CHAPTER 16
Lois pours some coffee into her Whitesnake mug, then walks over to the couch and sits down. "Ahh," she sighs with contentment as she props her feet up on the coffee table, her eyes closing as she sips her coffee. Just as she's about to take another sip, the doorbell rings. Can't I have just one cup of coffee in peace? she scowls as she sets the cup down on the coffee table and walks over to the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me."
She unlocks the deadbolt then removes the chain before finally opening the door. "I didn't expect to see you until tonight," she remarks as he comes inside.
"Change of plans," he says as he locks the door behind him.
"Oh, really," a curious tone in her voice.
"I thought I'd take the whole weekend off."
Her jaw drops with astonishment. "The world must be ending if you're taking any days off," she quips after a short pause. "What changed your mind?"
He comes closer to her and wraps his arms around her. "I wanted to spend Christmas with you and not in back to back meetings."
She puts her hand over her heart. "That means so much to me," she replies with emotion in her voice. "That's the best Christmas present you could have ever given me," resting her head on his shoulder. "I don't need anything else."
He continues to hold her. "Well if that's the case, then I guess I'll have to return the present I got you," he says casually.
She lifts her head and looks up. "Well, I certainly wouldn't want you to go through all that trouble just for me," she says teasingly.
"That's my girl," he says with laughter in his voice.
She laughs along with him, but then clasps her hand over her mouth. "I didn't get you anything."
"That's okay," he tells her. "I have everything I need right here," kissing her hand.
"No, it's not okay," pulling out of his arms and rushing out of the room and down the hall to her bedroom.
"What are you doing?" watching as she changes into jeans and a sweater, then sits down on the bed and pulls on her boots.
"I have to do some Christmas shopping," she answers back as she gets up and hurriedly puts on her coat along with her gloves and hat, then grabs her purse and keys.
"But I told you that's not necessary," he insists.
She turns around and walks over to him, her hands resting on his broad shoulders. "I want to," she says in a soft voice. "Okay?"
"Why do I always end up giving in to you?"
"Because I'm me," she grins widely as she walks out of the bedroom.
Why do I get the feeling that I'll always be following her? shaking his head in amusement as he follows her out of the bedroom. "Will you at least take advantage of my limo?" he asks as they step out into the hallway.
"I was counting on it," still grinning as she locks the door to her apartment. "There's just one thing I have to do first though," she says as they enter the elevator.
"What's that?" he asks as the doors slowly closes, then begins to descend.
"Breakfast with the Kent's," she replies as the doors open on the first floor.
"What about your father?"
"Lucy and I are going to visit him at the rehabilitation center this afternoon," she replies.
He doesn't say another word until they exit the building. "So how did Clark take the news about us?"
Her mood turns somber and she sighs softly as they start walking towards the limo that was parked about a half block away. "He doesn't know yet. I stopped by the house last night but he wasn't home," she replies as they start to walk past a newspaper stand when out of the corner of her eye she spots the two pictures on the front page of the Inquisitor.
"What?" her eyes widening as she grabs a copy and flips the page. "I don't believe it!" her voice rising an octave as she reads the inside article.
He reads over her shoulder. "Isn't the man in the other picture Clark's father?"
"Duh," she replies in an annoyed tone as she slams the paper shut. "I knew it!" she exclaims. "I knew there was something going on between Clark and Oliver that I didn't know about!"
"Why are you getting so upset?" he asks as she throws the paper back down on the pile. "I thought you'd be happy that he found someone?"
"Because he didn't have the decency to tell me first. I thought we were closer than that," abruptly turning on her heel and walking away.
He quickly gives the man behind the counter some money and picks up the discarded paper. "Maybe he didn't want to tell you over the phone and was going to tell you when you got back," he says while following her to the limo.
She doesn't say anything as she rests her hand on the door handle. "Did it even occur to you that they might not even know about this yet?"' he asks while holding up the paper.
She lets go of the handle, turning around to look at the paper in his hand. "No," she concedes.
He folds it up and sticks it inside his coat pocket. "I think deep down you know that he didn't plan on anything happening between him and Oliver," resting his hands on her shoulders and turning her around to face him. "Just like he's not going to expect us getting back together. Right? Right?" he asks with an arch of his brow.
"I just hate it when you're right," she says with a frown on her face.
"Well miracles do happen," he replies in a teasing tone.
She promptly punches his upper arm.
"What was that for?" he asks as he rubs his arm.
"That's for being a smart ass," she replies with an arch of her brow.
He promptly pushes her up against the front passenger side door, firmly wrapping his fingers around her wrists and holding them up above her head. "You will be punished for that, Miss Lane," his eyes darkening as his lips come crashing down on hers.
She gasps out as his tongue swirls around in her mouth, his body pressed up against hers. "Preview of tonight's coming attractions," he whispers huskily before pulling away and opening the back door and holding it open.
Damn, what a kisser! her legs wobbling as she sits down on the back seat and drops her purse on the floor. He sits down besides her and closes the door. Once he instructs the chauffer where to go, the car pulls away from the curb and heads in the direction of the Kent house…
"Where are you going?" Oliver asks as Clark gets out of bed.
He turns around. "Shower," he replies with a wink.
Oliver's eyes linger on Clark's naked backside as he exits the bedroom. He lies back down and relaxes for a few minutes before he suddenly sits back up. What the hell am I doing? I have a sexy, naked boyfriend in the shower and I'm still in bed? He bolts out of the bed and promptly heads for the bathroom. "Would you like some company?" he asks while pulling the shower curtain back a few inches and poking his head inside.
"Only if it's you," Clark replies in a teasing tone as Oliver steps inside and pulls the curtain back into place. "You're a little late though. I've already soaped up," he replies as he rinses his front, then turns around to rinse his back. "Mmm, that feels so good," Clark murmurs softly, the palms of his hands resting on the back wall of the shower, his eyes closed as the hot water soothes his back.
"I can think of something else that would make you feel even better," Oliver replies in a suggestive tone as he comes up behind him and presses his front to Clark's back while his fingers gently rub his nipples.
"That's a good start," a soft moan coming out of Clark's mouth before opening his eyes and craning his neck to look back at Oliver. "Show me what you got, Green Arrow," daring him with his eyes.
Oliver cocks his head in a curious way and pretends to think about it before smiling wickedly and gripping Clark's waist, pulling his ass out. "Is this what you had in mind, Boy Scout?" he whispers in his ear as he presses his length between Clark's cheeks and enters him.
"Oh, yeah," Clark moans out, his eyes closing again and his forehead resting once more on the tiled wall in front of him.
"Good to know we're in sync with each other," Oliver quips, his thrusts becoming faster and more intense. "You just love having my thick, hard arrow in your tight ass, don't you?" his hot breath on Clark's ear.
"Yes!" Clark cries out once more while pushing back against Oliver.
"What about my mouth nibbling on your neck as I make love to you?" Oliver whispers in his ear.
"Yes!" Clark cries out yet again as Oliver continues penetrating him deeply.
"How about my uncanny ability to hit the bull's-eye every single time?" continuing to whisper as he hits Clark's prostate with each thrust.
"Yes!" Clark throws back his head.
It didn't take much longer for them to both reach their climaxes together, their cries of passion drowned out by the sound of the water cascading down on them. After their shudders subside, Oliver lowers his lips and softly kisses Clark on the side of his neck. "Do you really have to leave?" a hint of disappointment in his voice as Clark pulls away and steps out of the shower.
"I'm afraid I do," Clark replies with a sigh as he towels himself off before exiting the bathroom.
Oliver follows him into the living room while still naked and watches as Clark picks up his boxers. "You're not going to put them back on are you?"
Clark looks up. "You want me to go commando?"
"You know I do," Oliver grins as he walks over to him and pulls them out of Clark's hands. "Besides, you really shouldn't wear the same underwear two days in a row," tossing them onto the couch. "Hygienic reasons," winking back at him.
"Hmm," a thoughtful expression on his face. "You just may have a point there," he says coyly as he puts on his pants sans underwear. "Just this once," he tells him as he puts on the rest of his clothes.
"Once you go commando, you never go back," Oliver continues to grin as Clark picks up the boxers and walks over to the coat rack. "So will I see you tonight?" he asks as Clark puts on his coat and stuffs the boxers in the inner pocket of his coat. "It is Christmas Eve after all."
"I'd love to see you tonight," Clark replies with a smile as he puts on his gloves and hat. "Why don't you come over for dinner, then we could watch A Christmas Story afterwards," he says as he presses the elevator button.
"I have a prior commitment later this afternoon so I probably won't be able to make it for dinner, but I would still love to come over and watch that movie with you," says Oliver as the doors open and Clark steps inside. "What time?"
"Would eight be too late?" Clark asks while holding the doors open.
"Eight is fine," Oliver replies. "If I'm able to come earlier-"
"Then just show up," Clark interrupts with a smile as he leans forward to lightly press his lips to Oliver's. "See you later," taking a step backwards, allowing the doors to start closing.
"Screw it," Oliver declares and squeezes through the narrow space. "I demand a better kiss than that," pushing Clark up against the back wall as the doors close behind him…
"Jonathan will be stopping by the bakery for the babka's," Ronny tells his wife as he finishes getting dressed.
"You won't be long will you?" quirking a brow as she puts on her sweatpants and a long-sleeved top.
"No," he replies. "Is there anything you need while I'm out?" he asks as he pulls on his coat.
"I'm all set," Loretta replies with a smile as she sits down on the bed and boots up her laptop.
"You sure?" looking at her curiously. "Last night you were a little nauseated and-"
"Pop picked up some ginger tea for me this morning," she replies as she logs in.
"Alright," he says as he walks over to her and gives her a soft peck on the lips before he walks over to the bedroom door and opens it.
"I don't believe it!" she exclaims as she stares at the screen.
Ronny pauses in the open doorway and turns around. "What don't you believe?" he asks.
"The headline on the Inquisitors website," she replies as she continues staring at the screen.
"Since when do you read the Inquisitor?"
"It's one of my guilty pleasures," she says with a sheepish look on her face.
He walks over to the bed and looks over her shoulder at the screen. "Son of a b!tch!" his jaw dropping at the picture of Oliver and Clark.
"I wonder if Oliver knows," she mentions casually as she pulls up the accompanying article.
"I don't know," Ronny says as he pulls out his phone. "I better give him a call and let him know," dialing the number…
Oliver's lips crash down on Clark's and they end up making out for a few minutes in the elevator. "Did I tell you that making love in an elevator is another fantasy of mine?" Clark mumbles between kisses.
"I think I would have remembered that," Oliver mumbles back. "Do you want to…now I mean?" pulling back and looking deeply into Clark's eyes.
"I would love to, but I really have to go," Clark says with regret. "Another time perhaps?"
"I'm gonna hold you to that," Oliver replies before kissing Clark again.
"So you should probably put some clothes on before somebody sees you, not that I mind seeing you naked," Clark remarks as his eyes linger downward before he reluctantly pulls away.
"Do I really have to?" Oliver grins mischievously as the doors open again.
"We're not on that desert island after all," Clark replies with a barely concealed grin.
"One of these days I'll bring you there and we won't need any clothes," Oliver wiggles his brows as he steps out of the elevator.
"I look forward to that," Clark smiles back at him. "I will see you later," waving goodbye as the doors start to close.
Oliver waves back until the doors are closed, then heads for the bedroom. He picks up his phone from the nightstand and takes it off 'vibrate,' then walks over to his closet and picks out something to wear. As he's pulling on a pair of jeans, his phone starts ringing.
"This is Oliver," he answers as he walks over to the bureau and pulls out a tank top. "Hey, Ronny. What's going on?" he asks as he puts it on. "What?!" the blood draining from his face as he sinks down on the bed. "Thanks for letting me know. Bye," hanging up and immediately bringing up the Inquisitor website.
His eyes widen at the picture of him and Clark on the front page. "SH!T!" he swears as he immediately dials Clark's number but it goes straight to voicemail. "SH!T!" he swears again as he hurriedly finishes getting dressed and heads for the stairwell.
Clark reaches in his pocket for his gloves when his fingertips brush against his phone. I should check my messages, taking the phone off 'vibrate.' He starts to enter his password as he exits the elevator. He stops mid-way when he sees a woman sitting in the lobby reading the Inquisitor, his eyes widening when he sees the picture on the front page. He shoves his phone into his coat pocket and rushes over to her. "Excuse me," he says to her.
She looks up. "Yes?" looking at him curiously.
"May I borrow your paper for just one moment?" he asks politely.
"Of course," handing it to him. "You can have it. I'm finished reading it anyway," getting up and picking up her purse. "Merry Christmas," she says as she walks away.
"And the same to you," he mumbles as he sits down on the couch. I don't believe this! his hand on his forehead as he reads the article. He looks up when he hears his name being called. "Oliver?" standing up as Oliver exits the stairwell and runs up to him.
"Clark, I need to tell you something," he begins to say before Clark interrupts him.
"You mean this?" holding up the paper in front of him.
"Yeah," he says with a nod of his head. "I tried calling you, but you weren't answering."
"I've had it on 'vibrate' since the opera last night," Clark says as he tosses the paper into a nearby trash can. "How did you find out?"
"I got a call from Ronny," Oliver replies as they walk over to a semi-secluded area away from the front door. "His wife saw the picture of us online."
"So now what?" Clark asks while folding his arms across his chest.
"I've had to deal with this kind of publicity for most of my life," Oliver replies with a sigh. "I'm sure it will eventually blow over."
"I hope so," Clark says with a worried expression on his face. "I'm surprised that there isn't a horde of reporters camped outside the front door."
"Apparently there was but my security team handled the situation."
"Why didn't they call you?" Clark asks next.
"Apparently I had my phone on 'vibrate' too," Oliver chuckles wryly as they start walking towards the door that leads to the parking garage.
"Why are we going this way?" Clark asks as he follows him into the parking garage.
"I keep a motorcycle here," Oliver replies with a grin as they walk up a couple flights of stairs. "That's it," pointing to it.
"I've been on a dirt bike before but never a Harley," Clark says as they walk over to it.
"Well now you're really in for a treat," picking up one of the helmets. "Here," tossing it to Clark before picking up the other one.
"Is this really a good idea?" asks Clark a little nervously as he adjusts the strap under his chin.
"Come on, live a little," Oliver replies as he starts the engine. "I'll drop you off a couple blocks before your house, just to be on the safe side."
"Alright," Clark says as he sits down behind him and wraps his arms around Oliver's chest, his chin resting on his shoulder while Oliver revs up the engine.
"Hold on to your skivvies 'cause you in for one hell of a ride," he yells out above the roar of the engine.
"You forget that I'm not wearing any," Clark yells back.
"Damn that's hot!" Oliver mutters as they take off down the street, arriving at the planned drop-off spot a few minutes later.
Clark takes off his helmet and gives Oliver one more lingering kiss before getting off the motorcycle and handing it back to him. "I'll see you tonight," waving back at him.
"You better believe it," Oliver blows him a kiss before he pulls away from the curb.
Clark continues standing there until Oliver was no longer in his sight before stepping off the curb and heading in the direction of his house…
TO BE CONTINUED…