Late posting and I apologize for that, but I have a damn good reason. So, my head gets better, the headache stop and i'm all lovely, and then my laptop decides to have a moment of crashing on me. Not overheating, not any virus. Just... hey, let's crash in the middle of all this lovely work. So... I was less than pleased. Thankfully all the important stuff (inc fanfiction writing) was saved on a memory stick (Thank god for paranoia) and i still have everything i've done. But my laptop thinks it's perfectly fine to blue screen and crash whenever it wants. Which could be every 5 days, or every 5 minutes... so, it's touch and go.
I did a full system restore to factory settings (which meant losing all my iTunes plays and playlists- to which I raise my middle finger to) and so far, nothing has happened which is adverse to my desires. If anything does happen. It's new laptop time... which is so sad, because I ADORE this one.
Anyhoo, happier note: Reviews are lovely. People are liking the feelings that are going on, which is always good! I see I touched a few tippy-toes with her sleeping with Lex, but do not worry little darlings, thing always have to work out well, it's a law for fanfiction writers (well, it should be).
Previously; Chloe played Cinderella and had to run out on her Prince Charming right as things were getting heated. Lex worked her to the bone, reclaimed his possession over her physically, and sat a security guard outside her door.
Lex also hired a tech genius to rewire her cameras in the penthouse and struck another deal with her for the Blur.
Chapter Twenty-Six; What Other People Know.
"Looks like I'm not the only one playing with fire." - Lex Luthor (Season Three, Episode Memoria)
Lex was right, Lionel had stayed home to roast puppies or boil babies, whatever he did in his free time, but Chloe wasn't fully capable of relaxing until the curtain rose and voices started to pour into the theatre. Lex was enjoying it, he always did. Chloe however, she just remembered Lionel's love of it, and instinctively took to hating it. He'd ruined a lot of things for her.
Italian wasn't one of her languages, but it had a cousin in Spanish so she could pick up words here or there, making out the story line and predicting an operatic ending before the first act would finish. The only reason she was here was for Lex's business associates. A lot of deep pockets enjoyed the opera, it must be something that came hand in hand with arrogance and snobbery too. Three hours and two interludes were her immediate future, and those interludes wouldn't be a reprieve as she wished. No, she'd be pushed back into working for the business world, shaking the blood stained hands of Lex's associates and smiling to the wives they'd cheated on too many times to count.
She slumped back into her seat and turned her attention from the stage to the audience. People-watching was a fantastic hobby. Like the man in the box next to her, he was already half asleep, his wife and her… sister possibly… were very much so engaged in the play before them. She cast her eyes down to the seating below. One couple were cuddled in so close it was a wonder they had room to breathe. Another group sat further along, father, mother and teenage son. She smiled at his misery. He was tugging at his sleeves, annoyed at being dragged out and away from his friends. But then she watched his eyes track towards the family in front of them. Of course, it all made sense. The little princess to another rich family had caught his eyes, and from the looks between them, they were having a little tryst behind their parents back. Oh, it was Romeo and Juliet all over again. Poor kids had no idea how sorrowful their story would be.
All, just proof that love was stupid.
Her own love bug was demanding she find Oliver. She caved to its demands, lifting her eyes to the boxes again. She circled around them until she found the man looking as dashing as ever, his attention more on how the liquid in his glass swirled when he turned his wrist than what was happening below. But he wasn't alone, a beautiful woman was sat next to him, rolling her eyes at his preoccupation with the alcohol and she leaned in to whisper something which drew a smile from him. Jealousy bubbled as she saw her features more clearly. Tess. As much as Chloe knew Tess was over Oliver, it still jolted something inside her for Tess to be the one to make him smile.
Again, proof that love was an idiotic archaic concept. Lust had become this decade's love, and you didn't need to like someone to lust after them. Which begged the all-important question; was Tess lusting after Oliver? Or was their relationship really just all banter and no bite? She cast her eyes up again, but his attention was no longer on the glass. No, that was all forgotten, his lips curving as she became the centre of his attention. His eyes slammed straight through her, those feeling stirring all over again. They made her feel hot, made her feel naked, made her feel like she was the only other person in the entire hall. They were powerful eyes. She broke contact, and when she flickered a testing gaze back up his was still staring at her, a victory sip of his choice of drink passing his lips.
"She's not a piece of meat." Tess spoke, her gaze still on the play as she broke Oliver's thoughts. "You keep staring at her like that and you'll drown in your own drool." Oliver chuckled quietly.
"Just watch your damn opera. I'm sure someone will do something interesting soon and you'll miss it." he replied. Tess grinned.
"And now I see why you insisted upon coming tonight." she mused. "Usually, you let me go alone." She turned to him. "I think I prefer the usual method."
He grinned and broke his watch of Chloe to turn to her.
"Trust me, once I have her from Lex, I'll never come to another opera again." he promised.
"Unless you're chasing the next girl." she commented.
"And if there isn't a 'next girl'?" he addressed her.
"Then we should alert the press. The legendary playboy has finally seriously considered settling down." But her joke faded as she thought back to his behaviour towards her. "Jesus, you love her don't you."
"Is it that obvious?" She was the second woman to sum his feelings for Chloe so easily. It was becoming annoying to be pinned down so easily and quickly. Sure, he could deny it, but why… it was how he felt.
"A woman knows." Tess grinned.
"Well, not the right woman." His eyes found her again, she was back to watching the people below her, her interest on some teenage girl.
"You should tell her."
"I can handle this relationship myself thank you Mercy."
"Oh please. There's a reason all of your other 'relationships' didn't last Oliver. Speaking as an old 'girlfriend' there are a few things you could definitely work on."
Curious, he turned back to Tess.
"Like what?"
"Like dropping everything when you get a business call. Like your ego. Your need to be right."
"I told you; it was an important call," He'd saved a pregnant woman's life that night from that call. "You only don't like my ego because yours is bigger, and I was right all of those times."
"Your need to be in control," she added.
"That was something we both battled over." he retorted. "I remember it didn't always lead to bad things." He smirked.
"Your ability to turn everything sexual." He chuckled. If only Mercy knew Chloe had him beat several times over with her mind.
"That was never a bad thing."
He saw Mercy's lips turn up, betraying her point.
"Okay, well, you always had that working for you; you definitely know what you're doing with a woman." He grinned, but she wiped it clean. "But not with a girlfriend." she continued.
"I imagine the mechanics aren't that different." he charmed with a grin.
"And outside of the bedroom?" she pressed
"Well, it's a learning curve for both of us." Besides, he was doing quite well so far.
"Then take some advice." she offered. "Tell her how you feel before you sleep with her." His eyes crossed to her. How did she know he hadn't slept with her already? She laughed, trying to quiet the sound as she remembered where she was. "Please, you look like you're going to explode every time you see her." she scoffed and turned herself back to the stage.
As the curtain fell for the first interlude, Chloe couldn't have been happier to stand. Oliver's gaze was hot upon her, like stalking his prey. Lex lifted her hand onto his arm and led her to the bar, where the business would start to flow. But before she could reach any alcohol the first suit came towards Lex.
"Ah, Lex." The man greeted, then he turned oh so minutely to show a polite character to her, however fake it was. "And this must be Miss Lang." She ignored the boiling of her blood. Of course Lex had invited Lana. She'd just been cast in the role at the last minute.
"Miss Lang was sadly ill this evening, this is my business associate Charlotte Maine." Lex was quick to answer for her.
"Ah, well, it's nice to meet you." But his facial expression said it was just bothersome. "Lex," He nudged his head away from her. "If you have a spare moment." Lex nodded and turned to Chloe, ready to give her the brush off.
"I'll be at the bar." she spoke before he could, detaching herself and walking into the mass of people. She hated being Lex's replacement doll.
It wasn't longer than a quick drink before Lex found her again, steering her towards one of the seating booths and disclosing the real reason for her presence tonight.
"Luke Michaelson." Lex began, labelling the man wedged between the bar and big breasted blonde that looked like she belonged on the cover of a magazine. "CEO of Star Enterprises."
"Star Enterprises?" she questioned, circling the rim of her martini with her pointed finger as she scoped over him. Tall, dark haired, that look of corruption over him. "Don't they specialise in robotics?"
Lex pulled his lips into that quirk she was so accustomed to seeing when he was plotting against someone. It wasn't out of place.
"Metal work and engineering primarily, but yes, they have been known to dabble in robotics on the side." he admitted, unbuttoning his jacket as he spread out along the seating. "Originally a Japanese firm, but it traded hands."
"Let me guess, you want your hands to be the next ones it falls into." Lex smirked, confirming her ideas.
"Mr Michaelson will be getting a silent partner soon, yes." The honesty seemed dark. "He just doesn't know it yet."
"So my job with him is what exactly?" she enquired, her gaze back to the shady businessman he was labelling.
"It appears he needs a little persuasion." Lex took a sip from whatever drink he'd acquired. Chloe didn't need more words to read between, these were plenty.
"You need me to find out what you can blackmail him with." She rolled her eyes. Lex's hands were getting dirtier these days. He wasn't even trying to scrub them clean.
"The blonde." Lex highlighted, nodding to the bar again. Chloe turned to the model curling into Luke Michaelson, the dark purple gown showcasing her figure enough to draw envy. "She's been Luke's 'girl' for almost a year. She wants a ring, he wants to keep his money." Lex chuckled. "She'll give you all you need to know."
"Fine." Chloe agreed, taking the gold-digger into her sight. But Lex's hand came to her arm before she could take lead.
"By tonight Chloe." he spoke in warning and with a sharp nod she set herself free.
There wasn't a lot of work necessary for Chloe, gold-diggers loved to talk, they loved gossip, and they loved to complain. Chloe followed the woman into the ladies room and struck up a conversation about how much of a disappointment her date was and that was it. The woman was like an overflowing brook, spilling out words before she could think.
"I mean seriously!" Gabriella was her name. "I beg him to take me out somewhere nice, somewhere I can dress up, and we can have some time together and THIS was his answer!" Gabriella pouted for the mirror, laying another stripe of lipstick across her botoxed lips. "The opera?! What the hell right? Like I want to spend all my night listening to some women wail in another language."
Chloe probably wouldn't have to speak at all, this woman was certainly vocal enough for them both. "Seriously right, I'm not asking for too much, just a night somewhere special, right?"
"Right." Chloe echoed.
"I mean he leaves me alone with his stupid kids all day while he's working, and like I don't know he's seducing all his secretaries, and then he comes home and I'm meant to smile and cook his fucking dinner. Do I look like a damn slave?"
"He's sleeping with his secretaries?"
"Yeah, he changes them often enough, got one pregnant last I heard, but he's claiming it's not his, won't pay out a damn dime." The blonde faced the mirror again, adjusting her cleavage in the dress. "Not that I can blame him. I mean, the stupid tramp should have kept her legs closed. But once we're married she'll make for an easy divorce, and can you think of the payload?! I mean, he got another woman pregnant." She laughed, turning back to Chloe. "Stupid man, he won't know what's hit him."
"No. He won't." Chloe definitely agreed.
"And I'll be in the Bahamas, living it up on his dime, all because he couldn't keep it in his pant-"
"I should be getting back." Chloe politely excused herself. Gabriella just looked at her like she had no idea what had happened. But she shrugged Chloe off like last seasons fashion and went back to her appearance.
That certainly was easy. And she was so thankful, she was about to drop dead from exhaustion. But… she didn't really want to go back to Lex right now. She detoured to the bar. It was pretty much empty, no-one wanting to miss the show. Except her. She ordered another martini and settled herself against the table top. But her next interruption was most wanted.
"What, am I invisible now?" The chuckle that came from behind her was like coming home. She relaxed into his embrace easily. She hadn't even seen him at the bar. She was… oh she was just tired.
"Sorry." she whispered, closing her eyes as her wrapped his arms around her. "I'm just…" Tired didn't cut it anymore, she was like the walking dead "Really really in need of sleep." He turned her slightly in his arms, allowing her the curve of his shoulder to rest her head on. She accepted easily, no fight left in her.
"What happened?"
"My job." She couldn't help but grumble.
"Didn't sleep much either myself." She opened her eyes. He still looked fabulous. "I couldn't stop thinking about you." Despite the line and her laugh, she couldn't help feel the warmth from them. "Don't take this the wrong way," he began, and she got fully prepared to be offended. "But did you get any sleep?" She lifted her eyes to his. "As much as I love a good thriller, you're starting to make me think zombies are after me." She laughed, she knew she looked like hell.
"Well, not all of us can look like you." she wittily replied. "But… I think I got a good 10 minutes on the ride here." He rose an eyebrow. 10 minutes?! "I… really need a bed."
"I happen to have a bed." he offered, his lips next to her ear, a whisper blowing across her neck. She could imagine the cheeky grin to accompany the words.
"Secret fantasy of sleeping with a zombie?" she questioned with humour. He chuckled again, she was really enjoying that sweet sound, and she felt him steer her into a seating booth at the back of the bar, sliding along the seat and tugging her along with him.
"That wasn't what I meant Goldilocks." he chastised. "I'm just simply saying I like having you close, and I could do with catching up on some sleep too." He brushed her hair from her face again, liking the way his skin tingled when he touched her.
"Wait." Confusion was swirling inside her brain, but she liked where she was, so instead of sitting up to clear her mind, she stayed against his shoulder, letting him wrap and arm around her. "So… you're proposing we sleep in the same bed, but without 'sleeping' with each other?"
"Is that a problem?" Nothing was a problem with his thumb rubbing those tiny circles on her shoulder, she could almost feel all the tension spinning off of her. She could fall asleep right here, it would be so comfy.
"I just… I don't see why?" She turned her chin slightly, looking to his eyes again, they were staring back, shining with passion. "My bed works perfectly fine, and has significantly less sexual tension in it." He smiled, dropping a kiss to her forehead soothing the confusion. She was a practical person, a logical thinker. Romance was a bit of a blur for her. So, he'd present a logical argument.
"Well, did you know it's scientifically proven couples sleep significantly better when with their partner?"
"Couple." she rolled the word experimentally over her tongue. "Is that what we are?"
"I would hope so."
"hmmm, wasn't there also a study saying that one in three people prefer sleeping alone?"
"We're the two out of the three that don't." he stated, his confidence light and soulful. "But… if you don't think you can control yourself around me… I understand."
"What if I happened to disclose I was in the 31% of Americans who prefer to sleep naked?"
"You're not." Again, the confidence was strong but playful. "But, speaking as one of those Americans, there is always the option of wearing something on a one off occasion."
"Really? You sleep naked?"
"Usually." he admitted, no shame.
"I'd hate to disrupt your routine." She laughed.
"I think I'm safer clothed. I have a feeling you'd try and take advantage of me."
"What makes you think clothing would stop me?" she whispered darkly, but a yawn quickly followed.
"I suppose I'd have to rely on your tiredness tonight." He chuckled.
"Well, maybe you'd be safe this time."
"So you agree?" The thought of having her close, of holding her all night, or having her in his arms. His heart was soaring.
"I suppose it doesn't make any difference to me which bed I sleep in." she acquiesced. "But it depends if Lex needs me for anything else tonight."
"Ah, I see." he spoke. Chloe opened her eyes, sitting to look at him. That tone was not healthy, neither was that expression.
"What's with the face?"
"What face?"
"That face you're wearing."
"That's just my normal face." He chuckled.
"No, that's a judgement face." He sighed, urging her back to his shoulder, she nudged herself from his hand.
"I'm just simply wondering what Lex could possibly need you for. He's already dragged you off to an Opera- which you clearly hate- for business. Not to mention he's worked you overnight. And now he's going to deny you sleep again to finish something?"
"You make it sound worse than it is."
"Because it's as bad as it sounds." He laughed. But she relaxed into him again retaking her spot in his embrace.
"I told you about Green Arrow." she began. "Well, he's not exactly playing fair. I was up until 5 just undoing the mess he made of Lex's system." Suddenly Oliver didn't feel so good about their plan last night. He hadn't thought of the consequences to her. "And then Lex wanted to make sure it couldn't happen again. So… I've been on a computer since I left you." she summed, another yawn ripping from her, her small hand lifting up to cover her lips. She looked almost dead on her feet, even moving was an ache for her, and it was all his fault. No, not all. Lex had been the one ordering her around.
"And he still drags you out to this?"
"It's not his fault. It's Arrow. If he hadn't stupidly tried to steal Lex's files, I wouldn't be in this mess." Her words echoed his thought, spirally guilt into him.
"How about I make it up to you?" His fingers twisted through hers. "Tonight, we fix your brain with some sleep. Tomorrow night, I'll cook dinner, we'll watch a film and take things easy."
"What are you cooking? And what film?" she fired back at him.
"Anything you want, and anything you want." His smile kissed the top of her head.
"No fish." she stated. "Not a big fish fan." It was the smell that put her off. The taste she loved… but she could never get past the smell.
"Alright." he accepted. "But what do you like?"
"…How good of a chef are you?" she questioned, prying open her eyes again and looking to him.
"Anything you want." he repeated slowly and quietly.
"Steak." As she spoke she read his face. "Medium rare." He didn't flinch, he was confident in his ability to cook anything. "Seasoned roast potatoes and parsnip with a crisp to them, but fluffy on the inside." No challenge too big. "Carrots, soft but not squishy." No challenge too small. "Red wine of whatever choice you fancy."
"I can handle that." He grinned.
"I'm not done yet." Her smile stretching to her eyes again. "You should know I find dessert the best part of any meal, so, if you can handle it…"
"Any request you like." He was a little smug about his talents. In fact, he rather enjoyed cooking, not that he often had time to do it for himself.
"How about I leave that one for you? There's no way you can go wrong. But…" Her eyes sparkled again. "If you want to go right, there should be some element of chocolate in it, or on it, or with it."
"I can manage that."
"Need I say coffee?"
"I think since it's 90% of your blood plasma, it would be criminal to forget."
"That's what I like to hear." And just as she was curling back into his embrace, her name had her bolting sharply upright.
"Chloe!" She flashed Oliver a quick panic, he submitted, letting her dash off as she wanted too.
"Lex." she answered already stood from the booth as he was turning the corner to them. "I was just coming to find you." she lied.
"You've been half an hour."
"That would be my fault." Oliver stood, interrupting the vicious eyes. "I seem to have monopolised your date."
"We should go." Chloe begged.
"Queen." The word held so much, the goodbye, the dislike, the envy. Lex managed several steps before he turned to her, pausing in the empty corridor. "What was that about?"
"Just winding up Queen." she replied, but his eyes cast a disapproving judgement to her.
"It looked like he was more under your skin than the other way around."
"All part of the rouse." she lied effortlessly.
"Queen may talk smooth, but it's all talk Chloe."
"I know." She felt like a little kid told off by her father for liking the kid on the wrong side of the tracks.
"Men have said exactly the same things to you as he has, and you know how it ends. They walk away without a care for how they leave you."
She sobered her happy mood.
"Samsung wouldn't tell anybody his secret Lex. He told his wife." Lex wasn't exactly surprised… but mildly shocked were words she could label him with. "If you want Queen's secrets, then it needs to appear that I'm as loyal to him as a wife." Shock turned to pride. He was truly impressed. Chloe had taken the role like a deep cover mission, she even had him believing the act. His smile spoke worlds of corruption, but he'd bought into her. She breathed again once they resumed walking. She couldn't believe just how much she relied on lies recently.
Just as they were returning to the booth, she paused, stopping Lex with her. "Lex. Do you need me tonight?"
"Have plans?"
"Queen." she simply said the name.
"I suppose what I had planned will wait. But bring me something back Chloe."
Without waiting for her, he parted the entrance and stepped into the box.
By 9pm, she was steeping from her car and into Oliver's death trap of an elevator. Seriously, she would have preferred to climb a rope up instead of riding in that thing. But the sight that awaited her on the other side was worth the trip.
"Well, what do you know, Oliver Queen does own more than just suits." She mirrored his smile, crossing over to his open arms. Maybe his feelings of wanting to be near her weren't so abstract after all, she felt warmer around him, she felt happier, she felt like she could conquer the world. In his arms like this, she was certainly understanding the allure of having someone else near.
She felt his chest rumble as his laughter floated over her head. He looked beautiful, even dressed down. A plain white shirt and some loose black joggers sitting low on his hips. Oh, those wide shoulders, those strong arms. Even through the grip of sleep, she still found lust rising. And how easy it would be to break those barriers.
If only she would have the energy to enjoy it.
There was always the second option; morning sex.
"Alright, com'on Goldilocks. Before you fall asleep on me." He lifted her from the hug, her legs wrapping around him as he walked them to the stairs. "Now, we agreed no funny business."
"You agreed." she corrected, but curled into his hold to rest, not seduce. "And… if you do need to sleep naked to get comfortable. I promise I won't complain." Okay, so her plan wasn't to seduce, but it didn't mean she couldn't tease.
He held onto her all the way up until the bedroom. She turned in his arms. The room was big to say the least. Decorated in varieties of cream and pale blue. Distinctly male. She wriggled from his arms to snoop, almost second nature to her. He let her, leaning against the doorframe watching her in fascination as she explored his room. Her fingers found the photo of his parents by a huge boat, he was barely a child, held in his mothers arms.
He wasn't a man of many personal things. He had a few ornaments, but mostly whatever little he had had practical use. The photo seemed to be the only part of him that was… him.
Maybe they had more in common than she thought. She had nothing more than an old photo of her parents stashed behind the battery in her phone to resemble her personal life.
"So how does this work?" she asked, turning back to him. "We each choose a side and stick to it?" She waved across the bed, feeling slightly nervous. She didn't know what to do. Sex, she understood and knew. But… actually sleeping with another man, it just didn't compute with her brain. Oliver smiled and crossed from his previous position to wrap his arms around her again.
"We could do that. But there'd be no point." She rose an eyebrow to him. "You'd just end up cuddling me on whatever side I choose." he answered cockily. She laughed.
"I'm not the cuddling kind." she disagreed.
"I think we both know you are." His hands went to her jacket, sliding down the zipper and sliding it off her arms.
"I think this is all a ploy to cover up the fact that you are in fact a cuddler."
"Possible." he allowed. "I guess we'll never know."
"Well, if we end up together in the night, I think that would be a clear sign that you're a closet cuddler."
"Or, maybe you just couldn't resist me." He winked and unwrapped the scarf from her. She rolled her eyes. But the bed was looking seriously more tempting than Oliver at this point, and that was indeed a bad sign. "Go on, get into bed. I've got a quick phone call, then I'm all yours." With a quick press of his lips to hers- hardly anything resembling what she wanted- his hands slipped from contact and he stepped from the room.
Chloe picked up her snooping, having a quick flick through drawers and his wardrobe. She didn't know if she was looking for something or just looking for the sake of the hunt. She pushed open the only other door in the room finding the bathroom. And it certainly was lovely, everything looked new. Well, with money like Queen, she supposed the answer to limescale was to buy an entire new suite. Though, she had to admit, that shower looked fantastic. Far too many buttons for it to be logical for human use, but being a shower girl rather than favouring baths, she certainly liked the idea of this. Lex didn't have one like this…
She turned back to the room, unbuttoning the blouse as she went. So, she may have gone home and changed into the red underwear set that made her look like a million dollars, she may happen to desire to sleep in her underwear tonight, but that was entirely by chance. She smiled to herself and slipped the blouse from her body, the cold air welcoming her with a chill. The slacks followed shortly and she turned herself for the mirror before her. She looked priceless.
Chloe settled into the bed on the side closest to the door, ingrained habits of running still not quite dissolved yet, and shuffled down the duvet.
It was wonderful, the crisp cold sheets were already warming under her body heat, the mattress curving to her shape, if heaven was a bed, this would be it. Then again, in her state of tiredness, she'd probably say the same thing about a park bench.
Oliver reappeared as she was tugging the bobble from her hair, letting it fall around her shoulders again. He paused in the doorway.
"What?" she asked, noting his expression.
"That's what you're wearing to bed?"
"Problem?"
"No, that's… that's perfectly fine." Hell, he was going to hell. He should not be thinking of stripping her and fucking her on his bed right now. She was sleep deprived, and tired, and whatever she decided to sleep in was entirely her choice… and… Oh god, why did she have to look so tempting in that damn red bra?
"If it's going to be a problem…" She left the statement hanging, moving the duvet off her and making to stand. Her play was the tip to the ice-berg, the duvet slipping from her to show the slim stomach, the curvy hips, the matching panties. Chloe couldn't have stopped him even if she tried, he literally knocked her over onto the bed, his lips against hers in a dark urgency. His hands were on her before she could stabilise herself.
Okay, so she may have had some ulterior motive with the lingerie, but this was not in the plan, she didn't expect to become the gazelle to this lion's pounce, however lust-struck he was. She'd expected maybe a few teasing remarks, maybe make the whole situation harder for him. But, this… Don't get her wrong, she was loving it. But she knew all too soon it would all come to end and she'd be the one left high and dry. But, sense wasn't coming back anytime soon and she was all for playing along. Her fingers snuck under the shirt, splaying over the sleek muscles, begging for more.
And he gave.
Oh boy, did he give.
Like the sudden rush of a song's beat dropping, he was in her blood, his hands on her body in all the right places. His tongue danced with hers in a skilful lust-drunk motion, he was pulling her closer, arching her back to have her skin flush to him.
Clearly she'd been wrong about sleep being her nemesis tonight, because there was no longer any tiredness in her head, nothing at all but the thought of being with him. That warm sensation that came before sex filled her swam in her veins like predatory sharks. She'd lusted too long, they called. They wanted release. Her nerves were sparking on edge as his hands memorised her shape. Her blood pounded in her ears, her pulse; a hammer against skin. She wanted it, she could feel it, breathe it. It was taking her over.
Who cared about control, who cared about counting dates, who cared about falling. Chloe wanted him right now, nothing more nothing less. She returned the fire in the kiss, not knowing how long she'd have before Oliver's brain started to function again and he remembered their deal. But even as her fingernails scratched lightly at his back in the hypnotism of passion, he didn't loosen his touch on her. He pawed her breast through the lace of the bra. But as the first sound of pleasure slipped her parted lips, the spell broke.
He crashed against her, muttering curses to himself. She couldn't help but laugh softly, stroking her fingers through his soft hair as he cursed himself.
"You're actually going to kill me." he murmured to her.
"It wouldn't be intentional." She laughed. "Besides, I'm not even trying." He lifted his head to her, the lust not under control yet.
"Alright." And he pushed off her to stand. She propped herself up onto her elbows, wondering what his next move would be. His next move was delicious. His hands went to his shirt, tugging the clothing from his torso. Oh, the man had turned the tables in that one move, she was just about ready to pounce herself. "Arms up Goldilocks." She smirked but complied. He swiftly covered her with the still warm shirt. It was big enough to cover her underwear entirely. "Now sleep?" With the realisation of sleep, it seemed the tiredness flooded back again, a yawn breaking free. Oliver smiled and flipped off the light, the glow from the moon the only illumination for the darkness. She watched him cross to the other side of the bed as she settled herself back in. But as soon as he was under the covers, his arms were back on her, pulling her to him. Chloe gave no fight, taking his body like a human shaped pillow. She curved her figure to his, her leg over one of his, her head on his shoulder as he cuddled her close. Yes, Oliver was a hugger. And she had no objection at all to that fact.
Chloe felt strange for so many reasons as she lay with him. She'd never had a man hold her in bed. She'd never shared a bed with a man she hadn't previously fucked. Then again, she'd never felt anything like what Oliver made her feel.
"Sleep." he ordered, feeling her eyes on his face.
"It feels weird." she admitted in the cover of darkness.
"You'll get used to it." He smiled at her. Her face was bathed in the pale blue light of the moon. She looked beautiful, not at all as dangerous as he knew she was.
"What happened with your shoulder?" Her fingers ghosted over the bruise she knew how he'd received.
"Altercation with an office chair." he spoke. But despite knowing it to be a lie, she didn't hear a lie in his voice. Impressive.
"I hope he left worse off."
"I couldn't do anything at the work place. I'm waiting until he leaves so I can ambush him." he played along, his fingers playing with her hair as she relaxed against him.
"Sounds like a plan. Crowbar or wrench?"
"I'm thinking just fists. Keep it natural." He chuckled softly and rolled her into him the slightest amount to kiss her lips. "Sleep Chloe." But as she closed her eyes, listening in the night as each partners breathing slowed and relaxed, she remained awake.
There was some part of her birthed from survival instincts that made it difficult to sleep in unfamiliar territories. So she lay awake, her finger barely touching him as she traced invisible circles on his chest.
Tomorrow was the third date. Tomorrow, he'd cave and she'd finally find the release from the drug he was shooting into her system with each look. Tomorrow, she could continue the job. But tonight, tonight she'd lay back washed with all the love she felt, all the giddiness and teenage fairytale romance hopes she held and she'd let herself dream.
Chloe knew what was to transpire before it happened, she'd been in this place a thousand times before. Every time she felt the slightest resemblance of happiness, her mind threw her back to this place.
She hated this place.
It wasn't just because of the dirty, rotten, cheap, motel smell. It wasn't because of the neighbours screaming at each other night and day. It wasn't the old tv, ragged sheets or plastic telephone by the bed.
It was the first telephone call, the second call, the tv, and then the third call.
It was all Lionel.
She'd taken the opportunity to run whilst he was out of town, naturally his trip had been cut short and his temper was even shorter. The first call had already been and gone as she stood now. It told her to come back to him willingly and nothing worse than a lashing would happen. It told her if she didn't, she'd severely regret it. She'd ignored it.
But Lionel knew exactly where she was and he wasn't wasting his time collecting her himself. No, this time he was teaching her obedience. And it was a hard lesson for her.
This time though… it finally got stomped down.
Chloe turned to the tv, it would be turned on soon, it would speak of the horror she hated. Like always the dream played out as usual. The call of the telephone would break the eerie silence, telling her to turn on the news. And she would, and the misery would shatter her, the false hope would attempt to build her back up, and then she'd go to the morgue to confirm the story she never wanted to ever hear told. Yes, she learned her lesson on this day. She didn't disobey Lionel again. Everything clicked into place after this day. The beatings stopped because she stopped resisting, the mental punishments became training, the lessons he'd long to teach took hold and she became the daughter he'd never had. Obedient to his every word, but never did she smile. Not until Lex started dropping by.
The phone call came, the shrill breaking up the argument she could hear through the thin walls. She knew it would be Lionel on the other end. But like in all the dreams, she still answered, she still asked who it was.
"Turn on the news." And the line died. Chloe held onto the dead phone even as she turned, clicking on the old box that had been called a tv once. It took three seconds to acknowledge the turn on, another five to add audio to the visual. When she found the news, the lady was just wrapping up another story. Chloe felt the cold chill descend before the woman even started on the report. She knew the words off by heart.
"Luthorcorp employee Gabe Sullivan was found dead this evening, his car overturned on Maiben Bridge in Smallville, Kansas. Emergency services pronounced him dead on arrival, evidence of drunk driving clear in the vehicle. Alana Cullin has more on the story at nine." The same hope tried to grip her, the possibility it was all a bluff, a lie, a hoax. But, there was that pit at the bottom on her stomach that echoed the fact: she'd killed her father. She was responsible.
Chloe was as tearful as the first time she'd dreamt of this, the speeding drive to Metropolis morgue proving the facts as they were. Lionel had had her father killed, all because she couldn't follow his orders. Chloe pulled out drawer 21, her father's face the first thing she saw. Cuts, bruises and tears to his delicate features. She crumbled beneath him, the cold shaky breaths resonating the truth.
He was dead.
He was truly dead.
The guard tailing her knelt before her, a phone in his outstretched hand. Chloe didn't take it, so the guard put it on speakerphone, Lionel's voice filling the empty morgue.
"You'll be back at the mansion composed and prepared to continued our agreement before sunrise."
"Never!" she spat. But like always, Lionel's next words wiped the never from her mind.
"I had hoped you wouldn't say that Miss Sullivan. Your cousin has been taking your vanishing act rather hard, I do hope her Uncle's death won't drive her to drink." The threat was there; he could do it again. He could kill Lois. He probably already had someone outside her house. "Sunrise." he spoke in reminder, dark and callous and the call finished.
Chloe sat on the floor of the morgue, the guard leaving without a care for her state.
She knew she went back. She yelled every curse she could think of at him, she didn't eat for a week afterwards, all because of his haunting words that silenced her tirade. "You violated our agreement. If you hadn't, your father could still be alive and well. You have no-one to blame but yourself." The words echoed, spinning her mind. Her fault. It was all her fault.
Chloe woke in a cold sweat, mere hours after arriving at Oliver's apartment, sleep was entirely off the menu. She ran a hand down her face. Why? Why tonight?
Okay, so she had an idea why tonight. She was finally happy, and by all logic of life, that had to be wiped clear with all the pain she held down.
She looked over to Oliver in the darkness, his hands were still around her, still holding her close, but he had stayed asleep by some miracle. She slipped from the bed as quietly and softly as she could. Coffee called, as it so often did. She glimpsed back to the soundless man. He was perfect… she was broken; she didn't deserve him. She was just cashing in a few of the good deeds she'd committed in her long life, she'd have him for a little while, and then things would fall apart. That was just the way.
She padded barefoot down the stairs, catching her reflection. She looked so different. She looked like she belonged to someone. His shirt was riding low on her, almost to her knees, the polo neck dipping into the cleavage as well. Just how big was Oliver? Those muscles needed their own shirt size it seemed. Not that she was complaining. With a smile she headed for the kitchen, flipping on the lights as she went, already having the place memorized. But as she drew closer, she saw a light coming from under Oliver's study. Had he left the light on?
Lex had told her not to come back empty handed.
Chloe stood looking at the door while she thought. Her picklock was upstairs, but if she went back, she risked waking him. She supposed he might keep his key nearby, she could look for it. She set the coffee maker to start while she started her hunt. She checked the cabinets and empty jars or tins. Not in the kitchen. Maybe he kept it in the living room, but then she had another thought… if he'd left the light on, could he have left the door unlocked?
True enough, with a push of the door she was free into his office. But all the papers were gone from the desk, no laptop, no notes. Just an empty desk with a leather chair and books on finance. She rolled her eyes, the man wasn't as stupid as it seemed.
She sat herself into the leather chair, the material regretfully sticking to her bare legs. Desk drawers, she noted and tugged at the handle. Locked desk drawers, she corrected herself and lifted two paperclips from the stationary pot, unfolding them and twisting inside the lock. It wasn't the easiest method, but she didn't take long and the draw became free game. She took her way through the top drawer, these were all financial paper and industry reports. Memo's and the like. With her camera residing upstairs, she took a pen and blank piece of paper from the desk and started jotting down relevant notes from the papers. She must have spent at least 15 minutes flipping through the papers, speed reading and taking down important information. A small diary sat at the bottom of the pile and she happily flipped her way through, noting his next few important dates for the month, taking down names and times for Lex. This was a goldmine. Finishing with the top draw, she relocked, and moved to the second. But as she opened this one, she froze. She did not expect it. Her eyes grew wide as she moved the top few pages, confirming her thoughts…
There it was; her name. Her real name…
-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX -
Dude... he knows?!
Oh Oliver... things were going so well.
How will Chloe deal with this new information?
Find out next Monday ;) Reviewers gets imaginary hugs, black kittens and candy apples :)