Part 1
“You should have turned back there, Clark.”
“That is not what the map says, Chloe.”
“Well, it’s what the GPS says.”
“And I am not using a GPS, am I?”
“Maybe you should. How old is that map, anyway?”
“Judging by the road we’ve been on all day, I don’t think this part of the world has changed much.”
“How can you tell, Clark? We’re in the middle of a blizzard!”
Clark looked up from the map. The snow was falling harder. Drifts were beginning to form. They needed to get off this road and back to civilization.
“It’s not a blizzard, Chlo. It’s a little snow,” Clark said, not wanting to admit Chloe was right.
“Listen, Magellan,” Chloe said, sitting up in the front seat of the truck. “I have been watching the fence post over there for the past ten minutes you have been studying that map and the snow had risen two inches. So, unless you want to spend the night in this truck, we need to get a move on.”
“Chloe, if you’ll just give me a sec -“
A scream of frustration went up from the seat beside him. The map was ripped from Clark’s hands. In shock, Clark watched Chloe tear the map in two and toss it out the window. She looked back at Clark, daring him to say anything. Chloe smiled sweetly and handed him her phone with a huge screen and a very detailed map on the screen, little roads all lit up that didn’t show on the map.
“Welcome to the 21st Century, Amish Boy,” Chloe said with annoyance as she settled back in the seat. “Now, can we please try and find the interstate so we can have a prayer of getting to this place?”
Clark memorized the layout on the phone before dropping it back into Chloe’s lap. “We’re going to get there. He arrives tomorrow, Chlo. You’re not going to miss anything.”
Clark grimaced when he saw Chloe turn in her seat. He knew he’d stepped in it. “Clark, the Prime Minister of Thailand, a man who has never been to another country, let alone met with any other dignitary of the world is having a very discreet meeting in Boston with the world’s leading dark matter physicist. This could be huge!”
“Yeah, you’ve mentioned that about a million times,” Clark muttered as he pulled off the shoulder and into the howling wind and whirling snow.
“And yet, it still has not seemed to sink in with you,” Chloe replied haughtily. “And you know how much I love Shelby, but did we really have to stop and pick him up from your mom in DC? She was watching him while you were away for that annual Father - Son Kryptonian bonding week. Couldn’t she have kept him a few more days?”
“She was heading off for some kind of week - long campaigning thing for some bill,” Clark said.
“Oh,” Chloe nodded. She looked behind her seat. “Sorry, Shelb,” she apologized as she patted his head. “Didn’t mean to make you feel unwelcome.”
Shelby licked Chloe’s palm, accepting her apology.
Chloe turned back around and squinted through the windshield. “What is that?” She asked frantically.
“Looks like some kind motorcade,” Clark said. He slowed down to a stop and rolled down his window as a state trooper approached the car.
“Good evening, folks. Officer Taggart,” the officer greeted with a friendly smile, offering his name. “Where y’all headed?”
Chloe’s ears perked at the odd cadence in his voice and the almost hick-like dialect.
“We’re on our way to Boston. Is everything okay?” Clark asked.
“’Fraid not,” the man replied. “The pass between these two cliffs is clogged with snow from this freak snow storm.”
Chloe poked Clark’s ribs at the word ‘freak’ and hissed, “Told you.”
Clark ignored her. “Is there any way around it?”
“Nope, this is the only way out of Walnut Valley.”
Chloe climbed over Clark, pulling herself over by the steering wheel. “Is there another way to the interstate that you know of?”
The officer smiled awkwardly, slightly taken aback at Chloe hanging almost out the window. “Uh, no ma’am. This is the only way back to I - 95. Otherwise you’re gonna have to go back to Knife’s Fork and - “
“Knife’s Fork?” Chloe interrupted. She looked at Clark. She cleared her throat. She looked back to the trooper. “Can you tell me where we are?”
The trooper smiled obligingly. “Y’aller in Poolesville, Kentucky, ma’am.”
“Kentucky?!” Chloe exclaimed. She turned to Clark. “How the hell did we get to Kentucky?!”
Clark grabbed the belt on Chloe’s jeans and pulled her back down beside him, hearing a umpf! when she met the console in the middle of the seats.
“Is there a hotel close?” Clark asked.
The officer scratched his chin. “No, but there’s a dandy inn a few miles back that should have some rooms.”
Chloe pushed off Clark and back to her seat, growling the whole time as she plucked her phone off the floorboard, keys clicking madly.
“What’s it called?”
“The Kettle.”
“Oooh,” Chloe snorted. “The Kettle, sounds heavenly.”
Clark smiled politely at the state trooper. “Thank you for your help, Officer. When do you think the pass will be open?”
“Maybe tomorrow, maybe not. Depends on how long this freeze holds on and how fast the snow melts. Y’all be safe, now.”
The conversation being complete, the trooper began backing away and motioning with his hands for them to turn around. Clark put the truck into reverse and began the process of getting turned around.
“This can’t be happening,” Chloe moaned from beside him. “If you can believe this, the Urban Spoon doesn’t have a single review for this place! And we’re supposed to spend the night.”
With the truck pointed the opposite direction now, Clark began another slow drive down the winding country road. “We’re a little bit off the beaten path, so I am sure not many Urbanites have stayed at The Kettle.”
“Speaking of the beaten path,” Chloe began slowly. “You wanna fill me in how we ended up in Kentucky when we should be a few states north?”
Clark shrugged and then looked at Chloe bashfully. “I must have gotten a little turned around.”
“A little?” Chloe retorted. “From all the snow, I thought we were in Pennsylvania! I told you that map was wrong!”
“Really?” Clark snapped back. “Well, what about that fancy phone of yours and the GPS? Did it not pull up Kentucky?”
Chloe clenched her teeth. “Did the trooper say anything about when it would be cleared?”
“No, he said that it would all depend on when the snow melted,” Clark said, searching the fields for any kind of light in the blustery night.
“Melted,” Chloe began. She turned on Clark excitedly. “Clark! You can melt the snow! We have to turn around!”
“I can’t melt all that snow. It will cause a flood and that is not something Kentucky needs anymore help with.”
“What about just enough for us to get through?”
Clark turned his head. “No, Chloe.”
Chloe flopped back against the seat. Clark could tell her mind was still whirring.
“And don’t even think about me taking you up there,” Clark said when he saw Chloe’s mouth open again. “You are not going up there to sneak around some shady meeting between a scary recluse and a man who is into nuclear explosives.”
Chloe glared at him and then flopped against the seat, staring sullenly out the window. Clark sighed. He had gotten them so turned around. He didn’t even know how they had ended up back in Kentucky. “Look, Chlo, I’m sorry. We were going to have to spend the night somewhere so let’s just make the best of it. We’ll stop here and then dig out first thing in the morning.”
“But what if the pass hasn’t cleared?” Chloe reminded him quietly.
Clark screwed his mouth shut. He saw a blur of lights off the main road and slowed, a weathered sign reading ‘The Kettle Inn’ looming under heavy snow covered branches.
“If the pass hasn’t cleared… I’ll take you up there myself,” Clark said churlishly.
Chloe turned on him with bright, excited eyes. “Will you?” She asked breathlessly.
Clark swallowed. His stomach twisted into knots and his heart fluttered. He turned the truck into the long, curving drive that led down to a big house out front with a number of small cottages scattered behind it. He pulled up in front in the circle drive and put the truck into park. Looking over at Chloe, he reached out and squeezed her knee.
“I’m going to go and see if this place has some rooms,” Clark said, getting out of the truck and walking around to disappear inside the old Victorian home.
Chloe settled back in her seat, taking in the beauty of the falling snow and the old timey looking cabins. She wondered if the cabins were the rooms or if the house held the rooms and the cabins were for rent. She hoped they weren’t full from the weather, forcing Chloe, Clark and Shelby to sleep in the cab of the truck. Chloe knew she could fit nicely in the back, but as roomy as the truck was Clark’s long legs would get quite uncomfortable before morning. She was beginning to get antsy after ten minutes when she finally saw Clark coming down the steps of the porch. He came around the side and got in.
“Were you lucky?” Chloe asked. “Do they have rooms?”
“Well, yes and no.”
“What does that mean?”
Clark handed her a gold key with a pretty burgundy tassel attached to it.
“The Honeymoon Cabin is all they had left,” Clark replied, putting the truck into ‘Drive’ and following a snaky path that disappeared behind the large house.
“The Honeymoon Cabin?” Chloe questioned. “They had no other rooms?”
“Nope, all full, she said.” Clark looked over at Chloe and smiled. “We’ll just have to make the best of it.”
“Yeah, Clark, I know we’ve pushed a lot of boundaries in our time, I am just not sure cohabitation should be one of them,” Chloe replied with a lifted brow.
“Can’t be that bad, Chlo,” Clark retorted. “What? Do you snore?”
“No!” Chloe exclaimed. “Do you still levitate?”
“Only when I am having a good dream,” Clark teased.
“How far back is this?” Chloe asked.
“She said we just go through these trees and it’s in the clearing,” Clark replied.
“Clark, how much did this cost? I thought you’d come back and tell me so we could split it.”
“Don’t worry about it, Chloe,” Clark said with a shrug. “I am the one who got us lost.”
“But ‘The Kettle’ seems to be a lot nicer than I gave it credit and you were probably hustled into this over - priced, so - called picturesque, lovers’ cabin since it was their only room left. I am more than happy to pay my fair share,” Chloe said.
“Actually, I explained and she gave me a fair deal,” Clark replied easily. Finally the trees cleared and a quaint little cottage came into view.
“Wow,” Chloe said on an exhale. The land around the cottage was pure white with the fallen, undisturbed snow. Tall pine trees made a half ring around the back of the little cottage, their branches covered in snow, making a ghostly back drop for the cottage nestled in the drifts.
Clark pulled up and stopped the truck. He and Chloe got out, Shelby jumping up and over the seats to dash into the snow. The cold air bit into Chloe’s cheeks, causing her teeth to chatter as she scurried back in the truck for her coat and scarf. Clark opened the bed cover and started unloading their luggage as Chloe came around to his side.
“The temperature must have dropped at least twenty degrees!” She slung her over-night bag over her shoulder as Clark carried both their suitcases to the porch. Chloe fished the key out of her pocket and unlocked the door.
“Shelby!” Clark called as they entered the cottage.
Shelby came bounding up and inside. Clark pushed the door closed, eliminating any light from the outside.
“Let’s find a light switch,” Chloe said, reaching out and feeling along the first hard surface she felt with her mitten - clad hands.
“I don’t think you’re going to find a light switch there,” Clark said right above her.
Chloe could tell he was grinning. She lifted a hand and felt the square of his jaw. “Oops,” Chloe laughed. “Sorry.” She moved past Clark and found a wall. Running her hands along it, she hit something that felt like a circular wall mount, something that would have passed for a light switch in the 1930’s. Grasping the small knob in the middle, Chloe clicked it upward. The room filled with a weak light coming from wall sconces with frosted globes. But it was enough. Chloe turned with her mouth open. She looked at Clark with wide eyes.
“Clark,” she breathed. “How much did you pay for this room?”
Clark, himself, was in awe. It was as if they had taken a step back in time. The flooring was a pretty hand scraped wood flooring the color of honey. The cottage was one room with different sections. Except for the bathroom which was off in the corner by the only bed in the room, a full size mattress on a four poster frame. The bed was by far the most ornate, the rest of the furniture being understated and sturdy looking, covered in a soft yellow fabric.
“Well,” Chloe began, the first one to snap out the awestruck they were in. “Let’s see what the amenities are.”
Clark nodded, picking up their suitcases again and carrying them over to the cedar bench that was at the end of the bed. Chloe watched him, her eyes going to the bed which loomed in the corner. Clark placed the luggage there and turned to face her. Chloe met his eyes. She seemed flustered and turned to begin inspecting the little kitchen that had a small stove, one sink and a tiny, discreet mini-fridge well hidden so it wouldn’t take away from the vintage charm of the room. Clark noticed Chloe’s nose was red and she was trembling. Deducing it was probably as cold in here as it was outside; Clark looked around for a thermostat. Instead, he saw a fireplace. He looked around for some firewood.
As if reading his mind, Chloe said, “I think I saw some firewood on the porch outside.”
Clark went that way and found a nice stock - pile of wood. He grabbed three nice sized logs and brought them in, stacking them neatly in the fireplace.
“Do see any matches or anything around?” He asked Chloe.
She opened some drawers, coming up with only a pen and some paper. “Looks like you’re on your own, Scout.”
Clark turned back to the fire place and focused, heat shooting out of his eyes and set the wood to flame. Clark knelt and blew, fanning the flames until they burned cheerily.
Chloe came over and took off her mittens and scarf, holding out her hands to the blazing warmth. “You’re better than a Swiss army knife and a lighter, Clark.”
Clark stepped behind Chloe and pulled her back against him, rubbing her arms vigorously through her coat sleeves to help her warm up. Chloe leaned against him, closing her eyes as a comforting heat stole over her. Clark watched Chloe’s head fall back against his shoulder and he absently began running his hands slowly up and down her arms, taking the time to knead them firmly. The warmth seeping into Chloe’s bones slowly turned into a heat firing along her skin, coming to rest in her lower belly. She opened her eyes and cleared her throat. She stepped away from Clark and looked over her shoulder.
“Thanks,” she said quietly.
Clark nodded, rubbing his hands together.
He watched her go over to the door and take off her coat, hanging it on one of the pegs. She looked up and took in the vaulted ceiling with the spaced beams. The room was too beautiful for words. She was still slightly uncomfortable with the price situation and then her mind jumped to the bed situation. She looked around the room. There was one love seat and she could tell it was not meant to be slept on, even by someone as small as she. And the floor was too cold. It wasn’t that she minded sharing a bed with Clark. The awkward factor would fall away as soon as they lost consciousness. It was the size of the bed. There was no way they could sleep comfortably unless they spooned together. Chloe went hot and she lifted the hair off her neck.
Out the window, the snow was really starting to fall. The truck was already covered and the tires were halfway buried.
“We need to see what the weather is doing. Where do you think they hid the TV?” Chloe asked, starting to search.
“There is no TV, Chloe.”
Chloe whirled around. “You’re kidding?”
Clark shrugged. “That is what the lady said. There was no TV. There is a TV at the main house, though.”
“What am I supposed to do? I didn’t bring any snow - shoes to go on an artic expedition. I’d also be frozen by the time I got up there!” Chloe wandered over and fell onto the bed. “Just what exactly do they expect people to do out here, anyway?”
Chloe sat up suddenly and looked at Clark who was standing at the end of the bed rummaging through his duffle bag. They stared at each other for a second before Chloe jumped off the bed and crossed her arms.
“Never mind,” Chloe giggled. “Honeymoon, yeah.”
She wandered off into the kitchen again. Clark could tell she was nervous. So was he. This was something they’d never been through before. He turned back to his bag, pulling out his toothbrush and toothpaste.
“Okay, we have a problem!” Chloe said. “Two, actually.”
Clark turned to have her phone shoved in his face. He pushed the phone to look at her. “What?”
She waved the phone at him again. It was blank. “There is no cell service. Either we’re in a dead area or the storm has knocked off service. And there is no phone in this place.”
“And the other problem?” Clark asked, smirking at Chloe’s jumpiness.
“No coffee pot. There is no coffee! What kind of cabin - slash - cottage thing has no coffee?”
“Chloe,” Clark said, taking Chloe’s shoulders. “I don’t think you need any coffee. You’re already almost bouncing off the walls as it is.”
Chloe bit her lip. She smiled weakly before walking away. She sat down, tapping her foot. This building felt as if it was getting smaller. Everywhere she went she could feel him. He was watching her, talking to her, touching her. She was not prepared for this. And soon they would need to go to bed so they could get up in the morning. But how was she to sleep? She couldn’t sleep in the same bed with him. Not with Clark. She looked over at the wall clock over the fire place. It was only eight-thirty. She got up again and went to the window. The tires on the truck were almost covered now.
“You think they have coffee up at the main house? We could go up there and wait for the news,” Chloe suggested.
“Why don’t we try to do what people did before there was TV?”
“Like what? Knitting? I didn’t pack my crochet needles,” Chloe replied.
Clark walked over to a triangle shaped box. “We could try listening to the radio.”
“Clark, you’re a genius!” Chloe exclaimed as she hurriedly joined him. “They’ll probably have weather updates!”
Clark twisted the knob and turned the antique radio on. It crackled and Clark began tuning it.
Chloe listened closely. “Wait! Stop right there! I hear something.”
Clark stopped and turned up the volume. A man was talking. “…if you’re just tuning in, thank you for joining us for this pre-recorded segment of classic holiday love songs. Sit back, relax and enjoy. Or dance with that special someone, hold them close and as Billie Holiday says, you’ve got your love to keep you warm.”
Piano tinkles began filtering out followed by Billie Holiday’s unique jazz voice singing the unmistakable opening to ‘I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm’.
“Great,” Chloe says. “Just great. We’re stuck in Ma and Pa Kettle Inn, in a blizzard, no phone, no communication, no news and no coffee!” Chloe began to pace. “Meanwhile, up in Boston, one of the biggest news stories is about to break and where are we?”
Chloe’s arm was gripped and she was pulled back and into Clark’s arms. She stared at him as he took her hand in his and began dancing to the music. Chloe smiled shyly.
“Looks like we’re dancing to Billie Holiday,” Clark said, bringing Chloe closer.
“There are worse things, I guess,” Chloe replied. They danced slowly until they were just swaying. Chloe closed her eyes and laid her head on Clark’s chest. Clark folded her in.
“I love this song,” Chloe whispered as Bing Crosby began to croon once Ms Holiday finished. Chloe sang the notes gently. The end of the song came and she lifted her head, finding Clark’s eyes.
“Then I’ll awake on Christmas morning and find my stocking filled with you.”
The lyric hung in the air.
Clark and Chloe found themselves leaning in to meet one another’s lips.
Suddenly, Shelby barked excitedly and Clark and Chloe broke apart. Chloe turned away, putting a hand to her forehead as Clark went to see what Shelby was barking at. His investigation didn’t last long when there was a knock at the door. Chloe turned as Clark looked out the window. He came away with a frown and opened the door, revealing the Officer who had been at the pass entrance.
“Good evening, Officer Taggart,” Clark said, his tone holding a slight annoyance.
“Sorry to interrupt you folks,” the officer said bashfully. “I saw you in the window, but didn’t want to - “
“It’s fine,” Clark cut him off. “Is there a problem?”
“Well, you could say that,” the officer said. Clark opened the door wider and he stepped in. “Hi, fella,” he said as Shelby came to stand by Clark.
Clark closed the door and met Chloe in the middle of the room.
“I hate to tell y’all this, but it seems this blizzard is shutting everything down. They are predicting at least five feet of snow before mornin’. We’re going door to door to make sure people are safe and to let them know not to leave their homes for any reason. Looks like we’re gonna be snowed in.”
“For how long?” Chloe asked frantically.
“At least for a few days, maybe more.”
Clark watched Chloe’s face fall. “But, Christmas is in a few days. We have to get home.”
Clark could not hide his surprise at Chloe being more upset over not being in Smallville for Christmas than missing her big story.
“I sure am sorry about that, ma’am,” Officer Taggart said sadly. “We’ve set up a command post at the main house so if y’all need anything, just holler. Have a nice night. I sure am sorry for interrupting ya.”
Officer Taggart backed out, tipping his hat. Clark shut the door. He saw Chloe go over and sit down on the love seat. He joined her, wrapping an arm around her.
“We’ll get home for Christmas, Chloe, don’t worry.”
Chloe looked at him. “Will we? Clark, even with all your powers, there are some things that can’t happen. I mean, you can’t leave the truck up here without any questions and to avoid questions we’ll have to keep renting this cottage which will cost an arm and a leg and - “
“Why don’t we just take it one day at a time?” Clark said. “Let’s just worry about tomorrow.”
Chloe groaned. “And to top everything off, I’m stuck with no way of knowing anything that is happening!”
Clark stood and pulled Chloe up.
She resisted him. “What are you doing?”
“Distracting you like I did before.”
Chloe chuckled. “The dance was sweet, Clark, but I think it will take a much bigger distraction to keep my mind off the outside world.”
“Okay,” Clark said, squaring his shoulders. He barreled straight for Chloe, catching her waist and pulling her to him, pressing his lips to hers firmly. Chloe squealed in surprise as Clark kissed her earnestly. Chloe opened her mouth to take a breath and to tell him... And then his tongue slipped into her mouth and Chloe forgot everything. She moaned as she melted into Clark’s body, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and kissing him back urgently.
Clark’s hands splayed her back, running down to palm her butt, pressing her into him as he continued to kiss her wantonly. Chloe felt as if she was on fire as Clark’s hands found their way all over her body. She clutched his shoulders and whimpered as his bare hands found their way under her shirt and up, one hand toying with her bra clasp, the other slipping around the front to press against her breast. He withdrew from her mouth to lightly nibble along her lips before dipping down to kiss along her neck. She felt the clasp of her bra come free and everything came to screeching halt.
“Wait! Wait!” Chloe said breathlessly, pulling away from Clark.
Clark lifted his head, his eyes dreamy with desire. “What?”
Chloe looked down pointedly at his hand still pressed against her breast. Clark pulled his hand out of her shirt, making sure to graze her nipple with his fingers through her bra cup, causing her to grit her teeth.
When Chloe could breathe again and was out of Clark’s range, she shook her head. “What is going on here?” She reached back up in her shirt and re-did the clasp on her bra.
Clark, who was still breathing heavily, smiled. “I’m distracting you.”
Chloe couldn’t help but giggle. He looked so adorable when he was proud of himself.
Chloe thought for a moment and then started again. “Clark, while that would be a mind-blowing distraction, I don’t know if we’re ready for that big of a distraction yet.”
“Why not?” Clark asked.
“Well, for one, we’ve only just recently begun dating. I think we need time to get used to the change in our dynamic. Two, we haven’t even discussed if we’re exclusive or not.”
Clark leered at Chloe as he shuffled forward a little. “We’ve been on about seven dates, Chloe, and each one has ended with us making out in my truck or your apartment. I think we can pretty much say we are dating only each other now. We’ve also known each other for ten years. We know how we feel about each other.”
Chloe allowed Clark to reach her. He tucked some hair behind her ear and cupped her neck. “Most importantly, I want you.”
Chloe ducked around Clark again. “And I want you, too. But this is a big step. I just think we need to talk about it before we go any further.”
Clark rolled his eyes. He sat down in a fluffy recliner and threw an ankle over his knee. “I’m not gonna pressure you, Chloe. We both want to and we both want each other, so I think that is all the discussion that is needed. If you want some more time, it’s up to you.” Quickly, he pushed out of the chair and walked over to the kitchen where she was currently perusing the tagged items in the fridge trying to ignore him. “But in about three hours, we’re going to have to go to bed and that bed is really small. I have a feeling it was meant for anything besides sleeping.”
Chloe’s head came up out of the fridge and glanced at him over her shoulder and then looked at the bed. She closed the fridge and stood up, facing Clark. “And I know you will be a perfect gentleman,” she stated.
Clark stepped forward, causing Chloe to catch her breath. “There is only so much a gentleman can take, too.”
Chloe opened her mouth to speak when Clark did an about face and walked over to his bag. “I’m going to take a shower.” He picked up his duffel bag and took a few steps to the bathroom. He turned and nailed Chloe with a smoldering stare. “Care to join me? I’d hate to use up all the hot water.”
More than anything, Chloe wanted to climb into the shower with Clark but now she was not only warring against Clark, but herself. She was annoyingly stubborn and she would not be seduced. “No, thank you, Clark. I am going to sit out here and count the floorboards since that seems to be the only activity they offer in this establishment.”
“There is a reason they don’t offer anything else,” Clark replied, refusing to let Chloe have the last word. Chloe pursed her lips as Clark disappeared into the bathroom. She whimpered and fell into the chair Clark had just vacated moments earlier. Shelby came over and lay at her feet. She looked down at the dog.
“I’m sure you’re not up for a porno show, Shelbs, are you?”
Shelby looked up at Chloe with his open eyes.
Chloe took his lack of response as acceptance. She smiled and reached down and scratched behind his ears. “You old pervert,” she said with affection.
She sat back again as she listened to the water starting up. What was the big deal? They had been dating, they ended making out at the end of every date, once in the middle, and each make-out session got a little more intense each time. Something held her back, though. She didn’t think she was the kind of girl that needed to hear the ‘love’ word to at least have a good time, but maybe with Clark that was what she needed. No, that was what she wanted. She didn’t want Clark to be like all, well, the one other man she’d been with. Chloe cocked her head. But he wouldn’t be, would he? Clark was it. She’d known from the moment she’d set eyes on Clark that he was going to be the one she would spend the rest of her life with. She’d fallen in love with him instantly.
The side of her mouth lifted in a smile. So maybe she would allow Clark to seduce her, but she didn’t need to let Clark know that. And maybe it would be kind of fun to see how far Clark would go to get her into bed.
In the bathroom, Clark was having his own conversation with himself. He’d felt bad about Chloe missing out on her big scoop. However, he’d already planned to make his move when they had been in Boston, so the fact that they found themselves in a pleasant, romantic cottage with no distractions fit his plan perfectly. The thing is, if he told Chloe, he was afraid she’d never let him live it down. Or that she would forget she was his very sexy girlfriend and ream him for being more concerned about getting into her pants than getting their story.
Everything told him they were ready and that this turn of events was perfect. Clark was bound and determined to get his voluptuous blonde into bed even if he had to be a caveman and throw her in it. Shutting the water off, he got out and toweled off, wrapping the towel around his hips. He looked at himself in the mirror, a scarlet blush painting his cheeks at the outline of his arousal under the towel. Clark rolled his eyes at himself. If all went as he hoped, Chloe would be seeing a lot more than that. Making sure the towel was secure he opened the bathroom door and walked out.
Chloe was seated on the bed, shoes off. He saw her eyes widen and dilate with desire but ignored it, walking into the open room and heading for the fridge.
“Is there water in here?” he asked.
“Yeah.” Chloe’s voice was slightly pitched. She cleared her throat and repeated herself. “Yeah, but it’s almost five dollars.”
“There were little cups in the bathroom. Tap water is just as good. Can you bring me one?” Clark asked.
Chloe narrowed her eyes at him, wondering what his plan was. She got off the bed and went into the bathroom, emerging again with a cup. She walked over to him with the cup held out to him. He took the cup, making sure to pass his fingers over hers, watching the shiver that went through her at his touch.
“Thanks, sweetie,” he said, catching Chloe’s wrist quickly to keep her there as he leaned over and kissed her cheek, making sure he pressed himself against her thigh. He heard her breathy gasp and heard the beat of her heart speed up. He released her wrist and turned to the faucet, filling up the little cup and throwing the water back.
With shaky legs, Chloe wandered back to the end of the bed and sat down on the bench, gazing at Clark. His hair was wet from the shower and it clung to his forehead. It was a little longer than he normally wore it so the ends hung down into his eyes, contrasting sharply with his aqua colored eyes. She felt that twist in her belly again and she caught her lip between her teeth as she fought the urge to go and lick Clark’s skin of excess water. But that would make it too easy. Instead, she stood and walked into the bathroom again coming out with Clark’s duffel bag.
“What are you doing, Chlo?” Clark asked.
“I’m getting your pajamas out for you, Clark,” Chloe answered.
“I don’t have any,” Clark replied.
Chloe looked at him with a smirk. “Yes, you do. I packed them for you.”
She pulled out a t-shirt and some pajama pants and laid them on the bed.
Clark came over and stood beside her, leaning down to look at them over her shoulder, making sure he pressed along her back. “I don’t like those.”
Chloe looked at the opposite wall, taking deep breaths. “Then I guess you’re going to have to sleep in that towel.”
Chloe picked up the pajamas to put them back in the bag when she caught sight of a small box. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” She plunged her hand into the bag.
“Chloe, wait -!“ Clark tried to pull her away but she already had the box in her hand. She turned on him, holding the unopened condom box in her hand.
“You planned this?”
Clark stood there for a moment and then realized he didn’t care. Yes, he wanted to make love to his girlfriend. He shrugged. “I hoped. I hoped real hard.”
“You were pretty confident,” Chloe said, tossing the condoms at Clark who caught them before they hit his face.
“Why are you mad, Chloe?” Clark finally said angrily. He threw the condoms back in the bag. Chloe stalked over to the window and looked out. He followed her, standing a few feet behind her. “Because I saw an opportunity to have a nice time with my girlfriend while we were on a work trip? That I thought it might be a good time to make a move in neutral territory? That basically I am so hard up for you that I have spent this whole day devising a plan to get you into bed?”
Chloe turned and looked at him with guarded eyes. “You’ve been planning a seduction all day?”
Clark clenched his jaw. “Is that so hard to believe, Chloe? I told you I want you.”
Chloe closed the distance between them and looked up at Clark. “So why don’t you put this plan into action?”
Clark’s mouth dropped open. Had she just been torturing him? “Are you serious?”
Chloe stood up on her toes, running her hands up his bare chest to tangle in the hair at the back of Clark’s scalp. She pulled his head down and barely pressed her lips to his.
“Distract me, Clark. Distract me until I scream.”
“That is not what the map says, Chloe.”
“Well, it’s what the GPS says.”
“And I am not using a GPS, am I?”
“Maybe you should. How old is that map, anyway?”
“Judging by the road we’ve been on all day, I don’t think this part of the world has changed much.”
“How can you tell, Clark? We’re in the middle of a blizzard!”
Clark looked up from the map. The snow was falling harder. Drifts were beginning to form. They needed to get off this road and back to civilization.
“It’s not a blizzard, Chlo. It’s a little snow,” Clark said, not wanting to admit Chloe was right.
“Listen, Magellan,” Chloe said, sitting up in the front seat of the truck. “I have been watching the fence post over there for the past ten minutes you have been studying that map and the snow had risen two inches. So, unless you want to spend the night in this truck, we need to get a move on.”
“Chloe, if you’ll just give me a sec -“
A scream of frustration went up from the seat beside him. The map was ripped from Clark’s hands. In shock, Clark watched Chloe tear the map in two and toss it out the window. She looked back at Clark, daring him to say anything. Chloe smiled sweetly and handed him her phone with a huge screen and a very detailed map on the screen, little roads all lit up that didn’t show on the map.
“Welcome to the 21st Century, Amish Boy,” Chloe said with annoyance as she settled back in the seat. “Now, can we please try and find the interstate so we can have a prayer of getting to this place?”
Clark memorized the layout on the phone before dropping it back into Chloe’s lap. “We’re going to get there. He arrives tomorrow, Chlo. You’re not going to miss anything.”
Clark grimaced when he saw Chloe turn in her seat. He knew he’d stepped in it. “Clark, the Prime Minister of Thailand, a man who has never been to another country, let alone met with any other dignitary of the world is having a very discreet meeting in Boston with the world’s leading dark matter physicist. This could be huge!”
“Yeah, you’ve mentioned that about a million times,” Clark muttered as he pulled off the shoulder and into the howling wind and whirling snow.
“And yet, it still has not seemed to sink in with you,” Chloe replied haughtily. “And you know how much I love Shelby, but did we really have to stop and pick him up from your mom in DC? She was watching him while you were away for that annual Father - Son Kryptonian bonding week. Couldn’t she have kept him a few more days?”
“She was heading off for some kind of week - long campaigning thing for some bill,” Clark said.
“Oh,” Chloe nodded. She looked behind her seat. “Sorry, Shelb,” she apologized as she patted his head. “Didn’t mean to make you feel unwelcome.”
Shelby licked Chloe’s palm, accepting her apology.
Chloe turned back around and squinted through the windshield. “What is that?” She asked frantically.
“Looks like some kind motorcade,” Clark said. He slowed down to a stop and rolled down his window as a state trooper approached the car.
“Good evening, folks. Officer Taggart,” the officer greeted with a friendly smile, offering his name. “Where y’all headed?”
Chloe’s ears perked at the odd cadence in his voice and the almost hick-like dialect.
“We’re on our way to Boston. Is everything okay?” Clark asked.
“’Fraid not,” the man replied. “The pass between these two cliffs is clogged with snow from this freak snow storm.”
Chloe poked Clark’s ribs at the word ‘freak’ and hissed, “Told you.”
Clark ignored her. “Is there any way around it?”
“Nope, this is the only way out of Walnut Valley.”
Chloe climbed over Clark, pulling herself over by the steering wheel. “Is there another way to the interstate that you know of?”
The officer smiled awkwardly, slightly taken aback at Chloe hanging almost out the window. “Uh, no ma’am. This is the only way back to I - 95. Otherwise you’re gonna have to go back to Knife’s Fork and - “
“Knife’s Fork?” Chloe interrupted. She looked at Clark. She cleared her throat. She looked back to the trooper. “Can you tell me where we are?”
The trooper smiled obligingly. “Y’aller in Poolesville, Kentucky, ma’am.”
“Kentucky?!” Chloe exclaimed. She turned to Clark. “How the hell did we get to Kentucky?!”
Clark grabbed the belt on Chloe’s jeans and pulled her back down beside him, hearing a umpf! when she met the console in the middle of the seats.
“Is there a hotel close?” Clark asked.
The officer scratched his chin. “No, but there’s a dandy inn a few miles back that should have some rooms.”
Chloe pushed off Clark and back to her seat, growling the whole time as she plucked her phone off the floorboard, keys clicking madly.
“What’s it called?”
“The Kettle.”
“Oooh,” Chloe snorted. “The Kettle, sounds heavenly.”
Clark smiled politely at the state trooper. “Thank you for your help, Officer. When do you think the pass will be open?”
“Maybe tomorrow, maybe not. Depends on how long this freeze holds on and how fast the snow melts. Y’all be safe, now.”
The conversation being complete, the trooper began backing away and motioning with his hands for them to turn around. Clark put the truck into reverse and began the process of getting turned around.
“This can’t be happening,” Chloe moaned from beside him. “If you can believe this, the Urban Spoon doesn’t have a single review for this place! And we’re supposed to spend the night.”
With the truck pointed the opposite direction now, Clark began another slow drive down the winding country road. “We’re a little bit off the beaten path, so I am sure not many Urbanites have stayed at The Kettle.”
“Speaking of the beaten path,” Chloe began slowly. “You wanna fill me in how we ended up in Kentucky when we should be a few states north?”
Clark shrugged and then looked at Chloe bashfully. “I must have gotten a little turned around.”
“A little?” Chloe retorted. “From all the snow, I thought we were in Pennsylvania! I told you that map was wrong!”
“Really?” Clark snapped back. “Well, what about that fancy phone of yours and the GPS? Did it not pull up Kentucky?”
Chloe clenched her teeth. “Did the trooper say anything about when it would be cleared?”
“No, he said that it would all depend on when the snow melted,” Clark said, searching the fields for any kind of light in the blustery night.
“Melted,” Chloe began. She turned on Clark excitedly. “Clark! You can melt the snow! We have to turn around!”
“I can’t melt all that snow. It will cause a flood and that is not something Kentucky needs anymore help with.”
“What about just enough for us to get through?”
Clark turned his head. “No, Chloe.”
Chloe flopped back against the seat. Clark could tell her mind was still whirring.
“And don’t even think about me taking you up there,” Clark said when he saw Chloe’s mouth open again. “You are not going up there to sneak around some shady meeting between a scary recluse and a man who is into nuclear explosives.”
Chloe glared at him and then flopped against the seat, staring sullenly out the window. Clark sighed. He had gotten them so turned around. He didn’t even know how they had ended up back in Kentucky. “Look, Chlo, I’m sorry. We were going to have to spend the night somewhere so let’s just make the best of it. We’ll stop here and then dig out first thing in the morning.”
“But what if the pass hasn’t cleared?” Chloe reminded him quietly.
Clark screwed his mouth shut. He saw a blur of lights off the main road and slowed, a weathered sign reading ‘The Kettle Inn’ looming under heavy snow covered branches.
“If the pass hasn’t cleared… I’ll take you up there myself,” Clark said churlishly.
Chloe turned on him with bright, excited eyes. “Will you?” She asked breathlessly.
Clark swallowed. His stomach twisted into knots and his heart fluttered. He turned the truck into the long, curving drive that led down to a big house out front with a number of small cottages scattered behind it. He pulled up in front in the circle drive and put the truck into park. Looking over at Chloe, he reached out and squeezed her knee.
“I’m going to go and see if this place has some rooms,” Clark said, getting out of the truck and walking around to disappear inside the old Victorian home.
Chloe settled back in her seat, taking in the beauty of the falling snow and the old timey looking cabins. She wondered if the cabins were the rooms or if the house held the rooms and the cabins were for rent. She hoped they weren’t full from the weather, forcing Chloe, Clark and Shelby to sleep in the cab of the truck. Chloe knew she could fit nicely in the back, but as roomy as the truck was Clark’s long legs would get quite uncomfortable before morning. She was beginning to get antsy after ten minutes when she finally saw Clark coming down the steps of the porch. He came around the side and got in.
“Were you lucky?” Chloe asked. “Do they have rooms?”
“Well, yes and no.”
“What does that mean?”
Clark handed her a gold key with a pretty burgundy tassel attached to it.
“The Honeymoon Cabin is all they had left,” Clark replied, putting the truck into ‘Drive’ and following a snaky path that disappeared behind the large house.
“The Honeymoon Cabin?” Chloe questioned. “They had no other rooms?”
“Nope, all full, she said.” Clark looked over at Chloe and smiled. “We’ll just have to make the best of it.”
“Yeah, Clark, I know we’ve pushed a lot of boundaries in our time, I am just not sure cohabitation should be one of them,” Chloe replied with a lifted brow.
“Can’t be that bad, Chlo,” Clark retorted. “What? Do you snore?”
“No!” Chloe exclaimed. “Do you still levitate?”
“Only when I am having a good dream,” Clark teased.
“How far back is this?” Chloe asked.
“She said we just go through these trees and it’s in the clearing,” Clark replied.
“Clark, how much did this cost? I thought you’d come back and tell me so we could split it.”
“Don’t worry about it, Chloe,” Clark said with a shrug. “I am the one who got us lost.”
“But ‘The Kettle’ seems to be a lot nicer than I gave it credit and you were probably hustled into this over - priced, so - called picturesque, lovers’ cabin since it was their only room left. I am more than happy to pay my fair share,” Chloe said.
“Actually, I explained and she gave me a fair deal,” Clark replied easily. Finally the trees cleared and a quaint little cottage came into view.
“Wow,” Chloe said on an exhale. The land around the cottage was pure white with the fallen, undisturbed snow. Tall pine trees made a half ring around the back of the little cottage, their branches covered in snow, making a ghostly back drop for the cottage nestled in the drifts.
Clark pulled up and stopped the truck. He and Chloe got out, Shelby jumping up and over the seats to dash into the snow. The cold air bit into Chloe’s cheeks, causing her teeth to chatter as she scurried back in the truck for her coat and scarf. Clark opened the bed cover and started unloading their luggage as Chloe came around to his side.
“The temperature must have dropped at least twenty degrees!” She slung her over-night bag over her shoulder as Clark carried both their suitcases to the porch. Chloe fished the key out of her pocket and unlocked the door.
“Shelby!” Clark called as they entered the cottage.
Shelby came bounding up and inside. Clark pushed the door closed, eliminating any light from the outside.
“Let’s find a light switch,” Chloe said, reaching out and feeling along the first hard surface she felt with her mitten - clad hands.
“I don’t think you’re going to find a light switch there,” Clark said right above her.
Chloe could tell he was grinning. She lifted a hand and felt the square of his jaw. “Oops,” Chloe laughed. “Sorry.” She moved past Clark and found a wall. Running her hands along it, she hit something that felt like a circular wall mount, something that would have passed for a light switch in the 1930’s. Grasping the small knob in the middle, Chloe clicked it upward. The room filled with a weak light coming from wall sconces with frosted globes. But it was enough. Chloe turned with her mouth open. She looked at Clark with wide eyes.
“Clark,” she breathed. “How much did you pay for this room?”
Clark, himself, was in awe. It was as if they had taken a step back in time. The flooring was a pretty hand scraped wood flooring the color of honey. The cottage was one room with different sections. Except for the bathroom which was off in the corner by the only bed in the room, a full size mattress on a four poster frame. The bed was by far the most ornate, the rest of the furniture being understated and sturdy looking, covered in a soft yellow fabric.
“Well,” Chloe began, the first one to snap out the awestruck they were in. “Let’s see what the amenities are.”
Clark nodded, picking up their suitcases again and carrying them over to the cedar bench that was at the end of the bed. Chloe watched him, her eyes going to the bed which loomed in the corner. Clark placed the luggage there and turned to face her. Chloe met his eyes. She seemed flustered and turned to begin inspecting the little kitchen that had a small stove, one sink and a tiny, discreet mini-fridge well hidden so it wouldn’t take away from the vintage charm of the room. Clark noticed Chloe’s nose was red and she was trembling. Deducing it was probably as cold in here as it was outside; Clark looked around for a thermostat. Instead, he saw a fireplace. He looked around for some firewood.
As if reading his mind, Chloe said, “I think I saw some firewood on the porch outside.”
Clark went that way and found a nice stock - pile of wood. He grabbed three nice sized logs and brought them in, stacking them neatly in the fireplace.
“Do see any matches or anything around?” He asked Chloe.
She opened some drawers, coming up with only a pen and some paper. “Looks like you’re on your own, Scout.”
Clark turned back to the fire place and focused, heat shooting out of his eyes and set the wood to flame. Clark knelt and blew, fanning the flames until they burned cheerily.
Chloe came over and took off her mittens and scarf, holding out her hands to the blazing warmth. “You’re better than a Swiss army knife and a lighter, Clark.”
Clark stepped behind Chloe and pulled her back against him, rubbing her arms vigorously through her coat sleeves to help her warm up. Chloe leaned against him, closing her eyes as a comforting heat stole over her. Clark watched Chloe’s head fall back against his shoulder and he absently began running his hands slowly up and down her arms, taking the time to knead them firmly. The warmth seeping into Chloe’s bones slowly turned into a heat firing along her skin, coming to rest in her lower belly. She opened her eyes and cleared her throat. She stepped away from Clark and looked over her shoulder.
“Thanks,” she said quietly.
Clark nodded, rubbing his hands together.
He watched her go over to the door and take off her coat, hanging it on one of the pegs. She looked up and took in the vaulted ceiling with the spaced beams. The room was too beautiful for words. She was still slightly uncomfortable with the price situation and then her mind jumped to the bed situation. She looked around the room. There was one love seat and she could tell it was not meant to be slept on, even by someone as small as she. And the floor was too cold. It wasn’t that she minded sharing a bed with Clark. The awkward factor would fall away as soon as they lost consciousness. It was the size of the bed. There was no way they could sleep comfortably unless they spooned together. Chloe went hot and she lifted the hair off her neck.
Out the window, the snow was really starting to fall. The truck was already covered and the tires were halfway buried.
“We need to see what the weather is doing. Where do you think they hid the TV?” Chloe asked, starting to search.
“There is no TV, Chloe.”
Chloe whirled around. “You’re kidding?”
Clark shrugged. “That is what the lady said. There was no TV. There is a TV at the main house, though.”
“What am I supposed to do? I didn’t bring any snow - shoes to go on an artic expedition. I’d also be frozen by the time I got up there!” Chloe wandered over and fell onto the bed. “Just what exactly do they expect people to do out here, anyway?”
Chloe sat up suddenly and looked at Clark who was standing at the end of the bed rummaging through his duffle bag. They stared at each other for a second before Chloe jumped off the bed and crossed her arms.
“Never mind,” Chloe giggled. “Honeymoon, yeah.”
She wandered off into the kitchen again. Clark could tell she was nervous. So was he. This was something they’d never been through before. He turned back to his bag, pulling out his toothbrush and toothpaste.
“Okay, we have a problem!” Chloe said. “Two, actually.”
Clark turned to have her phone shoved in his face. He pushed the phone to look at her. “What?”
She waved the phone at him again. It was blank. “There is no cell service. Either we’re in a dead area or the storm has knocked off service. And there is no phone in this place.”
“And the other problem?” Clark asked, smirking at Chloe’s jumpiness.
“No coffee pot. There is no coffee! What kind of cabin - slash - cottage thing has no coffee?”
“Chloe,” Clark said, taking Chloe’s shoulders. “I don’t think you need any coffee. You’re already almost bouncing off the walls as it is.”
Chloe bit her lip. She smiled weakly before walking away. She sat down, tapping her foot. This building felt as if it was getting smaller. Everywhere she went she could feel him. He was watching her, talking to her, touching her. She was not prepared for this. And soon they would need to go to bed so they could get up in the morning. But how was she to sleep? She couldn’t sleep in the same bed with him. Not with Clark. She looked over at the wall clock over the fire place. It was only eight-thirty. She got up again and went to the window. The tires on the truck were almost covered now.
“You think they have coffee up at the main house? We could go up there and wait for the news,” Chloe suggested.
“Why don’t we try to do what people did before there was TV?”
“Like what? Knitting? I didn’t pack my crochet needles,” Chloe replied.
Clark walked over to a triangle shaped box. “We could try listening to the radio.”
“Clark, you’re a genius!” Chloe exclaimed as she hurriedly joined him. “They’ll probably have weather updates!”
Clark twisted the knob and turned the antique radio on. It crackled and Clark began tuning it.
Chloe listened closely. “Wait! Stop right there! I hear something.”
Clark stopped and turned up the volume. A man was talking. “…if you’re just tuning in, thank you for joining us for this pre-recorded segment of classic holiday love songs. Sit back, relax and enjoy. Or dance with that special someone, hold them close and as Billie Holiday says, you’ve got your love to keep you warm.”
Piano tinkles began filtering out followed by Billie Holiday’s unique jazz voice singing the unmistakable opening to ‘I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm’.
“Great,” Chloe says. “Just great. We’re stuck in Ma and Pa Kettle Inn, in a blizzard, no phone, no communication, no news and no coffee!” Chloe began to pace. “Meanwhile, up in Boston, one of the biggest news stories is about to break and where are we?”
Chloe’s arm was gripped and she was pulled back and into Clark’s arms. She stared at him as he took her hand in his and began dancing to the music. Chloe smiled shyly.
“Looks like we’re dancing to Billie Holiday,” Clark said, bringing Chloe closer.
“There are worse things, I guess,” Chloe replied. They danced slowly until they were just swaying. Chloe closed her eyes and laid her head on Clark’s chest. Clark folded her in.
“I love this song,” Chloe whispered as Bing Crosby began to croon once Ms Holiday finished. Chloe sang the notes gently. The end of the song came and she lifted her head, finding Clark’s eyes.
“Then I’ll awake on Christmas morning and find my stocking filled with you.”
The lyric hung in the air.
Clark and Chloe found themselves leaning in to meet one another’s lips.
Suddenly, Shelby barked excitedly and Clark and Chloe broke apart. Chloe turned away, putting a hand to her forehead as Clark went to see what Shelby was barking at. His investigation didn’t last long when there was a knock at the door. Chloe turned as Clark looked out the window. He came away with a frown and opened the door, revealing the Officer who had been at the pass entrance.
“Good evening, Officer Taggart,” Clark said, his tone holding a slight annoyance.
“Sorry to interrupt you folks,” the officer said bashfully. “I saw you in the window, but didn’t want to - “
“It’s fine,” Clark cut him off. “Is there a problem?”
“Well, you could say that,” the officer said. Clark opened the door wider and he stepped in. “Hi, fella,” he said as Shelby came to stand by Clark.
Clark closed the door and met Chloe in the middle of the room.
“I hate to tell y’all this, but it seems this blizzard is shutting everything down. They are predicting at least five feet of snow before mornin’. We’re going door to door to make sure people are safe and to let them know not to leave their homes for any reason. Looks like we’re gonna be snowed in.”
“For how long?” Chloe asked frantically.
“At least for a few days, maybe more.”
Clark watched Chloe’s face fall. “But, Christmas is in a few days. We have to get home.”
Clark could not hide his surprise at Chloe being more upset over not being in Smallville for Christmas than missing her big story.
“I sure am sorry about that, ma’am,” Officer Taggart said sadly. “We’ve set up a command post at the main house so if y’all need anything, just holler. Have a nice night. I sure am sorry for interrupting ya.”
Officer Taggart backed out, tipping his hat. Clark shut the door. He saw Chloe go over and sit down on the love seat. He joined her, wrapping an arm around her.
“We’ll get home for Christmas, Chloe, don’t worry.”
Chloe looked at him. “Will we? Clark, even with all your powers, there are some things that can’t happen. I mean, you can’t leave the truck up here without any questions and to avoid questions we’ll have to keep renting this cottage which will cost an arm and a leg and - “
“Why don’t we just take it one day at a time?” Clark said. “Let’s just worry about tomorrow.”
Chloe groaned. “And to top everything off, I’m stuck with no way of knowing anything that is happening!”
Clark stood and pulled Chloe up.
She resisted him. “What are you doing?”
“Distracting you like I did before.”
Chloe chuckled. “The dance was sweet, Clark, but I think it will take a much bigger distraction to keep my mind off the outside world.”
“Okay,” Clark said, squaring his shoulders. He barreled straight for Chloe, catching her waist and pulling her to him, pressing his lips to hers firmly. Chloe squealed in surprise as Clark kissed her earnestly. Chloe opened her mouth to take a breath and to tell him... And then his tongue slipped into her mouth and Chloe forgot everything. She moaned as she melted into Clark’s body, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and kissing him back urgently.
Clark’s hands splayed her back, running down to palm her butt, pressing her into him as he continued to kiss her wantonly. Chloe felt as if she was on fire as Clark’s hands found their way all over her body. She clutched his shoulders and whimpered as his bare hands found their way under her shirt and up, one hand toying with her bra clasp, the other slipping around the front to press against her breast. He withdrew from her mouth to lightly nibble along her lips before dipping down to kiss along her neck. She felt the clasp of her bra come free and everything came to screeching halt.
“Wait! Wait!” Chloe said breathlessly, pulling away from Clark.
Clark lifted his head, his eyes dreamy with desire. “What?”
Chloe looked down pointedly at his hand still pressed against her breast. Clark pulled his hand out of her shirt, making sure to graze her nipple with his fingers through her bra cup, causing her to grit her teeth.
When Chloe could breathe again and was out of Clark’s range, she shook her head. “What is going on here?” She reached back up in her shirt and re-did the clasp on her bra.
Clark, who was still breathing heavily, smiled. “I’m distracting you.”
Chloe couldn’t help but giggle. He looked so adorable when he was proud of himself.
Chloe thought for a moment and then started again. “Clark, while that would be a mind-blowing distraction, I don’t know if we’re ready for that big of a distraction yet.”
“Why not?” Clark asked.
“Well, for one, we’ve only just recently begun dating. I think we need time to get used to the change in our dynamic. Two, we haven’t even discussed if we’re exclusive or not.”
Clark leered at Chloe as he shuffled forward a little. “We’ve been on about seven dates, Chloe, and each one has ended with us making out in my truck or your apartment. I think we can pretty much say we are dating only each other now. We’ve also known each other for ten years. We know how we feel about each other.”
Chloe allowed Clark to reach her. He tucked some hair behind her ear and cupped her neck. “Most importantly, I want you.”
Chloe ducked around Clark again. “And I want you, too. But this is a big step. I just think we need to talk about it before we go any further.”
Clark rolled his eyes. He sat down in a fluffy recliner and threw an ankle over his knee. “I’m not gonna pressure you, Chloe. We both want to and we both want each other, so I think that is all the discussion that is needed. If you want some more time, it’s up to you.” Quickly, he pushed out of the chair and walked over to the kitchen where she was currently perusing the tagged items in the fridge trying to ignore him. “But in about three hours, we’re going to have to go to bed and that bed is really small. I have a feeling it was meant for anything besides sleeping.”
Chloe’s head came up out of the fridge and glanced at him over her shoulder and then looked at the bed. She closed the fridge and stood up, facing Clark. “And I know you will be a perfect gentleman,” she stated.
Clark stepped forward, causing Chloe to catch her breath. “There is only so much a gentleman can take, too.”
Chloe opened her mouth to speak when Clark did an about face and walked over to his bag. “I’m going to take a shower.” He picked up his duffel bag and took a few steps to the bathroom. He turned and nailed Chloe with a smoldering stare. “Care to join me? I’d hate to use up all the hot water.”
More than anything, Chloe wanted to climb into the shower with Clark but now she was not only warring against Clark, but herself. She was annoyingly stubborn and she would not be seduced. “No, thank you, Clark. I am going to sit out here and count the floorboards since that seems to be the only activity they offer in this establishment.”
“There is a reason they don’t offer anything else,” Clark replied, refusing to let Chloe have the last word. Chloe pursed her lips as Clark disappeared into the bathroom. She whimpered and fell into the chair Clark had just vacated moments earlier. Shelby came over and lay at her feet. She looked down at the dog.
“I’m sure you’re not up for a porno show, Shelbs, are you?”
Shelby looked up at Chloe with his open eyes.
Chloe took his lack of response as acceptance. She smiled and reached down and scratched behind his ears. “You old pervert,” she said with affection.
She sat back again as she listened to the water starting up. What was the big deal? They had been dating, they ended making out at the end of every date, once in the middle, and each make-out session got a little more intense each time. Something held her back, though. She didn’t think she was the kind of girl that needed to hear the ‘love’ word to at least have a good time, but maybe with Clark that was what she needed. No, that was what she wanted. She didn’t want Clark to be like all, well, the one other man she’d been with. Chloe cocked her head. But he wouldn’t be, would he? Clark was it. She’d known from the moment she’d set eyes on Clark that he was going to be the one she would spend the rest of her life with. She’d fallen in love with him instantly.
The side of her mouth lifted in a smile. So maybe she would allow Clark to seduce her, but she didn’t need to let Clark know that. And maybe it would be kind of fun to see how far Clark would go to get her into bed.
In the bathroom, Clark was having his own conversation with himself. He’d felt bad about Chloe missing out on her big scoop. However, he’d already planned to make his move when they had been in Boston, so the fact that they found themselves in a pleasant, romantic cottage with no distractions fit his plan perfectly. The thing is, if he told Chloe, he was afraid she’d never let him live it down. Or that she would forget she was his very sexy girlfriend and ream him for being more concerned about getting into her pants than getting their story.
Everything told him they were ready and that this turn of events was perfect. Clark was bound and determined to get his voluptuous blonde into bed even if he had to be a caveman and throw her in it. Shutting the water off, he got out and toweled off, wrapping the towel around his hips. He looked at himself in the mirror, a scarlet blush painting his cheeks at the outline of his arousal under the towel. Clark rolled his eyes at himself. If all went as he hoped, Chloe would be seeing a lot more than that. Making sure the towel was secure he opened the bathroom door and walked out.
Chloe was seated on the bed, shoes off. He saw her eyes widen and dilate with desire but ignored it, walking into the open room and heading for the fridge.
“Is there water in here?” he asked.
“Yeah.” Chloe’s voice was slightly pitched. She cleared her throat and repeated herself. “Yeah, but it’s almost five dollars.”
“There were little cups in the bathroom. Tap water is just as good. Can you bring me one?” Clark asked.
Chloe narrowed her eyes at him, wondering what his plan was. She got off the bed and went into the bathroom, emerging again with a cup. She walked over to him with the cup held out to him. He took the cup, making sure to pass his fingers over hers, watching the shiver that went through her at his touch.
“Thanks, sweetie,” he said, catching Chloe’s wrist quickly to keep her there as he leaned over and kissed her cheek, making sure he pressed himself against her thigh. He heard her breathy gasp and heard the beat of her heart speed up. He released her wrist and turned to the faucet, filling up the little cup and throwing the water back.
With shaky legs, Chloe wandered back to the end of the bed and sat down on the bench, gazing at Clark. His hair was wet from the shower and it clung to his forehead. It was a little longer than he normally wore it so the ends hung down into his eyes, contrasting sharply with his aqua colored eyes. She felt that twist in her belly again and she caught her lip between her teeth as she fought the urge to go and lick Clark’s skin of excess water. But that would make it too easy. Instead, she stood and walked into the bathroom again coming out with Clark’s duffel bag.
“What are you doing, Chlo?” Clark asked.
“I’m getting your pajamas out for you, Clark,” Chloe answered.
“I don’t have any,” Clark replied.
Chloe looked at him with a smirk. “Yes, you do. I packed them for you.”
She pulled out a t-shirt and some pajama pants and laid them on the bed.
Clark came over and stood beside her, leaning down to look at them over her shoulder, making sure he pressed along her back. “I don’t like those.”
Chloe looked at the opposite wall, taking deep breaths. “Then I guess you’re going to have to sleep in that towel.”
Chloe picked up the pajamas to put them back in the bag when she caught sight of a small box. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” She plunged her hand into the bag.
“Chloe, wait -!“ Clark tried to pull her away but she already had the box in her hand. She turned on him, holding the unopened condom box in her hand.
“You planned this?”
Clark stood there for a moment and then realized he didn’t care. Yes, he wanted to make love to his girlfriend. He shrugged. “I hoped. I hoped real hard.”
“You were pretty confident,” Chloe said, tossing the condoms at Clark who caught them before they hit his face.
“Why are you mad, Chloe?” Clark finally said angrily. He threw the condoms back in the bag. Chloe stalked over to the window and looked out. He followed her, standing a few feet behind her. “Because I saw an opportunity to have a nice time with my girlfriend while we were on a work trip? That I thought it might be a good time to make a move in neutral territory? That basically I am so hard up for you that I have spent this whole day devising a plan to get you into bed?”
Chloe turned and looked at him with guarded eyes. “You’ve been planning a seduction all day?”
Clark clenched his jaw. “Is that so hard to believe, Chloe? I told you I want you.”
Chloe closed the distance between them and looked up at Clark. “So why don’t you put this plan into action?”
Clark’s mouth dropped open. Had she just been torturing him? “Are you serious?”
Chloe stood up on her toes, running her hands up his bare chest to tangle in the hair at the back of Clark’s scalp. She pulled his head down and barely pressed her lips to his.
“Distract me, Clark. Distract me until I scream.”