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View Full Version : [Completed] Compromising Circumstances (R)- Final Update & PDF (July 19th,11)



lexie
13th January 2011, 00:07
SUMMARY: Two strangers meet under compromising circumstances; a brief encounter that will affect their lives in more ways than one.

AUTHOR: Lexie

RATING: R

A/N: I'm on holidays and it shows. What the devil am I doing posting the beginning of a new fic when I already have two to complete? Well, I'd been toying with the idea of writing a fic with this setting for a long time and I finally decided to sit down and do it.

My original idea was to rework a scene from Season 6 as a starting point, but I changed my mind and went for something AU.

For the sake of this story you'll have to imagine that Chloe and Lex have never met. I'm sure you're going to have questions along the way, particularly concerning Lex's past; you'll have to be patient because those details will be revealed little by little.

Enjoy!

A/N 2: I also updated "Choices" (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/7913-quot-Choices-quot-(PG-13-R)-CH-8-Jan-5th-2011) last week and "At Second Sight" (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/8297-quot-At-Second-Sight-quot-(PG-13-R)-CH-1-Jan-10-2010) a couple of days ago so don't forget to check them out if you haven't.

COMPROMISING CIRCUMSTANCES

CHAPTER ONE

Chloe made a run for the lift and darted inside as the doors were closing. She pushed the ground floor button repeatedly as if that could put the elevator in motion faster than the mechanism was programmed to. Only then did she notice there was a couple standing against the side wall. The discovery made her heart pound even more and prompted her to take a step backwards to make an escape. Perceiving her presence, the sensors activated and the doors jerked to a stop, beginning to slide open again.

“Second thoughts?” the man in the impeccable dinner jacket asked, cocking a graceful eyebrow and using a cynical tone which suggested he was used to the vacillations of the opposite sex.

Clutching at the collar of her full-length coat, Chloe ignored him and shot a quick panicked glance at the emergency stairwell. Too late. She heard the sound of a door opening and then rapid footsteps muffled by the carpeted corridor. She hurried back inside and punched several buttons before flattening herself up against the opposite wall.

Releasing the breath she’d been holding, she felt the lift start to descend, taking her away from the threat of the fortieth floor.

“Everything OK?” asked the only male occupant, observing the way her hand tightened on her collar.

“Yes, thanks. I thought I’d left the car keys, but they were in my pocket,” she pasted a smile on her face, taking the key ring and making them jingle.

Feeling the beads of perspiration rolling down her back and the swell of her breasts she smoothed the thick black fur over her body with her free hand. The tall and curvaceous woman across from her followed the movement with her exquisitely made-up eyes, clear envy gleaming in them.

Why wasn’t the damn elevator moving faster? Or was it just her imagination and time wasn’t really dragging? Chloe stared at the blinking light which showed their slow descent as if she could will it to speed up and felt the man’s eyes studying her profile. What was it about her face that he found so alluring? She knew she wasn’t an Ugly Duckling but she could never compete with the catwalk beauty of his partner.

Had circumstances been any different she would have turned her head and stared back at him; however, she wasn’t looking for any confrontations, she just wanted to get the hell out of that building as inconspicuously as possible and forget that evening had ever happened.

“Is it real mink?” asked the other woman with clear disapproval in her voice.

Just what she needed: an animal-rights activist; not that she was in favour of killing animals for their fur or that she had any particular attachment to the coat she was wearing- she couldn’t, the circumstances of her new acquisition had been too unpalatable, but she really didn’t feel up to a lecture or a full-blown argument.

Chloe was wondering what she’d done lately to deserve such a hellish evening when all of a sudden there was a jolt and the lift came to a stop. Impatient to get out, she pushed the ‘open door’ button repeatedly but it failed to respond.

“I’m afraid that won’t work,” said the man in a calmly collected voice. “The door isn’t stuck. It’s the elevator.”

“Are we trapped?” screeched his companion.

Animal-rights activist and claustrophobic. It definitely wasn’t her evening.

The man murmured some soothing words and picked up the emergency phone. Chloe observed him surreptitiously as he talked with the person on the other side of the line. There was an undeniable air of authority about him that suggested he was used to taking command and being obeyed.

Just like the woman he was dressed for a night at the opera. His black suit was no doubt tailor-made, certainly Italian like his gleaming shoes. He had wide shoulders, lean hips and his skin was pale white indicating he never lay in the sun- he’d have probably got burnt and peeled quite easily if he had. However, the most distinctive characteristic of his appearance was his completely bald head, a rarity in someone so young. For the first time in her life Chloe acknowledged baldness might make a man even sexier.

“We should make ourselves comfortable,” he turned around, unbuttoning his jacket and loosening his bow tie before undoing the first few buttons of his pristine white shirt.

“What’s wrong with the elevator? It isn’t the brakes, is it?” asked the brunette nervously, clutching at the imperturbable man.

Animal-rights activist, claustrophobic and with no brains. If the brakes hadn’t been working, they would have been squashed by then.

“An electrical malfunction,” he smiled at his companion with an air of cool detachment. “They’re calling the technician. It will be fixed within the hour.”

“An hour?!” exclaimed Chloe, hating the uncharacteristic screeching of her voice.

His penetrating blue-grey eyes focused on her.

“Is there someone you need to call? Someone that might get worried? You could ask the man at reception to pass on your message.”

“No, it’s OK.”

There was no one waiting at home, no one special who would miss her for a few hours or the whole night and, besides, reaching out to the emergency phone would mean moving closer to the tall attractive stranger and that made her extra nervous somehow. He might appear relaxed but there was a leashed energy about him that she found threatening.

“Do you suffer from claustrophobia?” he asked her with evident concern, noticing how tense she was.

Chloe shook her head and then wrapped her arms around her middle to try to ease the knot in her stomach.

“You should take off the fur. The air-conditioning isn’t working and the elevator’s going to get really warm soon,” he suggested to Chloe as he helped his companion remove her evening-coat.

“For some reason I feel cold tonight. I must have caught a twenty-four hour bug or something,” Chloe replied evenly once she got her ragged emotions under control, thanking he’d been too focused aiding the other woman to notice her reaction to his suggestion.

“Suit yourself,” he said gently after looking at her thoughtfully for a few agonising moments.

After a few minutes he made some other soothing comments intended to put both women at ease, but Chloe was so tense that she found herself uncharacteristically tight-lipped and only managed to acknowledge the man’s efforts with a few monosyllables. Eventually the couple ignored her, engaging in what she assumed was an intimate conversation. She wondered what kind of relationship they had since whereas the woman touched him frequently, smiled and flirted with her eyes and words, he remained restraint for some reason. Instinct told Gabe Sullivan’s daughter that his self-control wasn’t due to their not being alone. In fact, something told her he was the kind of man who wouldn’t let anything stand in his way when he wanted something... or someone.

She wasn’t aware of how long she’d been staring, but she was suddenly brought back to reality when her gaze clashed with a pair of blue-grey eyes.

“Are you sure you can breathe in that coat?” he insisted, noticing her blushed face before she jerked her green eyes away.

Chloe’s throat was dry and she couldn’t remember ever feeling so embarrassed in her life. She was melting and felt as if she were being roasted in an oven. She could feel the trickles of sweat rolling down her legs now while she watched him take off his jacket, remove his cufflinks and start to roll up the sleeves of his dress shirt.

Sagging against the wall of the lift she overheard a brief call from the technician letting them know the malfunction would be solved in the following fifteen minutes. A quarter of an hour, enough time to melt into a puddle. What would happen if she ended up fainting? She had to fight the dizziness and get ready to act fast if the doors opened and he was waiting for her in the foyer. She wished she had enough strength left in her to come up with some snarky remark to shut the mouth of the brunette, who upset by her escort’s increasing glances in Chloe’s directions, started ranting over the evils of the luxury fur trade.

Under the circumstances Chloe couldn’t care less. She simply closed her eyes and zoned out, visualising herself in a swimsuit lying on the shores of Crater Lake where she used to spend many a summer afternoon with Clark and the gang. She could feel the cool breeze coming from the wood nearby, gently caressing her flushed cheeks.

“Why don’t you stop this nonsense and take the damn fur off before you dehydrate and pass out?”

Chloe fluttered her eyelids open, vaguely realising that the soft touch she’d felt on her red cheek had been the brush of his hand. She got lost in the hypnotic intensity of the blue-grey eyes so close to her and felt her knees wobble a little.

“Stubborn lady. You’re about to faint,” snarled the man under his breath, reaching out for the fastenings of her coat.

It wasn’t until she felt a drift of air across her bare collarbone that she woke up from her dreamy interlude.

“What...? No. Don’t. I’m...”

She was no physical match for his determination and, no matter her protests and how much she tried to hold the edges of the coat together, he managed to undo the last couple of buttons and rip it open.

He froze for a moment, his lean and broad-shouldered body shielding her from the sight of the brunette.

Time dragged on once again. It must have been just an instant but it felt like an eternity to Chloe, who saw the fleeting stunned look in his eyes change into a smouldering one as it swept down over the expanse of her blushing curves and back up again to her feverishly defiant face. Three seconds had been long enough to imprint the image of her nudity displayed only for him on both their minds.

Then the whole world went black.

TBC

Rachet
13th January 2011, 00:47
this sould be a fun story

Fouzia
13th January 2011, 00:47
I love it^^
OMG I want to read more!!!!!!

Historianic
13th January 2011, 01:29
WOW. This is a thoroughly intriguing beginning. I love the way you've thrown us right into it. Looking forward to reading more. Thanks so much Lexie! :)

emms14
13th January 2011, 02:14
Oh goodness, what in the hell is going on here?!?! You have me utterly bewildered and ridiculously curious awaiting more! I'm definitely hooked, can't wait for more :)

-emms14

Cmds1025
13th January 2011, 03:35
wild story can't wate to see more

hfce
13th January 2011, 03:38
:rofl: Why is she naked?

chloedreamer
13th January 2011, 05:41
Yes why does she not have any clothes on?

Cassandra Jean
13th January 2011, 06:44
Well, this looks very interesting....just wondering why she appears to be naked.

Update soon please.

tatie87
13th January 2011, 08:06
I'm guessing, it's safe to say, that Chloe didn't have anything on under her fur coat. I can't wait to see how this story is going to set up.

dayamiracle
13th January 2011, 10:14
Oh Im so curious about what is happening here. Im assuming the man in the elevator is Lex, with one of his model ladies. What is Chloe running from and why is she just wearing the mink coat? Cant wait for the next update!

ladyfayerie
13th January 2011, 10:27
ohmeejosh. this is really wonderful! i now can't wait for your next update! :D yes, why is she naked??? i totally love it! great start! <3

somethingeasy
13th January 2011, 11:36
I this was an awesome beginning to a new story, Lexie. I’d venture to say that it’s one of the most memorable beginning between Chloe and Lex in an AU fic. I’d say it’s THE most memorable, except that honour still belongs to Nonky’s Lesser of Two Evils :P


Chloe made a run for the lift and darted inside as the doors were closing. She pushed the ground floor button repeatedly as if that could put the elevator in motion faster than the mechanism was programmed to. Only then did she notice there was a couple standing against the side wall. The discovery made her heart pound even more and prompted her to take a step backwards to make an escape. Perceiving her presence, the sensors activated and the doors jerked to a stop, beginning to slide open again.

“Second thoughts?” the man in the impeccable dinner jacket asked, cocking a graceful eyebrow and using a cynical tone which suggested he was used to the vacillations of the opposite sex.

I loved how the very beginning had Lex established as snide and arrogant and judgmental. Chloe already doesn’t like him, lol! I understand completely how she would dislike Lex from the very beginning. She’s run into the elevator in an embarrassed rush, her nerves and feelings obviously overly sensitive already, and this snooty, arrogant bastard takes a moment to note her distress and make a self-satisfied, snarky comment about it.

LOL! And it certainly didn’t help that Lex’s date was a gorgeous, tall, exquisite woman who seemed to be (not very subtly) sneering at Chloe the whole time they were going down the elevator… and then breaking into hysterics when the elevator stopped.

Seriously, Lexie, I thought it was interesting and brilliant to establish how a good portion of Chloe’s animosity was focused on Lex’s date, rather than Lex himself. It’s sadly how women function sometimes… sometimes we just irrationally start snarling at each other (subtly of course… the men never notice – oblivious idiots!). We just ignore the men, and focus all of our annoyance and loathing on the women closest in our vicinity.

So I thought it was quite a clever and insightful idea to have Chloe rather dismissive of Lex, and focus most of her animosity on the woman in the elevator with her. Oh, she did note Lex as attractive, young, sexy… and with a distinct air of authority and privilege about him. But she only noted these qualities in passing, while most of her focus was one the woman… and on her own nakedness underneath her coat, LOL!



“You should take off the fur. The air-conditioning isn’t working and the elevator’s going to get really warm soon,” he suggested to Chloe as he helped his companion remove her evening-coat.

“For some reason I feel cold tonight. I must have caught a twenty-four hour bug or something,” Chloe replied evenly once she got her ragged emotions under control, thanking he’d been too focused aiding the other woman to notice her reaction to his suggestion.

“Suit yourself,” he said gently after looking at her thoughtfully for a few agonizing moments.

Speaking of Chloe’s nakedness, it was at this point where I guessed that Chloe was actually wearing nothing underneath that beautiful, luxurious coat of hers. Chloe’s lying about feeling cold, plus her mortification at the thought of stripping off her coat… all of it suggested very strongly that Chloe was ‘being naughty’ this evening.

LOL! Oh poor Chloe. Of ALL the times for an elevator to strike out on her. First she’s been (I’m guessing) humiliated somehow by whoever she came to visit in that lovely coat, and now she’s trapped on the verge of humiliation in front of complete strangers.

It probably did NOT help that she came across as a flighty nut because she was so insistent on keeping the coat on, despite how it was OBVIOUS that she was dying to heat inside of it. Besides which, her physical discomfort was probably made all the more intolerable seeing her elevator companions stripping themselves of all ‘extra clothing’ in order to better bear the growing heat.

It was probably a perverse blessing for Chloe to finally lose consciousness, right at the extreme height of humiliation… when her coat was pulled open by that arrogant, pushy, elitist bastard with the loathsomely shrill and ‘exquisite’ date by his side. But, at least Chloe got to see a look of ‘smouldering appreciation’ in his eyes before she passed out.

LOL! WHAT a way to make an impression, Chloe. I wonder whether Lex will feel compelled to check up on this crazy, kinky lady who passed out in a trapped elevator with him. More than that, I want to know how the heck he handled Chloe after she fainted. Did he keep her covered in her coat, despite knowing how it was dehydrating and over-heating her? Surely he wouldn’t have stripped her naked, not in the presence of his gleefully gloating date… would he?

I can’t wait until the next chapter. Please update soon, Lexie!

zadie
13th January 2011, 11:46
Crazy idea to be starting another story? Only if crazy means really really smart and awesome ideas :)

Love it already, any fic where Lex and Chloe can interact without all the Smallville writers baggage are inherently fabulous from the get go.
And wonderfully written and staged as always (I love the bitchy date, going on about fur while probably wearing a couple of thousand dollars worth of blood diamonds!)

More soon please

Gaia
13th January 2011, 13:46
Very interesting start! So who is Chloe in this world...well we will find out of course, but I am just curious at this point:D She is clearly trying to get away from someone and she was naked....
Can't wait for the next update of course.:)

MASCH
13th January 2011, 20:20
Ok so I have to admit this story got me hooked. It's nice to see a story where Chloe doesn't know Lex and so doesn't have any (negative) preconceived notions about him.
I've been going around the possible reasons why Chloe could have been naked under that mink coat, and trying to avoid a mysterious "he".
It didn't feel like it was a sexual situation; she gave off the vibe of anxiousness way more than excitement. On the other hand, she didn't appear terrified by her pursuer, just wanting to get away from him.
Maybe she was after a story and thought seduction was the way in? But is she even a journalist in this story? If so she would have known who Lex was...
Or maybe she was blackmailed (since she was forced to take the mink coat and make a dash for it)
Seriously though, update soon before I start making up aliens who whisked away her clothes! :)

kcsgirl82
14th January 2011, 05:19
Interesting beginning!
The things I am wondering about most are: who was Chloe running from (and why was she running from them), what's with the fur coat, and why is she naked under it.
I can't wait to see what you have planned for the next chapter!!

lexie
14th January 2011, 05:54
ohmeejosh. this is really wonderful! i now can't wait for your next update! :D yes, why is she naked??? i totally love it! great start! <3


I'm guessing, it's safe to say, that Chloe didn't have anything on under her fur coat..

Since I can't use the thank you button again until tomorrow. I'm quoting tatie87 and ladyfayerie. Yes, your assumption and that of the rest is correct; Chloe was naked below the coat. To what extent? That'll be revealed in the following chapter.


The things I am wondering about most are: who was Chloe running from (and why was she running from them), what's with the fur coat, and why is she naked under it.


Oh Im so curious about what is happening here. Im assuming the man in the elevator is Lex, with one of his model ladies. What is Chloe running from and why is she just wearing the mink coat? Cant wait for the next update!

I've missed you, dayamiracle! I haven't heard from you in ages, so welcome back.

Right again.The reason for her running away and how she ended up in that condition won't be made clear until Chapter 4 more or less.


I this was an awesome beginning to a new story, Lexie. I’d venture to say that it’s one of the most memorable beginning between Chloe and Lex in an AU fic. I’d say it’s THE most memorable, except that honour still belongs to Nonky’s Lesser of Two Evils :P

Finding your review was a real surprise, Sabrina; my long fics rarely get the honour, so I treasure this comment even more. LOL. And being put in the same category as nonky is a second WOW!




So I thought it was quite a clever and insightful idea to have Chloe rather dismissive of Lex, and focus most of her animosity on the woman in the elevator with her. Oh, she did note Lex as attractive, young, sexy… and with a distinct air of authority and privilege about him. But she only noted these qualities in passing, while most of her focus was one the woman… and on her own nakedness underneath her coat, LOL!

Poor Chloe had a lot to worry about. As you pointed out she DID notice Lex and maybe the fact that she was nude under the coat with such a gorgeous male specimen triggered her self-preservation mechanism. Claws up!



Speaking of Chloe’s nakedness, it was at this point where I guessed that Chloe was actually wearing nothing underneath that beautiful, luxurious coat of hers. Chloe’s lying about feeling cold, plus her mortification at the thought of stripping off her coat… all of it suggested very strongly that Chloe was ‘being naughty’ this evening.

I can't give anything away without spoiling the surprise when it comes. Your answer to whether she was being naughty and with whom will be given in parts. The who will be revealed in the following update, the circumstances a couple of chapters later give or take.


It was probably a perverse blessing for Chloe to finally lose consciousness, right at the extreme height of humiliation… when her coat was pulled open by that arrogant, pushy, elitist bastard with the loathsomely shrill and ‘exquisite’ date by his side. But, at least Chloe got to see a look of ‘smouldering appreciation’ in his eyes before she passed out.

It was high time somebody appreciated her as the sensual and sexy woman she's always been and not as a convenient shoulder to cry upon or a soulless search engine.

Here I am not knowing whether to correct a false assumption or not.*ponders* OK... there are several interpretations for darkness.


LOL! WHAT a way to make an impression, Chloe. I wonder whether Lex will feel compelled to check up on this crazy, kinky lady who passed out in a trapped elevator with him. More than that, I want to know how the heck he handled Chloe after she fainted. Did he keep her covered in her coat, despite knowing how it was dehydrating and over-heating her? Surely he wouldn’t have stripped her naked, not in the presence of his gleefully gloating date… would he?

I can’t wait until the next chapter. Please update soon, Lexie!

I doubt Lex's escort would have been game to anything kinky, least of all involving Chloe. She's definitely of the possessive kind. LOL. And the Lex I love doesn't share. So, no stripping... until later in the fic when he can have Chloe all to himself.

I'll probably update this one before "Choices" and/or "At Second Sight" because the former's more demanding. There might be an update either over the weekend or at the beginning of the week since I'm leaving on holidays on Tuesday afternoon.



Crazy idea to be starting another story? Only if crazy means really really smart and awesome ideas :)

Although this idea bugged me three years ago when I watched Gemini, I couldn't come up with the right way to aproach it. There was no brunette in the lift in my first draft, no one besides Chloe and Lex; I thought NC-17 writers would have had a field day with them trapped in an elevator, but then I'm not an NC-17 author. For a long time I resigned myself to the fact I'd never write it. That's what I thought until a scene I read in a novel zillions of years ago popped into my mind out of the blue last week, and I said that's it! That's the perfect starting point!

I usually have three or four stories on paper on which I work simultaneously or which I take up depending on my mood, but I never share several of them on the forums at the same time, especially not when they're unfinished. However, I need the boost that feedback provides since I've got my hands full with RL and getting encouragement from my readers pushes me to try and find the time to do what I like, a time for myself.



Very interesting start! So who is Chloe in this world...well we will find out of course, but I am just curious at this point:D

Again, the mystery of who Chloe is in this AU world will be revealed in Chapter 2.



I've been going around the possible reasons why Chloe could have been naked under that mink coat, and trying to avoid a mysterious "he".

Well, actually, there IS a mysterious "he" and I've mentioned him as "he" in the first chapter. I toyed with the idea of using his name for fear the reference would get lost amongst all the "hes" that referred to Lex and then I discarded it because I thought the context would make it clear: "What would happen if she ended up fainting? She had to fight the dizziness and get ready to act fast if the doors opened and he was waiting for her in the foyer. " The "he" in this portion's definitely not Lex. His name will be revealed in Chapter 2.



It didn't feel like it was a sexual situation; she gave off the vibe of anxiousness way more than excitement. On the other hand, she didn't appear terrified by her pursuer, just wanting to get away from him.
Maybe she was after a story and thought seduction was the way in? But is she even a journalist in this story? If so she would have known who Lex was...
Or maybe she was blackmailed (since she was forced to take the mink coat and make a dash for it)
Seriously though, update soon before I start making up aliens who whisked away her clothes! :)

One of your assumptions is really really warm.LOL. As regards her not knowing Lex, there's a very valid reason and it has nothing to do with her employment. And that's all I'm saying for now.

lexie
14th January 2011, 22:24
A/N: OK. This one was really fast. Since I'm leaving on holidays next Tuesday and I don't know how much I'll be able to do away from home or if I'll have internet access, I'm posting a new chapter now. I was planning on working on "Choices" or "At Second Sight" first but my muse thought differently.

Hopefully, I'll have an update ready for one of my other WIPs before leaving for the mountains.

CHAPTER TWO

Nude under a fur coat like an expensive hooker.

Four months had gone by and the memory of the embarrassing event still haunted her as the images kept popping into her head at the most inopportune moments.

Taking a sip of her sixth coffee of the morning she tried to focus on the documents that were demanding her attention and hold back the flashback. Once again she failed abysmally.

She didn’t even have the consolation of knowing she’d done her best to redeem her modesty when the lights went off. It had been the stranger who, with incredible celerity and deft fingers, had buttoned up the coat to her chin.

The lights had come back almost immediately and the lift had continued its descent. By that time, the attractive stranger was back at his companion’s side a picture of cynical remoteness. Chloe had taken a quick look at his poker-face and averted her eyes, feeling her cheeks flame.

As soon as the doors had slid open on the ground floor she’d dashed out of the building as if it the devil were chasing her. She’d rushed to her parked BMW, fumbled with her car keys in the ignition and driven away fighting off tears of humiliation.


˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜* ˜

Chloe laid back in her swivel chair and pinched the bridge of her nose to chase away the unwelcome images. She needn’t wonder what he must have thought of her; it’d been there for her to see in his hypnotic blue-grey eyes. The fleeting look of shock on discovering she was wearing nothing except a pair of tiny cotton panties under the luxurious mink had been replaced first by one of speculation and then by a scorching gaze which had raked over her body with an unmistakable flare of male lust. She could still feel how her skin had burnt under his eyes and how her body had flushed to her very womanly core. She’d never been more aware of her sensuality than in that brief span of three seconds.

She should have reacted immediately, but she had been as stunned as him, transfixed by the look of masculine appreciation in his magnetic eyes, the kind of look which had been so rarely addressed to her in her twenty-seven years. And she had stood there, practically flaunting herself at him, a stranger she would unlikely cross paths with since she no longer lived in Metropolis but in Star City.

It’d taken her several weeks to be able to enter a lift again without suffering a panic attack and she still had to make a real effort to walk into one if it was already occupied by a man. Luckily, her office in the headquarters of Queen Industries was on the third floor and she could climb up the stairs using the excuse of wanting to keep fit now that she had so little time to go to the gym, not that she’d ever been athletic but that was something her employees didn’t have to know.

Chloe massaged the coiled muscles of her neck. If only she hadn’t felt pity and given in to Jimmy’s pleading when she‘d turn up at his door with a no on her lips. She would still have had her clothes on and maybe, maybe she would have taken an empty lift and reached the ground floor before it went out of order.

“How are you feeling?”

“Completely lost,” she sighed guiltily, meeting the enquiring gaze of her late husband’s childhood friend and lawyer. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, Jason. Once upon a time I used to be able to crack the hardest codes and penetrate the most intricate firewalls and now... I can’t make heads or tails of a damn quarterly report,” she added, her voice laced with frustration.

“Don’t worry so much about it, Chloe. You’ve been over-exerting yourself lately. And you’ve done great so far. Nobody expects you to become a power-hardened business mogul overnight. “

“Well, it appears Oliver had a different opinion. I still wake up every morning wondering what possessed him to leave me the reins of his company. He knew that my world was a computer or a word-processor not a board room. I definitely wouldn’t be a fish out of water in a detective’s agency or a bullpen but ... how am I supposed to be the captain of this ship? He never made me part of this world, and now I’m expected to work miracles.”

“You knew Oliver just as well as I did. He seized each day and never had long-term plans. He thought he was invincible or, at least, he used to test his limits to see how far he could go. Before he met you he just lived for the thrill. He didn’t expect his will to be executed for years. When he left you Queen Industries and directed that it continue to be run as a family business he was probably thinking of a son as the CEO...”

Jason couldn’t know how ironical that was

“It wasn’t my intention to upset you, Chloe,” he told her, worry etched on his face.

“No, it’s OK. You’re probably right in your assumption. I just feel that I’m failing him... “ Again, she added inwardly.

“He’d have never been disappointed in you,” Jason reassured her. “Don’t underestimate yourself, Chloe. Another woman would have cracked under the circumstances. Not only did you have to deal with the grief of losing Oliver all of a sudden, but there was the shock of discovering that most of his estate turned out to be a liability rather than an asset. He was my friend and yet I can’t forgive his irresponsibility when it comes to not sharing with you the problems he was having.”

Chloe couldn’t tell Oliver’s oldest friend that she hadn’t been oblivious to the fact that things weren’t going that great. The last months of her marriage had been particularly hard when Oliver started a downward spiral he kept a secret from Jason and those who worked for him. During their courtship and the first two years of marriage Chloe had got used to his disappearing in the middle of a date or from their bed. However, his absences of late hadn’t been prompted by some superhero emergency, but rather by his need to drown his sorrows in a bottle.

“Oliver believed he could work his problems out without anybody’s help, including mine. You know how proud he was... Don’t get me wrong. I loved him, but I’m well-aware of his flaws and his shortcomings just as I am of mine,” she replied, taking a few sips of her already cooling coffee to swallow the big lump in her throat.

“I know. I just wish he’d listened to me when I told him it was a wise precaution to keep a record of that confidential information he insisted on having only inside his head. If he had, you would already have had legal title months ago instead of having to wait so long for his will to go through probate. You know how damaging those rumours about the company’s viability were. If it hadn’t been for you and the admirable way you handled the situation... You earned my trust and that of the employees in the first week so don’t you sell yourself short, Chloe.”

“I owe Oliver to keep this company afloat. And I’m willing to work as hard as it takes.”

“I only hope that determination won’t consume you. You’re young, Chloe. Don’t forget to be happy. You know it’s not what Oliver would have wanted for you.”

“I don’t know why you’re assuming I’m not happy... I’m just overwhelmed and a bit confused. I hope you won’t take this the wrong way... you’ve been so helpful these past months, showing me the ropes and giving me advice, but I feel like this is something I have to do for myself. I don’t want to feel like I’m driving in the back seat anymore... that’s why I’ve enrolled in a business course.”

“At university?” he asked after a short pregnant silence.

“No, at a small community college. Attending MetU or some other first-rate university would be too risky. I used to be a student at MetU before working for The Planet so I would surely bump into someone that remembered me as an alumnus or recognised me as Oliver’s wife despite my keeping a very low-profile while I was married to him; not to mention that such a high tuition would make more than a dent on my current financial situation. And before you ask, the college is in Grandville and I’ve enrolled using my mother’s maiden name.”

“Won’t that be a problem in the future?”

“I’m not there for the degree, Jason. I’m there for the knowledge. Right now what matters to me is not getting a diploma but learning how to save this ship from sinking without putting all the burden on you. Besides, using my mother’s surname is the only way I could think of to protect our reputation. Imagine if someone ever found out the CEO of Queen Industries is taking lessons to run the company.”

“You’re an admirable woman, Ms Sullivan.”

Chloe smiled at his use of her maiden name. It was nice to be recognised for herself.

“So we have a meeting with Grierson at ten. How are we going to handle it?” she asked, consulting her appointments.

“Stonewall. We need time to find out exactly what he wants.”

Ever since Oliver’s passing, offers to buy her out had showered even before she was legally entitled to dispose of the company.

“Another scavenger?” she cocked an eyebrow.

“Trying to define Grierson in one word would be over-simplifying him and his nature. I’d say he’s a survivor first and foremost. He makes his own rules; that makes him dangerous and, above all, unpredictable. The man’s a mystery as you must have realised after reading that background check I ran on him. There’s a huge blank in his past nobody’s been able to explain. What I can assure you is that he’s not asked for a meeting to exchange pleasantries; he’s made a name for himself thanks to his hostile takeovers in the electronics field. ”

“And Queens Industries belongs to his area of expertise. If he’s as dangerous as you’re saying, wouldn’t it better if you held a preliminary meeting with him... alone? ”

“He’s asked for a meeting with you and he wields too much power to alienate him. If we show him we’re vulnerable...”

“When you say we you mean I, Chloe Sullivan. In other words, if he guesses the truth, he can crush the company. I have to show him I’m in complete command. A real piece of cake,” she chuckled nervously.

“According to his lawyer, Mr Grierson met with Oliver on several occasions to talk about business. It appears they reached some sort of verbal agreement about Grierson’s involvement in Queen Industries. In the last couple of years he acquired three of the companies we do business with, and Oliver and I were working on finalising a big contract to supply one of them with Queen’s technology.”

“That means he might be here to discuss the terms of that contract.”

“It’s possible.”

“But you don’t think that’s the reason for his coming today,” she said speculatively.” Oliver would have never accepted him as a partner in the business if he hadn’t known him well. And you said it yourself, there’s a lot we don’t know about Grierson.”

“You’re right. I wasn’t part of their discussions. However, I got the impression they both knew each other from way back.”

“Friends?”

“I wouldn’t go as far as that. There was a palpable rivalry between them. Oliver would have taken him home and introduced him to you if they had been friends. Chloe, there’s a good chance that Grierson’s the one responsible for starting the rumours about the viability of Queen Industries. It’s a well-known practice to push the prey into a corner. “

“What happens if he starts asking me questions I don’t have the answers for?”

“Just do what we planned for our previous meetings; you managed to convince the others you’re a shrewd opponent.”

“So I’ll stick to yes or no when I haven’t got much information to work with and give you one of our usual cues if I find myself in a muddle. Are you sure this is going to work on him? I have a hunch our 10 o’clock appointment is one of a kind,” she told Jason with a worried frown. “Yes, come in,” she added on hearing a quick knock on the acid-etched glass door.

“It’s only me,” smiled Chloe’s assistant.”A courier’s just dropped this package for you, Mrs Queen. “

“Leave it in the inbox tray. I’ll check it out with the rest of my mail when I finish with my appointments.”

“It’s from Grierson,” explained Susan, handing it to her boss.

“Do you think this means he’s standing us up?” Chloe asked, shooting a puzzled look at Jason as she tore the paper and uncover a CD-ROM box.

“Maybe he wants us to have some numbers and projections to go over before the meeting,” replied Jason thoughtfully while Chloe loaded the disc on her laptop.

“Not an Excel file. It’s in video format,” she said looking at the pop-up menu.

“Was there an enclosed note in the package or a Post-it on the box?”

“Nothing,” she double-clicked on the icon.

“A clip from a gossip news show... featuring Grierson?” frowned Jason when the video started to play. “Why send us this? What do we care about his latest conquest and the string of brunettes he’s bedded?” he voiced his thoughts aloud as a reporter in off accompanied a slideshow of gorgeous young women interpolated with moving images featuring Grierson and a stunning escort.

Chloe was no longer listening to her trusted counsellor. His voice became a distant drone as soon as her eyes focused on the images playing since there, on the screen of her laptop, working his suave charm on the woman hanging on his arm, was the man from the lift.

His departure from the block of offices had been shot the night of the embarrassing event. There was no doubt about it; the woman draped on his arm was the curvaceous brunette who’d tried to lecture her and she was wearing the tight-fitting black dress and diamonds Chloe remembered. She bet the animal-rights activist wasn’t the kind to wear the same outfit twice.

The young widow felt her stomach churn at the awful implications. A cold sweat ran up her spine. She was going to be sick; the prospect of it happening in front of two of the people who had put all their trust in her ability to keep the company afloat added to her humiliation. So she took a couple of deep breaths and clenched her fists on her lap to control the urge to heave.

He knew who she was; he had to or there was no sense in his sending that video addressed to her. Jason had asked her if there was a note enclosed. There was no need. The meaning was clear. It was a threat. He knew something about her he was sure she didn’t want anyone else to find out.

It was a miracle she herself hadn’t been caught on tape as she was leaving the premises in a rush. It was a good thing he was the celebrity the paparazzi seemed to have been waiting for. She thanked Oliver’s policy to keep such a low profile after their marriage for it granted her a certain level of protection against the media vultures. There were some very nice people and great professionals in her former field of work, but there were also unscrupulous scandalmongers such as her old colleague at The Planet, Linda Lake.

“Chloe, are you all right?” Jason jerked her back to reality. “You look as if you were about to pass out.”

“Liver trouble. Blame it on the stress,” she smiled faintly.

“I’ll make you an infusion of herbal tea,” offered Susan with clear concern in her voice.

Dish water. Chloe would welcome a double dose of caffeine or even a tumbler of bourbon. However, she had to save face and keep up the pretence.

“Thanks, Suzy. I’d appreciate it.”

What on earth was she going to do when he turned up in her office? Should she pretend they’d never met? What if he decided to bring their encounter up? What exactly did he expect her to do?

It seemed fate was against letting her forget that night.

An unnerving business appointment had suddenly turned into a complete nightmare. Alexander Grierson had an ace up his sleeve and that ace was none other than the CEO of Queen Industries herself.


TBC

A/N 2: Before you ask, the use of Grierson instead of Luthor as Lex's surname will be explained in coming chapters. Those of you who are familiar with my work might remember it from another fic; the reason for its use here is different, though.

hfce
15th January 2011, 02:45
Oh no Chloe. :rofl:

kcsgirl82
15th January 2011, 04:45
Thank you so much for the wonderful update!!
I am totally blindsided I did not see Chloe being the widow of Oliver Queen!
Poor Chloe, she loses her husband and is trying to keep his company (his legacy) intact and now she is possibly being blackmailed over one of the most humiliating moments of her life!
I hope you have a safe trip and I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next!

Cassandra Jean
15th January 2011, 08:02
Thanks for the update....I am loving this one, although I am dreading the reason as to why Lex sent her the video tape. I really hope he isn't going to try to blackmail her so he can get a hold of Queen Industires.

Gaia
15th January 2011, 11:49
NO! You know, Chloe should just hack into the database and eliminate the source material. Without the source material he has nothing, because she can make it look as if he has manipulation images of her on video.

lexie
15th January 2011, 17:46
NO! You know, Chloe should just hack into the database and eliminate the source material. Without the source material he has nothing, because she can make it look as if he has manipulation images of her on video.

Gaia, you misunderstood this part of the chapter. The video doesn't show Chloe but Lex and his date leaving the building the night of the incident; it's meant only for her to know who he is and that he knows her and her secret.*wink*

emms14
15th January 2011, 18:50
And so the plot quickens... It's very interesting that Chloe was married to Oliver and that he left her an entire corporation. And how on Earth does Lex, or should I say Grierson, know that Chloe is the same woman from the elevator?? This is getting complicated...I'm excited! :D

-emms14

Historianic
15th January 2011, 19:47
What on earth was she going to do when he turned up in her office? Should she pretend they’d never met? What if he decided to bring their encounter up? What exactly did he expect her to do?

It seemed fate was against letting her forget that night.

An unnerving business appointment had suddenly turned into a complete nightmare. Alexander Grierson had an ace up his sleeve and that ace was none other than the CEO of Queen Industries herself.

And there, as the bard would say, lies the rub.

I think Lex is making a mistake employing this tactic with Chloe though. Miss Sullivan is the type who's courage and determination infinitely rises with each attempt to intimidate her and Lex is grossly under-estimating her. Chloe is just as brilliant as Lex and can be just as devious lol!

This is going to be fun! I can't wait to read what happens next and am looking forward to seeing how they ultimately fall in love in all this. Something tells me that by the end of this fic, Chloe is going to be the one holding all the cards :).

Thanks for the update Lexie and have a wonderful holiday in the mountains!

somethingeasy
15th January 2011, 21:20
First of all, I was happy to see that Lex decided to leave Chloe’s coat on, even after she fainted in the elevator. I’m NOT saying that I was expecting him to strip her nude for his perverse enjoyment or to start molesting her. But I was wondering whether he was going to be forced to remove the coat out of extreme concern that she was over-heating and couldn’t breathe in it.

Fortunately, Lex decided that Chloe modesty was worth a little risk to her health, lol!

It was very, VERY interesting to discover that a little of the backstory of this alternate world’s Chloe. What a fascinating life this woman has lead! Married to a billionaire, and then widowed, and placed in charge of a multinational company – which happens to be struggling in a financial crises… and all this before the age of thirty. Darned impressive!

The most impressive thing was seeing Chloe coping with everything with minimum complaint. She was struggling like crazy to cope with a situation that’s waaay beyond her skills and comfort zone. And yet she’s somehow holding herself together with a poise that’s just amazing! I agree wholeheartedly with Jason that Chloe was performing admirably under pressure and strain that would have easily cracked a lesser person.

heh… speaking of Jason… I wonder whether there’s any possibility of him having developed feelings for Chloe, and is waiting out the ‘proper grieving time’ before making his move on her…?

I think it was a brilliant idea for Chloe to start going to business school in order to fill in some of the gaps in her skill-set. I also loved the sneaky way that Chloe enrolled herself into a small, low-key community college, rather than an Undergraduate program. BUT, I do wonder whether that decision is going to come back to bite her in the backside. It seems inevitable that the news of her course will come out, and it’s going to cause some major media embarrassment for Chloe.

Coming back to the ChOliver marriage. It sounds like Chloe and Oliver were not on the best of terms during the time of his death. I’m not saying that they were fighting and arguing. On the contrary, fighting might have been better compared to what was happening. They both were drifting apart from each other. It sounds like it might have been more Oliver’s fault than Chloe’s, since HE seemed to be the one hiding secrets about his struggling company and his drinking problem. That’s a darned shame, and I can imagine that such a bad end to her marriage would leave Chloe sour about the idea of future relationships. Lex is really going to have his work cut out for him while he wooing Chloe.


“When you say we you mean I, Chloe Sullivan. In other words, if he guesses the truth, he can crush the company. I have to show him I’m in complete command. A real piece of cake,” she chuckled nervously.

And now onto the subject of Lex Luthor… or perhaps I should call him Alexander Greierson? Whatever his name, I’m sure that Lex is a ruthless business shark in all worlds. And now it appears that Chloe precarious hold on her deceased husband’s company is now being threatened by Lex? Poor Chloe! As if she doesn’t have enough troubles on her plate. Add to that the fact that it was Lex Luthor that was the snide, arrogant, condescending bastard who saw her to be (practically) nude in the elevator… *shudder* Poor Chloe!!

Still… this IS a Chlex fic, so we know that eventually Lex is going to fall madly in love with Chloe (probably). But there’s still a question on how miserable can he and Chloe make each other before they get together. This is going to be FUN to watch unfold!

It seems like Greirson has already made the first move. You can’t tell me that the package Lex sent to Chloe was meant to be a friendly introduction?! By all account, it appeared to be either a taunt, or a threat. heee, I can’t wait to see their first meeting!

starmoon
16th January 2011, 01:23
i love this story i just hope everything works out for chole.

lexie
16th January 2011, 06:16
I am totally blindsided I did not see Chloe being the widow of Oliver Queen!

Glad to have surprised you. I chose Oliver as Chloe's late husband simply because I needed a billionaire and someone Lex had a history of rivalry with.Those who know me are aware the blond archer isn't a favourite of mine and that when I introduce another billionaire I go for Bruce but, of course, I like Wayne too much to kill him off. LOL


First of all, I was happy to see that Lex decided to leave Chloe’s coat on, even after she fainted in the elevator.

Here's the wrong assumption I hinted at in my comment to your previous review. When I said that the whole world went black I implied the lights went off literally. In other words, Chloe never fainted and Lex took advantage of the few seconds of darkness to do up her buttons before the lights returned and the lift started its descent again.


It was very, VERY interesting to discover that a little of the backstory of this alternate world’s Chloe. What a fascinating life this woman has lead! Married to a billionaire, and then widowed, and placed in charge of a multinational company – which happens to be struggling in a financial crises… and all this before the age of thirty. Darned impressive!

The most impressive thing was seeing Chloe coping with everything with minimum complaint. She was struggling like crazy to cope with a situation that’s waaay beyond her skills and comfort zone. And yet she’s somehow holding herself together with a poise that’s just amazing! I agree wholeheartedly with Jason that Chloe was performing admirably under pressure and strain that would have easily cracked a lesser person.

This I'm sure is something that will earn Lex's admiration and respect, and it's also something that brings them closer since Lex has also lived and gone through a lot for someone so young.


heh… speaking of Jason… I wonder whether there’s any possibility of him having developed feelings for Chloe, and is waiting out the ‘proper grieving time’ before making his move on her…?

You're going to get a peek into Jason's life in the following update.


I think it was a brilliant idea for Chloe to start going to business school in order to fill in some of the gaps in her skill-set. I also loved the sneaky way that Chloe enrolled herself into a small, low-key community college, rather than an Undergraduate program. BUT, I do wonder whether that decision is going to come back to bite her in the backside. It seems inevitable that the news of her course will come out, and it’s going to cause some major media embarrassment for Chloe.

Her taking business lessons will definitely have consequences, though maybe not the ones you expect.:)


Coming back to the ChOliver marriage. It sounds like Chloe and Oliver were not on the best of terms during the time of his death. I’m not saying that they were fighting and arguing. On the contrary, fighting might have been better compared to what was happening. They both were drifting apart from each other. It sounds like it might have been more Oliver’s fault than Chloe’s, since HE seemed to be the one hiding secrets about his struggling company and his drinking problem.

This is me being mean to a character I'm not fond of. I can't resist avenging young Lex whenever I get the opportunity lol Although the reasons for Oliver behaving the way he did in his marriage to Chloe have grounds in canon, I'll provide some extra fodder.



It seems like Greirson has already made the first move. You can’t tell me that the package Lex sent to Chloe was meant to be a friendly introduction?! By all account, it appeared to be either a taunt, or a threat. heee, I can’t wait to see their first meeting!

You'll get your wish in the following update. We'll see if there's any indication there as to what it is that Lex meant with that package or if he plays his cards close to his chest.

somethingeasy
16th January 2011, 15:21
Here's the wrong assumption I hinted at in my comment to your previous review. When I said that the whole world went black I implied the lights went off literally. In other words, Chloe never fainted and Lex took advantage of the few seconds of darkness to do up her buttons before the lights returned and the lift started its descent again.

oops. Thanks for clarifying, Lexie. I completely missed that. It makes a whole lot more sense this way, and I'm hugely relieved to hear that Chloe wasn't fainting like some kind of swooning damsel in a soppy period romance piece. Not that a swooning damsel would be caught fainting under those specific circumstances... not the in the cliched soppy romance novels at least, lol!

ripsconscullmin
17th January 2011, 00:04
Ah, Lex. What are you planning? He'd been holding onto those pictures, hadn't he? I think he would have known very quickly after their encounter who she was and would have gotten copies of those pictures soon after learning her identity, holding onto them until just the right moment. Learning his identity and connection to the elevator incident just before a first business meeting between them would cause a great deal of anxiety and likely throw Chloe completely off kilter. I REALLY can't wait to see how their meeting goes.

I'm very disturbed by a connection between her nakedness that night and Jimmy. Please tell me she wasn't going to have sex with Jimmy. Blech. The thought makes me nauseous. And here come the dry heaves and stomach cramps. Ick, SVJimmy. Tell me he blackmailed her into it if that was case. Or did he attack her? Just tell me she wasn't going to have sex with him and if she was, she didn't really want to. Not that I want her to have been attacked, but ach SVJimmy. We hates him (and I think I'm going to insert a Gollum scream for emphasis or maybe his reaction in TTT to cooking the rabbits. sorry I have LOTR movies on the brain). Or is it not Jimmy Olsen and I'm upset for no reason? You're going to reveal the full story of that night soon, right?

Aw, Ollie's dead. They were married? Hm, I get the impression it was some sort of deal between them, not a love marriage. Or did I miss it and you had a change of heart about Ollie?

And Jason. Is that Jason Teague?

Oh, poor Chloe. She's under a lot of pressure. Suffering from the grief of losing a friend, trying to run QI with no business knowledge or experience, then trying to run it while taking courses in Business. Yikes! And now add Lex to the mix. That's enough to make anybody crumble.

I am very eagerly awaiting the next update.

Rip

lexie
17th January 2011, 00:44
Ah, Lex. What are you planning? He'd been holding onto those pictures, hadn't he? I think he would have known very quickly after their encounter who she was and would have gotten copies of those pictures soon after learning her identity, holding onto them until just the right moment. Learning his identity and connection to the elevator incident just before a first business meeting between them would cause a great deal of anxiety and likely throw Chloe completely off kilter. I REALLY can't wait to see how their meeting goes.

As I told Gaia, he had no pictures of Chloe nor did he have any manipulated. The package included a video on CD-ROM featuring him leaving the building with his date the night of the embarrassing moment. The video was meant to show Chloe who he was and that he knew a secret of hers he was sure she didn't want anyone to find out.



I'm very disturbed by a connection between her nakedness that night and Jimmy. Please tell me she wasn't going to have sex with Jimmy. Blech. The thought makes me nauseous. And here come the dry heaves and stomach cramps. Ick, SVJimmy. Tell me he blackmailed her into it if that was case. Or did he attack her? Just tell me she wasn't going to have sex with him and if she was, she didn't really want to. Not that I want her to have been attacked, but ach SVJimmy. We hates him (and I think I'm going to insert a Gollum scream for emphasis or maybe his reaction in TTT to cooking the rabbits. sorry I have LOTR movies on the brain). Or is it not Jimmy Olsen and I'm upset for no reason? You're going to reveal the full story of that night soon, right?

I'm not a fan of Chimmy. Jimmy is Olsen and yes, I will explain the circumstances of her being naked and visiting him.

Trust me on this one.



Aw, Ollie's dead. They were married? Hm, I get the impression it was some sort of deal between them, not a love marriage. Or did I miss it and you had a change of heart about Ollie?

Absolutely no change of heart whatsoever (Lex would have mi hind. LOL) More to come on their marriage in the following chapters; I wish I could give you something now but I'd spoil things just as I would as far as Jimmy's involvement goes if I were to spill the beans here.


And Jason. Is that Jason Teague?

Right again.



Oh, poor Chloe. She's under a lot of pressure. Suffering from the grief of losing a friend, trying to run QI with no business knowledge or experience, then trying to run it while taking courses in Business. Yikes! And now add Lex to the mix. That's enough to make anybody crumble.

She surely is and this is just the beginning.


I am very eagerly awaiting the next update.

Pleased to know you're already very much hooked.

kibi8
17th January 2011, 11:50
I like how all of the billionaires are in this story: Lex, Oliver, and Jason. I can't wait to see what will happen when Lex and Chloe come face to face.

ladyfayerie
17th January 2011, 13:00
wow. she’s a widow! i was surprised. haha. i wonder how they’d interact with each other when they meet. chloe, that girl’s lucky to have held lex’s gaze! nice job with the update. keep on keepin on! :D

niala85
21st January 2011, 18:44
Lovely beginning. very interesting can't wait to see what happens with Chloe( and Lex)!!!!

SouthernChlex
21st January 2011, 20:54
I can't wait to see where this is going.

dayamiracle
28th January 2011, 04:38
Im offically hooked and cant wait to see what happens when Lex and Chloe meet outside the elevator.

mima
28th January 2011, 07:14
Me like!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Update soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!

zadie
28th January 2011, 08:30
So...is it too soon to nag for the next chapter?...not that I'm impatient or anything :)

lexie
28th January 2011, 15:05
I'm away from home on holidays and with limited access to the internet or a computer. I've just finished writing a new chapter of Choices (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/7913-quot-Choices-quot-(PG-13-R)-August-29th-2010?p=260698) and I'm currently working on this one and At Second Sight (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/8297-quot-At-Second-Sight-quot-(Prologue-Dec-26-2010)?p=265975). I'll be back home on February the first so I suppose there'll be something up next week if everything goes as planned.

Thank you all for your nice feedback. :)

lexie
1st February 2011, 23:20
A/N: I'm back from my holidays in the mountains so I'm going to update my WIPs this week. I've posted a new chapter of Choices (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/7913-quot-Choices-quot-(PG-13-R)-August-29th-2010?p=260698) and an update on "At Second Sight" (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/8297-quot-At-Second-Sight-quot-(Prologue-Dec-26-2010)?p=265975) as well.

CHAPTER THREE

“And this is Alexander Grierson,” said Jason when Chloe finished shaking hands with the smartly dressed lawyer.

She took a discreet calming breath and, turning away from the admiring gaze of Jason’s colleague, she met the eyes that she’d been avoiding since her late husband’s best friend and legal advisor had ushered both men into her office.

Her hand was steady, her expression completely relaxed; she hadn’t used her talent at hiding what she was feeling deep inside since her days in Smallville when her self-protective instincts used to be in full-mode around her teenage crush, Clark Kent

“Mr Grierson,” she greeted the tall, lean and powerfully handsome man she remembered from the lift, cursing her short height because it put her at a disadvantage and made her tilt her chin to look up into his face.

For the second time in four months she felt the shivering impact of having those magnetic and speculating blue-grey eyes of his focused only on her.

“I can hardly say it's a pleasure to see you again,” she murmured wryly, meeting his smug smirk with a small rueful smile.

“I didn’t know that you two...” started Jason with a puzzled look on his face.

“I’m afraid our paths crossed under rather embarrassing circumstances...” she cut him off.

Grierson didn’t say anything- there was no need; he simply looked at her with a glint of amusement in his eyes.

“As a matter of fact, we still have to be formally introduced beyond the bare essentials,” he mocked at her lightly.

“What Mr Grierson means,” she explained to Jason,”is that we were trapped in an elevator together one night. Mr Grierson, his date and... myself, that is.”

“It must have been a terrible experience for you, Chloe, considering your recent claustrophobia,” Jason said with clear concern in his voice.

“To be honest, Mrs Queen was a real trooper. She handled herself admirably. I’d say her attitude was quite revealing,” the bald billionaire taunted her yet again.

Chloe’s mask of cool control slipped for a second and her green eyes turned stormy emerald; months of repressed frustration threatening to explode. She didn’t know what he expected to get from her or if he intended to exploit her embarrassing secret to demand some kind of favour from her. The way he was contemplating her with the intense blue-grey eyes which had haunted even her waking hours in the past four months put some ideas in her mind as to the possible nature of that favour and, to her utter horror she blushed. How was it possible her libido was betraying her so grossly when she should be lashing out at his insolence or, at the very least, be planning the way to make him pay for having fun at her expense?

Trying to regain the control that was slipping away from her she returned to her desk and, inviting him to sit across from her, she made her best effort to retain that air of cool dignity she’d cultivated around all the other business vultures that had hovered around her and Queen Industries since Oliver’s passing.

“Please, call me Lex,” he replied, taking a seat.“Formality between us is a little ridiculous considering the circumstances.”

Chloe told herself she’d been right in her assessment of the billionaire even before the scheduled meeting; he was a completely different animal from his predecessors in that seat. Even though he was on the same level with her and they could look each other in the eye, she felt even more threatened now than when she had had to tilt her chin to meet his gaze. It was ironical; he looked utterly relaxed but it’d be naďve to take him for a kitten when he was in reality a panther waiting for the perfect moment to pounce after having hypnotised his prey.

“So, Lex, you were the one who requested this interview. You’ve got the floor. I’m listening,” she lay back on her swivel chair and held his gaze unflinchingly.

“Based on my past discussions with the former CEO of Queen Industries I believe we have grounds for negotiation.”

“Just as you said, you’re talking about the past. I’d be remiss if I were to agree to anything without having all the facts, Mr... Lex.”

“That’s very wise of you, Chloe. I’m here to present you with the facts. Oliver and I used to attend the same boarding school... but only just before his death did we really talk. We were never friends as teenagers for reasons that I won’t go into detail now. However, it was Oliver who approached me last year, not the other way around. We had some areas of mutuality that we agreed to explore. For various reasons we didn’t deem the time appropriate to pursue them and suggested meeting again in eight months; that time’s up.”

“Why didn’t you approach us sooner? I’m sure my husband’s passing must have raised some concerns.”

“Just like yours this last year’s been particularly complex for me.“

“I see. Of course we're interested in any arrangements you might have discussed with Oliver...” she replied with a guarded look in her eyes and a tiny hint of relief in her voice because they’d drifted away from the subject of their encounter on the lift.

“You’re not legally obligated to honour any verbal agreement,” Jason warned her.

“Your lawyer’s right to advise you to be cautious. Still, verbal agreements are as valid as written ones. Since I assume you’d like to see proof of what I discussed with Oliver I’ve brought video recordings of our meetings,” he told Chloe, sliding a box across the desk towards her.

A DVD instead of a CD-Rom this time. Chloe shot a brief glance at Jason and saw the same surprise and wariness she was feeling reflected in his eyes.

“Was my husband aware he was being recorded?”

“The practice’s not unusual amongst businesspeople. It comes in handy when the issues discussed are of a sensitive nature and no secretaries are allowed in the room,” explained his lawyer.

“I’m not questioning the practicality of such a procedure. I simply want to know if Mr Queen was aware he was being recorded,” replied Chloe in an even voice.

“He was. In fact, I assumed he had registered the meetings using his own security cameras too,” answered the attractive billionaire.

“He didn’t or else I would have seen the tapes already,” confessed Chloe.

“It’s a good thing then that I took the precaution of making these.”

“Are you suggesting Oliver wouldn’t have lived up to his word?” she snapped coldly.

“That’s not what I meant, Chloe. I simply believe mine was a wise move because if he didn’t register our meetings in any form but only committed them to memory, you’d have no proof of our ever having them. You’d have only your good faith as guidance. I apologise if you took my words to imply something different. Oliver and I had a rocky start when we were teens but, as I said before, we had some areas of mutuality we believed we could work together in. We respected each other as businessmen. ”

Chloe decided to take his words at face value. His apology sounded sincere and she didn’t want to come across as childish and churlish when her main concern was to project an image of self-possession, of being completely in control.

“I’m sorry. I’m still a little touchy on the subject of my late husband...”

“It’s understandable. It hasn’t been that long,” he said gently.

She wondered how much of that was formulaic; as far as Alexander Grierson knew, four months ago the grieving widow of Oliver Queen had been gallivanting across Metropolis in the semi-nude, trying to pick up strangers while taking a ride on a lift.

“Your next appointment is in an hour, Chloe. How about getting down to business?” suggested Jason, noticing the fleeting look of melancholy in Chloe’s eyes.

“I’ll explain my position succinctly,” agreed LexCorp’s CEO.

The first half of the exposition was followed by Chloe without any major problems. However, as soon as Lex started talking about Oliver’s plans to restructure and expand his business she got lost. It made no sense; Queen Industries’ profits had been contracting. Why had her husband wanted to expand?

Leaning back in her swivel chair, she faked to be listening to every word that came out of Lex’s mouth, nodding thoughtfully when Jason indicated a positive reply or cocking an eyebrow when scepticism was called for. On several occasions, Lex tried to have her express her opinion on some issue but she eluded him the same way she’d had others like him in the past, using the innate cunning of ignorance.

“Excuse me,“ said Chloe’s assistant, peeking inside the office after knocking gently on the glass door. “Mr Teague, there’s a call from Mrs Teague for you.”

“I’m sure she wouldn’t have called if it weren’t important. Go, Jason. We’ll wait for you,” Chloe told him reassuringly when he saw him hesitate. “Would you like another cup of coffee?” she offered Lex as soon as the door closed, picking up the carafe her assistant had brought in some time during their meeting.

He stood at ease, one hand casually thrust into the pocket of his perfectly pressed trousers, the cuff of his tailor-made jacket pulled up a little to reveal an exquisite wrist watch made out of an antique French coin. A burgundy silk tie, a pristine white shirt and a pair of shiny Italian shoes completed his elegantly expensive attire. His outfit wasn’t that different from what Oliver used to wear during office hours; however, there was something unique about him: his baldness, a statement of individuality which Chloe had noticed he bore with as much pride as he would a war wound.

“Thanks, I’ve had my fill for today. But go ahead and have another yourself, Chloe.”

She poured a frothy mug and sprinkled some cinnamon on top, trying to ignore the creepy sensation of doom crawling up her spine as she felt his presence a few steps away, watching her every move.

She took a step back and turned to sit at her desk again in an attempt to establish a position of authority and, most importantly, a good deal of personal space between them. Her strategic manoeuvre was unsuccessful though, since they both chose to move at the same time and he ended up cutting her progress when he stopped in front of the panoramic window in order to look at the Star City skyline.

“Teague’s very protective of you, isn't he? I got the impression he didn’t like the idea of leaving you alone with me too much. “

“He doesn’t trust you and your intentions.”

“My intentions?” he asked with an ironical smile.

“Why do you have to twist everything?”

“It’s you the one who’s determined to read things into my words that aren’t there, Chloe. Does he know you have a naughty streak?”

“You’re misconstruing what you saw on that elevator. And my relationship with Mr Teague’s strictly professional. He’s a married man.”

“That’s something that wouldn’t have stopped many a woman,” he told her with a hint of bitterness in his voice as he looked out of the window.

Chloe wondered if he’d been betrayed by his former wife that way and if that was the reason for his being so cynical and ready to believe the worst of the opposite sex.

“Well, I’m not one of those. Jason was a dear friend of my husband’s and is married to a friend of mine. Lana’s expecting their first child any time now. So the idea of us being lovers is preposterous and I find your insinuation truly offensive,” she glared at his profile.

“I’m sorry,” he said perfectly composed, turning his head to look her straight in the eye, “that was uncalled for.”

“The fact that you got me at a temporary disadvantage doesn’t give you the right to try to manipulate me or my company,” she told him frostily.

Her sixth sense told her there was a rational explanation to his attitude towards her. He’d clearly passed judgement on her based on some negative past experience and yet the occasional lustful look that she’d surprised in his eyes told her he was anything but indifferent to her. It didn’t matter that nowadays she wore practical and smart suits that played down her femininity in an attempt to come across as the cunning and ruthless businesswoman she wasn’t; Lex would never see her that way. Whenever he looked at Chloe he’d see her as he had that night on the lift.

“You’re feeling vulnerable and defensive,” he replied, observing her folded arms. “There’s nothing you wouldn’t enjoy more than lashing out physically at me. The only thing that’s restraining you is the need to salvage what little control you have over the situation. Let’s be honest here, Chloe. You weren’t listening to half the things I said during the meeting and if it hadn’t been for your smartly staged choreography with Teague, I suspect you wouldn’t have been able to deceive the ones that sat on that chair before me. You’re an intelligent woman and could have been now on the road to becoming the youngest editor of many a leading newspaper if Oliver hadn’t saddled you with this company when he died. You aren’t incompetent; you’re simply inexperienced in this arena.”

“What do you intend to do about it?” Chloe asked rigidly, setting down her empty mug with cool control.

“Nothing like what you expect.”

Chloe Sullivan had something he wanted, something for which he was willing to sacrifice a great deal.

“We don’t know each other so well for you to be able to read my mind and know what I expect,” she told him defiantly.

“You’d be surprised at the things that I’m capable of,” he replied smugly.

Chloe felt her cheeks blush and told her active imagination to stop going down that path, least of all in front of him. One thing was to be unable to control her mind while sleeping or daydreaming and another thing was to make a fool of herself now when he could use her vulnerability against her.

“You expect me to be the soulless blood-thirsty mogul that lives for the thrill of crushing his competitors. One thing that you should learn in this business is to be ready for the unpredictable. Tell me, Chloe, what would you be willing to do to make sure all your naughty secrets die with me? ”


TBC

kcsgirl82
2nd February 2011, 00:36
Thanks for the Awesome update!
I still can't wait to find out what Chloe was really doing in that elevator (in the state she was in). I am also curious just what Lex and Oliver discussed about the company on those tapes.
Poor Chloe not being able to pull the wool over Lex's eyes, of course he would be the one to notice that Chloe doesn't understand what they are discussing about the business.
Can't wait to find out what Lex is going to want from Chloe to keep quiet about the elevator fiasco!

SouthernChlex
2nd February 2011, 02:07
I really liked the update. And the relationship between Teague and Chloe is really cute, i loved the way he helped her through the meeting. Wonder what Lex wants in exchange for his silence...

emms14
2nd February 2011, 04:53
Hmmmm...you've gotta love a sneaky Lex. :) Fantastic new chapter! Poor Chloe is just trying to get by running the company and here comes Lex trying to mess everything up.

-emms14

Historianic
2nd February 2011, 15:29
A great update! I loved this meeting between Chloe and Lex. Although Lex most certainly had the upper hand in this situation, Chloe held her own and showed she's not going to be a pushover. As other posters have mentioned, I'm also very curious about what exactly Lex and Oliver had in mind, and what their motivations were. It's going to be very interesting to see how this all plays out and how it ultimately brings Chloe and Lex together. You've raised a lot of interesting questions Lexie, setting up a fair amount of intrigue and suspense. I'm looking forward to eventually discovering the answers :).

somethingeasy
2nd February 2011, 18:11
This was an excellent chapter. ‘Grierson’ was a complete ass during the entirety of the meeting, and Chloe already thinks that he’s a jerk. It’s a great start to their relationship, lol!

Seriously speaking though, I did have to grit my teeth, a little, in irate frustration at what a condescending, smirking asshole Lex was being. He brought up their first meeting so openly and blatantly that Chloe had to admit that she’s met Lex before under some ‘compromising circumstances’. Of course, Chloe didn’t outright admit to Jason that the circumstances involved nudity, but I’m sure she felt uncomfortable enough even thinking about what happened… much less referring to it out loud. Lex was taking far too much gleeful pleasure in Chloe’s discomfort. I really hope to see him knocked down a peg or two in later chapters.

I was rather surprised that Chloe found herself so strongly attracted to Lex, even while he was acting like such a jerk. But, then again, the power of the Chlex is strong and compelling! Or perhaps it’s because Chloe is responding to the heat, desire and attraction that she can see in Lex’s eyes and body-language.

BUT, Lex’s body-language was nearly offensive in it’s over-familiarity with her. He was being decidedly rude and presumptuous in his body language… suggesting that she’s an ‘easy lay’ or something, that he couldn’t wait to sample for himself.

What the heck was he thinking anyway?! This is a woman that he wants to conduct serious business with, and he’s treating her in a humiliating manner like some kind of sex-toy that he’s appraising. Does he really think that she’s going to be amenable to any deal or negotiation from him after his rude behaviour today? A smarter man would have at least pretended to be a chivalrous gentleman, and have kept away from all reference of the elevator incident. That would have been a MUCH smarter way to garner Chloe’s trust and gratitude, and would have made her a great deal open to any deal that he might have in mind. Instead, Lex acts like an asshole, and immediately puts Chloe in a state of defensive, hostile animosity.

It’s possible that I’m being over-sensitive about Lex’s attitude towards Chloe, but all of those horribly puns and comments that he made really got on my nerves… and I really wanted to slam something heavy and solid against his head halfway through the meeting. And it certainly didn’t help that the chapter finished with Lex suggesting a threat against Chloe.

Lex’s comments about the ‘deal’ that he made with Oliver were quite intriguing though. I’d really love to know more details about what made Oliver approach Lex in the first place; what made Lex amenable to a deal from his old rival; AND what kind of negotiated deal they both struck up in the end.


“You’re misconstruing what you saw on that elevator. And my relationship with Mr Teague’s strictly professional. He’s a married man.”

“That’s something that wouldn’t have stopped many a woman,” he told her with a hint of bitterness in his voice as he looked out of the window.

Chloe wondered if he’d been betrayed by his former wife that way and if that was the reason for his being so cynical and ready to believe the worst of the opposite sex.

“Well, I’m not one of those. Jason was a dear friend of my husband’s and is married to a friend of mine. Lana’s expecting their first child any time now. So the idea of us being lovers is preposterous and I find your insinuation truly offensive,” she glared at his profile.

Oooh now this was VERY interesting. It appears that the unusual circumstances between them have ‘broken the ice’, so to speak. They both are being a lot more open and direct with each other than they would have been otherwise. It still doesn’t excuse Lex’s offensive behaviour in the first half of the meeting, but the fact that he’s at least trying to have a more serious conversation with her is a turn for the better.


“You’re feeling vulnerable and defensive,” he replied, observing her folded arms. “There’s nothing you wouldn’t enjoy more than lashing out physically at me. The only thing that’s restraining you is the need to salvage what little control you have over the situation. Let’s be honest here, Chloe. You weren’t listening to half the things I said during the meeting and if it hadn’t been for your smartly staged choreography with Teague, I suspect you wouldn’t have been able to deceive the ones that sat on that chair before me. You’re an intelligent woman and could have been now on the road to becoming the youngest editor of many a leading newspaper if Oliver hadn’t saddled you with this company when he died. You aren’t incompetent; you’re simply inexperienced in this arena.”

“What do you intend to do about it?” Chloe asked rigidly, setting down her empty mug with cool control.

“Nothing like what you expect.”

Intriguing! I’m impressed by his keen sense of psychology and observation, but also outraged by his condescending attitude towards Chloe. He’s acting as if it’s completely Chloe’s fault that she’s off-balance and distracted during this meeting. As if he didn’t precisely spend the beginning of the meeting flustering her with reminders about her humiliating first encounter with him. He’s obviously manipulating her… rather heavy-handedly too!


“You expect me to be the soulless blood-thirsty mogul that lives for the thrill of crushing his competitors. One thing that you should learn in this business is to be ready for the unpredictable. Tell me, Chloe, what would you be willing to do to make sure all your naughty secrets die with me? ”

aaargh! And threats now?! It’s not enough that he knocked her off-balance, patronized her, embarrassed her and generally acted like an obnoxious jerk…. now he has to start threatening her as well?!? What A Jerk! Knee him in the balls, and then break something heavy on his head when he bows over in pain, Chloe!!

LOL! This was an excellent chapter, Lexie. I was completely infuriated with Lex. I have no idea what plans you have to torture and make him suffer later, but I’m looking really forward to it already :D

Historianic
2nd February 2011, 22:51
What A Jerk! Knee him in the balls, and then break something heavy on his head when he bows over in pain, Chloe!!

I second that!

Can't wait to see Chloe turn the tables on Lex ;).

Gaia
3rd February 2011, 02:55
See, again, he has the tape of her in the elevator. He wants to keep it a secret for a deal. Now Chloe is a hacker, so she can easily get that footage and make it dissapear

hfce
3rd February 2011, 05:02
I was so hoping he had the tape of their ordeal in the elevator. LOL! But I can't wait to see what his offer is. :)

lexie
3rd February 2011, 06:32
I still can't wait to find out what Chloe was really doing in that elevator (in the state she was in). I am also curious just what Lex and Oliver discussed about the company on those tapes.


. As other posters have mentioned, I'm also very curious about what exactly Lex and Oliver had in mind, and what their motivations were. It's going to be very interesting to see how this all plays out and how it ultimately brings Chloe and Lex together.

You'll get the answer to your first question concerning Chloe in the following chapter. As regards the reason for Lex and Oliver doing business together, it will be revealed later on.



This was an excellent chapter. ‘Grierson’ was a complete ass during the entirety of the meeting, and Chloe already thinks that he’s a jerk. It’s a great start to their relationship, lol!

Seriously speaking though, I did have to grit my teeth, a little, in irate frustration at what a condescending, smirking asshole Lex was being. He brought up their first meeting so openly and blatantly that Chloe had to admit that she’s met Lex before under some ‘compromising circumstances’. Of course, Chloe didn’t outright admit to Jason that the circumstances involved nudity, but I’m sure she felt uncomfortable enough even thinking about what happened… much less referring to it out loud. Lex was taking far too much gleeful pleasure in Chloe’s discomfort. I really hope to see him knocked down a peg or two in later chapters.

Yes, Lex was definitely a jerk. And, although it might not be a an excuse for his behaviour, Chloe isn't altogether wrong in her assumption that his attitude towards her has its roots in some experience from his past. There is that and something else that has predisposed him against Chloe in particular. I'm dealing with this in the following update.


I was rather surprised that Chloe found herself so strongly attracted to Lex, even while he was acting like such a jerk. But, then again, the power of the Chlex is strong and compelling! Or perhaps it’s because Chloe is responding to the heat, desire and attraction that she can see in Lex’s eyes and body-language.

BUT, Lex’s body-language was nearly offensive in it’s over-familiarity with her. He was being decidedly rude and presumptuous in his body language… suggesting that she’s an ‘easy lay’ or something, that he couldn’t wait to sample for himself.

The power of the Chlex can move mountains! LOL And Lex at the beginning of this fic might be a jerk but he is Lex after all.

You'll get a partial answer in the following chapter that will explain why he treated Chloe like an "easy lay". The fuller reply will come in later updates.


Lex’s comments about the ‘deal’ that he made with Oliver were quite intriguing though. I’d really love to know more details about what made Oliver approach Lex in the first place; what made Lex amenable to a deal from his old rival; AND what kind of negotiated deal they both struck up in the end.

There was a very strong reason for their coming together and deciding to bury the hatchet. It'll take sometime even for Chloe to get the real answer to this question.


LOL! This was an excellent chapter, Lexie. I was completely infuriated with Lex. I have no idea what plans you have to torture and make him suffer later, but I’m looking really forward to it already :D

I never treat my Lex this way but, as all Lexes, he's pretty messed up. He isn't being a jerk because he enjoys it, there's an explanation to his behaviour and Chloe will eventually discover what it is. Let's say it's entangled with everything, including the reason for his partnership with Oliver.

Chloe will get her chance to have her say in the following update.


See, again, he has the tape of her in the elevator. He wants to keep it a secret for a deal. Now Chloe is a hacker, so she can easily get that footage and make it dissapear


I was so hoping he had the tape of their ordeal in the elevator. LOL! But I can't wait to see what his offer is. :)

Now, where did you get the idea Lex has a tape of the elevator? The only recordings I've mentioned are the ones of his meetings with Oliver and the TV clip featuring him and his date leaving the building the night he met Chloe on the lift. In all probability, there is no elevator tape since when they got stuck, there was no electricity. Only the emergency lights must have been on because they were sweating like pigs, which indicates there was no electricity, hence the lack of air conditioning . Plus, by the time the electricity came back, Chloe's coat was buttoned up so if the cameras had started working again, she would have been covered.

hfce
3rd February 2011, 07:30
You/ll get the answer to your first question concerning Chloe in the following chapter. As regards the reason for Lex and Oliver doing business together, it will be revealed later on.




Yes, Lex was definitely a jerk. And, although it might not be a an excuse for his behaviour, Chloe isn't altogether wrong in her assumption that his attitude towards her has its roots in some experience from his past. There is that and something else that has predisposed him against Chloe in particular. I'm dealing with this in the following update.



The power of the Chlex can move mountains! LOL And Lex at the beginning of this fic might be a jerk but he is Lex after all.

You'll get a partial answer in the following chapter that will explain why he treated Chloe like an "easy lay". The fuller reply will come in later updates.



There was a very strong reason for their coming together and deciding to bury the hatchet. It'll take sometime even for Chloe to get the real answer to this question.



I never treat my Lex this way but, as all Lexes, he's pretty messed up. He isn't being a jerk because he enjoys it, there's an explanation to his behaviour and Chloe will eventually discover what it is. Let's say it's entangled with everything, including the reason for his partnership with Oliver.

Chloe will get her chance to have her say in the following update.





Now, where did you get the idea Lex has a tape of the elevator? The only recordings I've mentioned are the ones of his meetings with Oliver and the TV clip featuring him and his date leaving the building the night he met Chloe on the lift. In all probability, there is no elevator tape since when they got stuck, there was no electricity. Only the emergency lights must have been on because they were sweating like pigs, which indicates there was no electricity, hence the lack of air conditioning . Plus, by the time the electricity came back, Chloe's coat was buttoned up so if the cameras had started working again, she would have been covered.


But you are forgetting this is Lex. He can do anything. :rofl:

lexie
6th February 2011, 00:50
But you are forgetting this is Lex. He can do anything.

Yes, but that would be too much for poor Chloe and the road to her heart would be a mine field for Lex. This is supposed to be a romance with some angst but not overly-angsty. Imagine what it'd take for Lex to earn her trust/love if he added another tape to the mix. And it's enough for me to have made him come across as somewhat of a jerk at the beginning... So no more tapes.LOL

niala85
6th February 2011, 20:40
Ooh can't wait too see what Lex is planning to offer Chloe and to see what he and Oliver discussed.


Re: Compromising Circumstances (R)- Ch 2 (Jan 14, '11)

Quote Originally Posted by somethingeasy View Post
What A Jerk! Knee him in the balls, and then break something heavy on his head when he bows over in pain, Chloe!!

I second that!

Can't wait to see Chloe turn the tables on Lex .

I completly agree!! lol

lexie
6th February 2011, 22:40
A/N: Here's the second update in five days. I don't know if the following ones will come so close to each other because I'll be starting with my teaching and tutoring soon, but I promise to keep providing you with updates on this one and the other two WIPs I'm working on and which I've updated this week- At Second Sight (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/8297-quot-At-Second-Sight-quot-(Prologue-Dec-26-2010)?p=265975) and Choices (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/7913-quot-Choices-quot-(PG-13-R)-August-29th-2010?p=260698).

CHAPTER FOUR

Chloe stared unseeingly at her notepad, her mind a hundred miles away from her Business Management class.

Ever since that day in her office three weeks ago when he had threatened her with blackmail she’d been on tenterhooks, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Had she been right in interpreting his promise as a sexual threat or had he just been toying with her mind to unsettle her? She’d waited in vain for him to explain himself. He’d excused himself as soon as Jason came back and, claiming he had to take a flight, delegated his lawyer to deal with any queries from Queen Industries once they had the chance to watch the taped meetings.

When the bell rang and the class started to break up, Chloe realised she’d missed half the lecture.

“Chloe?”

“Yes, Professor Philips?”

“I’ve looked into the matter we discussed last week. Are you still interested in getting private tuition? “

“Yes. I was hoping you could help me...”

“Well, I’m afraid I’m a little tied up with my teaching duties. However, there’s an alternative that’s worth-considering. Our college has a list of freelancers. I took the liberty of filling up a form requesting a tutor for you. You can stop by the office tomorrow before lessons and they’ll provide you with all the necessary information to contact the person assigned to help you.”

“That was very thoughtful of you...” smiled Chloe. A freelancer would be a great solution; especially considering her tight budget.”Thanks for your help, Mr Philips.”

“It’s a pleasure to be able to help you. You have potential, Chloe; you just need the right guidance to bolster your confidence.”

“I appreciate your words of encouragement, sir. See you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Chloe.”

Since the parking slots reserved for the students had been taken when she’d arrived, Chloe’s car was parked in a side-street. The temperature had dropped several degrees since then and a cold easterly wind was now blowing. Chloe fastened the belt of her trench coat tighter and walked briskly to her vehicle, the keys ready in her right hand since she remembered seeing the street-light had been vandalised. It was at moments such as this when she missed not being able to drive a car with an infra-red remote locking system- she could have brought one of Oliver’s, but then the vanity plate would have blown her cover to pieces.

It was pitch dark when she got to her sensible hatchback and struggled to insert the keys.

“May I help?”

“Geez, you almost gave me a coronary!” she snapped, taking a couple of deep breaths to steady her hammering heart while Lex unlocked the passenger door with the keys he’d taken from her frozen hand.

“You were lucky it was me and not some junkie or worse. You shouldn’t be out here on your own. Does Teague know where you go in the evenings?”

“I’ve already told you...” started Chloe, fuming.

“Why do you keep jumping to wrong conclusions whenever I say something to you? I meant that as Oliver’s best friend and yours, Teague should be more protective of your security. I understand your reluctance to bring one of your cars to preserve your anonymity- it’d be a wise decision even if that weren’t an issue considering how insalubrious this neighbourhood is, but I’m sure your company can spare a few dimes on making sure its CEO will make it to the following quarterly report. ”

“Are you done? And me jumping to conclusions? Seriously? After you’ve behaved like an ass almost from the very first moment we met and then came to my office and not only had fun at my expense and made ludicrous insinuations but also had the gall to issue threats.”

“I plead temporary insanity.”

“Don’t insult my intelligence. You knew very well what you were doing when you sent me that CD-ROM and when you resorted to innuendo at our meeting, treating me as if I were a... whore. What gives you the right? I have done nothing to you to deserve such treatment. I don’t care if your ex-wife or some former lover of yours taught you to hate my gender, trampled over your heart, betrayed you with your best friend and treated you like crap- you most probably asked for it,” she berated him. “Now give me my keys back, please. I’m in a hurry,” she added slightly breathless after the tirade.

“Certainly,” he said tightly, placing them on her outstretched hand. “Chloe?” he stopped her, resting a hand on the open door. “I deserve everything you said and more for the way I behaved with you. I should have known better than to misjudge you based on the circumstances we met and a few bitter sentences uttered by a drunk man. I’ve always fought against misconceptions; as a victim of them I should have given you the benefit of the doubt. You’re nothing like the woman I expected to meet in that office; your answers and your reaction to my ungentlemanly behaviour were proof enough. And, by the way, it wasn’t my ex-wife... although she tried to kill me. ”

“You were an ass,“ she repeated in a low voice, feeling a sudden clench in her chest and the prickling of tears behind her eyelids.

A few bitter sentences uttered by a drunk man. There had been no need for Lex to make names; she knew who had uttered them. He’d died believing them.

“I could think of stronger words than that,” he smirked.

“Oh, I have a whole bunch of them in my vocabulary! Do you want to hear them?” she offered, blinking away a couple of tears grateful for the darkness that spared her the humiliation of having him see her cry.

“I’d rather we started from scratch. I assume you’ve already watched the videos of my meetings with Oliver. I’m asking you for a second chance. I still believe we can help each other. It’s freezing. Have you had dinner yet?”

To her relief, the small French restaurant he gave her directions to was casual and friendly. It wasn’t at all the kind of place she’d expected him to frequent but judging by the way the Parisian owner greeted him and the relaxed conversation they had before she and Lex were shown to their table, Grierson was a regular and- what was even more surprising- he appeared not to have ever dined there accompanied.

Chloe wondered if their relationship- dare she call it that?- would always be marked by prejudice and misconceptions on both sides.

“Where did you learn to speak French like a native? At boarding school?” she asked him once they were seated at their table, having been promised two plates of the Chef’s specialty.

“No, I lived in Provence with my mother for six months,” he replied as the waiter poured the wine.

“You must have been young if you learnt to speak the language so fast and so well,” she sampled the beverage.

“Yes, I was young. I was twelve when I returned to America.”

“Have you ever come back? To Provence I mean.”

“Not since my mother’s death. Your French is pretty decent. College?”

Chloe realised her question had struck a particularly sensitive chord in him, judging by his clear attempt to shift the focus towards her.

“High school. Yeah, I’d say it’s pretty decent for an Irish girl,” she chuckled.”Grierson’s a Scottish name, isn’t it?”

“Yes, a sept of the MacGregor’s clan.”

“A descendant of Robert Roy McGregor. I remember him and his wild red hair from my history books,” she smiled. “That explains why you’re so pale.”

“Go ahead and ask, Chloe,” he sipped at his wine.

“Ask what?” she frowned.

“The answer’s yes, I had red hair too before the Smallville meteor shower of 1989 took care of it and never let it grow back.”

To disguise the little flurry of compassion that revelation had provoked in her, Chloe lowered her eyes and took a sip of the imported wine Lex had just poured in her glass. Letting herself be tempted to see him as anything other than a threat was dangerous, especially since she didn’t know exactly what he wanted of her.

“It’s a small world. I was born in Metropolis but I moved to Smallville in the eighth grade when my dad got transferred to work as the manager of the Fertilizer Plant.”

“LuthorCorp’s?” he cocked an eyebrow.

“Yes, they own the town and almost everyone there, not to mention the payroll Lionel has in The Big Apricot.”

Small world indeed, thought Lex.

“You don’t seem to like the Luthors very much,” he stated as the waiter brought their entrées.

“Well, the only Luthor I’ve ever met is now dead and he didn’t do much to earn my trust. He was a slimy bastard.”

“And a serious threat to Queen Industries,” added Lex, removing his serviette from its ring.

“Did you know him?”

“I did more than know him; we were enemies. And you know the saying: the enemy of my enemy’s my friend.”

“We aren’t friends. I’m here only because you offered to buy me dinner as an olive branch and I was starving,” she told him coldly.

“I’m not your enemy either, Chloe.”

“The jury’s still out on that one. Friends don’t try to blackmail each other.”

“Colleagues or partners, then. And perhaps something more...”

“I thought you meant it when you said you wanted to start afresh. Why don’t you say clearly what it is that you want from me?” she glared at him, pushing her plate and crossing her arms in front of her.

“You’re doing it again; jumping to the wrong conclusions.”

“Then drop the innuendo and stop beating around the bush,” she snapped.

“When I said I thought we could be something more, I meant tutor and learner; that is if you’re still interested in getting private tuition.”

“How...? Have you been stalking me? How did you know I’ve asked for a tutor? Did you have the college archives hacked?”

“The information landed on my lap so to speak. There was no need for me to resort to subterfuge. I’m one of your college’s benefactors and also happen to be amongst those who offer their services as freelancers on occasion. It was a stroke of good luck that your name appeared on the list of applicants they sent me. I congratulate you on your wisdom; enrolling using your mother’s surname was an intelligent move.”

“Not intelligent enough if you managed to find me out.”

“That’s because I’m very good and thorough at what I do. Look, Chloe, I know that we have a lot of work ahead to make this... partnership... work but if we’re to help each other, we`ll have to get one obstacle out of the way. Why don’t you tell me what really happened that night?”

“Why are you asking now when you made it clear you’d already made up your mind about me even before we were formally introduced?” she asked, her voice cracking a little.

“Chloe... “ he began to say, immediately realising what memory must be haunting her, one infinitely more painful and private than the embarrassing encounter on the lift.

“It wasn’t true. What he told you... It wasn’t... true,” she shook her head. ”I would have never...” she choked, feeling her eyes well up with tears. “I’m sorry,” she excused herself, pushing back her chair and rushing to the ladies’ room, leaving a visibly ruffled Lex behind.

Fifteen minutes later after having a good cry in the toilet, retouching her make-up and reassuring the owner’s wife, who Lex had sent to check on her, that she was still alive and breathing, Chloe returned to the table.

“Everything’s fine?” asked Lex with undisguised concern in his voice as he stood up for her to resume her seat.

“Yeah,” she smiled softly.”I’m sorry... I...”

“It’s all right... If there’s anyone here who should be making excuses, that’d be me. I should have never let my own personal experiences blind me to that point. He wasn’t himself, Chloe.”

“I thought you and Oliver weren’t friends.”

“We weren’t, but I could see myself at my worst moments when I looked at him.”

“He wasn’t always like that,” she said quietly, pouring herself some still water.

Lex seemed to be about to say something but then changed his mind.

“Would you rather leave?” he offered after a short silence.

“The main course sounds really nice and my stomach hasn’t stopped rumbling. You won’t get away without paying for at least a meal to make it up to me. “

“That’s only fair,” he smirked.

“About the... elevator...”

“You don’t need to tell me anything right now if you don’t feel like it, Chloe. I only suggested unveiling the mystery because even if I weren’t to mention it again, it’s clearly bothering you. You’ll never feel comfortable around me unless I give you the chance to explain... and there’s no way you can avoid me if you plan to stay in this business.”

“I wasn’t trying to vamp anyone.”

“I knew that by the time I left your office. If you were as brazen and reckless as you’d appeared to be in that elevator, you wouldn’t have reacted the way you did when we were formally introduced.”

“Thanks,” she smiled at the waiter as the main course was placed before her.”After Oliver died I started freelancing for a couple of papers and a magazine,” she began her story as soon as they were left alone. “I needed a photographer for some of my articles, so I got in touch with someone I’d worked with in the past. It turned out he was unemployed; he’d pissed off Lionel Luthor on one of his assignments and Luthor not only got him fired, he made sure nobody’d hire him. He ended up collaborating with me on three articles using a pseudonym. Four months ago I got a call from him, he sounded excited. An old friend of his had offered to consider him for a photo shoot ordered by a fashion magazine, he just needed to put together a portfolio to evaluate if he was good enough but since he’d never worked in that particular kind of photos he needed to start from scratch. The problem was he had a tight deadline and no money to pay a professional model...”

“So he asked you.”

“Yes... I said no at first. I’ve never liked posing and didn’t think I was the kind of woman he needed to sell his work, but he sounded so desperate... I remembered all those months my father struggled to make ends meet when Luthor closed the plant in Smallville and I just couldn’t say no in the end. After all, the photos would have been seen only by him and the man doing the hiring at the agency, they weren’t meant for the newsstands. So I went to his studio... spent ten minutes in the corridor debating whether to ring the bell or take the elevator down and fabricate some excuse... and... he must have been anxious, dreading I would stand him up because he opened the door all of a sudden and looked at me with such relief on his face that the ‘No’ I had on my lips again vanished. So I went in and he took some shots... .” She sipped again at her wine to wet her dry throat and felt herself blush.

Lex started to cut his veal and chose to give her time to continue with her account without interrupting or pressuring her to share more specific details.

Chloe wondered if she was doing the wise thing, if telling him the truth of what had happened that night wouldn’t do more harm than good, if she wasn’t actually giving him a new weapon to use against her. But he was right, as long as they kept avoiding that big elephant in the room they’d not be able to work together. And, like it or not, she needed him. Queen Industries needed him and this deal; she owed it to all the families that depended on her signing her employees’ cheques every month to put her pride aside.

“It was all right at first. I modelled a few pyjamas and nightdresses... and, “she swallowed down a bite of veal with a sip of wine, “ a baby-doll... By that time I was starting to get uncomfortable, and then when he asked me to put on some very revealing Victoria Secretish number I decided to draw the line... He got mad... I’d never seen him that way before and it was then I realised he must have been drinking during the breaks he took while I changed. I tried to reason with him, offered to make some coffee and talk but he insisted I changed into the lingerie because he had to end up the photo shoot that night and when I said no, he threw my clothes into the bathroom and locked the door. To make a long story short, I decided to pretend to go along with him and ask him to pour me a drink while I changed, and when he was busy in the kitchen I grabbed the coat he’d borrowed for one of the shots and ran.”

“Did he hurt you?”

“No, not really. He phoned me in the morning and excused himself for his behaviour.”

“Not really? He didn’t try anything untoward, did he?” he asked grimly.

“No! He only gave me a couple of bruises when he grabbed me. He just frightened me. He’s not a violent man. He was being a victim of temporary desperation and a couple of drinks. He’s always been nice to me.”

“Are you sure that’s all that happened?”

“What do you mean?” she replied tensely.

“Could it be he was attracted to you before but never acted on his feelings until he got some Dutch courage?”

Chloe knew there was more than a grain of truth in what Lex was saying and hated to think that maybe she’d pushed Jimmy to behave the way he did when accepting to help him out of sympathy.

“I’m not a tease.”

“That’s not what I meant...”

“Then what is it?”

“Only that you’re going to have to harden up to survive in the jungle of corporative business, Chloe. This nasty experience will help you be more wary from now on. Taking a man for granted can be dangerous even when you think you know him really well; he might end up wanting more than your help or your signature on a dotted line.”

Chloe wondered if he was talking just about Jimmy or if he was actually including himself in that category.

“You can rest assured I’ll think it twice before considering playing Girl Scout again,” she chuckled.

“Shall I break him for you?” he offered tersely.

“What?”

“It doesn’t matter you made a mistake. He had no right to manhandle you.”

“Revenge only spreads the bitterness around and always has a tendency to come back to you like a boomerang.”

“You mean... in taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior.”

“Sir Francis Bacon,” she smiled.

“I’m impressed.”

“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves,” she said, grabbing a herb breadstick from the basket.

“Confucious.“

“Revenge... is like a rolling stone, which, when a man hath forced up a hill, will return upon him with a greater violence, and break those bones whose sinews gave it motion.”

“Albert Schweitzer. All right, you’ve made your point. We’ll let him live.”

“Afraid I’ll beat you at the game?” she asked smugly.

“We could spend all night swapping sayings if you feel like it, but I believe there are much more interesting ways to while away the hours while we’re in the same room,” he told her huskily. “I suggest we start off with twice a week and see how we go from there.”

Chloe wondered if he’d finally shown his card. If having a fling with her was the price he’d ask of her now that she’d willingly told him the truth. Would he use it as a new weapon against her as she’d feared at the beginning?

“I’m your assigned tutor to help you with your lessons, remember?”

Damn him and his double entendres. Could he see in her expression what she’d thought his words meant? She hoped he couldn’t, especially because instead of feeling outraged at what she’d believed was an indecent proposition she’d felt a bundle of confusing emotions. She hated admitting it, but Lex made her aware of her womanhood in a way even Oliver hadn’t. He made her tense and angry, defensive and threatened and yet underlying all those feelings there was an unwilling recognition of his intense masculinity.

“I’m not sure…”

“That you want my help? I’m sure you don’t. I know what it is like to believe you can do everything by yourself, Chloe. However, you’re smart enough to realise you need the kind of advice and coaching I’m offering. No strings attached.”

“Why are you doing this?” she asked him with a speculative look in her emerald eyes.” After all, you might have a lot to gain if I were to fail.”

“I wouldn’t need to go to any trouble if my plan were to sabotage you. I’d only have to step back and wait. I admire your efforts and how you’ve managed to handle things so far. But both you and I know Queen Industries isn’t as healthy as you and Teague would like everyone to think.”

“I don’t know what kind of information you have…” she said chilly.

“The best. I wouldn’t accept anything else. You might not like it, Chloe, but I have a personal stake in your future. I require your co-operation in a deal, but I want that help to be voluntary. I’d rather focus all my energy on fighting my enemies not my allies.”

“Allies? Dinner was delicious but you’ll need more than to fill my stomach to earn my trust,” she told him after greeting the owner goodbye as Lex stashed away his American Express Gold card and buttoned up his tailor-made jacket.

“I know my initial blunder will cost me, but something tells me it’s not that what’s bothering you. Why don’t you ask yourself why you’re so afraid of trusting me? What is it that’s really making you so anxious?”

Lex’s chauffer parked his steel blue Mercedes sedan in front of the restaurant, right behind Chloe’s red hatchback, and opened the back door for him.

How was it possible that this man, who had only just met her, could know her so well and be aware of what buttons to push to mess with her head, which was in a tumult ever since they’d met?

“Tuesday at six thirty. Be ready for a pop quiz,” he told her, slipping in the backseat.

“Wait! Damn it!” she fumed, as one of her heels got stuck in a grating and prevented her from being the one having the last word in their verbal judo.

“To the penthouse, sir?” asked his chauffer as the car pulled away.

“Yes, but first turn right at the corner. I want you to tail Ms Sullivan discreetly to make sure she arrives home safe and sound.”

He was looking forward to their first tutoring session.

TBC

Historianic
6th February 2011, 23:36
Teacher Lex huh? This should be interesting. I get the feeling Chloe is going to be the one teaching Lex an important lesson or two. I'm curious to know what exactly is prompting this vested interest in Chloe that Lex seems to be showing. Is it just his need of her alliance in order for the deal originally made with Oliver to still go through? Or something else, like his own genuine curiousity about Chloe who hasn't been at all what Lex was expecting. I look forward to seeing where you're going with this Lexie. And like Chloe, I too don't really trust Lex yet.

PS For some reason, I'm getting a Pride & Prejudice vibe from this fic. Probably to do with the way their first meeting has led both of them to misconceptions about the other. And those misconceptions are now defining and determining the way they interact with each other now. It's going to be fun to watch how their relationship progresses. Thanks for the update Lexie :).

FarrahLea
7th February 2011, 00:22
Great update Lexie. Glad to see that Lex is realizing that he will have to work to earn Chloe's trust after the way he acted during their first couple of encounters. Can't wait to see where you go with this story and where the tutoring sessions lead.

Until the next update. :)

dayamiracle
7th February 2011, 03:06
Hm I dont trust Lex's motivations...but then Im not sure its ever wise to fully trust Lex from the get-go. Im excited to see where this fic goes though. Thanks Lexie!

kcsgirl82
7th February 2011, 05:48
Thanks for the awesome update!
I'm glad to find out what happened that led to Chloe being on that elevator in the state she was in, though it was not at all what I expected (it was so much better and way more creative).
I am excited to see what will happen with Lex as Chloe's tutor (I imagine there will be a lot of flirting and more innuendo).
I am curious as to what Oliver told Lex about Chloe that has her so upset.
Can't wait to find out what will happen next!

hfce
7th February 2011, 06:58
I love these two. I am so glad he will be the one to help her. Maybe she will learn to trust him. ;)

Cassandra Jean
7th February 2011, 08:56
Really great update.

I think I may have missed something, but is there a reason as to why Lex is not using the name Luthor, or why she hasn't recognized him as being a Luther?

Can not wait to see what happens next.

lexie
7th February 2011, 15:34
I am curious as to what Oliver told Lex about Chloe that has her so upset.

So far I've only mentioned Oliver was in a downward spiral and hinted at his being pretty much an alcoholic during the last part of their marriage. You'll get to know the set of circumstances that pushed him over the edge- one of them is connected with what he told Lex.


PS For some reason, I'm getting a Pride & Prejudice vibe from this fic. Probably to do with the way their first meeting has led both of them to misconceptions about the other. And those misconceptions are now defining and determining the way they interact with each other now.

Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite novels of all times and I love when there's tension between the two leading characters because of false assumptions.


I think I may have missed something, but is there a reason as to why Lex is not using the name Luthor, or why she hasn't recognized him as being a Luther?


No, you haven't missed anything. There's a reason for Lex to be named Grierson and not Luthor- I will reveal that eventually.And Chloe doesn't recognise him as Lionel's son because of said reason and circumstances that will be referred to later in the fic.

dkfuryan
8th February 2011, 22:54
lovely. Mentor mentore! This story promises to be very interesting and take in quite different directions'

veronica525
9th February 2011, 19:27
This is great Lexie! Sorry it's taken me so long to read it. I look forward to seeing what the teacher has in store for the student!

cosmicpinay80
9th February 2011, 20:13
Thanks for the update! Looking forward to their first session.

SouthernChlex
10th February 2011, 01:16
I'm really loving how this fic is going. Another great update. I'm curious what it is that Oliver said to Lex about Chloe that has her so torn up. I can't wait for their tutoring session to begin!

somethingeasy
10th February 2011, 15:40
It was good to get a little insight into how Chloe was coping, working and faring with her Business Management classes. It’s good to know that the professor generally seems to like her… although I’m obviously not surprised. Even when she’s super-busy with the demands of running a huge multi-national company, Chloe will stil find time to excel in academic studies.

Heee! But I liked the hint dropped in the beginning of the chapter that Chloe will need some ‘additional guidance’ to help her through the intricacies of Management. I had no reason to suspect that her tutor might end up being Lex Luthor of all people, but that was a fantastic twist to the plot.


“I plead temporary insanity.”

“Don’t insult my intelligence. You knew very well what you were doing when you sent me that CD-ROM and when you resorted to innuendo at our meeting, treating me as if I were a... whore. What gives you the right? I have done nothing to you to deserve such treatment. I don’t care if your ex-wife or some former lover of yours taught you to hate my gender, trampled over your heart, betrayed you with your best friend and treated you like crap- you most probably asked for it,” she berated him. “Now give me my keys back, please. I’m in a hurry,” she added slightly breathless after the tirade.

Squeee! Awesome! I loved, LOVED seeing Chloe reaving into Lex with all of her anger, outrage, frustration and bitterness. It was so satisfying seeing Chloe making clear exactly how low her opinion was of this man who treated her like garbage during a business meeting with her. Last time, he sat back in judgment and made snide remarks about her. Now it’s Chloe’s turn to judge him… only this time, her statements actually have some harsh, truthful accuracy to them. And I was so, SO glad to see Lex acknowledge the accuracy of all of her statements. It might not make up for what he said, but it’s good to see him contrite, repentant and apologetic.


“You were an ass,“ she repeated in a low voice, feeling a sudden clench in her chest and the prickling of tears behind her eyelids.

A few bitter sentences uttered by a drunk man. There had been no need for Lex to make names; she knew who had uttered them. He’d died believing them.

“I could think of stronger words than that,” he smirked.

Oh, ouch! I didn’t understand this remark that Lex made, until Chloe mused on who the ‘drunk man’ might have been. And then it was painfully obvious that it was Chloe’s own husband who had filled Lex’s ears with comments about his ‘unfaithful, cheating, untrustworthy wife’.


“Yes, I was young. I was twelve when I returned to America.”

“Have you ever come back? To Provence I mean.”

“Not since my mother’s death. Your French is pretty decent. College?”

Chloe realised her question had struck a particularly sensitive chord in him, judging by his clear attempt to shift the focus towards her.

“High school. Yeah, I’d say it’s pretty decent for an Irish girl,” she chuckled.”Grierson’s a Scottish name, isn’t it?”

“Yes, a sept of the MacGregor’s clan.”

Well, this was VERY interesting. We’re already getting something of a backstory about Lex. It appears that the main difference is that he was raised by his mother rather than his father? In Provence? Or perhaps Lionel was there with Lillian, raising Lex in France?


“You don’t seem to like the Luthors very much,” he stated as the waiter brought their entrées.

“Well, the only Luthor I’ve ever met is now dead and he didn’t do much to earn my trust. He was a slimy bastard.”

“And a serious threat to Queen Industries,” added Lex, removing his serviette from its ring.

“Did you know him?”

“I did more than know him; we were enemies. And you know the saying: the enemy of my enemy’s my friend.”

LOL! Oh that was very skilfully done. Lex not only found out about Chloe’s hostile stance towards anything Luthor, BUT he also managed to side-step the confession that he himself is a Luthor too… the son of that ‘slimy bastard from Smallville’ no less, lol! I wonder how the fireworks are going to fly once Chleo discovers about his paternity. Or, perhaps it won’t really make a difference? Oh heck, of COURSE it’s going to make a difference. If for no other reason, then just because Lex hid away this information during this critical discussion about origins and Luthors.


“I thought you meant it when you said you wanted to start afresh. Why don’t you say clearly what it is that you want from me?” she glared at him, pushing her plate and crossing her arms in front of her.

“You’re doing it again; jumping to the wrong conclusions.”

“Then drop the innuendo and stop beating around the bush,” she snapped.

LOL! It’s truly excellent seeing how bluntly hostile and aggressive Chloe is towards Lex. And the best part is that Lex knows he has to just sit back and take it. HE’S the one who set the grounds of interaction between them during their first meeting, and he cannot blame Chloe for being on the paranoid defensive around him. All he can do no is abjectly apologise for being an ass, beg for forgiveness and a second chance to ‘start afresh’.

And I loved the idea that Lex’s offer for a truce, alliance and a ‘fresh start’ included the offer to be her tutor. I agree with Chloe, however, that Lex cannot be trusted too far. You have to suspect that he might still be harbouring some of the same resentment and disdain and contempt that he exhibited during their first meeting… he might just have decided it would be more productive to hide that same disdain underneath charming manners and a polite, appeasing smile.


“Why are you asking now when you made it clear you’d already made up your mind about me even before we were formally introduced?” she asked, her voice cracking a little.

“Chloe... “ he began to say, immediately realising what memory must be haunting her, one infinitely more painful and private than the embarrassing encounter on the lift.

“It wasn’t true. What he told you... It wasn’t... true,” she shook her head. ”I would have never...” she choked, feeling her eyes well up with tears. “I’m sorry,” she excused herself, pushing back her chair and rushing to the ladies’ room, leaving a visibly ruffled Lex behind.

I can’t imagine how damned PAINFUL a realization that must have been for Chloe. Not only the idea that Oliver believed such things about her… but that he would go making these comments to strangers when drunk? Actually, worse than strangers… to his mortal enemies and/or business partners. I wonder just how many of Oliver’s business partners were told stories about Chloe’s ‘infidelities’. The stupid, drunkard bastard!

I cannot imagine the depths of humiliation Chloe must be feeling. And it’s going to get even worse once she starts contemplating about how many of her other new business partners might have been receivers of Oliver’s drunken tirades, just a few months before she inherited Queen Enterprises from him.


“It’s all right... If there’s anyone here who should be making excuses, that’d be me. I should have never let my own personal experiences blind me to that point. He wasn’t himself, Chloe.”

“I thought you and Oliver weren’t friends.”

“We weren’t, but I could see myself at my worst moments when I looked at him.”

“He wasn’t always like that,” she said quietly, pouring herself some still water.

Lex seemed to be about to say something but then changed his mind.

I think I’d really, REALLY like to know more about the relationship between Oliver and Lex, and how their partnership developed in the first place. It sounds impossible to imagine Oliver approaching and trusting Lex Luthor, of all people, and holding him in such close confidence. I’d love to know how THAT happened!! Plus, I’d really like to know whether Lex actually felt some kinship, friendship and affection for Oliver before the man died. That might explain why he was so hostile to Chloe during their first meeting…? Or did he feel nothing but contempt and pity for Oliver, right to the say he died?

I really, REALLY appreciated the explanation provided about how and why Chloe ended up (nearly) naked in a stuck elevator. I agreed with Lex that it was foolish beyond all imagining for Chloe to agree to be a lingerie model, of all things, for Jimmy. Such an action is a stupid, ridiculous and ludicrous move for a CEO of a major multinational corporation to make!

Of course, Lex didn’t come out and say that Chloe was foolish. HE’S not fool enough to repeat his mistakes, and start slinging insulting slurs at Chloe again. But he was right when he said that Chloe allowed her generosity overwhelm her sense of self-preservation and common sense. She allowed Jimmy to take advantage of her generosity and big heart AND her sense of friendship towards him.

Come to think of it, why the heck didn’t Chloe just use her own connections to help out Jimmy? Did this incident occur before she met and married Oliver? Actually, that would make the silly move a lot more forgivable… since Chloe was just a ‘nobody’ on those times, and could have afforded a little bit of embarrassment in case those pictures came out. She just wasn’t thinking long-term.


“No, not really. He phoned me in the morning and excused himself for his behaviour.”

“Not really? He didn’t try anything untoward, did he?” he asked grimly.

“No! He only gave me a couple of bruises when he grabbed me. He just frightened me. He’s not a violent man. He was being a victim of temporary desperation and a couple of drinks. He’s always been nice to me.”

“Are you sure that’s all that happened?”

“What do you mean?” she replied tensely.

“Could it be he was attracted to you before but never acted on his feelings until he got some Dutch courage?”

Honestly, I think Lex is right, and I was glad to see that Chloe too acknowledged that there was a grain of truth in what Lex said. An apology over the phone is NOT enough to excuse such horrendous behaviour. Chloe was doing Jimmy an immense favour, and Jimmy repays it by becoming aggressive, rude, pushy and violent? I agree with Lex that there was probably a lot of repressed darkness in Jimmy that was coming out to play that evening.

Let’s just hope that those pictures don’t come back to bite Chloe in the ass now. Considering Jimmy’s weak personality, I really wouldn’t be surprised if he decided that the monetary assessment of those photographs of Queen Enterprises’ CEO in a ‘babydoll lingerie set’ outweighed whatever loyalty he still feels towards Chloe. Jimmy might decide to sell those photographs, and to hell with Chloe’s permission… or to hell with any consideration to the humiliation and fallout she would suffer.


“Only that you’re going to have to harden up to survive in the jungle of corporative business, Chloe. This nasty experience will help you be more wary from now on. Taking a man for granted can be dangerous even when you think you know him really well; he might end up wanting more than your help or your signature on a dotted line.”

Chloe wondered if he was talking just about Jimmy or if he was actually including himself in that category.

“You can rest assured I’ll think it twice before considering playing Girl Scout again,” she chuckled.

Heee! Already, Lex is showing himself to be a pretty decent mentor for Chloe. Perhaps she CAN take him on as her tutor… on probationary trust to start with, of course. His offer to destroy Jimmy for manhandling Chloe was… rather scary quite sweet?


“I’m impressed.”

“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves,” she said, grabbing a herb breadstick from the basket.

“Confucious.“

“Revenge... is like a rolling stone, which, when a man hath forced up a hill, will return upon him with a greater violence, and break those bones whose sinews gave it motion.”

“Albert Schweitzer. All right, you’ve made your point. We’ll let him live.”

“Afraid I’ll beat you at the game?” she asked smugly.

LOL! And also squeee at the Chlex bonding! Already they’re finding out some of the traits that they have in common… chief among them being a sharp mind and quick wit. Excellent! Not to mention a love for verbally sparring and debating. The snark’s already begun!! Excellent!


Damn him and his double entendres. Could he see in her expression what she’d thought his words meant? She hoped he couldn’t, especially because instead of feeling outraged at what she’d believed was an indecent proposition she’d felt a bundle of confusing emotions. She hated admitting it, but Lex made her aware of her womanhood in a way even Oliver hadn’t. He made her tense and angry, defensive and threatened and yet underlying all those feelings there was an unwilling recognition of his intense masculinity.

“I’m not sure…”

“That you want my help? I’m sure you don’t. I know what it is like to believe you can do everything by yourself, Chloe. However, you’re smart enough to realise you need the kind of advice and coaching I’m offering. No strings attached.”

“Why are you doing this?” she asked him with a speculative look in her emerald eyes.” After all, you might have a lot to gain if I were to fail.”

While I do love and look forward to seeing Chloe and Lex working together in a harmoniour partnership, I’m ALSO glad to see that she’s not ready to trust him fully and completely as yet. He has a long way to go to rebuilt the bridge that he set aflame during their first business meeting. He has to EARN Chloe’s trust… a task made all the more difficult thanks to his own asshole behaviour!


“Wait! Damn it!” she fumed, as one of her heels got stuck in a grating and prevented her from being the one having the last word in their verbal judo.

“To the penthouse, sir?” asked his chauffer as the car pulled away.

“Yes, but first turn right at the corner. I want you to tail Ms Sullivan discreetly to make sure she arrives home safe and sound.”

He was looking forward to their first tutoring session.

LOL! This was an awesome chapter! I have no idea where it’s going to go from here… ok, I lie, I DO have some idea that it’s eventually going to go into a Chlex based romance, but I really want to see the specifics on how that develops. Can’t wait for the next chapter! Do update soon!

Oh, but just a warning. I have guests coming over next week, and probably won’t have time for more than just single paragraph reviews. But just because the reviews will be short… don’t take that to mean that the updates are not highly loved and appreciated!

niafadra
12th February 2011, 22:38
Hi, i am reading all of the tree fics you are posting and it would have been hard to choose a favorite among them. However, I really think you are presenting a hole new concept with this one, before this chapter i wondered if you had chosen not to make Lex a Luthor here, silly of me, i know! I guess we are in for a lot of twists, I love the unpredictability, it is refreshing! Will be looking for your next post - whichever story that may be! :)
ps: your productivity is truly astonishing

ChloeLovesLex
13th February 2011, 07:41
*knock knock* Hello shiny new Lexie fic. I've been away too long to catch up with the others in any reasonable amount of time so I figured it'd be best to start here.

Chapter One...Oh Dear!!! Poor Lex, and well, *cackle* ...I'm sorry, I know I should be serious, but Bwahahah! I'm guessing Chloe is naked, beautiful and passed out in his arms.

Chapter Two...Uh-Oh! This is not going to be good for Chloe at all. Talk about flustered when she comes face to face with him again. He can do that to anyone he hasn't seen naked. Armed with this...she has little chance. Yikes!

Chapter I dunno anymore.... Loved their dinner together and the slight judo to firm up the details of how the tutoring will work and getting the past events behind them just a little bit.

Whew. I feel accomplished. NEXT!!!

LexGirl
13th February 2011, 09:27
This is a really good story, Lexie! :) I am ready to see how the 6:30 meeting goes and what all is incuded in his tutoring! lol! :) Great updates! :)

Snark
13th February 2011, 17:43
I absolutly love this story so far.

I'm looking forward to see how their tutoring seesion goes and how it all unfolds.

Great job :)

lexie
15th February 2011, 01:03
A/N: I should have updated "Choices" first but my muse bugged me to write an update for this one. I'm working on "At Second Sight" now, although I can't tell you for certain if I'm going to post it before Choices...

OK. Here it is. It's longer than the previous instalments, by the way. :) Enjoy!


CHAPTER FIVE

“You're seeing him tonight, aren't you?” Jason said gruffly as she stashed away one of her thick economics manuals in her briefcase and tried to squeeze the lid shut.

There was no need to ask who he was referring to; the mistrust evident in the tone of his voice was all-telling.

“Yes, it’s my study night.”

“I don’t trust him yet, Chloe. He’s showing too much interest in the comings and goings of this company for my peace of mind. He’s being too helpful and reassuring; I’m smelling a hidden agenda. I know you believe you aren’t sharing with him anything he doesn’t already know, but what if he knows less than we think and he’s looking for more leverage to push us into a corner. What is it that he’s really after?”

Chloe would like to know that too. Lex was truly disconcerting. He’d started by blackmailing her into accepting his mentorship and then threatening her with sexual innuendo only to end up challenging her intelligence. She’d planned to resist any attempts of his to educate her out of rebelliousness, but he’d ignored her sullenness and demanded of her more than all her college professors put together. He didn’t cut her any slack nor did he let her feel secure in her understanding. They would read together and then he would turn into an agent provocateur and devil’s advocate, challenging each statement she made, regardless of its truth or worth. He pushed her to think on her feet, to express her ideas and defend every theory and proposition, no matter how foolish they might seem or sound at the beginning. All the arsenal of witty and cutting comebacks she’d rehearsed never got used as the side of him she’d seen at their first two meetings withdrew to be replaced by this implacable tutor. She welcomed the respite for it allowed her to recover from her violent and at times confusing over-reaction to his masculine presence and started to genuinely appreciate the mental stimulation of his unquestionable intelligence.

His mentorship had borne fruit in less than a month. She not only felt confident enough to speak her mind in class but realised her doubts and those that people around her had because of her inexperience had been inhibiting her progress. Lex had shown her it was OK to make mistakes, that making them was a sign she was learning faster and that the only real mistake’s the one from which we learn nothing.

It was half past five when Chloe got to her building. Her hatchback had decided to stall on her way back from Smallville- where she’d spent the day with Lois, Clark, the baby and Martha- and she’d had to walk three miles to get signal on her mobile so that she could call a towtruck which had ended up turning up two hours later.

She was sweaty, dirty and drained and had an hour left to shower, change and get a taxi to the new LexCorp headquarters in Metropolis. She hated having to rush on study nights when she needed to feel she was calm and in control.

This was definitely not her day. Not only was she going to have to pay a little fortune to have her car repaired, she was running late for an important revision lesson and… someone had broken into her flat.

It was seven o’clock when the police left the building with her statement and that of three other neighbours whose apartments had also been violated. Chloe had been the lucky one, she’d arrived when the burglar was just starting his raid of her apartment.

“Chloe?” said Lex slightly breathless as she was seeing the last officer off.

“Lex? What are you doing here?”

“I heard your message on my cell when I finished a meeting I had in Grandville. I came as fast as I could. Are you OK? What happened?”

“I’m fine,” she told him, noticing the once-over and the look of disbelief in his eyes. “My present appearance has nothing to do with what’s just happened. I’ve had a lousy day. My car broke down on my way back from Smallville, and I had to walk three miles along a dirt road in the blazing sun to get a towtruck.”

“Didn’t you have your cell phone on you?”

“I did, but the car chose to stall in a blind spot where there’s no coverage.”

“So what happened here?” he asked with a frown, shooting a glance at the neighbours who were still talking in the corridor with their doors wide open.

“Someone broke into several apartments on this floor and escaped through my living-room window just when I arrived.”

“He didn’t hurt you… or anyone, did he?” he enquired gravely.

“No, at least he had the good sense to break into the apartments of people that weren’t at home at the time,” she shuddered, tightening the belted V-neck cardigan she was wearing.

“Security’s poor in this building. There are no cameras installed and that old-fashioned lock and chain isn’t enough to stop any intruders,” he told her with ominous calm. “Anyone could walk in and out of your apartment at will and might be even waiting for you next time. And it might be someone not as innocuous as a petty burglar.”

“I know. As to the cameras… this has always been a quiet neighbourhood and we’ve tried to preserve this building as it is as a legacy for future generations. It’d be a shame to see it torn down to build a cold glass-and-metal tower or a parking lot.”

“I’m all for preserving our heritage, Chloe. But that isn’t what this is about. It’s no longer the nineteenth century- not even the early twentieth- when one could leave the front door unlocked. I’m sure that even the National Trust for Historic Preservation would consider a closed circuit system and better locks a sensible idea.”

“I know that what you’re saying’s right… I just hate not feeling safe even at my own home… I’ll get the lock fixed tomorrow.”

“You’d better have it done tonight.”

“Have you seen what time it is? It’s too late.”

Lex might think he could have a say in her studies, but she wouldn’t let him control her private life.

“It’s never too late when it comes to your security. Trust me, I’ve been the target of burglars and violent criminals in the sanctity of my own home on more than one occasion not to know what it feels like. I’ll arrange it,” he stated matter-of-factly, taking his mobile out of his pocket to make a call.

“No, thank y… “ she began to object.

He narrowed his intense blue-grey eyes to scan over her rumpled appearance and the drained look on her face and reached out to rub a spot of dirt off her right cheek- a move that made her leap back as if he’d pulled a gun. He withdrew his hand, cocking an eyebrow at her skittishness.

“You’re about to collapse. Let me do this for you. In the meantime, why don’t you pack a bag? You’re coming with me.”

“I won’t be ordered around. And THIS is MY house,” she told him with Irish stubbornness.

“Of course it is. And it’s been violated. I’m sorry if that came across as bossy; I’m just trying to smooth things for you as much as I can. I wish this hadn’t happened, least of all now when you have so many things to worry about, but be honest… Would you feel comfortable and safe staying here the night after someone’s invaded your privacy and touched your belongings? Would you be able to sleep at all?”

Damn him and his sensible arguments!

The drive sharing the back seat of the Mercedes with Lex was done in complete silence. When the car pulled up at their destination she was still sulking; they’d had a rather heated argument on the pavement outside her building the minute his chauffeur opened the door for them to hop in and Lex ordered him to take them to his Metropolis penthouse.

“You’re going to feel better after a shower and a hearty meal,” he told her, greeting the security man in the lobby with a nod of his head and summoning the lift to ride to the top floor of LexCorp Towers.

“I’m not very hungry,” she said sullenly.

“She speaks. Welcome back,” he smirked.

“Are you always this obnoxious?” she mumbled with a frown.

“Only when I’m right.”

“Which is always, of course.”

“Almost always. I was wrong about you, remember?”

Chloe looked at the doors of the lift ding open on the ground floor and felt her stomach suddenly clench.

“Chloe… I’m sorry, but I wouldn’t recommend climbing forty flights of stairs just to avoid sharing an elevator with me. How about this? You step in and we keep you focused with a fast Q & A session to revise for your exam. We have a powerful generator that ensures even the elevators and the air conditioning work in case of a general blackout. ”

Chloe told herself she wouldn’t be defeated or crippled by a damn phobia and that facing it in the company of the man who was largely responsible for triggering it in the first place might put an end to it.

“Ready?” he asked her gently.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied, taking a deep breath and stepping forward.

“You were saying?” he twitched his mouth when the doors closed and he slid a key into the slot marked Penthouse.

“OK. I lied. I might be open to an omelette or a green salad,” she sighed, cursing her stomach for choosing to rumble just then.

It took less than a minute for the lift to come to a smooth stop and for the doors to open into the penthouse’s foyer just as Chloe finished answering Lex’s rapid-fire quiz.

“The 10 Golden Rules of Project Risk Management are: make it part of your project, identify risks early, communicate about them, consider both threats and opportunities, clarify ownership issues, prioritise and analyse risks, plan and implement risk responses, register project risks and track risks and associated tasks.”

“Impressive. How long can you hold your breath underwater?” he smirked. He’d never met anyone who could articulate so many words in a string without making a pause.

“We’ve arrived?” she asked surprised as he pressed the hold button for her to step out.

“In one piece,” he smiled, switching on the lights and setting down his keys and briefcase on the console table.

“And the answer to your question’s a little over two minutes. I’m no David Blaine but…”

“Double what a regular human being would. Not bad at all,” he said in a voice which sounded an octave lower to Chloe’s ears and made her immediately think of whether she’d be able to break her own record if he were to kiss her.

“Where’s the bathroom?” she asked slightly flushed.

“Up the corridor. Third door on the right. You have the shower and I’ll put together something for us to eat before we work. “

“I’m dying for a bath,” she blurted out, realising her mistake almost immediately. Although it’d been fleeting, she’d seen the gleam of lust in his eyes that the image of her nude and soapy lying in a bath must have conjured up in his mind.

“Whatever suits your fancy,” he told her with a poker face after a brief silence. “I’m afraid I’m more of a shower guy so there are no bath salts but I could procure them for you.”

“No, that’s fine. Thanks. It’ll be probably wiser to have a quick shower; otherwise I might fall asleep and your efforts in the kitchen would be wasted on me. Not to mention I would miss our final revision… “

The quick hot blast of the shower revived her but did nothing to relax her. Given the circumstances, she preferred it that way. Lex had behaved like a gentleman so far and her nasty experience with Jimmy was one she didn’t want to repeat, so it was decisively better to be on edge and alert than mellow. Maybe she was a fool tempting fate this way but she’d chosen to give him the benefit of the doubt; he’d have his chauffeur drive her to a hotel for the night since her cousin was out of town- he’d even lent her his mobile to make the booking and put her at ease.

She dried herself until her skin tingled and changed into her clean clothes. Had she been at home or at Lois’ she’d have even washed her hair but somehow sitting at Lex’s table with her golden tresses still damp felt too domestic for her peace of mind.

“Better?” he asked warmly, pulling back a chair for her to sit down.

“I am. Thanks. Wow, you shouldn’t have put yourself to so much trouble!” she exclaimed, enticed by the mouth-watering aroma of the delicate cheese omelette with herbs, the slices of prosciutto and the green salad with cherry tomatoes and mustard vinaigrette. “I’d have never guessed you cooked.”

“I have many hidden talents. I find cooking relaxing, but I haven’t got anyone to cook for so I tend to eat out or order something from my favourite restaurants,” he confessed, sitting across from her.

“Did you learn your way with the pots and pans during your sojourn in Provence?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

“I was taught the rudiments by my mother in France, yes; she believed cooking for someone’s a way of celebrating the blessing of being alive.”

As always whenever he mentioned his mother, he sounded younger, less cynical and… more vulnerable.

Chloe saw him pour two crystal glasses of iced water to accompany their meal and felt a little of her nervous tension drain away. She knew that she was being charmed and that she couldn’t put her defences down altogether and yet she found herself open to trust him a little bit more. And, unpredictably, her first home dinner with Lex turned out to be quite enjoyable.

“I’ve just talked with the locksmith on the phone,” he informed her, setting down a delectable chocolate mousse in front of her eyes. “He’s put a new temporary lock; he’ll be back tomorrow with a team from LexCorp Security to change the door for another one featuring a multi-point locking system and a spy hole. They’re also going to install an alarm and smoke-detector system.”

“Is there going to be anything left of my own when I get back to my apartment tomorrow evening? I accepted your offer to have my lock changed; I didn’t agree to have my home turned into Fort Knox!” she exploded.

“You’re the CEO of one of LuthorCorp’s leading competitors. You live alone and have no security detail…”

“I’m not a fragile daisy. I know how to defend myself. You seem to forget I grew up in Smallville- the Dangerous Freak Capital of the World,” she cut him off.

“I’m not questioning your ability to look after plain Chloe Sullivan. However, this is a different matter altogether. You’re no longer just Chloe Sullivan; you’re Oliver Queen’s widow and- no matter what low a profile you kept during your marriage- that situation instantly changed the minute you were put at the helm of the company. You’re a target now and the sooner you realise it the better. You accepted my help with your studies and this is me helping you learn to survive in a pool infested with sharks. Believe me, they prey on other people’s vulnerabilities. They’ll eat you alive if you let them and some of them may even put you out of the game literally.”

Chloe knew he was right. She’d known her life would change irrevocably the day she married Oliver and that was one of the reasons she’d struggled to keep her independence alive. It’d been hard; she’d slowly sacrificed things that had always been important to her, but she’d done it for what she believed would be the greater good. That was until her self-imposed isolation, her devotion to the League and her strong friendship with Clark became a boomerang.

Oliver’s personal demons had come back to haunt him and aid the cruel hand of fate which had intervened to corrode their marriage. And, by the time it was over, there was no longer a Chloe Sullivan, only Watchtower, and all of a sudden it wasn’t enough. Her freelance work after her husband’s passing had been an attempt to show herself and others that Gabe’s daughter was still alive somewhere behind all those masks she’d learnt to wear in public during her ill-fated marriage. For a while she’d guiltily enjoyed the freedom to be her again, only to have her wings clipped when Oliver’s will went through probate and she became Queen Enterprises’ CEO.

“I don’t like being told what to do or think or how to live. Although I understand where you’re coming from, you should have consulted me first. I don't like you, or anyone else for that matter, coming into my life and making free with my things.”

“I’m sorry. I should learn to phrase my advice more as a suggestion than an order. Blame it on my being used to telling people what to do and having them obey without question.”

“Well, I’m not one of your employees, and I don’t respond well to being bossed around. You’d better remember that next time,” she said gravely, grabbing the spoon and tasting dessert.

“It’s been duly noted. What’s your verdict?” he smiled, seeing her inadvertently close her eyes and moan as the satiny mousse touched her tongue and exploded on her taste buds.

Sinful. That was the word that came to her mind as she opened her emerald eyes to see him leaning over and dabbing a piece of chocolate from her chin with his napkin.

“If you want a second serving, we should get started now,” he said smoothly, lazily getting to his feet and sauntering over to the sofa.

Chloe looked at the expensive couch and then at him.

“I meant we should start working,” he said, quirking his lips smugly.

“Of course, that’s what I’m here for,” she replied, annoyed at being the victim of her over-awareness.

Sitting on the sofa, she stretched her hand to grab her briefcase while Lex cleared the coffee table for her to spread out the books.

“Let’s start with managerial economics, shall we?” he suggested, picking up the course textbook. “In what way is Baumol’s theory of sales revenue maximisation superior to the conventional theory based on profit maximisation?” he asked, opening the book at the marked page and leaning down to pick up a loose sheet that had slipped from between the pages and fluttered to the floor.

“According to Baumol, every business firm aims at maximising its sales revenue rather than its profit. Sales have become an end by themselves and accordingly sales maximization has become the ultimate objective of the firm. Hence, the management of a firm focuses its energies on promoting and maximizing its sales revenue instead of profit…” she began to answer only to be interrupted by Lex’s cultured voice reading poetry aloud.

“If yet I have not all thy love.
Dear, I shall never have it all;
I cannot breathe one other sigh, to move,
Nor can intreat one other tear to fall;
And all my treasure, which should purchase thee,
Sighs, tears, and oaths, and letters I have spent;
Yet no more can be due to me,
Than at the bargain made was meant.
If then thy gift of love were partial,
That some to me, some should to others fall,
Dear, I shall never have thee all.”

She gulped, immediately recognising the poem as the one she had found in her in-tray a couple of days before.

“Give it to me,” she snatched the unfolded paper away from his hand. “Haven’t you ever heard of something called privacy?”

“Why are you blushing? I find a woman who enjoys John Donne’s poetry quite refreshing. Let me see if I remember how it goes on:

Or if then thou gavest me all,
All was but all, which thou hadst then;
But if in thy heart since there be or shall
New love created be by other men,
Which have their stocks entire, and can in tears,
In sighs, in oaths, and letters, outbid me,
This new love may beget new fears,
For this love was not vow'd by thee.
And yet it was, thy gift being general;
The ground, thy heart, is mine; what ever shall
Grow there, dear, I should have it all.

Yet I would not have all yet.
He that hath all can have no more;
And since my love doth every day admit
New growth, thou shouldst have new rewards in store;
Thou canst not every day give me thy heart,
If thou canst give it, then thou never gavest it;
Love's riddles are, that though thy heart depart,
It stays at home, and thou with losing savest it;
But we will have a way more liberal,
Than changing hearts, to join them; so we shall
Be one, and one another's all.


Lovers’ Infiniteness. Interesting choice. He’s even used an inkwell and a feather to copy it. Judging by the words in the first stanza, this can’t be the first one you received. Are they from the photographer?”

“So it wasn't you?” she asked him, trying to disguise her disbelief.

“Does that mean you really don't know? Do you often get poems in your mail from strangers?”

“Well, as I matter of fact I do,” she snapped at him, her old high school insecurities springing up at the memory of Smallville’s perfect princess, Lana Lang, being the muse of a modern Byron’s artistry. How dare he suggest nobody would ever find Chloe Sullivan inspiring enough to be worthy of a poem? “Every Friday for the last four months, to be exact.”

In fact, the first envelope had arrived the week after the embarrassing event on the lift and a new one had been delivered every Friday since then. She’d ignored the first one, and when the second one came she discreetly interrogated her romantic assistant Susan to find out if she wasn’t trying to lift her spirits with a fake Secret Admirer. A week later, when the third poem arrived, she started some research at the local stationers’ to try to locate the one which might have sold that particular set of writing paper and envelopes but reached a dead end. Only when Lex turned up at her office and tried to blackmail her did she start to suspect him. And now it seemed she’d been wrong the whole time.

“Have you reported it to the police? ”

“No.”

“Well, I think you should. It could be a stalker. Has your friend the photographer phoned you again? Do you remember any out of the ordinary phone calls?”

“You mean someone asking for a pizza with double cheese and pepperoni?”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I. Why do you have to interpret an innocuous bunch of poems as an unhealthy obsession?”

“You didn’t think they were innocuous when you believed it was I who had sent them to you, did you?”

“Why does everything have to be interpreted as a threat in your books? You’re always cynical about people’s motives. You’re always expecting the worst from others… You’re so… cerebral. Have you ever done anything spontaneous in your life? You deliberately put people on the defensive and seek to manipulate them so you can be constantly in control of everything and everybody around you, including yourself…” the words tumbled out of her mouth as the events of the day and the building tension of the evening came crushing upon her.

She wanted to chink his armour and rattle him the same way he’d tried to do with her ever since he stepped into her flat and took the control away from her.

With a jerk he hauled her closer and for a brief moment, meeting the cold steel of his eyes and the deep and primitive need to hurt her reflected in them, she wondered if she hadn’t pushed him too far. There was no sound in the room except their ragged breathing as their eyes stayed locked and she sensed the leashed power in the masculine body invading her personal space. A shudder coursed up her spine, one that had inexplicably nothing to do with fear but with an emotion long forgotten, as something flickered in his pupils and her lips were suddenly assaulted by a passionate kiss.

She’d asked for spontaneous, and he’d shocked her with his response.

She should have pushed him away, put distance between them, feel aggravated and, instead of that, her body seemed to have a will of its own, automatically responding first to the fiery passion and then to the abrupt change in pace. The now slow sensual undulations of his hips against her centre, echoed by the way their tongues slid together in a sensuous dance, were having a devastating effect on her body. Longings which had been dormant for months were stirring back to life as tiny thrills shot along her nerves and all she could think of was when was the last time she’d felt this way.

She clung to his light-blue dress shirt, trembling and yet fascinated by his total absorption in her and his reaction to the smothering pleasure the clash of their bodies had created. She heard herself moan when he slid his elegant long-fingered hands over her back and gently cupped her buttocks to bring her closer to the hard evidence of his desire, groaning faintly, evidently lost in the sensations. Chloe found driving this man to such a state wildly flattering and was tempted to test her assumption that he was the kind of lover who would expect his partner to be just as frank and greedily uninhibited in demanding her share of pleasure. And then she remembered who she was and where they were and decided to fight the sinful impulse but, surprisingly, it was Lex the one to break up the spell and pull away as if he feared he’d spontaneously combust.

Chloe saw herself reflected in the mirror opposite the fireplace and hardly recognised the woman standing in the middle of the room. Her green eyes seemed larger than ever, her cheeks were flushed deep red, her mouth looked thoroughly kissed and… her blouse did nothing to conceal the pebbled peaks. She appeared decisively sexed up and meeting the slightly dazed gaze of his own across the distance- a startlingly vivid expression of sexual need- she felt a fresh wave of heat sweep over her. She dropped her eyes not to let him see the guilt that she knew he’d read in them and found herself staring inadvertently at the physical evidence of his desire before whipping her eyes back to his face.

“I’m sorry. It’ll go away. This was not what I brought you here for tonight,” he broke the pregnant silence in a voice that sounded hoarse to her ears as he opened the fridge under the wet bar and removed two bottles of Tŷ Nant. “I think we’d better call it a night. I’ll have my chauffer drive you to your hotel.”

He uncapped one of the blue bottles to take a big gulp and then set down the other cold spring water on the coffee table for her.

“Yes,” she said weakly, taking the bottle with slightly shaky hands when he walked towards the console table to retrieve his briefcase.

“There’s something I want you to have,” he told her, taking out a blue folder seemingly ignoring his condition more successfully than she was able to. “This is a breakdown of Queen Industries’ existing markets and the potential for expansion within the present framework of the company…”

Chloe truly admired the man’s ability to switch his attention completely to the matter in hand. Although it was still evident that his body was aware of her as a woman, all his energy was now focused on business.

“I appreciate your research, Lex, but Queen Industries isn’t in a position to expand at present,” she replied once she’d managed to discipline her unruly emotions enough to follow what he was saying.

“Maybe not now, but if and when LexCorp and Queen Industries’ joint venture gets off the ground you’ll see its viability. The company’s been stagnant for far too long. You should prepare the groundwork for the opportunities that I’m sure will come up in order to have a natural advantage over your competitors.”

“I can’t make such an important decision right now. All I know’s that Queen Industries has never been an octopus with tentacles everywhere like LuthorCorp. Electronics is our field and I believe Oliver would have liked for his company to be kept that way. He didn’t like the impersonality of huge corporations…”

“Does that mean you intend to always run your business and… your life… as Oliver would have wanted you to? You’re narrowing your options for the future, Chloe. I thought you were the kind of woman who likes taking independent decisions for herself.”

“And I am,” she said coldly. “I know what I’m capable of dealing with and the kind of expansion you’re advocating is not.”

“As I said before, you’re right about the timing not being the appropriate one. However, I believe you’re underestimating your potential. If you decide that being the CEO of this company is really what you want to do with the rest of your life, I’m sure you’ll eventually crave the satisfaction of fresh challenges. I’m not advising you to start with any radical changes; I’m simply suggesting you begin thinking ahead…”

Chloe forced herself to acknowledge the sense of his words. There was no patronising in his tone; he was talking to her as an equally intelligent human being. And yet, making long-term plans made her feel even more uneasy than having to deal with the day-to-day challenges of corporate management.

If you decide that being the CEO of this company is really what you want to do with the rest of your life… Those words of his kept resonating in her mind. Was that what she wanted? After Oliver’s death she’d felt that taking the reins of his company, keeping it afloat, was the way of compensating him for failing him when he’d needed her the most. The cut-throat environment that bred people like Lex, Wayne and the late Lionel Luthor was so alien to her, so far away from what her dreams had always been. Did she really have what it takes to survive that world? Did she really want to finish her days strategizing ways to increase profits, crush a competitor or orchestrate a takeover?

“Why are you giving away a business advantage such as this? What do you expect from me in return? My gratitude? Or something else? Is this some kind of strategy to bribe me to go to bed with you?” she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

“You’re deluding yourself if you believe I’d ever need to stoop down to that to consummate this powerful attraction between us. We both know that when we take that step it won’t be a matter of bribery.”

“Is that a threat?”

“It’s a fact.”

TBC

SouthernChlex
15th February 2011, 03:28
This story is going in all the right directions. I wonder who it was that broke into her apartment, and whether or not Lex had something to do with it.
Plus, major hotness in this chapter and they didn't even do anything yet! Looking forward to reading more. Lovin' it.

kcsgirl82
15th February 2011, 03:46
Thanks for the awesome update!
Poor Chloe having such a rotten day, but at least she got to make out with Lex for awhile.
I can see how Chloe could think that the poems were from Lex, but now that it has been established that he didn't send them I can't help but wonder who did. I also wonder if they were simply sent by a secret admirer or if the person sending them has something far more sinister planned for Chloe.
I love Cocky Lex (he is adorable and irresistibly sexy at the same time)!
Thanks again for the wonderful update, can't wait to read more!
Happy Valentine's Day!

Historianic
15th February 2011, 13:41
Lex's attitude is starting to grate on my nerves. I wanted to throttle him in this chapter for his high-handedness and presumption. I could understand that he was acting out of concern - at least regarding the burglary - but unfortunately his concern spills over very quickly into control. And whether his "suggestions" are valid or not, he has no right to go over her head and take action without discussing things with her first (in this instance, I'm referring specifically to his overhauling her entire security system without consulting her about it). I'm concerned for Chloe regarding the power dynamics of their relationship, even platonic or professional or whatever, as it is now. It's starting to feel as though he's taking advantage of her. And his arrogance and conceit is not helping matters and actually making it very difficult for me to like him in this and even harder for me to trust him. I'm wondering what the hell his game is. But I'm also dying for him to be taken down a peg or two or four lol! I couldn't help but notice the irony in him being snide about her running things the way Oliver would have wanted her to, when Lex is doing the exact same thing now, getting her to do things the way he wants her to (press-ganging her into going to his apartment, bulldozing over her with the security system, forcing his advice and mentorship on her). That his "advice" has often been very sound is beside the point. Its the way he's conducting himself, the way he's going about it, that's problematic. And I really don't think the dynamic in their relationship as it is now will be good grounds for building a lasting romantic relationship. Still I'm really curious to see where you're going with this Lexie, provided I can refrain from strangling Lex long enough lol! I'm also looking forward to getting a little more insight into what was obviously a very complex relationship between Oliver and Chloe.

techwriter2
16th February 2011, 06:34
I'm too tired to come up with an articulate and substantial response to this chapter, so I will keep it short and sweet:

Awesome update, Lexie!

BTW: I noted the following line to use in my response - [B] “Impressive. How long can you hold your breath underwater?” he smirked. He’d never met anyone who could articulate so many words in a string without making a pause.[\B] - but then you beat me to the punch by having them kiss later in the chapter. It's like we were on the same wavelength. :grin3:

Mandy

hfce
16th February 2011, 07:16
DAMN!! That was something. Lex being his pompous self and Chloe giving back to him. LOL! I love these two. :)

LexGirl
16th February 2011, 10:02
That was AWESOME Lexie!!!! :) I enjoyed it very much especially the end where Lex says "It's a fact." Talk about hot! I love it!!! :)

lexie
16th February 2011, 17:01
I wonder who it was that broke into her apartment, and whether or not Lex had something to do with it

Why is it that whenever something evil happens people immediately think of Lex? LOL. Well, you'll have to wait and see if the break-in was intentional and orchestrated by some mastermind or if it was a random event that simply helped to show Lex's over-protective and controlling tendencies.


I can see how Chloe could think that the poems were from Lex, but now that it has been established that he didn't send them I can't help but wonder who did. I also wonder if they were simply sent by a secret admirer or if the person sending them has something far more sinister planned for Chloe.

The fact that he believed they could have been sent by Jimmy shows how little he knows the photographer. Well, in fact, we can't blame him since he hasn't got a clue of the man's identity, but... can you imagine Jimmy reading John Donne? *laughing here* Yes, Chloe was very perceptive; we know that the metaphysical poet is one of Lex's favourites and she's starting to read the billionaire quite well. The identity of the sender won't be revealed until later in the story, by the way.


Lex's attitude is starting to grate on my nerves. I wanted to throttle him in this chapter for his high-handedness and presumption.

It feels like throwing an anvil at him, doesn't it? LOL


I could understand that he was acting out of concern - at least regarding the burglary - but unfortunately his concern spills over very quickly into control. And whether his "suggestions" are valid or not, he has no right to go over her head and take action without discussing things with her first (in this instance, I'm referring specifically to his overhauling her entire security system without consulting her about it). I'm concerned for Chloe regarding the power dynamics of their relationship, even platonic or professional or whatever, as it is now. It's starting to feel as though he's taking advantage of her. And his arrogance and conceit is not helping matters and actually making it very difficult for me to like him in this and even harder for me to trust him. I'm wondering what the hell his game is.

Lex has always have a tendency to turn love/affection/care into over-protectiveness and control very fast. There's certainly a reason for this, although this personality trait is being stronger than usually in this fic.

There's more than simply a need to have the control behind his insufferable behaviour; he's got a game/plan all right and it's going to be dealt with in the following chapter.


But I'm also dying for him to be taken down a peg or two or four lol! I couldn't help but notice the irony in him being snide about her running things the way Oliver would have wanted her to, when Lex is doing the exact same thing now, getting her to do things the way he wants her to (press-ganging her into going to his apartment, bulldozing over her with the security system, forcing his advice and mentorship on her). That his "advice" has often been very sound is beside the point. Its the way he's conducting himself, the way he's going about it, that's problematic. And I really don't think the dynamic in their relationship as it is now will be good grounds for building a lasting romantic relationship. Still I'm really curious to see where you're going with this Lexie, provided I can refrain from strangling Lex long enough lol!

Chapter 6 is also going to delve into the power dynamics of their relationship among other things. Don't lose your faith in either Lex or Chloe; that's all I'm saying. Don't go strangling anyone just yet. *grin*



I'm also looking forward to getting a little more insight into what was obviously a very complex relationship between Oliver and Chloe.

Just as with Lex's background story- of which you're going to get a good piece in the following chapter- details of Chloe's life with Oliver are going to be handed out little by little.


I noted the following line to use in my response - [B] “Impressive. How long can you hold your breath underwater?” he smirked. He’d never met anyone who could articulate so many words in a string without making a pause.[\B] - but then you beat me to the punch by having them kiss later in the chapter. It's like we were on the same wavelength.

You knew he was already plotting or. at least, considering checking that out on a first-hand basis. LOL.


Lex being his pompous self and Chloe giving back to him.

Expect more of that from Chloe. She's going to pull her guns out really strong soon.


I enjoyed it very much especially the end where Lex says "It's a fact."

Oh, that was my favourite line too! :)

somethingeasy
17th February 2011, 08:32
This was a fantastic chapter. I loved how it started with Jason fretting and worrying over Chloe like a mother hen. Chloe usually gets so little fussing over and concern from the canon characters in Smallville, that it’s always very satisfying to see people coddling her in fanfic, lol!

And it was heartening to see that Chloe shares Jason’s opinion that Lex was to be regarded with caution and suspicion. BUT, it was also good to see that, despite this acknowledgment, Chloe was still granting him grudging amounts of trust, as time went by, and as he continued to prove his usefulness and helpfulness to her. Not to mention is was highly satisfying to find out that Chloe rather liked the way that he kept on her toes at all times, while tutoring her.

AND, it was so wonderful to see that Lex’s tutorial sessions were paying off big time. Chloe was growing steadily more competent and confident in her role as CEO. It might not have been the job she would have chosen as her first choice in a career, but since she had the job, she was going perform damned well at it.

LOL! Chloe was really having the day from hell in this chapter, eh? Flat tire, abandoned in the middle of nowhere without a phone signal, AND she returns home to a burgled apartment?! The only bright spot to the day was the intense concern that Lex reacted to this news about Chloe’s space being violated. Yes, he turned rather bossy about the whole business of ‘protecting Chloe’, but I could tell that it all came from a place of genuine care and concern for her well-being.

heh… nonetheless, the level of bossiness got really irritating, REALLY fast! His high-handed, controlling ways of expressing his ‘care and concern’ was absolutely NOT appreciated by Chloe. Lex should really have learned that ordering Chloe around only produced counter-productive results from her. She won’t listen to even sensible arguments, when they’re delivered in an arrogant, presumptuous, bossy tone. But I think he’s learning. Slowly, but steadily… hopefully!

I liked that brief nervous-attack Chloe experienced when viewing the elevator. She has been feeling nervy around elevators since That Night, and riding in an elevator with Lex of all people would really compound the fears. It was good to see that Lex immediately noticed her nervousness, guessed at it’s cause, AND immediately set to reassuring her, with a quiz no less, lol!

And then, after putting her at ease in the elevator, he then sets on to be wonderfully charming and engaging once they’re in his apartment together. Cooking her a fine meal, bantering gently with her. Chloe herself noticed that she was finding herself growing more and more comfortable in his company. I know that all of these are great signs for the Chlexer readers, but I can’t help but feel that there’s a smooth, manipulative strategy that Lex is acting out, with Chloe central to his objectives somehow. He’s putting his ALL into being as appealing, charming and attractive possible. Considering all of Lex’s natural gifts (intelligence as well as good looks) AND the tons of practice he’s had already at seducing women, I’m highly suspicious about how much of Lex’s behaviour towards Chloe is genuine, and how much is carefully practiced tactics.


Chloe knew he was right. She’d known her life would change irrevocably the day she married Oliver and that was one of the reasons she’d struggled to keep her independence alive. It’d been hard; she’d slowly sacrificed things that had always been important to her, but she’d done it for what she believed would be the greater good. That was until her self-imposed isolation, her devotion to the League and her strong friendship with Clark became a boomerang.

Oliver’s personal demons had come back to haunt him and aid the cruel hand of fate which had intervened to corrode their marriage. And, by the time it was over, there was no longer a Chloe Sullivan, only Watchtower, and all of a sudden it wasn’t enough. Her freelance work after her husband’s passing had been an attempt to show herself and others that Gabe’s daughter was still alive somewhere behind all those masks she’d learnt to wear in public during her ill-fated marriage. For a while she’d guiltily enjoyed the freedom to be her again, only to have her wings clipped when Oliver’s will went through probate and she became Queen Enterprises’ CEO.

I really appreciated getting some of the details on how and why Chloe’s and Oliver’s marriage fell apart. I liked how the flashback showed how the marriage contained the seeds of it’s own destruction right from the beginning… with Chloe giving up so MUCH of herself to become Watchtower that she stopped being Chloe. It makes sense that not being able to assert her own personality and individualism would make her weaker as a person, or at least less prominent as a person. Having Chloe sublimating her personality would mean that all aspects of her life would suffer, which includes her marriage too. And Oliver probably didn’t help, first encouraging Chloe to turn completely into her Watchtower persona, and then turning to drink when he couldn’t find ‘Chloe’ anymore.

Mistakes from both sides… although I’m decidedly less sympathetic towards Oliver, considering how he turned to alcoholism as a crutch, and ended up making Chloe’s married life a kind of hell during his final months.

To make matters worse, it turns out that Oliver even made arrangements to sublimate Chloe’s personality yet again… but this time by putting the pressure of becoming the CEO of Queen Enterprises on her shoulders. Granted, he probably didn’t expect to die so young and everything, but he still indirectly is the cause for Chloe running the danger of diminishing as a person again.

I don’t like the idea of Chloe giving up on anything… but perhaps Lex might be making a valid point when he mentioned that Chloe might want to hand over the reins of Queen Enterprises to someone else… that she doesn’t HAVE to be stuck running the company just because she was unexpectedly handed over control. BUT… the smooth, plausible, reasonable and convincing way he’s making all of these suggestions… it also makes my hackles rise seeing how Lex is attempting to get control of Queen Enterprises, by undermining Chloe’s faith in herself, as well as her will to continue acting as CEO of the company.

Lex told Chloe that the company is ready for expansion; for massive growth and profits. All of those sound like good things, except that Lex is suggesting that the only thing holding the company back is Chloe herself. That, if she steps down as CEO, and lets someone more aggressive, competent and more interested in being CEO to take over, then the company is going to thrive. Oh, and coincidentally, Lex is right here, aggressive, competent and more than interested in taking over the reins the moment Chloe is ready to step down.

You’ve gotta LOVE the way he presents his arguments, eh? He makes it all sound so reasonable and convincing. As if he really does have Chloe’s best interests at heart… and that of course she can trust him to take over the instant she’s ready to step down. Scary!

The thing with the poetry was very interesting. It was creepy as heck, but also interesting! It appears that Chloe just might have a stalker now. Unnerving! It appeared that Chloe wasn’t too frightened, or even taking the matter too seriously… but she’s only NOW getting used to the idea that it wasn’t Lex sending her all these poems in an attempt to taunt her or something. Nope, it was some random, unknown stranger, who has been sending her poems every second Friday of the month for the past couple of… weeks? months?

I can see why she would assume it was Lex sending her these poems. The poetry fits his style and preference… and Chloe has good reason to believe that Lex IS exactly the type of person who would resort to unbalancing her by sending her anonymous poetry. heh… he really hasn’t made a very good impression on her so far, has he? This evening of being charming and enthralling notwithstanding.

My suspicions about Lex launching some kind of aggressively manipulative seduction campaign on Chloe were only enhanced when he kissed her. It struck me as a kiss that he initiated in order to make a point, to create a tactical advantage AND to knock her off-balance. Somehow, I can’t find myself attributing too much spontaneity to that kiss. Although, I will say that it’s possible that Lex might have been taken by surprise by his own intense reaction to the feel of Chloe’s lips. He’s probably not used to being aroused so darned quickly from a short, simple kiss alone.

Still… his utter high-handed arrogance that he and Chloe are inevitably destined to become lovers… something about that attitude thrills me, AND also sends warning signals through me. Watch out for him, Chloe! He’s up to something!!!

starmoon
19th February 2011, 06:09
this story rocks and i just can't for more please update as soon as possible.

skatiefan
21st February 2011, 23:13
I can't wait for the next update Lexie. It's really interesting so far. I'm really liking the story so far.

lexie
25th February 2011, 18:48
A/N: I know it was supposed to be "Choices" (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/7913-quot-Choices-quot-(PG-13-R)-CH-8-Jan-5th-2011) first but my muse has a mind of her own.

Here's a new chapter which I believe will answer several questions that have been going around. In addition, the new instalment addresses a few of the reservations some of you had pointed out in regard to Chloe's passivity and Lex's high-handedness.*it was all in my plans from the start. I just wanted to make you sweat and rant for a little while. :grin3:*


If you haven't, don't forget to check out "At Second Sight" (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/8297-quot-At-Second-Sight-quot-(PG-13-R)-CH-1-Jan-10-2010), which I updated three days ago.

CHAPTER SIX

Chloe stepped into the hall, letting the door of her home of one month click shut behind her. She loved her new flat; the layout was very functional and her bedroom had a great view of Star City’s park. And, above all, it was ten minutes away from the headquarters of Queen Industries, which provided her with the perfect excuse to go to work on foot- an arrangement that not only helped her save a small fortune in petrol but also contributed to her plans to shed the pounds she’d put on in the stressful first few months following Oliver’s death.

The night after the break-in at her old apartment had been long and sleepless with images of Lex and her entangled in a frenzied embrace replaying in her mind. Sensations from the heady kiss and the impromptu make out session had tormented her body until the sheets on her bed had become a twisted mess, and she’d had to trade any hopes of sleep for a carafe of hot coffee long before sunrise.

Being unable to get any sleep had given her plenty of time to go over the events of that day and analyse them with a cold head. And the result of her inner musings had revealed several truths about herself that she’d tried to ignore for far too long. Lex might have behaved all pushy and domineering, talking her into doing his will under the guise of helpful suggestions, but she had let him. Chloe Sullivan had lost her spine somewhere along the way. Getting fired from The Daily Planet when it became part of a LuthorCorp-owned media network and taking on full-time duties as Watchtower for Clark, her then fiancé Oliver and the gang had been the turning point, the beginning of a slow process of self-defacement.

Somehow she´d become this anonymous non-entity whose life´d been taken over while she was on the fringes observing. She couldn´t remember when she’d become this complacent, when she’d lost the will to fight for what she wanted the most, when she’d compromised and let things happen, let others take the control while she observed from a safe distance. It’d have been petty to hold Oliver and his friends responsible for the loss of her identity and the sacrifice of her dreams, just as it’d have been myopic to blame Lex for her unChloelike behaviour of late.

The first step on the road to recovery’s to admit one has a problem and that was what she did in the small hours of the morning after the burglary. She’d break the vicious cycle and stop sitting in the back seat. She’d taken tiny steps when Lex entered her life, showing him bursts of her once rebellious nature when he tried to manipulate her; however, they’d been just sparks of her old fire and, as such, easily put out by a man who was used to being the one in control.

That morning, a month ago, she’d breathed for the first time in two years; she’d taken the reins of her life back. And it’d all started with her turning up at her apartment when LexCorp Security was still there instead of waiting for the man in charge to stop by her office to drop the new keys. Her original impulse on leaving the hotel room had been to storm into her home and send everyone packing to show Lex who was in charge, but the minute she entered the lift of her old building a new plan took shape, one that put a wicked smile on her face.

She walked into her bedroom and kicked off her shoes, smiling at the memory. Not only had she not cancelled the whole thing off, she’d increased the bill by a few thousands by having Lex pay for the installation of a state-of-the-art safe in her study as well. Even though she knew the expense of upgrading her apartment’s security hadn’t made a dent in his fortune, she had got a kick out of having him spend a large sum and believe to have had his way only to find out she’d moved out less than a week later. It’d just taken a call to her real estate agent to terminate the lease of her old flat and a small miracle for the apartment she was now living in to be vacated. In fact, the stars had seemed to align perfectly in her favour for once, she’d fallen in love with her new cosy apartment soon after her marriage to Oliver, but she’d had to give it up for practical reasons- there hadn’t been room enough for both of them and his alter ego’s sophisticated equipment.

Chloe’s second step had been to lay the rules to redefine her relationship with Lex. Although she appreciated having someone care for her well-being, she wouldn’t tolerate his high-handedness anymore nor would she passively accept his controlling tendencies or his over-protectiveness. And from then on the arrangements for their appointments to study would be discussed beforehand. If he was expecting her to jump when he said Jump! he’d have another one coming. He could either take it or leave it.

Lex had listened to her impassioned speech without batting an eye or interrupting her and what she saw on his face after she finished completely baffled her. Although brief, she’d spied a look of pride in his eyes and then spotted a fleeting knowing smile as he walked around his desk and invited her to sit down for them to discuss business. It was at that moment that it dawn on her; it’d all been a game, a carefully elaborate plan to work her up to boiling point and have her explode.

“Why did you do it?” she frowned.

“I knew you were there somewhere. I’d seen glimpses of the real you when I taunted you, and realised the war you were waging inside- to be who others were expecting of you or to be the woman you were before you chose to sacrifice her for others.”

His words made her wonder how much he knew. Had Oliver confided in him? Was Lex aware of her late husband’s secret identity and the work she’d done for the League in the shadows?

“I can see you’ve got lots of questions,” he said gravely. “You’re welcome to ask them. I promise to give you straight answers.”

“You played a dangerous game. You were on the verge of alienating me altogether. If you’re as interested in making business with us as you led me to believe, why run such a risk?”

“It wasn’t my original plan when the deadline we’d agreed with Oliver arrived and I asked for an interview with his widow. You have to remember I was operating on false assumption…The circumstances were altered when I learnt that Mrs Queen was none other than the attractive blonde in the mink coat.”

“So let me see if I can fill in the blanks. Your first plan was to seduce the widow and have her sell you the company, but then you realised you might get it for free by resorting to blackmail and pushing her into a corner: ‘Either you sell or I’ll let everyone know what a naughty girl you really are,’ she said ironically.

“Despicable, I know.”

“So what changed? What drove you to use that over-bearing bully strategy on me?”

“I liked you, and I hadn’t expected to like you.”

“Based on our encounter or on the words of … a drunk? You know… it makes me wonder… Are there any others like you waiting to use that against me?”

“I really wouldn’t know,” he confessed quietly. “There’s no need for you to worry about that; there are ways to nip that false story in the bud. Someone with the right pull and connections can do it”

“It’s never been just about me…..” she told him in an anguished tone.

“I knew it wasn’t true less than ten minutes into the interview. Are you suggesting your cousin would believe you capable of that?”

Chloe felt her tears starting to well up in her eyes. Oliver had done more than fill Lex’s ears with her alleged adulterous behaviour; he’d repeated to him the very same accusation he’d spat at her before storming out of their house and driving off a cliff in a drunken stupor.

“She wouldn’t… but that wouldn’t make a difference if the story were to hit the stands and people believed it. I wouldn’t be the only aggrieved party… Lois’d be a laughingstock… or worse… and Clark’s clean reputation in the eyes of The Daily Planet’s readers would be soiled. They’re a revered team and an ideal couple… He might even end up losing his job if he lost his credibility and people stopped buying the papers to read his column and Lois’. And then… there’s their boy… How would this affect him? You know how adults don’t always weigh their words carefully when they speak in front of their children…. What if another child repeated the story to him or laughed at him in school or …?” She started to tear up.

“Chloe…” he told her, getting up from his seat and walking around his desk to sit in the chair across from her. “Here…” he murmured, handing her a box of tissues and trying not very successfully to hide how uncomfortable he felt around a crying woman. “I’ll get us some coffee,” he added, leaving her side to press the intercom and ask his assistant for a carafe of the freshly brewed infusion.

“I’m sorry for that,” she apologised meekly after collecting herself and freshening up in his toilet. “I promise I will bring my own tissues next time,” she added with a soft smile.

“There’s no need to apologise. You were more than justified, considering all you’ve been through in the past months. I hope you’ll forgive me for pushing you around the way I did.”

“I still don’t understand why you chose that particular approach when I’d have been more inclined to be open to a deal with LexCorp if you’d used the charm I know you’re capable of. You suggested that you did it for me, that it was because you liked me, but there has to be more than that.”

“I’ve had very few opportunities in my life to be selfless, to do things because they feel right and not because they will look well in a quarterly report. I won’t be hypocritical and tell you there isn’t anything for me to gain from a professional… and a personal… point of view, though.”

She stepped out of the shower- his words still resonating in her ears- and looked at her nude body in the mirror. Her curves were a little too full and her height wasn’t the suitable one to be catwalk material and yet she felt desirable for the first time in months. She’d buried that side of her nature long before burying the man with whom she’d once thought she’d end up her days.

She’d spent the last year of her marriage feeling a failure as a woman for not being able to grant her husband the one thing that would have given him the sense of family he hadn’t known since his parents’ death. Months of gentle reassurances from Oliver had finished abruptly one morning when she woke up to find his side of the bed untouched and an empty bottle of Johnny Walker lying on the study carpet next to her unconscious husband. He’d never come back to their bed after that nor would he give up the company of his vintage partner.

Oliver’s rejection had resurrected old insecurities in her and her pride had prompted her to wear a mask even in front of the two people closest to her. Clark should have been the easiest to fool, but Lois knew her too well and had shared her concern for Chloe with the farm boy. And, unbeknownst to him, his attempts to find out what was wrong with her, to be the shoulder she could cry on if she needed someone to be there for her, had added an extra layer to her already breaking marriage: jealousy and with it, confusion.

It would be a few months later while emptying Oliver’s closet to donate his clothes to charity after the funeral that she found out what had triggered his self-destructive behaviour- a confidential report of a prestigious fertility clinic declaring him… sterile. It hadn’t been her inadequacies but his fear of not being whole what had pushed him to the abyss. She should have felt relieved and yet she couldn’t help but feel guilty for not being able to help him and for staying so long in a relationship that had been clearly destroying her spirit… and his… in the belief she was unworthy of being happy.

It would take her eight months and crossing paths with a bossy and insightful billionaire for her old self to fight back to the surface. The morning after the break-in, when she’d confronted him, he’d told her she’d been his chance to do for someone else what he’d failed to do for someone he’d loved in the past. And yet, Chloe suspected there was something more to it, some debt of honour he’d decided to pay through her.

Although Lex was still in many ways a mystery to her, he was gradually and unequivocally growing on her. Even though they had their occasional clashes, as it was to be expected given their strong personalities, Chloe appreciated the skirmishes for what they were, a constant struggle on both their parts to define boundaries and keep each other on their toes. Never in her twenty-six years had she been in a relationship with a man- either personal or professional- where she’d felt so much challenged and alive.

If anyone had told Chloe that a lesson on business-management techniques could be sensuous, she would have laughed in their faces. That was until she met her tutor. Despite the fact that their sessions had been strictly business and carried out on neutral office turf since the face-off, it was hard to ignore how distractingly sexy he was or the effect the nuances of his voice had on her even when explaining the complexities of strategizing in business.

Her favourite moments, however, were when he shared some titbit about himself, such as his confessing he loved Schubert, Wagner and Russian composers in particular, but that he enjoyed opera as much as hard rock or post-grunge depending on the mood he was in. He claimed to be a decent classical piano player- although something told her he was more than just adequate. There were also little things she discovered on her own: his love for fast Italian and German cars, art, vintage scotch, pool, chess and fencing. And then, there was that which brought them closer: his obsession with finding answers and unravelling mysteries and… his interest and fascination for superheroes ever since his childhood.

Every now and then he’d surprise her with a gift he’d leave on her desk or on his coffee table as if it were just an afterthought; an engraved fountain pen, an appointment diary or a leather folio- presents which, although not inexpensive, wouldn’t be misconstrued as overly personal. Her determination might help her rise up to his constant challenges and fight off his arrogance and calculated charm but his warmth was something altogether different. She was both bewitched and bewildered by the apparent softening in him, even though she still suspected it might be part of his campaign to lure her into trusting him with more than just her education. Seeing him shed part of the cool reserve and calm detachment with which he dealt with the rest of the world was a dangerous enticement because it made her feel she was special to him and not simply a challenge he was determined to conquer. Lex also made her aware of the aching inside her, the yearning for closeness and comfort she’d been sublimating in work and study.

He always seemed to find a way to make her lose her temper and she invariably fell in his trap. He appeared to enjoy taunting her, getting her so ruffled and furious that she felt like slapping him only to realise he’d actually agreed with her arguments from the very beginning. It was a strategy of his she found disturbingly arousing and that never failed to bring back memories of the one time his body had been close enough for her to feel the way she affected him and of the way she’d trembled and moaned in his arms. He might not be pursuing her aggressively, but Chloe wasn’t naďve enough to believe he didn’t have the intention of bringing their attraction to the next level if she so much as gave him an opening.


˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜* ˜

Chloe knew the importance of belonging to local business organisations and showing up at social occasions like tonight’s function, so she’d curved her urge to put on her pyjamas and slippers, pour herself a glass of Chardonnay and turn on the TV to see if there was some black-and-white sleuth film on TCM. Instead, she’d slipped on a red backless dress she’d bought on a shopping spree with her cousin Lois and put on a pair of matching stilettos that showed her legs to advantage.


“Ms Sullivan, it’s good to see you again. The Metropolis Chamber of Commerce is glad to see you’re taking as active an interest in our organisation as your late husband used to,“ the chairman told her as they shook hands. “Since Mr Grierson’s going to be in charge of the main speech, I suggested seating you both at the top table, but he requested somewhere out of the limelight, so I’ve assigned you both to the table sitting the Chinese delegation. He said you hope to do business with them soon… Now, if you’ll excuse me …”

“Sure,” she smiled.“Thanks for your welcome.”

Once again Lex had prepared the ground and smoothed her way.

Her deep emerald gaze swept across the hotel dining-room in search of her target but couldn’t find him.

“Looking for good old Lex?” asked an unknown voice next to her. ”Sorry if I startled you.”

“I’m afraid we haven’t been introduced,” she replied rather coldly; there was something about the man that repulsed her.

“Excuse my bad manners. Alden Pearson,” he stretched out his hand to shake hers. “I knew your late husband. In fact, we three used to be classmates at Excelsior.”

“Pardon?” frown Chloe.

“Oliver, Lex and I. Well, actually Luthor wasn’t part of the gang- Geoffrey was. Alexander was a loser like his friend Allenmeyer. You didn’t know?”

Luthor. Lex Luthor. Alexander Luthor.

Chloe tried to put on her best poker-face and see how much she could get out of Alden. She didn’t like him, and he was kind of pathetic. She wondered what sort of demons he was running from; the liquor on his breath could be smelt even standing a few feet away.

“No, I didn’t know you’d been to the same school as Oliver. He never mentioned you.”

“He didn’t? Well, he could be a closed-up bastard on occasion, and I guess he didn’t have too many fond memories of those days. They hated each other though- he and Lex I mean. I wonder what he’d think if he saw you two now,” he told her with a vicious smile. “I’d better mingle… Watch your back. There might be no love lost between Lex and his old man, but Lionel’s blood runs through his veins. And you know the saying: the apple never falls far from the tree.”

“Is everything OK? Did he do anything to upset you?” asked Lex’s velvety voice materialising at her back.

“Apart from making my skin crawl, you mean?” she replied ironically.

“I’m afraid he doesn’t hold his liquor well,” he shot a glance at the other man across the room before moving around in front of her. “Seriously, Chloe, you look as if you were about to faint,” he added quietly.

“Do you know him?” she asked him, grabbing an hors d’oeuvre from a passing tray to fight off the queasiness.

“Should I?” he cocked an eyebrow, taking a sip at his champagne.

“He claimed to know Oliver from way back… from prep school to be more precise.”

“He did?” he replied indifferently.

“You never told me you and Oliver had been to school together. You, Oliver, Geoffrey, Alden and a boy called… Allen… Allen.”

“Meyer. Allenmeyer. Duncan Allenmeyer. Alden wasn’t even fit to tie Duncan’s shoelaces,” he said grimly. “I’ve never talked about Excelsior because it’s a time of my life I wish I could forget.”

“You lied to me. Your surname isn’t Grierson,” she told him tensely.

“I didn’t lie. It’s my mother’s maiden name and it’s been the only one I’ve borne since I turned of age.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that you’re his son.”

“I’m nothing like him,” he hissed.

“I didn’t say you were. I just want to know why you kept your identity a secret from me when Oliver must have known who you were from the start. Actually, your affiliation with Lionel had to be the reason he approached you in the first place. He was obsessed with him. Why? There had to be more than business rivalry between them. I know that LuthorCorp’s Queen Industrries’ leading competitor in the Electronics business and that your stepmother’s now at the helm, but…”

“You mean my father’s wife,” he corrected her frostily.

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

“I only had one mother and she sure as hell wasn’t that woman,” he snarled, guiding Chloe to one side with a firm hand, out of the incoming flow of arrivals. ”You want to hear the story?”

“There’s no need for that,” she said softly, shooting a glance at some of the guests who were starting to look at the handsome and tense couple with curious eyes.

“I’d rather you hear it from me than from someone like Alden; at least, I’ll be sure you get the gory details right.”


˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜* ˜


Chloe’s stomach was tied up in knots; she’d always sensed that behind the façade of cool urbanity there was a volcano of repressed emotions ready to erupt. And now, standing a few feet apart from Lex in the small reception room he’d dragged her to, all that leashed energy was ready to burst.

“Confessions aren’t my forte,” he told her, his hands deep in the pockets of his trousers and his back turned to her,”especially when they refer to my personal life.”

“Lex…”

“No. I owe it to you. I know more things about your private life than I’m entitled to, and I’m aware of how much that must be torturing you. It’s only fair that I share something painful of mine if only to be even. How much did Alden tell you?”

“Not much. Your arrival must have spooked him. He only said you and your father didn’t get along.”

“That would be an understatement. I was as good as dead to him. My father always thought of us Luthors as a superior race. He didn’t suffer weaklings well, least of all when they shared his blood. He expected perfection from his employees and his family; I was never it. You could say he tolerated me for nine years, but that changed the day my mother talked him into spending some quality time with me and he dragged me to Smallville only to come back home with me looking like this.” He ran a hand over his bald head. “You should have seen his face when he found me in that cornfield. I knew then that no matter what I did, or how hard I tried to excel at school, in sports… I’d never measure up to his standards of what a perfect son of Lionel Luthor should have been like.

My mother and my nanny, Pamela, were the only two people in that house who didn’t treat me like a freak. My mom’s own private hell began then; he got her pregnant again. His second chance, he called it. Julian died in his crib on the day of his baptism and my mother’s fragile mental state after the pregnancy accelerated the morning he took me to LuthorCorp to see my dad at the office to find him fornicating with his assistant.

It seemed the affair had started before Julian was born. That woman was the same one you called my stepmother ten minutes ago and she was already carrying my father’s bastard when my mother and I walked on them. If it hadn’t been for Pamela’s quick intervention, I think she’d have killed herself that day. My nanny made all the arrangements and we left the house for Europe in the middle of the night.”

“France?” she asked, swallowing the big lump in her throat.

“Yes, Provence. Pamela had an old aunt there. We settled down. I went to the local village school and my mother’s health started to pick up little by little. It was hard for her because, in spite of everything, she still loved the bastard. It must have been a shock for my mom to realise he had no intention of coming for her. The divorce was quick; he alleged abandonment… We had two quiet years. She gave English and piano lessons to make ends meet and Pamela took a part-time job in a boutique in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Unfortunately, good things have a tendency not to last in my life. Pamela got cancer and soon neither her family nor my mother with her meager earnings could pay the piling bills.”

Chloe wondered what other despicable act was yet to be revealed.

“So she contacted him, pleaded with him to help save her best friend’s life… and he laughed… He said: The bitch deserves it. The only reason she’s stuck with you and your son’s because she’s a leech. She’s only interested in the money that the boy might end up inheriting. You’ve done your bed when you left me like a thief in the middle of the night now you must lie on it. Our acts have consequences, Lillian, you should have thought about them before defying me.”

“Did your mother tell you that?” she asked in a cracking voice.

“No, I overheard the argument on the extension.”

Chloe’s heart ached with compassion despite the bitter rancour that laced his words. It was evident he’d loathed his father and still did.

“You must have hated him for dying,” she murmured. By doing so Lionel Luthor had rendered Lex’s hatred impotent.

“I drank two bottles of Bollinger 1928 when he passed away,” he replied, turning around to face her at last.

“But you must feel cheated. His demise left you with all that unresolved bitterness and nowhere to focus it now.”

His response was a tense and pregnant silence that spoke volumes. And all the pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place in Chloe’s mind.

“LuthorCorp,” she breathed. “That’s why you’ve been taking over companies and offering preferential deals to those which have business with Luthor… Queen Industries included. Oliver bought stock when Lionel was in prison and his wife was in a tight spot; I never understood that move. Your plan’s to take over your late father’s company.”

“I don’t want anything of his,” he said coldly.

“So it’s never been about building an empire of your own but destroying another…”

“Empires fall; it’s the cycle of nature. My father killed the two most important people in my life- Pamela and my mother; they died six months apart. And then he decided to play the Good Father for the media. He flew me to The States, changed my name back to Luthor and after three months- when the news had died down- he shipped me off to Excelsior, away from his new happy family. I was just a pawn to be used in his games to cater for his selfish ambition, another possession to be discarded once he achieved his end. When I came of age I took my mother's maiden name back and walked out. I’m glad he disowned me in favour of Lucas. If he had bequeathed me anything in his will, I wouldn’t have taken it.”

“I can’t start to imagine what it must have been like for you as a twelve-year-old to have lived through all that, but have you stopped to think about all of the people made redundant for the sake of your revenge? All those families with dreams and hopes? Aren’t they as much victims as your mother and Pamela were?”

“In these economic times industry is going through rationalisation. The loss of some jobs is inevitable when I take over an ailing company, but I’m not a monster. I’ve never closed down a company that could make profit just because it’d damage LuthorCorp. In fact, I’ve probably created more jobs than I’ve sacrificed over the years.”

“But all of it has been fuelled by your need for revenge.”

“I’ve never claimed to be a saint, Chloe.”

“Be careful what you wish for, Lex. Bitterness only leads to an emotional desert if you stoke it; it can be soul-destroying.”

“You’re assuming I still have one,” he said ironically.

“It isn’t too late yet. You just have to make the right choices… I think we should go back to the dining room.”

“Chloe…” he stopped her, covering her hand with his before she turned the doorknob.

“We’ve been away long enough. It’ll soon be time for your speech,” she brushed him off.

“Does it really worry you? The speculation I mean? I’m afraid it's inevitable, considering we’ve been seen at a lot of events recently, but if you like, I can do something about it...'

He wasn't offering to leave her alone- the fact that he hadn’t pressured her in any way lately didn’t mean he wasn’t interested in taking their relationship to the next level when she was ready. However, he could, and would, stop the people and the talk if she indicated it bothered her.

“That’s very gentlemanly of you, but it would only serve to confirm the current gossip. Let people believe what they choose to believe. I have nothing to hide.”



˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜* ˜

“Grierson’s moving too fast… You should know better than that, Chloe,” said Jason, censure evident in his voice when she reappeared in the dining room a couple of minutes before the man in charge of the main speech.

Jason reiterated some of the doubts he had about Lex’s sudden interest in Queen Industries. It was evident he grudgingly admired the older man’s business acumen and the innovative plan for the company and still he doubted Lex’s real motives. Teague wasn’t going to be rushed into anything and he was determined that she shouldn’t either.

“You know that Lana wouldn’t have objected to my escorting you tonight. I did offer if I remember correctly and you said you were coming alone.”

“And I did.”

“Grierson has a different idea. He seems to believe he has the monopoly of your attention. It doesn’t matter that you arrive separately at every function, it’s clear you’re together. The first time might have been a fluke…” He made a pause and lowered his voice. “If you’re sleeping together, Chloe, be very careful. He’s nothing like Oliver. You’ll end up hurt. He doesn’t seem to care about conventions or what others think of him, and that attitude appears to be rubbing off on you now.”

“This is neither the right time nor the place to discuss it,” Chloe paled angrily.

“It never is. You’ve been avoiding the subject for a month. As a friend I feel I have a right to tell you I believe you’re getting in over your head. Grierson seems to have made you lose all sense of proportion. You’ve never been this reckless. Appearances are very important to someone in your position, Chloe.”

You’ve never been this reckless.

Reckless had always been synonymous with Chloe Sullivan before she lost her spine. She felt a sudden surge of rebelliousness at his reproach, however kindly meant. She was sick of people expecting her to look or act in a particular way irrespective of how she felt inside. She’d had to pretend even with Oliver. For his sake she’d pretended to be content with the life they had. His failure to get her pregnant had affected him deeply so she’d decided to spare him the added burden of her own dissatisfaction. Now he could no longer be hurt and she was tired of being stoic and understanding and dishonest with herself.

TBC

A/N 2: I know you're curious about Oliver's reasons behind approaching Lex in the first place and also about Lex's decision to bury the hatchet. This chapter was packed with information about both Chloe and Lex's background story so I felt adding this would have been a little too much. You'll get the answers in coming chapters. :)

hfce
25th February 2011, 22:31
Wow what a fun read. I learned a lot just from this chapter alone. I was wondering why Lex was not going by Luthor. What a great twist you had about how he grew up. That was a nice way to show Lex in exhile. I am so glad Chloe has her spine back. I knew Lex was just doing that to get her to show her true self.

I can't wait to see what happens next. :)

SouthernChlex
25th February 2011, 23:46
I'm kind of hoping that Chloe will eventually hand over the reins to Lex or Jason. She needs to get back to doing what she does best.
Still, LOVED the chapter. Glad the mystery of Lex's last name is solved at last. Can't wait to see how reckless Chloe gets now that she's pissed off.

starmoon
26th February 2011, 01:46
great update! i just love this story and can't wait for more.

Cassandra Jean
26th February 2011, 07:29
We finally get to know why Lex is not using the Luther surname....thanks for clearing it all up.

Rachet
26th February 2011, 08:50
you have this all coming together nicely

Gaia
26th February 2011, 17:00
Well...Lex did have an interesting childhood. But how did his father's wife end up with the empire? Does she even know how to do business?

niafadra
27th February 2011, 02:08
I can hardly wait for the next chapter, the interactions between the characters were great and shed light on some much asked questions!!!

somethingeasy
27th February 2011, 17:43
This chapter was awesome and amazing!! I loved how this chapter was all about Chloe regaining her gumption and sense of self again. She’s absolutely right that she HAS been spending the last few years allowing her own personality be trampled into nothingness, subordinating her own selfish, private needs to the requirements of others. For years, she has been turning herself into an ‘anonymous non-entity’ who lived on the fringes of other people living their own lives… not as a parasite, but as a battery to all of them.

I was so, SO pleased to see her seeing all of this so clearly. Yes, it’s an ugly truth, but it’s something that NEEDED to be acknowledged so that Chloe can take steps to change the situation. LOL! And I think it was perfection that it was Lex’s high-handed arrogance that finally broke the camel’s back, and made Chloe rear back and think No More!!

And it was definitely fun seeing Chloe exhibiting and flexing her newly formed selfhood by playing a silly prank on Lex. ROTFL! He must have been quite perturbed to discover that all of the security details that he invested into Chloe’s apartment had been completely wasted because she moved out without telling him, LOL! Now that was a GREAT joke to play on him… and I think, once he got over the embarrassment of being the butt of a joke, Lex would have appreciated Chloe’s playful teasing prank.

Although, it made me sit back and blink is astonishment, and the plain disbelief to hear Lex claiming that he was ‘heavy handed and arrogant’ with Chloe on quite deliberately in order to tease out this hidden part of her personality. Personally, I think Lex observed the change Chloe had just gone through, and then opportunistically jumped in claiming credit for the change. What a sneaky bastard! It’s just too clean and neat a concept to consider Lex planning ALL of this in advance, including all of Chloe’s reactions AND her epiphany as well. Nope… I think that he was just trying to grab credit for pushing Chloe back into whole self-hood, when in fact it was just a coincidental side-effect high-handed tactics on her.

It was when Lex claimed to be helping Chloe out of purely selfless motivations that I really got paranoid and suspicious. His claim that he was helping Chloe find her sense of self because he ‘wanted to do the right thing, for once’. Something about that strikes me as too smooth. I can’t help but think if Lex really DID feel that way, then he would view it as a weakness and vulnerability for Chloe, and would never, EVER admit to any desire to be ‘purely selfless’ for her.

heh… I’m still rather suspicious of Lex… can you tell? LOL!

Still, I did feel a little warmed to hear Lex confessing that he likes her. I’m STILL suspicious that he might be aiming to seduce her, only with romance this time instead of lustful actions. Lex is a smooth, charming operator, capable of employing a WIDE range of tactics to seduce women… pretending to be smoothly romantic and emotionally invested should be a very basic trick for him.

HOWEVER, I did find myself thawing a little bit when I heard about how Lex was sharing some of the minor details about his life, habits and preferences with Chloe. He’s an extremely guarded person, and letting Chloe know about his favourite music, foods and hobbies with Chloe might be a sign that he’s genuinely letting Chloe in closer to him. OR, it might be part of a long-term strategic plot to gain her trust… a little at a time, until he gets full control over Queen Enterprises.

Those gifts that he’s constantly giving her… they ALSO suggest that all of this might be part of a long-term strategic play for Chloe’s affections and trust. BUT, it’s good to see that Chloe is still highly wary of him… although I can see those barriers being whittled down, a little at a time.

I really appreciated the explanation about one of the reasons why Oliver might have turned so bitter, paranoid and generally revolting during the later years of his marriage to Chloe. Finding himself to be sterile must have been a major blow to his pride… and the fact that he hid it from Chloe shows that he believed she would leave him if she knew that he couldn’t give her children. The pitiful man must have spent his remaining years in an agony of mistrust, fear, bitterness and self-loathing. He tried to take out all of those emotions on Chloe, but I’m sure he knew, all the time, that the problem lay within HIM alone. Rather pathetic, but also pitiful!

The meeting with Pearson at the dinner was fascinating. I was always wondering how Chloe would react upon learning that her new VERY close working partner and tutor was a Luthor himself. She did not explode as I expected. I was quite impressed. She kept her cool, and actually gave Lex the benefit of the doubt. She didn’t yell and scream at him for being a liar, but coolly asked him why he felt the urge to hide his identity, and was actually very gentle while confronting him about his past.

Lex confessed everything… which was not really surprising considering that Chloe knows just enough to think the worst of him, and needs more information to become sympathetic towards him again. Lex had literally no choice but to confess everything… there was no other way to keep Chloe’s trust.

I really appreciated the quick history into Lex’s life. It was useful to find out about the difference that turned Lex Luthor into Alexander Grierson, and then back again. It was good to hear that he got some good years with Pamela and his mother, before he lost them both. And now we finally get a sense of Lex’s motivations… to destroy everything that Lionel Luthor ever built, loved and cherished.

Personally, I think it sounds a little petty to become an empire destroyer, and for Lex to dedicate his life to spiting his dead father… but whatever rocks his boat, I suppose. Of course… all of this is only what Lex has told us. It might be true… or it might just be a false cover Lex is throwing to hide his REAL motivations… whatever those might be.

Anyhow… this was a great chapter. Thanks for writing, and I look forward to the next update.

cosmicpinay80
27th February 2011, 18:17
It's getting more and more interesting. Thank you for the update!

kcsgirl82
28th February 2011, 08:29
Thanks for the wonderful update!!
It was great to find out what happened with Chloe and Oliver before he died and to find out why Lex wasn't going by the Luthor name.
I can't wait to read more and to see the relationship between Lex and Chloe develop!

justicea
4th March 2011, 07:48
Secretly i hate reading the works in progress and you've made me hate it all the more. This story is so interesting and I can't wait to read whats going to happen next. So i humbly beg you to update as fast as you can lol. I love it and look forwarding to reading more. Til then i shall busy myself with your other fanfics that I haven't read. lol Great job!

lexie
4th March 2011, 21:31
Secretly i hate reading the works in progress and you've made me hate it all the more. This story is so interesting and I can't wait to read whats going to happen next. So i humbly beg you to update as fast as you can lol. I love it and look forwarding to reading more. Til then i shall busy myself with your other fanfics that I haven't read. lol Great job!

I do hate incomplete things as well, especially because I don't like reading stories that might never be ended; that's why I used to post multi-chaptered fics once I had them finished on paper. Back from the Dead was the first fic I shared without having it ready on paper since I had quite a lot written and my muse needed the boost.

You might want to know that I'm working on an update on this story as well as Choices, so there should be a new chapter up soon.

Thanks for reading and reviewing; the fact that you kept reading despite its being a WIP is very encouraging. :) I hope you'll enjoy the rest of my work as much. You'll find a link to my master list in my signature.


Well...Lex did have an interesting childhood. But how did his father's wife end up with the empire? Does she even know how to do business?

You'll get to know something about the widow and how she got to be in charge of the corporation in coming chapters.

NOTE: Don't forget to check out my latest one-shot- The Last Ace. (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/8384-quot-The-Last-Ace-quot-%28Fortune-Revisted%29-%28PG-13%29-Complete) It's my own spin on "Fortune" and a follow-up to "Undercover Warrior" (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/7536-Undercover-Warrior-(PG-13)-Link-to-sequel-added-Feb-27-11) (my Chlexy version of last season's "Warrior").

lexie
17th March 2011, 06:41
A/N: Sorry for keeping you waiting. As I said yesterday when I updated Choices (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/7913-quot-Choices-quot-(PG-13-R)-August-29th-2010?p=260698), my teaching and tutoring has begun so I'm having less time to work on my fics. That doesn't mean I'm going to drop them, just that the updates are going to be a little bit more spaced out.

By the way, if you haven't, don't forget to check out our new project-Chlex Podfics. I've already posted two audio versions of my ficlets- Undercover Warrior and A Modern Persephone. You can find them here (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/8401-Chlex-Podfics-(Post-your-podfics-here!)), alongside three Podfics by Zannie. I'm going to work on others in the coming days.

If there's a fic of mine you'd like to have me read, just leave me your request on the thread I've opened for that purpose: Lexie's Podfic Requests (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/8399-Lexie-s-Podfics-Request-thread-(March-7th-10)?p=268786).

WARNING: This chapter has a mild-R rating.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Chloe and Jason didn’t part on friendly terms and she brooded over his words all through the lavish dinner, charming the Chinese delegation at her table. The catering service was first-class and the wine flowed generously. Chloe had never been too fond of drinking and her experience with Oliver had turned her into a teetotaller as a general rule, but tonight she felt like breaking it and Lex appeared to have gauged her mood correctly. However, discovering him discreetly signalling to the wine waiter to authorise her intake made her furious.

What would he do if she got drunk under his very nose? No, a subtler revenge would be better, one in which she could still retain her dignity and control. Chloe was in a mood to assert herself and decided he deserved to pay for his paternalist attitude. When Lex got up to make his speech she set the plan in motion.

As expected, his speech was witty and articulate but she pretended not to be paying too much attention to what he was saying. Every time their gazes met across the room she made sure to raise her glass and down the contents thirstily; for all he knew she was drinking the most expensive champagne and not the sparkling grape juice she’d had the wine waiter uncork for her and place in the ice-bucket with its label discreetly covered with a napkin.

As soon as Lex resumed his seat at their table, Chloe ordered another bottle of Bollinger and excused herself to go to the toilet- the large quantity of grape juice she’d ingested was putting pressure on her bladder and she was ready to burst. As she hurried to the nearest rest room she shot Lex a glazed smile and a smouldering look that made him tense up imperceptibly.

Back at the table, after retouching her make-up and freshening up, she noticed he’d cancelled the champagne and substituted Tŷ Nant instead. She ignored it and called the waiter over to order a Brandy Manhattan-she didn’t even know what it tasted like but she remembered it was one of the girls’ favourite in Sex and the City, courtesy of the re-runs Lois had submitted her to when she was heavily pregnant with Clarkie and away from the bullpen. While Lex talked smoothly with the Chinese she tried to disrupt his unflappable appearance and his concentration by whispering increasingly sultry asides in his ear and slurring her consonants the way she knew someone intoxicated would. She was subtle enough that a stranger wouldn’t notice anything radically unusual in her behaviour, simply laughed at some lines which weren’t that funny, talked enthusiastically and pretended to appreciate the gestures of flattery she would normally disdain; in other words, enough to taunt Lex, who she could feel growing tenser as the minutes went by.

Shifting her chair closer to him she leant against him and steadied herself on his leg with the excuse of talking across him. She felt the muscles of his lean body grow rigid and then tremble as her hand grazed his inner thigh apparently by accident.

“Is everything OK?” she drawled innocently when she felt his hand clamp down on hers under the tablecloth. “You’ve grown stiff all of a sudden. The stress of the occasion must be catching up with you. Why don’t you have a couple of drinks and relax like me?” she murmured, leaning further over him and pressing the side of her breast against his arm.

“I have a better idea. Let’s relax together,” he told her tightly under his breath. “Would you excuse us, Mr Yang? I promised the lady a dance. It’s been a pleasure to talk with you and your colleagues in this informal setting. We’ll be in touch,” he bid the delegation farewell and marched her off to the dancing floor, which was already crowded. “What’s wrong with you tonight? How much have you drunk?” he asked her in a tight voice as he thrust her into motion.

Chloe knew he was seething under the cold faҫade and that he was kind of… outraged… at her behaviour.

“A few,” she smiled, leaning towards him and feeling him struggle to keep a safe distance between their bodies. “What’s wrong with celebrating life now and then?” she asked, looking at him in the eye with what she hoped was sultry invitation.

“There’s nothing wrong with that, but this is neither the time nor the place to get out of control,” he told her stiffly.

So it was OK for him to taunt and unsettle her with his experience and his sinfully dark looks and double entendres but turn the tables and he wasn’t so poised himself. Chloe felt powerful knowing she could upset his controlled balance.

“Chloe, you’ll regret this tomorrow,” he murmured, tightening his hold on her waist as she pressed the entire length of her body sinuously against him.

Lex’s coldly rigid body seemed to be generating a lot of heat all of a sudden. She felt her tactics start to backfire and her imagined detachment melt. Chloe rested her cheek on his chest and tried to control her trembling response. She could feel the over-sensitised peaks of her breasts pebble in response to the uneven beating of his heart. She’d never been sinful before, at least not without being under the influence of some alien worm, and she couldn’t even blame the Manhattan she’d sipped for her behaviour tonight

“You should have stuck to white wine or spring water instead of mixing drinks. It was a silly thing to do considering Yang was sitting at the table. Queen Industries needs…”

“You mean you need. Relax, Lex, I have the man eating out of my hand. You’re the only one who’s anxious here.”

“You should remember who you are.”

Chloe tried to rein in her temper. Of all the things he could have said…

“I’m a woman too. Jason and you seem to have forgotten that,” she replied huskily, determined not to let him ruin her fun.

“Teague?” he asked grimly.

“He’s too uptight, don’t you think? He too should learn to relax and have fun,” she said in a provocative voice.

“The music’s over. We’d better call it a night before you do something you’ll regret like pulling a Gilda act in front of three hundred people and waking up in the morning without remembering a thing.”

“I would have never guessed you were a wet blanket, Mr Luthor.”

“Don’t call me that,” he hissed.

“It’s your name. You might not like it but you can’t change who you are. The world might know us as Mrs Oliver Queen and Mr Alexander Grierson but Chloe and Lex are who we are. And that’s who I intend to be tonight… Hi, Alden! How about a dance?”

Ten minutes later she was belted roughly into the passenger seat of Lex’s Porsche.

“I’m perfectly fit to drive! I’m as sober as you are,” she raged as he slid behind the wheel and inserted the key in the ignition. “And what about my car?”

“I’ll have someone pick it up for you. For your sake, I hope you haven’t been teasing me deliberately… .”

Chloe swallowed. She could see the tension in his profile and in the way he gripped the steering wheel. She kept her mouth shut; somehow she thought it’d be wiser to let him cool down a little bit. Instinctively she knew he wouldn’t use violence to force her to do anything she wasn’t ready to do willingly. No, he’d just have to take her in his arms again and she’d be putty in his hands. She found that she needed the drive as much as he did to clear her head before her plan for revenge ended backfiring

“This isn’t the way to my apartment,” she broke the tense silence on noticing the unfamiliarity of their route. “I thought you were taking me home.”

He opened the iron gates with the remote and the car rolled up the driveway before coming to a standstill in front of a stone staircase.

“Where are we?” she asked, looking at his shadowed expression. “Lex,” she repeated when he cut the engine.

“I said I was taking you home. I didn’t say I was driving you to your apartment. I’m not drunk, but I wouldn’t risk hitting the highway to Star City and testing positive on the Breathalizer. If I’d known you’d get intoxicated, I would have cut down on the champagne tonight.”

He leant towards her and she flinched, but he was just reaching for the seatbelt to flick it open.

“I’m not Bluebeard, Chloe. I’m not so crude as to take you up on your generous invitation right here in the car like a hormonal adolescent.”

Chloe flushed, her whole body heating at the implication behind his words. She’d been brazen and had enjoyed it far too obviously to try to deny she’d purposefully led him on.

He opened the driver’s door and stepped out, the predatory gleam of his eyes smouldering in the darkness. He was still very angry under the cool and controlled faҫade.

The early nineteenth century mansion seemed huge and as silent and brooding as the explosively primed man beside her. Despite the fact that an inner certainty told her he would never physically hurt her, even in genuine rage, she was aware she’d challenged him in the most elemental way possible and that there would be consequences to her goading him.

Sexual tension flourished in the shrouded silence like a living thing. She started to tremble, not from fear but from helpless desire. Damn, it wasn’t supposed to end up this way! He was the one who should be grovelling to find her unassailable once she’d led him on and slammed the door of her apartment in his face. Why was it she was wishing he took a step and finish what she’d begun back there at the hotel?

“I acted foolishly tonight. I pretended to be drunk to annoy you. It was childish. I'm sorry. Jason’s paternalist attitude and yours made me mad… “ she blurted, unable to put up with the charade anymore as he stood behind her and unhooked the fastenings of her coat with unnerving slowness.

He paused halfway and she held her breath getting ready for his reaction. The simmering explosion wasn’t unleashed the way she’d expected and a sixth sense told her there was a good chance he’d seen through her game on the way to the mansion or maybe even sooner.

“Should I call a cab?” he murmured close to her ear, breaking the pregnant silence before dipping his head to bite her gently on the side of her throat. “Or are you ready to live up to your whispered promises?”

The mouth skimming her throat was having as arousing an effect as his taunting words, stirring deeply buried desires she’d tried to deny for a long time. He’d just offered her a gentlemanly way out- a taxi and a safe trip to her own bed back home- but the pull to stay was just too powerful. The arm around her waist drew her back against his hard and familiar body and she realised he was as affected as her. She lay there for a moment, her head against his shoulder, trembling and breathless, enveloped by the sensually masculine fragrance that was only his.

Her heart thundered in her chest as she turned her head slightly to the left and he brushed her lips with his fingers, inviting her to part her mouth for a kiss and the soft probing of his tongue, which stole her breath away. She moaned as his hand left her face and settled on the firm roundness of her left breast, cupping her and feeling the pounding tumult within.

“Tell me now if this is not what you want, Chloe,” he said in a velvety voice whose impact she felt deep in her feminine core as the hand around her waist strayed and his long fingers splayed wide against her slightly rounded belly, reaching for the ache that was forming in the pit of her stomach.

He inhaled her lemon-scented hair and his mouth sought the sensitive hollows at the nape of her neck. Just like that night in her flat he was also shaking and she felt an overwhelming power at knowing Chloe Sullivan could drive this sophisticated and virtually unflappable man wild with desire.

“Lex…” she moaned a husky plea, torn between her urge to stay and the little voice in her head that told her he was anything but a safe choice.

“God, Chloe, don't say no. Not now,” he said jerkily, spinning her tight in his arms.

He’d taken off his bow tie and jacket and undone the first few buttons of his white shirt as soon as they’d stepped into the living room. Chloe could feel the heavy thumping of his heart against her palm and marvelled at the expanse of satiny and hairless skin and gracefully shapely muscles revealed when she finished unbuttoning his shirt. He was deceptively lean with his clothes on and the power he exuded when dressed in his expensive tailor-made suits could now be perceived rippling beneath his pale skin.

He was hot to the touch and she couldn’t resist nuzzling his chest and brushing her lips against his right nipple to have him tremble under her ministrations; she needed to see him unruffled- it was the one way she could feel she was still in control of the whole situation.

He made a choking sound in his throat which sounded a lot like 'Yes, oh, yes´ to Chloe’s ears as he arched back to give her free access to his upper body and his swollen hardness settled in the juncture of her thighs. He was so responsive to every little movement she made, even to the feel of her breath upon his feverish skin, that she soon got lost in the moment.

It wasn’t until she perceived the cool air on her naked breasts, and saw the molten sensuality of his gaze on her as he steered her into a shaft of light near the window, that she realised he’d undone the halter neck which kept her backless dress on.

“I’ve wanted to untie that strap to see what was underneath ever since you entered the hotel dining room,” he told her thickly, tracing the underside of one of her milky breasts with graceful fingers.

She closed her eyes, gasping as his thumbs found the rigid tips that were evidence of her own desire. He made a sound and she felt him kneel down to pull her red gown over her hips, revealing the matching lace bikini panties and suspender belt she’d bought on impulse the day before. And then, with a deep and guttural sound, his hands ran up the back of her thighs, pulling them closer and parting them.

She opened her eyes at last, clutching at his shoulders when she felt his mouth move hotly against the lacy front panel of her panties and press a string of kisses from the soft skin at the top of her fishnet stockings to the deep, frantic pulse at the hollow of her hip. Seeing his smooth bald head moving against her and experiencing the sensations he was creating made her cry out and he looked up, a possessive and self-satisfied glint in his eyes when he saw her starlit expression.

“Smug,” she gasped when he teased the pulsing bundle of nerves through the now damp fabric of her tiny panties.

He stood and sealed her lips with a hungry kiss she responded to with unbridled passion. She hadn’t known the touch of a man in eighteen months but never, not even with her late husband, had she been this forward or voracious. She told herself it was the natural reaction of a healthy woman after a long fast, and yet a little insistent voice in the back of her mind whispered she was deluding herself, that it was being in this man’s arms that had unleashed the passionate Chloe she used to be a lifetime ago before she smothered her to be what others expected of her.

Both breathless, they broke the kiss reluctantly. Still holding her, he turned her, pressing her hips against the polished mahogany dining table, which dominated the room. Chloe imagined him laying her on its smooth hardness and leaning over her and felt desire pool in her centre. She’d never been terribly adventurous or sexually sophisticated like the women she was sure he had to be used to, never made love on a table before.

Thrusting the jealous thought of Lex with other women- gorgeous long-legged brunettes with shapely curves and flat tummies- she linked her arms around his neck and locked her gaze with his, reminding herself Chloe Sullivan could make him shake with passionate need.

“Maybe on another occasion. Our first time should be in a bed,” he said hoarsely, stooping and sweeping her off her feet.

“I don’t feel like waiting,” she murmured as he began to move with her in his arms and she turned her hot face against his chest.

“You won’t have to,” he promised, crossing another doorway and flipping on the soft light of the nearest bedroom with his left elbow before striding to the king-sized bed, stripping back the burgundy satin bedspread and putting her down on the cool sheets. “Don’t do that,” he told her quietly a few minutes later when, suddenly shy under his scrutiny, she made a move to shield her nakedness with her arms. “You’re beautiful… and real. You’re the one that I want. It’s just you and me here, Chloe. Unless you’re having second thoughts…”

“I’m not,” she said softly, hating her old insecurities and reaching out a hand to touch his stomach, feeling his muscles shift and clench as she stroke him down to the waistband of his expensive trousers. “You’re the one that I want too.”

He caught her exploring hand before she got the chance to touch him intimately and folded her arm back gently into the pillow as he sat down on the side of the bed. Then he leant forward to initiate a languorous kiss meant to put her at ease as he unclasped the suspender belt with deft fingers and invited her to lift her hips to let him remove the tiny scrap of fabric standing in the way.

For once in her life Chloe felt like a precious gift being unwrapped, and she didn’t mind the expression of masculine triumph on his face at his having her in his bed at last because it was her moment too, it was Chloe Sullivan who was making the heart of this beautiful man beat faster. For tonight and maybe for many nights to come she’d allow herself to feel alive, to breathe and forget about the loneliness she’d come to accept as her present destiny.

“Someone’s a little overdressed,” she smiled ruefully, starting to work on his belt.

“I can do it,” he told her, brushing her hand away to unbuckle and take off his trousers and underwear with a fumbling haste that she found inexpressibly exciting, especially in someone as polished and composed at all times like Lex.

Gone was the controlled and disciplined man the minute he covered her body with his and their bare skin touched for the first time. In his place was a greedy, ardent and impetuous lover. Chloe felt his sensual onslaught build towards a fiery climax as he devoured her, alternately biting gently into her soft skin and suckling the sweetness from her achingly swollen breasts while he adjusted her petite and supple body around his, moaning and shuddering even with the slightest caress of her hands.

The moment he made her his would be etched in her memory forever. The overwhelming reality of being intimately joined like two pieces of a puzzle when he sheathed himself in her warm glove with his first stroke stilled them both. She closed her eyes and all the sensations were magnified as her body adjusted to the agonising fullness and he buried his head in the curve of her neck, his breath brushing her skin in short pants as her throbbing centre pulled him even deeper,

“Lex…” she gasped, pulling his head back with both hands to look into his eyes. And what she saw there took her breath away. There was an inner turbulence in his blue-grey eyes which shook her. “Lex,” she repeated, flooded by a wave of intense feeling on seeing the coiled muscles of his neck and upper arms and the clench of his jaw as he fought the primitive urge that was driving him

His pupils contracted and he stiffened, pulling back slightly.

“I’m sorry… I went too fast. I’m hurting you. Damn! Forgot the condom,” he gritted, bracing himself on his arms and starting to withdraw further.

“Contraception’s covered. I’m on the pill to regulate my cycle. I’m clean, are you?”

“Always use protection…”

“We’re OK then.”

“If you want, I can…”

“Later…” she cut him off almost sobbing when he made a move to leave her body.

“Chloe,” he hesitated on seeing what she believed to be pain reflected on her face.

“No. Please, stay,” she moaned in protest.

He watched hotly at her in silence, fascinated by the myriad emotions in the depth of her emerald eyes, and then entwined his fingers with hers on the pillow, giving her something to hold onto as a rosy flush spread up all over her body and her first climax built swiftly. Only when she closed her eyes and turned her face away from him did he move, cupping her face gently with one hand, forcing her to look at him.

“No. Let me see… Open your eyes, Chloe,” he asked her huskily. And she did, too overwhelmed to let her old insecurities rob her of this moment, too stunned by the speed of it all to deny either him or her this miracle.

Her mouth trembled and her lips parted as she began to gasp in light shallow breaths which made her creamy breasts quiver invitingly. It took just a couple of brief tugs made by his expert mouth on one of her stiff rosy peaks for her to find an exquisitely shattering release. He held her steady while she poured herself into him amidst sobs.

“Chloe…” he murmured, wiping a couple of big tears rolling down her cheeks.

“I’m fine,” she reassured him, hearing the concern in his voice, and egging him on with a tentative rocking of her hips. “Your turn now.”

“Ours,” he corrected her boring his eyes into her, echoing her undulating movements until he established his own powerful rhythm which brought them both to an exuberant completion.

It was ten in the morning when Chloe woke up again to the sound of Lex getting dressed. Muscles she hadn’t known existed in her body ached after the unusually strenuous exercise. She felt as if she’d been battered by a whirlwind, a vortex of which she’d been more than a willing participant… and, yes, instigator. Neither Lex’s passion nor hers had extinguished after their first coming together; their second… and third time- just after waking up at the crack of dawn- had been as intense and gloriously energetic.

Lex was a complex man, a mystery in more ways than one, and too multi-layered to presume to know everything that he felt or thought behind his cool faҫade. Last night he’d let her see several sides of him she suspected very few people had had the privilege of witnessing. She’d had a peek at the man behind the mask and he wasn’t what she’d expected at all. Yes, she’d believed him to be passionate and thorough despite his controlled and reserved persona. And well… she’d heard enough in the powder rooms of several charity balls and banquets to suspect he was more than adequate in bed. However, it was his generosity as a lover that had surprised her. Not only had he made it his mission to discover the spots on her body that were the most sensitive and what moves and touches brought her the most pleasure, he’d rein in his own needs to let her have a moment she could call hers.

Propped on her bent arm she looked at his back as he adjusted his cufflinks and made the knot of his tie. It was a scene she’d witnessed dozens of times during her marriage to Oliver and yet she felt a pang at the memory because it had no place here, not after last night when she’d regained something she’d lost when she had tied her life to her late husband. She wondered if she was being unfair; they’d had a few good moments, especially during the first twelve months… but it’d never been like this between them. Oliver had never really taken the time to know her, Chloe Sullivan, or to cater to both their needs. It had always been about him and she’d allowed it. She wished she could blame Oliver for everything that had gone wrong between them, but the truth was everything had started back in Smallville when she put her life and her happiness on hold for Clark, when she gave up her selfhood.

She promised herself she’d never be with a man that way again. She’d never be or feel like an afterthought again.

“Everything OK?” asked Lex looking at her reflection in the mirror.

“Yes,” she smiled warmly. “Do you have any plans for lunch?”

“Nothing that can’t be postponed,” he replied in a velvety voice. “The menu looks quite tempting from over here,” he smirked as she pulled up the sheet which had ridden down and left one of her breasts uncovered.

“So… is it a plan?” she asked again as he straightened his tie and walked back to her.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said huskily, brushing her lips with his. “You’re making it difficult for me to leave… “

“I bet you say that to every woman the morning after,” she pushed him gently to get out of bed.

“Chloe…” he called her name after a brief silence “I have no regrets. None.”

“Good,” she smiled softly, turning around to look at him on her way to the bathroom. “See you at lunch then.”

TBC

kcsgirl82
18th March 2011, 03:47
Thank you so much for the amazing update!!
I am so happy that they both finally gave in to the feelings that have been developing between them since that fateful elevator ride.

hfce
18th March 2011, 05:48
That was HOT!!!! Oh my word.:drool2: They went from fighting to having hot sex. I am glad they finally opened up and broke down some of their walls. I can't wait to see what they do next. :)

starmoon
19th March 2011, 02:23
that was so great and hot i can't wait for the next chapter.

queenie505
19th March 2011, 18:35
This is a great story, I can't wait for the next chapter!

niafadra
19th March 2011, 23:44
It is impossible to settle on one of the fics you are currently working on as my favorite, I can hardly wait for the next chapter of choices, at second sight and compromising circumstances, what I liked particularly in this post was that you not only captured the complex mix of genuine feelings and passion between Chloe and Lex, but also managed to give us a portrayal of both characters closer to the earlier seasons and their hidden nature, HUGE THANK YOU FOR SHARING

cuttie_blossom
20th March 2011, 08:41
wow! Lexie! this is a dime! <3

MASCH
20th March 2011, 12:15
Great update. I'm glad they finally got together and they're not letting things get awkward. It's also great to see Chloe stand up for herself and get back to who she really is instead of who she's supposed to be according to others.

somethingeasy
20th March 2011, 12:32
This was a brilliant chapter! I loved it! It’s so fun and satisfying seeing Chloe, little by little, gaining her sense of self back again. I loved the way that Lex is only now beginning to understand that he might have created a monster in encouraging Chloe to express more of her own personal, selfish and independent desires above all the ‘duties’ that are imposed on her.

The sequence where Chloe played her magnificent trick on Lex with the pretence of getting drunk during dinner… amazing and priceless! I loved it! I loved, first and foremost, how Chloe decided on this trick because she was resentful on Lex’s high handed way of controlling her wine intake at the beginning of the dinner. I can see why she would be irritated by that. He’s NOT her father, brother, husband, or even her boyfriend to start even suggesting such controls on her. Yet he signalled the waiter to control her intake, as if he was fully entitled to watch over her, and control her.

I was pleased to see Chloe rebel against that… and in such a clever, imaginative and controlled way as well. The obvious form of rebellion would have been to start drinking like a fish, and become disgustingly drunk, despite Lex’s attempts to curtail her intake… JUST to spite him. Instead, Chloe came upon the brilliant solution to only pretend to be drunk… irritating him, without actually making a public spectacle and fool of herself. The only one who felt like a fool was Lex himself. Perfection!

I loved the quick-witted and subtle way in which Chloe maintained her charade of drunkenness. Only giving off subtle signs of intoxication, not overacting the role. She was just sneaky enough to give small hints, which allowed her to grope Lex and tease him mercilessly, but not enough to make a fool of herself in front of the ambassadors at the same table. You’ve gotta LOVE that sneaky, quiet, subtle level of trickery from Chloe. I think she’s learned a LOT from Lex during her extensive time in his company. Excellent!

So, overall, I loved the theme of Chloe taking back control of her life… especially since it was at the expense of tweaking Lex’s nose a little bit. LOL! His outrage at her behaviour was just too delicious! ROTFL!

The change in tone and motivations, when they got to Lex’s apartment, was fascinating! All pretences were flung aside, and it was very interesting to see how the interactions went on from there.

I liked that Chloe felt a little guilty and embarrassed about playing Lex for a fool when they got to his apartment. Granted, I still think it was a brilliant trick on her part, and I also think that Lex deserved it for acting so high-handed with her earlier this evening. BUT, I also approved that Chloe felt guilty afterwards. She just wouldn’t be Chloe unless she felt a little guilty for playing a teasing, goading trick on someone. She’s just not built to be underhanded, and to take too much pleasure in the misery of others… no matter how amusing it might be.

And it was good to see that Lex himself wasn’t too pissed off when he found out that Chloe had been playing a fool’s trick on him all evening. Actually, I think he might have been inwardly chuckling about how completely he had been taken in by Chloe. Him, Lex Luthor, fooled completely by a novice to the fine art of subterfuge and deception, lol!

I loved, LOVED the way that Lex was so obvious in his attraction and desire towards Chloe. He didn’t even bother hiding it. Actually, I can’t help but wonder whether he was acting up his attraction a tiny bit, in order to seduce her. There’s very little that would have been more seductive and erotic than the idea of Lex Luthor being irresistibly, madly, deeply drawn towards you. You’d be hugely flattered, and therefore more open to responding to his sexual overtures.

BUT, I’d like to think that all of Lex’s responses to Chloe were unfeigned, genuine and honest. That he IS indeed, THAT attracted to her. Which brings up the question on whether he’s attracted to Chloe specifically, or is he more enamoured with the idea of ‘conquering’ Chloe. She is, after all, not only highly attractive and sexy, but she’s also been highly suspicious and wary of Lex for ages. Besides which, she’s also a very powerful rival of his; one that he’s trying to negotiate a favourable business arrangement with. Seducing her would be quite an achievement that Lex could easily exult in.

We have yet to see whether Chloe would be considered a conquest or not for Lex. Whether he has genuine feelings for her, and wishes to pursue a serious relationship, OR whether his priority is to secure a fantastic business deal with her. What better way to gain her trust than to seduce her, after all? Or perhaps she’s just a notch on his belt. It’s driving me insane wondering how Lex really feels about Chloe… but I can’t help but feel that it’s mostly sexual desire driving him, rather than some kind of emotional need.

Whatever the case, the smut was HOT! Loved it! :D I loved how Lex’s touch made Chloe’s body come back to searing life again. Whatever his motivations for seducing her, Lex is an excellent lover, and you can’t completely regret having a taste of THAT in bed. Lol! But, I agree with Chloe that it was Lex losing his fine sense of control that was the hottest part of the smut sequence. That showed, more than anything, how deep and desperate his desire for her actually is.

Yikes! No condom. In the world of fanfic, I’ll always believe that Lex is disease free… but even that consideration aside… a lack of a condom means that even the emotional barriers between them have been lowered considerably. For Lex in particular… I don’t think he’s EVER allowed himself inside a woman in years without rubber separating them. So the fact that he mis-stepped and went into Chloe without a condom… perhaps he IS slightly more emotionally involved in Chloe than I previously believed. Either that, or he’s a little more drunk that he thought.

I wonder what he’ll tell himself later, when examining his own carelessness with the condom, or the lack of the condom, to be specific. Will he tell himself that he was more drunk that he thought… OR, will he be forced to admit to himself that he wanted, desired Chloe so much that all common sense was overwhelmed. OR, perhaps he might admit to himself that he, subconsciously at least, wanted to remove all barriers between them… making himself completely open and vulnerable to her, emotionally as well as otherwise.

Anyhow, I’m still uncertain about Lex’s emotional response and status to Chloe. BUT, as for Chloe. I’m pretty sure that she views Lex as a rebound guy. Someone that she’s using to recover from her deficient relationship with her late-husband. She does like and respect him, even if she doesn’t fully trust him as yet, but she’s nowhere near to considering him as a serious partner, at least not emotionally… in terms of business, she might consider him to be a adequate, reliable partner. But in terms of romantic entanglement, Chloe would only view him as another dominant, sophisticated, smooth business shark, that she’s using to properly recover from her last relationship with another domineering, sophisticated, elitist, wealthy and powerful man.

I really think Chloe would be viewing Lex as a great Mr. Right Now, rather than the perfect Mr. Right. Which is a good thing, because Chloe cannot afford to get very emotionally invested in someone while she’s still in the process of ‘finding herself’ again.

cbrunberg
21st March 2011, 04:58
loved the chapter.enjoyed how chloe got revenge on lex.old chloe is slowly coming back.i hope lex does have feelings for chloe and she is not a notch for him

skatiefan
21st March 2011, 07:31
Thanks for the great update Lexie! I really like this chapter as the sexual tension that's been building since the first chapter finally broke and it was HOT. I also liked how Lex gave her an "out" but Chloe's desire gave in which was good to see. She's also slowly starting to find herself and realize what she wants and how her relationship with Lex was different than with Oliver. I think she's realizing Oliver was a friend who had these expectations of her which was not completely Chloe. Lex is bringing that out in her. I can't wait to see what the next chapter will bring. Update soon please! =)

lexie
22nd March 2011, 17:25
It is impossible to settle on one of the fics you are currently working on as my favorite, I can hardly wait for the next chapter of choices, at second sight and compromising circumstances,

Well, they’re completely different fics , so I appreciate the compliment.
I’m currently working on At Second Sight. I’m keeping my fingers crossed to have something ready later this week; that is if my muse doesn’t veer to one of the other two WIPs.


what I liked particularly in this post was that you not only captured the complex mix of genuine feelings and passion between Chloe and Lex, but also managed to give us a portrayal of both characters closer to the earlier seasons and their hidden nature, HUGE THANK YOU FOR SHARING

Introducing the characters in a context that isn’t the one we’re used to and giving them a different background while still retaining enough of what defines them is a challenge, so I’m glad you perceive them that way.


perhaps he IS slightly more emotionally involved in Chloe than I previously believed. Either that, or he’s a little more drunk that he thought.

I wonder what he’ll tell himself later, when examining his own carelessness with the condom, or the lack of the condom, to be specific. Will he tell himself that he was more drunk that he thought… OR, will he be forced to admit to himself that he wanted, desired Chloe so much that all common sense was overwhelmed. OR, perhaps he might admit to himself that he, subconsciously at least, wanted to remove all barriers between them… making himself completely open and vulnerable to her, emotionally as well as otherwise.

Anyhow, I’m still uncertain about Lex’s emotional response and status to Chloe. BUT, as for Chloe. I’m pretty sure that she views Lex as a rebound guy. Someone that she’s using to recover from her deficient relationship with her late-husband. She does like and respect him, even if she doesn’t fully trust him as yet, but she’s nowhere near to considering him as a serious partner, at least not emotionally… in terms of business, she might consider him to be a adequate, reliable partner. But in terms of romantic entanglement, Chloe would only view him as another dominant, sophisticated, smooth business shark, that she’s using to properly recover from her last relationship with another domineering, sophisticated, elitist, wealthy and powerful man.

I really think Chloe would be viewing Lex as a great Mr. Right Now, rather than the perfect Mr. Right. Which is a good thing, because Chloe cannot afford to get very emotionally invested in someone while she’s still in the process of ‘finding herself’ again.

These are very interesting questions and they’re going to be explored in coming chapters. You might even get a few answers as soon as Chapter 8. :)


I also liked how Lex gave her an "out" but Chloe's desire gave in which was good to see.

Lex has always been a gentleman and I'd like to think he'd behave this way around a woman- a lady- such as Chloe.

emms14
17th April 2011, 01:35
I'm so glad that I caught up with this fic because you are doing just wonderfully with it!! I love the fact that Chloe has realized that she lost herself somewhere along the way. Sure we calm down and become more rational as we age (most of us anyway) but there's no reason for her to become complacent when it's against her nature. Chloe teasing Lex was very funny and I love how explosive they are as a couple (or almost couple in this case). :)

-emms14

lexie
12th May 2011, 04:46
A/N: Sorry for the long delay in updating this fic- blame it on my crazy teaching schedule. By the way, I updated "At Second Sight (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/8297-quot-At-Second-Sight-quot-(Prologue-Dec-26-2010)?p=265975)" a few days ago.

Enjoy! And don't forget to check out the podfic/audio fic thread (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/8401-Chlex-Podfics-(Post-your-podfics-here!)) to let us know if you're still interested in this project we started last March. There are five recordings of mine already up and you can also enjoy Zannie and Ultra's contributions (four all-in-all).

I opened a thread for requests, you can find the link in my signature. I hope you'll jump on the wagon either as a listener or as a reader. The more the merrier!

CHAPTER EIGHT: Morning-after Musings

Chloe put away her planner and took a sip of her complimentary white wine as she stared across the crowded restaurant at the man who’d just come in through the glass doors. He was breathtakingly handsome and sure of himself, his powerful presence commanding attention whenever he entered a room, and he was hers... Well, at least, for as long as whatever they had lasted.

Warmth suffused Chloe as she watched him smile at the hostess and hand his overcoat over to her before crossing the room towards the table where his date for lunch was sitting. Behind that urbane smile and cool façade he reserved for the world was an extremely sensual and highly-sexed male. She'd sensed his passionate nature lurking under the icy exterior the moment their paths had crossed on that infamous lift, and now she was having trouble forgetting what it'd felt like to experience it first-hand last night, not once but three times.

His magnetic blue-grey eyes were looking her way now, fixed gravely on her as he approached, ignoring the lustful glances directed at him from other tables. This man knew how to make a woman feel the centre of the universe both in and outside the bedroom and Chloe found it refreshing since none of the males in her life- not even her late husband- had made her feel that special or dispel the nagging sense of insecurity which had led her to believe she was destined to be only second-best.

His controlled and purposeful stride belied his true nature, which he revealed behind close doors when all masks were stripped; Chloe couldn't help but admire his ability to pretend nothing fazed him and, at the same time, she hurt for him when she thought of all the pain he'd had to endure growing up to have to develop such a protective armour. She could still remember his rough eagerness and his visible lack of control when they consummated the attraction which had been sizzling between them for so long; she fought to disguise the satisfied smile that threatened to come to her lips when she thought nobody in the restaurant would ever suspect this poised and gorgeous man could lose his rigid composure in the arms of one petite blonde.

The appreciative and smouldering look in his eyes as he came to a stop in front of their table made Chloe wonder if she was doing a good job at hiding the smug satisfaction of knowing she was looking her best. Of course she'd never admit to spending more time than usual applying her subdued make-up or trying on several outfits in front of the mirror until she decided to keep on the lavender dress for fear of getting late to the restaurant; it wasn't the kind of apparel she wore to work but this was lunch with Lex Luthor, the epitome of smart wear. The emphasis on her breasts and the soft flowing lines of the dress created a completely different image from that of the hard-working CEO she'd struggled to project since Oliver's death, one which was wonderfully liberating, and the look in Lex's eyes told her what she needed to know. In this room she wasn't Oliver Queen's widow but Chloe Sullivan, the smart and attractive twenty-six-year-old woman who had managed to penetrate the tall and thick walls Lex had erected around his heart.

No doubt he was thinking she'd chosen this particular dress just for him, to appeal to her lover, the sexy and sophisticated man of the world famed for his emotional detachment, with whom she'd thought it safe to have a fling free from any wretched emotional mess and bitter sense of loss, a man from whom to walk away with her heart intact.

“You look ravishing in that dress,” he told her huskily, pulling back the chair across from her.

“Don't I always?” she replied with an amused glint in her hazel green eyes.

“And they call me smug,” he smirked, picking up the wine list. “Chloe, have you decided what you want?”

She wondered if being just an armful away from him was the reason she seemed to be operating on a one-track mind. Was she imagining things or was there a 'beside me' unspoken line somewhere in his question? In any case, his teasing was much easier for her to handle than his gravity.

“I'm afraid it'll be a short lunch. I've got a very busy schedule this afternoon,” she replied, going over the menu.

“So said my assistant. I'm ravenous,” he said, signalling the waiter.

A few minutes later, after having placed their order, a heavy silence fell between them.

“Well?”

“Well?” echoed Chloe innocently, unfolding her napkin and placing it on her lap.

“Do you regret what happened last night?”

“Of course not!”

“Then what's wrong?”

“Nothing's wrong,” she responded, raising her eyes to meet his.

“It's OK to feel awkward. This is new for me too, Chloe.”

“New?”

“I have had my fair share of dalliances with the opposite sex. I'd be a hypocrite if I were to deny them. That is the past, and I can assure you they haven't been as many as the scandalmongers of the yellow press seem to suggest. Does the fact that I do have a past bother you?”

“We're adults, Lex. I'm realistic; I can't expect you to have remained a monk all these years.”

“Speaking of which... you took a big risk with me yesterday. We rectified the situation later but still... It means a lot that you trusted me that much. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret what happened between us, but I'd have preferred for you to have this before,” he confessed, extracting a sealed envelope from the inner pocket of his jacket and placing it in front of Chloe.

“What's this?” she frowned.

“Open it,” he said gravely, taking a sip of his wine.

Chloe didn't know what she'd expected to find enclosed but the contents took her by surprise and made her anxious somehow- a clean bill of health.

“I... Thanks. It was very thoughtful of you. I can also... get one. I haven't... Oliver was the only... What I mean is... we were exclusive and well... you know... the last months we... ”

“Chloe, my intention wasn't to dredge up the past. I know who you are. If it makes you feel any better, you can have one too, but I don't need it. I made a giant blunder when we were formally introduced because of a major misconception. You couldn't be further from the image I had of you, and I'm doing my best to treat you accordingly.”

“What do you expect from me, Lex?”

“What I expect?”

“Yes. I thought I knew what it was, but now I'm not so sure. “

“Other than the purely physical, of course,” he smirked. “I knew from the start we'd be compatible... And I could tell you were attracted to me; I just didn't know how deep our attraction for each other was until last night. Now I do.”

His fingers were moving against hers and she realised that his thumb was moving back and forth across the twin bands of her wedding and eternity rings. She was wary, bewildered and apprehensive- this was meant to be a fling... It was a fling. But the passion they'd shared was addictive and after just one taste she knew that she had to have more...

“I...”

“Let's take things as they come, shall we? “ His hand tightened on hers in a small act of reassurance.

For a moment Chloe had a mental image of their entwined bodies.The memory of their coupling and the rough crush of his mouth was so powerful and vivid that she had to pull her hand away for fear of giving too much away; it was one thing to know herself desired but becoming a quivering pile of goo at his touch would mean relinquishing too much power, and she wasn't willing to repeat past mistakes.

Fortunately, the waiter gave Chloe the perfect excuse to break contact by bringing their order at exactly the right moment.

“Bon appetite,” smiled Lex, picking up his spoon to taste his vichyssoise. “By the way, I was planning on taking you out for dinner tonight but I'm afraid something's turned up that demands my personal touch. I promise I'll make it up to you.”

“You are under no obligation to entertain me every night, Lex. We're having lunch together, aren't we? I wouldn't like to be responsible for a bulky credit card statement at the end of the month,” she smirked, munching on her green salad.

“It'd be worth every penny. I have to make sure you're building up your strength and stamina because I want you to be at the peak of your mental and physical condition,” he replied, making a short but dramatic pause,”... for the start of your first-term exams next week.'”

Teasing she could handle; it put her mind off the doubts which sometimes assaulted her concerning the wisdom of getting emotionally entangled with a complex man such as Lex Luthor.

“Gourmet cooking, stimulating intellectual discussion and plenty of healthy exercise sound tempting. Although I'd be remiss if I were to take up your offer without doing thorough background research first,” she replied with barely disguised playfulness in her voice, looking at him over the rim of her glass.

“You have my permission to put me through the most rigorous clinical trials that your imagination can devise,” he told her under his breath.

An hour and a half and a pleasant lunch later the attractive and affluent couple walked through the doors of the exclusive Star City bistro to find out the temperature had dropped a few degrees and the skies had turned overcast all of a sudden. Lex's mood seemed to have followed suit judging by the clipped tone in his voice as he talked on his mobile with whomever was on the other side of the line. The minute he hailed a cab and tried to hustle her on her way, insisting she should make haste before the skies opened up, Chloe could tell his mind was already reaching ahead to his next appointment- the one he'd mentioned at lunch as the reason for not being able to dine with her that night.

Chloe was not about to let another man in her life take the reins and boss her around. She had to assert herself right from the start, so when she turned around on her high heels to discover that he was finalising the call and that her mouth was almost on a level with his she grabbed the opportunity with both hands and fused their lips in a scorching kiss that took the billionaire by complete surprise.

When Lex recovered enough to try to put his arms around her she was opening the door of the cab and shooting him a blasé smile.

“You'd better hurry before you get soaked,” she chuckled, slamming the door shut.

That kiss had been meant to unsettle him and regain the control of the situation; it had kind of backfired judging by the way her body was tingling underneath her trench coat and yet, it'd been worth it. It would take her a while to forget the somewhat disoriented look on Lex's flushed face; it had lasted a few seconds, not long enough to allow her to capture it with the camera on her mobile.

She leant back and smiled. Leaking that photo to LexCorp's employees using the company's internal mail network would have been the cherry on the cake when it came to her plan to finally get even over his treatment of her at the beginning of their relationship. They'd come a long way since then, but Chloe was enjoying her naughty streak too much not to seize an opportunity to annoy him when it presented itself.

Pulling up the cuff of her coat she checked out the time looking at the watch Oliver had given her on their first anniversary; it was the first time in twelve hours she thought of him and didn't feel an oppression on her chest. In fact, she couldn't remember feeling this elated since the day Clark picked her as his escort to the spring formal. She was careful, however, to make sure she never overstepped the boundary she'd drawn in her mind. Despite the fact that she and Lex were now lovers, they didn't live together and she never assumed that he'd always be available to her... although, based on their first night together and his double entendres over lunch, she had a feeling he'd have no such qualms. Still, the distinction was important for Chloe's peace of mind. It meant that they weren't really involved and that neither had any responsibility to the other. That was the definition of a fling, and a fling was what she was having.

TBC

A/N 2: Now I'm going to start working on a new chapter of "Choices"... unless my muse thinks differently.

kcsgirl82
12th May 2011, 06:00
Thanks so much for the awesome update! I love that Chloe is asserting herself in the relationship and not just doing whatever Lex wants her to, because she made that mistake to many times in the past. I am excited to see how the relationship will develop and can't wait for more cute couple moments. Chloe is kidding herself if she thinks that what she has with Lex will just be a fling, but I can see where she may need to believe it is just that until she has healed from the hurt of her past relationships.
Can't wait for more, keep up the good work!!

Pufkinz
12th May 2011, 07:20
Thanks for the update!!!!!!!!!!! Lookie forward to more chlexie goodness

hfce
12th May 2011, 14:39
Chloe please it is not a fling. You will figure that out soon enough. LOL! I love their banter and how Chloe likes to take control. She cracks me up. :)

somethingeasy
13th May 2011, 19:03
His controlled and purposeful stride belied his true nature, which he revealed behind close doors when all masks were stripped; Chloe couldn't help but admire his ability to pretend nothing fazed him and, at the same time, she hurt for him when she thought of all the pain he'd had to endure growing up to have to develop such a protective armour. She could still remember his rough eagerness and his visible lack of control when they consummated the attraction which had been sizzling between them for so long; she fought to disguise the satisfied smile that threatened to come to her lips when she thought nobody in the restaurant would ever suspect this poised and gorgeous man could lose his rigid composure in the arms of one petite blonde.

I loved how this chapter started with Chloe feeling such pleasure and satisfaction at the knowledge that she has landed for herself a prize specimen of a man. A man who is considered one of the city's most eligible bachelors, well-known for being intelligent, sophisticated, charming and darned sexy too. I love how having Lex as her lover is seriously bolstering Chloe's confidence.

At the same time I also liked how Chloe obviously knows and understands Lex at a much deeper level than most people would. Many women would consider Lex to be their prized stud, but they would mostly view him as a trophy and not really see the man behind the facade that he presents to everyone. Chloe very much appreciate the facade, but she has also grown fond of the quirks, weaknesses, flaws and various personality traits that make up Lex Luther.


No doubt he was thinking she'd chosen this particular dress just for him, to appeal to her lover, the sexy and sophisticated man of the world famed for his emotional detachment, with whom she'd thought it safe to have a fling free from any wretched emotional mess and bitter sense of loss, a man from whom to walk away with her heart intact.

I highly approved of setting Chloe in this particular emotional state, Lexie. I was under the strong impression that Chloe is still recovering from her last relationship, and still finding herself. I wouldn't think it natural for her to be ready to jump into another serious Relationship so soon. It makes a lot more sense that she would be attracted towards Lex not as a serious partner but as a fling or rebound with whom she can rediscover her sense of fun before embarking on something a little more serious and committed. I love the idea that she's specifically attracted towards Lex because she believes that she can maintain a detached, free and noncommittal affair with him without any worries of either of them becoming too emotionally attached to each other.

Actually it's rather amusing that, despite how much Chloe has learned about Lex, she has not yet learned about his tendency to become deeply obsessed and emotionally clingy at the drop of a hat. It is definitely going to be fun to see her learn otherwise. Not to mention, it's going to be damned fun to see Lex trying to hide his obsessive neediness when he realises that Chloe wants nothing more than just a thing, and anything more intense than that will have her Running for the hills.


Chloe didn't know what she'd expected to find enclosed but the contents took her by surprise and made her anxious somehow- a clean bill of health.

Wow! How romantic? LOL, seriously speaking though it really was quite considerate of Lex to provide this reassurance to Chloe. Not to mention quite gentlemanly of him not to demand the same kind of paperwork from herself. Although I do wonder whether this is a sign that Lex is hoping for something a little more serious and committed from Chloe?


His fingers were moving against hers and she realised that his thumb was moving back and forth across the twin bands of her wedding and eternity rings. She was wary, bewildered and apprehensive- this was meant to be a fling... It was a fling. But the passion they'd shared was addictive and after just one taste she knew that she had to have more...

“I...”

“Let's take things as they come, shall we? “ His hand tightened on hers in a small act of reassurance.

Heh, well that was a very vague answer to Chloe's question, wasn't it? The question is was Lex being vague and noncommittal in his answer because he didn't want to make any promises that he wasn't ready to deliver on? Or was Lex trying not to frighten off Chloe with too much intense of a commitment right now?

He’s obviously avoiding defining this this between them, and the only reason for doing that would be because he feared that he wasn’t in the same place, emotionally, that Chloe was. So what’s the case over here? Is he afraid that Chloe is more serious about this relationship than he is? OR has he read Chloe correctly and realized that she’s nowhere near ready for a declaration of devotion and a proposal for a committed relationship from anyone right now, much less him!


“It'd be worth every penny. I have to make sure you're building up your strength and stamina because I want you to be at the peak of your mental and physical condition,” he replied, making a short but dramatic pause,”... for the start of your first-term exams next week.'”

It’s good to see that the teasing banter between them still remained steady and strong. Although I think it might be possible that Lex purposely kept the conversation length and teasing specifically to put Chloe at ease.


Chloe was not about to let another man in her life take the reins and boss her around. She had to assert herself right from the start, so when she turned around on her high heels to discover that he was finalising the call and that her mouth was almost on a level with his she grabbed the opportunity with both hands and fused their lips in a scorching kiss that took the billionaire by complete surprise.

I love how this chapter is maintaining the story's theme to have Chloe continuing to find her sense of self. She is still determined to not allow anyone to call the shots in her life any more. It means being alone for a while and not having a partner for affection or emotional support, but it also means not being emotionally dependent on any one either. And Chloe needs to learn to be independent and self-sufficient more than she needs a relationship right now. I liked how this chapter is continuing that trend, even after Chloe found herself an exemplary lover. Good for her!!

This was an excellent chapter, and I've really enjoyed it. I look forward to seeing how the next chapter comes along. Please update soon!!!

carebear30
13th May 2011, 20:34
So glad you updated, missed this story! Love how Chloe thinks she's in control.

cbrunberg
15th May 2011, 20:02
great chapter.can't wait for next chapter. great that chloe thinks she is in control and that its just a fling.i think there was 1 reason why lex did not define what is going on between them is he know's she chloe is not ready yet and lex might not be either.but he is probably going to figure it out the he is ready.

veronica525
16th May 2011, 22:54
Finally caught up Lexie and loving every second!! Can't wait to see where you have this piece going. Your characterizations are stunning and right on par as usual ;) Love your work!

starmoon
17th May 2011, 02:59
i just love this story and i am glad that you updated and i just can't wait for more. please come back soon.

FarrahLea
22nd May 2011, 00:47
Yeah Lexie, an update! Life has been super crazy for me; and what a wonderful treat to find a PM saying you'd updated this story. I love where it is going and can't wait for your next update!

Snark
27th May 2011, 00:38
I have finnaly caught up on your stories Lexie.... RL got in the way lol.
I really enjoyed this update..... I have a feeling that this 'Fling' she things it is.... will get more complicated as time goes on and will not stay like that.
I loved how Chloe is taking control, well trying to anyway lol.
Thanks for sharing and I am looking forward to read more :)

justicea
28th May 2011, 04:33
Love it! But then its hard not too. These fics help keep smallville alive for me. Awesomeness, can't wait for the next chap!

dayamiracle
31st May 2011, 04:21
Lexie- Ive not been around for a while but I wanted to let you know this story is fantastic! Your writing just keeps getting better and better and like others have mentioned above is one of the few reasons SV still works for me.

Cant wait to see what's next!

truenesfaratu
3rd June 2011, 18:46
Anxiously waiting for the next update

niafadra
4th June 2011, 04:15
I really ejoy this empowered side of Chloe we got to see in this chapter, I can hardly wait to see how their dancing around each other will go from now on!

cosmicpinay80
5th June 2011, 19:12
Love this chapter! Guh, I want a Lex Luthor too ;)

lexie
17th June 2011, 17:13
A/N: OK, I know I was supposed to update "At Second Sight" (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/8297-quot-At-Second-Sight-quot-(PG-13-R)-CH-1-Jan-10-2010) first but I kind of got stuck in the middle so I decided to pick up this one instead. Enjoy!

CHAPTER NINE: Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold

Today was their first anniversary- a month had gone by since the consummation of their attraction- and Chloe's new image of herself enabled her to deal coolly with Susan's anxious Mother Hen attitude and Jason's frosty disapproval at the office. She simply ignored their well-meant interference in the hope that they'd realise she was mature enough to take such brief liaisons in her stride.

That evening Lex booked a table at a very trendy restaurant, the kind that he seemed to have been avoiding on their outings. Had their relationship been anything other than what it was meant to be, Chloe would have felt insulted by all the cloak-and-dagger procedures prior to that day, but she'd appreciated the secrecy because it created a world of their own.

Chloe was surprised at his new choice and wondered what'd made him deviate from their usual routine, especially when he seemed strangely ill-at-ease as they had their complimentary drinks.

“We didn't have to dine out tonight, Lex. You're under no obligation to entertain me if you have other things on your mind- if there's something else you'd rather be doing,” she said casually, proud of her new-found confidence; the old Chloe would have panicked wondering if he'd already got bored with her. There was no fear of that being the case, judging by the way he'd made love to her on the hearthrug last night. The heat they'd generated together had rivalled the fire roaring in the living-room of his penthouse.

Lex didn't seem to be aware of her, she realised broodingly. He was staring at a point over her head, totally focused on someone or something else. A corporate rival? Another woman? She felt a piercing thrust of possessiveness, even though the notion that anyone would ever be allowed to possess Alexander Luthor was completely absurd.

Gingerly, she turned slightly to her left and casually swept the room with her hazel green eyes. Nobody stood out. There was neither a businessman glaring daggers at him nor a gorgeous brunette radiating any special glow. Could it be she'd let her overwrought imagination run wild? No, she wasn't mistaken. The expression she saw on his face as she turned back to him reminded her of his look when they'd shaken hands in her office that very first day. There was a cold cruelty in the harsh set of his mouth and a look of utter contempt in his intense blue-grey eyes which made her shiver. Then he tore his gaze away from whomever had riveted it and he focused it on Chloe again. The change in his demeanour was extraordinary. Although he didn't smile, the warmth of his gentle regard felt like a physical caress.

“Lex...”

“I'm sorry. Shall we go?”

“Go? Won't they mind we've drunk their booze and left before ordering?”

“I can see this isn't the night you had in mind for us, and I don't really want to be here either. I don't want this after all...”

What exactly did he mean with 'this'? Chloe kept her curiosity in check and rose to follow him across the room.

As they drew level with one of the tables near the door she sensed a powerful undercurrent crackling in the air around; an indefinable pull which made her gaze drift and focus on a point to their right. She immediately recognised the middle-aged woman wearing chic clothes and expensive jewellery who was dining with a roguish young man in leather.

“Alexander, I heard you were back in town. How come you've never got in touch?” the older woman asked with evident cynicism in her voice.

Chloe looked at Lex out of the corner of her eye and noticed the sudden tension that had seized his lithe body; it was barely perceptible but she was now quite capable of reading any subtle changes in Lex's mood accurately.

“I thought our paths would cross when the time was right,” he smirked, shooting a smug glance at the younger man.

“I must admit I was surprised when your name was linked to Queen's grieving widow. She's got the wrong colouring- I seem to recall your mother was a brunette,” she sneered at Chloe. “You see darling, Alexander adored his mommy. He was almost... unnaturally... attached to her apron strings. So don't get your hopes up; you're just one of a passing parade because what he's really after is a nice, safe, maternal womb to crawl back into.”

“Mother, I think that's enough,” said the wavy-haired twenty-something at her table.

“Yes, Rachel, I believe your son's right. You wouldn't like to make a scene in front of half of the most influential businesspeople in Metropolis, would you? It'd be bad PR and God knows it's the last thing you need right now,” replied Lex, seemingly untouched by the older woman's venom. “I heard the Board of Directors is thinking about making some changes. Isn't that so, Lucas?” he added, shifting his attention to the sober-faced man.

“Lucas?” frowned Lionel Luthor's widow.

“I should have known it,” said Lucas in a low voice, shaking his head.

“What is it that you should have known?” slurred LuthorCorp's CEO.

“I think we've over-extended our stay,” Lex told a close-lipped Chloe, resting his hand on her elbow and gently propelling her forward, all the tension of a few minutes before absent from his body.

Chloe expected some kind of retort from the widow but instead of rising to the bait that Lex had placed in front of her Rachel's attention centred on her son. The blonde couldn't help but feel something akin to pity for the boy; being the offspring of Lionel Luthor and an embittered vindictive mother with a drinking problem was certainly no picnic.

“I'm sorry,” Lex told Chloe as they waited on the curb for the valet to bring his Porsche to the front door.

“You wanted me to meet her, didn't you?” she said bluntly. “That's the reason you picked this restaurant. You knew they were going to be here.”

“Yes. But when I actually saw them sit down at their usual table I realised I didn't want you anywhere near her vileness. I wish I could have spared you that scene but there was no way out of that restaurant except to pass by their table.”

“Why? Why did you decide to do it tonight of all nights? I'm not a fool, Lex. Something big happened back there and she was a clueless as I am. You'll have to level with me; you owe me that much.”

“I wanted you to see her... to see what she was like. I wanted you to understand.”

“I know that you're driven, and that you want that woman to pay somehow for everything that you, your mother and Pamela went through when she entered your father's life. I do understand your motivations, but I'm afraid of what this might do to you. I saw a sick woman eaten up with hatred and I'd loathe to see you finish up like that. I know how poisonous resentment can be; it almost destroyed me, Lex.”

As they'd driven back to his penthouse with two bags of takeaway food he'd bought at their favourite deli, he'd told her how Pamela's death and then his mother's had propelled him into a world of cold discipline and social correctness where material wealth was the true measure of a man's worth; a world a million miles away from the warm and openly loving relationship with his mother and his Nanny.

The deep adult resentment his presence provoked in the Luthor household had been exacerbated by a father who gloated over his victory in gaining his son and getting the chance to mould him into his own image. References to the former Mrs Luthor were banned and the boy's grief was dismissed as unmanly and not worthy of a Luthor.

As time went by Rachel realised that Lionel's adoption of his son- the son who would take legal precedence over any future male child that she might bear him- meant she was stuck with the burden of raising another woman's son while her husband travelled alone on business around the world, instead of taking her along. Being left behind with a quiet, grief-stricken child who was robbing her of her carefully-planned dream as the wife of one of America's richest men and the mother of his heir- an heir worthy of the Luthor heritage- did nothing but stoke her resentment. Eventually her frustration reached its breaking point three months after Lillian's demise. With her personal physician's complicity and some very clever disparaging remarks about Lex's late mother to have the child snap, Rachel ended up convincing her husband the boy should be shipped away to Excelsior to free her from the stressful environment that was putting the new and still unborn baby Luthor at risk.


Chloe felt a deep compassion for Lex's childhood anguish and could identify with the hurt of knowing oneself unwanted or undeserving. It'd taken her a long time to overcome her mother's abandonment and yet, unlike him, she'd never lacked for physical security. She'd never been abused and yes, she'd been loved; Gabe had more than made up for the love Moira had denied her growing up.

Despite the way the night had begun, Chloe couldn't help but appreciate how vulnerable he allowed himself to be around her. She knew Jason and those who didn't know him beyond his business persona might see a hidden agenda in his confession, maybe a plan to soften her up and manipulate her into doing his will, but Chloe chose to believe he felt comfortable and secure enough around her to let the mask slip on occasion. The thought made her feel special... it made their relationship special.

It was hard to rein in her urge to comfort the hurt small kid she knew still lived inside the armour, but she knew it was what he expected. Alexander Luthor wasn't the kind of man who would accept anyone's pity.


THE FOLLOWING MORNING- QUEEN INDUSTRIES

“So that was the last one,” smiled Jason, grabbing the cheques Chloe had finished writing and signing.

“Good. My hand was starting to get numb,” she chuckled. “Coffee?” she asked him, getting up to pour herself a fresh cup from the carafe.

“No, thanks,” he said, locking his briefcase and setting it down on the floor.

“How are Lana and the baby?”

“Fine. Henry's grown two inches already.”

“Wow. I should pay them a visit soon before the time comes for him to be ready for Little League.”

“I know Lana would love to see you. She has so very little time to socialise these days.”

“I can imagine,” she smiled. “Jase... something's worrying you. I can tell. And I have a feeling it has nothing to do with your wife or your muffin. What is it?”

“Chloe... it's nothing,” he shook his head, placing the briefcase on his lap.

“You know you can trust me, Jason. If there's anything you'd like to talk about... I might not be Oliver but these past months we've been working very closely and I was under the impression that you considered me not just your boss but your friend as well.”

“And that's precisely why this is so damn difficult. ”

“This is about Lex again, isn't it?” she asked tightly.

“I hate to do this to you now, Chloe. You look happy... He seems to make you happy and there's no one I know who deserves to be happier than you. But, Chloe, a leopard can't change its spots.”

“You mean a Luthor can't change his spots. Lionel Luthor was a snake. And I agree that his son is no kitty when it comes to business.”

“I hope for your sake that you know what you're doing, Chloe, because I'd hate to see you get hurt. Susan told me you were dining out at Tony's yesterday evening. It's Mrs Luthor's favourite restaurant.”

“I know.”

“Did you see her?”

“Yes, we happened to see her with her son on our way out.”

“And do you think that was a coincidence?”

“We've cleared that out. “

“And did he tell you why he'd picked yesterday night of all nights to go to that very restaurant?”

“No, but I'm sure you're dying to tell me. So, go ahead. Knock yourself out.”

“As of yesterday Rachel Dunleavy is risking losing her chairperson status at the board of LuthorCorp. Her boy's expensive addiction is going to cost her dearly... Lucas lost all his Luthorcorp shares- thirty percent of the total- at a poker table two nights ago.”

I should have known it.

What is it that you should have known?

“And who did he lose them to?” she asked after a brief pause.

“To some pro from out of town. Look, Chloe, I know that this might be just conjecture but there's something else you should see,” he added, taking an envelope out of the inner pocket of his jacket and handing it over to her.

“What's this?”

“Open it. I found it among Oliver's papers. I still don't know how I found that particular needle in the haystack that is his archive, if you can call it like that. Oliver was never good at filing.”

Chloe unfolded the enclosed paper and read the contents more than once.

“If what I suspect turns out to be true- that that gambler was paid by Grierson to rip off Lucas Luthor's stock- then this is the only thing that stands in his way to getting the control of LuthorCorp.”

“Did you know about this?”

“I swear to you I didn't or I would have told you sooner. There's a good chance he's just using you, Chloe.”

She had to admit that the evidence looked pretty condemning but she wasn't about to commit the same mistake Lex had made when it came to her. She wasn't the naďve girl she had once been; however, she was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. The chance to uncover the truth would come soon enough.

They were meeting tonight. Dinner and... Well, she shouldn't find the word 'Sex' so odd. After all, that was what they'd been having for the last few months. ´Love´ involved deep feelings, a close attachment and some kind of commitment. They hadn't been making love because they weren't in love. What they had was just a fling. The perfect arrangement to ensure nobody would end up getting hurt.

TBC

Fouzia
17th June 2011, 17:32
Thank you

MASCH
17th June 2011, 21:09
An update! A great update at that!
I have to admit the wait has been loooonngg. For some reason I feel like the number of people writing Chlex has dwindled tremendously lately but I'm glad some like yourself are still around to keep us fully entertained.
Back to the story.
You left us at a critical turning point; this coup on Luthor Corp must have Lex over the moon. I just hope this is not some move on Lex's part that will actually turn out to be worse than it is; if he was hiding his involvement from Chloe, this could end badly. But it's also heartening to see the warm emotions in his eyes that he doesn't bother from Chloe. As for her, the fact that she's still trying to convince herself that what she and Lex have is purely a fling, is hilarious; she kept repeating it to herself time and time again as if by doing so it would make it real.
More soon(er) please :)

starmoon
18th June 2011, 04:13
wow that chapter rocked!!!! i just loved it and i just can't wait for the next update.

niafadra
18th June 2011, 20:18
tension and suspense, things are starting to clear up! this was an important chapter for the plot development

kcsgirl82
19th June 2011, 22:43
Thanks for the awesome update!!
I don't believe that Lex is just using Chloe to gain access to her company shares, but I guess I could see that maybe he started out hoping to use her and then ended up falling for her and is unable to go through with it.
Can't wait to see what happens in the next chapter!

hfce
19th June 2011, 23:46
Chloe and Lex both of you need to see it is too late. They have already fallen for each other. I hope she can get the truth out of him.

ChlexOwnsAll_
28th June 2011, 10:47
Loved it. Thanks for updating, can't wait for the next chapter! :)

somethingeasy
29th June 2011, 05:28
“We didn't have to dine out tonight, Lex. You're under no obligation to entertain me if you have other things on your mind- if there's something else you'd rather be doing,” she said casually, proud of her new-found confidence; the old Chloe would have panicked wondering if he'd already got bored with her. There was no fear of that being the case, judging by the way he'd made love to her on the hearthrug last night. The heat they'd generated together had rivalled the fire roaring in the living-room of his penthouse.

Lex didn't seem to be aware of her, she realised broodingly. He was staring at a point over her head, totally focused on someone or something else. A corporate rival? Another woman? She felt a piercing thrust of possessiveness, even though the notion that anyone would ever be allowed to possess Alexander Luthor was completely absurd.

I loved this latest chapter. I loved how it started highlighting the contradicting and paradoxical mix of confidence and insecurities that Chloe feels with regards to her ‘fling’ with Lex Luthor. She’s confident in her qualities as a highly desirable woman and sexual partner with him, BUT she’s still convinced that she would never have anything truly substantial or permanent with Lex beyond a fling.

Which is possible why she’s in a state of mind where a fling and only a fling is the kind of relationship that she would consider with Lex right now? Because even the possibility of anything more would send her into an anxiety filled panic. She just doesn’t, yet, trust Lex to THAT extent… to the extent of musing over him as a real potential partner. I love that!


Gingerly, she turned slightly to her left and casually swept the room with her hazel green eyes. Nobody stood out. There was neither a businessman glaring daggers at him nor a gorgeous brunette radiating any special glow. Could it be she'd let her overwrought imagination run wild? No, she wasn't mistaken. The expression she saw on his face as she turned back to him reminded her of his look when they'd shaken hands in her office that very first day. There was a cold cruelty in the harsh set of his mouth and a look of utter contempt in his intense blue-grey eyes which made her shiver. Then he tore his gaze away from whomever had riveted it and he focused it on Chloe again. The change in his demeanour was extraordinary. Although he didn't smile, the warmth of his gentle regard felt like a physical caress.

squeee! I loved this! This was the perfect way to show exactly how and why Chloe does NOT fully trust Lex, and cannot consider anything more than a ‘fling’ with him. The way that he can inexplicable shift back ad forth between such extreme emotional states would be highly unnerving… especially since Chloe, right now, feels that she cannot look much beyond his controlled façade and figure out the causes behind those emotional states. It’s kind of akin to having a fling with someone with a multiple personality disorder… highly unpredictable as well as not completely stable.

It definitely didn’t help when Lex suddenly changed his mind about dining in this restaurant, and started to drag her out… without providing any explanation why. All in all, it was actually a GOOD thing that Rachel spotted Lex, and stopped him to taunt at him. Otherwise Chloe would have been left completely confused about Lex’s reactions for the evening, and would have viewed his behaviour as irrational, and therefore deemed him untrustworthy, unstable and unreliable.


“I must admit I was surprised when your name was linked to Queen's grieving widow. She's got the wrong colouring- I seem to recall your mother was a brunette,” she sneered at Chloe. “You see darling, Alexander adored his mommy. He was almost... unnaturally... attached to her apron strings. So don't get your hopes up; you're just one of a passing parade because what he's really after is a nice, safe, maternal womb to crawl back into.”

“Mother, I think that's enough,” said the wavy-haired twenty-something at her table.

“Yes, Rachel, I believe your son's right. You wouldn't like to make a scene in front of half of the most influential businesspeople in Metropolis, would you? It'd be bad PR and God knows it's the last thing you need right now,” replied Lex, seemingly untouched by the older woman's venom. “I heard the Board of Directors is thinking about making some changes. Isn't that so, Lucas?” he added, shifting his attention to the sober-faced man.

“Lucas?” frowned Lionel Luthor's widow.

“I should have known it,” said Lucas in a low voice, shaking his head.

“What is it that you should have known?” slurred LuthorCorp's CEO.

squeeee! This was brilliant! I loved it! This was an amazing, interesting and compelling way to introduce a little more about Lex’s background and family history. It was also a great introduction to the remains of Lex’s family, discovering what a horrible miserable and nasty relationship he has with them. And also how how miserable Rachel and Lucas appear to be with each other too. This is NOT a healthy family from any angle whatsoever.

It’s fascinating to find out that Lucas was actually made the legitimate heir to Lionel’s empire, in all regards, including Lionel’s marriage to Rachel. So now we see that Lucas was definitely NOT raised as an orphan in this universe… and yet, the poor boy still seems to lead a desperately unhappy life. Poor thing.

I think it might actually be a toss up as to whose life was actually more miserable. The older brother, or the younger brother… who had the suckier childhood?

In any case, I really appreciated this introduction, and the revelations about exactly what kind of life Lex led under Rachel’s ‘doting parentage’ when he was torn away from Lillian. It must have been horrific for Lex to have been taken away from his loving environment, and taken to a place filled with such poisonous hatred and resentment.


“You wanted me to meet her, didn't you?” she said bluntly. “That's the reason you picked this restaurant. You knew they were going to be here.”

“Yes. But when I actually saw them sit down at their usual table I realised I didn't want you anywhere near her vileness. I wish I could have spared you that scene but there was no way out of that restaurant except to pass by their table.”

“Why? Why did you decide to do it tonight of all nights? I'm not a fool, Lex. Something big happened back there and she was a clueless as I am. You'll have to level with me; you owe me that much.”

“I wanted you to see her... to see what she was like. I wanted you to understand.”

heeee! I noted, earlier in this review, that one of the main reasons why Chloe would not consider Lex for anything more meaningful or substantial than ‘a fling’ is specifically because she doesn’t fully know or understand him. She cannot predict what he’s going to do, understand what he’s thinking and therefore cannot rely on him as a fully trusted partner.

I find it VERY interesting that Lex wished to reveal himself, his whole ugly background, rearing and family relations, to Chloe. He’s very obviously and overtly trying to help Chloe know and understand him in full. Now the only question is… why is he doing that!!! Is he desperately hoping that she would begin to trust him enough for ‘something more’ to develop between them, because he sees the potential for a true, loving and stable relationship between them. OR, is he only trying to get her trust and confidence, for some nefarious purposes…?

aaaaargh! See, this is the crux of the problem… Lex HIDES away to damned much to be truly trustworthy. Even when he’s (apparently) trying to be open, he still has this secretive tone that makes one wonder about his true motivations.


“I know that you're driven, and that you want that woman to pay somehow for everything that you, your mother and Pamela went through when she entered your father's life. I do understand your motivations, but I'm afraid of what this might do to you. I saw a sick woman eaten up with hatred and I'd loathe to see you finish up like that. I know how poisonous resentment can be; it almost destroyed me, Lex.”

I loved this little speech from Chloe. It came from a genuine place of affection and concern for Lex. Chloe delivered this speech, not to her lover, or potential business partner… but to Lex as his friend. And I think Lex would have seen that, and would have been genuinely touched by it… whatever his motivations about Chloe right now.


Eventually her frustration reached its breaking point three months after Lillian's demise. With her personal physician's complicity and some very clever disparaging remarks about Lex's late mother to have the child snap, Rachel ended up convincing her husband the boy should be shipped away to Excelsior to free her from the stressful environment that was putting the new and still unborn baby Luthor at risk.

ooooh, now this was intriguing and interesting. I can sense a deeper story behind these words. Was Lex goaded into somehow attacking his little brother while he was still in the cradle?!?? Or did he act out in some other way that convinced Lionel that Lex might actually try to hurt a newborn…?


Despite the way the night had begun, Chloe couldn't help but appreciate how vulnerable he allowed himself to be around her. She knew Jason and those who didn't know him beyond his business persona might see a hidden agenda in his confession, maybe a plan to soften her up and manipulate her into doing his will, but Chloe chose to believe he felt comfortable and secure enough around her to let the mask slip on occasion. The thought made her feel special... it made their relationship special.

This was exactly what Lex had actually planned in the first place, when bringing Chloe to this restaurant… that’s a given certainty. The only question is to his motivations for making Chloe feel that their relationship was deepening and evolving somehow. WHY did he do that?!? To actually deepen their relationship, or just to win her trust?!


“This is about Lex again, isn't it?” she asked tightly.

“I hate to do this to you now, Chloe. You look happy... He seems to make you happy and there's no one I know who deserves to be happier than you. But, Chloe, a leopard can't change its spots.”

I know that I probably should be irritated by the way that Jason just keeps repeating his distrust of Lex over and over again… and yet… I really don’t! I know that it comes from a place of genuine love and concern. I know that Jason doesn’t personally resent Lex, but only worries about what an ambitious, cunning and ruthless person like that might do to Chloe. His priority is Chloe, and NOT some kind of personal vendetta against Lex himself, and that makes all the difference.


“As of yesterday Rachel Dunleavy is risking losing her chairperson status at the board of LuthorCorp. Her boy's expensive addiction is going to cost her dearly... Lucas lost all his Luthorcorp shares- thirty percent of the total- at a poker table two nights ago.”

I should have known it.

What is it that you should have known?

ooooh, now that we see the true meaning behind Lex’s taunts to Lucas and Rachel, now we see how actually cold, cutting and underhanded those taunts actually were. Rachel might have started the taunting, with a really low reference to Lex’s ‘mommy issues’, BUT Lex struck pretty low himself with his comments as well. Ouch!


“Open it. I found it among Oliver's papers. I still don't know how I found that particular needle in the haystack that is his archive, if you can call it like that. Oliver was never good at filing.”

Chloe unfolded the enclosed paper and read the contents more than once.

“If what I suspect turns out to be true- that that gambler was paid by Grierson to rip off Lucas Luthor's stock- then this is the only thing that stands in his way to getting the control of LuthorCorp.”

aaaargh! What’s on that damned paper?!???? Somehow, Queen industries holds to key to Lex’s takeover of LuthorCorp?! how the heck does that work out?!???


“I swear to you I didn't or I would have told you sooner. There's a good chance he's just using you, Chloe.”

She had to admit that the evidence looked pretty condemning but she wasn't about to commit the same mistake Lex had made when it came to her. She wasn't the naďve girl she had once been; however, she was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. The chance to uncover the truth would come soon enough.

heh… I find it very interesting that Chloe says that she’s not naďve, in the same line that she says that she’s giving Lex ‘the benefit of the doubt’. The two sentiments should be contradictory, but I DO know what she means nonetheless. She’s talking about not jumping to the worst conclusions possible.. about gathering ALL the information possible about the situation before making her final assessments. It’s actually a good stance.


They were meeting tonight. Dinner and... Well, she shouldn't find the word 'Sex' so odd. After all, that was what they'd been having for the last few months. ´Love´ involved deep feelings, a close attachment and some kind of commitment. They hadn't been making love because they weren't in love. What they had was just a fling. The perfect arrangement to ensure nobody would end up getting hurt.

I really appreciated how this final paragraph summed up perfectly exactly why Chloe would NOT consider a true relationship with Lex, as apposed to the ‘fun fling’ that they’ve been enjoying. I also like how there’s a possible thread of denial now interwoven into Chloe’s reassurances to herself that she was not, Not, NOT ‘making love’ to Lex. They were only involved in a ‘perfect arrangement’, that was controlled, temporary and ultimately, not emotionally deep or important. And that might even actually be the truth… for Chloe… for now.

I can’t wait to see how this fic progresses… Please update soon!

ChloeLovesLex
1st July 2011, 06:26
Chapter 5 - Wow. What a terrible day Chloe was having. Jeesh! I'd have been in a fit of tears by the end.
Lex was being kind of pushy on the security, but I understand, he wanted her safe. We all know that when you push Chloe, she pushes back. He'll need to learn that.
The kiss...wow. Oh my. Very nice. I understand Chloe being suspicious though. Lex's response to it was perfect though. Mwahahaha!

Chapter 6 - Lex's identity finally explained. I like it. Nice touch.
Good to see Chloe decide to gain some of herself back. Excited to read the next chapter.

lexie
4th July 2011, 05:02
A/N: A clarification before sharing the new chapter.



Was Lex goaded into somehow attacking his little brother while he was still in the cradle?!?? Or did he act out in some other way that convinced Lionel that Lex might actually try to hurt a newborn…?

Lex didn't attack his half-brother in the cradle, as a matter of fact, Lucas hadn't been born yet when Rachel had Lex shipped to Excelsior. She simply taunted Lex enough to have him "explode", maybe snap at her and throw some tantrums, sufficient artillery to convince Lionel the stressful atmosphere wasn't appropriate for her pregnancy: "Eventually her frustration reached its breaking point three months after Lillian's demise. With her personal physician's complicity and some very clever disparaging remarks about Lex's late mother to have the child snap, Rachel ended up convincing her husband the boy should be shipped away to Excelsior to free her from the stressful environment that was putting the new and still unborn baby Luthor at risk."

Now, here's Chapter 10. There's not too much left- two chapters or a long one and an epilogue. Enjoy!


CHAPTER 10: Blinders

LEX'S PENTHOUSE- METROPOLIS

It was past midnight and Chloe was now partaking of a snifter of Lex's best brandy sitting barefoot in the sofa while he stoked the embers with a poker, crouching down in front of the fireplace to avert his eyes from hers.

Chloe could recognise his body posture for what it was, a defensive gesture to deal with something he found difficult to share with her. This was no longer LexCorp's CEO, the cold and fearless businessman who would look at his interlocutor straight in the eye to close a deal, to threaten him or to challenge him to pick up a gauntlet. This was just Lex, the man behind close doors, the one only she was allowed to see, so Chloe knew something momentous was about to happen. And that knowledge was both exhilarating and terrifying. She wanted to know, needed him to tell her it wasn't the contents of the envelope he'd always been after. And yet, she'd done her best to avoid bringing up the issue all night because she was afraid of his answer and how it'd affect them.

“When I was younger all I could think of was how to prove everyone I didn't need my father's name or money to be someone. I intended to show him and the world who was the better man. As a teenager and well into my twenties I was very wary of the kind of woman who moves in wealthy circles. I was more than aware of the corruptive nature of money and power. Most of the women I've dated remind me too much of Rachel: selfish, superficial, restless, emotionally dead creatures only interested in seeing their own avaricious dreams fulfilled. The sort of woman one can use to adorn one's arm or to bed one night but that should never be allowed to come close enough to find a chink in one's armour they can exploit.”

Chloe took another sip of the wood-flavoured liquid, felt it warm her sinews and give her courage to sit through whatever confession he seemed to be ready to make. She waited patiently for him to continue and curved her urge to fill in the silence.

“Ironically, the closer I got to LuthorCorp the more unfulfilled I felt. I started wondering what I would do after I'd achieved everything I'd had worked for for so long. I've been surrounded by hungry piranhas all my life... I've never lacked female company but I'd never been able to establish a meaningful connection with the opposite sex... “ he said, making a short pause to add quietly, “Until you.”

Two simple words. Two words which turned her world upside down.

Chloe began to tremble as the air around them became charged with a tension he made no effort to conceal. There was no mistaking what he was telling her.. .the smouldering look of his blue-grey eyes as they drifted from her flushed cheeks to the rounded thrust of her luscious breasts made his meaning very explicit. He lusted for her but what she read in his eyes was so much more than what she'd ever expected to find there.

“I had no idea who you were when you walked into that elevator,” he said, returning the poker to its stand.“And it wasn't until a week before we met again that I discovered your true identity. Imagine my surprise when I learnt I'd spent three months lusting wildly after a woman who I'd not only seen once in my life but with whom I was to have business dealings... The widow of a man I'd considered my enemy for years and then my partner against a common foe,” he added, holding her gaze with the power of his own. “Crossing paths with you made me accept that, despite my cynicism when it came to women, I still had some illusions left. And seeing the image of that fantasy woman crushed and replaced by another Rachel- greedy, amoral and untrustworthy- was a heavy blow; it reminded me why I shouldn't let my guard down. So I decided then and there that someone other than me was going to suffer for that betrayal. When I walked into your office at Queen Industries that first day I fully intended to raid the company and ruin you... Oliver's young and expensive wife who played around... and was probably one of the main reasons he'd felt the need to escape... and ultimately destroy himself in much the same way my mother had because of my father and another selfish and destructive woman.”

Chloe knew his early opinion of her was mistaken and yet here he was rehashing that memory, seemingly relishing his original plan to avenge his mother by lashing out at his old-enemy-turned-ally's wife as the embodiment of everything that he deemed poisonous in the opposite sex. What had she unleashed by taking him into her body? What would he do with the power that she had given him-over herself and over other women? Was she just an instrument of his revenge as Jason had feared?

Her first impulse was to cater for her own self-preservation, to protect herself from the final thrust of his sword, and she did the unexpected; instead of facing the music the way Chloe Sullivan would, she tried to escape in true Chloe Queen fashion- that was how much her marriage to Oliver and her years of sacrifice at both her husband and her best friend's altar had changed her. She got as far as the living-room archway before she stopped herself.

“It's too late to run, Chloe. It was already too late the day we met.”

She felt his breath warm against the nape of her neck, which she'd left exposed by doing her hair up in an attempt to look elegant and sophisticated, but tonight the usual confidence trick wasn't working.

“'I can't let you leave thinking that I have everything I want from you because I don't. I tried to fight this thing between us in the beginning, but it was a lost battle as soon as I got to know the passionate and caring woman behind the mask, who was, like me, trying so desperately not to be, not to need or to want..... ” he said quietly, moving closer so that she felt him all the way down her spine.

Chloe felt herself starting to melt as the wistful words wrapped themselves around her heart, depriving her lungs of oxygen to breath and muddling her brain now incapable of assimilating this startling new development. Were the vapours of the brandy she'd imbibed playing tricks on her senses? He sounded almost as if he... as if... No, it was impossible. It couldn't be.

“I should go,”she said weakly.

“Is it really what you want?” he asked thickly, locking his eyes with hers as he looked at their reflection in the mirror in front of them.

Chloe couldn't tell who moved first but one moment she was leaving and the next she was lost in his arms, their lips fused in a scorching kiss.

His long-fingered hands moved over her back and the constriction in her chest eased as they slowly parted the zip to bare her creamy skin and then dipped down to press into the dimples at the base of her spine. Her body reacted arching slightly, allowing the slippery fabric of her dress to slide to the top of her breasts. His taste exploded in her mouth, intoxicating and warming, and the air filled with rough, greedy and indistinct sounds that were as much his as hers. They consumed each other with the passion of their lips, tongues and the occasional playful nip of their teeth.

Chloe felt her doubts and fears slide away, as it happened whenever he took her in his arms. She moaned when, after drinking his full from her parted mouth, Lex shifted his attention to the exposed slopes of her breasts, slowly dragging aside the camisole that was all she wore under the bodice of her dress and eliciting husky sounds of sensual abandonment from her lips as she tried to get him to relieve her aching mounds.

The wait not only heightened her excitement but also affected him, judging by the evidence of his aching desire, which teased her as he subtly manouvred them towards the sofa. Finally, he touched her rigid and rosy peaks with his gentle tongue, flexing his thighs languidly between hers, teasing her until the soft, rhythmic suckling and the gentle friction against her bundle of nerves pooled the piercing sweetness from her swollen breasts to her palpitating centre. Soon her moans and her hands working on his blue dress shirt as well as his trousers made him lose his trademark cool control and distracted him from his studied moves. Shaking just as much as her when the need to be one became urgent, he paused to lock his eyes with hers and, sliding a hand up her smooth bare leg, he took her at last, careless of the clothes that bunched between them, focused only on her and the driving force that had conquered them both.

Three-quarters of an hour later, after a quiet aftermath, a glowing but still very confused Chloe began to straighten her twisted dress and blushed when Lex pressed a soft kiss on her left shoulder as he calmly zipped her back up.

“It's late,” she murmured awkwardly.

“Stay,” he told her softly.

“I...I can't... I still have a lot of studying to do.”

“'I could help you study,” he offered with a diffidence that didn't quite mask the frustration in his voice.

Chloe saw the determination in his eyes but she had let passion override common sense . No matter how strong her urge to stay, she had to walk away. Things had got too complicated all of a sudden.

“Thank you, Lex, but no. I really do need some proper rest,” she replied, picking up her clutch and her overcoat. “I.. I'll call you tomorrow...”

“How long do you think you can keep on doing this, Chloe?” he asked in a controlled voice.

“What do you mean?” she frowned.

“You know what I mean. It takes a survivor to recognise another. I know you're scared but running away won't solve anything.”

“What do you want from me, Lex?”

“I don't think you need me to answer that question. You know.”

“No, I don't. How can I when you don't speak clearly?”

“I'm not a machine, Chloe. And, despite the blood that runs through my veins, I'm still human. You can't expect me to put everything on the line without some guarantee. But, deep down you know what it is because it's the same thing you want, you just can't allow yourself to admit it.”

“Why?”

“Why?” he cocked an eyebrow.

“It wasn't... it wasn't supposed to be like this. We're having an affair; that's what you wanted... That's what we agreed. You weren't supposed to... You just can't... You thinking that you're in love with me... is just...'”

“I know I'm not the most worthy of men...”

“This has nothing to do with you not being worthy. That's nonsense.”

“Then, what do you mean? That you don't deserve to be happy?”

Chloe moistened her dry lips. “You don't love me, Lex,”she protested huskily. If she accepted the validity of his emotions then she would have to question her own. Her marriage to Oliver bore no resemblance whatsoever to the exhausting storms of rage and delight that confused her when Lex was taunting or arousing her, the selfish abandonment and reckless passion that led her to lose all sense of shame and propriety. That was why she knew that what they had couldn't be love. Not any kind of love that she recognised, anyway.

“Tell yourself that often enough and you might believe it,” he murmured sardonically.

“I don't want you to love me.”

“Don't you?”

Two words. A simple question which terrified her.

“It's far too soon... I never thought I... I thought that you... You said you weren't going to ask for my love!”

“That was then. The rules have changed. I am thirty-three, not seventeen. This isn't a teenage infatuation that I'm going to outgrow. If you need more time to think about it, I'll back off for a while. But I'm not planning on giving up on us. It's time you stopped lying to yourself repeating like a mantra a fling's all that you want...”

TBC

hfce
4th July 2011, 05:41
You tell her Lex. It is love Chloe just stop fighting it. :)

ChloeLovesLex
4th July 2011, 06:45
I'm with hfce on this one. You tell her Lex!!!
You can't fight it Chloe, he's all you want and need and vice versa. Give in and finally be happy, the pair of you.

skatiefan
4th July 2011, 10:21
Love the update Lexie! I agree with everyone......it's about time Lex told Chloe. She needs to stop fighting their love for each other. Can't wait for the next update....more please!! =)

niafadra
4th July 2011, 17:20
so its coming to a close, that sure will be a bittersweet moment, still i am excited to see how it will all play out

FarrahLea
4th July 2011, 19:20
Awesome update Lexie! I am so happy that it is Lex that is admitting things first. Can't wait for the next update.

justicea
5th July 2011, 03:03
thats right lex, go for what you want! she loves him and i love this story. Can't wait for the next update!

jenwin23
5th July 2011, 05:51
I like the development but some of it seems off to me. And I'll preface this by saying I grew up in California and live there now, and am fairly liberal, so I recognize that my viewpoint doesn't match everyone's experience of the world...I don't think Lex having seen Chloe naked is blackmail material. Especially since he doesn't have pictures. I can't even count on one had the amount of times I was unintentionally naked or mostly naked in front of people before I was 18. And speaking of being under 18, the one and only time I ever pretended to be drunk to get to someone I was barely 16. If Chloe is trying to assert herself as a grown ass woman in charge of her own life and business, that seems like a fairly immature way to go. Not that petty doesn't sometimes feel damn good, but it's still petty.

I like that Lex is and isn't a Luthor, the backstory is very sad. I'm wondering about Chloe's backstory- where are the League members now? And why is she living in shabby apartments? I'm assuming she could live in a number of Queen properties to save money on rent, and while I'm at it, why would she pay to fix her car when she says she can't afford it, she could either get new plates for one of Oliver's cars or trade one in. Sorry, I'm just being picky now.

Anyway, I do like the story, can't wait to see what Lex's next move is or what Jason found in Oliver's papers...or why Chloe didn't ask Lex about it.

lexie
5th July 2011, 06:52
I like the development but some of it seems off to me. And I'll preface this by saying I grew up in California and live there now, and am fairly liberal, so I recognize that my viewpoint doesn't match everyone's experience of the world...I don't think Lex having seen Chloe naked is blackmail material. Especially since he doesn't have pictures. I can't even count on one had the amount of times I was unintentionally naked or mostly naked in front of people before I was 18. And speaking of being under 18, the one and only time I ever pretended to be drunk to get to someone I was barely 16. If Chloe is trying to assert herself as a grown ass woman in charge of her own life and business, that seems like a fairly immature way to go. Not that petty doesn't sometimes feel damn good, but it's still petty.

Lex's main purpose in sending her that CD-ROM wasn't to blackmail her but to let her know who he was and that he knew who she was. No photographs or videos were mentioned that Lex might have used to push her into a corner. However, knowing his resources Chloe could have very well suspect he might have access to the security tapes from the elevator.

Well, pretending to get drunk might have been petty and adolescent-like but it could also be considered a lapse of Chloe's, an attempt to recapture the carefree youth she sacrificed when she tied her life to Oliver's and gave up her life and selfhood at his altar and Clark's. An immature gesture? Probably. But definitely forgiveable. At least, she was able to have some momentary fun; God knows she's lived some awful times and she'll have quite a rollercoaster ahead.

I like that Lex is and isn't a Luthor, the backstory is very sad. I'm wondering about Chloe's backstory- where are the League members now? And why is she living in shabby apartments? I'm assuming she could live in a number of Queen properties to save money on rent, and while I'm at it, why would she pay to fix her car when she says she can't afford it, she could either get new plates for one of Oliver's cars or trade one in. Sorry, I'm just being picky now.

I very much doubt Oliver had any "discreet" cars in his collection, so even if she were to replace the plates, the car would have screamed "money" and Chloe wanted to stay under the radar. And, of course, starting selling cars to get some ready cash or changing them for more economical ones would have certainly set tongues wagging. The last thing Chloe needed at the time was to let people in business know things weren't going that great for Queen Industries.

Considering Queen put a portion of his assets on the line by making some not very sensible business decisions when he fell into a downward spiral, it'd be safe to say Chloe didn't have a wide choice of apartments to choose from.



Anyway, I do like the story, can't wait to see what Lex's next move is or what Jason found in Oliver's papers...or why Chloe didn't ask Lex about it.

Chloe's still in a phase of self-denial. Her not asking Lex about the contents of those papers is a way to put off a break-up she unconsciously fears. She wants to believe Lex wants her and not what is in those papers, and confronting Lex would mean heartbreak if his answer were what she fears it might be. The girl is decisively torn and confused. She tells herself what they have is a fling; however, the way she recoils from confronting Lex right away reveals she considers their relationship a lot more, so much so that she can't stand the thought of it ending.

You'll have to wait and see if she finds the guts to face her feelings and accept them.

Thanks for reading.

Fouzia
5th July 2011, 14:54
thank you for the new chapter!! I love it!!

kcsgirl82
6th July 2011, 00:00
Good for Lex for laying his heart on the line, now if only Chloe would just admit that she loves him just as much.
Awesome update, can't wait to read more!

sjww
7th July 2011, 11:53
finally got my backside in gear sorry Lexie for taking so long :)

firstly I like the setting/backdrop to the story..the thought that Chloe hadn't been able to stop Oliver's downward spiral intrigues me I did wonder if at some point she would realise that maybe that is why she isnt willing to open her heart to love as Lex also has that Darkness inside of him....?

Glad to see Lex putting his feelings out there though..hoping that Chloe will come round to it but at this moment I'm not convinced she will.

Great Job Lexie really enjoying this story and looking forward to seeing where it goes.

Rachet
9th July 2011, 00:57
So many great updates so little time. Really enjoyed catching up with this one but now I want more. Thank again.

cbrunberg
10th July 2011, 02:39
great update.loved that lex told her first.can't wait to see what happen and when chloe finally admits that she loves lex.

lexie
12th July 2011, 17:56
A/N: I was supposed to be working on "Choices" but my muse decided to get this one out first.

Just a step away from the conclusion now. Enjoy!

CHAPTER ELEVEN: Secrets

In the last three weeks Chloe had come to appreciate what a consummate master Lex was at handling a negotiation. In love, as in everything else, he'd proven to be ruthless.

Things might have been easier for her if she were anything like Rachel. Lex had revealed enough of himself to give Chloe plenty of ammunition to mortally wound him. However, his confession, an act of trust from a man who mistrusted all people- women especially- had rendered her powerless to attack him. Never before had a man stripped his soul bare as an expression of love for her; not even Clark had trusted her that much.

She wasn't helpless though; she could either confront him about the contents of the envelope and put an end to the suspense and the unnecessary complications it was adding to a life which was already too complicated, or she could let things run their natural course; sooner or later he'd realise what he believed to be love was simply an infatuation on his part, and they would put this thing behind them by viewing it more objectively. She'd resolved to choose the second course of action, but his tactics were showing cracks in what she'd believed to be her unassailable fortress.

His wooing of her hadn't stopped either in public or in private, and thoughts of him occupied her mind whether he was physically present or not. He was demanding a place in her future and his determination to keep things platonic between them until she was prepared to commit more than just her body to their relationship made it clear what place he was striving to fill.

Allowing herself to believe what they had was more than a fling and making the kind of commitment he was expecting of her would mean relinquishing her recently acquired independence and putting her trust in an uncertain future. Things had been so much easier before... Maybe she'd deluded herself, thinking she could put an end to it whenever they both grew tired of each other or found someone else, someone they could build something permanent and meaningful with.

Admitting that she loved him completely and without reservation would entail making a final, giant leap she didn't feel prepared for. She was afraid, afraid of things turning out the way they had with Oliver, and yet... she could no longer imagine a life without Lex. Wasn't that the reason she'd been stalling and finding excuses not to confront him about what she and Jason had discovered in that envelope? Because she was afraid once it was in the open, once he admitted everything had been a ruse to get what he really wanted from her, she'd lose him forever?

Chloe had refused to love him but she didn't want anyone else to have him either. It was torture, sheer torture, seeing him, exchanging polite chit-chat and duelling expressions at Queen Industries or at some cosy restaurant when her body ached for the physical closeness she was denying them both.

“I'm sorry but I have to work late tonight. Maybe next week,” she replied on the phone, hanging up before he could tantalise her any further by hinting once again he was open to changing his mind, that she didn't have to make due with a chaste kiss and a goodnight at her door. The challenge in his voice was one she was finding very difficult to resist. Wanting had turned into craving, and the implications were frightening to say the least.

If she hadn't had her work and her studies she would have been a mess. At least behind her desk at the office she could feel comfortably in control of herself, and her exam results had removed any doubts about her competence in the business arena. She wasn't Bruce Wayne- she wasn't at the top in any of her classes- but she wasn't at the bottom, either and that was encouraging in itself. Her professors, and above all herself, had confidence in her ability to do even better and she was determined to make it come true.

The sun was setting when she grabbed the last dossier from the stack she had on her desk, glancing up to see her assistant at the door.

“It's six p.m. I thought you'd gone home, Susan.”

“I had a report I wanted to finish to leave on Dr Teague's desk.”

Chloe doubted that was the real reason. More likely it was Jason's overdeveloped protective nature; she bet Lana's husband had asked Susan to keep an eye on her.

“Well, I'm almost done myself,” murmured Chloe, leafing through the papers.

Susan made her disapproval clear as she fastened the belt of her trench coat and lingered to add “You're still young, Ms Sullivan. I hope you're not going to turn out to be as much of a workaholic as Mr. Queen was. You're looking paler now than when you came on board. You should relax more... “

Chloe knew the young woman meant well, but there was no way she would discuss her private life or her worries with her secretary, no matter how well-intentioned she might be.

“That's exactly what I've been telling her, Susan,” butted in Jason, gently moving the assistant out of the way. “Why don't you go home? I'll see that Ms Sullivan doesn't spend the night in that couch.”

Chloe hadn't realised that Jason was still in the building. Now that she was working more independently she often went whole days without talking face-to-face with him.

“OK. Goodnight,” smiled Susan, picking up her handbag from the clothes stand.

“Goodbye, Susan,” replied Chloe as the attractive brunette closed the door behind her.

“What's going on? Have you and Luthor had another fight?”

“No. What makes you say that?”

“It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see you've been distressed these past weeks. Something's bothering you and I know it isn't the company; Queen Industries has begun to show an improvement in its cash flow thanks to the organisational changes Luthor suggested. Have you talked to him about those papers I found?”

“No, not yet.”

“Chloe...”

“Jason, I know you mean well...”

“You're playing with fire. You're in love with him, aren't you?”

“Would that be so awful?” she asked after a brief silence.

“I just want you to be happy. You've only known him a couple of months and that seems to be his attention span where women are concerned...”

“I've known him longer than that, and I can assure you his interest isn't dwindling. On the contrary, his campaign to woo me has got more aggressive of late... “

Chloe knew what suspicion was crossing Jason's mind the minute their eyes met because it was the same one that had been haunting her; that Lex was doubling his efforts to win her over to get his clutches on what was in that envelope. And yet, he'd seemed so sincere when he told her what he felt wasn't a mere infatuation.

“Have you read it yet?” he asked when he saw her fiddle with the new envelope on her blotter.

Come, Madam, come, all rest my powers defy,
Until I labour, I in labour lie.
The foe oft-times having the foe in sight,
Is tir’d with standing though he never fight.
Off with that girdle, like heaven’s Zone glistering,
But a far fairer world encompassing.
Unpin that spangled breastplate which you wear,
That th’eyes of busy fools may be stopped there.
Unlace yourself, for that harmonious chime,
Tells me from you, that now it is bed time.
Off with that happy busk, which I envy,
That still can be, and still can stand so nigh.
Your gown going off, such beauteous state reveals,
As when from flowery meads th’hill’s shadow steals.
Off with that wiry Coronet and shew
The hairy Diadem which on you doth grow:
Now off with those shoes, and then safely tread
In this love’s hallow’d temple, this soft bed.
In such white robes, heaven’s Angels used to be
Received by men; Thou Angel bringst with thee
A heaven like Mahomet’s Paradise; and though
Ill spirits walk in white, we easily know,
By this these Angels from an evil sprite,
Those set our hairs, but these our flesh upright.

Licence my roving hands, and let them go,
Before, behind, between, above, below.
O my America! my new-found-land,
My kingdom, safeliest when with one man mann’d,
My Mine of precious stones, My Empirie,
How blest am I in this discovering thee!
To enter in these bonds, is to be free;
Then where my hand is set, my seal shall be.

Full nakedness! All joys are due to thee,
As souls unbodied, bodies uncloth’d must be,
To taste whole joys. Gems which you women use
Are like Atlanta’s balls, cast in men’s views,
That when a fool’s eye lighteth on a Gem,
His earthly soul may covet theirs, not them.
Like pictures, or like books’ gay coverings made
For lay-men, are all women thus array’d;
Themselves are mystic books, which only we
(Whom their imputed grace will dignify)
Must see reveal’d. Then since that I may know;
As liberally, as to a Midwife, shew
Thy self: cast all, yea, this white linen hence,
There is no penance due to innocence.

To teach thee, I am naked first; why then
What needst thou have more covering than a man.


“I've been receiving one every morning for the past month,” she told Jason quietly, folding the poem and hoping the effect it had had on her wasn't showing on her cheeks. “Before I met him nobody had ever sent me love poems.”

“Chloe... Luthor is not your secret admirer.”

“What?”

“If he told you he was, then he was lying.”

“Well, he didn't, but I just assumed... Then... I don't understand.”

“Maybe you should sit down... I hope you'll find it in you to forgive me; I was against this from the very beginning.”

Hours later Chloe sat in the darkness of Lex's penthouse, going over and over what Jason had told her.The initial numbness had given way to towering rage. Her talk with Oliver's lawyer and best friend had changed things. She wished she had had more time to think, to plan, to come to terms with the chaotic nature of her feelings before facing Lex again.

A key in the lock wrenched her out of her musings.

She rose to her feet as Lex shut the door and switched on the living-room light.

“Chloe? They told me at reception that you were here. You've been crying. What's wrong?” he asked with concern in his voice, taking a step forward and stretching out an arm with the intention of wiping a stray tear off her cheek.

“No!” she brushed his hand away and pulled back.

“Chloe...”

“How could you?” she rasped.

“I'm afraid you'll have to enlighten me as to what it is that I've done this time.”

It'd been a bad idea to sit there, brooding away the dark hours of the night, when she was still so horribly vulnerable. She could feel fresh tears start to well up in her eyes, and she'd promised herself that she wouldn't get emotional and let him see how much she was hurting. Any minute now she'd be bursting into weak tears and she'd vowed she would never be weak again.

“You know why I'm here. You know, Lex. You stood there in my office a week ago when the messenger arrived and you said nothing. You had your chance to confess and you didn't take it. You lied; despite your past entreaties for me to go to the police, you knew I thought that delivery and every poem I'd received ever since we met was from you... and you let me believe... It wasn't you at all! Why? Why take credit for something you hadn't done? What did you expect to get from it?”

“Nothing. I didn't expect anything. I don't always have secret agendas, Chloe.”

“I no longer know what to think.”

“Believe that I only care about your happiness.”

“If that were true, you wouldn't have taken credit for something that my husband had done. Yeah, Jason, told me.”

“I wish he hadn't.”

“Why? He spoiled your carefully-planned strategy to soften the disconsolate widow, is that it?” she cried.

“Chloe, don't do this.”

“Don't do what?! You did it, Lex. You broke my heart.”

“You're playing his game. This is exactly what he expected to achieve with that damn codicil. He's dead, Chloe, and he's still trying to take... Even now he isn't willing to release you from your vows. Having his best friend deliver those poems every week... Obviously it never occurred to him that the gesture could have frightened or upset you. I bet he even counted on you finding out. It was a sick man's attempt to keep your grief fresh... And yes, I confess I didn't tell you the truth because I saw how much you wanted to believe you could find happiness with someone again. I would have given the world to have spared you this. I lied, yes. I lied by omission. And I wished you'd never found out because I know how much it hurts. Oliver had no right to do what he did after what he put you through. He had no right to stop you from developing a healthy relationship with another man.”

Chloe hated him then, hated him for pinpointing Oliver's faults with such cruel accuracy and, above all, because he'd put in words what she'd been feeling ever since Jason's revelation. and couldn't bring herself to vocalise for fear of breaking down in front of Lex's eyes completely. So she reacted the only way she could, lashing out.

“Healthy? Do you call what we have healthy? Two emotional cripples like us could never hope for a normal relationship. We were using each other for a while. Let's not pretend there was anything else between us other than.... What are you doing?! Put me down!!!”

“Let's put your little theory to the test, shall we?” he told her as he began to move with her in the direction of the room they'd shared more than once in the past.

“Lex, let me go,”she protested raggedly, feeling her anger starting to shudder and fail when he set her down on the satiny coverlet and she met the searingly familiar look of his blue-grey eyes.

To her dismay, he suddenly released her, lying down next to her on the smooth cover of the bed and leaving her bereft in a freedom she suddenly discovered she didn't want.

She and Oliver had rarely argued, and when they had, it'd never been tempestuously. It'd never set her heart racing or make her womanly core palpitate the way her verbal judo sessions with Lex did.

“You can use me if that's what you think we've been doing so far,” he stretched out a hand and brushed a tendril of blonde hair off her face. “You can tell yourself you hate me, try to hurt me as much as you're hurting now... I'm strong. I'm not going to run away... I'm here. Use me.”

Somehow her hands found their way to his chest and she was bending over him, brushing his lips with hers, protesting in a breathless whisper, “This has to be the last time, Lex...”

Suddenly she was no longer on top and this time there was no clumsy eagerness either in the way his long-fingered hands undressed her or in the sensual dominance of his lithe body, which dared her to deny the evidence of her own passion as she shattered in his arms once again.

There was no need for words when he poured his essence deep into her welcoming womb and looked into her glazed emerald eyes. He knew she'd fallen in love with him and that it was too late to protect herself by denying it.

Maybe she couldn't stop herself from loving him, but she could at least try one last gamble.

“All right.”

“All right?” he asked breathless; his slick, hot body still moving against hers in lazy undulations.

“You win.”

He stilled and, lifting his head on perceiving the strained nuance in her voice, murmured, “Win?”

“The shares. Me.” The order of her words was achingly deliberate.

“What do you mean, the shares?'” he asked harshly, after leaving her warmth and jackknifing into sitting position beside her.

“You need the LuthorCorp shares that Oliver bought through several proxies while Lionel was in prison to complete your cycle of revenge. I've got the documents. The temporary owners of the shares had agreed to transfer them to Oliver when he deemed the time was right. And I as his widow have the power to execute that clause. In any case, considering you were doing business together, it's safe to assume he'd have given them to you in the end. Well, they're yours. A gift. No strings attached.”

His blue-grey eyes were unfathomable. Chloe swallowed, waiting tensely, hoping.... Was he going to tell her that he was insulted? That his love was unconditional, untainted by past bitterness or present ambition?

“Thank you,” he said with cool politeness, getting dressed as swiftly as he'd disrobed but calmly and emotionlessly, and she felt something inside her die.

“It'll take a couple of days to have a legal transfer drawn up. Tomorrow I'll ask Jason to start working on it.”

“Very well. Tell him to contact my legal team to arrange an appointment for the signing once he's done. “

Chloe stared at his back, fighting off the unshed tears which were burning in her eyes. It was over. Now, at least, she knew exactly where she stood. She had offered and he had accepted. This was the reality she had been so afraid to face.

TBC

A/N: The poem included in this chapter is John Donne's "To His Mistress Going to Bed"

Fouzia
12th July 2011, 18:10
amazing story^^ thank you

hfce
12th July 2011, 22:08
Those two are dumb idiots. That is all. :wth:

somethingeasy
13th July 2011, 00:06
Rachel ended up convincing her husband the boy should be shipped away to Excelsior to free her from the stressful environment that was putting the new and still unborn baby Luthor at risk."

Thanks for clarifying this, Lexie. Much appreciated :D
aaargh, it seems like every time I turn around, I find myself falling waaay behind on reviewing current chapters on the forum. I’d better get this story’s reviews done now. I haven’t read the latest chapter as yet. I’m forcing myself to finish this review first before reading the latest ;)

CHAPTER 10: Blinders

I thought this was an awesome and amazing chapter. It was filled with revelations galore, as well as plenty of angst and gut-wrenching emotional too. It was delicious!


“Ironically, the closer I got to LuthorCorp the more unfulfilled I felt. I started wondering what I would do after I'd achieved everything I'd had worked for for so long. I've been surrounded by hungry piranhas all my life... I've never lacked female company but I'd never been able to establish a meaningful connection with the opposite sex... “ he said, making a short pause to add quietly, “Until you.”

Two simple words. Two words which turned her world upside down.

It was fascinating seeing Lex actually stripping away himself quite emotionally bare in front of Chloe. In Luthor standards, this would be the equivalent of a ‘normal person’ stripping themselves stark naked in the middle of their home-town church services. And yet, Lex is willing to go through that kind of emotional vulnerability and lay himself completely defenseless, at the unknown qualities of Chloe’s mercy and compassion.

This confession might mean that Lex has reached some kind of point of desperation, in which case I’d love to know exactly what was the tipping point that convinced him it was better to act now or never. OR it might mean that he’s finally reached a point of confidence that he feels reasonably sure that he’ll be safe baring himself before Chloe in this manner… that she just probably might return his feelings, if he came clean now. I’d LOVE to know what inspired Lex to make his confession in the first place.

Oh, and I also appreciated the whole revelatory explanation from Lex because it filled in a LOT of blanks about how Lex perceived Chloe at their first meeting, and how his feelings for her evolved over time. I LOVED the idea that most of the reason why Lex was so hostile and nasty towards Chloe was because he was fascinated and mesmerized by her at first sight, and actually felt betrayed and disillusioned knowing that a Oliver’s ‘grieving widow’ was paying nude booty-calls to random people.


Her first impulse was to cater for her own self-preservation, to protect herself from the final thrust of his sword, and she did the unexpected; instead of facing the music the way Chloe Sullivan would, she tried to escape in true Chloe Queen fashion- that was how much her marriage to Oliver and her years of sacrifice at both her husband and her best friend's altar had changed her. She got as far as the living-room archway before she stopped herself.

“It's too late to run, Chloe. It was already too late the day we met.”

She felt his breath warm against the nape of her neck, which she'd left exposed by doing her hair up in an attempt to look elegant and sophisticated, but tonight the usual confidence trick wasn't working.

I loved how Chloe’s reaction to this heartfelt, emotionally baring, revealing and romantic as hell confession… was outright panic! It’s actually a much more realistic reaction than swooning… especially in a relationship which was promised to be casual and no-strings.

Plus, I always love the idea of Lex always being a little more obsessively in love with Chloe in the beginning of their relationship. I like to see Chloe wooed, dammit!! She deserves it!

Anyhow, Chloe attempting to run, and Lex catching her… was as sexy as hell! Not only catching her, but also then proceeding to seduce her. I love it! It was HOT… imagining Chloe’s sense of reason and panic being over-ridden by her overwhelming physical response to Lex. And it was also sexy as heck imagining Lex making love to Chloe, in an attempt to use ALL of his strengths, skills and talents to convince her to just STAY with him. The smut was amazing, and the sentiment and motivation behind the action made the smut all the more erotic. WOW!


“Stay,” he told her softly.

“I...I can't... I still have a lot of studying to do.”

“'I could help you study,” he offered with a diffidence that didn't quite mask the frustration in his voice.

Chloe saw the determination in his eyes but she had let passion override common sense . No matter how strong her urge to stay, she had to walk away. Things had got too complicated all of a sudden.

I loved it! I loved how, in the afterglow of the amazing sex that they shared, Lex was reduced to actually begging for Chloe to stay with him. And the only thing that Chloe could think of was escape! I seriously DO NOT blame her for wanting to get away. She’s only recently begun ‘finding herself’, as a separate, independent person in her own right, and she simply does not regard herself ready to be part of a co-op, co-dependant relationship again… not yet… not so soon!

heh, pretty ironic. It was Lex himself who helped Chloe so much in re-discovered her sense of self again… and now it’s that very same newly found spirit of freedom and independence that’s driving Chloe to run away from everything that Lex wants from her. Poor Lex really screwed himself good and proper, didn’t he? I love it!


“I don't want you to love me.”

“Don't you?”

Two words. A simple question which terrified her.

“It's far too soon... I never thought I... I thought that you... You said you weren't going to ask for my love!”

“That was then. The rules have changed. I am thirty-three, not seventeen. This isn't a teenage infatuation that I'm going to outgrow. If you need more time to think about it, I'll back off for a while. But I'm not planning on giving up on us. It's time you stopped lying to yourself repeating like a mantra a fling's all that you want...”

heh… oooh Chloe is NOT going to react well to such a statement. I know that Lex is speaking and venting his exasperation, desperation and frustration… BUT he might also come across as sounding patronizing, and Chloe would not respond well to that kind of tone. She’s more liable to rebel and be stubbornly dedicated to running away more firmly than ever before, purely to prove Lex’s patronizing statements wrong.

Not to mention that she’s going to rather resent the idea of Lex just suddenly changing the rules on her… without warning! Not a good move, Lex. I WISH I knew what happened to make him suddenly and inexplicably change the rules of their relationship. What the heck happened?!??

And, I noticed that Chloe has NOT brought up the topic that she actually wanted to discuss with him… concerning that piece of paper evidence that Jason found amongst Oliver’s papers? What the heck IS on that paper? WHEN is Chloe going to feel ready to confront Lex about it… and what the heck is he going to say in reponse to whatever accusations arise from that evidence.

aaaargh! I’m going onto read the next chapter now. Hopefully a few of my questions will be answered in that ;)

FarrahLea
13th July 2011, 03:31
Another great update Lexie! Can't say that I'm thrilled with the way the chapter ended, but I trust in your writting and will be waiting with baited breath to see how things play out.

somethingeasy
13th July 2011, 17:15
CHAPTER ELEVEN: Secrets

This was an awesome and amazing chapter. It showcased how Lex can do so many things that are smart, clever, creative and right, only to have everything blow up in his face when he does something catastrophically, unforgivably and uncategorically stupid and self-destructive! I’m not saying that Chloe also didn’t make her share of mistakes in this chapter, but I actually do think her mistakes were small and understandable as compared to the massive screw-ups that Lex committed.

But first, let’s discuss what he did right and amazing, following his bare-bones confession to Chloe.


In the last three weeks Chloe had come to appreciate what a consummate master Lex was at handling a negotiation. In love, as in everything else, he'd proven to be ruthless.

Things might have been easier for her if she were anything like Rachel. Lex had revealed enough of himself to give Chloe plenty of ammunition to mortally wound him. However, his confession, an act of trust from a man who mistrusted all people- women especially- had rendered her powerless to attack him. Never before had a man stripped his soul bare as an expression of love for her; not even Clark had trusted her that much.

I loved Lex for his sheer courage, nerve and resilience over here. He’s just stripped himself emotionally bare in front of Chloe, and received a very resounding rejection from her. Rather than retreat and lick his wounds (like he normally would), he launches a massive campaign to win Chloe over. Now that’s seriously impressive behaviour and commitment from anyone… but especially from someone as paranoid, cagey and guarded as Lex Luthor.

And yet… STILL, I wonder what the heck is it that made Lex take the step into wooing Chloe so aggressively now. There must have been something that provoked that confession in the first place, and then convinced him to carry on this wooing campaign, even in the face of instant rejection? I can’t help but think that it’s completely understandable that Chloe assumed that Lex launched this unexpected and inexplicable campaign out of nowhere, out of possibly reasons of business self-interest.


Admitting that she loved him completely and without reservation would entail making a final, giant leap she didn't feel prepared for. She was afraid, afraid of things turning out the way they had with Oliver, and yet... she could no longer imagine a life without Lex. Wasn't that the reason she'd been stalling and finding excuses not to confront him about what she and Jason had discovered in that envelope? Because she was afraid once it was in the open, once he admitted everything had been a ruse to get what he really wanted from her, she'd lose him forever?

I loved this paragraph. I summed up everything that I suspected as the reasons behind Chloe’s hesitation to commit to Lex’s proposal. She was afraid of losing her sense of self again to yet another highly powerful, strong-minded and ambitious billionaire. And she was ALSO afraid that said billionaire wasn’t actually being as honest and open with her as he presented himself to be… which is actually true! Lex did not tell her about the stock options that Chloe has in her possession, and has not yet confessed to whatever business dealings that he had going on with Oliver in the first place. Those are some small, but pretty compelling mistakes that Lex has made already, that have already sabotaged his chances with Chloe. I say ‘small mistakes’ because they can be fixed quite easily, as long as he sets himself to correcting these errors, and actually becoming whole-heartedly open and honest with Chloe.

All that being said, I loved, loved the details of Lex’s campaign to woo Chloe… but dropping seductive hints that he would be more than willing to warm her bed, whenever she would like… offering his company for whenever she might be lonely or such. It was seriously hot as well as swoon-worthy imagining Lex offering the very best of himself to Chloe in order to win her over.


“It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see you've been distressed these past weeks. Something's bothering you and I know it isn't the company; Queen Industries has begun to show an improvement in its cash flow thanks to the organisational changes Luthor suggested. Have you talked to him about those papers I found?”

This came as a very pleasant surprise. I knew that Lex was helping Chloe with her studies, but I didn’t know that he was also offering very practical, creative and intelligent solutions to helping her run the company as well. More than that, I had no idea that Chloe would be confessing to Jason that the new techniques she was implementing were based on suggestions from Lex himself. It’s good to know that Jason does acknowledge that Lex has contributed SOME good into Chloe’s life. Although, I do take account that Jason (understandably) believes that this is all a part of Lex’s scheme to cozy up to Chloe in order to gain her trust and therefore manipulate and take advantage of her.


“You know why I'm here. You know, Lex. You stood there in my office a week ago when the messenger arrived and you said nothing. You had your chance to confess and you didn't take it. You lied; despite your past entreaties for me to go to the police, you knew I thought that delivery and every poem I'd received ever since we met was from you... and you let me believe... It wasn't you at all! Why? Why take credit for something you hadn't done? What did you expect to get from it?”

“Nothing. I didn't expect anything. I don't always have secret agendas, Chloe.”

“I no longer know what to think.”

“Believe that I only care about your happiness.”

“If that were true, you wouldn't have taken credit for something that my husband had done. Yeah, Jason, told me.”

Oh, LEX! And this is the colossally stupid mistake that I was referring to earlier. Seriosuly, Lex, what were you thinking?!?? Did he really, REALLY think that this lie of omission wouldn’t be found out by Chloe eventually? Did he really count on the fact that Chloe wouldn’t find out the truth on her own, at the worst time possible, to paint him in the worst light possible?! Oh, Lex, you idiot!!!

I will admit, when I thought that poem was from Lex, I found it both romantic and hot. But finding out that the poem was delivered post-humourlessly from Chloe’s dead husband… just made it repulsively creepy *shudder*

Everything that Lex said was probably true… referring to Oliver’s true motivations behind sending the poetry. The poem carried a very sexual tone of worship and adoration in the now, and was not AT ALL about letting go, moving on, forgiveness, well-wishes or the like. The poem was obviously meant as some kind of sick gesture to woo and win over Chloe, rather than ask her to move on and be happy. It was a SICK poem for a dead man to send to his wife. Seriously, Oliver, that was creepy!

BUT, even taking into account Lex’s accurate assessment of the sheer wrongness of the poems, it doesn’t forgive him for taking credit for the poems in the first place. That just adds on another layer of sickness and wrongness to a creepy situation. The only way that would have worked was if Lex had made arrangements to make sure that Chloe never, EVER discovered the true source of the poems. But this was something plainly out of Lex’s control… which makes his lie of omission a really sick, wrong, stupid, idiotic, creepy mistake!


“You can use me if that's what you think we've been doing so far,” he stretched out a hand and brushed a tendril of blonde hair off her face. “You can tell yourself you hate me, try to hurt me as much as you're hurting now... I'm strong. I'm not going to run away... I'm here. Use me.”

Somehow her hands found their way to his chest and she was bending over him, brushing his lips with hers, protesting in a breathless whisper, “This has to be the last time, Lex...”

Suddenly she was no longer on top and this time there was no clumsy eagerness either in the way his long-fingered hands undressed her or in the sensual dominance of his lithe body, which dared her to deny the evidence of her own passion as she shattered in his arms once again.

I was quite mad at Lex for his lie of omission, and then even more angry by his attempts to justify his own culpability by shifting all the blame onto Oliver. BUT, then Lex does this as a tacit apology… and it’s a pretty good one actually. Granted, it’s not as good as an explicit apology, but I can see why Chloe would have taken this opportunity to forgive the man that she’s falling (fallen?) in love with. She would just need an excuse to forgive him at this point. And this works quite nicely.

Especially since it sounds like that Lex apologized and seduced her very, VERY nicely over here. Damn, that was seriously hot! :D


His blue-grey eyes were unfathomable. Chloe swallowed, waiting tensely, hoping.... Was he going to tell her that he was insulted? That his love was unconditional, untainted by past bitterness or present ambition?

“Thank you,” he said with cool politeness, getting dressed as swiftly as he'd disrobed but calmly and emotionlessly, and she felt something inside her die.

Oh that complete and utter STUPID bastard!! Once again, he does something very smart and right (like that hot smutty plea for forgiveness that he seduced Chloe into), and then follows it up with something really stupid and self-destructive.

I know that Chloe was slightly unfair in ‘testing’ Lex like this. BUT, I can also totally see where she was coming from. Lex has been a closed-mouthed, secretive bastard for ALL the time that Chloe has known him. He’s never been completely forthcoming about all of his intentions regarding her, or all his former dealings with Oliver. I seriously understand exactly why Chloe felt compelled to pull this final test on him.

And all I can say that it that Lex is an utter idiot for not seeing this test as a desperate plea for Chloe for him to show her, once and for all, that it was really HER that he wanted all along… rather than whatever assets she inherited. He knows Chloe to have massive self-esteem issues, and should have taken that into consideration before flaring up in offense at her testing statements.

All in all, I adore how this story is developing, and I’m just so sad that it’s drawing to a close. Are you sure that this whole thing can be resolved in one chapter only, Lexie? I think two of three… perhaps five more chapters would work better ;)

Rachet
14th July 2011, 01:44
STUPID is the best way to describe Lex at the end. Come back soon and make him be smart again.

ChloeLovesLex
14th July 2011, 07:12
Wait, what???? Huh???

WTF Lex??? Kick his ass, Chloe. Seriously.

niafadra
14th July 2011, 20:34
how this can be all resolved with one chapter i have no idea, but i will love to see it done

starmoon
16th July 2011, 04:53
i love this update please come back and finish this story it rocks.

sjww
16th July 2011, 08:44
oh Lex - why did you say thankyou and take the shares?!!!!! :confuse2: (idiot springs to mind bit I have learnt with Lexie's stories that all may not be as it initially appears)

Im hoping he plans to do something with them for Chloe - otherwise how will he prove he loves her (and all in one chapter too!)

great update Lexie - thankyou

cbrunberg
17th July 2011, 06:21
lex was an idiot to take the shares. he is in love with chloe but taking th shares tells her somethings.big idiot.he better smarten soon.that was mean what oliver did thru jason

truenesfaratu
17th July 2011, 08:16
Thanks for the update Lexie. I especially enjoyed the part where Chloe explains to Jason that Lex's "campaign to woo" her has intensified. I can only hope that one day I can meet a man campaigning to woo me. Otherwise, I completely agree with cburnberg, how could Lex accept the shares. This would have been the perfect moment to show her that he wants her and not what she has business wise. Smh

Snark
17th July 2011, 17:14
Great update Lexie

Oh Lex, What are you doing *bangs head aginst the wall*
I have faith that you will have an ulterior motive to why Lex said thank you and excepted the shares and in the final chapter everything will work out.

Thank you :)

superag
17th July 2011, 23:27
Finally got to read this one through and have to say I can't imagine these two ever getting past their business differences to become anymore than they have. That whole business with pleasure adage comes to mind here.

kcsgirl82
18th July 2011, 06:29
Thanks for the wonderful update!!
Lex and Chloe need to get their act together and communicate instead of assuming things.
I hope that everything will work out for them because despite how things may have started out with them it's obvious that they love one another very much!
Can't wait to read more!!!

lexie
19th July 2011, 23:30
A/N: And here's the end. I know some of you expected more than a single chapter to wrap this up, but I've settled on a long one to tie everything up. Hopefully, there won't be any loose ends.

Thank you all for your continuing support. Enjoy!


Now I'll have to get down to finishing my other two WIPs. :)


CHAPTER TWELVE: The Deal of a Lifetime

LEX'S OFFICE- LEXCORP- TWO DAYS LATER

“As your attorney I have to ask again, sir. Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Have you made the changes I requested?” replied Lex, scanning the document; this was the deal of a lifetime and one he couldn't afford to ruin.

“Yes. There are two copies,” said the older man, handing his client the duplicate and accepting his answer as final.

“I'll keep both in my safe to avoid any leaks. I trust you'll keep your word,” Lex told his lawyer, punching the code and putting the papers away.

“Of course,” agreed the attorney, locking his briefcase. “So everything's set...”

“Sir, wait!” exclaimed Lex's assistant, trying to stop the irate intruder from barging into her boss' inner sanctum. “I'm sorry, Mr Luthor,” apologised the flustered brunette.

“It's all right, Jennifer. That'll be all, Jackson.”

Waiting for the counsellor to be shown the way out, Lex observed the third man in the room with cool composure.

“So, Teague. Why is it I get the impression you aren't here to let me know in person what time our lawyers are meeting tomorrow?”

“You bet I'm not.” gritted Jason, punching Lex squarely in the jaw. “Bastard!” he spat at the bald billionaire, who wiped off the trickle of blood pouring from his cut lip. “How could you do what you did to her?”

“You're one to hurl accusations when you lent yourself to play a sick man's game.”

“I was honouring a dead man's wish. What excuse did you have?”

“Honouring a dead man's wish?! I thought you cared about Chloe. I should have never trusted you'd stop sending those damn poems when I found out about the codicil. You'd given me your word.”

“That was before I came across the documents Oliver had left in a sealed envelope. I wanted to see how far you'd go.”

“My God, Jason! Wasn't it enough to see your best friend almost destroy her when he was alive?”

“You could have told her the truth.”

“What's done is done now.”

“That's very convenient now that you have what you've always been after.”

“Don't presume to know what I think or want, Teague.”

“What exactly was your business with Oliver?”

“That's between Queen Industries' CEO and me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I still have work to do,” he stated in a controlled voice. “Jennifer, please, would you be so kind as to escort Mr Teague to the elevator?” he added, speaking into the intercom.

“If you ever come close to Chloe again...”

“I don't react very well to threats. And, as regards the nature of my rapport with your employer in the future, it only concerns the parties involved. You underestimate her if you think she can't speak for herself, and you underestimate me if you believe I won't answer back the next time you dare raise a hand against me.”

“Sir?”

“Yes, Jennifer. Mr Teague and I are done. Would you be so kind as to tell security to make sure he arrives safely to his car?

“I hope your revenge was worth it,” said Jason through clenched teeth.

As the acid-etched doors closed behind his assistant and Oliver Queen's trusted friend and lawyer, Lex sat back on his swivel chair and, taking a deep breath, took his laptop out of hibernation and maximised the window to re-read the e-mail he'd been drafting before Jackson's arrival.


CHLOE'S APARTMENT- STAR CITY

Chloe was in her pyjamas, getting ready to shut down her computer to watch a rerun of Casablanca on TCM when her phone rang. She should have disconnected it; the truth of the matter was she hadn't been feeling up to talking with anyone for the last two days. In fact, her mood had been so despondent she'd been urged by Jason and her assistant to take some time off and, judging by the number displayed on the caller ID, it hadn't taken long for Genevieve's only son to share his worries with his wife.

“Hi, Lana!” exclaimed Chloe after a brief hesitation, infusing her voice with a dose of cheer as she grabbed the handset. “No, you aren't interrupting anything. I was about to finish checking my mail and sit in front of the TV with a bowl of popcorn to watch Bogie ask Sam to play it again... I'm OK... Jason's turning into an Old Mother Hen...

How's the baby?... I'm not changing the subject... Lana... I know... I remember... I was there for your weekly Clark and Lana soap opera... but this is different... How do I know? Because... I just do... No, I'm not being stubborn... Well, Susan's a die-hard romantic and... Lex knows how to use his wiles to win over a woman... He fooled me and you know me; I've always been a cynic when it comes to love... It was never like that... It wasn't supposed to be like that. No, he didn't have to say it... He took what he wanted, accepted my offer and turned his back on me. If that doesn't say it all, I don't know what does... I don't have anything else to say to him... Lana...

That Jason did what? … I hope it hurt... I wished I could have been... a fly on the wall... No, I'm not... I'm not crying... I'm really happy for you and Jason... Lana, you don't need... I'm trying to make amends with the past... You didn't know about those poems, did you? No... I'm not mad... I'm... hurt... Well, I wish he'd told me sooner they were Oliver's... You did what? Threatened to have him sleep in the backyard? It would serve him right... He did?...Yes, I'm still here... Does Jason know you're spilling the beans? … Well, that doesn't change the fact Lex lied by omission... but it shows him in a slightly better light... You've seen him only once... It was at your baby's christening; how on earth would you know what he was feeling or thinking by just looking at him? That man is Fort Knox when it comes to his feelings and plans...

Lana, I know you're well-intentioned and that you'd like to see all your friends married with children and living happily ever after, but life isn't like that for everybody... Yes, I know how hard it was to get Jason to stand up to his parents and fight for what he wanted... but you both wanted the same thing... I sacrificed myself and my happiness at two men's altar in the past; I'm not going to do that again. I spent more than half my life surrounded by lies and secrets... If a man wants me, he'll have to speak clearly... I'm not a damn mind-reader! And if Lex has feelings for me... he'll have to make a hell of a grand gesture to get a second chance...

Yes... I know... I promise I'll visit you and the baby soon... Nothing's going to change... OK... Yeah... if that ever happens, you'll be the first one to know... I've got to go... the movie's about to start... Me too... Thanks for calling. Bye.”

Setting down the phone on the side table, she sighed and blinked away a couple of tears. If anyone had ever told her that her old competitor in Clark's affections would be her friend and even occasional confidante, Chloe would have laughed in their faces. But she was and, despite the blonde's original urge to curve up in a ball and spend a week away from the world, licking her wounds, her little chat with Lana had helped. Although the conversation mightn't have seem much to an outsider, it'd helped her breathe a little more easily; she'd needed to talk to someone and Lois- her usual sounding board-was half a world away, working on a story where there was no phone or internet coverage.

Who would have thought that Lana would become Lex Luthor's main advocate...? Chloe remembered how little love there had been between Jason's wife and Oliver... She'd gone even as far as trying to talk Chloe out of getting married minutes before the wedding ceremony... The brunette had often been judged as self-involved, and Chloe had been amongst her detractors once upon a time, but years and her marriage to Jason had changed her for the better... Granted, she still saw a lot of things through rose-tinted glasses; however, Lana'd always had an uncanny knack for noticing what made a man tick and what his weaknesses were... and that made Chloe think... Perhaps she'd been driven by her own insecurities the night she submitted Lex to that final test... Maybe she'd read him all wrong... maybe... she had hurt him with her offer...

Well, there was no use crying over spilled milk. She didn't have the energy to make a mole out of a molehill and keep her sanity. She'd take things as they came; she had more than enough to worry about the following day's meeting with him and their lawyers to spend a night awake playing 'he loves me, he loves me not.' and get to the interview with red eyes and bags under them.

You've got mail, dinged her messenger service before she had the chance to shut down the laptop and tune in on TCM to watch Casablanca for the umpteenth time.


LEXCORP BOARD ROOM- THE FOLLOWING MORNING

Chloe hadn't slept a wink the previous night and had resorted to eye concealer to mask the fact. Although Lex had been the culprit, the reason for her insomnia had had nothing to do with pulling the petals off the proverbial daisy but rather with spending hours ruminating over the information which had arrived in her inbox.

The content and tenor of the e-mail she'd read just as the opening credits of Casablanca were starting to roll had been too private to interpret as anything other than an olive branch. I think you deserve the truth had been the brief message introducing the attachments which had robbed her of sleep and helped her find peace after two years of agonising guilt. Now she could finally understand what had driven Oliver over the edge and why he'd been obsessed with Lionel Luthor, and- above all- why he'd approached Lex and become partners in a crusade which only now did she fully comprehend.

Discovering her late husband's infertility while cleaning his things had explained in part why he'd put an end to their marital life, but the final piece of the puzzle had escaped her and haunted her for months on end. Even though she wished she could have done something to pull him out of the downward spiral he'd fallen into, the documents attached to Lex's e-mail had been balm to her still open wounds. The answer to Oliver's obsession and fuel to his self-destruction, the real coup de grâce to their marriage, had a name- Lionel Luthor- and a seed- Robert and Laura Queen's murder at the hands of the late CEO's envoys.

Oliver had spent all of his adolescence and adult life investigating his parents' deaths, tracking down the man in the shadows, and the response to years of uncertainty had come from an unexpected source, the son of the man who'd had his parents killed. The transcripts of her late husband's testimony on the witness stand against Lionel Luthor revealed things he'd kept secret from Chloe.

She couldn't help but think it must have taken Lex a great deal to search his former Excelsior classmate. Only his need to prove himself better than the monster who'd sired him led him to seek out the man who had bullied and laughed at him as a child. Offering his old nemesis everything he'd come across on the Queens' fateful last day while digging up for ammunition to use as leverage against his father had also earned him an ally in his quest for revenge. And it'd been Oliver to present him with the perfect plan to destroy their common foe once Luthor Sr was put behind bars. All this had been planned a long time before Chloe and Oliver's paths had crossed; it'd consumed her late husband's life and proven Lex's inborn ability to strategise and lie down patiently awaiting the ripe moment to strike and seize what he wanted.

Had her relationship with Lex been at an earlier stage, Chloe would have probably interpreted the disclosure of this sensitive information in a different way. However, there was nothing for him to gain from it; he'd already got what he wanted... the necessary shares to get the control of LuthorCorp. Unless...

“Good morning, Mrs Queen, Dr Teague,” said Dr Jackson, taking Chloe out of her reveries.

“I'd rather you called me Ms Sullivan if you don't mind.”

“Of course, Ms Sullivan. Shall we sit down?” replied the middle-aged lawyer.

“Will it be just the two of us ravens and Ms Sullivan or will Luthor be joining us?” asked Jason surly.

“I'm afraid you'll have to put up with me for a little longer, Teague,” butted in Lex from the doorway. “I apologise for the delay; a business call I couldn't cut short,” he added, cocking an eyebrow as he pulled back a chair to sit across from Chloe and noticed the twitch of her lip when her eyes alighted on the purplish bruise near the left corner of his mouth. She was laughing at him.

“Here's the deed of transfer, Ms Sullivan. Please read the document carefully and then sign on the bottom line here. Sir, you sign to the right. And you, Dr Teague, can add your signature as a witness,” explained Lex's attorney, placing the legal paper in front of Chloe.

The procedure was done in silence- the only sound heard being that of the fountain pen tracing the paper- but the tension was palpable.

“Thanks,” said Jackson, grabbing the signed copies for a final once-over before handing one to each of the signatories. “Here's the other deed of transfer you asked me to draft, Mr Gr... Luthor. If you were so kind as to sign it, I'll make sure both documents get to the new principal shareholder.”

Chloe and Jason exchanged some clueless looks, wondering what the lawyer had implied. Being the owner of 50% percent of LuthorCorp for the last couple of minutes made Lex its major stockholder.

“Now Chloe, let's get down to the real reason we're both here this morning, shall we?” suggested LexCorp's CEO, opening the purple folder in front of him and removing a copy of the document he'd kept in his safe since the previous day.

“What is this?” she frowned, glancing at the second agreement. Was Lex now asking her to sign away her soul, too?

“A mere formality,” he drawled soothingly. “Please, read it through to make sure that I'm not taking unfair advantage of you.”

It only took her a few moments. It was very simple, very straightforward and very compromising... and it had a price, fifty percent of LexCorp.

The silver Montblanc dropped out of Chloe's shaky hand and rolled noisily across the polished table towards the handsome and enigmatic man facing her.

Slowly picking up his expensive fountain pen and not taking his eyes off her flushed face, Lex left his seat and walked around the conference table, holding out the elegantly engraved cylinder.

“Aren't the terms of the agreement favourable enough, Chloe? Do you want more? Give me a figure.” He leant over her shoulder to strike out the offending clause and she pushed the pen away.

“Chloe, what's he demanding now? Don't sign anything until I've had a chance to go over it first.” She was fuzzily aware of Jason's tensely outraged voice receding as Jackson shepherded him out of the board room with a low-voiced explanation.

“Is this some kind of cruel joke...?” she choked, and the bent head close to hers turned, only a kiss away.

“I've never been more serious in my life. Trust has to start somewhere-if not with you then with me. Marriage is a partnership. Fifty-fifty seemed a good starting point.”

“Ma.. marriage?” she stuttered.

“Well... that's where I hope this partnership will eventually lead to. I don't want to push you into taking a step you might not feel prepared for. When you take that step, I want you to be absolutely sure. I'll expect you to be as committed to us and this relationship as I am to you and our future together now.”

“You put me through hell, Lex! You made love to me and then... you turned your back on me, got dressed and... let me think that I was less important than your damned revenge.”


“That night, when you let me in your body again after those three long agonising weeks I was ready to pop the question. You didn't give me the chance,” he pointed out drily. “You were too busy putting my integrity to the test, waiting for me to reveal my true colours so that you could decide whether I was worthy of your love. How did you expect me to react when the person I loved thought so little of me when she had to know the way I felt for her? ”

“And how was I supposed to know, Lex? I'm not a mind-reader!”

“You had to know after the way I'd opened up to you when I told you in no uncertain terms that what I felt wasn't a teenage infatuation that I was going to outgrow. I wasn't going to beg; God knows I did that enough when the bastard was alive.”

“Nobody said anything about begging. I wasn't trying to...,” she faltered, seeing the stark pain that he'd concealed under the arrogant calm of the last few days. “I gave you the stock because I thought that was what you wanted.” Her voice wavered.

“Fortunately for both of us, I realised what you'd done just in time to stop us from making the stupidest decision in our lives. But God I was mad at you for not having faith in us, for not having faith in me! So I took what I didn't want just to punish you, although punishing you was the last thing I truly wanted.”

“We've been two fools, haven't we? Making reckless assumptions about each other from the moment our paths crossed on that damn elevator.”

“Yes, we have. I can't promise you miracles, Chloe. No matter how hard I've tried to deny my Luthor heritage, his blood runs through my veins as much as my mother's, and secrecy seems to be ingrained in my DNA. I can only promise I'll do my damn best to outgrow my tendency to bottle everything up, but I'll need you to help me learn how to. I know that if I leave this chance pass me by, I'll regret it for the rest of my life.”

Chloe took the legal document with her nerveless fingers and scanned it a second time.

“I can't let you do it, Lex. This must be worth millions.”

“If we are to have a second chance, Chloe, you'll have to sign. We have to agree that we'll share everything... the good as well as the bad.”

“Is it legal?”

“Of course it is! Jackson's still hoping it's just a grand gesture of mine that you'll lovingly turn down. He doesn't know it's not an option.”

“I don't want your money, Lex... I just want you,” she croaked, unaware of the tears jewelling her emerald eyes.

“Too bad. I've already made up my mind,” he smirked, handing her the fountain pen.

“What about LuthorCorp... your revenge?” she husked, locking her eyes with his.

“Revenge was just a substitute for what was really missing from my life. LuthorCorp and its fate's no longer my business. The documents transferring the ownership of my fifty percent are on their way to my half-brother Lucas. I met with him yesterday morning; we cleared the air between us... and I decided this course of action would be for the best.

He was a pawn in a game between his mother and me. As much as I resented him for years, he was an innocent victim of my father and Rachel's just as my mother and Pamela were.

My father's widow is in for a big surprise; she only has thirty percent of the stock, and Lucas has been dating in secret the daughter of a shareholder who owns a key ten percent- that will secure him a majority vote at the board meetings. The kid's got gambler instincts and isn't afraid of taking risks; those are assets in the corporative world. Now he's got the chance to prove to himself, if not to others, that he can be a person in his own right rather than a spoilt brat bearing the Luthor name.”

Chloe felt pride swelling in her chest and hope in the future... a future together. There had been no question in her mind that her feelings for Lex wouldn't have gone away even if their break-up had been final, but her ability to respect him as a man and a human being had been stripped away. Only a miracle would have restored her faith in him, and it had been granted. This Lex, this handsome, wounded and proud individual, was the kind of man she could love and respect, the kind of man she could imagine raising a family and growing old with.

“If I sign this paper now, it means you're allowing me to be on top,” she smiled mischievously.

“I wouldn't like to be labelled as heartlessly domineering.”

“Are you sure you won't mind my being the richest of the two of us?”

“That's debatable. I'd be getting you; that would tip the scales in my view.”

“You sure know how to win over a lady. In any case, I've never liked to be always on top... I think that it'd be fair if we both showed a similar degree of commitment to this partnership. Jason's been a wonderful friend and advisor to me... Oliver couldn't have had a more dedicated ally or faithful friend... I'm considering leaving him half my shares and using the other half to set up a foundation to help those who have problems with addictions.”

“I'm not doing this to have you sacrifice yourself on my account.”

“That isn't the reason. It's something I want to do. I need to go back to writing full time; it's always been my vocation and one I should have never renounced to. Would that be a problem for you?”

“I've read some of your work. You were more than just good... “

“So?”

“I won't stand in your way.“

“OK. So it's settled,” she replied, signing the document and handing it back to him.

Lex made a throaty sound of deep satisfaction and tucked the paper securely in the inside pocket of his Italian jacket.

“Now there's no way you can back out. If you ever try to leave me, we'll be tied up for decades trying to sort out the legal tangle.”

“Possessive, aren't we?” she cocked an eyebrow.

“You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Chloe. Everyone's that really mattered to me has been snatched away from my side...”

“Well, I'm not planning on going anywhere.”

“Aren't you? I was hoping you'd accompany me somewhere more private.” He helped her on with her trench coat and led her to the acid-etched double doors.

“Were you? And where would that be?” she asked curiously, wondering if he had a justice of the peace stashed in his office on the top floor.

“I think it's about time you conquered that problem you seem to have with elevators. There's nothing like a very powerful positive experience to replace a negative memory.” He slanted her a smile that made her knees wobble.

Chloe's skin began to tingle as he summoned his private elevator. Loosening his tie and undoing the first few buttons of his shirt, he looked at her with smouldering eyes. “You aren't wearing fur, but it'll have to do. Button it up. We have to get this re-enactment as accurate as possible...”

“You're a rogue, Mr Luthor,” she said with a wicked smile.

“But you love me,” he smirked.

“God help me... I do,” she said with a moan, stepping into the lift and getting lost in his masculine arms.


THE END

Check out my master list for a downloadable version: PDF (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/7631-Lexie-s-Fanfiction-List-W-PDFs-amp-Podfics-(July-19-2011)?p=255369)

justicea
20th July 2011, 02:35
Awww I hate that is over but it was an AWESOME story. So happy everything worked out. I love a good happy ending.

FarrahLea
20th July 2011, 02:58
So sad that it's over :( but what a lovely way to end the story!

Can't wait to see how the others end. As always I'm in awe :worship: of your writting Lexie!

superag
20th July 2011, 03:42
Very nice ending. Glad that everything worked out for everyone.

hfce
20th July 2011, 04:05
That was wonderful. But I am so sad it is done. I am glad they made up. :)

ChloeLovesLex
20th July 2011, 05:09
Leave it to Lex to think of just about the only grand gesture to sway Chloe back into his arms. Smart man.
I'm glad everything finally got resolved...and came full circle back to the elevator. It is about time she got over that fear isn't it?

Excellent story Lexie. Thanks for taking the time to write it for us. Loved it :)

Fouzia
20th July 2011, 07:52
thank you!!!

sjww
20th July 2011, 08:31
nice wrap up Lexie...really enjoyed this story and thank you for writing

niafadra
20th July 2011, 22:25
the final chapter did the story justice, the build up was worth it, we got everything we wanted plus a few amazing surprises!!! well done job simply doesn't cut it when it comes to your work, but its all i got right now, so continue with the generosity and share your talent with us!

Rachet
21st July 2011, 01:30
Thanks for another great story. One question do lawyers have the title of doctor in your country? If so that is kind of neat.

kcsgirl82
21st July 2011, 18:33
I loved it!! I am so glad that they both realized that they had made false assumptions and that they were both hopelessly in love with one another.
I loved the ending, how everything was full circle, back to where they began in the elevator.
Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful story!

lexie
22nd July 2011, 02:34
One question do lawyers have the title of doctor in your country? If so that is kind of neat.

Rachet; All lawyers are addressed as doctors in Argentina, even those who haven't got a Doctorate of Law. Chartered accountants are also called doctors in some parts of my country.

As far as I know, lawyers can be called doctors both in the U.S. and the UK if they've attained a Doctorate. :)

cbrunberg
24th July 2011, 02:58
sad its the end.fantastic the lex thought of the biggest gesture to get chloe back

skatiefan
25th July 2011, 09:48
I've finally gotten the chance to read your last two chapters since it's been so hectic. I don't even know where to start. Chapter 9 was shocking since I was so sure that Lex wasn't using Chloe. However knowing there was 1 more chapter to go, I knew that you had something up your sleeve Lexie and you didn't disappoint.

I don't know how to critique as well as the others, but I can tell that from all your stories you've written...your writing keeps getting better. The plot, character development, suspense and romance keep me wanting to come back for more.

Thank you so much for sharing. I really liked this story especially the end where it comes full circle in the elevator! I know that this is rated R, but if it has so much potential for NC-17. Anyway, the ending is good especially in my imagination. :P

Can't wait to read your other stories.

lexie
25th July 2011, 18:39
I've finally gotten the chance to read your last two chapters since it's been so hectic. I don't even know where to start. Chapter 9 was shocking since I was so sure that Lex wasn't using Chloe. However knowing there was 1 more chapter to go, I knew that you had something up your sleeve Lexie and you didn't disappoint.

You can always trust me with Lex. :grin3:


I don't know how to critique as well as the others, but I can tell that from all your stories you've written...your writing keeps getting better. The plot, character development, suspense and romance keep me wanting to come back for more.

This is the best compliment ever. I always strive to push my own boundaries a little more each time, creatively speaking. And I've found out that there's truth in that old saying which states that "Practice does the master"; there's nothing like writing, writing and more writing to grow up. It's amazing how much my prose and my style have developed when comparing my early works with what I'm producing now, so it's pleasant to see someone other than myself notice it. LOL


Thank you so much for sharing. I really liked this story especially the end where it comes full circle in the elevator! I know that this is rated R, but if it has so much potential for NC-17. Anyway, the ending is good especially in my imagination. :P

Yes, I'm aware that this fic had a lot of potential for NC-17, but I'm not a smut writer and I know for sure I'll never write anything beyond a fairly tame R fic. I prefer leaving most of the loving to the readers' imagination. * I bet the ending in the lift is more than satisfying in your mind because it is just as hot and good in mine*


Can't wait to read your other stories.

I'm trying to write more of "Choices" and "At Second Sight" before work starts again. Meanwhile, you'll have to make do with my existing work, which I hope you'll find as entertaining.

I treasure the short and simple comments just as much as the long and in-depth reviews so thanks again for reading and taking the time to leave me some feedback; it's truly appreciated.

starmoon
27th July 2011, 06:15
wow! what an amazing ending i it just love the whole story and the ending was perfect for this story.

donhisiewen
27th July 2011, 08:19
I wanted to read it when it was completed. I didn't want to confuse it with At Second Sight (which I did one time) so now, I'm off to some marathon reading.

lexie
27th July 2011, 18:13
I wanted to read it when it was completed. I didn't want to confuse it with At Second Sight (which I did one time) so now, I'm off to some marathon reading.

"Choices" should be updated first but I seem to be more in the mood for "At Second Sight" so I'm working on it. Hopefully, I'll have something ready soon.

Good reading! :)

Sheliana
27th July 2011, 20:00
Unfortunately, I have so little free time right now that I can only afford to focus on one story (especially given the fact that Smallville is no longer my primary fandom), but I've started to read this one and I'm really intrigued and excited to see where this will lead! I loved the beginning which was both full of tension and hilarious.:D Poor Chloe! You're cruel to her!:grin3: I'm not sure I would survive such a humiliation! This looks like exactly the sort of AU that I love, and I really like your writing style. It's so... tasty.;) Seriously, for some reason I associate reading your fic with slowly devouring an ice cream - a particularly good kind. I'm looking forward to my vacations when I will finally have the time to relax and enjoy this story!

lexie
30th July 2011, 07:11
Unfortunately, I have so little free time right now that I can only afford to focus on one story (especially given the fact that Smallville is no longer my primary fandom), but I've started to read this one and I'm really intrigued and excited to see where this will lead! I loved the beginning which was both full of tension and hilarious.:D Poor Chloe! You're cruel to her!:grin3: I'm not sure I would survive such a humiliation! This looks like exactly the sort of AU that I love, and I really like your writing style. It's so... tasty.;) Seriously, for some reason I associate reading your fic with slowly devouring an ice cream - a particularly good kind. I'm looking forward to my vacations when I will finally have the time to relax and enjoy this story!

Thanks for the yummy comparison.LOL. I'm looking forward to your impressions on this fic, which I hope will live up to your expectations.

I'm crossing my fingers for your holidays to come soon so that you can have a well-deserved rest.

lexie
3rd August 2011, 18:03
All in all, I adore how this story is developing, and I’m just so sad that it’s drawing to a close. Are you sure that this whole thing can be resolved in one chapter only, Lexie? I think two of three… perhaps five more chapters would work better ;)

I was also sad to put this one to rest but it was the only one of my WIPs which I had more or less planned from beginning to end and writing five more chapters would have turned it into another mammoth because I'd have probably got carried away. LOL. I NEEDED to finish this one so that I could update my other two unfinished fics because I have too little time to write now that my holidays are over.

All in all I'm pretty satisfied with the way things were wrapped up in the final chapter- I believe I managed to tie up any loose ends. Because of the way things had ended in the penultimate chapter, it was understandable to expect more than one chapter to sort things out; however, there was one thing I knew that you didn't- Lex's reasons behind his answer to Chloe when he was offered the shares. Poor, Lex, he isn't such an insensitive bastard as you thought him to be in that scene. LOL

I'd like to thank you and all my faithful readers for your wonderful and encouraging feedback.

kg99
7th August 2011, 07:32
That was a great story.

lexie
9th August 2011, 21:27
That was a great story.

Glad you enjoyed it and took the time to leave me some feedback.

I'm currently trying to gather momentum for both my WIPs again- it's hard with my work load and my capricious mind (it's started toying with an idea for a new long fic instead of collaborating to continue the unfinished ones). Still if you have started reading either "Choices" (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/7913-quot-Choices-quot-(PG-13-R)-August-29th-2010?p=260698) or "At Second Sight" (http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/showthread.php/8297-quot-At-Second-Sight-quot-(Prologue-Dec-26-2010)?p=265975), you can rest assured there'll be something up either over the weekend or next week. :)

lexie
14th August 2011, 17:18
Hi, guys! Just wanted to let you know I've reuploaded the PDF version of this fic because the the link wasn't working. You can find it by clicking on the master list link in my signature.

truenesfaratu
15th August 2011, 04:25
Finally, got to reading the final chapter. I think my favourite part was Lex "helping" Chloe overcome her fears of elevators.

elementia
21st September 2011, 15:45
Two thumbs up!
That was an amazing story

malugargula
27th September 2011, 06:02
WOW Guille, what an amazing fic.
God, I really missed reading your work. But now I'm back.
:)
Loved the plot, loved how they worked and studied together and, of course, loved their "fling" ;)

Ami Rose
11th November 2011, 13:30
That was... wow! Lol I cant find words for it! But I did love it!

Dolly
24th May 2012, 14:12
What a lovely fic. I really enjoyed it.

Saulzy
25th May 2012, 07:55
i love all your stories lexie! they are always so original!

lexie
27th May 2012, 18:46
Thank you all for your lovely feedback.

Although I'm currently immersed in a different fandom is always nice to know people still find my old fics enjoyable.

ChloeLovesLex
27th May 2012, 19:53
Thank you all for your lovely feedback.

Although I'm currently immersed in a different fandom is always nice to know people still find my old fics enjoyable.

*gasp* WHAT?? *cries* But....but, you were the most hardcore Chlexer I knew. If you've left, it means the fandom is dying and I can't have that. I just can't have that.

lexie
27th May 2012, 21:23
*gasp* WHAT?? *cries* But....but, you were the most hardcore Chlexer I knew. If you've left, it means the fandom is dying and I can't have that. I just can't have that.

I still read Chlex but my mind's currently full of Richard Armitage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Armitage_%28actor%29) (not the American politician but the British actor, by the way) and his wonderful gallery of characters. I've found a new bottomless well of inspiration thanks to his amazing talent.

I'm not saying I won't come back to writing Chlex, but I'm having a lot of fun delving into some of the most complex and multi-layered characters since Lex. If anything, I believe this exploration will enrich any future experiments writing Chlex.

malugargula
13th October 2012, 09:56
This fic is awesome :)

lexie
18th November 2012, 20:16
Glad to see you around after so long, Malu.

This one was fun to write and, in some way, a little deviation from my usual stories.

Dolly
10th December 2012, 07:14
I enjoyed your story.
Thank you for the the PDF links.