CHAPTER TWO
Her heart is pounding. The elevator arrives on the first floor, and she scrambles out as soon as the doors slide open, stumbling once but fortunately not sprawling onto the immaculate sandstone floor. She races for the wide glass doors, and suddenly she's free in the bracing, cleansing, damp air of National City. Raising her face, she welcomes the cool, refreshing rain. She closes her eyes and takes a deep, purifying breath, trying to recover what's left of her equilibrium. The equilibrium Lena Luthor has taken away.
No person has ever affected Kara the way Lena Luthor has, and she cannot fathom why. Is it her looks? Her civility? Wealth? Power? She doesn't understand her irrational reaction. What in heaven's name was that all about?
As she leaves the city limits behind, Kara begins to feel foolish and embarrassed as she replays the interview in her mind. Surely she's overreacting to something that's imaginary. Okay, so she's very attractive, confident, commanding, at ease with herself—but on the flip side, she's arrogant, and for all her impeccable manners, she's autocratic and cold. Well, on the surface. An involuntary shiver runs down her spine. Lena Luthor may be arrogant, but then she has a right to be—she's accomplished so much at such a young age. And Alex' questions—the adoption and asking her if she was gay! Kara shudders. Ground, swallow me up now! Every time she thinks of that question in the future, she will cringe with embarrassment.
Forget it, Kara, she scolds herself.
She decides that, all in all, it's been a very interesting experience, but she shouldn't dwell on it. Put it behind. She'll never have to see her again, and she's immediately cheered by the thought.
As Kara pulls up outside, she knows Alex is going to want a blow-by-blow account, and Alex is tenacious. Well, at least Kara has the digital recorder, hoping she won't have to elaborate much beyond what was said during the interview.
"Kara! You're back." Alex sits in the living area, surrounded by books. She's clearly been studying for finals—she's still in her pajamas, the ones she reserves for the aftermath of breaking up with boyfriends and for assorted illnesses. She bounds up to Kara and hugs her hard. "I was beginning to worry. I expected you back sooner."
"Oh, I thought I made good time considering the interview ran over." She waves the digital recorder at Alex.
"Kara, thank you so much for doing this. I owe you, I know. How was it? What was she like?" Oh no—here we go, the Alex Danvers Inquisition.
The blonde struggles to answer the question.
"I'm glad it's over and I don't have to see her again. She was rather intimidating, you know. And thank you, by the way, for telling me that he was actually she." Kara shrugs. "She's very focused, intense even—and young. Really young."
"I'm pretty sure I never refered to her as a man."
"But you never said she was a woman," Kara snapped back. "All you said was that you needed that interview with the CEO of L-Corp. 'The CEO this, the CEO that.' I just assumed you were talking about a man."
Alex gazes innocently at her. "Well, perhaps you should've done some research."
"Don't you look so innocent. Why didn't you give me at least a biography? She made me feel like such an idiot. I even did admit to her I had thought she was a man."
Alex clamps a hand to her mouth. "Jeez, Kara ... I'm sorry—I didn't think. But, how is it possible that you didn't know who's Lena Luthor?"
Kara huffs. "I've been busy."
"She's like a super-star."
"Well, I'm not interested on those things."
"Whatever you say." Alex rolls her eyes. "So? Tell me more about her—the interview with her."
"Um. Mostly she was courteous, formal, slightly stuffy—like she's old before her time. She doesn't talk like a woman of twentysomething. How old is she, anyway?"
"Twenty-four. Jeez, Kara, I'm sorry—" Twenty what?! "—I should have briefed you, but I was in such a panic. Let me have the recorder and I'll start transcribing the interview."
"Yeah. It's fine," She manages to say a few seconds after. "You look better. Did you eat your soup?" Kara asks, keen to change the subject.
"Yes, and it was delicious as usual. I'm feeling much better." Alex smiles in gratitude and Kara checks her watch.
"I'm glad," She replies with a sweet smile. "I'm going to take a shower now."
x x x
When Kara comes out of the bathroom later, Alex is wearing headphones and working on her laptop. Her nose is still pink, but she's concentrating and typing furiously. The blonde is thoroughly drained, exhausted by the long drive and by the grueling interview. She slumps on to the couch, thinking about the essay she has to finish and all the studying she hasn't done today because she was holed up with … her.
"You've got some good stuff here, Kara. Well done. I can't believe you didn't take her up on her offer to show you around. She obviously wanted to spend more time with you."
Kara flushes, and her heart rate inexplicably increases. The blonde realizes she's biting her lip, and hopes Alex doesn't notice.
"I hear what you mean about formal. Did you take any notes?" she asks.
"Um … no, I didn't."
"That's fine. I can still make a fine article with this. Shame we don't have some original stills. Good-looking daughter of a bitch, isn't she?"
"I suppose so." She tries hard to sound disinterested.
"Oh, come on, Kara—we're allowed to tell when a woman is good-looking." She arches a perfect eyebrow at the blonde. "It's okay if you like her. I mean, who hasn't had a girl crush at least once in their life?"
"You have?"
"Haven't you?"
Kara can feel her cheeks heating, so she distracts Alex with flattery, always a good ploy.
"You probably would have got a lot more out of her."
"I doubt that, Kara. Come on—she practically offered you a job. Given that I foisted this on you at the last minute, you did very well." She glances up at the blonde, speculatively, and Kara makes a hasty retreat into the kitchen. "So what did you really think of her?" Damn, why can't she just let this go? Think of something—quick.
"She's very driven, controlling, arrogant—scary, but very charismatic. I can understand the fascination," Kara adds truthfully, hoping this will shut Alex up once and for all.
"You, fascinated by someone? That's a first," she snorts.
Kara starts gathering the makings of a sandwich.
"Why did you want to know if she was gay? Incidentally, that was the most embarrassing question. I was mortified, and she was pissed to be asked, too." She scowls at the memory.
"Whenever she's in the society pages, she never has a date. Ever. Not even rumours of her dating someone.
"It was embarrassing. The whole thing was embarrassing. I'm glad I'll never have to lay eyes on her again."
"Oh, Kara, it can't have been that bad. I think she sounds quite taken with you."
Taken with me? Now Alex is being ridiculous.
"Would you like a sandwich?"
"Please."
And they talk no more of Lena Luthor that evening, much to Kara's relief. Once they've eaten, the blonde is able to sit at the dining table with Alex and, while the brunette works on her article, Kara works on her essay.
By the time she finishes, it's midnight, and Alex has long since gone to bed.
Kara curls up in her white iron bed, closes her eyes, and she's instantly asleep.
That night, she dreams of dark red lipstick, cold white floors, and green eyes.
For the rest of the week, she throws herself into her studies and her job at Clayton's. Alex is busy, too, compiling her last edition of the student newspaper before she has to relinquish it to the new editor while also cramming for her finals. By Wednesday, she's much better, and Kara no longer has to endure the sight of her PJs.
x x x
"How are things with you, Kara?"
Alex' mother is paying a visit, and while her daughter is in the bathroom, Eliza Danvers decides that it's the best moment to talk to Kara. They'd shared a beautiful relationship since Kara's parents died, Eliza and her husband being like second parents to her, protecting her as much as they protect Alex.
"I'm fine."
"Kara? Have you met someone?" Wow … how does she do that? The excitement in her voice is palpable.
"No, it's nothing. You know you'll be the first to know if I do."
"Oh Kara, you really need to get out more, honey. You worry me."
"I'm fiiine. How's Jeremiah?" As ever, distraction is the best policy.
x x x
Friday Night—she and Alex are debating what to do with their evening. They want some time off from studies, from work, and from student newspapers—when the doorbell rings. Standing on their doorstep is Kara's good friend James, clutching a bottle of champagne.
"James! Great to see you!" She gives him a quick hug. "Come in."
James was the second person she met when she arrived to Midvale. They recognized a kindred spirit in each other that day, and they've been friends ever since. He is studying engineering and is the first in his family to make it to college. He's pretty damn bright, but his real passion is photography. He has a great eye for a good picture.
"I have news." He grins, his dark eyes twinkling.
"Don't tell me—you've managed not to get kicked out for another week," Kara teases, and he scowls playfully at her.
"My photos will be exhibited next month. In Metropolis!"
"That's amazing—congratulations!" Delighted for him, Kara hugs him again. Alex beams at him, too.
"Way to go, James! I should put this in the paper. Nothing like last-minute editorial changes on a Friday evening." She feigns annoyance.
"Let's celebrate. I want you to come to the opening." James looks intently at the blonde and she flushes. "Both of you, of course," he adds, glancing nervously at Alex.
James and Kara are good friends, but the blonde knows deep down inside he'd like to be more. He's cute and funny, but he's just not for her. He's more like the brother she never had. Alex often teases her that she's missing the need-a-boyfriend gene.
Sometimes Kara wonders if there's something wrong with her. Perhaps she has spent too long in the company of her old romantic movies, and consequently her ideals and expectations are far too high. But in reality, nobody's ever made her feel like that.
Until very recently, the unwelcome, still-small voice of her subconscious whispers. She banishes the thought immediately.
James opens the bottle of champagne. The cork makes its loud pop, and James looks up and smiles.
x x x
Saturday at the store is a nightmare. Mrs. Clayton asked Kara to check on some orders while she's sitting behind the counter at the register, discreetly eating a bagel. Then, for some reason, she glances up … and finds herself locked in the bold green gaze of Lena Luthor, who's standing at the counter, staring at her.
Heart failure.
"Miss Danvers. What a pleasant surprise." Her gaze is unwavering and intense.
Holy crap. What the hell is she doing here, looking all outdoorsy with her perfect hair in a bun, in her cream chunky-knit sweater, jeans and black rimmed glasses? Kara thinks her mouth has popped open, and she can't locate her brain or voice.
"Ms. Luthor," She whispers, because that's all she can manage. There's a ghost of a smile on her lips and her eyes are alight with humor, as if she's enjoying some private joke.
"I was in the area," she says by way of explanation. "I need to stock up on a few things. It's a pleasure to see you again, Miss Danvers." Her voice is warm and husky.
Kara shakes her head. Her heart is pounding at a frantic tempo, and for some reason she's blushing furiously under Lena Luthor's steady scrutiny. Kara is utterly thrown by the sight of Lena standing before her. Her memories of the brunette did not do her justice. She's not merely good-looking—she's the epitome of female beauty, breathtaking, and she's right there.
"Kara. My name's Kara," she mutters. "What can I help you with, Ms. Luthor?"
She smiles, and again it's like she's privy to some big secret. Taking a deep breath, Kara puts on her professional I've-worked-in-this-shop-for-years façade. I can do this.
"There are a few items I need. To start with, I'd like some cable ties," she murmurs, her expression both cool and amused.
Cable ties?
"We stock various lengths. Shall I show you?" Kara, again, mutters.
A slight frown mars Luthor's rather lovely brow.
"Please. Lead the way, Miss Danvers," she says, and Kara is really concentrating hard on not falling over her own feet as she comes out from behind the counter.
"They're with the electrical goods, aisle eight." Her voice is a little too bright. She glances back at her and regrets it almost immediately. Damn, she's gorgeous.
"After you," she murmurs, gesturing with her long-fingered, beautifully manicured hand.
With her heart almost strangling her—because it's in her throat trying to escape from her mouth—Kara heads down one of the aisles to the electrical section.
"Are you in Midvale on business?" Kara asks, and her voice is too high, like she's got her finger trapped in a door.
"I am," she simply replies, staring at Kara in a way that makes the blonde think that she is the business, and she flushes at her foolish, wayward thoughts.
"Some super-secret business?" She teases.
"Something like that," Lena acknowledges, and her lips quirk up in a half smile.
Lena gazes at the selection of cable ties they stock at Clayton's. What on Earth is she going to do with those? Kara can't picture her as a do-it-yourselfer at all. Her fingers trail across the various packages displayed, and for some inexplicable reason, the blonde had to look away.
She bends and selects a packet.
"These will do," she says with her oh-so-secret smile.
"Is there anything else?"
"I'd like some masking tape."
Masking tape?
"Are you redecorating?" The words are out before she can stop them.
"No, not redecorating," Lena says quickly, then smirks, and Kara has the uncanny feeling that she's laughing at her.
"This way," she murmurs, embarrassed. "Masking tape is in the decorating aisle."
"Have you worked here long?" Her voice is low and she's gazing at Kara, who blushes brightly.
Why the hell does she have this effect on me?
"Four years," Kara mutters as they reach their goal. To distract herself, she reaches down and selects the two widths of masking tape.
"I'll take that one," Luthor says softly, pointing to the wider tape, which Kara passes to her. Their fingers brush very briefly, and the current is there again, zapping through Kara like she has touched an exposed wire. She gasps involuntarily as she feels it all the way down to somewhere dark and unexplored, deep in her belly. Desperately, she scrabbles around for her equilibrium.
"Anything else?" Her voice is husky and breathy. Lena's eyes widen slightly.
"Some rope, I think." And her voice mirrors Kara's, husky.
"This way. What sort were you after? We have synthetic and natural filament rope … twine … cable cord …" Kara halts at Lena's expression, her green eyes darkening. Holy cow.
"I'll take five yards of the natural filament rope, please."
Quickly, with trembling fingers, Kara measures out five yards against the fixed ruler, aware that Lena Luthor's hot green gaze is on her.
"Were you a Girl Scout?" she asks, sculptured, sensual lips curled in amusement. Don't look at her mouth!
"Organized group activities aren't really my thing, Miss Luthor."
She arches a brow.
"What is your thing, Kara?" she asks, her voice soft, and her secret smile is back. The blonde gazes at her, unable to express herself. Try to be cool, Kara, her tortured subconscious begs on bended knee.
"Books, movies..." She whispers, but inside, her subconscious is screaming: You! You are my thing! She slaps it down instantly. "And food. I love food."
"What kind of books?" Why is she so interested?
"Oh, you know. The usual. The classics. British literature, mainly." Lena rubs her chin with her long index finger and thumb as she contemplates Kara's answer. "Anything else you need?" I have to get off this subject—those fingers on that face are beguiling.
"I don't know. What else would you recommend?"
"For a do-it-yourselfer?"
Lena nods, her eyes alive with wicked humor. Kara flushes.
"Coveralls," the blonde replies. Lena raises an eyebrow, amused yet again. "You wouldn't want to ruin your clothing." Kara gestures vaguely in the direction of Lena's jeans.
"I could always take them off."
"Um." She feels the color in her cheeks rising again.
"I'll take some coveralls. Heaven forbid I should ruin any clothing," she says dryly.
Kara tries to dismiss the unwelcome image of Lena Luthor without jeans.
"Do you need anything else?" She squeaks as she hands her the blue coveralls.
Lena ignores her inquiry.
"How's the article coming along?"
"I'm not writing it, Alex is. Miss Danvers—not me, the other Danvers. My roommate, she's the writer. She's very happy with it. She's the editor of the newspaper, and she was devastated that she couldn't do the interview in person. Her only concern is that she doesn't have any original photographs of you."
"What sort of photographs does she want?" Kara hadn't factored in this response. She shakes her head, because she just does not know. "Well, I'm around. Tomorrow, perhaps …"
"You'd be willing to do a photo shoot?" Her voice is squeaky again. Alex will be in seventh heaven if she can pull this off. And I will get to see Lena Luthor again. "Alex will be delighted—if we can find a photographer." Kara is so pleased, she smiles at Lena broadly. Her lips part, like she's taking a sharp intake of breath, and she blinks. For a fraction of a second, she looks lost somehow, and the Earth shifts slightly on its axis, the tectonic plates sliding into a new position.
Oh my. Lena Luthor's lost look.
"Let me know about tomorrow." Reaching into her surely expensive purse, she pulls out something. "My card. It has my cell number on it. You'll need to call before ten in the morning."
"Okay." Kara grins up at her. Alex is going to be thrilled.
"Kara!"
Paul has materialized at the other end of the aisle. He's Mr. Clayton's youngest brother.
"Er, excuse me for a moment, Miss Luthor." Lena frowns as Kara turns away from her.
Paul has always been a buddy, and in this strange moment that Kara's having with the rich, powerful, awesomely off-the-charts attractive control freak Luthor, it's great to talk to someone who's normal. Paul hugs her hard, taking her by surprise.
"Kara, hi, it's so good to see you!" he gushes.
"Hello, Paul, how are you? You home for your brother's birthday?"
"Yep. You're looking well, Kara, really well." He grins as he examines Kara at arm's length. Then he releases her but keeps a possessive arm draped over her shoulder.
When Kara glances up at Lena Luthor, she's watching them like a hawk, her eyes hooded and speculative, her mouth a hard, impassive line. She's changed from the weirdly attentive customer to someone else—someone cold and distant.
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