Page 15 of Saving Little Clark

"Clark, would you like a ride home? I'd be honored to escort you back to your castle, my prince."

Behind me, I heard Alex and Will exchange a conspiratorial whisper, followed by a muffled giggle.

"Use protection, guys!" Alex called out, his voice sing-song. "And Clark, remember what I taught you about the importance of enthusiastic consent!"

"Shut up!" I hissed, whirling around to glare at him. "I am not taking sex advice from a man who once got his dick stuck in a park bench."

Alex gasped, clutching his chest. "That was one time, and I was very drunk. And for the record, it was a very narrow slot, okay? Could have happened to anyone."

I just shook my head, turning back to Brody with an apologetic grimace. "I am so sorry about him. He has no filter when he's sleep-deprived. Or ever, really."

But Brody just laughed, slinging an arm around my shoulders. "No worries, I think it's cute. Reminds me of my own friends, actually. Bunch of lovable idiots, the lot of them."

We said our goodbyes to Alex and Will, who were too busy making out again to do more than wave distractedly in our direction.

The drive to my apartment was both too short and not nearly long enough. We talked and laughed the whole way, the conversation flowing as easily as breathing. It was like we had known each other for years, not mere hours.

All too soon, we were pulling up outside my building, the engine idling as we sat in silence, neither of us quite ready to say goodbye. Brody turned to face me, his expression soft and a little uncertain.

"I had a really great time today," he said, reaching out to take my hand in his. His thumb stroked over my knuckles, the touch sending sparks of electricity up my arm. "Like, one of the best days I've had in a long time. And I was wondering, would you maybe want to do it again sometime? Without the costumes and the treasure hunt, I mean. Just you and me, getting to know each other better?"

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "Yeah, I would love that," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like there's still so much I want to learn about you, so much I want to share..."

Brody's smile was blinding, his eyes crinkling at the corners in a way that made my stomach swoop. And then his lips were on mine, soft and warm and perfect. I gasped into the kiss, my hands coming up to tangle in his hair as he deepened the angle, his tongue sweeping into my mouth with devastating skill.

Fireworks exploded behind my eyelids, my blood singing with desire as Brody kissed me like his life depended on it. Like I was the most precious, most intoxicating thing he had ever tasted.

Eventually, we broke apart with a ragged gasp, our foreheads resting together as we caught our breath.

"Wow," I panted, my lips tingling.

Brody chuckled, brushing a stray curl out of my eyes with a tenderness that made me ache. "That was pretty damn spectacular."

I bit my lip, suddenly feeling bold. "You know, you could always come up for a nightcap," I suggested, my voice low and inviting. "I make a mean hot chocolate, if you're interested."

I could see the temptation in his eyes, the hunger that mirrored my own. But then he sighed, pressing a chaste kiss to my forehead.

"As much as I would love to take you up on that offer, I think we should probably take things slow," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "I really like you, Clark, and I don't want to rush this.”

I nodded, a little disappointed but mostly just touched by his thoughtfulness. "I understand," I said, squeezing his hand. "And for the record, I really like you too.”

Brody's smile was soft and warm. And then he was gone, disappearing into the night with a final wave and a promise to call me soon. I stood on the curb for a long moment, my fingers pressed to my tingling lips.

I had kissed a man, something I hadn’t done in ages. I floated up the stairs in a daze, my lips still tingling from his kisses, my heart doing giddy somersaults in my chest.

Soon, as I was stepping out of the shower, a dreamy grin plastered on my face as I toweled off my hair, a loud knock sounded at the door. Frowning, I got dressed and padded out to the living room.

I swung open the door to find Alex standing there, a massive hickey blooming on his neck and a smirk on his face.

"Looks like someone had a good night," he crowed.

I rolled my eyes, unable to keep the grin off my face as I stepped back to let him in. "Like you're one to talk. That hickey is visible from space."

Alex just preened, running his fingers over the purpling mark with a dreamy sigh. "What can I say? My man's a biter. And I am so here for it."

I wrinkled my nose, holding up a hand to silence him. "Okay, dude. I do not need the gory details of your make out session."

"Spoilsport," Alex pouted, flopping down on my couch like he owned the place. "But fine, I'll keep my sordid tales of passion to myself. For now."

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