Chapter 33
She was in semi-slumber, clinging to him as he carried her swiftly back to the farmhouse. Her arm wreathed around his neck, clutching him for support. It reminded her once again of the day that she and Clark had made love in the forbidden tower.
Once again she envisioned them lighting on a terrace, obscured by a thick fog and cloud cover. Once again she felt Clark take her small hand in his as he led her into the penthouse.
She remembered cast-iron arms encircling her and the feel of his lips as they slanted against hers in a kiss of pagan abandon. She vividly remembered him drawing her against his hard-as-marble chest as his tongue slid across her lips, inviting them to part. At first his lips stroked hers lightly, stoking a fire within her. She opened her mouth to his, in a kiss of deep, primal hunger. Lois felt she would surely melt from the molten desire pulsing through her veins with each kiss, each caress.
Again, she marveled at how expertly he tore her clothes from her without her noticing until she felt the cool breeze sigh against her skin--skin that seemed to burn from the inside out.
She tangled her hand in the raven curls at the nape of his neck, offering her parted lips, kissing him as ardently as he was her, hoping that she was able to convey the depth of her passion, able to evoke the same intense feelings in him that he stirred in her. Boldy, she slid her hands down the bunched muscles of his abdomen and torso, gliding southward until she slipped her hands inside the waistband of his pants and lightly stroked his rigid manhood. He groaned with pleasure, his breathing harsh and rapid. His voice was raw with emotion as he whispered against her skin and her hair, but she couldn't hear the words over the thundering beat of her heart, only felt the adoration as his words floated down and caressed her skin.
His hand slid from her cheek to her throat and then to her breast, cupping its fullness. His mouth found her other breast, teasing the taut peak into his mouth, drawing hard until Lois was gasping as the first wave of an orgasm crested and broke over her.
Lois woke to the insistent bleating of the telephone. She heard Clark speak in whispered tones. "Thanks for returning my call, doctor." Lois tuned the rest of the conversation out—she already knew this story. She wanted to go back to the dream she was having. She stretched out languidly on the sofa. She didn't remember how she got onto the couch. She surmised that Clark must have laid her down here after their ride. He had a fire blazing in the hearth, casting odd shadows over the living room and warming the air. She closed her eyes again. She heard the wind whipping the trees outside the windows, a storm threatening. Perhaps, if she could just focus on the warmth of the fire, and the music of the wind rustling the leaves outside, she would be drawn back into her dreams and memories.
Just then she heard the kitchen door open as Chloe entered the kitchen. She didn't have to have her eyes open to see that Clark would wave to Chloe to indicate that he was on the phone. She heard the scrape of the chair against the wooden floor of the kitchen, indicating that he had gotten out of his chair. She heard the refrigerator door open and knew without seeing that Clark was offering Chloe something to drink while he continued his phone conversation. It was oddly comforting, this ability to picture exactly what he was doing without seeing him.
"Thanks again doctor. I wanted to be sure there was nothing to worry about. Yes. Yes, I'll do that. Good-bye."
"Everything ok?"
"Hey Chloe. Yeah. Everything's good. Lois and I went riding today, and her horse threw a shoe and she almost fell again."
"Oh, no. Is she okay?"
"Yeah, she is. She's just resting. I was worried that we overdid it—pushed too hard. The doctor says that this reaction is to be expected."
"If the doctor thinks this is normal, then why are you still so worried?"
"I dunno--just a feeling." Lois sensed a heaviness in the air. She felt mischievous eavesdropping, but she felt compelled to continue feigning sleep.
"How about some apple pie?" He began dishing up a slice of pie to Chloe before she could protest—not that she would. "What brings you out this way? Not that I am complaining, but I feel a storm kicking up, and it's safer for you to stay home."
"Oh, yeah. I forgot. I got a call from Oliver and an email with some information about a new 33.1 facility the team is staking out. He wanted me to bring these schematics to you."
"Let's have a look."
"Clark, why wouldn't Oliver just call you or email you directly? Why would he go through me?"
"I suppose that has something to do with Lois. He's not likely to email or call me until we meet face-to-face. This is a conversation that we'll have to have in person."
"Ohh, awkward factor 10. But, what could he possibly say? He shouldn't be jealous—He's the one who broke up with her."
"Just because he shouldn't be jealous, doesn't mean he won't be. That isn't the only thing this will be about. He's bound to lecture me about hurting her. God knows I lectured him plenty about it when he was dating Lois."
"You did? Why?"
"I was worried he would hurt her and I thought he should be honest with her. Who better than me knows how destructive it is to keep secrets in a relationship?"
"Wow. Do you even know what you'll say to him?"
"I'll tell him the truth, Chloe. What else can I tell him?"
"Do I have to remind you to be careful?"
"No, but thanks."
"I'm serious. This could be dangerous."
"Are you talking about the 33.1 project and Lex?"
"Of course, it's a given that you have to be careful when dealing with anything connected with Lex. But Clark, I'm saying that just because Oliver and you are united against a common enemy doesn't mean that he'll play fair regarding other matters—matters of the heart. He knows your weakness. Everything isn't as black and white with him as it is with you. I'm just saying be careful."
"All right Chloe. I'll be careful. Stay with Lois, I'll be back as soon as I can."
