Chapter 19
Lois stared blankly at the dark ceiling. She couldn't find sleep after the strange conversation she had had with Clark. The eerie quiet of the sleeping house was interrupted by the creak of floorboards coming from the living room. Clark was pacing. Something was definitely up, and I'm going to get to the bottom of it.
"Lois? Wake up." Clark perched on the edge of the bed, gently shaking Lois awake.
"Oof, what time is it?"
"9:30."
She sat up and stretched. "Why'd you let me sleep so late?"
"I thought you needed your rest. Listen, you probably don't remember this, but Chloe and Jimmy are covering the new gallery opening in Metropolis for the Planet and they wanted us to go with them."
"I don't remember, but ok, it sounds like fun.
"Actually, it sounds stuffy and boring, but that's not the point."
She grinned, nodding. "Okay, what is the point?"
"It's tonight."
"Oh."
"And it's formal."
"Do I have formal clothes?"
"You do, . . .but all the gown you own are . . .revealing."
She nodded. Based on what she saw of her wardrobe so far, she knew he was right.
"So what can we do?"
"I thought that we'd go hit the formal shops and see if we can find something. Unless, that is, you want to wear your overcoat all night." His teasing tone pushed her earlier doubts to the back of her mind. "I'll make you some coffee while you get dressed." He started to get up to go downstairs, when Lois grabbed his hand, pulling him back.
She leaned forward and brushed his cheek with her supple lips, catching the corner of his mouth. Her body was warm and she smelled good. His heartbeat quickened as she whispered simply. "Thank you."
"Thank you? For what?"
"Just because."
"Oh Wow! This is perfect." Lois exclaimed, staring at her reflection in the dressing room mirror.
"Well, let's see it.'
"Be prepared Clark, this dress is gonna knock your socks off."
She emerged from the dressing room wearing an open-back, sleeveless number in black chiffon that clung in all the right places. It had a rhinestone collar and 6 strands of rhinestones extending from the collar in the back and draping across the open back of the dress, connected to the dress at the torso.
"Well, what do you think?"
"I think we'll have to go buy socks." He winked at her, garnering a brighter smile from her--if that were possible.
"What about the color? Is black too severe?"
"Like you said, it's perfect."
"What are you wearing?"
"Me? I picked out a powder blue tux and the cummerbund and bow tie are plaid. You're gonna love it. It'll go great with what you've picked out." The look of panic in her eyes caused him to erupt into laughter. "I'm kidding. I'm wearing a black tux."
"Yeah, I knew that."
"C'mon Lois, what's taking so long? We still have some stops to make. And I'm sure with a dress like that you'll want to get your hair done."
"Clark, help me, I can't get it unfastened." She opened the dressing room door and pulled him in.
"There's not a lot of room in here, is there?
"Hmm, I don't think it's a couples' dressing room."
"Lois, move a little, so I can see better." She leaned into him, making contact with his chest as she did so. The thin material of her dress offered no shield against the feel of his solid chest against her. Her nipples hardened in response. Clark tried not to notice. He cleared his throat "Wow, you really did a number on this."
"Well, I didn't have you here to help me put my clothes on." She purred.
"Knock it off, Lois. Stop squirming, or I'm liable to tear your dress."
"Tearing my clothing off of me is getting to be a pattern with you, I may have to learn to sew." His cheeks began to color at her comment. "Do you know how adorable you are when you do that?"
"Lo-is, ple--" She pushed him against the dressing room wall and silenced his further protests with her lips. The neck fastening of her gown finally coming free, Clark slid his hands possessively down her shoulders and bare back, returning her kiss.
Meanwhile in the next dressing room, Lana Lang silently fumed.
