Chapter 16- I care for you but…

"I want to know," Chloe poked Lex. "Tell me about your first kiss."

Lex sighed and rolled his eyes. "Okay…OUCH!"

"Oh, oops!" Chloe bit her lip.

"That's the fourth time. Chloe, I love you, but you're a horrible dancer," he laughed.

She stepped on his foot again, though on purpose this time.

"That was on purpose," he said, raising an eyebrow.

She raised an eyebrow also and said, "I know."

"Violent tendencies, I learn a new thing about you everyday," he said.

"Yeah, yeah. So, now tell me about your first kiss," Chloe said again.

Lex sighed, "All right. I was in the first grade-"

"First grade? Woah, you started your ladies man days early," Chloe commented.

"Are you going to let me finish this story?" Lex said, with a smile.

"I'm sorry," Chloe said sarcastically.

"Her name was…" Lex thought about this.

"What a surprise that you'd forget her name," Chloe joked.

"Haha…tell me about your first kiss then," Lex told her.

"It was with Clark," she said.

"Are you serious?" Lex asked.

"Remember that guy who could persuade you to do anything by shaking your hand?" Chloe asked.

Lex nodded.

"Well, I put him to the test. He persuaded me to kiss Clark. I couldn't even remember what happened afterward," Chloe said.

"OK, tell me about the first one you remember then," Lex said.

"OK…well, I was sort of fighting with this guy when he kissed me. But, let me tell you it was a great kiss," Chloe said.

Lex didn't seem pleased. In fact, he seemed a bit jealous. "Why were you fighting with him?"

"Because, he wouldn't tell me what he got in Speech class," she answered and poked his ticklish spot.

Lex laughed. "You really got me with that one."

Chloe smiled.

Lex's face got serious as he stared into her eyes, "So, was I really the first kiss you remember?"

"…Yeah."

"Well, Ms. Sullivan, I must tell you, you are one lucky girl," Lex joked with her.

Chloe rolled her eyes.

They kissed when Lex's father walked up to them and cleared his throat loudly. Chloe and Lex looked up at him. Lionel, Lex's father, looked over at Chloe and said, "May I cut in?"

Lionel took Chloe's hand when Lex stopped him. "No you may not," Lex answered.

Lionel smirked and said, "Don't worry. I'll give her back in a few moments."

Chloe could see Lex was angry. He felt uncomfortable with Lionel wanting to dance with Chloe. Chloe felt uncomfortable as well and did not want to dance with Lionel. So she clutched her stomach and said, "Thank you Mr. Luthor, but I am not feeling well. Lex is going to take me home."

Lex looked at Chloe's arm, which Lionel was still holding. His father let go of her. "Well, I hope you feel better Ms. Sullivan. I hope to see you soon." He smiled at Chloe.

Chloe moved to be closer to Lex and he put an arm around her. "Come on, Lex. Let's go."

Lex didn't stop glaring at his father when he said, "Yeah, let's get out of here."

They turned around and left the ball. Once outside Chloe said, "I see what you mean about your dad."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that Chloe," Lex said sincerely.

"It's not your fault Lex," she said, leaning her head on his shoulder as they walked toward the limousine.

"I'll take you home," Lex said.

Chloe shook her head "I don't want to go home."

"Really?" Lex said, happily.

Chloe smiled. "Let's go to your place."

Lex smiled ear to ear. "Your wish is my command."

**

"Wow! Your apartment is amazing," Chloe commented.

"Chloe, you've been here…" Lex looked at his watch. "4 hours and you just now noticed the way it looks?"

She playfully hit him. "Yes, well you and I were a little busy. So, I didn't get a chance to really see it." She lay on her stomach, a sheet wrapped around her, and rested her chin on her folded arms. Lex moved to lie on his side right next to her. He stared at her face and ran his fingers through her hair.

"You know, you're extraordinary," Lex said.

She smiled. "You can stop all the sweet talk. You already got me in bed."

He laughed then moved and kissed the tip of her shoulder. "You've got me under some kind of spell."

She turned to lay on her side and wrapped an arm around him. They stared into each other's eyes.

"When we have kids I hope they get your eyes," Lex commented.

Chloe laughed. "When we have kids?"

Lex smiled and nodded.

"OK. I hope they get your cute little lips," she said, touching his lips.

He kissed her fingertip. "Your hair."

"You don't have any!" She exclaimed then laughed with him.

"Well, when I did I looked like carrot top," Lex said.

"I don't believe that."

"Believe it. It's true."

"I hope they get your ambition," Chloe said.

"With your honesty," he said softly.

"Look at us. Talking about kids after only a week of dating," Chloe chuckled.

"There's nothing wrong with that. When you know, you know," he said quietly. "Marry me."

Chloe laughed.

Lex smiled at her and waited for an answer.

Chloe stopped laughing. "You're serious?" She sat up.

He also sat up and rested his chin on her shoulder. "I scared you. I'm sorry."

Chloe didn't say anything.

He took her hand and laced his fingers into hers. "But…well, Chloe you know I love you. You love me. Why not?"

Chloe turned her head to look at him.

"We don't have to get married right now. We can wait a few months," he said.

"A few months?"

"Or…a couple years," he said.

Chloe didn't answer.

Lex felt himself start to tremble. Maybe he was moving to fast for her now. But, he couldn't help it. He loved Chloe and he wanted to be with her forever. "Chloe, what is it?" He asked, softly.

"I…"

"I'm sorry," Lex said. "We can drop it." He moved away from her.

"Lex," she touched his arm to stop him from moving away.

He stopped and looked at her.

"I just want to let you know, I care for you…" she took in a deep breath.

Lex knew what was coming. She was going to tell him things were moving to fast and they needed to slow it down.

"I love you," Chloe finally said. "I want to marry you."

Lex looked up shocked. For a moment he was happy then he settled down and knew there was probably a but.

"But…"

There it is, Lex thought to himself.

"We have to get married in Smallville," she said. "During the summer."

Lex smiled. He grabbed her and kissed her happily. "Ohmigod, Chloe. I was so scared for a minute there. I was sure you were going to say no."

"Say no? Are you crazy?" She said and laughed as he planted kisses all over her face.

"We can go get an engagement ring tomorrow," he told her. "We'll get something big and beautiful."

"No, nothing big, please," she said.

"Nothing big?" Even coming from Chloe this surprised Lex. Usually all girls wanted expensive stuff.

Chloe cringed. "No, big stuff looks tacky. Something small yet unique is better."

"Just like you," he said and kissed her forehead.

Chloe slapped a hand to her forehead and said, "Ohmigod, I can't believe this is actually happening."

"Well, believe it."

"I knew someday I'd get married but I thought it'd be when I was like 40 or something," she told him.

"I got you beat on that one," Lex said.

"What?"

"Yeah, I was ready to live the bachelor life forever," he told her. "Didn't think there was a girl out there made for Lex Luthor," he added.

Chloe laughed. "What is Forbes magazine going to write when they find out Lex Luthor is engaged to Chloe 'who'?"

Lex laughed at the thought. "Oh please, one day you'll be some famous journalist and when people look at me they'll say, 'Look there goes Chloe Luthor's husband. What's his name'." Lex told her.

"Chloe Luthor," Chloe repeated. "'And the Pulitzer goes to Chloe Luthor!'"

"And the crowd goes wild!" Lex said, making the sound.

Chloe laughed at him then got quiet.

"What's wrong, Chloe?" He asked.

Chloe sighed. "I wish my mom was still alive to see me get married."

"Same here," Lex said and wrapped his arms around Chloe as they lay back down. "Do you think your mom would have liked me."

"Yeah, she would've. She told me before she died that Clark and I are destined to be. But, she never met you," Chloe said.

"That's right. Besides, I would have pulled out all the charm," he said.

"I'm sure you would have," she smiled at the thought. "She always talked about making my wedding dress."

"Maybe you could wear hers," Lex suggested.

Chloe smiled, "I never thought of that. I could ask my dad if we still have it."

"So, why do you want to get married in Smallville," Lex asked out of curiosity. Though he knew he wanted to get married in Smallville too.

"Because my mom loved it there. Plus she always said summer weddings were magical so that's why we gotta get married in the summer," Chloe told him.

"Whatever you want," Lex said.

She turned to look at Lex. "One thing, Lex."

"Anything."

"Please don't invite business acquaintances. Invite your actual friends and family. I just want it to be a friends and family thing," Chloe told him.

"I promise, Chloe. Only friends and family," he said.

"Come here," she pulled him to her.

"As I said, whatever you want," he said as they began kissing.

To be continued…