Opening one eye at a time, Chloe tried to deny the natural order of the
universe. There was no way it could be light already. She had just fallen
asleep. She looked around curiously again. There was light. And there was
also Lana humming somewhere. Definitely morning. Stretching out she pulled
the covers over her and indulged in a grin. A very girly, swoony grin. The
only place she would allow herself to behave this way was out of sight of
every living thing. Under the duvet worked out just fine. Lex had been
particularly delicious yesterday. The session at the Torch had....been one of
the better ones she thought, smiling at the massive understatement. She was
going to have to get some kind of definition out of Lex about their
"relationship" soon because there was no way she could hold out much
longer. There should be a ban on that kind of sexiness. And what was worse
was that Lex knew it. He knew he was irresistible and played it like a
violin. It would have broken down the defences of a lesser woman months ago
but Chloe liked to think she had that little bit extra. Rolling her eyes at
herself she fell out of bed landing in a messy heap on yesterdays clothes.
Yesterdays "love" clothes she corrected herself smirking.
Alerted by the thump Lana peeked in and slowly raised her mouth in a smile. Chloe scowled back and hoped that would be the end of that.
"Where were you last night?" Lana asked innocently.
"At the Torch. Finishing the latest edition."
"Didn't that just come out?"
"Yeah, I was getting a head start on the next issue."
"Mmhmm" Lana replied sceptically, raising her eyebrows. "Is he cute?" She asked quickly.
"What?" Chloe replied disorientated, smelling entrapment in the air.
"What?"
"Well, I'm glad we got that sorted out." Chloe said sardonically before ducking out of the room. Maybe Lana had more brain cells than she was giving her credit for she thought as she headed to the bathroom.
Lex rubbed his eyes in irritation, trying to deny the tiredness he felt. Last night's little teenage groping session had lasted longer than expected and he was off his game this morning. He as due to meet with some French investors in an hour and felt underprepared. A feeling that was as unfamiliar as it was hated. Jumping up from his seat he poured himself another cup of coffee. In the 2 minutes he allocated to himself to drink it, he thought about Chloe and last night. She was a lot more...willing last night and after her initial bout of angst they had manoeuvred themselves to their more comfortable playful state and witty repartee. Nice and safe.
Recently, he had found it difficult to read her. For the most part she was very blasé, very mature about the whole thing. There were only certain instances when he felt he was seeing a high schooler and those mostly revolved around her having homework or not being able to stay out late. Nothing about her emotional state suggested it. She was calm and funny when with him, definitely not prone to angst which was why last night's minor outburst bothered him. Seeing his empty coffee cup denoting his 2 minutes up, he realised that all thoughts about his bolshy blonde would have to wait.
.
"I know something is going on with you so you might as well tell me. I also suspect it's to do with a boy." Lana said stressing the last word with a smile.
"Not a boy?!" Chloe shot back looking shocked and trying not to laugh
"Yes a boy. And what's more, a boy that isn't Clark Kent." Lana finished grinning, looking very pleased with herself.
Chloe laughed, enjoying the appearance of teasing Lana. Part of her longed to tell Lana, giggle like girls about it and plot scenarios yet....yet what? She thought. What exactly would she tell her. "Well, Lana, a few months ago, Lex and I jumped each other and discovered it was kinda fun. Anyhoo, we've been doing that off and on for the past 5 months but now it's getting kind of old. I'm ready to move into the new phase of our relationship, but oops, we don't have a relationship cause you know, definition is bad." Erm. No. And hello Bitter Chloe she thought.
Lana was looking up at her expectantly.
"It's complicated. I am neither confirming or denying your shot in the dark by the way." Chloe said.
"I'll take that as the confirmation it was intended to be then." She retorted winking. "Well, rest assured, I'm on the case."
"Oh, I'll rest very assured. Thank you." Chloe replied smiling before heading out.
Strolling into the Talon Lex spotted the "gang" at a table at the far end, seemingly distracting Lana from her actual paying customers. Walking up to them he tried to shake his mind clear of the business meeting earlier that day. There was a reason he was rarely underprepared and the French had exposed it quite ruthlessly this morning. He wasn't too disheartened, it just meant that he would have to use his brain more than usual to correct the damage.
He could see that Chloe had spotted him as she started feigning extreme nonchalance but couldn't quite disguise the blush creeping up her neck. Lex smirked to himself. For all the virtues of her maturity, he wasn't going to pretend it wasn't gratifying to see her give into some teenage emotions. He was just as happy to see her and enjoyed the knowledge that both their minds were thinking back to the strenuous activity that had taken place at the Torch the previous night. Sitting opposite her he greeted Clark and Lana, merely nodding an acknowledgment to Chloe.
"What's the topic of conversation?" He asked, looking at Clark.
"Chloe's new boyfriend." Lana helpfully filled in earning a death glare from Chloe. "We were just trying to figure out who the mystery guy was." Lana said.
"Shouldn't you be pouring coffee Lana? Chloe asked sweetly, "Over there?" Winking at Chloe she walked off.
"Just to update you Lex, we've ruled out anyone at school so we're thinking it has to be someone from out of town." Clark said.
Lex tried to feign fake interest which he thought was the appropriate response to Clark's teenage melodrama. This was proving quite the challenge as he was actually genuinely, deeply interested in this particular conversation.
"I'm letting them have their fun Lex. Providing a little distraction for good ole Clark here from the farm and the cows and the farm and the cows..."
"We get it" Clark said in mock annoyance.
"Endless cows" she whispered at Lex.
"I'm getting a re-fill. Anyone want anything?" Clark asked getting up. Meeting their blank faces he shrugged and walked towards the counter.
"Interesting." Lex said as soon as he was out of earshot.
"Very." Chloe replied. "It seems that I haven't been giving enough credit to those two. They smell something fishy. Although I remain confident that it will take them another 5 months to put two and two together. So we've got some time."
"How was your day?" She asked changing the topic.
"I had a particularly shitty meeting with some French investors." He replied honestly. He saw Chloe raise her eyebrows in interest. "It seems that I can't actually operate on less than 4 hours sleep" he clarified. She at least had the decency to look a little embarrassed.
"So...how are you?" He asked, more softly.
"I'm fine. How are you?" She replied in all politeness. Lex merely lifted his eyebrow. So she was pissed off. About what exactly he didn't know. He was willing to bet it was a myriad of things. The best course of action was to ignore it.
"You want to come to the mansion tonight? I'll cook." He said, waggling his eyebrows.
"I'll get back to you. I've got some important.." she paused searching for the word, "thinking to do." She finished.
Chloe didn't know why she was suddenly pissed off. She had gotten up feeling as swoony as it was possible for her to feel. Joked with Lana, tolerated her and Clark's teasing. It was, all in all a pretty fun afternoon. Then Lex had walked in looking hot in his casual attire, causing her body temperature to raise just that little bit. He had then spoiled it by opening his mouth and then subsequently with every well-thought out word that came out of it. That was it. The fact that every word and action was carefully planned. Even with her. Especially with her. Like right now. It looked like he was planning his acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize.
"What are you thinking about?" She asked.
"How I can out-manoeuvre the French at our next meeting. Why?"
"You don't think that's a little odd? You're here in the Talon, chilling with the locals, speaking to your teenage make-out partner, and you're thinking about some old French guys?" Chloe asked, working herself up to full throttle. "Why aren't you thinking about the cleavage I've got on prominent display? You shouldn't be able to focus on anything but the cleavage. I mean, are you even male?" She was leaning towards him, hands on the table, looking him in the eye.
"Believe me, I noticed it before." Lex assured her feeling slightly perturbed by her rising hysteria.
"You noticed it before? You should be noticing it before, now and ever after." She replied in frustration, very aware of the fact that she was coming across as more than a little mentally disturbed.
Getting to her feet she got her things, "I'll see you tonight at 8. I'm expecting gourmet cuisine Luthor" she said before walking out.
Alerted by the thump Lana peeked in and slowly raised her mouth in a smile. Chloe scowled back and hoped that would be the end of that.
"Where were you last night?" Lana asked innocently.
"At the Torch. Finishing the latest edition."
"Didn't that just come out?"
"Yeah, I was getting a head start on the next issue."
"Mmhmm" Lana replied sceptically, raising her eyebrows. "Is he cute?" She asked quickly.
"What?" Chloe replied disorientated, smelling entrapment in the air.
"What?"
"Well, I'm glad we got that sorted out." Chloe said sardonically before ducking out of the room. Maybe Lana had more brain cells than she was giving her credit for she thought as she headed to the bathroom.
Lex rubbed his eyes in irritation, trying to deny the tiredness he felt. Last night's little teenage groping session had lasted longer than expected and he was off his game this morning. He as due to meet with some French investors in an hour and felt underprepared. A feeling that was as unfamiliar as it was hated. Jumping up from his seat he poured himself another cup of coffee. In the 2 minutes he allocated to himself to drink it, he thought about Chloe and last night. She was a lot more...willing last night and after her initial bout of angst they had manoeuvred themselves to their more comfortable playful state and witty repartee. Nice and safe.
Recently, he had found it difficult to read her. For the most part she was very blasé, very mature about the whole thing. There were only certain instances when he felt he was seeing a high schooler and those mostly revolved around her having homework or not being able to stay out late. Nothing about her emotional state suggested it. She was calm and funny when with him, definitely not prone to angst which was why last night's minor outburst bothered him. Seeing his empty coffee cup denoting his 2 minutes up, he realised that all thoughts about his bolshy blonde would have to wait.
.
"I know something is going on with you so you might as well tell me. I also suspect it's to do with a boy." Lana said stressing the last word with a smile.
"Not a boy?!" Chloe shot back looking shocked and trying not to laugh
"Yes a boy. And what's more, a boy that isn't Clark Kent." Lana finished grinning, looking very pleased with herself.
Chloe laughed, enjoying the appearance of teasing Lana. Part of her longed to tell Lana, giggle like girls about it and plot scenarios yet....yet what? She thought. What exactly would she tell her. "Well, Lana, a few months ago, Lex and I jumped each other and discovered it was kinda fun. Anyhoo, we've been doing that off and on for the past 5 months but now it's getting kind of old. I'm ready to move into the new phase of our relationship, but oops, we don't have a relationship cause you know, definition is bad." Erm. No. And hello Bitter Chloe she thought.
Lana was looking up at her expectantly.
"It's complicated. I am neither confirming or denying your shot in the dark by the way." Chloe said.
"I'll take that as the confirmation it was intended to be then." She retorted winking. "Well, rest assured, I'm on the case."
"Oh, I'll rest very assured. Thank you." Chloe replied smiling before heading out.
Strolling into the Talon Lex spotted the "gang" at a table at the far end, seemingly distracting Lana from her actual paying customers. Walking up to them he tried to shake his mind clear of the business meeting earlier that day. There was a reason he was rarely underprepared and the French had exposed it quite ruthlessly this morning. He wasn't too disheartened, it just meant that he would have to use his brain more than usual to correct the damage.
He could see that Chloe had spotted him as she started feigning extreme nonchalance but couldn't quite disguise the blush creeping up her neck. Lex smirked to himself. For all the virtues of her maturity, he wasn't going to pretend it wasn't gratifying to see her give into some teenage emotions. He was just as happy to see her and enjoyed the knowledge that both their minds were thinking back to the strenuous activity that had taken place at the Torch the previous night. Sitting opposite her he greeted Clark and Lana, merely nodding an acknowledgment to Chloe.
"What's the topic of conversation?" He asked, looking at Clark.
"Chloe's new boyfriend." Lana helpfully filled in earning a death glare from Chloe. "We were just trying to figure out who the mystery guy was." Lana said.
"Shouldn't you be pouring coffee Lana? Chloe asked sweetly, "Over there?" Winking at Chloe she walked off.
"Just to update you Lex, we've ruled out anyone at school so we're thinking it has to be someone from out of town." Clark said.
Lex tried to feign fake interest which he thought was the appropriate response to Clark's teenage melodrama. This was proving quite the challenge as he was actually genuinely, deeply interested in this particular conversation.
"I'm letting them have their fun Lex. Providing a little distraction for good ole Clark here from the farm and the cows and the farm and the cows..."
"We get it" Clark said in mock annoyance.
"Endless cows" she whispered at Lex.
"I'm getting a re-fill. Anyone want anything?" Clark asked getting up. Meeting their blank faces he shrugged and walked towards the counter.
"Interesting." Lex said as soon as he was out of earshot.
"Very." Chloe replied. "It seems that I haven't been giving enough credit to those two. They smell something fishy. Although I remain confident that it will take them another 5 months to put two and two together. So we've got some time."
"How was your day?" She asked changing the topic.
"I had a particularly shitty meeting with some French investors." He replied honestly. He saw Chloe raise her eyebrows in interest. "It seems that I can't actually operate on less than 4 hours sleep" he clarified. She at least had the decency to look a little embarrassed.
"So...how are you?" He asked, more softly.
"I'm fine. How are you?" She replied in all politeness. Lex merely lifted his eyebrow. So she was pissed off. About what exactly he didn't know. He was willing to bet it was a myriad of things. The best course of action was to ignore it.
"You want to come to the mansion tonight? I'll cook." He said, waggling his eyebrows.
"I'll get back to you. I've got some important.." she paused searching for the word, "thinking to do." She finished.
Chloe didn't know why she was suddenly pissed off. She had gotten up feeling as swoony as it was possible for her to feel. Joked with Lana, tolerated her and Clark's teasing. It was, all in all a pretty fun afternoon. Then Lex had walked in looking hot in his casual attire, causing her body temperature to raise just that little bit. He had then spoiled it by opening his mouth and then subsequently with every well-thought out word that came out of it. That was it. The fact that every word and action was carefully planned. Even with her. Especially with her. Like right now. It looked like he was planning his acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize.
"What are you thinking about?" She asked.
"How I can out-manoeuvre the French at our next meeting. Why?"
"You don't think that's a little odd? You're here in the Talon, chilling with the locals, speaking to your teenage make-out partner, and you're thinking about some old French guys?" Chloe asked, working herself up to full throttle. "Why aren't you thinking about the cleavage I've got on prominent display? You shouldn't be able to focus on anything but the cleavage. I mean, are you even male?" She was leaning towards him, hands on the table, looking him in the eye.
"Believe me, I noticed it before." Lex assured her feeling slightly perturbed by her rising hysteria.
"You noticed it before? You should be noticing it before, now and ever after." She replied in frustration, very aware of the fact that she was coming across as more than a little mentally disturbed.
Getting to her feet she got her things, "I'll see you tonight at 8. I'm expecting gourmet cuisine Luthor" she said before walking out.