Title: Wanna Bet?
Author: Color Me Chlex (aka Amber)
Rating: light R (for later chapters, and occasional cussing)
Category: Romance/Some Angst/Humor, 100% Chlex
Summary: Chloe makes a bet with herself that she can forget all about Clark by focusing on none other than the infamous Lex Luthor.

Disclaimer: So there I was at the front door of the guy's house. It'd been a week since the incident at the WB building. I rang the door and his wife answered. I asked her if her husband was home. She shook her head and replied, "but he should be here any minute. You can wait for him in his office." Wow, this is going to be easier than I thought it would be, I thought to myself. After she left me in there, I immediately started rummaging through his desk until I found it. The contract that would give Smallville back to it's true owner. And that's how he found me. He calmly walked over and sighed. He took my hands and said, "Amber, I know its hard, but just repeat after me. 'I do not own Smallville.' " That sick bastard! I will not stop until Smallville is mine once again!

Oh, and near the beginning of the chapter, I recite a poem that truly isn't mine. Dang it. But it does (or did) belong to Lord Byron. Oh well, he's a cool guy, so I guess I can let him keep it.

Notes: You heard my pleas...and you responded! Thanks to everyone who wrote me a review (especially to those who reviewed for both chapters)! You guys are the greatest readers ever! And on a note about this chapter: It is all in Lex's perspective. Tonight, I will be adding two chapters, "Memorizations," and "Learning By Heart," which is in Chloe's perspective. They both are about realizing true feelings. There are some physical references, but mostly it is chaste admission of emotions. Enjoy!

Chapter Three: Memorizations
* * * * * * * * * *

Lex wasn't sure how it happened, but somewhere between the time the movie started and the ending credits he had fallen asleep. He woke up just as the cast started rolling and realized he was lying down on the couch...with Chloe in his arms. Wow, this is something that I could get used to waking up to, he thought.

He slowly lifted his left arm to look at his watch. It was almost 9:30 PM. He didn't know what Chloe's curfew was, but he didn't want Chloe to get into any trouble. Nor did he want Gabe to be mad at him for keeping his daughter out too late. It already looked bad enough spending personal time with his hardest working, most valuable employee's sixteen year old daughter.

He gently nudged Chloe, attempting to wake her up. She stirred a little, but eventually she just snuggled closer to him. Oh, Chloe...if you stir anymore when we are so close together, things are going to happen that I won't be able to stop. And we all know what things he was talking about.

Just looking at her sleep made him feel like an uncontrollable teenager again. Now, she was unintentionally rubbing herself against him, and it was producing reactions that he didn't want her to know he couldn't control. He inhaled sharply and slowly let out his breath. Lex, control yourself. Just remember that she's sixteen and most likely not ready for that type of action. Not to mention the fact that she's probably still in love with you friend. Yeah, Clark Kent. Remember him? He rolled his eyes at his own question. Of course he remember Clark Kent, he only saved his life!

After finishing the conversation with himself, he focused back to the topic at hand. No, not his inability to control the way Chloe was affecting his hormones. Rather at waking her up. He knew he should, but she was so peaceful and beautiful while she lay there, softly breathing in a gentle and natural pattern.

He thought back to earlier that afternoon when he had spotted her sitting alone in the back. Sure, he had always found Chloe to be an attractive woman, but that afternoon she had held a spark in her that he had never seen before. At the beginning of their conversation, he started to think that maybe he was wrong. Maybe he had imagined that twinkle in her eye; but no, there it was again. It had appeared right after he had asked her to accompany him to dinner. And besides the random sinking mood while riding in his car, she had held on to that glimmer. Occasionally during dinner she had attempted to mask it, but it was only in vain. He knew it was there, and he wanted it to stay.

His growing affection for her was definitely too large to ignore now. He wanted to tell her about his feelings for her, but he didn't dare. Yes, he had been able to seduce women, but to gain only their pleasure in bed or other scandalous matters. He was an amateur when it came to the declaration of emotions. Of course was aware that he was not in love with Chloe...yet. But he also knew that if things kept going the way he thought they were, his compassion for her could quickly transform into it.

Lex sighed deeply and shut his eyes, only to realize that not seeing Chloe and knowing she was right in front of him was almost unbearable. All he needed at this moment was to watch her, study her, memorize her. She is so incredibly beautiful, he thought. He placed a tress of hair behind her ear. It had prevented him from seeing her entire face, and he couldn't deal with that. Her face was only inches from his. He could see each aspect of perfection she possessed: every element of her smooth complexion, every lash on her delicate eyelids, every pinkish tint on her tender cheeks, and every ridge on her luscious lips. Oh, he wanted to taste those lips of hers!

He was suddenly reminded of a poem he loved to read. She Walks in Beauty, by Lord Byron. Byron was one of his favorite poets; he always seemed to capture the romance in such beautiful words. But, the poem that he was thinking of must have been written for Chloe, although he knew well enough that it was actually written for Lady Wilmot Horton, Byron's cousin by marriage. (Sorry, I had to give a partial history lesson...)

The words in the poem coursed through his mind quickly bceause he had read it so many times:
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shad the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

It was amazing how closely connected the woman in the poem was to Chloe. Of course, Chloe had blonde hair, and Lady Horton had raven, but otherwise they were so much related. Chloe was so pure and dear; she won people over with her brilliant smiles; the best of all worlds, dark and light, came together in her eyes. And most importantly, she held a heart whose love was innocent.

How did this happen? he asked himself. How could I develop such strong feelings for a girl, no...a woman, that up until now hardly spent any time with me? But he knew he shouldn't be surprised. She was Chloe Sullivan: the most vivacious, intriguing, picturesque woman he had ever met. Not to mention the most dedicated reporter, and the only reporter he could stand to be around. Maybe it has to do with you liking her, he told himself matter-of-factly. Maybe...maybe not! was his childish response to himself.

He finally realized that even thought he wanted it to, time was not standing still for them. He looked again at his watch. It read about 10:15. I can't believe I just spent 45 minutes thinking about Chloe. Not that it's a waste of time or anything..., he thought.

He nudged her slightly again, but this time he also whispered her name in her ear, "Chloe?"

She moaned a little, and her eyes slowly fluttered open. She looked up at him with her beautiful eyes and smiled. I don't think I would mind if I fell in love with her.
* * * * * * * * * *

Ahhh... Lex with insecurites... Nice change for once. And I made it happen, because it's my story. JK. Well, if you're reading this, then that means the next chapter's up too! So on with the story! :)