A/N2: January 6, 2013: Here's today's edit. Quite a few changes to this one compared to the old chapter. All for the better, I hope. :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Smallville.
Chapter 15:
"Ugh," Chloe groaned out loud, throwing down yet another outfit. "This one's awful, too!"
"Chloe," she heard her dad call from some distance. "Are you all right?"
She let out a sheepish sounding sigh. So, she wasn't exactly being quiet—"Yeah," she replied quickly. "I'm fine!"—but she was so thoroughly frustrated.
Once again she was faced with finding the right outfit to wear to, yet, another outing with Lex. She wasn't one to really care what other's thought of her appearance, but after Lex did everything he could to successfully impress her, she just wanted to return the favor. After all, there was nothing wrong with attempting to dazzle a man.
After it was clear to her that she wasn't going to find a single thing in her closet, Chloe made the short trek to Lana's room. They frequently swapped clothes and she knew her roommate wouldn't mind.
She found success in Lana's closet. Chloe pulled out an orangey-red A-line, tank dress that she thought would be perfect for her. It was cute, with a single patch pocket above the bust-line and a sash that tied around the waist; but, at the same time, it was still the right amount of sophistication for her age. She quickly took it back to her room to try on; she found that she'd been right, it fit perfectly. Finishing the look, Chloe paired the dress with a pair of open-toed black, ballet flats and brushed her hair out into its usual style.
Chloe analyzed her appearance in the mirror, swaying from side to side. She looked pretty darn good if she said so herself. She found herself suddenly giddy, thinking about Lex seeing her look so pretty and sophisticated. In just a few short days of hanging out together, she had come to care about Lex a lot. She only hoped he felt the same and that they could go somewhere with their feelings.
"I guess we'll have to wait and see," she told her reflection excitedly.
Glancing at the clock, she saw that it was almost time for Lex to pick her up. She still had to pack. She hadn't meant to take so long getting dressed. Picking up her suitcase, she opened it up on her bed and placed inside a few different outfits, similar to what she was wearing, and a few other necessary items. The sound of the doorbell interrupted her slow, meticulous packing.
"Oh crap," she cursed to herself. And then she loudly shouted, "Dad, if that's Lex tell him I'll be down in a few minutes."
She rushed the rest of her packing, but took a moment to make sure her story portfolio was tucked inside. It was full of carefully selected news articles that she'd written for the Talon and one or two articles that she'd managed to get printed in the Smallville Gazette.
Finally, she started down the stairs, clunking the now heavy suitcase behind her. When she made it down, she found Lex waiting for her there. Lex's eyes instantly met hers, and for a moment they both stood there, just staring at each other. For her part, she suddenly felt overwhelmed at the idea of being around him for the next couple of days. It was daunting, but exhilarating at the same time. And she couldn't wait.
He broke their gaze a second later, smirking up at her, before he was suddenly at her side, taking the suitcase from her.
"Such chivalry, bet you show that to all the girls," she teased, giving him a huge smile.
"Only for you, Chloe," he denied in a low, husky voice that caused her to meet his intense gaze, once again freezing her to spot.
"Eh hmm," the sound of throat clearing could be heard from behind them.
Chloe turned around to find her dad watching the scene with a disapproving frown on his face. She'd forgotten all about her dad the second her eyes had landed on Lex.
"I presume you have a phone number and address that I can contact my daughter if need be," Mr. Sullivan said, drawing out the words 'my daughter' as he spoke.
Lex looked momentarily displaced before quickly reaching into his pocket. He handed her dad a business card. "Of course. Number and address, that's the place we'll be staying. Chloe will have full access to the guest bedroom, kitchen, and anything else she might need."
"All right, then. I guess you two are all set to go," Mr. Sullivan commented uneasily. "I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, Lex, but make sure you take care of my little girl, all right? She's my world."
"Dad!" Chloe exclaimed, blushing at her dad's corniness. She rolled her eyes at him affectionately.
"Don't worry, Mr. Sullivan. I'll be keeping my eye on her," Lex agreed. "We all know how she likes to get into trouble."
"Lex!" She turned a disbelieving eye on the good-looking man.
"Right. Just make sure she stays away from any pending investigations and I'm sure she'll be ok."
"Oh, for God's sake, I'm not that bad," she shot at them, exasperated.
The two of them had the nerve to share a conspiratorial laugh and that's when she decided it was time to go. She grabbed Lex's arm and pulled him towards the door.
"Bye, dad!" she called over her shoulder, just as they exited.
Chloe walked out only to be confronted by the sight of a long, black limo in her driveway. She hadn't been expecting this.
"I thought we'd take the limo. It's a lot more comfortable for a long drive, and private," he said to her when she turned questioning eyes on him.
"That's… That's fine," she stuttered out, not sure why the idea of them spending an hour or two alone in a limo together was a little unnerving. After all, she'd gone to Paris with him, even shared a bed with the handsome billionaire—albeit, platonically. A ride to Metropolis, alone, should have been nothing special. And yet, she felt its magnitude on her shoulders.
Walking towards the limo, the driver came out immediately and took Chloe's suitcase to place it in the trunk.
Lex placed a hand on the small of her back, leaning towards her slightly. "Have I told you how lovely you look, yet?"
She wordlessly grinned back at him. The driver opened the door for them before he could say anything else.
"No, you didn't," she added, after entering the expansive limo.
Lex turned his body to face hers. He reached for her hand and pulled it towards him, holding it, as he settled their hands on his knee. Chloe felt his thumb begin to lightly caress her palm. It sent shivers up her spine.
"Because you do, you look absolutely beautiful," he continued to flatter.
He brought her hand up to his lips and placed a sweet kiss on her knuckles.
She smiled at him prettily, fluttering her eyelashes, feeling the full effects of his charm. "Why Lex, I do believe you've turned on your seduction powers to the maximum."
"Are they working?" He gave her a confident smirk.
She held her index finger and thumb close together in front of his face. "Just a little bit," she teased.
"Well, I guess I'll just have to try a little harder," Lex replied confidently.
He leaned his body closer to hers, not close enough to touch, but enough to feel the heat of his body radiating towards her. He bent his head close to her ear, once again not touching, but his warm breath, tickling the shell of her ear, was almost equal to if it were his fingers.
"Yes, I think you can do much better," she intoned flirtatiously.
His lips brushed against her earlobe and she visibly shivered. "Oh, most definitely," he said firmly.
Chloe allowed her arms to slip around his neck then, a silent approval of his advances. He reached for her instantly, his arms slid around her back and he drew her in for a breathtaking kiss.
"How's that?" he asked, pulling back too quickly for Chloe's comfort.
"A bit better," she continued the game despite her breathlessness.
Without words, his lips trailed butterfly kisses down the line of her jaw, up across her cheek and then back down the length of her neck, settling there to thoroughly kiss the spot.
"Better?" He lifted his head so that they were eye to eye, lips to lips.
"Exceedingly," she affirmed, capturing his mouth with her own. This time she was determined to not let the kiss end until she couldn't breathe anymore.
But, after a few minutes of blissful kissing, Lex seemed to have other plans. He pulled away from her, urging her to lay her head against his chest. She hugged him close and let herself catch her breath, hoping to calm her overstimulated nerves.
"Chloe..." Lex began, breaking the silence.
"Mmm..." she mumbled.
"Will you be my girlfriend?" he blurted out.
He had no idea where the question had come from. But as he waited for her answer, he realized that the feelings he was feeling for the tenacious blonde had inevitably led him to this moment right now. In a short while, he'd come to really care for her. And he wanted her to know that.
Chloe slowly lifted her head from his chest so that she could focus on his blue eyes. He watched her with hopeful eyes as he waited for her answer. This was so unexpected, so frightening, and yet it felt so right.
"Yes," she replied shakily.
There simply was no other answer to give, nothing more to say. All that was left was to seal it with a kiss.
That's it for this one. I made a big change in what Chloe was wearing on the trip to Metropolis. Originally, I had her in a pink tube top and low-rise jeans. Yeah, I know, what the heck was I thinking? I seriously have no clue. If you're wondering what her outfit looks like now, I put a link to the dress I used for inspiration in my profile. Take a look, if you're interested.
Anyways, hope you enjoyed and hope you'll let me know what you think.
Original A/N: I liked that chapter. I thought it was one of my best. I just got the urge to write some Lex/Chloe fluffiness, so here it is. And next chapter is all written out. So that will be up soon too. Should be finished in a couple more chapters. They are finally on their way to Metropolis.
And thank you to all that reviewed. Keep them coming.
