Notes: Less then a month since my last update. I feel horrid. All my poor fics waiting to go. I have this on planned out but I have to get it on the page first. Here is a step in the right direction.
Warning: Please note the mild NC-17 content in this chapter.
Chapter 12 So Close Part 2 (Lex POV)
It was as if the manor hadn’t been dead for years. The smells, the sounds and the sight of the place were all the things Lex remembered when he was a child. The one thing missing was his mother telling him not to pick at things when his senses overwhelmed him.
At the moment the only thing really overwhelming him was Chloe. It wasn’t fair to have a woman that drove you mad with no outlet for the feelings. Being with them both made him happy but there were rules Lex had to follow.
Chloe was helping Emma decorate cookies at the moment. The little girl wanted to personalize the Christmas shaped cookies for each of her relatives. When they arrived she would give them her hard work. Chloe helped Emma with her spelling and when things went horribly wrong there was always another cookie for her to pipe vanilla frosting on to.
When the girls arrived at Luthor Corp. it was shortly after Lionel made his exit. They met on the roof with the chopper waiting. Lex feared that Emma might not take well to traveling that way but she enjoyed every minute of it.
Her giggles bubbled up each time they touched the wind in just the right way to make the helicopter bounce. Her eyes widened when she got a full view of Smallville from high in the air. Lex dreamed he was as brave as she was at her age. It had to be Chloe that brought it out then again, it could be her late father. No matter where it came from the trip was a success.
After landing Chloe scolded him. He was shocked after such success on the helicopter that she would be upset with him but she was. A few staff members were lingering on the grounds. It only took a moment for him to explain that they were there not breaking their agreement that they would wait on themselves for the next three days.
She agreed to let him take care of things when it came to food and lodging. The staff was present at their arrival finishing off a few last minute things. Chloe calmed down once his intentions were made clear.
They all took sometime to settle in their rooms before relocating into the kitchen. Chloe had already gotten the Christmas tree and décor squared away. The tree arrived two days before and all the decorations were in place for that night.
Things were in order. Lex was working on the prepped mushroom ravioli that was to be their dinner tonight while the girls decorated cookies. The evening on his end would go off without a hitch. There was no telling what would happen when the rest of the guests arrived.
“Mr. Lex?” Emma called out to him as he drained the noodles. When he focused his attention on her Emma had the evidence of sampling frosting on her cheek. Her eyes were puzzled and she had a question for him.
“Yes.” Lex answered calmly moving over to them.
“Do you want all your names on your cookie?” She questioned.
“I thought these cookies were for your family?” Lex questioned her. It was what she said when she started her work. There was no reason to place him that category at this point.
“Silly, you get a cookie.” She smiled at him warmly. Lex felt his heart do the same. How someone could accept him so fully was beyond him.
Emma’s kindness he equated to her youth. She was too young see that when people met him they fled. Her ability to accept him was because she didn’t know any better. Lex hoped she would always see him this way.
“Thank you.” Lex reached for a paper towel on the table and bushed away the frosting on her cheek. She smiled at him again reaching out with her tongue to swipe anything that remained.
When he let his eyes move to Chloe she was smiling. It looked like she wanted to tell him something but he assumed it would have to wait until they were alone. The moment was quickly interrupted when the phone rang on the far wall. It was the moment he dreaded coming at him hard and fast.
Chloe said she could answer the door alone but he wasn’t about to start off hiding out from her family. As they walked out of the kitchen into the hall Emma grabbed his hand. He assumed it was to show her the right way to go as he did the first time she was in the manor but part of him wanted it to be because she trusted him.
Lex pulled open the door and his first site was Lois. She grimaced in his direction then looked down towards Emma. Her tiny fingers were still locked with Lex’s hand.
“Cousin aren’t you excited to stay in the castle?” Emma piped letting go of his hand for Lois.
“Not really.” She answered taking Emma into her arms and moving in to the manor.
“Lois.” Chloe spoke in a sharp tone.
“What I’m I suppose to lie to her?” Lois answered in her own sharp tone.
Lex looked back to the door to see Clark coming toward him. His arms were full of bags that Lex assumed held gifts and their luggage. The poor man looked like a packing mule. Clark greeted Chloe then Emma completely ignoring Lex. Lex shrugged it off because he and Clark had done this dance for the past ten years. There was no need to change things when they both had their parts down so well.
“Lex.” Martha Kent spoke joyfully in his direction. She was caring a dish in her hand; no doubt filled with something to eat tonight for dinner. Lex was glad at least one person was happy see him.
“Merry Christmas Mrs. Kent.” Lex replied to her and before he knew it she was letting one arm go around him to bring him into an embrace. His face was pressed into her red hair with slivery streaks.
Martha was kind in a way that didn’t come off as fake. She spoke her mind and gave everyone the chance to have there own opinion. When Jonathan Kent passed Martha’s strength never faltered. From time to time he would stop into the Kent farm to say hello to her. She would be there offering him a cup of tea and light conversation. It was a blessing that she was here now. Even if everyone glared at him the entire holiday Martha wouldn’t be one of them.
When she let go her eyes warmed as she passed into the room for Emma and Chloe. During the exchange Gabe had already moved into the house. It appeared that was the end of the lot and Lex closed the door. Everyone was gushing about how great the lights outside looked and how much fun the next few days would be.
No one thanked him.
Maybe that came later.
Awkwardly standing to the side Lex started to wonder what he should do next but like so many times before Chloe saved him. “Lex why don’t you show everyone to their rooms while Emma and I go back to kitchen to finish up?”
He nodded in her direction then extended his hand in the direction he wanted everyone to follow. Lois did so grumbling down the hall. He stopped off at the first door that was to be Gabe’s then the next room was for Martha. They both moved into the guest rooms thanking him for letting them stay. The thanks did come later for some.
On the way Clark dropped off what he had to while lugging the rest. Lex would offer to help but he knew well enough that Clark could handle more. At the last room he opened the door for them.
“Here we are.” Lex spoke moving to the side.
“Let’s get something straight Luthor.” Lois started.
“Lois don’t…” Clark tried to interrupt her but she went ahead anyway.
“We are here for Chloe and Emma.” Lois went on. “We are here because this is what she wanted. Do you get that?”
After all these years Lex never thought much of Lois and right now he was about to stand down. The only reason Lois was speaking to him now was the same reason Lex let her think she had won. “I understand Lois that you would never do anything on my behalf.” Lex answered more curtly then he should have.
“I just want you to know that if you do anything that hurts them…” Lois started but instead Clark stepped in.
Clark was free of all the bags and had his hand was on Lois’ shoulder. “We don’t have to warn him. I think he knows what he would be losing now better then ever.” Clark looked to him with knowing eyes.
It was true. Lex knew what he would be losing because he lost it before. “Then we all have an understanding of one another.” Lex spoke then started down the hall away from them.
If Lois and Clark were warning him about his treatment of Chloe it could only mean one thing. He was closer then he thought to having her back fully. Whatever Chloe told them to got them and that meant he was so close.
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It was oddly calm in the manor. The night progressed well enough that Lex didn’t have to say much. Dinner went on with Lois ranting about her latest front page story. Even though Lex knew Chloe was happy with her job he always wondered if it stung a little to have Lois living her dream. Everyone was willing to help clean up proving that Chloe was right about not needing any staff.
They walked into the living room that he rarely used when he lived in the manor so long ago. It was supposed to be a family room. After his mother’s passing there wasn’t much of a family in the manor anymore so the room had become obsolete. The thought was an understatement. When Julian died the idea of family went with him.
The tree was placed into the family room waiting to be decorated. Martha brought some of her ornaments from her family collection. Lex had a few of those himself but considered them bad luck and kept them in storage.
Chloe had the ornaments Emma made at school as well. He had to admit they were rather well done. One was a carefully cut snowflake. Then there were a set of circles she made with drawings in each of them. There was a house with a snowy scene then a drawing of what was supposed to be her and her mother and the last one was very simple but very meaningful.
Emma had written out her father’s name then covered it in silver glitter. It was a reminder Lex didn’t need of what came before him. He started to wonder how much of Troy did Emma remember and how he would never be able to compete with those memories. The only hope was that she would make a new space for him.
Lex worked with Clark to get the lights on the tree first. Lois started playing a cheery holiday CD Lex had put out. Once Clark was done with the lights she pulled him to her to dance to a jazzy version of “Jingle Bell Rock”. The farm boy unwillingly started to move to the beat with her and it made Emma giggle.
When the song changed to “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” they didn’t stop dancing. Lex kept his focus on the tree and any questions that came his way. When most of the ornaments were in place a slow song had started.
“I’ll be Home for Christmas” filled the room with its warming sound. When Lex was done placing a shiny red ornament on the tree there was tug at his leg. “Will you dance? Grandpa said no.” Emma looked at him disappointed that he was her second choice.
“Certainly.” He answered her reaching out for her hand.
She took his hand and he led her to where Lois and Clark were holding each other close. Lex let her place her feet on top of his so she was bit higher but she was still far to low. Holding her hands he started to sway them to the music. When he looked down at her she was beaming up at him. How could someone not fall in love with this little girl?
“You’re a wonderful dancer Emma.” Martha spoke now sitting next to Gabe sipping tea.
“Mr. Lex too.” Emma replied and Martha returned a nod then a wink.
Once the song was over Lex thought she would be done but she wanted more when the tempo picked up to “Here Comes Santa Claus”. At first Lex wasn’t sure what to do because Emma released from his grasp and started spinning left to right.
Following her lead he took her hand to help spin her. She let out a yelp of joy when he spun her all the way then caught her for quick dip. Dancing with Emma was more fun than he thought it would be because he was smiling and laughing as she tried to teach him her favorite dances moves.
Lex had to look like a fool but he didn’t really care. Emma was having fun as was everyone else. It was going along the way he hoped it would.
As the song died down Emma spoke up. “Now with mommy.” She told him. It didn’t sound like a suggestion but a demand.
“You dance Kitty Cat.” Chloe told her waving off the idea. She was keeping watch on them from the tree to straighten things that didn’t really need it. She wanted things to be perfect he remembered.
“Please.” Emma begged her again and again. The song changed to “The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) sung by Nat King Cole.
He saw the fear in Chloe’s eyes at the thought of a slow song. The last time they danced together it was as if things faded away while they were close. Giving into the music and enjoying their closeness was something he knew Chloe might not want to do in front of her family.
Emma walked towards her mother to pull her towards Lex. Chloe complied and smiled as she approached him. The song progressed into the next verse once she was in his arms. He could feel the tension of her fingers as they moved around him. Lex started to move and looked to Emma with a wide grin as she huddled into Martha’s arms. He put his attention back on Chloe.
Chloe’s body wasn’t the way it should be keeping its distance from him. As the song progressed into the instrumental portion she moved in a little closer. A soft sigh left her lips when she felt Lex’s fingers smooth down her back. She was looking into his eyes almost longingly. Just as Lex felt the last time things faded away.
The noise of Lois’ giggle while Clark spun her was gone. Emma talking to Martha about tomorrows’ events disappeared. Gabe’s approving stare wasn’t noticed. Only the sound of Chloe’s breathing to the music was what he noticed.
There were far too few moments like this for Lex when he was able to hold Chloe close. His chance to hear her breath hitch every now and then was encouraging. The scent of her skin filled the room and he fought the urge to breathe it in heavy.
Her lips were so close but he couldn’t reach out to them. Then she mouthed something to him understanding each word. “I want to kiss you.” She breathed.
“Later.” He mouthed back to her. Then the song ended far too soon.
When they looked back at everyone in the room they were looking at them. Their faces were a bit stunned. It was as if they felt the electricity between Chloe and Lex first hand.
To break their awkward stare Chloe spoke up. “Time for bed.” She announced in Emma’s direction. The little girl booed at the idea but Chloe gave her a stern look and she jumped to her feet.
“I guess I’ll turn in as well.” Lois spoke up eyeing Clark in her own way.
Clark let out a loud yawn. “Yes, bed sounds good to me.” It was a fake gesture and he could only guess they wanted to be rid of him.
Slowly everyone followed suit and Lex knew the night was at an end. He had lived through it and even got to dance with both of his girls. Now all he had to do was sleep then do it all again tomorrow.
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Lex was supposed to be going to sleep. Everyone was on the same hall so if someone needed the other they were easily found. Lying in bed Lex keep wanting to go to Chloe’s room. She was so close yet so far.
He could pop in to see how she was but, then again, Emma could be in her room. If that were the case there was no way he would be getting any sort of return on her request to kiss him. There could be the chance to be with them both again that wasn’t a bad thing. Then again he couldn’t push himself on them.
Lex helped Chloe put Emma down. Everyone stopped into her room before going to bed. One child with so many people that loved her was something Lex had never seen. When they were all gone Lex took his turn to say good night. Emma’s short arms did their best to wrap all the way around his neck to give him a hug good night.
When Lex turned away from her Chloe was waiting behind him. She and Emma were dressed alike for bed that night. They were wearing red cotton pajamas covered in white snow flakes. She smiled at him patting his arm as he walked out of the room. To him he wished it was a secret sign that he would see her later but there were no guarantees.
Instead of giving into his urges Lex let his mind go to the dancing earlier that evening. He smiled at the thought of spinning Emma about while she laughed. Then his thoughts turned to Chloe’s soft body pressed against his. Just when he thought his thoughts would get the best of him and he would have to do something about it there was a knock at the door.
Only in his black silk pajama pants he paused before opening the door thinking he should cover his bare chest. Once his fingers were around the top to the pajama set he let it go. If that was Chloe on the other side of door he wanted to see her reaction to his half naked body.
Taking a deep breath and hoping that it was Chloe, Lex opened the door. To his delight it was Chloe waiting on the other side. Her lips twitched into a half smile when she caught sight of him.
“Were you asleep?” She whispered.
“No, do you want to come in?” Lex answered moving to the side to let her enter.
Her hands were behind her, suddenly she pulled them both from behind her and in them was a movie box. “I thought we could watch this.”
“That sounds like a fine idea.” Lex eyed the box and knew the movie well enough. She wanted to watch “A Christmas Story” again. “Why I am I not surprised that this is your choice?”
She smiled widely walking into the room then turning back to answer him. “Because I’m horribly predictable.” Chloe spoke dripping with sarcasm.
Lex chuckled lightly then went for the door but suddenly she was proving her point of sarcasm. Her body rushed at him quickly and her lips found his with little effort. It was the kiss he had been waiting for all night. It was totally unpredictable.
Planting himself firmly Lex didn’t want to get carried away so he concentrated on her mouth moving against his. Her delicate fingers tickled his skull then moved down the carved features of his bare chest. Going without a shirt was starting to be a good idea.
Lex let himself fist both his hands in her hair flowing free down her back. After which he felt the gentle nudge of her palm on his chest. Lex took the hint to let her move the way she wanted to which meant she moved back away from him. Her body didn’t go far but he lost her lips. His eyes opened to find her smiling up at him.
“Can we start this?” Chloe waved the box passed his face once stepping back away from him.
Lex didn’t fight with her about what they should and shouldn’t be starting. He stepped back as well taking the box from her hands to start the movie. The TV was located at the foot of the bed hidden from view. Pushing a button the TV popped to the surface from its hidden case. He was prepared to turn the set facing away from the bed until he saw Chloe plop down on it.
She leaned back against the pillows and relaxed herself waiting for the start of the film. Lex wasn’t sure if he liked the idea she was proposing to him by placing herself on the bed. They could be just as comfortable on the love seat set up on the other side of the bed in direct view of the television once he turned it.
Seeing her make herself at home under his sheets and pressed against his pillows made his breathing erratic for moment until his characteristic control took over. He focused on placing the movie into the waiting DVD player hidden on the side of the TV set. Once it was going Lex need something else to do.
The next logical step was to take his place on the bed. After years of being gone Chloe still remembered he liked to be on right side because she had left it open for him. As he came around to his side of the bed his eyes were fixed her. Her eyes were fixed on the starting movie.
This was what he wanted in theory. Lex, at one time, wanted a somewhat functional family sound asleep in their rooms while he shared his bed with the woman he loved. His mind had given up on the idea long ago until Chloe came back.
All he had to do was move into the bed next to her and start living the dream. Like any other thing in his life his mind started racing on what could happen in that bed and what it would mean in the long run.
Once he was seated was she going to move closer to him? When they were alone it was what she did. When his fingers started idly wandering through her hair or over the curves of her body would she make the low murmur he loved to hear?
The most pressing question was his ability to keep his lips or his other parts to himself. At the door, when they kissed, it was a tease. If he wasn’t allowed to kiss her again after having her so close he didn’t know if he could stand it. He was in control of it before but they were never alone in a bed during those times since being in the Kent barn.
“Are you going sit?” Lex’s attention was drawn to the sound of her voice. He must have looked like a fool standing in wait next to the bed. She was huddled in the covers eyeing him with caution. “Don’t you want to sit in the bed?” She questioned and it seemed like she had realized his hesitation before he could say it.
His answer was very important now. There was no way he was giving up this moment over nerves. “The bed is fine.” He spoke taking his place. His back rested against the remaining pillows and he let his body rest on top of the blankets.
Lex turned to movie to hear older Ralphie’s voice over then Chloe did the same. The light at his night stand was the only thing keeping the room lit other than the tv and he flicked it off quickly. Once he was back in position Chloe moved towards him.
“I’m cold.” She moaned inching her way towards him.
Lex stood still letting her get into the position she wanted. Her face was pressed into his bare chest and one of her arms slung over him. On her way she made a mess of the covers and Lex was forced to get under them with her. His body had a mind of its own and he snaked his arm around her body pulling her closer to him. Then there was a low moan that escaped her lips.
For a few moments Lex forced himself to look at the television and not think of anything else. He failed miserably at it. Chloe decided to trace circles and lines over his chest. Her fingers trailed down the length of his abs back and forth. At one point he felt her head turn into him and he heard her breathing hitch as if she was smelling him.
His hands were no better. As he predicted his hands traced the line of her body and pulled through her long blonde locks. They touched each other in silence getting closer to uncharted territory then backing away.
Part of him wanted badly to take his free had and to reach under her chin then pull her face towards him. He was so close to pushing their new found relationship into a place it hadn’t been in ages.
“How are you this in shape?” Chloe spoke up letting her fingers move up between his pectorals only to stop short of at his waiting nipple to the right.
Lex looked down at her and she wasn’t looking at the TV. Her eyes roamed over his exposed flesh. “What do you mean?” he spoke holding her hand in place over him because he was becoming crazed by her touch.
“Your all toned and I got all round.” She answered him looking up into his eyes.
“I’m sure you’re round in all the right places.” His voice was lowered in the way he knew she would understand.
“And some of the wrong places too.” She added.
If she was fishing for a compliment Lex was happy to give her one. “You had a baby Chloe and you don’t even look like it.”
“I had a baby six years ago. It will be seven sooner than you think.” Chloe scoffed at his answer. “That should be more than enough time not to be this round.”
The comment wasn’t taken the way he meant it. There had to be a way to fix this. “Sit up let me look at you.” Lex waited for her to move and she did so quickly. It was impossible to tell anything in her over sized pajamas. “I can’t really get a good look.” He spoke as she posed in front of him.
Chloe’s eyes lowered to her body while her fingers touched the top button of her shirt. “Would you like to get a good look?” She questioned him softly.
If he wasn’t mistaken Chloe was asking him if he wanted her to take her clothes off to have a look at her body. His lips curved into a small smile. It had only been a few weeks since she officially started letting him in but there was no way he was getting this close.
“Chloe what are you doing?” He questioned her reluctantly.
Her hands dropped and she sighed long and hard. “I don’t know.” She murmured so low he almost didn’t hear. “Somehow it’s easier if I don’t…” she paused looking back at the glow of the TV.
“It’s easier if you don’t what Chloe?” Lex wanted her to answer him but he had a good idea of what she was going to say next.
She breathed and placed a hand on his chest. “It’s easier if we play this like a game for now.”
Lex placed his hand on top of her hand. “You want to play?” The confusion was clear in his voice.
“If I don’t over think it…” Chloe started then she finished.
“Then it makes it easier.” Lex placed his other hand around the curve of her face. If she wanted to play then he was happy to go along with it. “You want more from me than the usual?” Her head nodded once in response. It was all he needed to know. Without saying the words he assumed they were both talking about sex.
“Do you want to see where I’m round?” Chloe questioned him getting back to the game.
“I’ll be the judge of that.” He spoke taking his hands back to let her do as she was before. “Show me.”
The buttons started to be slowly undone and Lex could see the hint of her skin. When she was finished she reached to open the cotton covering. The first thing he saw was a trail of flushed skin leading to her rounded breasts and peaking nipples. His gaze moved down to her stomach just like he remembered. Chloe never saw her self very clearly.
“Well do you see it?” She questioned breathing heavy. Lex could only wonder if her harsh breath had to do with him looking at her turning on her or him looking at making her worry about what it meant.
“Can you lie back please so I can get a closer look?” Lex instructed and waited to see her reaction.
Her head nodded once and she moved to lie back against the pillows. Lex watched her breasts fall into place as she did. He slowly turned around and sat on his knees to face her. The length of him towered over her and her body was planted to the bed waiting for him.
“Let’s see what you think is round.” Lex looked at her face before moving his hand toward her. She was giving him a half smile. It was a good sign that what they were doing was okay.
His hand hovered over her but didn’t touch her. “I think I see something round.” Lex spoke letting his index finger trace around her navel. She squirmed a little but it wasn’t away from him because she was laughing. “Still ticklish there?” He repeated the motion to get the same response.
“Lex.” She spoke between giggles.
Taking the hint he moved on to body parts that were of a more delicate nature than Chloe’s navel. His finger swiped up to her waiting breast. The first stop was to the right breast and the dark area surrounding the nipple.
“This is also round.” His finger traced around the right breast then he moved to the left. He didn’t even touch her nipples but they started to stiffen just knowing how close he was to them.
For the moment Lex had ignored his own body to enjoy seeing Chloe’s until he felt the twitch at his groin. His body wanted more than to just to touch Chloe that night. The little game would have to stop because he didn’t think he could take the pain of having to stop.
“You don’t think I’m too rounded?” Chloe spoke softly again. It seemed like she was still into it. It could be that he was over thinking it and he had to answer before she got concerned.
He moved closer, lowering his body over her to let his lips rest at her ear. “I think you look perfect.” His voice was low and he waited for her to push him away. They were getting closer than holding each other or sharing a few kisses. Game or not he was pushing her to far.
“Kiss me.” Chloe answered him reaching to pull him towards her eager mouth.
He stopped thinking about how close he was to having Chloe. Lex let himself enjoy the moment. It was going to be a Merry Christmas this year.
TBC
Chapter 13 Not a Game (Chloe POV)
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