I'm so glad to see you back with this, Sue.
He closed his fingers around hers, enjoying the simple sensation of her hand in his as he led her to the dance floor. He half-feared that she might pull her hand away at any moment. The fact that she didn't sent his mind spinning.
As they began dancing she moved even closer and her hand slid from his shoulder to rest midway up his back, causing her breast to press enticingly against his chest. She smiled up at him. "Can I apologize again for being so petty the past few days?"
Oh, wow. Lovely beginning. Sweet and sensual. And Lois
wants their physical closeness.
"No apology necessary."
"Yes, it is. I really am happy for you, Clark. You deserved to win."
"Thanks." He could feel a blush beginning to stain his cheeks. He flexed his fingers where they lay low on her back. He had touched the velvet of her skin there only a couple of months ago - as Superman. He had also promised her that he would ask her to dance the next time they were at a social function.
He is blushing, thinking of touching the velvet of her skin - such a lovely expression. He is also thinking of what he promised her as Superman.
She had asked if he would tell her his secret at the same time. He never actually agreed to do so and the longer he held her the more he dreaded her reaction if he did say something. He couldn't do it. He couldn't tell her. He had rehearsed this scenario time and again in his mind so he already knew how it would go.
He would whisper, "Lois, it's me, Kal-El." She would look up at him, momentarily confused, then stunned, and then angry.
Not tonight. He couldn't do it tonight. Not when she was in his arms and smiling at him. He had only promised that he would ask her to dance, not that he would confess. The fact that she was obviously enjoying dancing with him this time around was all the more reason not to ruin the moment.
So Clark. Ah, Sue, you know I wish he would find it in himself to be more courageous.
"Didn't you tell me once that you learned to dance in London?" she asked.
"No," he shook his head, letting the fingers of his right hand glide up from her waist until his index finger brushed over the bare skin above the back of her dress. "I told you that I learned from a Nigerian princess who had studied ballroom dance in London."
Her eyes twinkled mischievously at him and, he noted with hope, she hadn't called him on where his hand now rested.
I adore their physical flirting.
"Can you dip?" Her head tilted back to watch him, her eyes aglow with amusement.
"Of course," he told her. "But not on the first date."
She tipped her head back and laughed, giving him a rush of heat low in the pit of his stomach. "But this isn't our first date, is it? Didn't you go to the White Orchid Ball with me last year?"
"You said that that wasn't a date," he reminded her.
Their verbal flirting isn't bad, either.
"Hmph," she sniffed dismissively. Feeling emboldened by how close he was holding her, she drew their clasped hands towards them until the backs of his fingers were brushing against the bare skin of her right shoulder. "What about next year?"
"Next year?"
"Sure. Isn't that how this is going to work? You only take me out once a year? Will you dip me next year?" She fluttered her eyelashes at him.
"Do you have your heart set on it?"
"Yes," she laughed. "I think I do." The last word was lost in a squeal when he dipped her.
I love it! Such adorably sweet, sensual fun!
Lois smiled back at him, knowing that she was giving in to his charm and not caring. "Are you having fun, Clark?"
"Yes, of course. How could I not? I'm dancing with the most beautiful woman in the world."
She looked away, feeling the heat on her cheeks. "Oh, please."
"It's true. I'm the envy of every man here. Especially Hal. I think he has a crush on you."
He had to say that thing about Hal to lessen the impact of what he said about her beauty. But he meant it. He has seen so many women all over the world, and to him, she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.
"Hal Richen? I don't think so."
"No?"
"No," she laughed. "There's only one man who has a chance with me."
"Superman?" he teased.
"Not tonight," she told him, her eyes sparkling. "Unless he just won the Kerth, too."
I love how she shows Clark that she wants him. She wants to be his woman tonight.
"So it's the Kerth that's making me irresistible?"
His tone was light and teasing, but the words sent a worried flutter through her. God help her, she wanted him. It had nothing to do with the Kerth, it was just because he was Clark. No one had ever looked at her the way Clark did. No one else had ever danced with her or held her like this either. It wasn't the Kerth, it was the man himself that was irresistible. The heat of his hand on her back was making her woozy, sending her thoughts in directions that she had tried so carefully to avoid.
I love how she acknowledges her infatuation with Clark, and I love how his physical flirting affects her.
"Hmmm," Lois murmured, giving in to the crazy urge to rest her head against Clark's shoulder. She closed her eyes to lose herself fully in the moment. Just for tonight, she told herself. Just one night to give in to the daydreams she sometimes had about him. What would he say if he learned that he was quickly replacing Superman in her idle fantasies? At this moment, with his body swaying against hers while his hand lay in a half-caress against her back, it was hard to think of reasons why she shouldn't want Clark.
And I completely, totally love how you write this. I can see and hear Lois moving with Clark, making little sounds and being absolutely full of delicious images of herself in his arms, when both of them are wearing considerably fewer clothes.
"Clark, I just picked you over Superman. How much more did you want from me?"
His features changed, his eyes becoming serious. "I couldn't ask for anything more than that, could I?" he asked softly and let go of her hand to pull her chair out for her.
Lois stuttered on her reply and fell silent. Uneasiness flowed through her as she tried to decipher why it was that her mind was clamoring that she had just stumbled across something big. She sat down heavily, still trying to place the source of her apprehension as Clark took his seat next to her.
Her subconsciousness is trying to tell her that Clark is really Superman, but I don't think that realization has penetrated her conscious mind yet.
It's his name, she thought. There was something about his name. Not the way it looked on the award - it was the way it sounded. She looked over at him, surprised to find him watching her warily.
He can see that something is trying to dawn on her, and he fears it. Damn it, Clark. What kind of relationship can you have with her if you are never going to be honest with her?
"Say your name," she said softly.
"What?" His eyes definitely looked anxious now. "Why?"
"Your name," she repeated. "I just want to hear how you say your name."
"Lois..." he started.
She gave an impatient sigh. "Not my name. Your name. Right here." She indicated his name on the award. "Just read it to me, for crying out loud."
"Clark Kent," he said obediently.
But you are chasing a red herring now, Lois.
Lois rolled her eyes, feeling embarrassed suddenly that she had asked him to do it. Why? She had heard and said his name countless times. There was nothing inherently special in the sound of it, no matter who said it or how. It was the man himself that made the name remarkable. Obviously she should have never had that second glass of wine with dinner.
Clark Kent. Clark Kent. Clark Kent. The name rolled around in her head until it was just a collection of meaningless syllables.
Yes, you missed the truth here, Lois.
Clark Kent. It was a great name. And it looked good on that award. She said his name in her head again and grinned. Clark Kent - she had just kissed him.
She made a silent promise to herself that she'd kiss him again - soon.
On the other hand, there are other truths about Clark Kent that you really
have discovered, Lois.
Like alcyone, I don't think Lois has figured out Clark's secret. On the other hand, it could probably dawn on her any moment now.
Lovely chapter, Sue.
Ann
I'm glad you enjoyed the story.