Chapter 2 – It's Time

Chloe stared back at the reflection in the mirror. She liked what she saw. The red dress with spaghetti straps was tight across her breasts, forcing up cleavage even she didn't know she had. The dress was tight at the waist and hung down from her hips to her feet, a slit up the left side, slightly to the front that went all the way up to mid thigh. You could just see a hint of the lace of her thigh-high stockings at the top of the slit, but only if she pulled the dress apart; it would not likely show just from walking. Her beige hose were like silk, though she was nervous about the thigh-highs falling down. Her cousin Lois had assured her that if you wanted to be noticed and someone might be close enough to touch, thigh-highs were the only way to go. And tonight she wanted someone to notice and she wanted to be touched, she just prayed her plan would work.

"Chloe, it's time. Clark's here we gotta go." Lana called from the hallway.

'Well' Chloe thought to herself, 'you can't win if you don't play'. And with a last smile and deep breath she opened the door. "I'm coming".

Clark looked up to see Lana in a light blue satin dress that came just above her knee; with her hair in curls and flowing around her shoulders, she was breathtaking. He smiled, in that sheepish farm boy way that he did, "Hey Lana, uummmm you look great, where's Chloe?" Then he glanced over Lana's shoulder and his throat closed up and he forgot to close his mouth.

Lana noticed his behavior and followed the direction of his eyes up to where Chloe was gliding down the stairs. Lana almost blinked to be sure what she was seeing. Chloe was always cute, adorable, pretty, but tonight she was stunning. She radiated sexuality and a maturity in her smile that Lana didn't remember seeing in her before, well maybe when she and Lex were arguing, but never just walking across a room. Lana smiled, she was happy for her friend, she was finally getting out of the image that Pete and Clark had cast her in for far too long.

Chloe nodded at them both and kept the nonchalant smile on her face; it was a look she was beginning to perfect. It was strange how aware you are of your emotions when you are trying to mask them from the world, it suddenly made them feel stronger and more real.

"Well, shall we go? I don't want to miss my own party." She said with a light air that seemed to indicate she was indifferent to the whole situation. Lana smiled and Clark finally closed his mouth, and simply nodded still at a loss for words.

'Is that my Chloe? I mean good ole' Chloe… I mean oh god, what do I mean,' his thoughts trailed off as he reached the door of Chloe's car, to open it for Lana, who crawled into the backseat while Chloe got into the front. Clark jogged around to the driver's seat and soon they were underway.

"Clark, I appreciate you driving tonight, I am looking forward to," she paused searching for the right words, "letting go." Chloe said with a lilt to her voice that told of her expectations for the night. However, as usual her innuendo was lost on her companions. She smiled to herself, tonight was going to change her life, she only hoped it would be for the better.

As they reached the house, the line of cars was down the driveway. Chloe was actually surprised that so many people had come to her party. Then she realized they had probably come for the free alcohol and a chance to party at Lex Luthor's castle. The party was Clark's idea, but she was elated at the ideas it gave rise to in her head. It was the perfect occasion to make a move, and a perfect way to hide. She had agreed, to have the party, reluctantly of course, or so they thought. She had requested two things, there had to be alcohol and it had to be formal. No way was she going to try to be impressive wearing her regular clothes and eating cheese dip chasing it with soda. She was going to dress to kill and then make her move. And if her plan went awry or was not well received, well then a she would claim a drunken blackout to block out the embarrassment.

Clark spoke first, "Wow looks like the party is a hit, although I think we are a little late, it's…." He remarked looking at the girls.

Lana cut him off in a huff, "Clark Kent don't you dare complain about how long it took for us to get ready, or next time we will find a different escort." Her eyes danced with indignation, and Chloe almost laughed at Clark's now embarrassed and red face as he stammered an apology. Chloe let out a breath, 'aahhhh teen love, how quaint, BLECK,' she thought. 'How is it possible that these two are still beating around the bush?'

"Can we go in now, while I am still having a birthday?" Chloe said a little annoyed that the two were still staring at each other.

Lana looked up and hurried to get out of the back seat and follow Chloe as Clark handed the keys to the valet who took down his name and attached it to the key.

Clark caught up to the girls, "Wow, looks like Lex went all out. I mean valets and everything." He said a little overwhelmed.

Chloe nodded, "It was the only way he would agree to the alcohol, no one leaves until his security verifies that someone is okay to drive," she answered as if they were the most obvious words ever spoken. As the door opened she smiled a lazy, seductive smile, "Hello Andrew"

The butler inclined his head, smiled slightly and replied "Ms. Chloe, we have been waiting for you. I will inform Mr. Luthor of your arrival."

Her smile never wavered, but her eyes lit up and she touched his arm lightly, "Yes please do" almost a little too breathy. God she was nervous, thank God she had decided to incorporate some alcohol into this evening. As she entered, Clark and Lana both stood dead stopped just inside the door, both separately trying to process the exchange.

"Lana, does Andrew ever call you by your first name" Clark questioned in a hushed tone.

"No, he always says Ms. Lang, no matter now many times I asked him to." Lana whispered back.

"Well, Mr. Kent, Ms. Lang good to see you this evening," with no hint of the smile that had greeted Chloe earlier.

"Um, Andrew you can call me Clark", Clark said in an almost pleading voice. Andrew simply nodded his head as always and pushed the door closed behind them, then turned on his heel and headed up the stairs.

As the butler reached the first landing, Lex stepped up to the overlook at the top of the stairs, one hand on the rail and peered down at Chloe. He inclined his head to his butler, indicating that the message had been received. Andrew turned and disappeared toward the kitchen.

Lex stared down at her, he was unable to move. It was as if every fiber of his being had turned to stone. She looked like a goddess, her dress was elegant, but showed off her curves, and even from the second story he could see an ample display of her breasts. His mouth watered slightly at the thought of his lips caressing the pale skin, his tongue tracing a line to the nipples that he was sure were hidden just at the edge of the fabric. His hand gripped the railing to steady himself as the waves of desire washed over him. He could feel himself hardening and he wasn't even close to her yet. Thank God for long tuxedo coats. He shut his eyes for a flash and took in a deep breath to still the need that gripped him. When he opened his eyes and looked down it was just in time to see her look up and catch his eye. She smiled that same lazy seductive smile that she hoped imparted the hints of what was to come. He smiled back, his eyes a little dark – it was definitely a good thing she wasn't too close yet. He winked at her and she let her smile turn into a smirk and shook her head teasingly at him. He registered the smirk and the smile and if he had been waiting for a sign that it was time, well he was pretty sure he had just gotten one.