Chapter 7
Chloe knew she needed to get out of here to think, but kissing Clark was so much better than she had imagined. Chloe took her arms from around his neck and placed them on his chest. She gave a slight push. Clark got the message. He reluctantly took his mouth from hers. "Chloe!" The sound was barely a whisper.
Chloe sighed. "Clark, I have to go," she muttered softly. Clark placed his forehead against hers eyes closed and sighed.
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow then." still softly. Chloe slipped her arms around Clark's waist and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Okay." Without looking at Clark, she let go of him and started back down the rest of the stairs. Clark grabbed her hand and brought it up to his mouth and kissed her palm. A slow lingering kiss. Chloe caught her breath. His eyes were bright with longing. Chloe smiled, slipped her hand out of Clark's, turned and hurried down the rest of the stairs, out of the barn, and to her car like someone was chasing her.
Clark still didn't move from the spot she had left him until he heard Chloe's car start up and drive away. Clark smiled to himself. Tomorrow was going to be great!
Chloe was pacing back and forth taking long deep breaths, swinging her arms. She had been at The Torch since 5 o'clock this morning. She'd given up trying to sleep. She couldn't believe that she actually leaned over and kissed Clark last night. Was she a masochist or something? She was setting herself up for a world of hurt. She just knew in her heart that when Clark showed up this morning it was going to be awkward and he was going to apologize for the 'mistake' they made and ask to just be friends again.
Finally, exasperated with herself, she sat down on the couch. She knew what she would do; she'd beat him to the punch like she did in freshman year. Tears welled up in Chloe's eyes. Clark would there in about an hour and she still couldn't get a grip on her emotions. Maybe if she lay down and rested for a moment, took deep breaths she might be able to calm down. Chloe slipped off her shoes and swung her feet up on the couch laying her head on one of the throw pillows. She sighed and closed her eyes. She was so tired after being up all night. She told herself to take deep breaths and relax all of her muscles in her body. As she felt her body begin to relax, she started to drift to sleep and began to dream…about last night.
Clark walked into The Torch office. He was surprised to see Chloe laying on the couch. Concerned he moved quickly forward. Realizing she was asleep, Clark smiled. She looked so sweet. She was laying on her side with her hands tucked under her cheek. He grabbed one of the rolling chairs and sat down right beside the couch to watch her. A small smile hovered around Chloe's lips. She sighed in her sleep and muttered softly, "Mmmmm, Clark!" This was promising. He had been thinking all morning about what he was going to say to Chloe. After thinking over the events last night, he thought maybe Chloe was trying to tell him that she only wanted to be friends, but just got caught up in the moment. He didn't want to just be friends, but he would do whatever she wanted. Clark smiled at Chloe reaching over to move a strand of hair that had fallen across her cheek and tuck it behind her ear. Chloe stirred. Her eyelashes fluttered for a moment, then settled back against her cheeks. "Ooohhhh Clark!" Chloe breathlessly muttered. Clark's eyes widened. That must be some dream and it sounded like he was in it. She was going to embarrassed. Maybe he should try to wake her up. Clark scooted closer to Chloe and reached out and laid the back of his fingers again her cheek. Stroking her, he said in a whispered breath, "Chloe, wake up."