CHAPTER THREE
Disclaimers in Chapter One
Disoriented was the first sensation that came to him when he finally gained consciousness. Attempting to open his eyes, the glare of the mall's fluorescent lights was blinding.
The only thing that he could truly sense was the sound of an angelic voice. "Lex, are you alright?" it said. He tried to open his eyes again, and this time, he was successful as he immediately saw a concerned Chloe holding him. "Lex?" she asked one more time.
"I'm fine," he muttered, struggling to regain control of all his senses. Yet, while they had surrender control to Lex, they seemed to be flooded with everything that was Chloe: smell, sight, everything.
And Lex became intoxicated. "Chloe?" he said dreamily.
"Yeah?" she responded as she softly stroked his cheek. "Lex, are you okay?"
He nodded, speechless from his mixed-up feelings. "Need to stand up," he mustered, prompting the blonde to help prop himself up. Still unable to stand completely on his own, Chloe held on to him as he used her shoulders for leverage.
"Lex?" she asked again. "Should I call for Helen or something?"
"No," he immediately refused. "I'm fine." He shook his head in an effort to clear it up and looked up. Her eyes met his gaze, and a strong wave of emotions came rushing into him.
Not being able to fight it, Lex cupped both sides of Chloe's face gently, much to her surprise, and descended his lips to hers in a soft kiss.
Chloe's eyes grew bigger in complete amazement as his soft lips began to caress hers. When she finally felt his tongue trying to pry in, she was snapped back to reality and forced herself to push him away.
Breathless, she managed to say "what in the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Kissing you," he pointed out as he became less frazzled and more resolute at his attraction for the young reporter.
"Um, okay," Chloe responded sarcastically. "Hello? Do the words 'engaged to Helen' ring a bell?"
Lex shrugged. "I don't love her," he uttered without hesitation, amazed that he could admit to it without any doubt.
Chloe looked at him with disbelief. "And you figured this out after a blackout?"
"Call it an epiphany if you will," he told her. A look into his eyes indicated nothing but sincerity. When he tried to inch closer to her, she immediately reacted by stepping away.
"No, Lex," she said firmly. "You must have hit your head or something. You're not thinking clearly."
He shook his head. "I don't think I've thought any clearer than I have now," he disagreed. "Chloe Sullivan, I'm in love with you."
