Part 4
Soon, they were both dressed and heading to the door, Shelby in tow.
Chloe gasped when she saw the snow. "Mother Nature meant business last night!"
Clark lifted Shelby onto the bank of snow. He looked over at Chloe and down at her feet. She was wearing boots, but not the kind to go traipsing around the five feet of snow.
"I don't think you'll be able to make it to the main house in those boots, Chlo," Clark observed.
Chloe puffed at him, waving her hand. She clambered up the embankment of snow. On the topside, she sunk down to her knees. She turned and looked at Clark who was grinning behind her.
"I don't think it's the boots that will cause the problem," Chloe called out.
Clark shook his head and joined his girlfriend and dog on the bank. Coming to stand in front of Chloe, Clark knelt with his back to her. "Climb on."
Chloe laughed. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Clark's neck. Clark stood to his feet and Chloe wrapped her legs around his waist. Clark tucked his hands under Chloe's thighs, making sure she as secure.
"Hmmm," Chloe whispered in his ear. "Not such a bad idea."
Clark shivered at her warm breath flowing over his skin. He bit back a groan as Chloe began kissing the side of his neck.
"Are you going to torture me the entire walk to the main house?" Clark asked petulantly, taking giant steps through the thick snow; Shelby bounding beside him.
"I thought you liked this kind of torture," Chloe replied, moving to the other side of his head.
Clark clenched his jaw. He was never going to be able to make to the main house with her on his back if she continued this. "I do… But only when I can respond."
Chloe chuckled deep in her throat, the sound sexy and controlled; enjoying the fact that she could drive him wild without him being able to do anything.
"Mush, Clark, mush!" Chloe ordered him.
Clark laughed and mushed. The walk to the house took about fifteen minutes. In the daylight, Chloe and Clark could admire their surroundings. They were in the middle of a very wooded area. The trees around them still retained some leaves which were now ladled with snow. As the main house came into view, Chloe could make out five other vehicles along with three state trooper patrol cars. Clark noticed the snow was right up level with the raised porch, whereas last night, he'd had to take about six steps to reach the platform. He stepped onto the porch, Chloe jumping down. Taking his hand, Chloe went over to the open door and pulled it wide for them to enter. Clark turned to tell Shelby to 'sit' when a perky voice stopped him.
"Oh, honey, that's all right! It's too cold out there for him! He can come on in."
Clark motioned Shelby inside and looked for the owner of the voice. He saw the same woman who checked him in standing over to the side of the door by a large Christmas tree which stood in the parlor. The large parlor served as the lobby and there were a few people gathered at a table eating. Over in another corner, there were four state troopers gathered around a radio drinking coffee.
"I'm going to go and see if they have any news about what is going on," Clark told Chloe, inclining his head toward the officers. One was Officer Taggart. He saw the couple and waved. Chloe waved back as Clark joined them, thanking the attendant who allowed Shelby in.
"You're welcome, darlin'," said the lady. She was a friendly looking woman, probably in her late fifties with silvery hair pulled back in a soft bun. She turned her attention to Chloe and smiled, her lively brown eyes dancing. "And good morning, dearie. Can I get you anything? We've got juice and milk and coffee -"
"Coffee. My blood level is almost pure and I can't have that," Chloe replied.
The woman directed her over to a table meant for two, accounting that Clark would join her. She went over to a sideboard and got a delicate looking china cup and saucer, returning to set it on the table and fill it up with strong smelling coffee from a silver coffee pot.
"Oh, thank you," Chloe said warmly as the woman served her. She picked up the little pitcher on the table and saw it was cream. Dashing the cup with the cream, she stirred in some sugar with a spoon the woman handed her.
"Anything else, hon?"
Chloe took a sip and moaned as the scalding liquid hit her tongue. She set the cup down and looked up at the woman. "I'm Chloe Sullivan."
The woman smiled wider and took the introduction as an invitation to sit down, which it had been. She offered her hand, shaking Chloe's hand in both of hers happily. "Wilma Nettle, please to meet you."
"Pleased to meet you," Chloe replied. "Do you own the Inn?"
Wilma beamed. "I do, in fact. My husband, God rest his soul, retired from the Airforce in 1990, after 40 years. It was time for a change of pace so we moved back here to our hometown and opened up the Kettle."
Feeling as if there was a story and switching to reporter mode, Chloe said, "The Kettle Inn. That is an interesting name."
"Well, my maiden name was Kendrick. So, we combined our names like all those silly Hollywood couples do and came up with Kettle. We both liked it because a Kettle is warm and old - timey, which the Inn is supposed to be."
"Are the cabins original?" Chloe asked.
"No," Wilma said, shaking her head. "We had those built after a couple of years. The Inn wasn't drawing very may tourists or travelers, seeing as we aren't on any main roads. We spent all our savings to create a little village of cabins that could be considered a nice getaway. The house is mainly reserved for the odd duck that wanders in every once and awhile, but the cabins are for the vacationers."
"Do you get a lot of them?"
"We do, actually. I even have some regulars," Wilma replied.
"What is your winter season like?"
Wilma pulled a face. "It's usually slow. The cabins hardly get stayed in but for a few wanderers here and there. In fact, as bad as this storm is, I am grateful for it. It will really help tide me over until spring. By the way, are you enjoying the Getaway Cabin?"
Chloe took another sip of her coffee and nodded. "It's beautiful! Yes, thank you."
"Oh, good. No one has stayed in it in about six or seven month. I was worried it would have moths or something, but I wasn't able to check it over. Your young man said he could fix anything if he saw it, though. It's a little hard to rent unless someone is looking for it."
"Well, given the circumstances we had no choice. I am just glad you had a room left," Chloe replied.
"Yes, well, I still have a few left, but -"
"I thought you were full?" Chloe asked abruptly.
"Oh, no! I still have a few rooms here in the house and then some other smaller cabins," Wilma replied.
"So, you have other cabins than the Honeymoon one?"
Wilma quirked her eyebrows at Chloe. "Well, yes, but you are in the Getaway Cabin."
"There's a difference?"
"Yes, the Getaway Cabin is for people who are looking to get away from the world. Oh, I knew it was just perfect when your young man came in asking if we had anything that would be quiet and good for a relaxing stay."
Chloe sat back. "He did, did he?"
Wilma smiled. "Yes. He couldn't believe his luck when I told him there was just a radio in the room."
A phone rang off in the distance. Wilma jumped up. "I'll just leave this here for you," she said as she pointed the silver carafe. "And there are still some bagels and doughnuts left around the corner if you would like some. There is also toast. I wish I had more but I wasn't prepared to be feeding people."
"Thank you, Wilma. It was nice talking to you," Chloe replied sincerely.
"You, too, dear. You two have fun!" Wilma scurried off to answer the phone.
Chloe refilled her cup and she looked up to see Clark weaving his way over. He sat in the chair Wilma had just vacated.
"Find out anything useful?" Chloe asked, eying him suspiciously.
"Officer Taggart says that the storm has passed through but it will probably still be a couple of days before the roads are passable. The temperature is still right below freezing, so the sun isn't doing much in the way of melting things," Clark replied.
Chloe nodded, a little miffed at Clark for lying to her.
He reached over and squeezed her hand. "You okay?"
Chloe looked up. She gazed at his face. He was so beautiful. He was the most beautiful man she'd ever seen. He was kind and good and everything the world needed. And he'd been underhanded and lied and manipulated her into bed; putting their relationship before their careers. How could Chloe be upset at that? It was Clark; the boy she'd adored who'd grown into the man she loved.
"What?" Clark asked, his brows furrowing over her odd stare.
Chloe smiled enigmatically. She stood and walked over to where the doughnuts were and grabbed two, wrapping them in some napkins. Clark watched her go and return. Holding the pastries in one hand, she grabbed Clark's hand in the other.
"Let's go," Chloe told him, pulling him up and behind her. She raced for the door.
"Chloe? What is going on?" Clark questioned.
"Thanks, Wilma!" Chloe called out as she and Clark ran out the door, Shelby jogging to keep up.
Clark stopped her on the porch. "Chloe, why we are rushing? I thought you wanted to watch the news and -"
Chloe wrapped her arms around Clark's neck, jumping up and wrapping her legs around his waist. Clark caught her in surprise. She pulled his head back and kissed him with a fiery passion, their lips fusing together as Clark held her.
She pulled back and looked into Clark's dazed eyes. "I got all I need now. Food and you."
Clark smiled goofily.
"Now, let's get back to the cabin so I can make good on my agreement," Chloe told him before she leaned down to kiss his jaw and down to his throat.
Clark keeping one arm around Chloe and reaching down to pick Shelby up in the other, Clark jumped into super - speed. When he stopped, he deposited Shelby on the porch and opened the door, walking in with Chloe still sitting on his hips.
Chloe unwrapped her legs and slid down Clark's long body. Urgently, she ripped off her coat, scarf and mittens, throwing them on the floor. She then turned to Clark, pushing his coat off. Clark toed off his boots as Chloe unbuttoned his shirt hurriedly, dragging it off his shoulders. All the while, they made their way backwards. The shirt hung from his wrists as Chloe pulled him down to kiss him, her tongue plunging into his mouth. Clark pulled the shirt off as his the back of his legs met the bed. Chloe pulled away, her breathing heavy as she pulled off her own shirt and disposed of her bra. Before Clark could make a move, Chloe unbuttoned her pants and pulled them off, panties and all, her boots, socks and bottoms laying in a pile. Clark did the same, kicking off his jeans and boxers. They came together again, their naked skin pressing against one another, feeling as if this should be the natural state of their bodies. Chloe pushed Clark onto the bed. As he fell onto it, she crawled up him, leaning down to kiss his stomach, his chest, his throat until she met his mouth again.
"I know about the room, Clark," Chloe whispered against his lips.
Clark pulled back and looked at her warily. "And you're not mad?"
Chloe sat up, looking down at the gorgeous man between her thighs. "How could I be mad when all you wanted was to be with me?"
Clark leaned up on his elbows. "Chloe, I'm sorry about lying. I knew how much this story meant to you, but I didn't want you to be glued to the TV the whole time. I was selfish."
Chloe laughed. "You? Selfish?" Chloe met his lips and kissed him longingly. Clark kissed her back, running his hand up into her hair. He rolled them over, Chloe sitting up against the pillows. Clark released her mouth and Chloe gasped as she felt Clark poise at her entrance. She spread thighs around his waist. She caught his face and looked at him. "Giving me the best sex of my life is not selfish, Clark. I may have wanted the story, but what I really wanted was you. I was just too worried to do anything about it."
"It's pretty good for me, too," Clark replied cheekily. Clark pressed forward, his shaft sliding silkily into Chloe's wet heat.
Chloe bit her lip, her head going back as Clark penetrated her. She moaned as Clark filled her. Wrapping her arms around his back, they kissed lovingly until Clark was entirely sheathed. He began to thrust slowly, deep inside her. Chloe dug her fingers into Clark's shoulders, little groans of pleasure falling from her lips.
Suddenly, Clark stilled.
Chloe opened her eyes. "What is it?"
Clark's eyes were wide. "I forgot a condom."
"I'm on the pill, Clark. One time is not gonna hurt anything."
"But it only takes one time -"
Chloe kissed him, squeezing his hips with her knees. "I'm willing to take the chance."
Clark and Chloe made love languidly, drawing out each sensation until their bodies shattered into a sweet oblivion. They spent the rest of the day in bed, clothes lying where they fell. By the time night fell, their bodies were no longer strangers to each other or themselves. That night, they slept soundly; a contented, deep sleep.
The snow melted steadily and finally, after three days, the occupants were given the permission to attempt travel again. Christmas Day dawned and it was time to return to reality. As they packed, Clark and Chloe looked around fondly at what had become their little love nest. Clark put his arm around Chloe, looking down at her dressed in her rumpled jeans and one of his flannel shirts. He pulled her close, resting his chin on her head.
"I don't think I will ever get used to you being dressed all the time again," Clark said.
Chloe took his hand in hers on her shoulder, leaning against him as they surveyed the room. True to her word and his, clothes had become obsolete. Clark only donned his jeans and a shirt to take Shelby out or run somewhere close for food. Other than that, all they did was lie in bed, eat and make love over and over until Chloe was sure she'd never need sex again. Until five minutes later when she was reminded of Clark's presence.
She sighed. "I don't want to leave."
"We'll come back," Clark said, turning them so they could walk out the door. Clark got Chloe and Shelby in the truck, before walking back and locking the door. He didn't want to leave either. In the days he spent in the cabin with Chloe, he'd been just a man. Just a man with no greater purpose than to enjoy himself and the woman he loved. Now, he was going back to the real world; a world with crime and evil and never-ending deadlines. He turned and could make out Chloe's profile in the truck. He smiled. As long as he had her, he had this cabin with him. This feeling of being carefree. Clark returned to the truck and started it, pulling away from the cabin and down the long drive to the main house.
Clark and Chloe alighted from the vehicle and went in.
"I guess y'all need to check out," Wilma said merrily as they entered the door.
"Yeah," Clark replied, setting the key on the counter. "Time for us to return to the real world."
"Did you enjoy your stay?" She asked, handing Clark an invoice.
"We did," Chloe answered, her arm hugging Clark's waist. "It was exactly what we needed."
"Well, good. I hope we see you again sometime," Wilma said, her voice warm and kind.
Clark and Chloe looked at each other and then back at her with grins on their faces. "Oh, you will. You can count on it."
One year later…
"Chloe, come on, let's go!"
"I'm coming!"
"Really? Because it sounds like you're on your phone."
"I am not!"
"Then what is that beeping noise? Are you texting?"
"I am setting the thermostat."
"The thermostat doesn't beep, Chlo."
"Fine!" Chloe said in exasperation. She came out the door of their apartment, her phone in her hand. "I was just double checking with Maggie -"
Clark took the phone from her and turned off. Tossing it back in the apartment, he shoved Chloe out of the way and locked the door. He turned back to Chloe, glaring at her. "The Planet has the number. If something big breaks, they know to call where we're going. Now, can we please go?"
Chloe growled in frustration. She took her purse from Clark and stormed off ahead of him; he followed with their luggage.
"It's time for you to get in the mood," Clark told her as they boarded the elevator.
"You know, Clark, when you told me you wanted to give me my Christmas present early, I was thinking it was something I could use. I didn't know I was going to be spirited off without any notice to some far - corner of the earth."
"It's not that far," Clark told her. "Just a day's drive."
"And how long are we going to be gone? It's two days before Christmas. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. What about your mother? What about Lois? What about Shelby?" Chloe questioned, trying to find any excuse to wriggle out of this 'gift' and stay close to her beloved newspaper. Clark was having none of it.
"Mrs. Buren is going to look after Shelby. Lois and my mom are spending Christmas together and they expect us the day after Christmas."
Chloe opened her mouth but whatever she was going to say died as the elevator doors opened and some other tenants entered. Miranda, a young woman who lived a few floors below that they had met through plumbing issues, caught sight of Clark and Chloe and moved over towards them. She noted their luggage and smiled.
"Taking off for Christmas a little early. Going to visit family?" She asked politely.
"Actually, I have no idea where we are going," Chloe answered, looking pointedly at Clark. "It's a surprise."
Miranda, knowing Chloe's obsession with her job, raised a brow. "Quite daring of you, Clark. How romantic! I hope you are going somewhere warm, though. I heard we're due for another blizzard."
"We're not going far," Clark responded. The elevator stopped at the main floor and all occupants disembarked. Clark took Chloe's hand, heading for the parking garage, Miranda walking along with them. "Just over to Kentucky."
Chloe swiveled her head to Clark, her eyes wide.
"Kentucky!" Miranda exclaimed, full of big city despise. "What on earth for?"
A wide smile beamed on Chloe's face as she clutched Clark's arm and laid her head on his arm.
"A Christmas for two," she murmured happily.