Chapter 2: Shed clothing and beautiful paintings
"He has got to be kidding!" Chloe exclaimed, surveying the dress that clung to her petite form. Dress was a bit of an overstatement, she supposed lingerie would be a better word.
"C'mon Chloe, I like it" Pete shrugged, Chloe rolled her eyes.
"Of course YOU would" she said, poking him in the chest "You're a guy, if you had your way, women would walk around naked"
"Certainly not" Pate said seriously "There would have to be at least a little leather involved" Chloe faked punching his stomach so he would move his arms, allowing her to flick his forehead.
"Careful, if you move to much it'll fall apart" Pete joked, Chloe turned back to the mirror, a worried frown gracing her features.
"Relax Chloe, it's obviously appropriate for the party, otherwise Luthor wouldn't have picked it out"
Chloe groaned "Just what I need; a party at a brothel"
"It's not that bad"
"Pete, I may as well go in my swimsuit, at least that covers my breasts properly" Chloe sighed, desperately trying to stretch the delicate material to cover herself fully. It was a low-cut, wine coloured cocktail dress. It fit like a second skin and ended just below her upper thigh. Chloe styled her hair in large ringlets, the curls framed her face and, thankfully, she had a lipstick and eye shadow to suit the dress.
"Chloe, you look fine, just wear a coat or something" Pete suggested, untwisting the spaghetti straps that cris-crossed along her bare back..
"I don't have one" she said, flopping down on the bed to buckle up her formal sandals "At least, not one that's suitable for a classy party"
"Here, just shove this on and take it off when you get inside" he said, handing Chloe her least casual jacket.
"I just...don't feel comfortable in this sort of thing, y'know?" she said uncertainly, pulling it around her
Pete shoved his hands in his pockets, kicking the ground softly "If it's any consolation, I think you look...beautiful" he went a little pink, and Chloe couldn't help but hug him.
"Thanks Pete, you're the best"
Pete continued to look embarrassed, but grinned back "S'okay Chlo"
"You better go, Lex will be here soon" she said, ushering him out the door.
"Bye Chloe, good luck"
*~*
"Here we are" Lex stated lamely
"Captain Obvious saves the day again. Let's get inside, I'm freezing by ass off" Chloe said, amused at his annoyed glare.
Music met her ears when she entered, from the outside, the building looked cold and uninviting, she expected the inside to be the same. She realised with a slight shock how wrong she'd been. It was furnished with superb taste. From the high ceiling hung a large chandelier, supplying all the light in the one enormous room. There were three or four fireplaces crackling merrily, reminding Chloe of some sort of Christmas card.
People of various kinds, yet with the same sort of dress sense, stood around the room with glasses of champagne or wine, chatting and laughing enthusiastically with each other Chloe didn't notice Lex's fingers on her neck at first, until they brushed over skin gently, making her shiver.
"Cold?" Lex whispered into her ear, causing her to shiver again at the tickling warmth.
"No" she said softly, her eyes half closed
"Then I guess you won't be needing this" he said softly, toying with the collar of her jacket. Chloe could feel the heat radiating off his body, the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. 'What's going on?' Chloe thought to herself as she leaned back ever so slightly. Lex continued to brush his fingers over her soft skin, before abruptly removing them.
"I'll just take your coat then" he said, his voice returning to normal. Chloe, still dazed, allowed him to remove the jacket. She completely forgot what she was wearing underneath. She saw a few male eyes turn to her, and she felt her face growing hot. She turned to Lex, he was wearing an appreciative smile.
"I see you wore the dress, I guess our interview is still on" he said, not sounding the least bit regretful.
"A dress? Is that what you call a scrap of material in your world?" Chloe huffed, and Lex's mouth became his trademark smirk.
"Would you like some champagne?" Lex asked, moving away from her.
"No" she said, desperately not wanting to be alone.
"Well, I do, don't move, I'll be back in a few moments" he said, weaving through the crowd. Chloe stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, looking around for no particular reason. Diamonds glittered from slim necks and wrists, clean- shaven predatory men smiled, voices rose and fell. Chloe thought longingly of her own bedroom, or the Torch office. For some reason, Lex popped in there. He had her leaned over the table, his face buried in her neck, biting and sucking the skin there. 'Chloe, stop it!' she scolded herself 'this is Lex Luthor. Conceited, priggish, sexy-as-sin Lex Luthor' Chloe shook her head at her serious hormone controlling problem. She needed to get out more.
"You haven't forgotten your with me, have you?" Lex asked, his shoulder rubbing against hers, she suppressed a shiver. He handed her a glass of brass coloured drink, she looked at it for a moment before taking a tentative sip.
"How could I?" She said grimly, eyeing him over the rim of her glass.
"You looked as if you weren't sure what you were doing here" Lex observed, gulping down some of the liquid in his glass.
"I'm not sure" she agreed "I must have been crazy to let you talk me into it"
"Well, you get to watch me make the biggest sacrifice of my life" he said dramatically.
"I only want an interview" Chloe protested "Not your soul"
"Are you familiar with the workings of Altdorfer?" the question made her laugh.
"Only a little. He's a German artist, right?"
Lex nodded "He's actually Dutch, but he is one of the most talented painters in the whole of German art" Chloe sipped her drink thoughtfully.
"There's a painting of his somewhere in the halls, my father is very proud of it, would you like to see it?"
"Very much" Chloe said sincerely, Art always fascinated her, and from what she had heard previously, his paintings were very romantic and ahead of their time. He guided her along the large room and she felt people glancing at her with polite curiosity. It annoyed her to admit that Lex wasn't the pretentious, cold bastard she had first assumed that he was. Chloe didn't like being wrong, but it was probably best that she was.
After going through a series of winding passages, Lex reached a solitary painting and stopped. Chloe stopped also and admired Altdorfer's work. The dark coppery colours leapt out of the frame, she sensed there was more meaning behind it than was shown, but she decided not to apply her journalistic talents to the picture and just enjoy it.
"Saint George in the Forest" Lex explained softly, also gazing at the painting "see how the way the landscape merges perfectly with the background?" Chloe nodded "Like it?"
"Yes" she said. Lex turned his head to face her.
"You're so forthcoming you deafen me" he said, a hint of laughter in his voice.
"Do you want me to talk about what year it's from? Or what media he's used? I'm no expert, Mr Luthor. I like it, that's all I know" There was a long pause as Chloe continued to study the painting, aware of his eyes burning holes in the side of her face.
"So, who was your date before she cancelled" Chloe asked, intending to make small talk
"Lana-" he stopped, realising he said the wrong thing She didn't reply, but her face grew hard and she turned so her eyes met his. Her control left her for a while
"Well surprise sur-fucking-prise" she growled, intending to exit with her dignity intact. He grabbed her by her elbows and held her in a vice like grip in front of him.
"Stop being so self pitying" he almost shouted, Chloe's anger flared
"I should have known I couldn't trust a Luthor, especially you. You really are your father's son" she sneered, regretting her words instantly as his eyes narrowed.
"I could learn to hate you, Ms Sullivan" he said, his voice quiet yet frighteningly malicious.
Before she knew was happening, his mouth was on hers in a angry kiss. Chloe felt her knees weaken, shouldn't be enjoying this, he was manhandling her! His teeth were grinding into her lip as his hands bit into her arms. This was the most dizzying feeling she had ever felt, her mouth ached. She didn't resist but she didn't respond either. She was enjoying this too much, she had to...do something... Quickly, she pushed him away. His eyes were slightly glazed over, but his fingers still dug into her. She struggled and kicked him in the shin. He grimaced and his hold loosened.
"Fuck, that really hurt! You almost broke my leg!" he complained, she slipped out of his grasp and turned around.
"If you do it again you'll get worse than that!" she threatened, anger returned to his face.
"You won't get the chance, you little..." he lunged at her. Chloe ran but it was too late. Lex grabbed the back of the dress and it tore half way down, Chloe swivelled and the tear ran right across the dress so it hung free from her body and fell to the ground, bunching up neatly around her feet.
"He has got to be kidding!" Chloe exclaimed, surveying the dress that clung to her petite form. Dress was a bit of an overstatement, she supposed lingerie would be a better word.
"C'mon Chloe, I like it" Pete shrugged, Chloe rolled her eyes.
"Of course YOU would" she said, poking him in the chest "You're a guy, if you had your way, women would walk around naked"
"Certainly not" Pate said seriously "There would have to be at least a little leather involved" Chloe faked punching his stomach so he would move his arms, allowing her to flick his forehead.
"Careful, if you move to much it'll fall apart" Pete joked, Chloe turned back to the mirror, a worried frown gracing her features.
"Relax Chloe, it's obviously appropriate for the party, otherwise Luthor wouldn't have picked it out"
Chloe groaned "Just what I need; a party at a brothel"
"It's not that bad"
"Pete, I may as well go in my swimsuit, at least that covers my breasts properly" Chloe sighed, desperately trying to stretch the delicate material to cover herself fully. It was a low-cut, wine coloured cocktail dress. It fit like a second skin and ended just below her upper thigh. Chloe styled her hair in large ringlets, the curls framed her face and, thankfully, she had a lipstick and eye shadow to suit the dress.
"Chloe, you look fine, just wear a coat or something" Pete suggested, untwisting the spaghetti straps that cris-crossed along her bare back..
"I don't have one" she said, flopping down on the bed to buckle up her formal sandals "At least, not one that's suitable for a classy party"
"Here, just shove this on and take it off when you get inside" he said, handing Chloe her least casual jacket.
"I just...don't feel comfortable in this sort of thing, y'know?" she said uncertainly, pulling it around her
Pete shoved his hands in his pockets, kicking the ground softly "If it's any consolation, I think you look...beautiful" he went a little pink, and Chloe couldn't help but hug him.
"Thanks Pete, you're the best"
Pete continued to look embarrassed, but grinned back "S'okay Chlo"
"You better go, Lex will be here soon" she said, ushering him out the door.
"Bye Chloe, good luck"
*~*
"Here we are" Lex stated lamely
"Captain Obvious saves the day again. Let's get inside, I'm freezing by ass off" Chloe said, amused at his annoyed glare.
Music met her ears when she entered, from the outside, the building looked cold and uninviting, she expected the inside to be the same. She realised with a slight shock how wrong she'd been. It was furnished with superb taste. From the high ceiling hung a large chandelier, supplying all the light in the one enormous room. There were three or four fireplaces crackling merrily, reminding Chloe of some sort of Christmas card.
People of various kinds, yet with the same sort of dress sense, stood around the room with glasses of champagne or wine, chatting and laughing enthusiastically with each other Chloe didn't notice Lex's fingers on her neck at first, until they brushed over skin gently, making her shiver.
"Cold?" Lex whispered into her ear, causing her to shiver again at the tickling warmth.
"No" she said softly, her eyes half closed
"Then I guess you won't be needing this" he said softly, toying with the collar of her jacket. Chloe could feel the heat radiating off his body, the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. 'What's going on?' Chloe thought to herself as she leaned back ever so slightly. Lex continued to brush his fingers over her soft skin, before abruptly removing them.
"I'll just take your coat then" he said, his voice returning to normal. Chloe, still dazed, allowed him to remove the jacket. She completely forgot what she was wearing underneath. She saw a few male eyes turn to her, and she felt her face growing hot. She turned to Lex, he was wearing an appreciative smile.
"I see you wore the dress, I guess our interview is still on" he said, not sounding the least bit regretful.
"A dress? Is that what you call a scrap of material in your world?" Chloe huffed, and Lex's mouth became his trademark smirk.
"Would you like some champagne?" Lex asked, moving away from her.
"No" she said, desperately not wanting to be alone.
"Well, I do, don't move, I'll be back in a few moments" he said, weaving through the crowd. Chloe stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, looking around for no particular reason. Diamonds glittered from slim necks and wrists, clean- shaven predatory men smiled, voices rose and fell. Chloe thought longingly of her own bedroom, or the Torch office. For some reason, Lex popped in there. He had her leaned over the table, his face buried in her neck, biting and sucking the skin there. 'Chloe, stop it!' she scolded herself 'this is Lex Luthor. Conceited, priggish, sexy-as-sin Lex Luthor' Chloe shook her head at her serious hormone controlling problem. She needed to get out more.
"You haven't forgotten your with me, have you?" Lex asked, his shoulder rubbing against hers, she suppressed a shiver. He handed her a glass of brass coloured drink, she looked at it for a moment before taking a tentative sip.
"How could I?" She said grimly, eyeing him over the rim of her glass.
"You looked as if you weren't sure what you were doing here" Lex observed, gulping down some of the liquid in his glass.
"I'm not sure" she agreed "I must have been crazy to let you talk me into it"
"Well, you get to watch me make the biggest sacrifice of my life" he said dramatically.
"I only want an interview" Chloe protested "Not your soul"
"Are you familiar with the workings of Altdorfer?" the question made her laugh.
"Only a little. He's a German artist, right?"
Lex nodded "He's actually Dutch, but he is one of the most talented painters in the whole of German art" Chloe sipped her drink thoughtfully.
"There's a painting of his somewhere in the halls, my father is very proud of it, would you like to see it?"
"Very much" Chloe said sincerely, Art always fascinated her, and from what she had heard previously, his paintings were very romantic and ahead of their time. He guided her along the large room and she felt people glancing at her with polite curiosity. It annoyed her to admit that Lex wasn't the pretentious, cold bastard she had first assumed that he was. Chloe didn't like being wrong, but it was probably best that she was.
After going through a series of winding passages, Lex reached a solitary painting and stopped. Chloe stopped also and admired Altdorfer's work. The dark coppery colours leapt out of the frame, she sensed there was more meaning behind it than was shown, but she decided not to apply her journalistic talents to the picture and just enjoy it.
"Saint George in the Forest" Lex explained softly, also gazing at the painting "see how the way the landscape merges perfectly with the background?" Chloe nodded "Like it?"
"Yes" she said. Lex turned his head to face her.
"You're so forthcoming you deafen me" he said, a hint of laughter in his voice.
"Do you want me to talk about what year it's from? Or what media he's used? I'm no expert, Mr Luthor. I like it, that's all I know" There was a long pause as Chloe continued to study the painting, aware of his eyes burning holes in the side of her face.
"So, who was your date before she cancelled" Chloe asked, intending to make small talk
"Lana-" he stopped, realising he said the wrong thing She didn't reply, but her face grew hard and she turned so her eyes met his. Her control left her for a while
"Well surprise sur-fucking-prise" she growled, intending to exit with her dignity intact. He grabbed her by her elbows and held her in a vice like grip in front of him.
"Stop being so self pitying" he almost shouted, Chloe's anger flared
"I should have known I couldn't trust a Luthor, especially you. You really are your father's son" she sneered, regretting her words instantly as his eyes narrowed.
"I could learn to hate you, Ms Sullivan" he said, his voice quiet yet frighteningly malicious.
Before she knew was happening, his mouth was on hers in a angry kiss. Chloe felt her knees weaken, shouldn't be enjoying this, he was manhandling her! His teeth were grinding into her lip as his hands bit into her arms. This was the most dizzying feeling she had ever felt, her mouth ached. She didn't resist but she didn't respond either. She was enjoying this too much, she had to...do something... Quickly, she pushed him away. His eyes were slightly glazed over, but his fingers still dug into her. She struggled and kicked him in the shin. He grimaced and his hold loosened.
"Fuck, that really hurt! You almost broke my leg!" he complained, she slipped out of his grasp and turned around.
"If you do it again you'll get worse than that!" she threatened, anger returned to his face.
"You won't get the chance, you little..." he lunged at her. Chloe ran but it was too late. Lex grabbed the back of the dress and it tore half way down, Chloe swivelled and the tear ran right across the dress so it hung free from her body and fell to the ground, bunching up neatly around her feet.