Sounds suspicious."

"I think he just wants to spend that time with you."

Walking in, Gwen braced herself for hard lines and lots of glass. Modern style befitting the richest of the rich. What she got was vastly different. Clean, but not sterile. Soft. Welcoming.

The living room couldn't be hidden, so she stared at the setup. Perry said the estate was comfortable. She'd found that an odd description, but it fit. It felt like a home.

"The stairs are this way."

Perry smiled and let her walk ahead of him as they each carried a suitcase.

Her room was the same. Soft and welcoming.

"This room is so big."

Perry laughed. "Your en suite is through there. The bathroom down the hall leads out onto the balcony."

"The bathroom does?"

"So you can come straight in from the pool or the beach."

"They thought of everything."

"If you need anything, here's my cell." He handed her a card. "I'll be here until Mr. Kent arrives."

"Thank you, Perry."

"You're welcome."

—

Clark knocked on Gwen's door.

"Come in."

He eased the door open. When she saw him, Gwen sat up from where she lay on her bed, reading. Clark smiled.

"You look like you're settling right in."

"I am." She moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "The space is so… peaceful."

"Good." He left the door open and walked toward her as he spoke. "Did Perry ask you to stay in your room?"

"He did."

"Did he explain why?"

"He did."

Clark took her hand and pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles.

"Did you do as I asked?"

"I did. I didn't even go out on the balcony."

Clark tugged her to her feet and chuckled. "Now, that's will power." Another kiss to her hand. "Ready for the tour?"

"Didn't you just get home? Don't you want to rest a minute?"

He shook his head. "I've been thinking about you all day."

She blushed, and Clark sighed.

"Let's start at the beginning," he said. "Back to the front door."

He held her hand as they walked down the stairs.

"Now, this part of the house I've seen," she said. "Unless Perry was supposed to cover my eyes, then I saw nothing."

Clark laughed. "No, I think that would have gone a bit too far. Ok, so, let's keep going."

He walked her through the kitchen, a gathering area with a pool table, a movie theater room, and several bedrooms before they were back in the upstairs hall.

"And the best part of the house for last." He motioned toward a bathroom. "Shall we?"

"The bathroom?"

"The area through the bathroom."

"Oh! The balcony."

"Which leads to the pool. And further…."

"The beach?"

"The beach.

"Should I change into my sandals?"

"Sandals, huh? You wanna walk on the beach with me?"

"Oh… I, uh…"

"It's ok." Clark smiled. "I know you're not there. Yet. We can walk on the beach, and I'll be on my best behavior."

"Promise?"

"Scout's honor," he said as he held up two fingers together. "But sandals may be a good idea, unless you prefer barefoot. Which I do."

She stared at him with a raised eyebrow.

"What?" he chuckled.

"You were a scout?"

"I was. Is that surprising?"

"Well, yeah. I mean… boy scout… criminal…."

"I don't really discuss that last part." He took a step closer to her. "That part of what I do is not who I am. Not really. I need you to look past it."

"You get that it's not an easy thing to look past, right?"

"I do. It's part of the reason I asked you to come here. I want you to see me. The real me. The private me."

"The boy scout?"

"Sort of." He smiled. "Let's head outside before it gets dark."

"I'll grab my sandals."

He tugged her hand. "Give barefoot a try. Naked is better."

"Mr. Kent!"

He relished the redness of her cheeks. "I mean your feet, of course."

"I'm sure you do."

He brushed the back of his fingers over her jaw.

"And please call me Clark."

"Clark… sorry."

"Come on."

He tugged her through the bathroom and out onto the balcony. The breeze tousled her hair, and she let out a breath as she neared the railing.

"The view is incredible. I thought it was gorgeous from the window, but… wow."

He stepped up behind her and put his arms around her to grip the railing.

"You can bring a book out here and enjoy the sound of the water and the breeze. It's all yours. No one can bother you. Whatever you want to do. I'm here to take care of it." His lips were so close to her ear. He closed his eyes and stepped away. "Let's get to that walk, then we'll have dinner."

Clark let go of her hand once they were on the beach. He always loved the feel of sand under his feet, and he focused on the dimming sun. It would set in an hour, and here he was with the woman he'd dreamed of for months, walking quietly along the water. He breathed deeply and closed his eyes for a moment. He'd only had her one day, but it was one day closer to losing her.

"You're quiet," she said.

"Just enjoying the moment. I don't get to do that very often."

"Too busy?"

He kicked at the sand as his leg swung forward. "Too alone." His bluntness surprised him. "Not very many moments worth enjoying." What was it about this woman that put him so at ease?

"I doubt you lack companionship."

"That kind of companion is shallow. Meaningless. I want more than a warm body."

"What do you want?"

"Friendship. Intimacy. True intimacy."

"I'm sure you have friends."

"I have business associates and employees."

"Perry?"

"My assistant, for lack of a better word. Essentially, my second in command. I don't exactly invite Perry over to shoot pool."

Gwen slipped her hand into his. "I can be a friend."

Clark stopped and faced her. "You can look past the other side of the boy scout?"

"I can focus on the man who's always been kind and generous with me, and has done his best to put me at ease in this situation. My part of the deal is to keep an open mind. So, I'll do that."

Clark took her face in both hands and pressed his lips to her forehead.

"And an open heart," he whispered, and pulled her into his arms.

"I can't promise I'll ever feel that way."

"I'm not asking you to. All I ask is that you don't dismiss the idea that you could love me."

"You keep saying you want me to fall in love with you. Do you feel that way about me?"

"I'm open to the possibility. I've never been interested in someone this way. You make me feel…"

"Feel what?"

He pulled out of the embrace. "Are you hungry?"

"Actually, I'm kind of tired. Stressful day."

"You were stressed?"

"I wasn't really sure what I was waking into."

"Are you still worried?"

She shook her head.

"Good. I cleared my entire day tomorrow. So, get a good night's sleep, and wake up when you're ready. We'll have whatever meal is appropriate and spend the rest of the day together."

"You didn't have to clear your schedule. I don't want to interfere with your work."

Clark brushed his thumb over her jaw. "You won't. I told you, I want to take care of you. This is just the beginning."