I'm reading the story with a lot more interest now. I think I understand what you are saying - Lois wasn't raped by those thugs in the last chapter (that was pretty obvious to me), but she had been raped in the past. Lois is over that rape, in a way, but she is still unbelievably distrustful of men. I have to admit that if a woman is distrustful of men, she would probably not appreciate Clark's attentions. He really has been coming on strong, or at least he hasn't let up.
Of course, I so, so hope that Lois will see that Clark is indeed different. I don't think she really understood that at all in this chapter. She is still so extremely distrustful of him.
Once I listened to someone who gave a lecture about couples that had lived happily together for many years. He said that these people had almost always been somewhat attracted to one another right away, but not enough to decide right away that they had a future together. So they went their separate ways for a while - one of them going away, going to university, moving to another city, whatever - and then after a while they met again. And now, this time, they realized how much they had missed each other and how glad they were to meet again. Being separated for a while made them see that they were made for one another.
So I'm wondering.... Maybe Clark should let up for a while? Maybe he should leave Lois alone for a bit? Maybe he should give her a chance to see that she will miss him when he isn't there for her? Just a thought.
By the way, I loved that he was prepared to tell her his secret. She was too contemptuous to really understand what he was saying. If he goes away, and she starts missing him, maybe she will start thinking, and wondering. I would like to see that.
Good chapter, Elisabeth.
Ann
