Holiday Heat (NC-17)

[Zannie]

Holiday Heat

Author: Zannie
Rating: NC-17
Category: Romance / Christmas story
Spoilers: nothing significant, since I haven’t been able to watch Smallville since season four. There are some vague allusions to a few recent events but they’re referenced so generally it won’t give anything important away.
Disclaimer: Obviously, I don’t own Smallville or its characters. No infringement intended.
Summary: Over the Christmas holiday, a torrid affair becomes love.


* * *


Chapter One


It was hot.

It was so hot in the room that, as she slowly awoke, Chloe thought she would suffocate.

She sucked in a deep breath of stifling air and shifted on the lumpy bed. She was vaguely conscious of the fact that she was naked, lying face down on a well-worn sheet. The top sheet was draped loosely over her legs, and her hair was sticking damply to the back of her neck.

Something hot and heavy pressed down across her back.

Chloe shifted under its weight but it didn’t move. Sweating and flushed from the excessive heat of the room, she groggily determined that the weight across her back was making her even hotter. She moaned uncomfortably and shifted again.

“What's the matter?” The male voice was low and slurred slightly from sleep.

“Hot.”

“Me too.”

She squirmed again, trying to dislodge the thing draped across her bare back. Her damp skin clung to it resiliently.

“Are you having convulsions over there?” His voice was dry now and fully alert. He’d obviously woken up.

“Move your arm,” she complained. “It’s too hot for touching.”

To her relief, he adjusted the arm he’d unconsciously slung across her as they slept. But before she could roll to a cooler spot on the bed, he’d moved over and above her. She felt his lips on the bare skin at the back of her shoulder.

“It’s too hot,” she whimpered, as he skimmed his lips delicately along her shoulder blade. Then she sucked in a sharp breath when she felt his teeth graze the ridges of her spine. But it was sweltering in the stuffy room, distracting her from what otherwise would have been enjoyable. “God!” she burst out. “Why is it so hot?”

“Because this exclusive hotel you discovered still has the heat running, even though it’s close to seventy outside.

Chloe groaned, both from discomfort and from a ripple of pleasure at the way he was trailing kisses down her back. “It’s ridiculous,” she grumbled, arching up a little to raise her head and try to catch her breath. “We can’t even open a window in this dump. It’s like hell.”

“Those are the benefits of an establishment that charges thirty-seven dollars for a room.”

His mouth had reached the small of her back now. Every spot he kissed was deliciously cool for a moment—until the moisture from his mouth dried. Then her skin blazed with heat once again.

“I would have chosen different accommodations,” he added. “One with adequate temperature controls.”

“Don’t be snotty. You’re supposed to be in hiding, aren’t you?”

“Yes, but I can manage to find a decent hotel room without announcing my identity to the whole of Metropolis.”

Chloe sniffed, having no response to his comment. She hadn’t gotten this room to preserve Lex Luthor’s anonymity, after all.

“You know what’s hot?” he asked, the timbre of his voice altering as he slid his lips even farther down her back.

She grunted her inquiry, torn between oppressive heat and building desire, spurred on the husky note in his voice.

“This curve here,” Lex murmured, grazing his fingertips along the dip just where her back met her ass. “It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.” He followed his light caress with a line of kisses.

Chloe shivered in response. “You’ve clearly been isolated too long,” she quipped, “If that sort of thing turns you on.

He chuckled deliciously as he squeezed the soft flesh of her bottom, pushing the sheet off of her all the way.

“Don’t be getting any ideas,” she added, “It’s too hot for any more sex.” Despite her words, she was squirming now with something other than discomfort.

“Such a condition doesn’t exist.” Lex massaged her shoulders and back with a sensuous touch that made her moan.

Her cheeks blazing, she mumbled, “I think I’m going to melt.”

“No objections here.”

Lex raised her hips with strong, experienced hands and then explored between her legs. She was wet and ready for him, and she gasped with pleasure as two fingers penetrated her, rubbing against her slick inner walls.

He fucked her with his fingers for a minute, until Chloe was shaking with desire and frustration. “Damn it, Lex,” she rasped. “It’s not enough. I want your cock.”

“No objections here.” His voice was thicker now than it had been when he’d said those same words just a moment before. Even though she hadn’t turned her head to look at him, she knew he was aroused. Just as aroused as she was.

He straddled her thighs and teased her entrance with the tip of his erection. Chloe’s cheek was pressed down against the mattress, and her eyes squeezed shut as the sensations flooded her body with new waves of heat.

“Damn it, Lex,” she gritted out. Then she said his name on a taken breath as he finally entered her.

The substance of his cock pushed into her slowly, and her hot intimate flesh both clung and resisted the intrusion. When he’d buried himself inside her, he held himself perfectly still, his body braced on straightened arms and his hands splayed against the mattress on either side of her.

Chloe could hear his quickened breathing, feel his hot presence, a simmering energy barely reined in. As always, it spoke to her, compelled her, ignited an answering fire inside her.

She lay still, indulging the erotic tension of the moment, the two of them joined in the most intimate of ways, poised on the edge between desire and action.

Then she released her breath in a low moan as he started to move—not in long thrusts but in a rhythmic rocking, pushing his hips forward against her bottom.

She was limited by her position on her stomach, but she matched his motion as best she could, fisting her hands in the sheet and trying to breathe through her rising heat and pleasure.

The room was quiet except for their loud, choppy breathing and the shameless squeaking of the bed.

When an orgasm coiled tight at her center, Chloe whimpered, her body shuddering uncontrollably. “Faster, Lex,” she begged. “Harder. I need it harder.”

“Yes.” Lex was audibly breathless, and he adjusted his position behind her. “Fuck, yes.”

He fucked her faster and harder, and the resulting sensations pushed Chloe over the edge. She cried out and arched back as her pleasure released. Her channel clamped down around Lex’s cock as she rode out the orgasm, and she heard a rough exclamation from Lex in response.

Before she’d fully come down, he pulled out, still hard, and turned her over onto her back. For the first time since she’d awakened, she looked up at him.

His skin was flushed, and he was perspiring just as much as she was. His expression was deliciously tense, and his eyes were hot and hungry as they raked over her red face, messy hair, and naked body.

To hide the strange flash of possessiveness awakened by the combination of need and entitlement in his eyes, Chloe scowled. “Hey! I barely had time to enjoy my orgasm.”

He arched one eyebrow. “You only have yourself to blame. If you weren’t quite so hot and tight, I wouldn’t risk losing it every time you come.” His voice was dry but his words left her blazing with pleasure just the same.

“Hmph,” she sniffed, with a pretense of disapproval. “Nothing’s wrong with losing it. And I don’t like when you yank yourself out. I like having you inside me when I come.”

An almost predatory smile appeared on his face. “Then we’ll have to try it again.”

Lex pulled her thighs apart and then positioned his cock at her entrance again, this time settling securely between her legs. She arched her spine as he pushed into her once more. Her channel was tighter now from her climax and the sensations were intense.

She wrapped her legs around his middle, trying to get them higher so he’d sink into her more deeply. In response, he bucked his hips against hers a few times, his face twisting.

“Good?” she asked, trying for a teasing smile.

“You have no idea.”

His thick, erotic words silenced them as they both focused on their carnal motion—tense, increasingly urgent, almost primitive.

Chloe clawed lines down his back and pumped her hips frantically as another orgasm started to develop inside her. “Oh, oh, oh, fuck!” she gasped, sweat collecting at the edges of her hair and between her jiggling breasts.

“That’s right,” Lex rasped, “Let me see you come.”

Her gasps changed to urgent whimpers as their rhythm intensified even more. The cheap bedframe was squeaking loudly and the headboard started to bang against the wall with the momentum of their fucking.

It was so hard to believe. Plain, old Chloe Sullivan. Fucking Lex Luthor like an animal in a sleazy Metropolis motel.

The knowledge that this person was her—she was doing this and loving every minute—finally pushed her into another climax.

She cried out loudly as she came, convulsing as the overwhelming sensations pulsed through her.

“Oh fuck,” Lex bit out, his lips going white with tension as he froze above her. Then his hips jerked clumsily and his cock swelled and contracted in her tightened channel.

His climax looked as hard and deep as hers had been.

He collapsed on her afterwards, his weight pressing her into the mattress. When she couldn’t breathe because of the heat and her exhaustion, she finally squirmed beneath him. “Too hot.”

He rolled off of her with only a mild grumble. They lay side by side then, staring at each other and occasionally wiping some of the sweat off their skin.

“God, that was good,” Chloe said, when she had breath enough to form a sentence.

“It certainly was.” His voice sounded cool and composed, but she checked his face. He looked just as battered as she was from their exertions. His skin appeared tightly stretched over his well-chiseled features, and his face was soaking wet.

“Why is it so hot in December?” she wailed, moving herself past a faintly tender pull at the sight of his sated eyes and relaxed body.

“Heat wave. Some sort of tropical front. It’s moving up through the middle of the country, from—“

“Oh, shut up.”

Lex lip twitched at her grumpy tone but he didn’t continue his discourse on the unseasonable December weather.

She shouldn’t enjoy his company so much. She shouldn’t like him. She certainly shouldn’t trust him with her body—or anything else.

“Next time, I’ll pick the hotel,” Lex said, his eyes resting on her with a gaze that was almost leisurely.

“No, I told you before. When you’re involved in a sleazy affair, then you pick a motel that’s appropriate for the occasion.”

Lex cocked an eyebrow, obviously amused. “Is that what we’re doing? Having a sleazy affair?”

“Of course.”

“Neither one of us is married anymore. I’m not sure affair is the correct term.”

“Of course it is. You don’t have to be married to have an affair. It just needs to be secret.” No one knew that Chloe was regularly fucking Lex Luthor, and she intended to keep it that way.

“I see.” Lex looked eminently unconvinced. And still amused. And definitely superior.

“Don’t be an ass.” When he opened his mouth to respond, she spoke over him. “You know exactly what ass-like behavior I’m referring to.”

Four months ago, in the midst of some of her ongoing research on meteor freaks, Chloe discovered that Lex Luthor, who’d disappeared from the Arctic a year and a half earlier, was both alive and living under the radar in Metropolis. Her confrontation with him—aimed at learning his purposes and the potential danger he posed—hadn’t gone as she’d intended.

Instead of dealing with his presence in a rational way, she’d ended up fucking him with wild, hot urgency. And for some reason it had continued over the following months. At first, they’d just gotten together once every week or so, but the frequency of their liaisons increased until they were spending at least three nights together every week now.

Lex was her guilty secret. Her shameless indulgence. The truth that ignited an unacknowledged spark in her spirit.

She knew she’d have to let him go eventually—you didn’t have sex indefinitely with a man you could never be in a real relationship with.

The time would come when they’d have to end this. But she assured herself that time wasn’t yet.

“What is it?” Lex asked. His blue eyes were knowing and astute. Sometimes she wondered how far inside her soul they could see.

She shook her head with a smile. “Nothing.”

“Feeling guilty for giving yourself so enthusiastically to a hardened reprobate like me?” he asked with light irony.

His question was perceptive—just shy of the truth—and it left her feeling a little uneasy. To hide her response, she grinned. “Did you just call yourself a reprobate?”

He chuckled and reached over to skim his fingers along her back again, lingering on the spot he’d admired before—the deep curve and dip just above her bottom.

She watched him in silence. He was looking at her body with an expression that was both amused and strangely hungry. His coloring had evened out, although he was still wet with perspiration. Her eyes dipped from his face to his chest, and she couldn’t help but notice the network of faint scars that ran down his chest. He was covered with them. And there were more on his back. A few on his arms and a few more on his legs. Only his hands and head were free of them.

He’d been wounded so many times. Hurt in so many ways. She knew he’d been seriously injured in the Arctic at the time of his disappearance. She didn’t know how he’d managed to keep himself alive, although she could see the evidence of the newest of his wounds on his skin.

Lex’s body wasn’t like Clark’s—flawless and invulnerable. Lex’s muscle development was masculine and efficient, but he wasn’t a body-builder. And he was scarred. Scarred so deeply. Scarred in so many ways.

He cleared his throat. “Don’t.”

Chloe frowned, startled from her reverie and a little embarrassed by it. “Don’t what?”

“Don’t feel sorry for me.”

“I wasn’t doing any such thing.” She wanted to trace the line of the scar that ran from his right shoulder toward his nipple with her fingers or her mouth, but she resisted the silly impulse. “You’re far too spoiled and arrogant to pity.”

“Good.”

Without volition, her gaze slanted lower and rested on his groin. Her eyes widened as she saw he was partly erect again. “Damn, Lex, you’re insatiable. I thought, once men hit thirty, they slowed down in bed.”

“Who told you that?” The heat had ignited in his blue eyes again, but he made no move to touch her.

“Well, don’t get too excited. I’m all sexed out for the moment. Have you always been this horny?” She tried to imagine him married to Lana—focusing all of his passion, virility, and stamina on the petite brunette. But the idea made her feel sad and a little sick, so she didn’t pursue it.

“Honestly, no,” Lex admitted.

She was vaguely comforted by the idea that he hadn’t been this way with every woman he’d ever been with. But all she said was, “Hmm. Maybe cheap motel rooms turn you on.”

He stifled a burst of laughter. “That must be it.”

Feeling rather soft at the sound of his laughter, Chloe smiled and reached out to take his cock in her hand. It was still only partly erect, and she rubbed the length of it with her thumb. His flesh twitched in her grasp but he didn’t harden any further.

She stared down at her small hand, wrapped around Lex in such an intimate way. A feeling swelled up inside her chest, and she recognized it as pride and possessiveness.

Entirely inappropriate feelings. And they disturbed her to such an extent that she released him. With a groan, she rolled over and saw that it was after six in the morning. “I better get up. I’ll have to get going soon.”

She didn’t wait for a response from Lex. Just walked barefoot into the bathroom to take a shower. The cool water felt heavenly after the heat of the room and her physical exertions. She took a longer shower than normal, using the time to pull herself together.

She felt much better when she finally stepped out—her body clean and at a much more comfortable temperature, and her emotions settled into their normal pattern.

She pulled on a black bra and panty set before wrapping her wet hair up in a towel. When she left the bathroom, she looked over to see that Lex was still in bed. He was stretched out on top of the sheet, watching her with leisurely interest. He wasn’t posed or self-conscious—he looked lazy and a little tired—but his body was completely naked and she couldn’t help but admire his lean flanks and long limbs.

“It’s early,” he said, “I thought your classes on Thursday don’t start until nine.”

“They don’t. But I’m meeting Clark for breakfast. He’s so busy at the Daily Planet now that it’s sometimes hard to find times that work for both of us.”

Lex just grunted, and she assumed that meant he was uninterested in Clark’s schedule.

She unwound the towel from her head and shook out her wet hair. She used the hairdryer attached to the wall to get some of the moisture out. It wasn’t going to look good today, so she didn’t make too much of an effort. Running her fingers through it, she figured she’d let it finish drying naturally and do its own thing.

“Do you want to get together again tonight?” Lex asked. He’d been watching the proceedings with her hair stylings, but waited until she’d turned off the hairdryer to speak.

She made a face. She did kind of want to spend the night with him again tonight. “I’m supposed to hang out with Lois tonight.”

Lex frowned. “What are your plans for the weekend?”

“On Saturday, I’m doing some Christmas shopping with Lois. I’m so far behind it isn’t funny. On Friday . . .” Ridiculously, she felt herself blushing, although she had nothing to be embarrassed about.

“What are you doing on Friday?”

She shrugged. “I’ve got this double-date thing.”

Lex sat up. “Excuse me?”

“It’s nothing,” she said in a rush, annoyed with herself for feeling guilty. “A friend in my Deviance class asked me to go out with her, her boyfriend, and this other guy. I think she wants to set me up with him.”

“And you didn’t tell her that you're dating someone else?”

Chloe actually had told her friend that she was seeing someone else, but her friend insisted the get-together was just casual. However, displeased by the cool hauteur in Lex’s voice, Chloe didn’t admit this. She met his eyes evenly. “I’m not dating anyone else. In order to do that, we would have to—oh, I don’t know—date. You know, be seen together in public, go out for romantic evenings, spend holidays together. The things people who date do.”

Lex rolled his eyes. “I’d assumed, once we stopped using condoms, that we were exclusive.”

“Of course we’re exclusive. I’m not fucking anyone else. But let’s not pretend this is anything other than it is. We made it clear from the very beginning. We fuck. We don’t date.”

To her surprise, Lex face relaxed and a hint of a smile played at the corners of his mouth. “Right.”

She narrowed his eyes at the skepticism in his tone. “I have no desire to date you, Lex, even if you were datable and not still in hiding. You know that. We’re not together.”

“Right.”

Her shoulders stiffened and she felt a blaze of heat flood her cheeks. “I don’t even really like you most of the time.”

“Right.” This time, he didn’t quite manage to hide the smile. “We’re together purely for mindless sex. I’ve got it.”

She wasn’t quite sure he did get it. He looked infuriatingly pleased with himself. She sat down on the side of the bed beside him and said, “I’m a free agent, and I can choose to go out with whomever I want.”

“As can I.”

She didn’t like the idea of his going out with some other woman. In fact, it made her want to break something.

She supposed that maybe he felt an inkling of that same irrational jealousy over her. Despite the fact that their fucking had always been explicitly casual and without ties, sex was an intimate act and those kinds of feelings were inevitable.

Nothing to worry about, as long as they were honest with each other.

She checked his expression and was reassured. He looked easy and natural—partly amused, partly observant, and partly hot.

“There’s nothing wrong with some good fucking,” he drawled, a husky note once more entering his voice.

“Right,” she said, her tone wavering a bit. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of his acquiescence to her, when he’d sounded so skeptical and superior before.

Then, like a predator, he pounced. One moment, they were both sitting innocuously on the side of the bed. The next, he’d pushed her back against the mattress and had rolled fully on top of her.

“Hey!” she objected, “You’re all sweaty! And I’m nice and clean.”

With a low laugh, Lex murmured, “Not anymore.”

He was right. His body covered hers wholly and his skin rubbed all over, his perspiration coating her newly showered skin.

“Lex!” she wailed, before he stifled her grievances with a kiss.

The kiss was deep and unexpectedly urgent, and Chloe couldn’t help but respond. Her mouth opened to the advance of his tongue, and she groaned in pleasure as a wave of desire and feeling overwhelmed her.

Soon, she squirmed beneath him—but not in protest.

He was hard now—again—and she felt his erection trapped between their bodies. Instinctively, she rocked up into it and loved the way his body tightened in response.

Finally, he tore his mouth away and kissed his way down to the racing pulse in her neck.

“Damn it, Lex,” she gasped, trying hard to sound more annoyed than aroused. “Now I’m going to have to shower again.”

“No, you won’t.” He gently bit down on the skin of her throat, causing a tug of deep pleasure that made her jerk. “You’ll get dressed after this, or you’ll be late for breakfast. Then you’ll go to class and lunch and lab and dinner, completely covered with me.”

His voice was erotic. The sound of it and the images his words evoked made her shiver in pleasure. But she said, “You’re crazy.”

“No, I’m not. Don’t pretend you wouldn’t enjoy it. Every time someone brushes against you, you’ll wonder if they can smell me on you. Every time you walk or cross your legs, you’ll feel me inside you. Every time you breathe, you’ll think about how good we are together.”

Chloe’s hands had started to move of their own volition, caressing his back and then gripping the firm flesh of his bare ass. And, when he adjusted, moving aside the fabric of her panties so he could line himself up at her entrance, she spread her thighs and lifted her pelvis to meet his.

She was a little sore after so much sex in the last twelve hours, but she wasn’t sore enough to dampen her enthusiasm. She moaned as he entered her and then started to pump her hips to the rhythm they made together.

But she did manage to say, “That sounds like something you’d enjoy. But not me. I’ll definitely be taking a shower.”

“Right,” he breathed into her ear.

He didn’t say anymore, but she knew—at least in some ways—he was right. Part of her did want everyone to know how hot and wild and sexy she was with Lex, how much they pleased each other, how exciting and slightly dangerous her life had become, ever since she’d started sharing his bed.

But he was her secret. And, if everyone knew, some of the thrill would probably die.

The familiar, natural scent of him surrounded her, invading her senses and heightening her pleasure. Her body blazed with heat again—more from the ardor Lex was generating than from the temperature of the room.

A climax rose inside her—strong, powerful, intoxicating. Despite everything.

“Oh, God, Lex!” she gasped, arching her neck and digging her fingernails into Lex’s ass.

His hips pistoned against her, his cock working inside her wet channel and his eyes never leaving her face. “Yes, baby,” he hissed, jerking his head in an uncontrolled reaction to his growing intensity. “Come for me. Let me see.”

His words and her physical sensations mingled with the rest of her tangled feelings. She lost control completely, crying out loudly and writhing helplessly as a hard climax sliced through her.

Lex lost it too. He came with a loud exclamation that sounded like her name. And then he eased himself down on top of her as lingering spasms from their climaxes rippled through both of them.

It felt so good with him. Every time. And she didn’t know why she couldn’t ever seem to get enough.

He gasped against her neck, occasionally pressing a kiss on her skin there. She loved the feel of it, so she didn’t complain that his weight and heat were nearly smothering her.

Finally, she said, “This was some kind of macho show of force because I’m going on that double date, isn’t it?”

Lex lifted his head to look down on her. He looked more quiet than anything else. “It might have been, had you not wanted it too.”

She thought about that and then nodded in acknowledgment. She’d wanted him to claim her like this as much as he had.

“Now get up,” she said, softening the words with a teasing smile.

He grinned down at her. “Why?”

“Because I’m hot.”


* * *


She didn’t end up taking another shower. She was running late when she finally managed to pull herself out of Lex’s arms and didn’t have time to do anything but throw on her clothes. So she went to breakfast with Clark, covered in Lex. Her cheeks were flushed and she could smell his scent every time she took a breath, but Clark didn’t seem to notice.

Organic Chemistry class and the afternoon lab took all of her attention, so she didn’t have much time to dwell on her encounter with Lex.

That summer, Chloe had made the decision to go back to college. Her friends were all playing at being professionals, even without a higher education. Chloe had been through a lot of trauma and life changes over the last couple of years—a lot of things to distract her from college—and it would be easy to follow the same route. It might even work in the short run. But ultimately there was nothing she wanted to do for a future career that could be successfully accomplished without a college education. And there was only one response to that reality.

So she’d reenrolled in Metropolis University. She’d changed her major, however. Her life already looked differently than the one she’d envisioned for herself in high school. After the deeply-rooted effects of the meteor rocks in her life and all she’d experienced because of them, she couldn’t see herself shaping the future she’d always planned. Plus, with Lois and Clark jumping on the journalism bandwagon, that career path didn’t seem quite so appealing. So she switched Journalism to her minor, and she was double majoring in Biochemistry and Criminology. After a lot of research, she’d landed on that as the best combination to equip her for what she wanted to do.

Choosing to double major in those fields took a real, if unexpected, act of courage. She wasn’t naturally inclined toward the sciences, so the advanced classes used all of her intellectual capacities and willpower. But she poured her effort, energy, and stubbornness into her studies and so far she’d maintained a 3.87 GPA.

She wanted to understand the meteor rocks and, more importantly, their effects on humans. And she wanted to understand the changes they so often caused in the human mind. She wanted to understand what they’d done to her. Perhaps she could have relied on other people’s expertise in her investigations, but that had never been her style.

So she was determined to learn what she needed herself.

Chloe was a full-time student again when all of her old friends had moved on to something else. And, because of her heavy course load, she had at least two more years of classes before she graduated.

But it would be worth it. And most of the time she enjoyed it.


* * *


It wasn’t until she had dinner with Lois at a café near the Daily Planet that anyone noticed any evidence of Chloe’s carnal activities that morning.

She’d been a little sore all day from several rounds of Lex’s vigorous thrusting, but it was a kind of soreness she’d always enjoyed, recognizing the occasional tug of pain as evidence of how well she’d been fucked the night before. But, as she stood up from their table to go to the salad bar, she stifled a wince at a particularly sharp ache.

She composed her expression quickly when she saw Lois watching her closely. It wasn’t always easy to keep a secret from her cousin, but so far she’d done pretty well

Lois didn’t mention anything so Chloe figured she hadn’t given anything away. When they’d gotten their salads and sat back down, Lois grinned at her, “So are you coming skiing with us over Christmas or not?”

Chloe made a face. “I don’t know. I’m not much of a skier.”

“You don’t have to ski! You can hang out in the lodge in front of a fire with some hunky ski instructor.”

With a chuckle, Chloe shook her head. “I’m sure all the hunky ski instructors would rather cuddle up to you.”

Frowning, Lois said, “Don’t be that way. You know perfectly well how hot you are. Aren’t you interested in meeting someone?”

Because she recognized that Lois’s sharp eyes were studying her intently, Chloe kept her expression casual. “Sure. I told you about that double date tomorr—“

“That doesn’t count. You’re just doing that because your friend guilted you into it. Ever since Jimmy, you’ve been—“

Chloe groaned. “Please, Lois. I’m totally over all that. It’s been a year. I’ve just got other things to think about now.”

“Hmm.”’

Slightly disturbed by the skepticism on Lois’s face, Chloe hurriedly moved back to their previous topic. “Anyway, I’m still thinking about the skiing. I mean, it would be nice to be with family over Christmas, since Dad is out of the country. But going to some ski lodge with a bunch of people I don’t know just doesn’t sound that appealing to me.”

“Well, what else will you do? All your college friends will be leaving town as soon as the semester ends.”

“I know.” Chloe sighed and pushed her salad around on her plate. She genuinely wasn’t sure what she wanted to do for Christmas. Clark had invited her to spend the holiday with him and his mother, but she wasn’t sure about that either.

She just couldn’t seem to get into the Christmas spirit at all.

Randomly, she wondered what Lex would do for Christmas. He had no family. He didn’t even have any friends that he could acknowledge. While he wasn’t completely isolated, he was trying to stay off the radar. And she doubted he’d had very many friends to begin with.

“You have something else in mind,” Lois said, breaking into Chloe’s thoughts.

Chloe recovered from her distraction quickly. “No. I really don’t. I’ll probably end up going skiing with you.”

Lois had narrowed her eyes. “I don’t believe you. You’re hiding something from me.”

“I am not.”

“Yes, you are. What’s going on?”

“Nothing is going on, Lois. I’m just tired today and keep zoning out.”

“No. That’s not it. Why do you look like you just rolled out of bed?”

Chloe made an outraged noise. “Thanks, a lot. It’s been a long day. I had chem lab all afternoon, and I didn’t have a chance to fix my hair and makeup.”

Her words sounded convincing in her own ears, but Lois wasn’t buying them.

“Uh-uh. That’s not it. And you’re sore. Don’t think I didn’t notice. You haven’t worked out for a couple of days so that leaves—“

“Don’t, Lois,” Chloe warned.

Lois ignored it. “You’re getting fucked!” she said, her whole face brightening as the revelation hit her. “I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me.”

“I’m not—“

“Don’t you dare lie to me again. I know fucked when I see fucked. It’s all coming back to me now. All those nights you don’t answer the phone and claim to be studying. Fuck, that bruise on your neck a couple of weeks ago. You fobbed me off with some story about tripping in the lab. Who is he?”

“Lois,” Chloe began, desperately searching for an answer she could give her cousin. She felt trapped. And at the same time just a little relieved.

She decided to go with the truth, since she really didn’t want to tell Lois a barefaced lie. “Fine, I am having a little . . . fling.”

Lois clapped her hands in delight. “Who is he? Tell me, tell me, tell me.”

“He’s no one important.” When Lois started to object, Chloe spoke over her, “Don’t push, Lois. I’m not going to give you a name. He’s just a guy I’ve kind of gotten together with for a few months.”

“I knew it! Did you meet him at Met U? He can’t be an undergrad—you wouldn’t hook up with someone immature. He’s a grad student, isn’t he?”

“He’s older, yes,” Chloe said weakly.

“Is he a bad boy? You’ve always gone for the nice guys but they were never really your type. You need someone who won’t let you walk all over him.”

Unsure about whether this was a compliment or not, Chloe mumbled, “Yeah, I guess he’s kind of a bad boy.”

“Ooh, this is so fun! How’s the sex?”

“Really good.”

“The best you’ve ever had?”

Chloe had thought sex with Jimmy had been good, but it hadn’t been anything like what she had with Lex. She admitted, “Yeah.”

“Are you in love?”

“No!” Chloe exclaimed, startled by the question. “Don’t get the wrong idea. It’s just a physical thing. We’re having a good time, but it’s just sex. I’m sure it will peter out eventually.”

“Maybe it won’t. Has it started to get boring, now that you’ve been seeing him a few months?”

Chloe thought about how hard she’d come with Lex the night before, how many times she’d come. How he’d looked when he was laughing. How much of a challenge it was for her to match wits with him. “No, it’s not getting boring yet.”

“Are you sure it’s just sex? You look . . .”

Chloe’s eyes shot up at the way Lois’s voice trailed off. “I look what?” When her cousin didn’t answer, she said, feeling a little defensive, “Yes, it’s just sex. We’re not dating or anything. It hardly counts as a relationship.”

“No fuzzy feelings at all?”

Chloe thought about the pangs of tenderness she felt as she’d gazed at all the scars on Lex’s body.

“You’re blushing!” Lois burst out.

Her cheeks flushed even deeper, but Chloe managed to shape a cool look. “I am not blushing.”

“Yes, you are! You’re blushing! There are fuzzy feelings, aren’t there? Admit it.”

Chloe wasn’t about to admit any such thing. Instead, she said with all the dignity she could muster, “There are no fuzzy feelings. I’m not blushing. It’s just hot in here.”

Lois cackled, obviously not believing a word she said.

Chloe wanted to scream. She wanted desperately to make herself clear. Lex was obviously a man with whom you indulged in only a steamy affair. He was not a man with whom you fell in love. Every woman who had done so in the past had suffered because of it. Chloe wasn’t a fool.

She was hardly going to fall in love with Lex Luthor.

There was only sex between them. Hot, wild, and exhilarating sex. But just sex. And a certain level of camaraderie as they got to know each other better.

Lois was just being annoying. And Chloe really wasn’t blushing.

It was just hot.


TBC

[lj715]

Omg, so glad you posted a Christmas fic. So good & soo smutty. I love that Lex is definite about CHloe but she's still not ready to admit to being in love yet. Chloe...you're definitely in love.

My most favorite line was "Don’t pretend you wouldn’t enjoy it. Every time someone brushes against you, you’ll wonder if they can smell me on you. Every time you walk or cross your legs, you’ll feel me inside you. Every time you breathe, you’ll think about how good we are together.” Melt.

Cannot wait for the next chapter. Excellent as always Zannie.

[hannagreen20]

:wth: Woah.

I can't believe this. I just posted on my LJ begging for fic of any kind and asking if any of my LJ friends wrote Chlex fic, thinking I wouldn't get anymore and here!! Here is this! So fabulous. I'm in the middle of writing a final paper or I would quote but I've got to get back to that...Great job! I love that you have yet another way of pulling the two of the together and I'm glad that in this fic Chloe isn't bitter over not having the DP job. I like that you put her in science and criminology are you going to go more into that? Will Lionel be alive in this fic? You write a FANTASTIC Lionel!

[toryjhay]

I just paid my debt to you (without the interest, sorry), now I have to do it all over again (I promise to do better this time, I have three weeks of freedom before school starts up again)! Not that I am complaining, at all. I'm already infatuated with the premise. I love the banter between those two, for all the shows I've watched, I've never seen an exchange as interesting as when these two characters talk to each other.

Anyway, love the part that Lex is such a know it all. And Chloe, she's in such denial. And Lex, he's just...I think my brain is still in a pile of goo after reading this one. And thank you! For raising the college question, I really can't get over the fact that this show is essentially promoting dropping out of college. Hey you, you don't have a degree, feel free to be a reporter for the Daily Planet! Good for Chloe for not rejoining the bandwagon, if she still wants to be a journalist, she should go back tot he Planet once it's hiring staff become more competent. Okay, end rant.

Clark is such a clueless wonder. Lois, she sure likes to push Chloe's buttons (my dislike [hatred, loathing] has been on the rise as of late so i'm having some difficulty reading anything remotely connected to her, but i guess i shall power through since i am getting a zannie fic in the bargain) and she got Chloe into thinking, actually thinking about her relationship with Lex, that it is not as casual as she wants it to be.

Already loving this fic, Zannie! Can't wait until the next one!

[lilinny]

Oh, this story is going to be so much fun! And a Christmas fic to boot!

Christmas has come early for me!

Can't wait for more!

[tatie87]

Awesome start! I love the plot that Chlex are secretly screwing while Lex is off the radar. The sex was HOT!!!:)

[lexie]

Thanks for honouring your word and giving us a new Christmas fic, Zannie.

Lex is such a smart and perceptive, guy. You´re kidding yourself, Chloe, if you think you´re only meeting him in secret for the sex. You´re already in love with the guy and he knows it. And, what´s more, he does see you as a lot more than a fling.

I wonder what Lex´s plans are for Christmas- I bet they´re far more interesting than a ski trip to the mountains. :P

I applaud your making Chloe a university student, Zannie- the fact that Lois and Clark are drop-outs with almost no journalistic experience and that they´ve got Chloe´s dream job makes me... Grrr!!!

I also love your reference to Lex´s scars both physical and spiritual. You´ve got to feel for the guy. God, how it hurt to see Teague´s emissary disfigure him on the show! I would feel the same Chloe did when looking at his scarred body.

Great premise. I look forward to your next update.

[westwingwolf]

Oooh a steamy affair! This is so awesome. And it's more than just an "I hate you but we have great sex affair." They are have fun together and more than just the physical kind. I don't think all of the heat in the relationship will run out once everything is revealed. It will probably turn into a different and better kind of heat.

[dagney]

Ohhhh Loving the naughty goodness. I like this very much. I think Chloe studying Chemistry is a good fit. I really admired the lines:


Chloe could hear his quickened breathing, feel his hot presence, a simmering energy barely reined in. As always, it spoke to her, compelled her, ignited an answering fire inside her.

She lay still, indulging the erotic tension of the moment, the two of them joined in the most intimate of ways, poised on the edge between desire and action.


very descriptive of their two characters.

The mystery of what Lex is doing hiding out, why Chloe isn't worried about him causing death and destruction.

I also like that you focus on Lex's emotional and physical scars and how despite it all he has survived.

Dagney

[whodunit??]

That was so hot, and so good. I can't wait to read more, so please come back and post more soon!

Heather

[slayer44]

*jumps up and down* I'm so happy your back with a holiday fic. That was just :O!!!!! Fabulous as usual!!

[superag]

Smutty holiday fic....now to write a Christmas song to go with the moment....

Drool.....

[hfce]

Damn! That was hot!!! Chloe you are so falling for him. If it was just a fling you or Lex would be fine with dating other people not jealous. You don't want another woman touching your man and Lex same thing. :D

[wistfulwatcher]

YAY! I am almost too excited for words. But, this is a message board, so I probably wouldn't get very far without them, would I?

So, first off, I am so excited you wrote a Christmas fic! Yay!

Also, not exactly what I was expecting. I don't know if it's because I've been reading Cy's "Christmas in Metropolis," or because I loved "Serving Christmas," but I was expecting more of a romantic comedy type story.

Not that I don't love it. 'Cause I totally do. I really like the tone of the fic, mostly. I love a current or future fic that isn't mostly or completely angsty, and still makes sense, but you can't find those often.

But this is a great combo. I like the plot, and I like their relationship. It's playful, and it seems to have a vague honesty about it, with the exception of the depths of their feelings for each other.

I also love that Lois is here to be Chloe's confidant in her "dealings" with Lex (*cough*In Experience*cough*), even if she doesn't know who it is.

I like that you've put Chloe back in school. It's a harder thing to work in, and you don't see it often, but it usually bothers me if Chloe isn't back into journalism or actively following a career path. I also like that you've changed her course of study, yet not completely. It's very true to Chloe's character to not give up completely, no matter what, so she's keeping the journalism focus, yet as a minor. It also rings true (especially after all of the Isis stuff--are you caught up on that aspect?) that she would turn her inquisitive nature to her personal problems, since they can be looked at objectively, and that she'll be able to confirm herself, so as not to relinquish control.

I'm interested in Lex's thoughts on this. Does he know what she's studying? We don't quite know the extent of their relationship, other than the physical, so I'm not sure how strictly they stay away from personal information.

Chloe mentioned having conversations with Lex, and they seem to be comfortable around each other, not to mention the fact that a Chlex relationship is typically built on witty barbs and stimulating conversation.

So, I'm looking forward to finding out what Lex thinks. Does Lex approve of Chloe's career choice? Has he discouraged her at all, fearing she'll discover something he knew, or encouraged her to find out something he doesn't know? Has he given up his quest for information? Does he still know Clark's secret? Does Chloe know he knows?

This also poses the question of what he's been doing since the Arctic. We know he's been in hiding, but this is Lex Luthor, after all. He's not likely to become a couch potato.

You've definitely hooked me (as if your fics could not hook me) and I hope you'll update soon!

Like, very soon. Please.

WW

[Gaia]

She was hardly going to fall in love with Lex Luthor.


Such a romance movie line:P
And I should really stop reading your stories before I go to classes.......:D

[malugargula]

Wonderful start
:)
I can`t wait for more

[missylou47]

Oh thank you thank you thank you for writing the xmas fic!!! I love it already, SOOO hot and so good. They are so in love, I love the banter. I'm glad Chloe is going back to college. I can't wait to see what they will do for Christmas!!! Post more soon!!! :D

[Kit Merlot]

A very lovely and smutty beginning:D

Can't wait to see what happens next.

[purplemoon123]

Yay!!! A Zannie holiday fic!!!!

A smutty Zannie fic!!! I'm a pile of melted goo!!! That was insanely hot!!!!

I love Chloe going back to school and changing her major.

[Zannie]

I don't have much time this morning put I did want to answer some of these questions.


I like that you put her in science and criminology are you going to go more into that?

Yes--there won't be huge development in terms of her studies and how she wants to use them in the future, but you will learn more about that aspect of her life.


Will Lionel be alive in this fic? You write a FANTASTIC Lionel!

No Lionel in this story. He tends to overwhelm any story or scene in which he appears, so there's no room for him in this story. In this story, he'll already be dead.


So, I'm looking forward to finding out what Lex thinks. Does Lex approve of Chloe's career choice? Has he discouraged her at all, fearing she'll discover something he knew, or encouraged her to find out something he doesn't know? Has he given up his quest for information? Does he still know Clark's secret? Does Chloe know he knows?

This also poses the question of what he's been doing since the Arctic. We know he's been in hiding, but this is Lex Luthor, after all. He's not likely to become a couch potato.

I don't know if these were rhetorical questions or ones you wanted answers for, but I'll just say a number of these will be answered in the next chapter. A couple of them I'm not planning to go into at all. This story will be quite short so I won't have time to flesh out all of the possible backstories and scenarios.

That said, if there are things you all really need or want to know in order to understand the characters or story, please do let me know.

Thanks for the wonderful feedback!

[missylou47]

Oh I got excited when I saw you posted, I hoped you had updated!!! Please update soon!

I hope this fic won't be too short, we have to enjoy our zannie fic while we can and make up for lost time!!! You said tell you what we want to know about the story and I want to know why Lex is still in hiding. Will you go into that sometime?

I know your busy but please don't make us wait too long for the next chapter!!! :beg: :D

[happybum]

Chee-yeah! :D It's another story from you and it's a holiday and smutty one too, total double whammy. Is the motivation behind this story from Cy's bribe? If so, I totally owe her my first born. Lols. If bribery works, what does your beautiful and talented heart most desire? I can work my magic. :grin3: I am already addicted to your latest pet project. Please update as soon as possible.

[musicsteph]

very good start to this "hot" Christmas story....I liked the secret fling (and of course everything that goes along with it!)....

glad Chloe is back in college.... that is important... although it would be hard to focus on Organic Chemistry with Lex around!

more please....

[elitekat]

YAY!! Zannie has another fic out. I don't think you understand the importance of your writing. You are by far one of my favorite Chlex writers. You seriously weave a mean story. You can take Chlex to levels that are unexpected and certainly welcomed. I expected something relatively AU as per your usual but I'm pleasantly surprised by your continuation of Smallville currently. Here I thought we'd have less fics since Lex has been off he show. I'm so pleased to see you're back on N-S.net and of course being able read your lovely fics. As per my usual comments, Thank you SO much for Sharing and please update soon!

[Baily007]

Oh Zannie, I'm at a loss of words! This fic is just another masterpiece of yours and I can't believe how you always manage to write the characters so authentic, the plot so realistic and the whole story so fabulous and fascinating. It's like watching a show. But so much better than the original SV on TV. If I was a billionaire, I would definitely hire you as my author´for my own SV Spin-Off :-)

[Zannie]

Chapter Two


Chloe stared at a table full of neatly folded sweaters and wondered which one Clark would like best. There were several in different shades of red and blue, and she fingered each of them as she reflected.

The department store was crowded, and the retail staff had been kept hopping, trying to straighten up the merchandise after each new wave of customers. Chloe used to enjoy Christmas shopping—even with the chaotic hoards of shoppers and the pressure of the approaching deadline. But this year she wasn’t having a very good time.

She wasn’t sure how to describe the heavy feeling in her gut. She’d enjoyed eating a late breakfast with Lois and then a half-hour phone conversation with her dad. But shortly after she’d gotten to the mall, a dull heaviness had started to build inside her. And it had only intensified as she pushed her way through loud families, laughing groups of friends, and young couples.

Last weekend, she’d gone shopping with Lois, and then a few evenings ago she’d hit some stories with Clark. Lois had practically bought the stores out, and Clark had found every gift on his handwritten list.

All Chloe had bought was a smart phone for her father, which she’d put in the mail the next day.

She’d always had more success shopping by herself, so she’d determined not to leave the mall today until she found everything she needed.

So far she hadn’t found anything. And she couldn’t get rid of that weird heavy ache in her belly.

She chose a dark blue sweater and held it up, gauging the size and trying to visualize it on Clark. It was a wool/cashmere blend and was forty percent off. But the color didn’t look right for Clark so she put it down.

Her eyes lingered on a charcoal gray sweater. She stroked it gently, thinking it would be perfect for Lex. But she didn’t pick that one up.

Instead, she chose a bright red sweater and shook out the folds. She turned when something hit her in the back of the legs.

A shopping bag. The woman carrying it apologized and then giggled up at the man she was with.

And it hit Chloe then what the heavy feeling was.

She was lonely.

And it wasn’t just because she was Christmas shopping by herself.

She had family and plenty of friends. But lately she’d been feeling rather in-between. Her old friends had jumped prematurely into the professional world, while Chloe was back in school. But most of the other students in her classes were a couple of years younger than her and far more inexperienced about fundamental aspects of life.

And her dad was so far away.

The only times she didn’t feel in-between were the nights she spent with Lex. But even her relationship with him was ambiguous, tenuous. Nothing to build a foundation on.

She wondered what it would be like to actually go out with Lex in public, go on dates, go Christmas shopping with him. She knew instinctively that he would be a great companion on an occasion such as this, making witty commentary and finding all the best deals.

Chloe stared at the red sweater she held up and imagined Lex’s snide comment.

“Red is not really my color.”

The wry voice sounded so natural that Chloe smiled faintly. And when she turned her head, it seemed inevitable that Lex would be standing beside her, a half-smile on his lips and his eyebrows raised inquisitively.

“It’s for Clark.”

“Oh. Then it’s eminently appropriate.”

Chloe snickered and draped the sweater across her arm, deciding it would do for Clark’s gift.

“Do I even merit a Christmas gift from you?” Lex asked, eyeing the red sweater without favor.

Her eyes strayed to the charcoal gray one she’d noticed before. But she sniffed disdainfully. “Of course not. What could I give you that you can’t buy for yourself?”

Something smoldered in his blue eyes. “I’m sure I could think of something.”

It was the tug of desire in response to his husky voice that awoke Chloe’s common sense at last. She gasped and grabbed at his arm. “What the hell are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in hiding.”

Lex appeared unconcerned. “I’ve told you more than once that I’m not genuinely in hiding. I’m just lying low for a while.”

“But people will see you!”

Glancing around with obvious purpose, he said, “No one appears to be screaming and pointing toward me at the moment.”

“Lex, you’re crazy! This is Metropolis. Someone is going to recognize you.”

“And what will happen then?” Lex asked with a casual shrug and another half-smile. “They’ll be rumors that Lex Luthor—who’s been reported dead for more than a year—made an appearance at an uptown mall. How seriously will people take those rumors?”

Chloe thought about this. “I guess . . .”

Lex’s mouth twitched. “Maybe I’ll be like Elvis, and there will be regular sighting of me around the city.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “Fine. It’s your choice. But don’t blame me if your picture turns up on the front page of the Planet.” Leaving the table of sweaters, Chloe started walking toward the jewelry and accessories in the middle of the store. “What are you doing here anyway?”

“I felt like Christmas shopping.”

“You followed me?”

“That was the only way I could know where you went.”

“So you’re planning to join me?”

“Of course.”

“And the fact that you weren’t invited . . .?”

“Is irrelevant to me.”

His pleased expression and the ironic laughter he was obviously hiding were so contagious that Chloe laughed out loud.

And she didn’t even notice that the heavy feeling in her gut had disappeared.


* * *


As she’d predicted, Lex was an excellent companion. And their exploration of department stores and boutiques was punctuated with lively arguments and bouts of laughter. The laughter was mostly on Chloe’s part, since Lex maintained a pretense of superior calm. But she knew the warm amusement in his eyes meant he was having a good time too.

They were leaving a novelty store, where she’d found some inexpensive gifts for her friends at the university, when she saw one of those friends turning a corner and approaching her.

Sandra was also a biochemistry major, and they’d been in a number of classes together. When Chloe waved at her, Sandra came over with a grin and a curious look at Lex.

Chloe didn’t introduce him.

“Hey, we’re having a study group on Monday night in the library. Ten o’clock if you can make it.”

Skimming her mind over next week’s schedule, Chloe asked, “Who’s going to be there?”

As Sandra rattled off the names, Chloe concluded that no one annoying was attending. She liked to study in groups, but only if the others were serious studiers and not intent on wasting time. “Sounds good. I think I can make it.”

After a little more small talk and a few more curious glances at Lex, Sandra made her departure.

“I wasn’t sure how to explain your identity,” Chloe said, stopping in the middle of the corridor and looking up at Lex. “That’s why I didn’t introduce you.”

A smile played on the corners of Lex’s mouth. “I’d concluded that for myself. I didn’t think you were ashamed to be seen with me.”

Chloe narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out what his knowing expression meant. “Okay. Good. Although now on Monday I’m going to have to face a barrage of questions on who my handsome, bald shopping date was.”

Lex put a casual hand on the small of her back to urge her forward in order to prevent a traffic jam in the crowded hallway. “You could always tell her the truth.”

“Right. I’m going to admit to having a hot fling with a mysterious billionaire who’s supposedly vanished off the face of the earth.”

With a chuckle, he said, “Well, it’s an option.”

“No one would believe me anyway. They don’t think I’m that kind of girl.” Chloe sighed, realizing how true the statement was. All of her college friends thought she was clever, ambitious, and hard-working but without any sort of wild side. The truth was that, through most of her life, this was the conclusion most people came to about her.

Except for Lex.

“Hopefully, they’ll let it go and the topic won’t get in the way of studying.”

Lex slanted her a quizzical look.

“Well,” Chloe explained, stiffening her shoulders in instinctive defensiveness. “Finals are coming up in just over a week. I have to study.”

His expression changing, Lex murmured, “You really have committed yourself to school.”

“I have to,” she said, glancing away and blushing a little at the unfamiliar note in his voice. “Criminology isn’t too bad, but Biochemistry doesn’t come easy for me. Not everyone can be brilliant.” She shot him an accusatory look to show him who she was alluding to. “And not everyone can hire the best scientific minds in the world to find answers for him.”

He nodded. “You want to find the answers for yourself.”

He understood. She knew he understood. And the knowledge affected her so deeply she had to distract herself with familiar teasing. With a wide grin, she said, “Just think, maybe a few years from now, I’ll be one of those brilliant minds you’ll want to hire.”

Lex stopped walking and eased her toward the wall, out of the path of the vigilant shoppers. “There’s no way I’d ever hire you.”

His voice was mild, almost a caress, and his eyes were observant. But his words hurt Chloe so sharply she felt a lump in her throat. “Thanks a lot,” she said lightly, hiding her reaction. “I’ll have you know that I’m doing very well in my classes. I might surprise you.”

Lex obviously wasn’t fooled by her attempt at ironic coolness. “Chloe,” he said, his voice thickening slightly. He pushed her back toward the wall and pressed forward against her, his heat and his strength both intimidating and intoxicating. “Chloe, don’t be ridiculous. There’s no reason for you to get your feelings hurt.”

She made an indignant sound in her throat, flattening her palms against his chest in a futile attempt to push him away. “I don’t have hurt feelings. I know I’ll never be a brilliant scientist. I’m probably silly to try to major in it in the first—“

“Chloe,” Lex interrupted sharply, imprisoning her gaze with his. His expression was intense. And dead sober. “Stop it. I didn’t mean I wouldn’t hire you because you wouldn’t be a good enough scientist. I meant I’d never hire someone I was intimately involved with.”

Chloe’s mouth fell open as she processed his words. “Oh.”

His expression softened and one hand slid up to cup her hot cheek. “Exactly. Now see how absurd you were for thinking I was insulting you.”

Her pang of hurt dissipated, leaving both embarrassment and a giddy flush of feeling in its wake. But it wouldn’t do to let Lex see her response. So she said, “It wasn’t absurd. It was a perfectly valid reading of your comment—“

“It was absurd,” Lex murmured, tilting his head down and grazing his lips against her ear. His warm breath and the vibrations from his voice sent chills of pleasure down Chloe’s spine. He’d dropped her shopping bags at their feet. “You should know better than that.”

“What should I know?” Chloe asked, rather foolishly. She’d arched unconsciously against the wall, pressing her body eagerly against his. Her arms had twined around his neck and she was completely unconscious of the fact that they were in a very public setting.

Lex sucked on her earlobe deliciously, making Chloe whimper at the sensations the gesture evoked in the rest of her body. Then he said against her ear, “You should know that I think you have an incredible mind, and that the way you’ve succeeded at such challenging academic pursuits is nothing short of remarkable.”

Chloe felt like she would melt. He’d never said anything like that to her before, and she’d never had the least clue that he thought such a thing about her. The knowledge warmed her in a way she hadn’t felt for a really long time.

“Thank you,” she breathed, tightening her arms into a hug. “Sometimes I feel stupid for even trying to do it.”

“I know. But that’s when you’re being absurd.”

He’d returned her embrace but his voice was slightly dry. And the familiar tone brought her back to her senses and made her giggle.

“Ass,” she said, pulling away reluctantly. “You’re supposed to be reassuring me. Not calling me absurd.”

“I call ‘em like I see ‘em.” He reached down to pick up the bags again. “If you’re done shopping, I can think of a few other things we might do to pass the afternoon.”

Chloe knew exactly what he had in mind. And the return to their familiar sexual spark was actually comforting. The emotional intimacy of the last few minutes was something entirely new to their relationship, and it was thrilling but Chloe wasn’t sure how comfortable she was with it.

She rolled her eyes at Lex. “Get your mind out of the bedroom. I’m not even halfway done. Now I need to find something for Lois.” She noticed something across the hall. “Oh! Bookstore!”

Lex fell in step with her. “Lois doesn’t strike me as the kind of person for whom a bookstore is the best place to find gifts.”

Chloe shrugged. “You never know until you look. Besides, maybe I can find something for me.”

She and Lex spent forty-five minutes scanning the shelves. And, though Chloe ended up with an armful of books, none of them were for Lois. They ended up in the Sexuality section, where the cover of a hardback book caught her eye. It looked like a coffee-table book, but it was beautifully illustrated with artistic images of different sexual positions.

She stared at the pictures, mesmerized, and Lex appeared equally diverted, reading over her shoulder.

“Oh my God!” Chloe gasped, as she turned the page and was confronted with an erotic image of a beautiful couple tangled intimately in an exotic position.

At some point, Lex had slid his arm around her waist and had pressed her body backward against his. “We have got to try that one,” he murmured thickly.

Her inner muscles clenched at the texture of his voice, and she turned her head to meet his eyes.

The hot hunger in his expression was unmistakable. When her mouth parted, he leaned down to claim it with his, sliding his tongue sensuously along the inside of her lips.

She moaned involuntarily and nearly dropped the large book.

Then a fellow shopper brushed by behind them, mumbling irritably, “Get a room.”

Chloe giggled helplessly as they broke off the kiss, her cheeks burning and her body still stimulated. “I can’t believe I’ve become one of those annoying women who make out in the middle of a store.”

Lex’s face was slightly flushed too, and his body was tenser than normal. “We can always find a more appropriate place.”

“I’ve got more shopping to do.” She closed the gorgeous book and added it to her pile. “I’m definitely getting this one for Lois.”

“Maybe you should buy yourself a copy too,” Lex suggested. “Just for future reference.”

Laughing, Chloe shook her head. “You’ve got to be crazy if you think I can contort my body into some of those positions. I’m going to go buy these. I’ll be right back.”

She headed off to the cashier and had to wait in line a frustrating length of time. When she finally completed her purchases, she found Lex absorbed in another book.

This one wasn’t filled with sexy pictures. It was an Oxford Classics paperback.

Lex returned the book to the shelf without comment when he became aware of her presence, but Chloe made note of the title.

It was some sort of military history by an ancient Roman writer Chloe wasn’t familiar with.

“Now where?” Lex asked. “I suppose I couldn’t be fortunate enough for us to be done yet.”

“You’re the one who wanted to join me. And, no, we’re not done yet. But I’m famished now. We’d better find something to eat.”


* * *


They ended up at a sandwich shop in the mall, where they got soup and panini. As Chloe was finishing up her meal, she studied Lex covertly. He looked relaxed and attractive in his black crew neck shirt and gray trousers. He’d finished eating before her and was now sipping his coffee and looking around the restaurant, a smile lingering on his lips.

She wondered what he was thinking. What he was doing here with her. He appeared to be enjoying the afternoon, despite his occasional complaints. And she suddenly asked herself how long it might have been since Lex had done something as simple as go shopping with someone else.

He’d never had many friends. And those he’d had in the past had pulled away from him. And, now that he was living in anonymity, he’d have almost no chance for normal social interaction.

“Are you lonely?” she asked, the question bursting out without thought or volition.

Lex cut his eyes back over to her sharply. “Excuse me?”

Chloe flushed slightly, wishing she’d never asked such a stupid thing. But, trapped in her voiced inquiry, she repeated, “Sorry. I was just wondering if maybe you were lonely.”

“Why would you say that?” His words and expression were wary, careful.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. You’re sort of in hiding, when you aren’t flouting secrecy by Christmas shopping in the mall. I know you have your own projects going and everything, but I thought maybe you might feel all alone . . . sometimes.” She ended weakly, knowing that Lex tended to bristle if his pretense at self-sufficiency and invulnerability was questioned.

He gave her a teasing smile. “Ah, but I’m involved in a sleazy affair that keeps me well occupied.”

She snorted at the clever way he’d used her own words against her. But she persisted, “Yes, there’s that. But still. That’s only a few nights a week.”

Lex’s expression sobered and he stared off at an empty spot in the air. “I do all right on my own.”

Chloe knew this was the end of the conversation. If she pushed it, he would close down completely. But she wondered if his words were true. He always seemed poised, confident, and content during the times they were together. But she wondered how he felt during all the hours they spent apart.

She wondered if he felt lonely and in-between. Like she did.

She licked her lips and ate her last few spoonfuls of Italian wedding soup. Then she asked, before she lost the courage, “Why did you decide to disappear?” She kept her tone casual so he wouldn’t think she was digging too deeply into his soul.

He gave a half shrug and put down his coffee mug. It took him nearly a minute to answer. “I wanted to see,” he began, clearing his throat and beginning again. “I wanted to see what it would be like to be me . . . without all the baggage.”

He didn’t say anything else, and he didn’t meet her eyes. She couldn’t read his expression.

But it was enough. She understood. And she didn’t pursue the questioning. She just murmured, “Yeah. I know what you mean.”

Lex got up to clear their plates, and when he returned things had shifted back to normal between them. He gave her a faint sneer and asked, “So just how much more shopping do we have?”

She grinned. “You’re in luck, I think. I’ve got all the presents. All I need now is to find a dress for a Christmas party next weekend”

Lex’s brows drew together. “What party is that?”

“My faculty advisor always throws a big, fancy Christmas party. He invited me and I have to go.”

“Why do you have to go? Don’t you want to?”

“Not really. I have to go because he was nice enough to take me on as an advisee. He’s the big honcho in the science department and he mostly works with PhD students. I don’t want to piss him off. But I’m not going to know very many people, and I hate going to those parties by myself.”

“Ah,” Lex breathed, as if he were enlightened. “Can’t you wrangle yourself a date?”

She shot him a suspicious look. “Well, I could. But I’m presently involved in a steamy fling with a rather unreasonable man who gets in the way of my social life. Like calling me the minute I got home from my innocent double date last weekend and demanding a full account of the proceedings.”

Lex laughed softly, looking infuriatingly pleased with himself. “Hmm. Sounds like a wise man. I’m sure you rewarded him appropriately for his very reasonable concern.”

Chloe felt a flash of heat as she remembered what had happened after her double date on Friday night. The date had been fine—enjoyable enough but not too exciting. But Lex had called the moment she’d returned to her apartment and asked about the date. Then he told her to come back outside. Curious, she’d done as he’d instructed, and his driver had pulled up to the curb in front of her building.

Lex had been waiting in the back seat as she’d climbed in.

He’d been jealous. She’d realized that much. But it wasn’t an angry, resentful jealousy as much as a possessive one. And so she hadn’t reacted badly. She’d been surprised and had complained about his stalker-like behavior, but mostly she’d felt reassured.

She knew very well, if Lex had gone out with another woman, she would have felt exactly the same.

They never spent the night at her apartment, and she didn’t even know where Lex was currently living. But they hadn’t gone to a hotel that night. Instead, Chloe had gone down on him in the backseat of the car, getting more and more turned on as Lex gradually lost control. He’d been thrusting up into her mouth when he finally came, nearly shouting with his release.

Then he’d taken off her clothes and laid her out on the backseat. He’d suckled her breasts and fucked her with his fingers as she’d come over and over again. When he’d been hard again, he’d fucked her for real, bringing them both to loud, hard climaxes.

It had been almost dawn when his driver dropped Chloe back at her apartment. She’d limped back upstairs—exhausted, replete, and very pleased with herself—and she’d slept until after noon.

Lex sat across from her at the restaurant in the mall and arched his eyebrows knowingly.

Chloe shifted in her seat uncomfortably, aroused by just the memory. Sometimes it really felt like Lex could read her mind.

“So you need a dress for the party? And that’s it?” he asked.

“That’s it.” Chloe slid out of her seat and studied his face. “You don’t have to come with me. I’ll probably have to try on a ton of dresses. I’m sure it won’t be very exciting for you.”

Lex’s eyes grew suddenly hot. “On the contrary. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”


* * *


They went first to a department store that Chloe knew carried a good selection of dresses. They picked out several for her to try on. Lex waited outside the dressing room, and Chloe stepped out to show him each possibility.

A few of them were all right, but none were perfect. The last one was the best, but Chloe was afraid the deep red shade would limit it to the holiday season. And when Lex said she looked gorgeous but he thought they could do better, she concluded that she wouldn’t waste her money on it.

So they went to another department store. This time, one dress in particular caught Chloe’s eye. It was cocktail length with an uneven, retro hemline and sheer sleeves. It was black, which she thought would be quite versatile, and it seemed to suit her own distinct style.

She grabbed one in her size and turned to Lex, but he had strolled to another rack of dresses.

“I found it,” she declared. “No need to look any further.”

Lex glanced over at the dress she held and shook his head. “No. This one will be better.”

He showed her a dress in a silvery green satin with vintage pearl buttons and some delicate embroidery.

She frowned. “Are you kidding? That looks like something my grandmother might have worn.”

“Put it on,” he insisted. “You’ll see.”

She huffed but didn’t argue. It wasn’t worth the effort, since she knew the black dress would be perfect. She took both dresses into the formalwear dressing room, choosing the stall at the very end. This section of the store was mostly deserted and all of the other stalls were empty.

When Lex acted like he was going to walk into the stall with her, she closed the door on his face.

She couldn’t help but giggle at his startled grunt.

She threw off her jeans and sweater and pulled on the green dress first. It was a gorgeous color, but there was no way such a quaint style would look good on her. The pearls and embroidery were almost prim. What did Lex think of her?

As soon as the skirt slid down over her legs, she started to rethink her first impression. The fit was clingy, almost slinky, and it caressed her curves provocatively. And the silvery green shade was perfect against her fair skin.

But the buttons were in the back and she growled as she reached behind to do them up. After a minute, she gritted out, “Lex.”

“Buttons?”

She opened the door with a narrowed-eyed glare, which made him chuckle as he came in and shut the door behind him.

“Told you,” he murmured, as his eyes skimmed over her figure.

“It’s impossible to tell whether or not the dress will look good,” she lied, “Until I get these damned buttons done.”

“Well, I can take care of that.”

He buttoned them, his fingers grazing her skin with what she thought was unnecessary frequency.

He was smiling when he finished. When Chloe stared at herself in the mirror, she knew why.

The dress was absolutely perfect. She’d never looked more beautiful in any dress in her life.

She swallowed, hating to admit Lex was right when he was already so smug about it. “Not bad,” she said blandly, “Unbutton me so I can try on the black one.”

Still looking amused, Lex started on the buttons. The activity took far longer than it should have. This time, it was obvious that his fingers lingered, and then he started to press kisses against the bare skin on her back as he parted the fabric.

“Lex,” she gasped, as one of his hands slid forward over the satin to cup her breast. “What are you doing?”

“This,” he murmured thickly, fondling the nipple that had tightened visibly beneath the fabric, “Is a very good dress.”

Desire washed over her so intensely that her knees felt weak, and she turned around, grabbing fistfuls of Lex’s shirt to support herself.

Lex brushed a light kiss against her lips. “Admit it. You want this dress.”

His challenge renewed Chloe’s willpower, and she pulled away with a huff. “I haven’t even tried on the other one yet.”

“Right.” He leaned against the wall with a superior smile and watched with interest as she carefully slipped out of the dress, stripping down to her bra and panties, and then pulled the second dress over her head.

The black dress had a zipper, and Chloe had no trouble fastening it. The dress was good—flattering and with a quirky appeal that Chloe liked.

But it wasn’t as good as the green dress.

“I don’t know,” she said, brazenly pretending to be torn about the decision. “They’re both good.”

“Uh-huh,” Lex murmured skeptically, turning her around and taking the zipper of her dress between his finger and thumb. “Shall I help you off with this one too?”

“Why not?” She tried to sound blasé but she was almost shaking with excitement. Her body was pulsing with heat and an erotic pressure had formed between her legs.

Lex slowly edged down the zipper, giving her sensual ministrations as he undressed her. Before the dress was halfway down, Chloe had flattened both of her hands against the wall, bending slightly at the waist to brace herself. She wasn’t sure her legs could hold out against the shuddering desire overwhelming her.

Lex’s lips were mouthing the back of her neck. One of his hands was fondling her breast and the other had dipped under her skirt to explore between her legs.

Finally, when she felt an orgasm start to form, Chloe realized that they better stop while they could. “Lex,” she gasped. “I’ll buy the dress and then we can go somewhere—“ Her words were cut off as Lex started to massage her clit through the damp fabric of her panties.

“Damn it,” she choked, unconsciously grinding her groin against his hand. “How dare you get me all hot and bothered in a dressing room, when there’s nothing we can do about it?”

“What do you mean?” he murmured. “Why shouldn’t we?”

She gasped, from both surprise and pleasure. “What? What?”

“Turn around, Chloe.” The words were low, authoritative, irresistible.

Chloe turned around, flattening her back against the wall. Lex was so close she could feel the heat and intensity of his body pulsing between them. He kissed her hard and deep, and then he slid his hands down her curves over the black dress, following the descent of his hands with the rest of his body as he knelt down onto the floor.

Gaping down at him, Chloe rasped, “What?”

He gave her a predatory smile and ran his hands up her bare legs, pushing her skirt up as he did. She clutched at the fabric automatically when it was bunched up at her waist. And she widened her stance at Lex’s urging. He slid down her panties.

“Are you really—?” A sharp inhalation broke off her question.

Lex had just tongued her clit.

As she stared down at him, he nuzzled her warm, intimate flesh, opening her folds so he could better pleasure her.

Chloe pressed back against the wall hard as the stimulation sent waves of pleasure through her body. “Oh, God,” she moaned, “Someone will hear.”

“There’s no one in here but us,” Lex murmured, the vibrations from his voice intensifying the sensations.

He worked her over with his mouth, sucking with his lips, twirling and thrusting with his tongue, and grazing with his teeth until she was shaking uncontrollably and mumbling out pleas for release.

She clutched at his head with one hand and the skirt of the dress with the other. She used the wall for balance as she arched and writhed against his mouth.

The faint sound of a shopper from outside the dressing room drove home the reality of their public location. She gave a little sob and dug her fingernails into the back of Lex’s neck.

She could see them in the full-length mirror across from her. She was flushed, disheveled and half-dressed—grinding herself with wild abandon against Lex, who was kneeling on the floor with his head between her thighs.

It was such a shamelessly provocative image that Chloe heard herself make another sobbing sound. She bit her lower lip to muffle the sound.

She resisted her impending climax, self-conscious about losing control so completely in such a public place. But Lex’s mouth was too skillful, and he knew her body too well. After building her up to an unbearable peak, he sucked hard on her clit.

She stuffed her fist into her mouth to muffle the sound of her climax as her hips jerked hard against Lex’s mouth. When he slid two fingers into her clenching channel and massaged her g-spot, another climax swelled up without warning.

Chloe choked and wheezed around her fist, trying to keep down the sound of her pleasure. And, when Lex released her thighs and pulled his face away from her sensitized flesh, she nearly slid to the floor.

He stood up, using his body to brace hers against the wall. “How was that?” he asked. His mouth was wet with her moisture and his body was so tight it nearly shook.

“Not bad,” she managed to say, her knees buckling again as occasional tremors from her climax ran through her.

Lex kissed her urgently. She could taste herself on his lips and tongue, and it made her whimper.

He was obviously aroused, the hard bulge in his pants pressing insistently into her middle. She tore her mouth away, gasping for air and feeling beads of perspiration run in little rivulets down her back and between her breasts.

“For once, you didn’t think ahead,” she said unevenly. “Now you’re all turned on with no means of satisfaction.” She pressed her hand against his clothed erection for good measure.

He grunted at her caress, but his eyebrows arched irrepressibly. “Why do you assume that?”

Despite what had just happened, Chloe’s mouth dropped open again. “You mean . . . here . . . in the dressing room?”

“Why not?”

Why not indeed? There was still no one else in any of the stalls and Chloe’s body wasn’t even close to being sated.

“How?” she asked, looking at the confined space. Four walls. Two mirrors. A scratchy carpet. And a bench.

Lex didn’t need to spend any time sizing up the possibilities. He murmured into her ear, “Bend down over the bench.”

Her intimate muscles clenched excitedly at the rough tenor of his voice, and she knelt down to bend forward over the bench. The surface was large enough to give her adequate support, and while not the most comfortable position, she wasn’t about to complain.

Lex had unfastened his trousers and now he was kneeling down behind her. Without hesitation, he parted the cheeks of her ass and lined his cock up at her entrance.

He pushed in, hard and deep.

Chloe’s neck arched up and her mouth opened wide with a silent scream of pleasure.

“How’s that?” Lex asked in a low voice, leaning forward over her back.

“Good,” she mumbled, squirming her bottom back against his groin. “Oh, so good.”

He was obviously pretty far gone, because when he began to fuck her he didn’t start off slow. His thrusts were fast and urgent, causing his cock to work in her wet channel with exhilarating friction.

Chloe felt more sobs ripping out of her throat, and she tried biting her lip again to stifle them. She clawed at the bench, the sensations so intense she felt like her head would explode.

“Fuck, baby,” Lex gritted out from behind her, “You’re always so good.”

She mewed in pleasure, too loud for their location, and squeezed her eyes shut so she could focus only on her building orgasm and the feel of Lex behind her.

Anyone who entered the dressing room would hear them. Lex’s pelvis slapped against her bottom in fast, choppy strokes, and an underlying wet sound of suction was evident. Plus, they were both breathing fast and loud, and Chloe couldn’t seem to silence her whimpers.

“Oh God!” she gasped, her climax tightening in a sudden rush, “Lex, oh God!”

“Not too loud, baby,” Lex rasped, tilting his head down to press a few kisses against her hair.

She raised her head and stuffed her fist into her mouth just in time. A shattering climax ripped through her and there was no way to silence her reaction. The obstruction of her fist changed her screams of pleasure into wet mews and whimpers.

As her channel clamped down around Lex’s cock, he lost it too. He fell out of rhythm and ground his pelvis against her ass, a stifled moan catching in his throat.

She felt him release himself inside her as lingering spasms rippled through them. They gasped hotly and Lex clung to her as she clung to the bench.

Then a voice sounded from the entrance to the dressing room. “There’s plenty of empty stalls. You should definitely try it on.”

Both Chloe and Lex froze as another voice joined the first. Then Chloe caught sight of the her and Lex in the mirror, half naked and in a shameless state of coitus on the floor of the dressing room. Nearly caught in the act.

A burst of laughter surprised her and she was barely able to muffle it. She caught Lex’s eyes and the self-deprecating irony there nearly sent her into a new burst of hilarity.

When they managed to stand up, Chloe smoothed out the wrinkled black dress. “I think I’d better buy this one, after the uses we put it to.” She spoke low, since the other shoppers were still in the dressing room. “It’s on sale anyway, so it works better with my budget.”

All Lex had to do was zip up his trousers. He looked flushed, relaxed and ridiculously pleased with himself, but he wasn’t nearly as wrinkled or mussed as she was. He nodded toward the green dress, hanging neatly on a hook. “Then I’m going to buy you this one.” When she opened her mouth to object, he went on, “No arguments.”

She shrugged, figuring he could afford it and he hadn’t bought her anything else in the four months they’d been together. She could consider it a Christmas gift. “All right. I’ll get both.”

When Chloe had redressed in her street clothes, the other occupants of the dressing room were gone. She slipped out of the stall, feeling sleazy and rather embarrassed at having gotten fucked so well in a department store.

Lex, on the other hand, looked perfectly composed. He blithely presented the dresses to a cashier and handed the woman a credit card to pay for them.

Chloe was too distracted to even notice that he was paying for both of them. She felt like everyone who walked by must know what she’d been up to.

When she glanced over at Lex, she saw him smiling at her with an expression that appeared almost tender.

“What is it?” she asked self-consciously.

“I love it when you look like this,” he murmured, a possessive caress in his gaze.

Chloe knew exactly what he was talking about. She raised her palm to one of her cheeks.

It was hot.


TBC


* * *

Author’s Note: I had the first two chapters of this story done before I started posting it, hoping that staying ahead would keep me from getting bogged down in it. Unfortunately, my great plans have not worked out. I was supposed to have Chapter 3 finished before I posted Chapter 2, but I haven’t been able to get anything written all week. I’ve been super-busy (which I hadn’t at all expected) and, in the free time I do have, I haven’t been able to find the focus or motivation to write or think about Chlex.

All this to give you a heads-up. I know you all count on me to commit to my stories, particularly when there’s a holiday deadline, and I’d hate for this last story to be the one where I fail in that. But I’m going out of town for a two-week vacation a week from today, so I’ll need to finish this story by then. It’s only a four-chapter story (sorry, Missy), so theoretically I should be able to get it done. But that would mean I’d have to find the time and energy to write the last two chapters in what will be a busy week. I’m going to try, but there’s a chance I won’t get it done until after Christmas, no matter how much I’d hate dragging it out past the holiday.

I’ll do my best, and you all could help by letting me know if you enjoy or appreciate this story or if there are things you'd like to see happen in it. It’s always been reader response that gets my creative momentum going again.

Thank you so much for the great feedback on the first chapter.

[superag]

Absolutely wonderful trip to the mall. All good trips to the mall should end in a great fuck in the dressing room I say. Wonderful new chapter and I think they are getting closer than they think.

We will love you regardless if the story makes it by Christmas exactly or not. We just love to have a little Zannie around the holidays regardless.....Thanks for writing!

[dagney]

I'm definitely in the mood for a little shopping with Lex. Don't worry about finishing this before the holidays, it will give us something to look forward to. Enjoy you time off and safe and happy holidays. Dagney

[Kit Merlot]

Yes, Zannie, no stress on finishing this fic up by Christmas--finish it when you can:grin3:

And this was a deliciously smutty and sweet update. I love how Lex was right about the green dress he picked out for Chloe, and I hope she asks him to go the party with him:D

Continued fabulous work on this sexy and festive fic;)

[malugargula]

Wonderful chapter
:)
I love their shopping and especially the dressing room smut
LOL
And like superag said "We will love you regardless if the story makes it by Christmas exactly or not. We just love to have a little Zannie around the holidays regardless.....Thanks for writing! ".
:)

[lj715]

Omg, Chlex smut in a dressing room...I couldn;t ask for more. Very hot. Love that Lex bought Chloe the green dress. The ending of the chapter was wonderful too. Don't stress over when you can finish this fic. I love it & will continue with it until the end ( which is a lot for me since I have the attention span of a gnat lately).

[cypanache]

Okay I'm finally caught up. Sorry to miss reviewing the first post. The dressing room sex was very hot. I honestly really enjoyed the whole shopping sequence because it was so wonderfully normal for them.

Unfortunately most of my questions are things that don't really lend themselves to Christmas fluff (my stupid angsty brain). I guess probably the thing I really want to know more about is whether Chloe really has any reservations about how Lex fits into the portions of her life that aren't really going to accept this (i.e. Lois and clark) and how she overcomes them. But that's probably not really christmasy

Okay, going back to focusing on christmas fluff. I'm assuming gifts? (Please) And I'd like to know more about Lex's feelings in this whole mix. (Is he lonely? Has he really changed? etc.) Really in the end I'm pretty much good with anything you give us.

[westwingwolf]

Chloe and Lex are certainly having a lot of fun and excitement in their relationship. I think Lex should try his best to get Chloe to ask him to that party as her date. And he should definitely buy her that book for a Christmas present.

Don't worry about finishing this story on time if you are feeling rushed. We'll all eagerly wait. And have fun on your vacation!

[slayer44]

That was some very hot dressing room action!!!! Its soooo sweet to see how mushy Lex is with Chloe, I think the other 2 chapters should have lots of fluff, gets the insides all warm and tingly :) . If you can't finish the story, u should just leave it until u come back, just focus on having lots of fun on your vacation...we surely aren't going anywhere :D

[hannagreen20]

Wow, Zannie! What a great, hot update! Don't feel any pressure. I'm just excited to see a new Chlex fic. I can't tell you how many times I've read and re-read your fics. Have a great vacation. I look forward to reading about people finding out about the Chlex relationship.

[Esther25jm]

SQUEEE!!!!!!!!! You've posted it!!! Oh my, Zannie, I'm speechless!! Oh, drooling mostly, but totally speechless!! I love that you've written the timeline to be after this season with Lex in hiding and Chloe divorced. Sure it's sex now, but I've already suspect that both feel more for each other than they're willing to say. Although, I do have a sneaking suspicion that Lex is leaving Chloe some hints and she's ignoring them for fear of getting her heart broken again.

This last update was HOT!!!!!!! *faints* Dressing rooms will never be the same for me. WHOA, NELLY!! I'm still drooling over here cause it's all I'm able to do at the moment.

Aww, sweetie, I totally understand if you aren't able to get the story done before you go on vacation. :D We'll totally be here when the story is ready to be finished. Either way, I hope you have a great vacation and happy holidays. Take care, sweetie! *hugs*

[wistfulwatcher]

Such fantastic dialogue. I love that this fic is driven almost completely by their interaction, with very little outside intervention, as your Chlex dialogue is so astute.

The shopping moments were adorable, and I love how easy their relationship is (if that makes sense). Fantastic that Lex knew which dress it would be. Chloe, never question Lex's fashion sense. EVER.

As for what I'd like to see... I love Chlex Christmas gifts. I doubt you aren't going this direction, but just in case, I loves me some gift exchange. I'd also like to see him attend the Christmas party, of course, because heaven forbid Chloe make Lex jealous.

Thank you for the answers to my questions; I have a much better feel for Lex's mind frame, and I guess I should have realized he wasn't going to be secretly evil Lex (we're not in the angst section, right?).

Thank you for the fantastic update, and I hope you find the momentum to write again soon. Otherwise, we'll suffer for two weeks. Suffer.

WW

[toryjhay]

I really felt for Chloe when she was feeling down, so glad that she realized that the only time that she didn't feel so low was when she was with lex. Loved the shopping date! It was so...normal, for lack of a better word. I particularly adored the part where chloe was looking at the red sweater for clark and she imagined what lex would say and then like magic, lex was there, saying the exact same thing. And Lex' aversion to the red sweater, too adorable (he probably wouldn't like the adjective but i don't care, it truly was all levels of cute). Loved the elvis comment!

I was awwing over the fact that Lex seemed to have an insurmountable amount of confidence in chloe. chloe and her insecurities, the way she instinctively found herself lacking when lex said he wouldn't hire her, just so sad sometimes. glad that lex cleared it up immediately (and oh so effectively). the bookstore scene, those two certainly have all the bases covered, they have the physical aspect down, and the fact that they can converse with such ease, both are intellectually capable of following the flow of the exchange, I mean not everyone can say the same thing about their relationship (thus the impossibility of chloe being with anyone but lex, everyone else [i.e. clark, jimmy] tend to flounder when she's on her a game). It;s obvious that the transition between 'sleazy affair' to an actual relationship won't be so hard, they seem to shed the sleaze this chapter and they're both functioning like they're in an actual relationship (I do wonder what the outcome will be once the others [clark, lois] find out, but since this is a holiday fic, chances are they'd get the ever after, right?). Their conversations seem to follow such a trend. Oh and I so loved the difference between resentful jealousy and possessive jealousy, so glad that chloe knew the difference.

Dressing room hotness. How smart of lex, he managed to sufficiently wipe all thoughts from chloe's mind that she didn't even object when he bought the dresses for her. And may I comment on the use of the L word! All levels of awesome!!!

As usual, lovely update, Zannie! And you should know that no one would ever, truly never, mind how long it takes for an update. I know that I am just extremely grateful for any update, any story that we get from you. And I am a firm believer of quality over quantity (so truly love the fact when authors manage to combine both, which you do!) So hope you have fun on your vacation and as I said, lovely update!!!!

[hfce]

DAMN!!! That was some hot sex in the dressing room. :drool2: I so wish that would happen to me. :D I knew Chloe's gut was thinking about Lex. :yeahbaby: Even her own body can't live with out him. It is clear they are in a relationship the way Lex went possesive man on her after her date. These two are funny why won't they admit they are in a relationship? They act like a dang couple in love. :rofl: I am curios how is it that no one recognizes a man who owns half of Metropolis? That makes no sense to me. But I can't wait to see how that get's resolved. ;)

[Gaia]

That was......hot. Seriously. And the tender moment at the end? How cute was that:D

[tess]

this fic is a delectable mixture, no head games, angst, just hotness, tenderness, and a nice christmas spirit, it's totally lovely. This lex is really charming!!
and as usual it's writing with much talent
It's totally OOC with the actual season of smallville, so it's perfect!!
good continuation!!


(I'm SO happy to finding you as Chlex author!!! such a amazing stuff)

[somethingeasy]

omigosh, Zannie! I was in Athens for a couple of days, so I couldn’t comment on this new fic, but I was delighted to see that were following through with your idea to post up a Christmas fic for your addicted, desperate readers! *bows down* we are EVER so grateful and appreciation of this blessing you have bestowed upon us, Zannie! ;)

erm… I’m in the middle of a Film Festival right now, so I won’t be able to spend as much time as I would normally like on reviewing and feedbacking, but be assured that I LOVE this fic, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it develops

Chapter One

wow! The fic got of to a VERY interesting beginning! I really enjoyed the sleepy, enjoyable, sweet relaxed way that Chloe got up next to her lover (who was most happily revealed to be Lex Luthor, LOL!). it was very interesting because I could sense an undertone of sweetness and companionship between them, so it came as a HUGE surprise to find out that Chloe categorizes this ‘relationship’ as basically a ‘sleazy affair leading to nowhere’.

The tone was completely WRONG for anything secretive and sleazy! Lex was obviously enjoying and relishing his time with Chloe. In fact, he seemed to be worshipping and cherishing her whole body with his mouth, hands, fingers and cock. I’d say that his touch seemed to have a very loving approach to it.

Heeee!!! Loving, hot and irresistibly no less! I LOVED seeing how much Chloe and Lex seemed to crave each other.


He arched one eyebrow. “You only have yourself to blame. If you weren’t quite so hot and tight, I wouldn’t risk losing it every time you come.” His voice was dry but his words left her blazing with pleasure just the same.

“Hmph,” she sniffed, with a pretense of disapproval. “Nothing’s wrong with losing it. And I don’t like when you yank yourself out. I like having you inside me when I come.”

All the interaction between them suggested to a loving, trusting, close relationship (despite how Chloe kept on trying to convince us that it was ‘purely physical’)… but this part especially pointed to how close and emotionally needy Lex and Chloe have grown on each other. Lex would NEVER admit to ‘weaknesses’ in his sexual stamina like this unless he felt close and comfortable with his partner. And even Chloe would never allow herself to sound so ‘needy’ unless she felt safe with HER partner too.


“That’s right,” Lex rasped, “Let me see you come.”

Her gasps changed to urgent whimpers as their rhythm intensified even more. The cheap bedframe was squeaking loudly and the headboard started to bang against the wall with the momentum of their fucking.

It was so hard to believe. Plain, old Chloe Sullivan. Fucking Lex Luthor like an animal in a sleazy Metropolis motel.

Wow! That was amazing and HOT to read! I loved seeing how urgent and intense their need for each other was. And it was very interesting seeing how Chloe gets an extra special thrill from the secrecy and ‘sleaziness’ of the situation? Perhaps she’s trying to convince herself it’s a purely physical fucking affair, not only because she imagines it keeps her ‘safe’ from emotional harm, but also because she finds it damned hot that way?


“No, I told you before. When you’re involved in a sleazy affair, then you pick a motel that’s appropriate for the occasion.”

Lex cocked an eyebrow, obviously amused. “Is that what we’re doing? Having a sleazy affair?”

“Of course.”

“Neither one of us is married anymore. I’m not sure affair is the correct term.”

heh… it was VERY interesting seeing how Chloe seems to be very insistent on using the (safe and ‘hot’) term, ‘sleazy affair’ as a final description for their fling, while Lex seems to be pushing for something more. He’s only subtly pushing right now… as if testing the waters? I’d say that Lex is most definitely ready for this affair to come out into the open… if only he could be sure that Chloe wouldn’t turn tail and run once it becomes too ‘real’ a relationship for her to handle or want.


Lex’s body wasn’t like Clark’s—flawless and invulnerable. Lex’s muscle development was masculine and efficient, but he wasn’t a body-builder. And he was scarred. Scarred so deeply. Scarred in so many ways.

heh… suuure you’re not becoming emotionally involved with this man, Chloe! It’s so sadly OBVIOUS that she’s falling for him… So it’s going to be massive fun to watch her slowly reaching that shocking, horrific and ghastly realization, LOL!

heh… until that time, it’s also going to be fun to see Chloe trying to keep her distance from Lex using all her little tricks to fool everyone (most of all herself). I really liked the ‘trick’ she pulled when she got away from Lex to use the shower as if to ‘cleanse him out of her body’, before going back to her regular life again.

Ooooh, not to mention that comment she threw Lex’s way about how she’s going out tonight on a double date with a friend. It was actually a little cruel, the manner with which she threw it in Lex’s face that she’s a completely ‘free agent’ who isn’t seeing anyone, isn’t attached to anyone and doesn’t owe any guy her fidelity or loyalty.

But I can see that slight bit of cruelty came from a place of self-protection, where she’s determined to prove that she IS a free agent… who happens to be carrying on an affair on the side which caters to her purely physical needs.

Ooooh, it was VERY interesting to see that Lex actually seemed to catch onto where Chloe’s insistence about being ‘a relationship-free person’ comes from. It was as if he sensed her fear about letting herself admit to being too close to him, which made him very careful about giving her all the space she needed.

It would have been all too easy for Lex to make a fight out of this, and try to prove a point by taking out some gorgeous brunette some night to rub it in Chloe’s face how they were both ‘free agents’ who happened to get together to fuck from time to time.

Fortunately, thank heavens, Lex did NOT descend to that petty, stupid level. He was actually very calm and cool about the whole thing.

LOL! Or at least as calm and cool as he’s capable of being anyway. It was so HOT seeing him actually pouncing on her. ROTFLMAO! That sexy, sneaky bastard! He wanted to give Chloe a final souvenir to ‘remember him by’ before she left for her ‘regular life’ away from him, didn’t he?


“No, you won’t.” He gently bit down on the skin of her throat, causing a tug of deep pleasure that made her jerk. “You’ll get dressed after this, or you’ll be late for breakfast. Then you’ll go to class and lunch and lab and dinner, completely covered with me.”

His voice was erotic. The sound of it and the images his words evoked made her shiver in pleasure. But she said, “You’re crazy.”

“No, I’m not. Don’t pretend you wouldn’t enjoy it. Every time someone brushes against you, you’ll wonder if they can smell me on you. Every time you walk or cross your legs, you’ll feel me inside you. Every time you breathe, you’ll think about how good we are together.”

wow! That was damned HOT! I love it when Lex’s inner-animal comes out with a dominating urge to possess and mark ‘his woman’ as belonging to him. And that is exactly what Lex was trying to do over here, wasn’t it? He was trying to make his mark on Chloe… not only on her body, but in her memory too! Awesome and HOT!!


His hips pistoned against her, his cock working inside her wet channel and his eyes never leaving her face. “Yes, baby,” he hissed, jerking his head in an uncontrolled reaction to his growing intensity. “Come for me. Let me see.”

His words and her physical sensations mingled with the rest of her tangled feelings. She lost control completely, crying out loudly and writhing helplessly as a hard climax sliced through her.

Heh… and it seems like BOTH Lex and Chloe love seeing this dominating side of his personality come out to play. The sex was really intense and amazing!

LOL! But it was really amusing to see how Chloe completely called him afterwards on his reasons for the ‘caveman sex’… prompted by his desire to mark her and dominate her. It’s great to see Chloe calling on Lex’s inner urges overwhelming him.


Choosing to double major in those fields took a real, if unexpected, act of courage. She wasn’t naturally inclined toward the sciences, so the advanced classes used all of her intellectual capacities and willpower. But she poured her effort, energy, and stubbornness into her studies and so far she’d maintained a 3.87 GPA.

She wanted to understand the meteor rocks and, more importantly, their effects on humans. And she wanted to understand the changes they so often caused in the human mind. She wanted to understand what they’d done to her. Perhaps she could have relied on other people’s expertise in her investigations, but that had never been her style.

So she was determined to learn what she needed herself.

Wow! This was an extraordinary shift for Chloe in this fic. I actually LOVED the new passion and field that you had chosen for her, Zannie. I also loved how it was made clear that this completely new field was intensely difficult for Chloe, but she managed to maintain a very high academic standing because of devoted hard work.

I love the idea of Chloe searching for truth in a whole new field… especially something that involves studying meteor rocks in a much more detailed, intensive and serious manner than before. She’s going to be an extraordinary scientist! I can tell already!

Heee! The conversation with Lois was a LOT of fun! It filled in a lot of the details about Chloe’s personal life outside of her affair with Lex. Sadly, it seemed like Chloe doesn’t have much going for her in terms of personal interactions and relationship. She’s still obviously close to her cousin, AND, to a certain extent, Clark as well… but otherwise, it honestly seems like Chloe’s closest relationship with another person is with Lex Luthor.

I loved seeing how Chloe simply couldn’t imagine any kind of Christmas celebration without Lex in the picture. She gave it a good effort to muster up some cheer for a evening with family and friends, but I noted how her enthusiasm seemed so empty since she wasn’t able to imagine any possible way to share it with Lex.

Oooh, and I also liked how Chloe noted that Lex himself is not going to having much of a fun Christmas without her either. Of course, in HIS case he doesn’t have ANYONE else to share it with besides her.

Squeeee!!! It was awesome seeing Lois figuring out that Chloe is having ‘a fling’ with someone. And she came eerily close to figuring out quite a LOT of details about this mystery guy without Chloe giving her anything. Such as the fact that he was ‘obviously older’… and perhaps a bit of a ‘bad boy’? ROTLF! It’s FUN seeing how well Lois can read her little cousin!

Heeee!! And Lois also noted that Chloe is harbouring some ‘fuzzy feelings’ for this guy, despite her insistence that it’s a ‘purely physical’ thing between them. LOL! Lois has managed to suss out a lot of details despite Chloe’s closed-mouthed attitude about the whole thing.

It was wonderful to see she was so supportive and enthusiastic about Chloe’s ‘new guy’, but I do wonder whether than enthusiasm is going to last AT ALL when it’s finally revealed WHO this mystery man really is. Heh… it’s going to be VERY interesting to watch!

Chapter Two
(coming soon: asap!)

[missylou47]

Oh that was so HOT!!! I love the dressing room sex but I love their shopping just as much. They're so sweet together!!! They're obviously in love!!! Dont' feel bad if you can't finish it before xmas, we'll wait for when you can!!! Thank you so much for writing it!!! :D

[lilinny]

Love, Love, Love this chapter.

I hope Chloe invites Lex to the party and have some smutty sex there!

Happy Holidays!

[lexie]

It seems this one will be one of your smuttiest fics, Zannie. As you already know, you´re virtually the only smut writer I read because I love your plots and the way every sensual scene helps build up the story and give us insight into the characters´psychology and the stage of their relationship. I can´t wait for them to realise there´s so much more to them than an illicit affair.:grin3:

[kcsgirl82]

Now that was HOT!!
I love how possessive Lex is of Chloe even though they aren't really dating, but hopefully they will realize it could never just be a fling between them.

[purplemoon123]

That was HOT!!!!!!!

I'm completly speechless by all the hotness!!!

Like others have mention I don't mind having to wait past Christmas, Ijust love that we get a Zannie fic.

[musicsteph]

Christmas shopping is now ruined for me.....the whole time I will be looking for my "handsome, bald shopping date" to show up.....

great chapter....... I guess I will have to wait patiently--- or not so patiently for the rest...

don't make us wait to long-- ok!


musicsteph

[somethingeasy]

Chapter Two

I LOVED the beginning of the this chapter, with Chloe searching for Christmas presents for all the significant and much-loved people in her life… and her mind going constantly to wondering what kind of a gift Lex would have enjoyed.

ROTFL! It was especially funny seeing Chloe trying to get a present for Clark, but constantly being drawn to the colours and material that ran more along Lex’s tastes than the farmboy’s. LOL!


The only times she didn’t feel in-between were the nights she spent with Lex. But even her relationship with him was ambiguous, tenuous. Nothing to build a foundation on.

I was pleasantly surprised by Chloe’s admittance to herself that she was feeling lonely during this Christmas. I suppose we can’t really be shocked because Chloe IS in a slightly different place in her life as compared to her closest friends… it was however delightful to see her ALSO admitting that the only times, nowadays, that she doesn’t feel lonely is when she’s with Lex.

Heh… so much for her insistence that she’s not, NOT emotionally involved with the guy, LOL!

It was beyond perfect that Lex would choose THAT specific moment to make his appearance… in all his ironic, cynical, sardonic, dry humoured glory! LOL! Perfect!


“Do I even merit a Christmas gift from you?” Lex asked, eyeing the red sweater without favor.

hmmm, I can tell that Lex was just making a dry, witty comment over here… but I can’t help but wonder whether he was also… fishing for information? Trying to find out whether Chloe believes that he’s included on her Christmas shopping list along with the rest of her beloved friends and family…?

Hmmm, he didn’t seem too heartbroken at Chloe’s snarky reply that he didn’t warrant a gift though, so I guess his hopes were not that high in the first place?


Lex’s mouth twitched. “Maybe I’ll be like Elvis, and there will be regular sighting of me around the city.”

ROTFLMAO! That silly, ridiculous man! I was as surprised as Chloe to see Lex flouting his whole ‘in hiding’ thing in order to accompany Chloe on her departmental store shopping trip. But he seems to be maintaining an irresistibly amused attitude about the whole thing… so it was damned hard to take the situation seriously. Especially after the point Lex made about how the situation is too unbelievable to be taken seriously.

Hmmm, but there ARE certain people who WOULD take a rumour like that seriously… such as Lois and Clark. Is Lex secretly hoping that getting ‘caught’ with Chloe in a ‘compromising position’ would make her a little more accepting of the reality of their relationship?

Heh… it’s hard to know what’s going on inside that twisted Luthor brain sometimes! LOL!

Oooh, but it was NICE to see that Chloe appreciated the company, and that she wasn’t feeling as blue, alone and depressed as she was prior to Lex’s unexpected appearance. And it seems like Lex was an excellent shopping companion... as lovely, charming and entertaining as ever, even if he IS stuck wandering around a department store, LOL!


A smile played on the corners of Lex’s mouth. “I’d concluded that for myself. I didn’t think you were ashamed to be seen with me.”

I liked the bit of interaction with Sandra, partially because it was great to see how Chloe gets along with her fellow class-mates. It seems that she’s fairly well-liked by them, although she doesn’t tolerate the company of the frivolous, useless or foolish. And mostly it was great to see exactly how Lex would be received by one of Chloe classmates.

I was wondering myself whether Lex would feel wounded about not being introduced at all during Chloe’s conversation, but he seems… pretty ok? Actually, he seems far TOO ok with everything! It’s actually a little unnerving seeing how very amiable and easy-going he’s being with everything.

Is he REALLY ok with Chloe not even looking at him while talking to her classmate? Is he REALLY sure that Chloe didn’t introduce him because she wanted to ‘respect his privacy’ rather than protect her own reputation from being sullied from association with him?


She made an indignant sound in her throat, flattening her palms against his chest in a futile attempt to push him away. “I don’t have hurt feelings. I know I’ll never be a brilliant scientist. I’m probably silly to try to major in it in the first—“

“Chloe,” Lex interrupted sharply, imprisoning her gaze with his. His expression was intense. And dead sober. “Stop it. I didn’t mean I wouldn’t hire you because you wouldn’t be a good enough scientist. I meant I’d never hire someone I was intimately involved with.”

Chloe’s mouth fell open as she processed his words. “Oh.”

His expression softened and one hand slid up to cup her hot cheek. “Exactly. Now see how absurd you were for thinking I was insulting you.”

I really enjoyed the way that Lex and Chloe were bonding over Chloe’s motives for her professional change as well as the hopes she had for this profession as a biochemist scientist. It was wonderful to see Lex understood completely exactly what was driving Chloe, and how important it was to her to excel in this new field.

Heh… despite what he claims about how Chloe ‘should have known better’, I think he should have chosen his words a little more carefully when dismissing the idea of hiring as as one of his science people. It was good to see he quickly picked up on Chloe’s hurt feelings. I loved how he immediately understood how she was feeling inferior and insecure about her ability to cope in this field, and reassured her that he personally believes she will be wildly successful as a scientist.

Heee! Special point to Lex for using the word ‘absurd’ when talking about how Chloe doubted the belief he had in her stunning future success as a scientist. It was wonderful to see him giving Chloe some high end and much needed compliments about her intellectual abilities on this end. I imagine this is the first time in her life that Chloe might be feeling ‘intellectually inferior’ to her peers, so it’s good to see her getting her esteem bolstered from her… ‘not-boyfriend’, LOL!

Hmmm, it was VERY interesting to see that this might have been the first time that they shared a emotionally connecting moment like this. Or was this one the first time Chloe noticed them emotionally bonding…? Heh, I wonder how much longer before she’s forced to admit (in a fun panic) that she IS becoming emotionally dependant on Lex… and that he’s aggressively trying to bond with her too.


“Oh my God!” Chloe gasped, as she turned the page and was confronted with an erotic image of a beautiful couple tangled intimately in an exotic position.

At some point, Lex had slid his arm around her waist and had pressed her body backward against his. “We have got to try that one,” he murmured thickly.

Her inner muscles clenched at the texture of his voice, and she turned her head to meet his eyes.

The hot hunger in his expression was unmistakable. When her mouth parted, he leaned down to claim it with his, sliding his tongue sensuously along the inside of her lips.

She moaned involuntarily and nearly dropped the large book.

Then a fellow shopper brushed by behind them, mumbling irritably, “Get a room.”

ROTFLMOA! I can just imagine what that woman was thinking of those ‘sick minded perverts’ who cannot look at a beautifully illustrated manuscript without acting like gutter-minded lechers, LOL!

It did sounds like a beautiful book, and I REALLY hope Chloe gets a copy for herself (and Lex) to enjoy properly in private together, LOL! Wasn’t it nice to see that Lex seemed as turned on by that illustration as Chloe was. I wonder whether he’s going to take her negative comment ‘my body won’t bend into those positions’ as a personal challenge to prove her wrong…? ROTFL!

Oh well, even if Chloe doesn’t buy this book, at least she did find a nice present for Lex in this store. I wonder how he’d feel getting a present from Chloe. She doesn’t seem to be attaching much significance to getting Lex that book, but I wonder whether he’s going to read some special meaning about how she’s becoming more open to having him as a closer part of her life now. Heh… I guess I’m going to have to wait for a little while to find out.


She shrugged. “I don’t know. You’re sort of in hiding, when you aren’t flouting secrecy by Christmas shopping in the mall. I know you have your own projects going and everything, but I thought maybe you might feel all alone . . . sometimes.” She ended weakly, knowing that Lex tended to bristle if his pretense at self-sufficiency and invulnerability was questioned.

He gave her a teasing smile. “Ah, but I’m involved in a sleazy affair that keeps me well occupied.”

Dammit! He STILL seems far too well-adjusted and amiable to be true. I can’t help but wonder WHAT he’s hiding underneath that easy-going mask of his. He cannot be seriously this well-adjusted, can he? This is Lex Luthor we’re talking about here!


He gave a half shrug and put down his coffee mug. It took him nearly a minute to answer. “I wanted to see,” he began, clearing his throat and beginning again. “I wanted to see what it would be like to be me . . . without all the baggage.”

hmmm, perhaps that ‘well adjusted exterior’ is NOT a mask after all? Perhaps he really IS a lot more relaxed, amiable and non-stressed, non-angsty since he’s made a concentrated effort to ‘dropping the baggage’ associated with the Luthor name?

Still, it was great to see Chloe asking these questions, because I’ve been waiting like a crazy-person for Chloe to start prying into Lex’s head and finding out what’s whirring around in there.


Chloe felt a flash of heat as she remembered what had happened after her double date on Friday night. The date had been fine—enjoyable enough but not too exciting. But Lex had called the moment she’d returned to her apartment and asked about the date. Then he told her to come back outside. Curious, she’d done as he’d instructed, and his driver had pulled up to the curb in front of her building.

Lex had been waiting in the back seat as she’d climbed in.

He’d been jealous. She’d realized that much. But it wasn’t an angry, resentful jealousy as much as a possessive one. And so she hadn’t reacted badly. She’d been surprised and had complained about his stalker-like behavior, but mostly she’d felt reassured.

Heh… now THAT seems more like ‘Lex Luthhorish’ kind of behaviour rather than the easy-going attitude he displayed that morning before Chloe’s date. Stalking, interrogation and finally claiming… but all in a sophisticated and non-domineering, non-offensive kind of way that made Chloe feel reassured rather than controlled. Nice! I loved getting these details of some of Lex’s true feelings to the idea of Chloe being out with another guy, Zannie!

Oooh, not to mention the details of the car-smut! Hot, HOT! Loved that too!

I loved seeing how very enthused Lex seemed to be at the prospect of helping Chloe pick out a dress so that she can look drop dead gorgeous for her dinner party. He genuinely seemed pleased at the idea of seeing her model about a hundred thousand evening dresses until they got ‘the perfect one’ for her.

Heh… how does Chloe NOT notice how all of this is archetypical boyfriend behaviour? LOL!

I couldn’t help but smile seeing Lex’s complete confidence against Chloe’s very obvious scepticism about the green dress he found for her. I KNEW from the beginning that the green dress would be absolutely perfect for Chloe… although, I don’t think I want to examine too closely on where Lex got his expertise in knowing exactly what kind of dress looks best on a woman even before SHE realizes it, LOL!


As soon as the skirt slid down over her legs, she started to rethink her first impression. The fit was clingy, almost slinky, and it caressed her curves provocatively. And the silvery green shade was perfect against her fair skin.

But the buttons were in the back and she growled as she reached behind to do them up. After a minute, she gritted out, “Lex.”

“Buttons?”

ROTFL! I remember Lex’s displeased grunt of surprise when Chloe shut him out of her changing room. He must have been waiting for her to call him on for the help he KNEW she would need, LOL! Smug, know-it-all bastard!

And it seems like the dress looked as lovely on Chloe as Lex thought it would. Perfect! But I loved how Chloe remained stubborn about admitting that Lex was actually right and proven to be a better judge of picking out clothes for her than she was. Of course it would NEVER do for Chloe to admit that Lex ‘won’ over here! LOL! it was fun seeing her making a show of wanting to see the black dress too, and then being torn between which of them was better looking on her.

ROTFL! Not that Lex was fooled by her act the slightest bit. I can only imagine the look of adoration and awe in Chloe’s eyes when she saw herself in the mirror looking ‘more beautiful than she ever imagined possible’. It would have been impossible for Lex to miss her pleasure.


Finally, when she felt an orgasm start to form, Chloe realized that they better stop while they could. “Lex,” she gasped. “I’ll buy the dress and then we can go somewhere—“ Her words were cut off as Lex started to massage her clit through the damp fabric of her panties.

“Damn it,” she choked, unconsciously grinding her groin against his hand. “How dare you get me all hot and bothered in a dressing room, when there’s nothing we can do about it?”

“What do you mean?” he murmured. “Why shouldn’t we?”

The smut in the dressing room was amazing, Zannie!! I loved the build-up with Lex teasing Chloe with little lingering touches and caresses until she was fairly squirming with pleasure in the dressing room. And it was HOT seeing his fingers suddenly delving into her panties when she was heated up enough. Wow!

LOL! And wasn’t Lex incredibly HOT when he brazenly told Chloe that they didn’t have to leave the dressing room to enjoy some red-hot, intense sexual satisfaction? I love Lex when he’s being tender, sweet and loving… but I ADORE him when he’s being a brazen, aggressive, take-charge seducer.


She could see them in the full-length mirror across from her. She was flushed, disheveled and half-dressed—grinding herself with wild abandon against Lex, who was kneeling on the floor with his head between her thighs.

It was such a shamelessly provocative image that Chloe heard herself make another sobbing sound. She bit her lower lip to muffle the sound.

The description of the oral sex was intense and amazing! And it was perfectly topped by that incredible imagine of Chloe catching them both in the mirror and being pushed over the threshold by that sight.

LOL! Wasn’t Lex absolutely wicked when he told Chloe that they should continue onto full-on sex, STILL in the public changing room?! LOL! and Chloe was so turned on by the idea that she was completely past any objections… and could only ask ‘how’. Delicious!


Lex had unfastened his trousers and now he was kneeling down behind her. Without hesitation, he parted the cheeks of her ass and lined his cock up at her entrance.

He pushed in, hard and deep.

Chloe’s neck arched up and her mouth opened wide with a silent scream of pleasure.

“How’s that?” Lex asked in a low voice, leaning forward over her back.

“Good,” she mumbled, squirming her bottom back against his groin. “Oh, so good.”

He was obviously pretty far gone, because when he began to fuck her he didn’t start off slow. His thrusts were fast and urgent, causing his cock to work in her wet channel with exhilarating friction.

That was incredible! I loved seeing that Lex was as far gone as Chloe at this point. But even though it was obvious that he was in a ‘rough, hard and urgent’ state by then, he STILL took a moment to check on whether Chloe was ‘ok’ before starting with the fucking. It’s those sweet moments between the roughness that REALLY get the heat stoked up, Zannie! Amazing writing!

Heeee! The orgasms seemed amazing and intense… and they JUST arrived in the nick of time, because it seems like it was only moments afterwards that someone entered one of the changing rooms on the side of Chloe’s. It might be pretty hot to be fucking in a semi-public place in this manner, but it would NOT have been fun to have gotten caught.

LOL! I had to laugh at Chloe deciding that she’s going to have to buy the black dress after all after the ‘hard use’ it’s been put through by her. But at least she’s not going to lose out on the gorgeous green dress. Yayyy, Chloe gets TWO lovely evening party dresses as well as a couple of GOOD, HARD orgasms… What an amazing shopping partner Lex has proved himself to be… Will Chloe be bringing him around for New Year’s Sales too? LOL!


Chloe was too distracted to even notice that he was paying for both of them. She felt like everyone who walked by must know what she’d been up to.

When she glanced over at Lex, she saw him smiling at her with an expression that appeared almost tender.

“What is it?” she asked self-consciously.

“I love it when you look like this,” he murmured, a possessive caress in his gaze.

heh… There was a HUGE amount of affection in Lex’s voice and gesture over here. So it was pretty amazing seeing Chloe didn’t go into any kind of a panic over the emotional bond that’s obviously growing between them. Is she still insisting that it’s still within ‘manageable levels’? or is she beginning to warm to the idea of a ‘real relationship’ with Lex now?

Hmmm, and what the heck is Lex thinking, I wonder! He definitely seemed pleased, not only about the orgasms, and seeing ‘his woman’ looking thoroughly fucked, but he even seemed to take pleasure from buying Chloe those beautiful dresses… even if he’s not going to be the one at the party enjoying the sight of her in them.

Hmmm, I wonder how Lex feels about buying Chloe a gorgeous dress that other guys are going to be drooling over without him around to glare them off.

This was an amazing chapter, Zannie! I loved it, and I look forward to the next one. Good luck!

[BellaMR]

Another amazing chapter Zannie. I loved the smut and Lex's possessiveness. I doubt she'll be going to that party alone. If she does go solo, I'll be eagerly awaiting Lex to pounce on her again when she returns home.

I always feel a little sad when you talk about leaving the Chlex fandom. I love all your stories and I look forward to each chapter. I can wait till after Christmas for the story to be finished, if need be. Maybe the rest of us fans will get lucky and the Chlex muse will strike again with a story that must be written.

[marcela]

The scene in the dressing room was really sexy, but I have to confess my favorite parts are the tender ones. I absolutely adored when Chloe was imagining Lex Christmas shopping with her and then having him actually be there for real, I must say that was really cute. And also in the end when he said he loved her like this. Ohh, Lex is so adorable! No worries about the schedule, Zannie, good things come to those who wait - it's a good philosophy, right? LOL

[LaLa]

I don't know why but it's starting to be my fav one - It's like with your other fic on christmas time, it's making me deliciously giddy ^^

[Dominique]

When she glanced over at Lex, she saw him smiling at her with an expression that appeared almost tender.

“What is it?” she asked self-consciously.

“I love it when you look like this,” he murmured, a possessive caress in his gaze.

Chloe knew exactly what he was talking about. She raised her palm to one of her cheeks.

It was hot.



:wub: Wow!!!

[VAgrits82]

LOVE IT!!! Can't wait for the rest. Who cares when it's finished, so long as there's more?! Belated Christmas presents can sometimes be the best! ;) While I love all the hot, steamy parts (and who wouldn't), I'm a sucker for all the sappy parts.

[Eden]

I Love it and can barely wait for the next update.
But I'll be nice and patient, knowing the absurt lifestyle that comes with these days.

[crazydeaf]

want more I'm waiting for next update. Really good smut scenes.

[Fouzia]

I like your story. I hope that you are going to continue:grin3:.
Thank you

[Calliope]

Wonderful story. Hope you finish!

[queencordy44]

Can't wait to read your next update!!:grin3:

[whodunit??]

I guess it is safe to assume that since Christmas has come and gone and it's been months since an update, this story isn't going to be finished, right? If that's not the case, then I hope you'll post soon because just from the first two chapters I'm hooked and I would love to see this fic finished.

[Zannie]

I guess it is safe to assume that since Christmas has come and gone and it's been months since an update, this story isn't going to be finished, right? If that's not the case, then I hope you'll post soon because just from the first two chapters I'm hooked and I would love to see this fic finished.

I'm so sorry, folks. I am going to finish. I've had crazy hard month or so and just haven't had time or emotional energy to write. I've felt so bad about leaving this story hanging that I haven't even come onto N-S lately, so I haven't seen the recent replies to this thread. But I think things are starting to settle down at last, and this unfinished story is really nagging at me. So I'm going to do my best to get the next chapter up in the next week.

I make no promises about when, but I will finish this story. I haven't left an unfinished story yet, and I'm not planning for this to be my only one. I've really missed you all and can't tell you how much I appreciate all your feedback and support! Don't give up on me.

[Fouzia]

I love you and your story!!! thank to continue your story for us!!!

[cypanache]

Hey Zannie,

As the other straggler from Christmas, (and I've now missed my self-imposed Valentine's day deadline, too. *Sigh*) I think I speak for everyone when I say you shouldn't be embarrassed and we have great faith in you. And please don't be afraid to come around. We've missed you, in any form!

Cy

[Zannie]

Hey Zannie,

As the other straggler from Christmas, (and I've now missed my self-imposed Valentine's day deadline, too. *Sigh*) I think I speak for everyone when I say you shouldn't be embarrassed and we have great faith in you. And please don't be afraid to come around. We've missed you, in any form!

Cy

Ha! I gave myself a Valentine's Day deadline too and failed utterly.

Thanks for the encouragement. My plan now is to have chapter three up sometime next weekend.

[lexie]

Ha! I gave myself a Valentine's Day deadline too and failed utterly.

Thanks for the encouragement. My plan now is to have chapter three up sometime next weekend.

That´s very good news indeed!

I also tried to do a short piece for Valentine´s but my muse was on strike; so my readers will have to make do with the weekly instalments of my latest fic, which is already finished on paper.

It´s a real pain when RL interfers with your writing plans or your muse stops whispering in your ear when you´re dying to put pen to paper.

Don´t fret; we´ll wait for your update patiently.:D

My fics:


COMPLETE FICS
Second Chances (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=5254)
Payback Time (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=5322)
The Love of Two Men (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=5400)
Hope and Happiness (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=5551)
The Countdown (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=5599)
Shadows from the Past (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=5676)
Finding the Way Back (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?p=225004#post225004)
The Real Thing (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?p=226336#post226336)
The Christmas Gift (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?p=227540#post227540)
Addicted (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=5940)
The Naked Truth (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?p=228769#post228769)
Crossing Paths (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?p=231641#post231641) and its sequel
Rebuilding (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php?t=6491)

[Zannie]

Author's note: I'm so sorry, folks. I've been woefully out of touch. While I have had good reason for the absence, I still feel bad about leaving this story hanging for so long. I don't think any of my fics have ever gone without an update for so long before. But, anyway, I managed to get something written. It's rather short--not a full chapter--but at least it's something. I'm hoping that posting it will give me enough momentum to finish the rest of the story in this next week. I've missed you all!


* * *


Chapter Three (part 1)


Chloe twirled in front of her full-length mirror, scanning over her body in the silvery-green silk dress. She looked fabulous, the slinky fabric skimming the curves and dips of her figure and the elegant color setting off her fair skin.

She’d twisted her hair up in an antique clip—one of her best thrift store finds—and she wore her favorite pair of strappy heels. After she added faux pearl earrings to match the buttons on the dress and a delicate bracelet, she decided she looked as good as she’d ever looked in her life.

She was all ready to go. But she didn’t really want to.

A sick, heavy feeling of anxiety had settled in her gut. She hated going to these kinds of parties by herself, and this one was probably going to be boring and stuffy. She would only know a few of the other guests, and—while she wasn’t really shy—she dreaded the thought of making stiff small talk with a bunch of science-types.

She could have found herself a date, but there was no one she wanted to go with. And, despite herself, she felt a little weird about going out with anyone but Lex.

Not that she was going out with Lex. Or doing anything but fucking him. But still . . .

She gave herself a pep talk, telling herself that she might be surprised by meeting a couple of interesting people and that she would only need to stay a short time anyway. She would make an appearance. Say hi to the right people. Then she could leave.

At the back of her mind was the idea that she could call Lex on her way home. They’d gotten together the night before—and they didn’t usually do two nights in a row. But she kind of wanted him to see her looking so pretty, so she was thinking she might call and see if he suggested anything.

So she blew out a breath and picked up her clutch before she headed down to the street. Her faculty advisor didn’t live very far away so she could probably walk. But she didn’t want to show up with red cheeks and out of breath, so she figured she would look for a taxi.

She’d just stepped out of the building when a familiar chauffeured car pulled up to the curb.

Chloe stared, her mouth falling open.

She was still gaping when a window rolled down in the backseat and Lex’s handsome, bald head appeared over the descending tinted glass. “Very nice,” he drawled, cocking an eyebrow and evidently hiding a smile as his eyes lingered on her body in the dress he'd bought for her.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded, when she finally found her voice.

“Do you want a ride?”

Chloe mindlessly got into the car when he opened the door, feeling flustered and confused. “What are you doing here?” she repeated, after she gave the driver the address.

Lex smiled, looking both amused and something she could only describe as fond. “I thought you might want an escort.” He was dressed, she noticed belatedly, in a stylish black suit with a steel gray shirt and darker gray tie.

“But—“

“If not, I can just drop you off.”

“But—“

“You look gorgeous, by the way. The dress was definitely a wise investment on my part.”

Chloe flushed a little more at the flare of heat in his blue eyes. “Thank you. But, Lex, are you serious? You want to come to the party with me?”

He gave a slight shrug. “Why not? I haven’t gone to a Christmas party yet this season, and I could use some holiday spirit.”

“But you’re supposed to be in hiding!”

“I told you before—I’m just trying to keep a low profile. But I can’t expect to disappear forever. Besides, I doubt there will be a camera crew at a gathering of university faculty and students.”

Chloe blinked at his bland face. “So you’re going to be my date tonight?” She couldn’t get her mind around the inexplicable idea.

“If you’ll have me.” There was something strange in his eyes now—almost like vulnerability.

She swallowed hard. “Yeah. I’ll have you.”

Lex smiled. And Chloe smiled back. And they didn’t say anything else until they reached her advisor’s townhouse.

She was feeling ridiculously happy—both at the prospect of having a date for the party and that Lex had so unexpectedly taken it on himself to do this. But, as she was getting out of the car, she felt another clench of anxiety.

“Are you sure it’s all right?” she asked, grabbing his arm. “At least some of them will recognize you.”

Lex shrugged with a half-smile. “I’ve dealt with such notoriety before.”

Despite her careful scrutiny, she couldn’t find any hint of reluctance or hesitation on his face, so her worry melted into excitement again.

It was silly. Frivolous. Something she thought she’d outgrown. But she was absurdly pleased to have such an attractive, impressive date.

And she was even more happy that it was Lex she was here with.

She didn’t know what she expected, but their entrance wasn’t dramatic or remarkable. They were greeted by her advisor’s gracious wife. When Lex introduced himself as “Lex,” the woman didn’t even blink.

They mingled for a while. It was mostly an academic crowd—the conversations ranging from an edgy genetic research project in Sweden to speculation on who would be the new VPAA at Met U, now that the current one was retiring.

When Lex displayed some knowledge about industrial uses for natural polymers, a nerdy graduate student whose doctoral work was on that topic trapped Lex and Chloe for a full twenty minutes. They managed to get away at last—thanks to Lex’s blatant lie about seeing someone he needed to speak to across the room—and they were able to make their way over to her advisor so Chloe could pay her respects.

Chloe preened at her advisor’s praise of her class work and her commitment to the program. She’d known, of course, that the distinguished professor had granted her a boon by allowing her to be his advisee, but she hadn’t known he’d had such a high opinion of her.

She hoped he wasn’t just being nice or exaggerating under the influence of wine and eggnog.

Occasionally, she would catch some sidelong looks from other guests aimed at Lex or would sense a few clusters of people talking about him. But no one confronted him, and he deftly kept the conversation away from his background or identity.

It was a relief. She didn’t want an awkward conversation to cast a pall on her fluttery mood or Lex’s charming good nature.

After about an hour, Chloe started to get bored and restless. They’d made the rounds, and now there wasn’t anyone else she needed to talk to.

Lex slipped an arm around her waist. “Ready to go?” he murmured into her ear. He smelled faintly of red wine, a top note to his characteristic warm, expensive scent.

“Yes, please.” She was grateful he’d read her mind. “Let’s slip out before we get trapped again in another conversation about polymers.”

They went to thank their hosts, and she let out a long breath as they left the townhouse. It was cooler now than it had been earlier, but it was still unseasonably hot for December. And she could feel a little trail of perspiration start to bead between her shoulder blades.

“All right?” Lex asked, his eyes resting thoughtfully on her face.

She wasn’t sure what he was asking, but her answer was the same to any question. “Yeah. Just hungry.” The cocktail nibbles at the party had been tasty but not nearly enough.

“Then let’s get some dinner,” Lex suggested, stepping over to open the back door to the car his waiting driver had just pulled up to the curb.

Chloe had no objection to such a plan, and she didn’t even ask herself why he’d suggested it. They’d never gone out for dinner before. But it seemed a natural thing to do tonight.

And she wasn’t quite ready for the evening to end.

Lex took her to an out-of-the-way French restaurant—quiet and candle-lit. The food was delicious, and the ambience romantic and continental. The room was far too warm, and Chloe drank too much wine. Lex told clever, funny stories about some of his travels and asked her about her childhood. So, by the time they were brought the most delicious crème brûlée she’d ever tasted, Chloe was giddy, red-cheeked, and a little bit buzzed.

Two and a half hours after they’d been seated at what was obviously the best table at the restaurant, they got up to leave.

Chloe swayed on her feet, a rush of dizziness overtaking her. She laughed sheepishly as Lex gave her his arm for support and felt strangely protected as they walked outside together.

The evening was mild and beautiful, and the city was festively lit with holiday lights. “Let’s walk a little,” she suggested, twirling a circle without thinking as she gazed up at the city around her. “I don’t want to go home yet.”

“Sounds good to me.” Lex’s voice was natural, but his tone held a warm resonance she almost recognized.

When the familiar note sank into her slightly befuddled brain, she blinked up at him suspiciously. Her suspicions were confirmed by the slight twitch of his lips.

She gasped. “You’re laughing at me!”

He laughed out loud. “Certainly not.”

“You are too. I’m not drunk,” she pronounced, “Just a little buzzed.”

“A perfectly acceptable state of intoxication,” Lex agreed, nodding supportively and reaching around her waist to give her a fond half-hug. “And I fully endorse your suggestion of a walk.”

She gave him dirty looks, still dubious over the humor on his face but not able to think clearly enough to pin down any direct affront. Plus, the affection she saw underlying the humor made her a little melty.

And she didn’t need to be any meltier tonight.

They walked toward one of the city parks and stopped to hear a group of carolers singing Christmas songs. Despite the overly warm temperature, the music conjured up a whiff of holiday spirit in Chloe, which was intensified by the festive lights adorning the trees and light posts in the park.

She clapped her hands enthusiastically at the end of the fourth carol, and Lex left a surprisingly large bill in the tip jar.

When they started to stroll again, Chloe heard someone humming “Carol of the Bells.” It took her a minute to figure out it was her.

She didn’t know many of the words but she made appropriate noises and sometimes hit the right keys. Then a pleasant baritone joined her, and she gazed up in delight at Lex, who was singing what were obviously the correct words. She tried to sing with him as they walked, and they even tried some parts at the end with the "ding dongs." It wasn’t a very successful attempt, but Chloe was pleased nonetheless.

As they finished, she clapped her hands and impulsively gave Lex a hug.

He hugged her back, holding her tighter and harder than she expected. But he felt wonderful—hard and strong and substantial against her—and she didn’t see any reason to end the embrace.

They’d kissed many, many times over the last several months. And they’d caressed each other. Explored each other intimately. And they’d fucked. A lot.

But Chloe couldn’t remember when they’d ever hugged.

When she finally pulled away, her buzz was starting to wear off, but a soft languor still remained. Grinning up at him, she said in an ironic voice she hoped would cut the odd mood, “Who would have thought that Lex Luthor would like to sing Christmas carols?”

“I bet there’s a lot about me that you don’t know.” His words were bland, but his eyes lingered with a strange intensity on her face.

Chloe looked away, a little flustered. “That’s probably true.”

They walked in silence for a few minutes until Lex finally asked, “Are you ready to go home?”

She wasn’t really ready. She didn’t want to leave Lex. But they never went home with each other. If she went home, she would do so alone.

She didn’t want to go home alone. And it was probably understandable. She and Lex weren’t dating. They were just having a sleazy affair.

But tonight had felt like a date.


TBC

[hfce]

It took me a bit to remember this story and it is still fuzzy but I loved it. There are so falling for each other. :D

[lexie]

Oh,this was such a nice surprise, Zannie! I loved the short chapter and the fact that Lex turned up at her doorstep to be her date for the night, proving she means a lot more to him than a woman with whom he´s having a "sleazy affair".

I´m eagerly awaiting her question and his answer.

By the way, congrats on your multiple nominations for this year´s fan fiction awards.:grin3:

[cypanache]

Hey Zannie,

It's lovely to have you back in any form. And believe me I think we've all been there at least once or twice when real life just took over completely. (I know I'm having my own issues right now).

I like how they're slipping up a little in this chapter. And Lex continues to surprise me with by putting himself out there in such a way. Do we get a confessional Lex scene in this one? Cause I would love to know what's going on in his head right now.

Cy

[dagney]

What a sweet update and a romantic evening. A very moving scene Lex and Chloe singing and hugging. Dagney

[lj715]

Yeah!!!! So glad you updated. Love this fic & can't wait to read more.

[westwingwolf]

That was an excellent date because that's exactly what it was even if they didn't call it that. I liked seeing them in a good mood and very comfortable with each other. I can't wait for their relationship to progress into something even more substantial.

[autumngold]

I love Chloe and Lex in this story!! Chloe is so sweet, trying to keep things casual in her own mind!! She doesn't want to admit to being in a relationship with Lex because she doesn't want to get hurt!! Lex is wonderful, being there for Chloe when she needs him and not even worrying about trying to stay incognito!! Thank you for continuing this story!! I know you don't really write Chlex anymore, although I keed hoping that will change!! :) You are wonderful to update!! Never doubt that your writing is always worth the wait!! ;)
You're the best!!!!

[Kit Merlot]

This was quite lovely!

Good for Lex for showing up to be Chloe's date for her party, and I just love the image of them, walking through the streets of Metropolis arm and arm. And Lex's singing the Christmas carol was just awesome:grin3:

Continued excellent work on this fic.

[Esther25jm]

SQUEEEEE!!!! You're back!!!!!!!! *hugs* I've missed you so much, sweetie!! :D

Ooh, what an awesome update!! I had a feeling that Lex would be waiting outside for Chloe because there was no way she was going to the party without him, but actually reading that he waited for her made my heart skip a beat. He's clearly showing her that he does have deep feelings for her and I think Chloe's starting to realize it, but is still a bit slow on the uptake. This chapter had a definite 'date' vibe going and it was nice to see Chloe wanting it to be true, too. :)

Love the update and can't wait for more!!

[ChloeLovesLex]

Yippie!

I went ahead and read from the beginning again because that is never a disappointment with your fictions anyway.

Loved, loved, loved the update. Sleazy affair my tushy. That most certainly was a date. Intoxicated or not Chloe has to *feel* it was. :D

[purplemoon123]

Yay!! Update!!

Love that Lex went with Chloe to the party. Because that means they're moving past sleazy affair to something more.

[peggy]

thanks for the update, I loved it.

[tatie87]

Even though it was a short chapte, awesome update. Chloe is was so cute all buzzed. I can't wait fo the next chapter.

[Fouzia]

Thank you very much for the wonderful update!!!
I love the "relationship" between Lex et Chloé!!!
I hope you update soon but even if we wait a long time, better your story will!:blinkkiss

[somethingeasy]

awww, Zannie! We’ve missed you (and your writing) terribly. I’d like to draw your attention to the fact that I abstained from excessive nagging on this thread. You know that’s not a minor accomplishment for me. Because I knew that, if you were not updating, it was because of something seriously pressing RL issues that needed resolving. So, I’m glad thing seem more settled, and you can return to writing Chlex again.

Welcome back, Zannie :D Now onto the review…


She’d twisted her hair up in an antique clip—one of her best thrift store finds—and she wore her favorite pair of strappy heels. After she added faux pearl earrings to match the buttons on the dress and a delicate bracelet, she decided she looked as good as she’d ever looked in her life.

I loved the beginning showcasing Chloe getting all dressed up so darned prettily for her party. I’ll bet she looked even more gorgeous than she felt… so I’m glad she felt she looked so beautiful tonight.

It was quite something to see her dressing herself up when she didn’t really have anyone to dress up for (except herself). There was no date lined up for the evening, and no plans to hook up with some guy at the party either. Actually, I really liked her conflicted feelings about how the only guy she wanted to be with was Lex… the man that she’s only in a ‘simple, fucking affair’ with. LOL! Oh dear me, Chloe! Things are getting a tad complicated between yourself and Lex, aren’t they? :D


She was still gaping when a window rolled down in the backseat and Lex’s handsome, bald head appeared over the descending tinted glass. “Very nice,” he drawled, cocking an eyebrow and evidently hiding a smile as his eyes lingered on her body in the dress he'd bought for her.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded, when she finally found her voice.

squeee! That was awesome, Zannie! I really enjoyed how Chloe was just wishing Lex could see how very lovely she looked in that dress, and then he suddenly appeared as if conjured up by her wish! LOL! how delicious to see their wavelengths matching up! ooooh, and wasn’t it NICE seeing Lex passing such a lingering, admiring gaze down her , sexy, luscious body pretty dress?

And it was even more hilariously delicious hearing Chloe taking on such an accusatory tone asking Lex what the HECK is he doing here… as if she weren’t just wishing for him to magically appear, LOL!


“I told you before—I’m just trying to keep a low profile. But I can’t expect to disappear forever. Besides, I doubt there will be a camera crew at a gathering of university faculty and students.”

Chloe blinked at his bland face. “So you’re going to be my date tonight?” She couldn’t get her mind around the inexplicable idea.

“If you’ll have me.” There was something strange in his eyes now—almost like vulnerability.

omigosh! It’s so amazing seeing Lex stretching himself so far out on a limb for Chloe. He’s leaving himself quite open and vulnerable to derision and ridicule, even if Chloe doesn’t fully appreciate that fact right now. LOOK at him, Chloe! The man is pretty much shooting his ‘low profile’ to hellish non-existence… all because he wants to accompany you out as your date to a really boooring party, LOL!

I can see he’s trying to downplay his role. AND he’s trying to even downplay his offer, making it look like he doesn’t really mind one way or another whether Chloe accepts his request to be her date… but it’s so obvious that the man is desperate for her to say yes :D


It was silly. Frivolous. Something she thought she’d outgrown. But she was absurdly pleased to have such an attractive, impressive date.

And she was even more happy that it was Lex she was here with.

I was so glad to see that Chloe didn’t feel the slightest bit of reluctance being associated with the ‘notorious Lex Luthor’. I’m sure Lex must have been quite frightened that Chloe might have been ashamed to have been seen with him. Fucking in a secret affair is one thing… but going out on a date with him to a public social gathering…

So I was very pleased to see Chloe was not only happy to have Lex as her date, but even proud to have such a snapping, handsome, impressive figure attached to her.

I was also glad to see that neither of them suffered any complications during the party in reference to Lex’s mysterious disappearance, OR his even more mysterious, abrupt reappearance at this party. LOL! it was amusing to see that the most frustrating part of their evening was being cornered by a bore who couldn’t stop talking about polymers, LOL!

All in all, the evening went by VERY smoothly for the Chlex couple. I’m sure it’s not going to remain as smooth, easy and low-key like this for long… not after Lex has unofficially announced himself as ‘out of hiding’ now… but it’s good to see them enjoying a low-key date together.


Chloe had no objection to such a plan, and she didn’t even ask herself why he’d suggested it. They’d never gone out for dinner before. But it seemed a natural thing to do tonight.

And she wasn’t quite ready for the evening to end.

heee! I noticed that it hasn’t occurred to Chloe that LEX isn’t ready for the evening to end either. He’s trying to prolong their time together… not to mention get in some serious wooing time before Chloe suddenly ‘comes to her senses’ and tells him that she only wants a hot affair, and nothing more than that. heh… poor woobie, insecure, desperate Lex!


She gasped. “You’re laughing at me!”

He laughed out loud. “Certainly not.”

“You are too. I’m not drunk,” she pronounced, “Just a little buzzed.”

“A perfectly acceptable state of intoxication,” Lex agreed, nodding supportively and reaching around her waist to give her a fond half-hug. “And I fully endorse your suggestion of a walk.”

ROTFL! Did I mention how much I adore your Lex when he’s obviously amused, but trying to keep it discretely hidden? LOL! That slight ‘amused quiver’ to his lips is just plain HOT, Zannie! ;)

And Chloe is just too adorable for words when she’s ‘a little buzzed’, ROTFLMAO!


She gave him dirty looks, still dubious over the humor on his face but not able to think clearly enough to pin down any direct affront. Plus, the affection she saw underlying the humor made her a little melty.

And she didn’t need to be any meltier tonight.

heh… perhaps a little bit more melty, Chloe? This IS a Chirstmas Fic after all. And I don’t think Zannie is going to release you until you end up a sappy, gooey puddle on the floor, LOL!


She didn’t know many of the words but she made appropriate noises and sometimes hit the right keys. Then a pleasant baritone joined her, and she gazed up in delight at Lex, who was singing what were obviously the correct words. She tried to sing with him as they walked, and they even tried some parts at the end with the "ding dongs." It wasn’t a very successful attempt, but Chloe was pleased nonetheless.

As they finished, she clapped her hands and impulsively gave Lex a hug.

This made me blink in shock!!! And then I was ROTFLMAO at the idea of Lex actually accompanying Chloe in singing Christmas Carols. ROTFL! Oh dear me, Zannie! You were really determined to turn Chloe to goo, no matter what measures were needed, huh? Talk about bringing out the big guns!


He hugged her back, holding her tighter and harder than she expected. But he felt wonderful—hard and strong and substantial against her—and she didn’t see any reason to end the embrace.

They’d kissed many, many times over the last several months. And they’d caressed each other. Explored each other intimately. And they’d fucked. A lot.

But Chloe couldn’t remember when they’d ever hugged.

*happy sigh* what a lovely moment! I really liked how we (the readers) are getting a glimpse into a pretty, darned important ‘first moment’ in this developing Chlex relationship. I really loved how the two of them know each other so well carnally, but this is the first time we’re seeing them being romantically intimate. Beautifully written, Zannie!


“I bet there’s a lot about me that you don’t know.” His words were bland, but his eyes lingered with a strange intensity on her face.

heh… is Lex trying to drop a hint over here? If you were, I think it’s passed right over Chloe’s head, Lex. Perhaps he’s trying to broach open the topic of him falling madly in love with her? Or perhaps he’s just suggesting that he senses a possibility of a lasting, stable relationship between them? Whatever the case, I think it’s pretty obvious that Lex is asking Chloe to explore some possibilities that she’s never considered with/about him before.


She didn’t want to go home alone. And it was probably understandable. She and Lex weren’t dating. They were just having a sleazy affair.

But tonight had felt like a date.

*gasp* no WAY! You’re kidding, Chloe?!? LOL! She’s catching on, huh? Excellent!

I loved the developments in this chapter, and I look forward to seeing what develops in the future. Good luck with the next posting, Zannie.

[malugargula]

Great chapter
:)

[crazydeaf]

another fantastic chapter. I always love your works. You are an awesome and talented author. can't wait for update. ;)

[lilinny]

When I least expect it, you come back!

As always a lovely chapter.

[slayer44]

I had just finished re-reading the first two parts, which I`m glad I did, the day before and then i see you updated :D Lex showing up at her door was such a romantic gesture, and of course the entire evening was a date; they both need to come clean to each other and see that this is much bigger than just an 'affair'.
Super excited for the next part!!

[Azulblade]

yay update! i've been waiting in anticipation for this story to have one! this is brilliant like all your work is! can't wait for the next chapter ;-)

[chlexgirl24]

Love this fic!
PPMS!!!

[Calliope]

A new chapter - even if it's half - is such a treat! I'm so glad you haven't given up even if it takes a bit longer to finish.

[Zannie]

Chapter Three (part 2)


Lex said nothing about spending the night during the drive home, so Chloe felt uncomfortable asking.

She wasn’t worried that Lex would laugh or reject the suggestion to spend the night with her. Rather, she was embarrassed about admitting to herself that she wanted him to.

Chloe told herself firmly to be cool and reasonable. So far, she’d done well at not constructing ridiculous, romantic fantasies about a relationship and future with Lex that could never exist. And she wasn’t going to blow it now after one uncharacteristic evening, no matter how much it had felt like a date.

So, when Lex’s driver pulled the car up in front of her building, she turned to Lex to give him a breezy, smiling thank-you.

Her mouth dropped open when she saw that he was getting out of the car.

Lex helped her out after him, which was nice because she was disoriented by his unexpected behavior.

“Should I tell him to pick me up in the morning?” Lex asked, his hand resting casually on the small of her back.

“Uh.”

Lex’s brow lowered. “I don’t have to stay, if you’d rather—“

“You want to come up?”

His eyes were sharp with scrutiny as they scanned her face, as if he were seeking an answer for her stuttering bewilderment. Then his expression relaxed, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. “Have I ever shown myself reluctant to take you to bed?”

His implication was true, without question. But this was her bed, her apartment. It felt personal in a way that sharing a cheap, anonymous motel room had not.

Evidently reading her mind, Lex added, more gently, “We can find a hotel room if you’d rather.”

Chloe didn’t rather. She wanted him to come up. And, besides, her safe, reasonable side could justify it as being silly and unnecessary to waste time and money on a hotel, when she had a perfectly good bed upstairs. “No,” she murmured, slanting him a smile she hoped was flirtatious rather than nervous. “Here’s good.”

Lex gave directions to his driver, and they went up to her apartment without speaking. Inside, Chloe offered Lex water, which he accepted.

He sipped his and glanced around at her slightly cluttered apartment, while she chugged half her bottle, feeling suddenly parched. When he’d concluded his silent, visual tour of the main room of her tiny apartment, Chloe waited with held breath for him to share his conclusions.

“Kind of small,” Lex said with a half-smile. “But I like it. It looks like you.”

Chloe giggled foolishly, until she heard herself and made herself stop. Trying for some long-lost wit, she quipped, “Well, it’s nice to know that small, messy and cheap reminds you of me.”

Lex smiled again, slowly this time. “Never cheap.”

She huffed—mostly for show, since she had to resist an answering smile. “But small and messy are appropriate?”

Lex just laughed and reached for her with one arm as he set his water down on a table. Pulling her against the warm, hard line of his body, he said huskily, “Small.” He kissed her briefly on the lips. “And occasionally untidy.” Another kiss. “And incredibly sexy . . . and smart . . . and generous . . . and creative . . . and passionate . . . with a sparkling wit, a delicious, lush body, and the ability to live—really live life—more than anyone I’ve ever know.”

He punctuated each descriptor with ever-deepening kisses. When he’d finished, Chloe could barely stand up, dissolving into a puddle of emotion and sensation.

She clung to his neck, pressing her body against his for support. Her cheeks burned, her eyes were misty, and a lump was lodged in her throat. Trying for nonchalance, she squeaked, “Oh really?”

A pitifully ineffective comeback.

Lex smiled down at her, his blue-gray eyes soft with something she could barely recognize, something she was terrified to name. “Really, “ he affirmed.

He slid his hands down to curve around her bottom and pressed her firmly against his groin. He was hard, and the pressure against her middle awoke an intense consciousness that she was aroused as well. So aroused she ached with it—her body responding to her reeling emotions.

“Well,” she managed to say, “You’re not too bad yourself.”

Lex laughed again, his body shaking deliciously against hers. He pulled her into another kiss, and this time he didn’t pull back.

Chloe’s mind spun as her body reacted instinctively, her arms wrapping around him eagerly and her mouth opening to his kiss. She moaned deep in her throat as he gathered her skirt up so he could cup her bottom again. And this time he lifted her up.

Her legs wound around his waist, and she rubbed her wet, hot arousal against him as their tongues tangled together with heightening urgency.

“Oh God, Lex,” she gasped, when she finally tore her mouth away on the verge of drowning in him. “I want you so much.”

He turned to carry her to her bedroom. She kissed lines down his jaw and neck, stroking the smooth skin of his skull as he walked.

And she barely heard his rasped reply. “You have me.”

She was conscious of nothing but the intense need of her body and heart as he walked to her bed and laid her down. Conscious of nothing but Lex—and his hot, hungry eyes and his tender, eager hands.

A bra and t-shirt were slung over the bed from changing outfits earlier, but she wasn’t aware of them as she pulled Lex down on top of her. They kissed some more and fumbled with each other’s clothes until Lex was naked and Chloe was wearing nothing but satin panties and the lace-topped stockings she’d bought especially to go with her new dress.

She gasped and arched beneath him as Lex lowered his mouth to suckle her breasts. And she cried out sharply when his fingers slid beneath her panties and stroked her hot flesh with shameless entitlement.

He brought here to the edge of climax with his mouth and fingers, until she was tense, huffing, and shuddering in anticipation. Then he let her nipple slip out of his mouth and braced himself on the mattress, pulling up to stare down at her.

“Damn it,” she gritted, “I was going to come.” His hand was still in place, although it had stopped moving, so she pumped her hips, trying to ride his hand as best she could.

“Sorry,” Lex said thickly, his cheeks flushed and his eyes on fire. “Wanted to watch you.”

Then he slid two fingers inside the wet heat of her channel and skillfully stroked her inner walls.

Chloe arched up off the bed, fisting her hands in the covers. “God, Lex!” she cried, “Oh, oh, Lex!”

She came on a strangled scream, her body convulsing with waves of pleasure. She knew Lex was watching her. Knew she looked shameless, overly eager and ungainly—her breasts and the flesh of her thighs jiggling, her arms flailing helplessly and her head tossing her hair against her damp face. But his unwavering gaze made her even hotter, made the strength of her orgasm even deeper.

She felt boneless and breathless when her body finally relaxed. “Oh God!” she gasped, “Oh God, that was good.”

“It looked good.”

She was pleased to hear the thickness in his voice, evidence that he wasn’t unaffected himself. And she found strength to reach toward him. “Come here.”

Lex leaned down to kiss her hard and she wrapped her arms and legs around him, trapping the length of his erection between their bodies. She rubbed herself against it until he groaned and pulled away.

Chloe stared as he repositioned himself. “Aren’t you going to fuck me?”

“We’ll get to that.” He kissed his way down her belly until he slid off her panties and nuzzled her groin.

“Lex,” she exclaimed in surprise. Then, “Lex!” in sharp pleasure as his tongue stroked a line down her swollen intimate flesh.

Her body was already tensing again, and her mind spinning with carnal expectation. She gripped her knees, holding her legs apart--the delicate nylon of her stockings strangely erotic against her hands. And she stared down at the sleek bald head between her thighs.

As he worked her over with his mouth, she babbled out rhythmic inanities, and her pelvis started to rock against his face. He stroked and fluttered with his tongue in creative, unpredictable patterns, humming in his throat as if the feel and taste of her pleased him.

When Chloe was completely out of control, trying desperately to keep her legs apart and at the same time grind her groin against his face, her cries of pleasure wordless and too loud, Lex finally closed his lips around her throbbing clit and started to suck.

Chloe came hard—even harder than she’d come from his hand. And when he penetrated her with two fingers—her channel contracting intensely around the penetration—she came again, her vision momentarily whiting out.

Lex kept stroking her intimately as she came down. She was drenched with sweat and limp from lingering pleasure and replete exhaustion. “Are you trying to kill me?” she asked, her voice hoarse from the way she’d been screaming.

“Certainly not.” Lex raised himself up, smiling and tense. He was wet with perspiration too, visibly hot from his efforts and so aroused she could see him shaking.

“Please, Lex,” she said, for him as much as for her. “I want you inside me now.”

He let out a breath that was more like a graon. But he settled himself between her legs and slid his erection into the tight pliancy of her body. He kissed her once—slow and sweet—before he braced himself on his arms.

He stared down at her as he started to pump, establishing a fast, pleasing rhythm.

It felt good, felt familiar. But Chloe knew he was holding himself back. She wrapped her legs around his middle, hooking her ankles.

Lex huffed as he slid in deeper.

“Let go, Lex,” she rasped. “Let go.”

Some sort of indescribable tension broke inside him, and his face twisted with effort and pleasure. He let out a low, thick sound as his hips accelerated into a rutting motion.

Chloe gasped and squirmed beneath him, overwhelmed more by his need than by hers. And when he came with a roar and a visible wave of release, she came too—the spasms of her body matching his.

He collapsed on top of her, and she gathered him in with her arms. Neither spoke for a long time, until their bodies relaxed and their breathing evened off.

“That wasn’t too bad,” Chloe said at last, trying for some semblance of normalcy.

She was suddenly conscious—not just of the unusual intensity of their lovemaking but of the fact that this was her bedroom. Her laptop on the desk. Her bra beneath her thigh. Her coffee mug from that morning on the nightstand.

And a sated, naked Lex Luthor in her bed.

He gave a huff of laughter. “Right. Not bad.” He sounded strangely knowing, and it made her a little uncomfortable. She wriggled until he rolled off of her.

It was getting too hot anyway.

Lex got up to go to the bathroom, giving Chloe a needed chance to pull herself together. And, when he came out, he both looked and sounded normal.

“So when are you leaving on that ski trip?” he asked casually.

Chloe had decided to go with Lois, figuring it was better to spend Christmas with family. “The 23rd. I’ll come back on the 26th. It should be fun.”

Lex nodded absently.

Ridiculously, Chloe felt a little disappointed that Lex didn’t looked disapapointed.

Not that they’d spend Christmas together anyway. They were having an affair. They weren’t a couple.

To distract herself, she stared at him as he walked toward her bed. He was naked and unselfconscious. The lean, strong lines of his legs and arms and the pleasing contours of his chest always roused her appreciation. And the network of faint scars all over his body drew an ache in her chest, like always.

But she felt something else as well—something that didn’t make sense.

Something like ownership.

It couldn’t be that, of course.

Lex lowered his brows as he paused next to the bed. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” Chloe lied, giving him her best grin.

No way was she possibly going to admit to him that she was feeling like he was hers.

“It’s nothing. You’re just hot.”


TBC


Author's note: Well, it's going slowly but I'm not giving up. Just one chapter left of this fic. Sorry for the long delay.

And thank you so much for the nominations/votes on the fic awards. I was totally blown away, particularly as I've been so absent lately. It really means a lot!

[westwingwolf]

I love how nervous Chloe was about wanting Lex in her apartment, and I'm so glad that he seems to want exactly what she wants. I hope this increasing intimacy means that this is well on it's way to being more than affair. And wow was I feeling the heat of their lovemaking.

[superag]

Loved the new hot sexy update. They are certainly going to make new plans for Christmas because they can't be away from each other. Loved it! And congrats on the mods and awards.

[hfce]

That was a hot update four orgasms. Can I have a Lex? :rofl::drool2:

[autumngold]

Thank you for having Chloe's apartment be messy!! I love the fact that her apartment wasn't perfect, just proving that she never expected Lex to be there that night!! Lex had to have enjoyed seeing how she really lives!! Excellent update!! I have to admit, however, that I really don't want this fic to end!! That way you'll still be here!! I really, really don't want you to leave!! You are such an excellent author!!!! Thank you for the hours of Chlex enjoyment you've given me with all of your wonderful stories!! ;)

[purplemoon123]

OH wow!!! That was incredibly hot!!


And a sated, naked Lex Luthor in her bed.

:drool: Thank you so much for that image!!

[slayer44]

That was just...*fans self*...hot! That feeling of possessiveness is very good, a sign of real feelings. Hears to them spending Christmas with each other, or perhaps taking Lex with her on the ski trip :)

[lexie]

Oh, it was a great surprise to see an update from you,Zannie!:P

I didn´t care how long it took you to be able to post something because I´ve always known you´re a woman of your word.:grin3: Just one update missing? I´m aware that you said your writing five Chlex fics in a row last year was the result of a renewed addiction you wanted to give up and that this holiday piece was/is supposed to be your goodbye. Still... wouldn´t you leave the door open for more Chlexiness? I´m sure we girls wouldn´t mind to be kept waiting for updates... we´re a patient bunch. We´d rather have you sporadically than not at all.

This was a hot but also sweet update. I love the fact that Chloe was once again drawn to his scars- it shows how much she really feels for him, and it´s at moments such as this that she unconsciously allows him to see he´s something other than a sleazy affair. Lex is also speaking with his eyes and his hands; there shouldn´t be no doubt in her heart this isn´t a sordid affair for him either.

I agree with the rest in that there´ll be a change of plans for Christmas.

I´m looking forward to the epilogue and hoping you´ll let yourself be seduced again to give us another fantastic fic.:blinkkiss

Congrats on the awards, by the way.

[Fouzia]

Thank you very much for this story aand the other!!!

[lj715]

Excellent chapter! Glad you haven't given up on this fic, can;t wait to read the next chapter.

[malugargula]

Wonderful and hot chapter
:)

[somethingeasy]

She wasn’t worried that Lex would laugh or reject the suggestion to spend the night with her. Rather, she was embarrassed about admitting to herself that she wanted him to.

Chloe told herself firmly to be cool and reasonable. So far, she’d done well at not constructing ridiculous, romantic fantasies about a relationship and future with Lex that could never exist. And she wasn’t going to blow it now after one uncharacteristic evening, no matter how much it had felt like a date.

I love reading Chloe when she’s completely clueless and/or in denial about a Chlexy situation. awww, look at her trying to tell herself that she wasn’t just out on a date with Lex, LOL! Whatever’s easier for you, Chloe.


“Should I tell him to pick me up in the morning?” Lex asked, his hand resting casually on the small of her back.

“Uh.”

Lex’s brow lowered. “I don’t have to stay, if you’d rather—“

“You want to come up?”

His eyes were sharp with scrutiny as they scanned her face, as if he were seeking an answer for her stuttering bewilderment. Then his expression relaxed, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. “Have I ever shown myself reluctant to take you to bed?”

heh… I can imagine Lex’s heart was probably in his throat when he ever so casually asked Chloe whether the chauffer should pick him up in the morning. As if he just took it as a given that he would be invited upstaits and wasn’t jittering like a nervous wreck on the inside wondering ‘will she, won’t she?’, LOL!

It’s fantastic fun seeing Chloe so clueless about developing Chlex… but even MORE fun seeing Lex trying to push for a developing-Chlex relationship without freaking out Chloe by pushing too hard. LOL! It’s all a very delicate balance act, isn’t it? Even over here, I can see him looking so carefully at Chloe’s reaction and putting such considered thought on what his response should be… and all the while pretending to be smooth, confident and casual about the whole thing. LOL! Poor Lex! But I bet he loves the challenge!


Evidently reading her mind, Lex added, more gently, “We can find a hotel room if you’d rather.”

ouch! I can see Lex noticed that Chloe was nearing some kind of personal ‘freak-out’ level, and he decided to back off a bit… but I can only imagine his disappointment about not being wholeheartedly invited into Chloe’s apartment as he had hoped he would be. It must be torture, at times, for Lex to maintain this calm, casual demeanour whenever he feels his heart on the verge of being broken.

*phew* it was good to see Chloe inviting Lex in and not breaking his heart a little bit by jumping on the idea of a motel.


She huffed—mostly for show, since she had to resist an answering smile. “But small and messy are appropriate?”

Lex just laughed and reached for her with one arm as he set his water down on a table. Pulling her against the warm, hard line of his body, he said huskily, “Small.” He kissed her briefly on the lips. “And occasionally untidy.” Another kiss. “And incredibly sexy . . . and smart . . . and generous . . . and creative . . . and passionate . . . with a sparkling wit, a delicious, lush body, and the ability to live—really live life—more than anyone I’ve ever know.”

LOL! And he got all of that from her apartment? Exactly which piece of furniture says ‘sparkling wit’?

Seriously though, I felt like swooning myself (just like Chloe) at this impassioned statement from Lex. He’s SO much in love with her… and I’d say that he realizes it too, because there’s no way that speech could have come from anything BUT the deepest kind of fascinated admiration.


A pitifully ineffective comeback.

Lex smiled down at her, his blue-gray eyes soft with something she could barely recognize, something she was terrified to name. “Really, “ he affirmed.

ROTFL! Chloe’s squeaked comeback was hilarious! Lex has kissed the ‘sparkling wits’ right out of her! LOL! squeeee! And I loved the visual of Lex gazing at Chloe with adoration, love, longing, yearning and everything that is warm and beautiful. The best thing is that Chloe can identify all of those emotions… she’s just too off-balanced to admit to them existing as yet.


And she barely heard his rasped reply. “You have me.”

oh daaamn! I’d love to know whether he meant this literally… or whether he was talking about his mind, heart and soul as well as his body. You have me, Chloe… everything that I am and will be… all yours!


She gasped and arched beneath him as Lex lowered his mouth to suckle her breasts. And she cried out sharply when his fingers slid beneath her panties and stroked her hot flesh with shameless entitlement.

*shiver* ‘stroked her with shameless entitlement’… I LOVED that!!! It was intensely hot! Actually the entire smut scene was beautifully written, Zannie… and I love the way that hot, little phrases like these keep jumping out at me.


“Sorry,” Lex said thickly, his cheeks flushed and his eyes on fire. “Wanted to watch you.”

Then he slid two fingers inside the wet heat of her channel and skillfully stroked her inner walls.

ooooh, hot, Hot, HOT!! I loved the idea of Lex being enthralled by the sounds and visual of Chloe edging towards and over her climax. He loves to look at her! HOT and wonderful!

I also liked how Chloe also seemed to get a special kick in her orgasm because of Lex’s fixed, fascinated gaze on her while she was coming. Any woman likes to be appreciated as a mesmerizing beauty during climax… and Chloe would especially enjoy it after so many years of being ignored as ‘the pal’ from all the guys around her.


Her body was already tensing again, and her mind spinning with carnal expectation. She gripped her knees, holding her legs apart--the delicate nylon of her stockings strangely erotic against her hands. And she stared down at the sleek bald head between her thighs.

As he worked her over with his mouth, she babbled out rhythmic inanities, and her pelvis started to rock against his face. He stroked and fluttered with his tongue in creative, unpredictable patterns, humming in his throat as if the feel and taste of her pleased him.

omogosh! I think you were trying to kill me with the sheer, smutty hotness of this scene, Zannie. I also loved the detail about how Chloe was turned on even more by the sight of Lex’s hands gripping her nylon covered legs as well as the sight of his sleek, bald head against her pussy. I felt a shiver down my spine myself seeing the enjoyment she was getting from the visuals. oh, baby! not to mention the enjoyment she was getting from the feel of Lex between her legs… man oh man!!!


He stared down at her as he started to pump, establishing a fast, pleasing rhythm.

It felt good, felt familiar. But Chloe knew he was holding himself back. She wrapped her legs around his middle, hooking her ankles.

Lex huffed as he slid in deeper.

“Let go, Lex,” she rasped. “Let go.”

Some sort of indescribable tension broke inside him, and his face twisted with effort and pleasure. He let out a low, thick sound as his hips accelerated into a rutting motion.

I loved the vivid description of Lex entering Chloe and setting that ‘pleasing rhythm’… but more than that, I loved seeing Lex losing himself in Chloe when she told him to ‘let go’. It’s always fantastic seeing how desperate Lex is for Chloe… to the extent where he loses control over his own body.

LOL! It was cut a little close, but it was great to see that Chloe managed to come one final time along with Lex :D


And a sated, naked Lex Luthor in her bed.

*drool* Take a picture, Chloe! For the love of heaven please Take. A. Picture!!!!


Ridiculously, Chloe felt a little disappointed that Lex didn’t looked disappointed.

LOL! I’m not a mind-reader… but if I was to take a guess, I would have supposed that Lex was hiding away a VERY deep and despair filled sense of disappointment about how he’s going to stuck missing Chloe like crazy while she’s having a family Christmas celebration.

OR perhaps he’s plotting to ‘coincidentally’ end up in the same area as Chloe during her ski-trip? Perhaps the ski-cabin next door or something? LOL! It would be pretty interesting to see him try to explain that as non-stalkerish behaviour. LOL!


Something like ownership.

It couldn’t be that, of course.

LOL! Of course it’s couldn’t be like that, Chloe. Keep yourself all nice and comfortable in your comfy spot along the Nile. LOL!


“It’s nothing. You’re just hot.”

ROTFL! Excellent ending to the chapter. And may I say… truer words were never spoken. I can’t imagine a sight hotter than the sight of Lex lying naked and sated on a bed… gazing at you with a (badly hidden) adoring look in his eyes :D

Congratulations on the many wins on the fanfic awards, Zannie. I have to say that I think you deserved each and every single prize that you won. My first Chlex fic… the most memorable one that got me hooked onto Chlex, was one of your fics (Irrevocable). It’s the fic that I’ll always remember as ‘my first Chlex’ :D

Only one more chapter to go? wow! It’s certainly going to be interesting to see how all of this gets resolved within the space of a single chapter, but I KNOW Zannie will be able to come up with a stunning ending that will far surpass anything beyond my imagining… and leave me crying that it’s all over :(

[alexis]

awesomeness! liked the update. looking forward to more =)

[Kit Merlot]

This was a gorgeously smutty, yet sweetly romantic chapter!

I like that they use their teasing banter to hide their true feelings for each other, but sooner or later, one of them is going to slip up, and say what they are truly feeling.

Continued excellent work on this fic:D

[tanza]

I love all of your fics and this is no exception. I like that Chloe is so insistent on the whole its-just-sex thing while Lex is not so gently pushing it to be more.

And as always your sex scenes are so hot!

[ThraceC]

Zannie,

I think I've read every fic of yours on this site, or at least all those in the NC-17 archive:D. I think this one has to be one of my fav's though something about it seems more real and intimate. I especially like the way you're using heat to perpetuate your theme, very good use of the same technique you used with glow, in Glow. An above comment alluded to something about you leaving NS, is it true? (It's probably common knowledge, I don't spend much time out of the archives here). Not that I can complain, you've given so much. I wish you well in all your endeavors, wherever they take you.

Thank you.

p.s. Oh yes, and of course I'd love an update!

[chlexgirl24]

WOW I'm speehless.......that was sooo amazing

[Nimmie]

I love your writing! Zannie fics are sublime :)

Thanks
N

[toryjhay]

*hangs head in shame* I can't believe I forgot to leave some feedback. I actually thought I reviewed the last chapter before this update and when I was looking for it, nada. So yeah, slightly ashamed for neglecting my duties as an avid reader of a Zannie fic.

But I am here to try and make up for that. Lovely updates as always. I feel as though Chloe is just catching up with Lex. Lex seem to know what he wants and is actively going after it. Fortunately for our blonde heroine, he wants her. On the other hand, Chloe seem to be lagging behind, she's torn between denial and acceptance. But after the latest encounter, how can she deny anything now, I don't think she could, she even acknowledged it in the end, ownership. And Lex is clearly showing signs of the same emotion. I wonder...will Lex crash the ski trip as well? Because that would be romantic and probably will knock off Chloe's theory on the nature of their relationship, that it is merely an affair. But seriously, the man just plucked himself from his self-imposed exile. There is no way that their 'affair' can be anything but the real thing.

Loved this update, as always. And eagerly looking forward to the next one. And congratulations on the numerous wins in the fanfic awards!!!!

[Baily007]

OMG. I don't know how to express how much I love this story. My English skills just leave me alone :-( BUT this is SO amazing! Zannie, you really are the master!

[chlexgirl24]

I need more! :D

[happybum]

...And that is why you have so many nominations and wins. It doesn't matter if you have been gone for awhile because you left a legacy here. I think you will always have a spot in my heart for being one of my favorite chlex writers.

[hannagreen20]

Yay, more Zannie stories! You know I've been absent for a while so when I randomly decided to come here today I wasn't expecting any updates...but I'm so glad there were! Great story. I love characterization of Lex and Chloe, close to the original characters (original meaning first season before it all went to hell) but with your own spin. Great job!

[Marie]

I haven't been to NS in awhile, so it was an extremely pleasant surprise to see two updates! I'm looking forward to the next chapter and any other stories you have in the works.

[BlueFunk]

Unfortunately, this story ended up in the fanfiction graveyard.

A pity really. Does anybody know if Zannie intends to finish this story?

Hello? Zannie? Are you still out there?

[lexie]

Unfortunately, this story ended up in the fanfiction graveyard.

A pity really. Does anybody know if Zannie intends to finish this story?

Hello? Zannie? Are you still out there?

I corresponded with Zannie a couple of months ago and she said she WOULD finish it. In fact, she told me she´d be able to start working on it once November was over since at the time she was busy working on a non-fiction book. She must have already handed it to her publisher/editor so if she keeps her promise- which I believe she will- there´ll be an update soon.:grin3:

[Zannie]

Yes, I'm still in existence! I feel like such a loser for leaving this story unfinished for so long and deserting everyone, but it's just been one of those years.

But, as lexie said, I'm determined to finish this story before Christmas this year, so you can expect an update in the next week or so.

I have missed everyone!

[Kit Merlot]

Yes, I'm still in existence! I feel like such a loser for leaving this story unfinished for so long and deserting everyone, but it's just been one of those years.

But, as lexie said, I'm determined to finish this story before Christmas this year, so you can expect an update in the next week or so.

I have missed everyone!

We miss you too, and update this gorgeous fic when you can:grin3:

[Fouzia]

Thank you!!:grin3:
Thank you!!:grin3:

[lj715]

Wow, I haven't been here in ages. So excited to read that you will be finishing this story.

[opheliablack]

Zannie, you've been missed. And look at it this way, it's still a Christmas story therefore still timely, if not on time :o) Hope this year has been good to you.

[Zannie]

Author's Note: Well, this a pretty short update, but I figured I had to start with something. This is the last chapter of the story, and I should finish it in three updates - hopefully before Christmas (this year).

Sorry about the absurdly long delay. You might need to go back and read the first three chapters - since I doubt anyone even remembers what this story is about. I had to reread it. And I thought there was a whole scene in the story that evidently doesn't exist!


* * *


Chapter Four (part 1)


Chloe was hot.

She’d been skiing for hours today – much longer than she’d planned or even wanted to. But she was with a group of Lois’s friends, all of whom were much more enthusiastic skiers than she was, and it hadn’t been easy to try to extricate herself in order to go back to the lodge early. So she'd stuck it out until everyone else got tired too.

Her cheeks were blazing now, chapped and raw from the wind and the cold. She was exhausted and a little sore and—after returning to the stifling warmth of the ski lodge—she felt like she might suffocate on the hot air.

She walked across her small private room and threw open a window, leaning out to hang her head into the evening. She sucked in a few breaths, the cold air stinging her throat. After the unnatural heat of Metropolis, the winter temperature of the mountains felt cleansing and refreshing.

Chloe would have liked to spend the whole evening in her room, preferring some alone time after socializing for strangers for a day and a half. But Lois would worry if she didn’t come down for dinner, so Chloe shut the window and sternly told herself to get ready.

She took a quick shower and pulled her flyaway hair back with some vintage snowflake clips. Then she put on clean jeans and a clingy, mulberry-colored sweater. Her cheeks were still pink and her eyes looked almost sparkling in the artificial light. It was nice to look pretty.

Even if there was no one here she wanted to look pretty for.

To Lois’s disappointment, there were no hunky ski instructors available for the taking. Chloe wouldn’t have wanted one anyway.

She missed Lex.

She’d known it had been a mistake to have that long, romantic evening with Lex last weekend. It had felt like a date, not a sleazy night in a cheap motel. It had felt like they were in a real relationship and not a secret affair.

It had awakened hope in her. Hope she should never indulge.

She’d even had ridiculous, passing fantasies of Lex arriving at the ski lodge unexpectedly and sweeping her away to have an intimate Christmas in a private mountain villa.

But she knew, even as she sighed over the fantasy, that it was utterly absurd. Impossible.

Lex was Lex. And he wasn’t boyfriend material. She’d known that when she’d started the affair, and nothing really had changed.

Except her feelings.

But she was a sensible adult. Not a girl who believed in fairy tales or Christmas miracles. So Chloe squared her shoulders and went downstairs to try to enjoy the evening.

She waved at a couple of Lois’s friends across the room, but noticed that Lois hadn’t come down yet. So—instead of going over to make more small talk—Chloe sank down into a deep sofa near the roaring fire in the stone fireplace. It was a little too warm, but the ambiance was nice. And Chloe needed to conjure up some Christmas spirit.

The main lobby of the lodge was cheery and festive, with garland, bows, and twinkling lights hung about and a huge Christmas tree in the corner. There was even a Santa Claus wandering about the room, handing out wrapped trinkets to children and posing for pictures.

Chloe absently noticed it must be a different Santa than the one from yesterday evening. This one seemed taller and was doing a better job of making the children laugh and squeal.

She watched for a few minutes and then stared back into the fire. Wondered what Lex was doing right now.

She was sure he wasn’t with someone else, but she was worried that he was all alone. Maybe he was lonely. Of course, he couldn’t have been as lonely as she was, or he would have made an effort to spend at least part of the holiday with her.

She let out a long sigh. She was being stupid. But she still kind of hoped he would show up unexpectedly. Or at least give her a call.

She’d broken down before she left and bought Lex a couple of presents. But she didn’t have an address to send them to, so she’d brought them with her – on the off chance she’d have a way to give them to him. So they were up in her room right now, beautifully wrapped and likely to stay that way until after New Year’s when she saw Lex again.

A mug of steaming cider materialized in front of her, and Chloe reached to take it instinctively.

She looked up to see Santa Claus blinking down on her. His red and white suit was well-padded, and his face almost entirely covered by a thick white beard, big Santa glasses, and a drooping red hat.

“Thanks,” she mumbled.

“Someone needs some Christmas cheer,” Santa said in the gruff voice the man must use to go with his character.

Chloe gave him a half-hearted smile. “Thanks,” she said again, mustering up a little enthusiasm. “I appreciate it.”

“You can do better than that,” Santa insisted, hefting his bag of trinket gifts down off his shoulder.

Out of general civility, Chloe tried to hide her impatience. But she really wished Santa would bless someone else in the room with his genial attention. She just wanted to be left alone to have a nice mope before Lois came down.

But she managed a wider smile to appease the pushy Santa.

“Better,” Santa said, nodding his bushy head approvingly. “So have you been naughty or nice?”

Without conscious thought, her mind flashed to images of hot, passionate nights spent with Lex over the last few months.

She’d definitely been naughty this year.

“Definitely naughty,” Santa said, a new note entering his gruff voice.

Chloe gasped, both at his having read her mind and the incongruously provocative lilt to Santa’s tone.

Just her luck, being hit on by a raunchy Santa Claus.

“Don’t you have any kids to ho-ho-ho to?” she asked tartly, taking a sip of her cider. She almost choked as she swallowed.

This cider had been spiked with something very strong.

She took another sip.

Santa leaned over closer, his long beard brushing against her shoulder. “I’d rather ho-ho-ho with you.”

Chloe’s eyes nearly popped out of her head at the lewd implication of what should have been innocuous words.

She took a gulp of the cider and felt the warmth of the alcohol flow through her body.

So maybe Lex didn’t care enough about her to get in touch over Christmas. Maybe he hadn’t bought her a single Christmas present. Maybe he hadn’t even called her after that romantic evening they’d spent together – perhaps the most romantic evening of her life.

Maybe Lex didn’t want her. But Chloe wasn’t completely neglected.

She’d clearly attracted this blue-eyed perv of a Santa Claus without even trying.

She took another big swig of her warm cider, and it heated her throat as she swallowed. She laughed, just slightly bitter, as she imagined Lex’s reaction to her being hit on by Santa. “Well, merry Christmas to me.”

TBC

[hfce]

I have a feeling Lex is Santa. Am I right? :rofl: Chloe is to deep into her depression to realize it. I can't wait to see her figure it out. Great update. :)

[lj715]

It is so nice to read a fic from Zannie @ Christmas. I'm all verklempt now (lol). Santa is definitely Lex. Can't wait to read more.

[westwingwolf]

Oh pervy Santa is so Lex, he better be or else when Lex does miracuously show up at the lodge, then there will be a fight between him and Santa. That would be funny to see, but I think it is far more likely that Lex decided to play Santa. I can't wait to see what will happen next.

[Fouzia]

Thank so much to finish this wondeful fic!!!!!:grin3:
Can't wait to see more!!!:blinkkiss

[slayer44]

Yay for an update!! Lex definitely has to be Santa! She's going to be so drunk by the time she realizes it. I can't wait for the last parts :D

[daria_103]

Oh what a lovely Christmas surprise, I loved this fic when I read the first part last Christmas and it's great to see more of it now. Is it too much for me to really hope that Lex is Santa? I can't wait to see how the rest of this story plays out, thanks so much for coming back to finish it.

[Kit Merlot]

Thank you for continuing this story!

And I hope Lex does show up at the ski lodge to help Chloe have a much happier holiday:P

[missylou47]

Thank you thank you thank you for updating!!! I've been waiting for the end for a year! a great update with poor Chloe not recognizing Lex-Santa!!! :rofl: Please update again soon!!!

[BlueFunk]

Well, what do you know? Ask and ye shall receive!:grin3:

Zannie, thank you so much for resurfacing and continuing this story. It is much appreciated!

[autumngold]

Thank you for updating your story! I'm so glad that "Santa" came to flirt with Chloe. What is Lois going to think when Chloe leaves with Santa? Is she going to tease her forever? ;) Can't wait for more, this is such a fun story! :)

[somethingeasy]

squeee! My Christmas joy is complete with the posting of the new chapter of this fic. Never mind that I don’t officially celebrate Christmas… I still enjoy the prezzies whenever and wherever I can get them ;)

I really liked how the chapter began highlighting how Chloe was spending most of this holiday trip making other people happy, and fulfilling their expectations on how she should behave during a ski trip… whether it entails skiing for hours (where she’d prefer to actually go relax in the warm lodge), or going out for dinner with Lois and Lois’s friends (where Chloe would rather spend the evening in her room).

While I do like that Chloe is being dragged around outside and being made to interact and socialize, it would be nice if she could manage to arrange some quality, fun activity purely for herself too.

Heh… of course that’s rather difficult considering that all of Chloe’s ‘fun activities’ probably include Lex in one form or another (naked or otherwise).


But she knew, even as she sighed over the fantasy, that it was utterly absurd. Impossible.

Lex was Lex. And he wasn’t boyfriend material. She’d known that when she’d started the affair, and nothing really had changed.

Except her feelings.

oooh, now this is interesting! I knew that Chloe’s feelings for Lex were changing beyond pure physical indulgence, but I didn’t know that she realized and acknowledged her changing feeling too. Awesome! Getting out of denial is always 80% of the battle in a Chlex fic, LOL!


Chloe absently noticed it must be a different Santa than the one from yesterday evening. This one seemed taller and was doing a better job of making the children laugh and squeal.

LOL! I’ve read some posting theories about how Santa Claus is probably Lex in a ludicrous disguise. Of course, if it really is Lex, the disguise is so ludicrous that it’s … since NO person would imagine Lex being willing to don a Santa outfit for any reason.

And, if it is Lex, I loved the idea that he makes a damned great Santa… one that the kids adore. It figures that he would be magnificent no matter what kind of job he decided to take on.


She was sure he wasn’t with someone else, but she was worried that he was all alone. Maybe he was lonely. Of course, he couldn’t have been as lonely as she was, or he would have made an effort to spend at least part of the holiday with her.

heh… she seems awfully sure of herself that he’s not with someone else… which is actually a great sign that she considers their ‘affair’ to be at least semi-serious enough to be exclusive. OR perhaps she thinks that Lex wouldn’t dare indulge in carnal activities with random brunettes who might be able to recognize him, and report on his whearbouts…?


“Someone needs some Christmas cheer,” Santa said in the gruff voice the man must use to go with his character.

LOL! Yep… the voice might be ‘in-character’, or it might be a pitiful (although still successful) attempt for Lex to disguise his voice? He just couldn’t resist coming over to Chloe… even though he KNEW she’s going to see through that disguise quickly enough and [I]never let him live down the fact that he wore a Santa suit for the sole purpose of following her on her ski trip, ROTFLMAO!


“Definitely naughty,” Santa said, a new note entering his gruff voice.

Chloe gasped, both at his having read her mind and the incongruously provocative lilt to Santa’s tone.

Just her luck, being hit on by a raunchy Santa Claus.

ROTFLMAO! That’s it! Lex has just ruined the image of Santa for Chloe. Now she’ll never be able to look at an image of the ‘innocent’ cultural icon without remembering the pervy Santa who hit on her during the ski trip, ROTFL!


Santa leaned over closer, his long beard brushing against her shoulder. “I’d rather ho-ho-ho with you.”

ROTFLMAO! Oh dear heaven!! ROTFL! Can’t. Breathe!!! Laughing. Too. Much!!

Oh that was a dreadful pun! And I love the low, LOW depths that Lex is willing to sink to in order to play this ludicrous role to the hilt, LOL!

AND he spiked her drink with alcohol?! LOL!


Maybe Lex didn’t want her. But Chloe wasn’t completely neglected.

She’d clearly attracted this blue-eyed perv of a Santa Claus without even trying.

heh… Chloe even noticed the eyes, but still hasn’t recognized him as Lex, eh? NOT that I blame her, since I still maintain that Lex’s disguise is perfect simply because NO person would imagine him willing to put on a Santa outfit for any reason… much less for following a woman, uninvited, on a ski trip, when he’s supposed to be in hiding.

This was a fantastic chapter, Zannie! It was ridiculous and funny as heck. Please update soon!

[Esther25jm]

YAY!! I've missed you and this story so much!! Great update, Zannie! I did go back to re-read the story and fell in love all over again. WOWZA!! I also realized that I missed your update back in April - bad me!! I absolutely LOVE this story and can't wait for another chapter.

I also agree with everyone who says that Santa is Lex. I think he couldn't stay away from her any longer and finally got the courage to go after her. Surprise her a bit with the pervy Santa act, too. Gosh, that's freakin' hilarious!! Take care, hun!! :D

[Zannie]

Author’s note: If you’re familiar with my older stories, you know I can’t write a Christmas fic without putting poor Lex in a Santa suit. Let me tell you – it’s a challenge to find new and somewhat plausible excuses to get him dressed up like Santa! But it wouldn’t be Christmas for me without Lex in a Santa suit . . .


* * *

Chapter Four (part 2)


Chloe finished off her cider as Santa moved away from where she was slouched on the comfy couch.

The cider was tasty, and she felt warm and drowsy thanks to the alcohol and the blaze of the fireplace.

She also felt mildly amused. Despite the incongruity, it was always nice to have affirmation that you were attractive – even if was just to a random Santa Claus.

Chloe watched as Santa paused when a little girl with pink earmuffs ran up to him, demanding a present. Santa reached into his sack and leaned down to say something to the girl.

He slanted an ironic look back at Chloe as he presented the girl with one of his trinkets.

Something about the slanted look made Chloe’s spine stiffen suddenly. She stared hard.

Even through the big glasses, the thick white beard, the wig and hat, there was something she knew—she knew—about that look.

The truth hit her like a runaway sleigh. Lex was Santa Claus.

It was so unbelievable, so impossible, so contrary to everything she’d understood about him and the world, that she couldn’t believe her recognition at first. But the eyes were his—she realized that now. And the amused irony evident in his expression, barely reined inside him, was screaming Lex Luthor.

Now that she saw it, she couldn’t see anything else. Couldn’t believe she’d failed to see it immediately.

What the hell was he doing here? And why was he dressed up like Santa?

The only answer that came to her—like the embodiment of her most ridiculous, romantic fantasies—made her want to squeal. Or faint. Or cry.

But she didn’t do any of those things. Not until she knew what was happening here. She stood up and was surprised to find herself swaying a bit on her feet.

Evidently, she’d drunk too much spiked cider too quickly.

When she was sure of her feet, she stepped over toward where Santa-Lex was leaning against a wall and talking to a newlywed couple.

She wasn't sure what she was going to say to him, but she had to say something.

Before Chloe reached him, Lois entered the room with a couple of her friends. After greeting her cousin with an enthusiastic wave, Lois saw Santa and—in characteristically high spirits—demanded a picture with him.

Chloe smothered a smile when Lois decided she would pose on Santa’s lap. With her new recognition of Santa’s identity, Chloe could now read Lex’s expression beneath the beard as Lois snuggled up on his lap and wrapped her arms around him for the picture.

Chloe had to turn away to hide her laughter when Lex tried to stand up when the picture was done – only to be returned to his seat rather abruptly when another young woman took Lois’s place.

When Lois called Chloe over to join in a group picture, Chloe happily squeezed herself into a shot. And she managed to maneuver her hand into place to surreptitiously pinch Santa’s ass.

Lex huffed in surprise – his reaction causing Chloe to nearly lose control of her amusement.

She was sane enough to realize her near hysteria wasn’t just humor. It was barely leashed joy.

She was trying to control her expression, but not nearly well enough to deceive Lex. His eyes landed on her face, and he knew. She knew he knew.

Chloe still didn’t know how or why Lex had gotten himself into such a crazy situation, but she was planning to enjoy it while she could. Such a delightful turnaround wasn’t likely to happen again anytime soon – not with a man as sophisticated and controlled as Lex Luthor.

He had to be here for her.

Whatever the implications, the idea made Chloe want to melt. And the heat of the room—the heat from the cider—only intensified this feeling. She managed to restrain her giggles as the picture-posing continued for a few more shots.

And only when Santa finally got to his feet, nearly dislodging a brunette friend of Lois’s in the process, did Chloe start to feel a twinge of nervousness.

No reason for it, of course. But they were going to talk now. And she had no idea what this talk would reveal. About him. Or her.

“Santa needs a break,” Lex said gruffly, still doing the bare minimum to sustain his genial persona. He managed to extricate himself from the group of young women and clomped his way toward the back door of the lobby in his thick black boots.

He slanted Chloe a look over his shoulder. It wasn’t a happy look.

Covering her mouth to hide the giggles, Chloe managed to slip away from Lois without being noticed.

She caught up to Lex in the back hall.

“Santa?”

Lex frowned beneath his beard. “You seem to be having an ungraciously good time with this.”

His slightly peeved tone sent Chloe into an unrestrained fit of laughter. “Lex, Lex, what the hell . . .” She gasped, trying to catch her breath and finish the sentence. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Damn it, Chloe. I had a whole plan worked out here and you ruined it.”

Chloe was laughing so hard now she had to lean against Lex and bury her face against the fuzzy red suit to smother the sound.

Lex cleared his throat. “Whenever you’d like to control yourself enough to have a civilized conversation.”

“Only you,” she gasped, straightening up. “Only you can sound so utterly pompous when wearing that big red hat!”

He just glared at her – one of his best cold glares. But the beard and glasses spoiled the effect.

“How did I ruin your plan?” she asked, managing to get herself basically under control and genuinely wanting to know the answers to her questions.

“You weren’t supposed to know I was here until later.”

She frowned. “Then why did you come over to talk to me? Surely you didn’t think I was so incredibly clueless as not to recognize you.”

“You didn’t recognize me. Not at first. You thought I was some dirty old man.” Lex sounded less peeved—as if he were pleased by deceiving her at least temporarily.

“But I wouldn’t have even noticed you if you hadn’t come to talk to me. It’s your own fault if your crazy plan fell apart.”

Lex sighed. “I know. It was stupid. But you looked so . . . so . . .”

Irrationally, Chloe’s shoulders stiffened defensively. “So what?” She could just imagine how she’d looked, moping on the couch by herself. Pitiful. Childish.

“Sad.”

She reached over to pull down the white beard so she could see his face better. His expression wasn’t condescending or pitying. In fact, he looked almost tender.

A warm rush of feeling swelled up inside her, but she managed to keep an appropriately wry lilt to her voice. “So you ruined your big plans to come over to cheer me up?”

Lex smiled and took off his Santa-glasses. “Aren’t you glad I did?”

She was glad he had. And even more glad that he’d evidently cared enough about her feelings to spoil his plans in order to win her out of her lonely, wistful mood.

“So what was your plan?” she asked, feeling the sudden urge to touch him. She ran a hand up his chest and was uncomfortably aware that the Santa suit was padded with something. It wasn’t his smooth, hard chest she was feeling. It was something soft and cushy.

Not exactly the kind of touch to match her slightly provocative tone.

Lex reached over and cupped her face in one hand. His eyes were so soft she lost her breath. But instead of sweet words, he said, “I don’t think I’ll tell you.”

Chloe huffed. “That’s not fair!”

“Hey, I’m the one wearing this Santa suit.”

Amusement vied with annoyance – and curiosity trumped them both. “So what are you doing here? And why are you in that ridiculous outfit?”

“I’m in hiding, remember? If I was going to come here, I needed an appropriate disguise.”

It made the slightest amount of sense, but not enough to satisfy Chloe. “But why did you come here at all?”

Lex gave a half-shrug. “I needed some holiday weather. It’s 88 degrees and humid in Metropolis.”

“Don’t be evasive. Why are you here?”

“Chloe,” Lex began softly, shaking his head with a fond smile, “Why do you think I’m here?”

Trapped by the soft expression in his eyes, Chloe leaned toward him unconsciously. “Well, I guess it’s because I’m here.”

“Good guess.”

“But why . . .”

“Baby,” Lex murmured, cupping her face again. “You know why I’m here.”

“To spend Christmas with me?” she said, her voice breaking slightly. It was too amazing. Too miraculous. She still couldn’t believe it was true.

Lex’s face had moved so close to hers that she could feel his breath on her skin. All she saw were his blue-gray eyes and his beautifully shaped lips. She’d forgotten all about his red and white outfit. “Among other things,” Lex breathed, before he kissed her.

A rush of sensation and joy overwhelmed her, and she moaned against his mouth, her arms wrapping around his neck. She pressed the length of her body against his.

Lex’s mouth moved against hers, and she opened to him instinctively, wanting to feel him in every way she could.

She was just getting into the kiss when a familiar voice broke into the embrace. “Chloe? What the fuck?”

Chloe and Lex pulled away at the same time. Knowing what was coming, Chloe’s face blazed with embarrassment. She tried to get her brain to work so she could come up with a reasonable excuse.

But she couldn’t think of anything as she turned to face Lois, who was staring at them like they were aliens.

Lois blinked. “I know I said you should try to get into the Christmas spirit more, but I didn’t mean you should make out with the first Santa you saw.”


TBC

Author's note: Thanks so much for the feedback! I think I can finish this in one more update, unless I decide it needs an epilogue.

[kitten]

HAH! I missed you, Zannie, and your festive Lex torture!


She was just getting into the kiss when a familiar voice broke into the embrace. “Chloe? What the fuck?”

Chloe and Lex pulled away at the same time. Knowing what was coming, Chloe’s face blazed with embarrassment. She tried to get her brain to work so she could come up with a reasonable excuse.

But she couldn’t think of anything as she turned to face Lois, who was staring at them like they were aliens.

Lois blinked. “I know I said you should try to get into the Christmas spirit more, but I didn’t mean you should make out with the first Santa you saw.”

*confusion* You mean, I've been DOING IT WRONG?! I have to apologize to many bearded men in red suits. And most likely a great number of Mrs. Clauses.

Nice to see a sensible recognition of his feelings. Maybe Lex has had time to become genuinely introspective about his emotions during his time in hiding. And I like to see a happy Chloe.

Really, now that I think about it, obviously you shouldn't kiss random Santas. IF you count all the amateurs and the mall ho-ho-hoers, it's not a tiny population. Now, I will continue to kiss random men in Santa suits at Christmas in July sales. A girl needs some kind of fun.

Thanks, '
kitten (formerly nonky)

[hfce]

Aww Lex was so sweet. I am glad he told her why he came. I can't wait to see how Chloe explains this to Lois. :)

[lexie]

Wonderfully sappy update, Zannie. I´m so looking forward to seeing Lois´reaction when the identity of Santa´s revealed.:grin3:

[autumngold]

Ok, what is wrong with making out with Santa Claus? I do it every year, even though I admit I've never been lucky enough to get my Santa into the suit. Maybe this year. . . . ;) All I can say is Lois had better not ruin what Lex has planned. In fact, I really hope that Lois doesn't figure out who he is. She would ruin his Christmas by reporting all about it. Thank you so much for the new update! Thank you also for getting Lex in the Santa suit again! It just wouldn't be Christmas without it! :) Please post again soon!

[Fouzia]

Thank you so much for the update!!!! Can't wait to see more!!!:blinkkiss
I want a epilogue!!! PLEASE

[westwingwolf]

Good that Chloe figured it out. And so sweet of Lex to mess up his own plans just to cheer Chloe up. He's so cute all indignant in his Santa suit. So did Lois not recognize Lex because I thought he took off the beard, or did she just want to make the joke first. I do so wonder what she'll think now that the cat is out of the bag.

And never stop putting Lex in a Santa suit, it's a wonderful image.

[lj715]

Great update! Damn that Lois for interrupting them. Can't wait to read more.

[daria_103]

Great update, very sweet and hilarious. I especially loved the very last line. Can't wait for the next part!

[somethingeasy]

Author’s note: If you’re familiar with my older stories, you know I can’t write a Christmas fic without putting poor Lex in a Santa suit. Let me tell you – it’s a challenge to find new and somewhat plausible excuses to get him dressed up like Santa! But it wouldn’t be Christmas for me without Lex in a Santa suit . .

LOL! I remember one or two fics where Lex was put into a Santa suit, but I seem to remember that he was forced every time to put on the Santa outfit… very much against his personal wishes. This is the first time I’ve seen him actually choosing to wear such an outfit… and the idea that he would be willing to do so for Chloe’s sake is swoon-worthy.


Now that she saw it, she couldn’t see anything else. Couldn’t believe she’d failed to see it immediately.

What the hell was he doing here? And why was he dressed up like Santa?

The only answer that came to her—like the embodiment of her most ridiculous, romantic fantasies—made her want to squeal. Or faint. Or cry.

heee! I was waiting for the Moment of Revelation where Chloe would finally hit on the realization that the pervy Santa is actually Lex Luthor. I loved that it took her so long to figure out the truth… and even that happened because Lex was being so embarrassingly sloppy with his disguise… approaching Chloe and flirting outrageously with her; dropping her slanting, ironic glances, etc, etc.

Actually, I’m quite certain that, subconsciously, Lex wanted Chloe to recognize him… no matter what he claimed later, he wanted his lover to look behind the disguise and see him no matter what he looked like.

I loved, LOVED the description of the ecstatic joy Chloe felt upon the Moment of Revelation. I loved that, once she grasped the situation, she was able to fully appreciate the lengths that Lex had gone through purely for her sake.


Chloe smothered a smile when Lois decided she would pose on Santa’s lap. With her new recognition of Santa’s identity, Chloe could now read Lex’s expression beneath the beard as Lois snuggled up on his lap and wrapped her arms around him for the picture.

Chloe had to turn away to hide her laughter when Lex tried to stand up when the picture was done – only to be returned to his seat rather abruptly when another young woman took Lois’s place.

ROTFLMAO! Oh dear me, this was hilarious, Zannie! THANK you for putting Lex through all of this. I loved, LOVED the visual of Santa-Lex being pushed around by pushy, bossy Lois Lane… and being forced to keep her on his lap for a friggen picture. ROTFLMAO! There’s no way that Lex is going to live down that humiliation… and I can’t imagine the mileage of blackmail that Lois is going to be able to get from that picture!

Granted, the picture might be completely useless because who the heck is going to believe that the Santa in the picture is Lex Luthor... but still, I’m sure there’s some kind of fun to be derived from the photograph…?

ROTFL! It was even funnier imagining Chloe pinching poor Lex’s bottom as he was being squeezed into the middle of a group picture. Considering all the horny women he was surrounded by, Lex probably wasn’t even completely certain that it was Chloe who pinched his bottom then, LOL! Poor Lex!


She was sane enough to realize her near hysteria wasn’t just humor. It was barely leashed joy.

She was trying to control her expression, but not nearly well enough to deceive Lex. His eyes landed on her face, and he knew. She knew he knew.

I highly approve of the fact that Chloe wasn’t really trying to hide away her joy from Lex. He made a huge, risky gesture coming here (in that godforsaken Santa outfit, no less)… so he deserves to know that he made Chloe ecstatically happy with his presence.


His slightly peeved tone sent Chloe into an unrestrained fit of laughter. “Lex, Lex, what the hell . . .” She gasped, trying to catch her breath and finish the sentence. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Damn it, Chloe. I had a whole plan worked out here and you ruined it.”

ROTFLMAO! There is no doubt in my mind that Chloe is going to get YEARS worth of amusement from this evening. She’s going to be mocking Lex and giggling hysterically about this incident when she’s into her 80s and 90s, LOL!

Heh… and stop whining, Lex. It’s your own darned fault that your ‘plan’ didn’t follow through as strategized, LOL! Yet another example of Lex’s self-sabotaging nature getting the better of him… but this time in a really good way.


“Only you,” she gasped, straightening up. “Only you can sound so utterly pompous when wearing that big red hat!”

He just glared at her – one of his best cold glares. But the beard and glasses spoiled the effect.

ROTFLMAO! Oh dear heavens! Can’t. Breathe!!! *wheeze* ROTFLMAO!


“You didn’t recognize me. Not at first. You thought I was some dirty old man.” Lex sounded less peeved—as if he were pleased by deceiving her at least temporarily.

“But I wouldn’t have even noticed you if you hadn’t come to talk to me. It’s your own fault if your crazy plan fell apart.”

LOL! Lex’s self-sabotaging actions HAVE to be rubbed fully in his face after all!


Lex sighed. “I know. It was stupid. But you looked so . . . so . . .”

Irrationally, Chloe’s shoulders stiffened defensively. “So what?” She could just imagine how she’d looked, moping on the couch by herself. Pitiful. Childish.

“Sad.”

She reached over to pull down the white beard so she could see his face better. His expression wasn’t condescending or pitying. In fact, he looked almost tender.

And just like that, my laughter got cut off and changed into a swooning sigh of delight. Ooooh wow! I loved the idea that Lex was willing to blow open his Machiavellian plot and disguise because he couldn’t stand visual of Chloe looking so sad. Now those are great priorities! Where he’s willing to go through a little bit of humiliation rather than sit by and watch Chloe wallow in gloom.


She was glad he had. And even more glad that he’d evidently cared enough about her feelings to spoil his plans in order to win her out of her lonely, wistful mood.

It was also lovely to see Chloe fully appreciates Lex’s decision to interact with her in his Santa outfit… despite the risks to his disguise. Beautiful!


“Don’t be evasive. Why are you here?”

“Chloe,” Lex began softly, shaking his head with a fond smile, “Why do you think I’m here?”

Trapped by the soft expression in his eyes, Chloe leaned toward him unconsciously. “Well, I guess it’s because I’m here.”

“Good guess.”

“But why . . .”

“Baby,” Lex murmured, cupping her face again. “You know why I’m here.”

It’s obvious to anyone with half a brain exactly why Lex is here, even though it means disguise in a Santa outfit. He might as well have a neon sign proclaiming I’m here to be with my beloved!!

But I loved the reveal of Chloe’s psyche in her questions… where it’s shown that there’s still an insecure young teenager inside of Chloe who needs Lex to state his reasons out loud to reassure herself that he really, truly, absolutely, beyond all doubt is here for her sake, and her sake alone.

Hopefully Lex’s answer was clear enough to satisfy the needs of the insecure teen within…?


But she couldn’t think of anything as she turned to face Lois, who was staring at them like they were aliens.

Lois blinked. “I know I said you should try to get into the Christmas spirit more, but I didn’t mean you should make out with the first Santa you saw.”

Yeah, Chloe! You should be a little more discriminating in the Santas that you choose to make out with… perhaps scope out the rest of the St. Nicks in the area before jumping on the nearest one? ROTFL!

I have no idea what kind of explanation is going to be given to Lois. There’s a chance that Chloe and Lex are going to keep Santa-Lex’s true identity a secret from Lois… OR perhaps they’ll come completely clean about their relationship.

I really hope it’s the latter… not only because I want honesty from this point onwards… but also because I can’t wait to see the look on Lois’s face when she realizes that she was photographed sitting on Lex’s lap! LOL!

Please update soon!!

[slayer44]

ahhh darn, it would have been nice to see Lex's plan go through and see what he had in store. Grumpy Lex is a cute Lex. Chloe has to know that he is there because he loves her :) It is going to be interesting to see Chloe get herself out of this one now.

Great update!!!

[missylou47]

Oh thank you thank you for updating again so soon!!! I love Lex in a Santa suit!!! :rofl: What will they say to Lois now? Please update again!!!

[dkfuryan]

Lex in a santa suit, will be giggling all day!

[Zannie]

Author's note: Sorry about the delay. I got bogged down grading papers. I couldn't wrap everything up in this chapter, so I'll write a short epilogue next week to finish up the story.

I kind of cheated with his update, but I'm hoping no one will notice.


* * *


Chapter Four (part 3)


Chloe’s cheeks burned as she opened her mouth to reply to her cousin’s wry comment.

No words came out. Her mouth was suddenly dry. And her brain was a blank.

Lex had pulled away from the embrace, discreetly moving the Santa beard back up to cover the lower part of his face. He didn’t say anything either, and the look in his blue eyes was slightly dazed.

He must have been as taken aback as Chloe had been—interrupted from what had been fast becoming a very heated kiss.

“Chloe?” Lois prompted, taking a step closer. Her expression was torn between surprise, amusement and something else. “Everything all right?”

Recognizing that the something else on Lois’s face was concern, Chloe managed to find her voice. “Yeah. I’m good. Just felt a little . . . crazy.”

“Evidently.” Lois’s eyes scanned Lex from his black boots to big red hat, lingering on the red suit and bushy, false beard. “Honestly, I don’t see the appeal—“ She cut herself off with a noticeable start. “Wait, is this your grad student, hot fling?”

Leave it to Lois to make sense out of a senseless situation—out of her cousin making out with Santa Claus in the back of a trendy ski lodge. “Uh, yeah,” Chloe admitted.

Her face relaxing, Lois said, “Oh. Very sorry I interrupted. I’ll let you, er, get back to it. I assume I won’t be seeing you for dinner?”

“You won’t be seeing her for dinner,” Lex affirmed, before Chloe could figure out an answer.

Chloe shot him an indignant look for such high-handedness, mostly out of habit. She now had no plans but to spend the evening, night, and as much of the following day as possible with Lex.

Lois was obviously hiding a smile. “Very good. Carry on.”

And she turned around and walked out.

Chloe let out a whoosh of air. “Well, that was embarrassing. Good thing she didn’t recognize you.”

“Yes. Having one person in the world know I dressed up in this thing is more than enough.”

She snickered. “You really should have thought twice before you gave me such good ammunition.”

“Indeed. Not one of my best strategic moves.” Something changed on his expression, and he looked almost predatory.

Chloe’s breath hitched in response.

“But,” he continued, his voice husky and erotic, “I’m sure it will have a few fringe benefits.”

“Fringe?” Her tone was sharp, but it was more out of principle than anything else. It wouldn’t do to let Lex act smug and condescending without consequences. Even if she didn’t really mind the high-handedness at the moment. “I’ll have you know I’m nobody’s fringe. Don’t assume that just because you make this dramatic gesture everything will go your way.”

“So you’re saying you don’t want to spend the evening with me?”

“I’m thinking about it.”

“You think.” The corner of his mouth twitched. “I’ll do something constructive in the meantime.”

Before she could figure out what he referred to, he’d grabbed her indecorously and slung her over his shoulder.

She shrieked in surprise. While she’d read romance novels where things like that happened, she’d never dreamed it could happen in the real world. Certainly not to her.

And, honestly, it wasn’t all that comfortable, with his shoulder pushing against her middle and her head hanging upside-down.

“Lex! Damn it, Lex, what the hell are you doing?”

“Doing something constructive while you think.” He was slightly breathless, but she didn’t know if it was from laughter, desire or effort.

Evidently, his constructive use of time was carrying her up two flights on the back stairway to a wing of the lodge she hadn’t yet seen.

Chloe should have put up a fight—merely to show she wouldn’t be bulldozed—but she didn’t feel much like it.

She was almost dizzy from giddy excitement, surprised disorientation and ironic amusement.

And the weirdness of being carried this way.

When Lex unlocked a room, she brilliantly deduced that he’d reserved a room here for himself.

And she managed to come up with some sort of response. “Lex, this is ridiculous. It’s one thing to be carried into a room caveman-style by a sexy man. It’s another to be carried in by Santa Claus!"

Lex chuckled as he walked into the room and eased her off his shoulder. But he didn’t set her back on her feet. Instead, he lowered her down to the bed, spreading her out beneath him on the cool coverlet. There was fire blazing in the fireplace – a feature her little room didn’t possess. And there was champagne in a silver bucket with two crystal flutes on the table, along with a few plates under silver covers.

But all Chloe could see was Lex’s tender face just above her. Although her body had shifted sharply from disorientation to excitement, her deepest excitement wasn’t physical. It felt like one of the best scenes from her assortment of romantic fantasies.

And she had more of those fantasies than she'd ever admit to.

“I’d appreciate it if you don’t keep reminding me of the costume,” Lex said, his hands caressing her body but his mouth twitching again with familiar irony. “It might ruin the mood.”

Chloe made an incoherent sound of half-humor, half-sappy sentiment. “Don’t count on that. Your dressing up as Santa was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. And I plan to remember it for a long time.”

Lex closed his eyes and moaned softly. “You didn’t just call me sweet, did you?” He opened his eyes, but only to put a hand over one of her breasts over her sweater, squeezing the soft flesh there. “There’s an insurmountable anachronism in that statement.”

For some reason, his dry tone and insistence that he not be associated with softer emotions made Chloe feel quite melty, as did the feel of his hand on her breast. But, still, she tried to clear her mind enough of its intensifying haze to put up a somewhat effective counter to his banter.

“Are you placing yourself in history? You’re historic now?” She arched up a little into his hand, but that was mostly an involuntary reflex.

He lowered his mouth to her neckline and teased the skin with his tongue and teeth. But not before she caught a glimpse of his smile—reflecting obvious appreciation. “I was using 'anachronism' in a more general way. Pointing out the incongruity of anyone ever calling me sweet.”

“You are sweet!” Her voice cracked a little with feeling as her heart clenched at the deprecation in his tone. For the last months she’d known him, Lex hadn't been nearly as torn apart by his nature as he’d been in Smallville. But some things didn’t change.

The reason he’d always grasped desperately at anything he wanted was because he’d never believed himself worthy of keeping it.

She knew this about him. Even if no one else did.

“Not always, I admit,” Chloe added, working hard to achieve the right tone. “Sometimes you’re an ass. But you can be sweet.” She reached up when he lifted his head again to gaze down at her. She cupped his cheek with one hand. “You are now. You are with me.”

Lex leaned down to kiss her, and his tongue dipped into her mouth, stroking the inside of her lips, her tongue, the roof of her mouth. Chloe twined her arms around his neck and moaned against his lips. When he pulled away at last, he said breathlessly, “Well, let’s just keep that between us.”

She huffed with laughter but then met his eyes. And her mood suddenly changed at what she saw there. “Oh, God, Lex,” she breathed, her cheeks blazing as hotly as her arousal. “I want you so much.”

Lex pulled his chest away from hers and studied her face intently. “Do you? You want me?” he asked hoarsely. “You want me?”

Chloe gulped. “Oh yeah. I do.” When she saw she hadn’t really answered his question – at least not in a way that fully satisfied him – she added, “Always.”

Smiling, Lex murmured, “Good.” He fondled her breast with one hand until Chloe was wriggling beneath him. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”

“Well,” Chloe panted, her hips squirming eagerly in an attempt to rub up against Lex’s pelvis and her heart aching in her chest from something that must be joy. “I hope you’re planning to go somewhere other than my breast.”

With a delicious chuckle, Lex nudged her up until he could pull off her sweater and unzip her jeans and sliding them off, until she was lying on the bed in her lace bra and panties. His eyes were devouring her dips and curves, as if he couldn’t get enough of her exposed flesh. When his gaze finally returned to her face, he said, “Where exactly did you want me to go?”

“Hmph,” Chloe grunted, which was all she could say because his mouth had descended to one of her breasts. She made a lot of silly, incoherent sounds as he sucked and fluttered his tongue on her nipple. And only when he finally pulled away was she able to reply, “Now you’re being an ass.”

Lex unclasped her bra and pulled it away from her skin. Chloe glanced down at her bare breasts and irrationally flushed, seeing herself objectively—sprawled out naked and wanton beneath him.

Massaging her exposed breasts, Lex’s eyes crawled possessively over her body once more. Chloe sat up a little bit and reached over to feel the front of Lex’s Santa pants. Was relieved and gratified to feel the hard bulge there, so she pressed into it rhythmically.

Lex groaned and his hips jerked a little against her hand.

Smiling, Chloe adjusted herself into a sitting position and worked on his groin skillfully, until Lex was panting and thrusting his pelvis into her touch. “But I’m not afraid to improvise,” she said, thrilled and even more aroused to see that this cool, powerful man was so out of control for her.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled it away from his still clothed erection. “I think we’ll both enjoy it more if your improvisation stops with that.” He gave her a predatory smile as he slid off her panties.

“Indeed,” Chloe agreed, opening her legs for him as his hand explored the wet, swollen flesh of her arousal. She sucked in her breath as his finger grazed her clit.

Lex chuckled as he unfastened his pants and pulled out his cock. He was fully erect. She reached out to stroke him gently, and his flesh was hot and throbbed slightly beneath her fingers. Lex sucked in a few uneven breaths, but then gently removed her hand.

She was still aware of her wave of sappy feelings, held at bay only by the strength of her arousal.

She vaguely came up with what seemed to be an appropriate plan. Sex first. Then sap. And the words she was dying to hear.

She stroked Lex a few more times and then she lay back down on the coverlet, gazing up at him—her heart momentarily full as she saw his hot, tense face above her. He still was mostly dressed in his Santa suit on and, while there was something wild and abandoned about lying completely naked beneath his rumpled, clothed form, the Santa suit was just a little weird.

So she reached up to help him take it of.

When he was as naked as she was, he scooted forward until he was kneeling between her legs. Sitting on his heels, he pulled her legs farther apart and pulled her hips up slightly to get her into position.

“Chloe?” he asked thickly, his eyes holding hers in a deep look. “This isn’t just an sleazy affair, is it?”

She shook her head mutely, feeling inordinately touched by the question. Then managed to say, “Not for me.”

“Me either.” Lex lined his cock up at her entrance, and then slid himself home, his hard substance pushing into her slick channel, causing her to feel overly full.

She breathed out, relaxing around him and releasing a long, pleased sigh.

“Chloe,” he grunted, his eyes tightly closed and his face very tense. “Fuck, Chloe, you feel incredible.”

“So do you,” she breathed, her intimate muscles quivering and clinging to his substance inside her.

Absurdly, she could already feel the pressure of an orgasm coalescing at her center from the little tingles she felt every time he shifted inside her.

He held himself still for a minute, until Chloe was practically writhing with frustration. Her pelvis was grinding against him and her hands were clutching at his taut thighs. “Lex,” she gasped at last, “I know you said you weren’t going anywhere, but I thought at least you’d move.”

He made a breathy sound that might have been a chuckle and pulled his pelvis back slowly.

Chloe inhaled sharply, her back arching up in anticipation. And then she groaned in pleasure as he thrust forward again, the friction sending thrills of sensation spiraling out from where they were connected.

His body coiled with restrained energy, Lex slowly eased back once more, his hands hooked around her splayed thighs.

When he slid back into her, the friction intensified, and Chloe found herself digging her fingers into the part of his bent legs she was clutching.

He continued pumping into her with a steady rhythm, and she kept arching back her neck, tossing her head from side to side, clawing at his thighs, and making silly grunts, gasps, and mews.

“Chloe,” Lex rasped, his face and neck moist with perspiration and his expression rigid with effort. “Chloe, can you come?” He thrust into her with the same even momentum, but he was panting and grunting out low, strangled sounds.

Chloe had to bite her lip to keep from crying out in response to the swelling sensations inside her. Her arms flew out the side and she clawed at whatever she could grasp, fisting her hands around bedding. But she somehow managed to choke out, “Yeah. Oh yeah.”

He let out a burst of sound, and she couldn’t tell if it was effort or pleasure. Her body was writhing frantically. Her face twisted with impatience and pleasure.

“Chloe,” he said hoarsely, staring down at her as if he could devour her. “Chloe, come.”

She whimpered, her head tossing around so much that her hair clung to her damp face. All the rich pressure that had built up at her center finally reached its limit. Her body arched backward tightly like a bow. Her hands clutched desperately at the bedding beneath her. She choked on her stifled cries of effort and need.

Then she came. The tension shattered inside her. Her hips thrashed. Her body convulsed. Her hoarse scream of pleasure was breathless and broken.

As her muscles tightened around Lex’s cock, he started pumping into her faster. His expression closed into a tight mask as he managed to retain his control. But he grunted out a few tormented words as her body clamped down around him.

“Lex,” Chloe gasped, her hands returning to his trembling thighs. “Lex, you come too.”

“Will,” he forced out, the coiled tension in his body so deep he was shaking with it. “After you . . . again.”

“Always . . . were . . . too . . . smug,” she gasped, her body feeling relaxed and sated after her first orgasm. But her sated state was only temporary because, as Lex’s hard flesh continued to stroke her intimately, a new urgency began to build up quickly from the friction.

“Oh, God,” she mumbled, biting her lip hard, her legs bouncing with the frantic motion they were making together. “Oh, God.”

“Again?” he asked thickly, his body leaning forward, parting her legs even more. There was something primal and unnamable in his expression.

Whimpering helplessly, Chloe rasped, “Yeah, yeah.”

Lex was gripping the flesh of her thighs bruisingly, clearly trying to hold himself back. His voice was desperate and almost pleading when he grunted, “Chloe. Come. Chloe. Touch yourself.”

She sucked in short, frantic breaths, her breasts bouncing with the same momentum as her legs. One of her hands slid down to where Lex's slick cock was pumping in and out of her body. She rubbed at her clit clumsily as he'd requested, feeling the additional stimulation push her past the bounds of restraint.

“Fuck,” Lex rasped, the pistoning of his hips urgent and rapid. He was staring down at his cock sliding into her, at her fingers rubbing her swollen flesh frantically. “Chloe, baby, come.”

“Yeah. . . coming,” she cried, her voice as out of control as her body. Her whole being was on the verge of eruption, and Lex’s damp, handsome face had blurred in front of her eyes. “Lex!”

She came again, even harder than the first time. And she could hear herself making the most pathetic cries and whimpers of pleasure as her body convulsed beneath him once more.

But this time he came too. His hips jerked a few more time, in clumsy desperation. His features contorted at the very last moment, until a wash of sudden pleasure transformed them completely. His whole body throbbed with the spasms of his release, and he shouted out her name so that it echoed through the room.

And then—before Chloe had regained her breath or her senses—Lex was on top of her. Embracing her. His weight warm and heavy and relaxed above her. His breath damp and urgent against the side of her face. His husky voice murmuring things she’d only dreamed of his ever saying but couldn't quite understand.

She clung to him and felt like she might cry, but thankfully restrained the silly impulse.

She was a cynical, no-nonsense woman after all, who never indulged in such sentimentality.

“Chloe, you know, don't you, how I feel about you?” he asked at last, looking into her eyes intently.

She nodded and swallowed hard. “I do now. But aren’t you going to tell me?”

His face twisted slightly as he leaned down to kiss her. She reveled in the kiss but her heart was beating wildly—with nerves—when he finally pulled away.

“I love you, Chloe,” he said, slightly hoarse.

To her horror, her face contorted as the threatened tears briefly overflowed. Lex looked even more horrified than she felt until she managed to compose herself. “Sorry about that,” she managed to say ruefully. “One of the consequences of being a girl.”

She met his eyes and saw he was still waiting. “I love you too.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“Don’t get too smug. Remember, I have a lifetime’s worth of ammunition in that Santa suit.”

To her delight, he smiled at her – rather than the haughty glare she’d expected. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

The implications in his words made her melt, but she’d never thought herself to be a melty girl before. It was probably the roaring fire, the exertion of sex, the weight of Lex’s warm body on top of her.

That’s what it was. She wasn't really melty. It was just hot.


TBC - Epilogue still to come.

[lexie]

Thanks a lot for updating and don't worry about the little delay-as a teacher I do know what it's like to be "drowned" in students´papers waiting to be corrected.

I`m truly glad both openly confessed their love for each other and that Lois didn't end up ruining everything. By the way, I believe I know what you borrowed from another fic of yours- the second big O, right? But who cares? It's yours anyway and the development of the story`s really enjoyable.

Looking forward to the epilogue. You can make that a New Year's or an Epiphany's present. In any case, we know you'll finish this fic because you're a woman of your word.

Merry Christmas and... is there some more Chlexy goodness for us in Santa`s bag? As much as I`m happy to see a new update, I'm already missing you- Say there'll be more Zannie in the future. We'd hate to lose you again.:P

[Kit Merlot]

A beautifully passionate update!

The Chlex smut is always fabulous, and good for them for finally admitting their true feelings for each other:D

[westwingwolf]

Good for Lex that Lois didn't recognize him. I agree with Chloe I do think he's sweet, though I also agree with Lex, it is strange to call him that. So good to see them both so happy and in love. That's a very passionate and hot Christmas they are having.

[autumngold]

Thank goodness Lois didn't ruin Lex and Chloe's time together! I was so scared that she wouldn't leave them alone. Thank you for having Lex and Chloe tell each other their true feelings! Such a beautiful holiday story! Can't wait for the epilogue! :) You're the best!

[Fouzia]

Can't wait for the epilogue! You're the best!

[missylou47]

Oh that was hot and sweet!!! I'm glad they admitted how they feel! Thank you for finishing this story!!! :D I cant wait till the epilogue!!!

[lj715]

Love the update, can't wait for the epilogue.

[alexiel]

Thanks a lot for finishing this fic !

I'm looking for the epilogue !

[somethingeasy]

“Evidently.” Lois’s eyes scanned Lex from his black boots to big red hat, lingering on the red suit and bushy, false beard. “Honestly, I don’t see the appeal—“ She cut herself off with a noticeable start. “Wait, is this your grad student, hot fling?”

Leave it to Lois to make sense out of a senseless situation—out of her cousin making out with Santa Claus in the back of a trendy ski lodge. “Uh, yeah,” Chloe admitted.

Her face relaxing, Lois said, “Oh. Very sorry I interrupted. I’ll let you, er, get back to it. I assume I won’t be seeing you for dinner?”

“You won’t be seeing her for dinner,” Lex affirmed, before Chloe could figure out an answer.

heh… I was sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen with Lois… was she going to find out about Lex or not? But it turns out that Lois managed to get just enough of an explanation of the situation, without getting enough details to turn the situation overly complicated. Perfect!

LOL! And I was amused to see Lex giving special thanks for Lois not recognizing that it was Lex Luthor in the Santa outfit, because he really wouldn’t be able to stand the idea of Lois Lane also knowing that he used a disguise like this, LOL!


“So you’re saying you don’t want to spend the evening with me?”

“I’m thinking about it.”

“You think.” The corner of his mouth twitched. “I’ll do something constructive in the meantime.”

Before she could figure out what he referred to, he’d grabbed her indecorously and slung her over his shoulder.

ROTFL! Oh dear me, that was adorable! I liked the way that Chloe was making things difficult for Lex, refusing to let him have his way in the automatic manner that he’s accustomed to. Everyone else might cater to Lex’s every whim, but Chloe always goes out of his way to make sure he fights for every victory with/over her… which is one of the very things I suspect he loves the most about her.

And the reason he loved it is because he likes indulging in ludicrous gestures, such as the Santa outfit, AND the caveman style manners to get his victories. LOL! Brilliant, Zannie!


And she managed to come up with some sort of response. “Lex, this is ridiculous. It’s one thing to be carried into a room caveman-style by a sexy man. It’s another to be carried in by Santa Claus!"

ROTFLMAO! Chloe makes an excellent point. Granted, she’s saying this only to be contrary, because she’s getting as big a thrill out of this as Lex is… but still she makes a good point about the ridiculous incongruence of the situation, LOL!


Lex chuckled as he walked into the room and eased her off his shoulder. But he didn’t set her back on her feet. Instead, he lowered her down to the bed, spreading her out beneath him on the cool coverlet. There was fire blazing in the fireplace – a feature her little room didn’t possess. And there was champagne in a silver bucket with two crystal flutes on the table, along with a few plates under silver covers.

squeee! Omigosh! He set all this up in advance, readying the place for Chloe. I wanted to swoon at the sweetness of it all. Damn, it’s a pity that Chloe barely noticed the room’s preparations…but I don’t think Lex would have minded that all of her attention was on him, and therefore couldn’t be spared for the room.


“You are sweet!” Her voice cracked a little with feeling as her heart clenched at the deprecation in his tone. For the last months she’d known him, Lex hadn't been nearly as torn apart by his nature as he’d been in Smallville. But some things didn’t change.

The reason he’d always grasped desperately at anything he wanted was because he’d never believed himself worthy of keeping it.

She knew this about him. Even if no one else did.

That was beautiful! I sensed that Lex was only half-joking about how silly[I] and unsuitable it was to call him ‘sweet’. He half-wanted and needed Chloe’s reassurance that she really DID mean what she said, and didn’t just use the word to tease him. I loved that Chloe sensed that, and went out of her way to make sure he knew that she meant what she said.


Lex pulled his chest away from hers and studied her face intently. “Do you? You want me?” he asked hoarsely. “You want me?”

Chloe gulped. “Oh yeah. I do.” When she saw she hadn’t really answered his question – at least not in a way that fully satisfied him – she added, “Always.”

*swoon* it’s always so satisfying and delightful seeing Lex acting so needy… and seeing Chloe being able to satisfy those aching needs in a way that no-one else can.


Smiling, Chloe adjusted herself into a sitting position and worked on his groin skillfully, until Lex was panting and thrusting his pelvis into her touch. “But I’m not afraid to improvise,” she said, thrilled and even more aroused to see that this cool, powerful man was so out of control for her.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled it away from his still clothed erection. “I think we’ll both enjoy it more if your improvisation stops with that.” He gave her a predatory smile as he slid off her panties.

“Indeed,” Chloe agreed, opening her legs for him as his hand explored the wet, swollen flesh of her arousal. She sucked in her breath as his finger grazed her clit.

omigosh, all of this smutty goodness. Zannie always manages to write the most memorable and amazing style of smut… where the hotness intertwines with emotion and humour. I love it!!!


She stroked Lex a few more times and then she lay back down on the coverlet, gazing up at him—her heart momentarily full as she saw his hot, tense face above her. He still was mostly dressed in his Santa suit on and, while there was something wild and abandoned about lying completely naked beneath his rumpled, clothed form, the Santa suit was just a little weird.

ROTFL! And that Santa suit is still on?!? ROTFLMAO! It’s about time that Chloe peeled it off, otherwise it would end up just a [I]tad too kinky, LOL!


“Chloe?” he asked thickly, his eyes holding hers in a deep look. “This isn’t just an sleazy affair, is it?”

She shook her head mutely, feeling inordinately touched by the question. Then managed to say, “Not for me.”

heee! More neediness! How delightful!


He held himself still for a minute, until Chloe was practically writhing with frustration. Her pelvis was grinding against him and her hands were clutching at his taut thighs. “Lex,” she gasped at last, “I know you said you weren’t going anywhere, but I thought at least you’d move.”

squeee!! And more hot smut threaded with humour! I think I might explode from the sheer awesomeness of it all!


“Chloe,” he said hoarsely, staring down at her as if he could devour her. “Chloe, come.”

She whimpered, her head tossing around so much that her hair clung to her damp face. All the rich pressure that had built up at her center finally reached its limit. Her body arched backward tightly like a bow. Her hands clutched desperately at the bedding beneath her. She choked on her stifled cries of effort and need.

Then she came. The tension shattered inside her. Her hips thrashed. Her body convulsed. Her hoarse scream of pleasure was breathless and broken.

Oh heavens, that was beautiful! I felt myself tensing up and releasing (erm… emotionally of course ;) ) upon reading this.


“Will,” he forced out, the coiled tension in his body so deep he was shaking with it. “After you . . . again.”

“Always . . . were . . . too . . . smug,” she gasped, her body feeling relaxed and sated after her first orgasm. But her sated state was only temporary because, as Lex’s hard flesh continued to stroke her intimately, a new urgency began to build up quickly from the friction.

heh… I think this is one of those rare times where we’ll happily forgive Lex for being a smugly arrogant over-achiever. LOL!


Lex was gripping the flesh of her thighs bruisingly, clearly trying to hold himself back. His voice was desperate and almost pleading when he grunted, “Chloe. Come. Chloe. Touch yourself.”

She sucked in short, frantic breaths, her breasts bouncing with the same momentum as her legs. One of her hands slid down to where Lex's slick cock was pumping in and out of her body. She rubbed at her clit clumsily as he'd requested, feeling the additional stimulation push her past the bounds of restraint.

*swoons, drools and melts* HOT!!!!!


But this time he came too. His hips jerked a few more time, in clumsy desperation. His features contorted at the very last moment, until a wash of sudden pleasure transformed them completely. His whole body throbbed with the spasms of his release, and he shouted out her name so that it echoed through the room.

Even more intense and incredible that reading about Chloe coming (multiple times) is reading about Lex finally coming too… with really intense, orgasmic pleasure.


“Chloe, you know, don't you, how I feel about you?” he asked at last, looking into her eyes intently.

She nodded and swallowed hard. “I do now. But aren’t you going to tell me?”

His face twisted slightly as he leaned down to kiss her. She reveled in the kiss but her heart was beating wildly—with nerves—when he finally pulled away.

“I love you, Chloe,” he said, slightly hoarse.

oh wow! I was so sure that Lex wouldn’t actually say it… that he’d just leave it unvoiced in the hopes that his actions spoke louder than words. But while his actions convey his emotions quite strongly and clearly, it’s wonderful to see him having the guts to state his feelings out loud for Chloe too.

LOL! Wasn’t it typical that this first proclamation of love got him, not a smile, but tears? ROTFLMAO! Poor Lex… but at least Chloe managed to gasp out an ‘I love you too’ at the end of her crying jag, LOL!


“Don’t get too smug. Remember, I have a lifetime’s worth of ammunition in that Santa suit.”

To her delight, he smiled at her – rather than the haughty glare she’d expected. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

The implications in his words made her melt, but she’d never thought herself to be a melty girl before. It was probably the roaring fire, the exertion of sex, the weight of Lex’s warm body on top of her.

That’s what it was. She wasn't really melty. It was just hot.

squeee! Perfect, perfect priceless ending! I loved it!! Thank you so much for the update, Zannie! And thank you for updating before Chistmas… your effort is greatly appreciated :D

Any more writing coming up soon…?

[Zannie]

Epilogue


“How many times are you planning to stare at that exam tonight?”

Lex’s question was pointed, but his tone was more amused than anything else.

Chloe glared at him. “I was just reading some of the comments again,” she explained, putting down the graded final exam she’d just been scanning over, for perhaps the fourteenth time in two days. She’d gone to pick up her exam the previous day, after her professor had sent out an email to the class informing them that the exams were available. While she could see her final grade for the course online, she’d wanted to see the handwritten details on the exam itself.

The final exam for her Virology course might have been the most difficult test she’d ever taken. And she still wanted to squeal over the fact that she’d made a 93 on it and that Dr. Haggard had given her some high praise in the written comments.

When she glanced over at Lex’s face—half-fond and half-skeptical—she couldn’t help but give him a self-deprecating smile. “All right. So maybe I’m obsessing. But . . .” She paused, trying to think of the most accurate description of her feelings. “I’m just proud of myself.”

Lex’s expression changed from the teasing look to something much deeper, something that made her shudder low in her spine. He got up from his chair and gave her a soft kiss. “I’m proud of you too.”

Chloe pulled away, feeling uncharacteristically sappy.

“Now hurry up,” Lex added, “Or we won’t make it to the party by midnight.”

The sappiness vanished and Chloe frowned. “We have plenty of time.” When she glanced at the clock and saw that it was already almost ten, she decided Lex might have a small point. “All right, I’ll finished getting dressed.”

She and Lex were going to Lois’s New Year’s Eve party, and Chloe was actually a little nervous about it.

Being careful not to show her tension, she took off her short silk robe and pulled out the black dress she was planning to wear.

It was the same angle-hemmed dress she’d been wearing when Lex had fucked her in the department store dressing room—more than a year ago now. Despite the use they’d put it to in the store, the dress was no worse for wear, and it was one of her favorites.

Her absolute favorite was the silvery-green dress that Lex had picked out for her on that same shopping trip.

Lex was already dressed in a sleek, urban black suit, and he was zipping through some emails on his smart phone, lounging in the old chair in her bedroom.

As Chloe checked her hair and added a couple of sparkly hairpins, she told herself she had no reason to be nervous.

They were just going to a party at her cousin's. It would be fun, festive, with a lot of people she knew.

Nothing to stress about.

And the fact that this would be the first party she would attend with Lex, after he’d announced his return to Metropolis, really shouldn’t be a big deal.

The last year had been good. It had become harder and harder to hide her relationship from the people in her life, but she had respected Lex’s need to be discreet. And part of her liked having him all to herself. For months, he had been working on setting up advantageous scenarios for his return, particularly building the foundations for a new LexCorp.

Just before Christmas this year, he had told her that he was ready to come out from hiding, and Chloe had been torn between relief and an intense case of nerves.

She loved Lex, and Lex loved her. And they couldn’t really build a life together if no one else could know that Lex was alive.

But this would change everything. And she had to admit she was nervous about it.

She could admit it to herself. But she wasn’t planning on letting Lex know.

“It’s fine if you’re nervous.”

Chloe gasped, both at the interruption to her private flow of thoughts and the way Lex had evidently read her mind. Not that it hadn’t happened before.

“I’m not nerv—“ she began, then saw Lex’s raised eyebrows. “Fine. I’m a little nervous. It’s just so . . . so new. I’m glad you’re finally coming out of the shadows. Really, I am.”

“I know. But we don’t know how people will react, particularly the people in your life you’re close to.” Both of them knew Lex meant primarily Lois and Clark. “You’d be crazy not to be nervous.”

Despite his dry tone, Chloe felt absurdly reassured. Grabbing the necklace she was planning to wear, she came over and slid her arms around Lex’s neck, letting him pull her into his lap.

After she’d kissed him for a minute, stroking his lips with her tongue, she pulled away, one hand still caressing his bald scalp. “I’m happy about it. I hope you know that.”

“I’m going to do my best to make sure you stay happy about it. I can’t promise it will always be easy.”

“Who ever said easy was the way to go?”

She gave Lex the necklace and adjusted so he could put it on for her. It was the Christmas gift he’d given her last year, when he’d showed up in a Santa suit at the ski lodge. A gorgeous diamond solitaire in an antique setting on a platinum chain.

After he’d fastened the delicate mechanism, he murmured, almost indifferently, “Sometimes easy would be nice.”

Chloe turned her head to meet his blue eyes. “Good trumps easy any day.”

That made him smile. “Agreed.” He patted her on the ass. “Now hurry up and put your shoes on.”

She scowled at him, but she was actually feeling very mushy inside. “Don’t be mean to me, or I’ll regale all my friends at the party with detailed descriptions of you in a Santa suit. Don’t forget, Lois actually saw—“

She broke off with a squeal as Lex growled and lunge for her, almost playfully.

She’d never seen him act playful until this last year.

As she went to pull on her shoes, she saw Lex palm something he’d pulled out of his pocket.

“What’s that?” she asked, ever curious.

He frowned at her coolly. “You would do well to focus on getting ready instead of prying into my affairs.”

And Chloe suddenly knew—she knew—what he had in his pocket.

She had to duck her head to hide the flash of shattering joy on her face.

But she managed to say, liltingly enough. “But I like your affairs.”

“You’re the last affair I’ll ever have.”

Chloe had to swallow over the lump of emotion in her voice and slowly walked over the dresser to put on her earrings in order to control her rush of trembling.

She hadn’t quite managed to pull herself together when she met Lex’s gaze again. She knew he could see the glistening of tears in her eyes.

In response to what she hadn’t said—what she hadn’t needed to say—Lex murmured, “Good definitely trumps easy.”

Unable to contain her feelings and giving up on even trying, she went over to kiss and embrace him again.

The last year hadn’t been easy. But it had been good. So good.

And tonight was New Year’s Eve.

Next year would be even better.



THE END


Author’s note: Thanks for your patience with this story. I really appreciate that you didn’t give up on it. I don’t have any immediate plans to write another Chlex story, but I’ve had a couple of story ideas in the back of my mind for a while, and it’s possible I’ll get the momentum to write them.

Happy New Year everyone!

[alexiel]

I love this story, it was very lovely ! And the epilogue was very cute !
Thanks again for finish it !

[lexie]

As she went to pull on her shoes, she saw Lex palm something he’d pulled out of his pocket.

“What’s that?” she asked, ever curious.

He frowned at her coolly. “You would do well to focus on getting ready instead of prying into my affairs.”

And Chloe suddenly knew—she knew—what he had in his pocket.

She had to duck her head to hide the flash of shattering joy on her face.

But she managed to say, liltingly enough. “But I like your affairs.”

“You’re the last affair I’ll ever have.”

It was a lovely epilogue all in all but this last part was my absolute favourite- it was the moment I´d been anticipating for quite some time and I´m such a sucker for happy endings (or, at least as happy as one can make them be, considering the circumstances). Even though I´m sure they´ll have difficult times ahead, they have each other and Chlex have always been an unbeatable team.:D




Author’s note: Thanks for your patience with this story. I really appreciate that you didn’t give up on it. I don’t have any immediate plans to write another Chlex story, but I’ve had a couple of story ideas in the back of my mind for a while, and it’s possible I’ll get the momentum to write them.

This has to be my second (or first?) favourite portion of your post.:grin3: The idea that there could be more stories from you put a big smile on my face.

Thanks for the belated Christmas present.


Happy New Year everyone!

I wish you a Happy New Year too. "See" you around.:blinkkiss

[westwingwolf]

Good to see they have a happy life together, and they realize that the good stuff comes with hard work. They look so comfortable and sweet together. I think they will have a wonderful life and marriage.

[Emch]

Just WONDERFUL. I've been missing your fics. Any chance for a new story for this coming year??????? PLEASEEEEEEE

[daria_103]

A wonderful ending to a wonderful story, thanks so much for taking the time to finish it and give us such a sweet ending.

[Kit Merlot]

A lovely ending!

Forget about Lois and Clark--Chloe and Lex love each other and they are committed on making it work. That is all that is needed:D

[lj715]

Wow, that was a really great epilogue. Loved it all.

[slayer44]

That was such a great ending to such a wonderful story.

[cypanache]

I am so ashamed that I failed to provide feedback on the last few parts of this chapter.

This whole story has been delightful. Thank you for taking the time to give it to us, and for giving us Lex in a Santa suit at least one last time. As usual the sex scenes were hot and Chloe's internal monologue is so much fun, the constant reassurance to herself that she's an intelligent, unsentimental woman even as she continues to indulge in total sentimentality is wonderfully familiar these days (its like coming home to a favorite friend).

Like so many others I'm throwing in my request that you at least leave the door open to coming back to us at some point, but if you don't want to or life won't let you . . .

Thank you for every single word you have ever given this site. I think I speak for all of us, that chlexdom wouldn't be half as much fun without you.

[somethingeasy]

“How many times are you planning to stare at that exam tonight?”

Lex’s question was pointed, but his tone was more amused than anything else.

LOL! I loved the pretty domestic teasing that the chapter started off with. It was really cute seeing the quirky side of Chloe’s revealed in the way she was reveling in the comments written by her professor on a particularly excellent paper of hers. But I can certainly understand Chloe’s gratification, satisfaction and pride in her good grade in the challenging course.

And I also sensed that Lex’s pride in Chloe was reflected in his question as well. He’s HAPPY that his girlfriend did inordinately well on her course, which is precisely why he’s not getting annoyed at her pulling the paper out at any given opportunity to stare at it.

It was also great to hear Lex telling Chloe that he was proud of her too. Silent expressions through action and gestures are nice… but sometimes you need the words too.


She and Lex were going to Lois’s New Year’s Eve party, and Chloe was actually a little nervous about it.

squeee!! Omigosh! They’re going public?!? Awesome!!!


It was the same angle-hemmed dress she’d been wearing when Lex had fucked her in the department store dressing room—more than a year ago now. Despite the use they’d put it to in the store, the dress was no worse for wear, and it was one of her favorites.

Her absolute favorite was the silvery-green dress that Lex had picked out for her on that same shopping trip.

LOL! I remember those dresses very clearly. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget them really.


Nothing to stress about.

And the fact that this would be the first party she would attend with Lex, after he’d announced his return to Metropolis, really shouldn’t be a big deal.

heh… perhaps you can try repeating that to yourself another couple of hundred times, Chloe, and it might end up coming true? Doubtful, but it might…? LOL!


The last year had been good. It had become harder and harder to hide her relationship from the people in her life, but she had respected Lex’s need to be discreet. And part of her liked having him all to herself. For months, he had been working on setting up advantageous scenarios for his return, particularly building the foundations for a new LexCorp.

Just before Christmas this year, he had told her that he was ready to come out from hiding, and Chloe had been torn between relief and an intense case of nerves.

Thanks for the quick summation of all the filler events that have taken place, Zannie! It was much appreciated. It’s good to know that Lex is re-entering society again… and that he’s re-entering in something close to the place of power and privilege. Actually, it sounds like he’s in that ‘perfect place’ that he enjoys the most… where he has a little bit of power and influence, and basically has to start building an empire. We all know that Lex loves his business challenges.

And this time, he’s starting this new life with a steady relationship supporting him. It’s most definitely the perfect kind of stand for Lex to start off on.


She loved Lex, and Lex loved her. And they couldn’t really build a life together if no one else could know that Lex was alive.

But this would change everything. And she had to admit she was nervous about it.

I liked the observation how this ‘coming out party’ is going to be great for Chloe as well as Lex… having a secret lover as a casual, short-lived fling is one thing… but maintaining the secrecy for a serious, long-term relationship is impossible and ridiculous. It must have been incredibly stressful for Chloe to have kept her love affair with Lex a secret since Christmas, but now the secrecy has finally come to an end.

Heh… not that it’s going to be smooth sailing from now on. Bringing Lex ‘out’ as her pubic boyfriend is going to bring a whole new set of problems, and it’s gratifying to see Chloe is aware (and consequently nervous) about it.


She could admit it to herself. But she wasn’t planning on letting Lex know.

“It’s fine if you’re nervous.”

Chloe gasped, both at the interruption to her private flow of thoughts and the way Lex had evidently read her mind. Not that it hadn’t happened before.

ROTFLMAO! I remember reading a lot of Zannie-fics which show Lex annoyed, disoriented and hugely unnerved at the ease with which Chloe is able to read his mind… so it’s fun to see that shoe on the other foot, LOL!

Quite honestly, though… you don’t have to be a Chloe/Lex style genius to know that Chloe is going to be nervous about tonight. I suspect that Lex is also jumping out of his skin with nerves… not only because of the problems of becoming a public figure and a major power-figure in Metropolis again, but of also for Chloe realizing what it’s like to have a public figure as a boyfriend (or fiancé).


After she’d kissed him for a minute, stroking his lips with her tongue, she pulled away, one hand still caressing his bald scalp. “I’m happy about it. I hope you know that.”

“I’m going to do my best to make sure you stay happy about it. I can’t promise it will always be easy.”

I was so glad to see Chloe using those particular words to reassure Lex, because I’m SURE, at a moment like this, he’s having serious anxiety about the possibility of Chloe regretting this whole situation, and realizing what a ‘bad deal’ she’s getting going public as the latest Luthor girlfriend (or fiancé).

I thought her specific reassurance was exactly why Lex needed to hear… and I loved the way he has essentially promised her to never give her cause to regret her choice to be with a Luthor.


After he’d fastened the delicate mechanism, he murmured, almost indifferently, “Sometimes easy would be nice.”

Chloe turned her head to meet his blue eyes. “Good trumps easy any day.”

heeee! Now it’s reasons like this why anyone can see that Chloe is the only woman for Lex.. because she’s the only one who knows exactly the right thing to say to make him feel better, and drag him (a little bit) out of his moody brood.


She scowled at him, but she was actually feeling very mushy inside. “Don’t be mean to me, or I’ll regale all my friends at the party with detailed descriptions of you in a Santa suit. Don’t forget, Lois actually saw—“

ROTFLMAO! Chloe’s never going to get tired of using that threat, is she? LOL!


And Chloe suddenly knew—she knew—what he had in his pocket.

She had to duck her head to hide the flash of shattering joy on her face.

But she managed to say, liltingly enough. “But I like your affairs.”

“You’re the last affair I’ll ever have.”

Chloe had to swallow over the lump of emotion in her voice and slowly walked over the dresser to put on her earrings in order to control her rush of trembling.

She hadn’t quite managed to pull herself together when she met Lex’s gaze again. She knew he could see the glistening of tears in her eyes.

In response to what she hadn’t said—what she hadn’t needed to say—Lex murmured, “Good definitely trumps easy.”

oh wow! I know this section is slightly long as a quote, but I couldn’t find a place to break in!! I loved, LOVED how Lex didn’t need to propose, or even show Chloe the ring. She just knew what he was planning on asking her. And she ddn’t even have to say, yes, or give ANY indication of agreeing to the proposal… because he knew that she had accepted.

Wow! *swoon* beautifully, stunning! One of the most memorable proposal scenes I have ever read. And the perfect ending to the fic!

Thanks for posting, Zannie. I don’t know what other kinds of story ideas you have churning around in your head… but I really hope you get the time and inclination to write them down. I MISS your writing… the whole forum does. Heck, so many of us (myself included) were introduced to Chlex through your writing… and we love you for it.

[missylou47]

Oh that was wonderful!!! Thank you for making them so happy and giving us such a romantic epilogue! I loved this whole story!!! Thank you for finishing it!!! :D

[hfce]

What a great way to start the new year. That was a beautiful ending. ;)

[lilinny]

What a great story. I'm glad you found time to finish this story.

I hope that I speak for a great many people in the forum that you and your stories are truly missed.

Happy New Year!

[elementia]

Well that was certainly HOT! ;)
I'm not melty at all :grin:

Great story!!

[ChloeLovesLex]

Oh Zannie! I was so happy to see that you had come back and finished this up. What a wonderful job you did. I loved every minute of it. I treated myself to reading it from start to finish for the full effect. *sigh* So perfectly smutty...I mean, lovely. Thanks for coming back to give us closure to this story.

[purplemoon123]

Thank you for such a lovely Chlex fic. In which we got amazing hawtness, Lex in a Santa suit and the gorgeous happy ending for our wonderful duo.

[emms14]

So it's totally the wrong season for me to be reading this but I've been searching out everything Zannie so I found this. Adorable and hysterical. I'm still laughing over Lex in a Santa suit. Awesome job! :)

-emms14

[Azulblade]

Lol i was so sad the first time i came across this story because it had only just started and i knew that writing great stories like this takes time so i knew i was going to have to be patient (something im not great at when it comes to stories) but it was definitely worth the wait. great job! hehe and im still picturing lex in a santa suit

[Azulblade]

;-) i can't wait for your next story but i understand if the momentum isnt quite there yet so i guess i'll just try to keep my ears to the ground (or whatever the saying is...eyes open would have worked too but either way you get it...i think) sorry for the ramlbling. anyway holiday heat was a joy (and somewhat guilty pleasure) to read

[cornelia]

Zannie you've done it again. What a lovely Christmas fic!

[squeezumstang]

can't believe i missed this story the first time around! i lurve your work zannie!!!

[MASCH]

I can't believe it! I hadn't read this one! I thought I read all your fics!!! Anyway, it was great as usual :)