Gwen sat on the top step in the pool and waited for Clark. Knowing how he reacted to the dress with the side cutouts, she was glad she'd settled on her simple one piece swimsuit when packing. The ride home had her on edge, and she just wanted to relax.

"Did you put on sunscreen?"

"No, I don't have any," she said.

"Lucky for you, I was a Boy Scout."

She smiled at the bottle in his hand, but her eyes lingered on his hairy, muscular chest. Clark sat behind her on the step, putting her between his legs.

"I'll help," he said.

"I can do it."

"Your back? I don't think so."

She tensed when his hands touched her.

"Cold?"

"A little."

He put his lips next to her ear. "But that's not why you jerked, is it?"

"Clark…"

"You're safe with me, Gwen."

"Am I?"

He rubbed the lotion onto her back and shoulders, moving the straps down to give him better access.

"I can get the rest," she said.

"I know you can, but I want to do it."

His fingers massaged into her collarbone and down to the neckline of her suit as he moved closer. He pressed himself against her back, his chest hair surprisingly soft against her skin.

He replaced the straps and rubbed down her arms, then he handed her the lotion bottle.

"Get my back?"

"Sure," she said.

They switched places. When she rubbed across his shoulders, Clark hummed, and she froze.

"You ok?" he asked.

"Yeah. Fine."

He was quiet as she finished rubbing in the sunscreen. She held the bottle out to him to take, but he turned and pulled her onto his lap instead.

"Clark!"

"I have to get your face."

"I can do that."

She squeezed more lotion onto her hand and applied it across her nose and on her cheeks.

"You just spoiled my fun," Clark said with a grin.

He placed her back between his legs on the step and leaned her back against his chest.

"We should let this soak in before we get wet."

Clark nuzzled the hairline behind her ear, and placed a soft kiss to her neck. His fingers trailed up and down her arm, lazy lines that raised goosebumps. He kissed her neck and squeezed her thigh.

"Stop." She moved away from him, into the pool.

"What's wrong?"

"You promised me you wouldn't do this?"

"Do what?"

"You're not just toying with the line, you're moving it." She fought back the tremor in her voice. "Are you trying to get me to admit that I'm attracted to you? Fine. I'm attracted to you. But attraction means shit if I think you're a lying asshole. I don't fall for lying assholes."

Clark stood in front of her, his massive form towering over her.

"Are you done?"

"Yeah, I'm done."

"Good. I'm sorry. I have been trying to get a reaction from you. One that I hoped would lead to more, but if it makes you hate me, then… it's not worth it."

"Why can't you just do what you promised? You said that part of what you liked about me is that you don't have to worry about what angle I'm working. Well, that's not true for me with you. You have an angle, and it's getting exhausting holding the line while you keep poking at it."

"Gwen—"

"No. No apologies. Just stop."

She dove under the water and swam to the other end. When she came up, he called her name again, but she lifted herself out of the pool and went inside.

A shower helped to clear her head and calm her down. Had she overreacted?

No. She didn't want him touching her that way. Part of the reason she'd agreed was because he'd promised he wouldn't be intimate. He was crossing a line.

She went out onto the balcony. Clark was still in the pool, cutting through the water with powerful strokes. Why did she admit she was attracted to him? Why did he have to be so damned gorgeous?

She went back inside, grabbed her phone, and flopped onto her bed to call her sister, Amber.

"How are summer classes?"

"Really good. No nonsense, because the semester is so short. They get right to business."

"That's good."

They talked for a few minutes before Gwen went silent.

"You sound off," Amber said.

"What do you mean?"

"Are you ok?"

"I'm, uh… I'm living with someone."

"Really? Who?"

"Clark Kent."

"Kent? Why do I know that name?"

"Maybe because he's a millionaire."

"Wait. Kent? As in Krypton?"

"That's him."

"Gwen! What the hell? You didn't tell me you're dating anyone, let alone him!"

"We're not really dating. It's a little weird, to be honest."

"How?"

"He's a regular customer at the restaurant. He overheard me on the phone discussing some money issues, and he offered me some help."

"What kind of money issues?"

"That's not important."

"Yes, it is."

"No, it's not. I'm just staying with Clark for a while to get back in my feet, and—"

"Gwen, you're paying for my tuition."

"Technically, he is."

"I don't believe this. You know the rumors about him, right?"

"I do, but he's always been good to me. And he paid my rent to keep me from getting thrown out."

"You should have told me. I would have withdrawn from my classes before it was too late."

"That's why I didn't tell you."

"You're not sleeping with him, are you?"

"God, Amber, no!"

"Then I don't get why he's helping a random waitress."

"It's complicated."

"Oh, no. He's into something weird, right? He's got you dressing up in costumes, or some weird roleplay?"

Gwen laughed. "You're horrible."

Clark knocked on her door frame and startled her from her laughter.

"Sorry," he said, "the door was open."

"Amber, I'll call you back."

"No," he said. "I just wanted to ask if you'll join me for dinner tonight. A night out."

"Sure."

"Good. Be ready for five?"

"How should I dress?"

"Business casual."

"I can make that work."

He nodded and walked away.

"He's taking you to dinner?" Amber asked.

"Yeah… he asked me. Now, that was weird."

—

The partition in the car was raised, but Clark was quiet. Gwen barely said a word as he held her door open and they began the two hour ride to the city.

"So, where are we going?" Gwen finally asked.

"An exclusive little place that barely anyone knows about. I was able to get us in on very short notice."

"So, a $600 dinner for two?"

Clark turned a bit in his seat. "Do you resent me because of my money?"

Gwen shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. I just… I don't understand why you're wasting it on me."

"Tonight is special."

"Why?"

"I heard what you said at the pool. I really heard it, and I want to start over. No more toying with the line."

"I didn't think you'd care."

"I do care." He reached for her hand, but pulled back. "You know, it's been a long time since someone spoke to me that way and didn't regret it." He grinned as her eyes widened. "I know how nervous you probably were, and how far I must have pushed you for you to take that risk. I'm sorry."

"I hope you know how much I appreciate that."

He nodded. "So, fresh start?" He stuck his hand out for a handshake. "Friends?"

She took his hand and smiled. "Friends."

Halfway through dessert, Gwen looked more relaxed. Everyone glanced her way as she laughed, but she didn't seem to notice. If she noticed, she didn't care.

"I wasn't eavesdropping," Clark said, "but was that your sister on the phone earlier?"

"It was."

"Does she know about our deal?"

"No. She knows you're helping us, and that I'm living with you, but nothing about the year, or the conditions."

He nodded. "I heard you laughing when I walked up. I realized I'd never heard you laugh. Not like that. Not until tonight. You're laughing with me now like you laughed with her."

"Our talk in the car helped. That, and you've actually kept your word all through dinner."

"I like your laugh."

She blushed and went back to her dessert.

"I got a call before dinner," he said. "I have to fly to Spain for an emergency meeting. I won't be home until late Monday night."

"Oh. Ok."

"You're welcome to come with me. Or, if you prefer, you could have your sister stay at the estate while I'm away, so you're not alone."

Gwen smiled. "Thank you. I think, at least this time, I'll stay behind. Amber will love the beach."

Clark nodded, and smiled. "She's welcome any time."

They talked all the way home about their childhoods and their families. Clark kept the memories light and fun, and Gwen followed his lead. They laughed so hard tears streamed down Gwen's cheeks. Clark fought the urge to brush them away, to pull her close.

The car pulled to a stop, and Gwen reached for the door handle.

"Wait," Clark said.

He was out of the car before Gwen could question. He jogged around to her side, opened her door, and held out his hand.

She smiled at him and put her hand in his as she stepped out of the car.

"Thank you."

Inside, Clark walked behind her up the stairs, and she stopped outside of her room.

"Clark?"

"Yes?"

"I had fun tonight."

"So did I."

"Thank you for listening to me, and… well… thank you."

He took her hand and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles.

"I'm leaving early in the morning. I won't wake you, so… I'll see you in a few days."

"Be safe, Clark."

"I will."

—

Gwen answered the phone.

"Clark? Is everything ok?"

He settled back into his pillow.

"Everything's fine. I'm a bit jet lagged, and can't fall asleep. Does your sister like the beach?"

"You may never get her to leave."

"Well, we have lots of room."

"I'm just kidding. She has the dorm on campus. Is the emergency handled?"

"Tomorrow. Hopefully."

"So… you're just trying to get to sleep?"

"And I wanted to check on you. Did Perry stop by?"

"He came with Amber."

"Good." They were both silent for a moment. "Well, I'll call you again tomorrow night."

"Ok."

"Sweet dreams, Gwen."

"Goodnight."

Clark disconnected the call and smiled. It had been too long since he was genuinely himself with another person. Dinner with Gwen, with no pretense, no agenda, had been freeing. All he wanted was her company, and now he missed it.

He closed his eyes and sighed. Monday couldn't come soon enough.