Chapter 9

Blair awoke Saturday morning, feeling sore and elated. She walked into her bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't look any different, but she felt different. I'm no longer a virgin.

She sat at her vanity and waited for the regret to come, but it never did. She was well aware that a lot of girls weren't thrilled with their first time, that they felt shame or frustration. Chuck had been so gentle and attentive to her needs that she couldn't find any reason to think that it was anything other than perfect.

At the end of the night, she'd invited him up in hopes that they might engage in another round of lovemaking, but he insisted that he should head home to keep the gossip hounds away. She found it endearing that even after she'd very willingly given him her virginity, he still wanted to protect her reputation. He walked her to the door and told her that it had been one of the best nights of his life. The sincerity in his confession made her swoon, and she thanked him, though she wasn't exactly sure what for.

She picked up her phone to text Chuck. Thanks again for last night.

Chuck: I would say it was my pleasure, but I don't think that's entirely true, now is it? ;)

She flushed when she read his reply. Memories flooded her mind. His hands roaming her body, his tongue running up the column of her neck, his moans urging her on, her name on his lips as they coasted through ecstasy….

She fanned herself and squeezed her thighs together. Save me a dance at the gala.

Chuck: I will save you all of the dances.

She sighed. Well, I will have to dance with my date some, but I'm sure he will let you spin me around a few times.

Chuck: I would like to see you a bit before the gala. Is it possible if I stop by around 6? It won't be long, but I have something for you.

Of course. See you then.

She got dressed and prepared for a day of primping. Serena would come over around noon so that they could get ready together. She had forgiven Serena for her holier-than-thou attitude concerning Chuck, but that didn't mean she was ready to spill about last night. It was going to remain her little secret. For now, at least, anyway.

XOXO

Chuck had slept better the night before than he had in a long time, especially without the aid of drugs or alcohol. He was more experienced than the vast majority of eighteen year-olds. He'd been with models, actresses, dancers, prostitutes. He had done things that would make even the most devious of temptresses blush, but never had he experienced anything like sex with Blair Waldorf. It wasn't frantic or selfish like most couplings he engaged in. He had wanted so badly to give her pleasure; in fact, his own pleasure was mostly derived from hers. He'd felt so deeply connected to her that he would almost describe the act as lovemaking - something that he thought was just a myth with which desperate women fooled themselves into believing in real-life fairytales.

But that was a foolish thought, he told himself. Chuck Bass making love? He was incapable of love.

He was a little irked that she was still going to the gala with Nate after last night, but he told himself that it was just because it would be rude to cancel so last minute. He wasn't sure what he was thinking when he went to the jewelry store this morning. Never before had he wanted to buy gifts for a girl he was sleeping with, yet he could only imagine the radiant smile that would grace Blair's face when he lavished her with jewelry. Her happiness seemed like his ultimate goal. He felt like his own happiness hinged on hers.

This line of thinking was so new to him. He had no idea what he was doing or how to navigate these waters. He wanted to ask her to be his...partner? No, they aren't in business together. He shook his head. Lover? No, he certainly wanted more than that. Girlfriend? He smirked to himself at the word. It seemed so juvenile, but he wanted a relationship with Blair Waldorf. He wanted to be exclusive. He wanted to be the only man to touch and kiss her, to wipe away her tears, to know her inner secrets and what really makes her tick. He was surprised that the idea of monogamy didn't make him panic; in fact, it turned him on. To be Blair's one and only. To bring her pleasure that others only dreamed of.

XOXO

"Thanks for meeting me," Serena said as she sipped her non-fat latte.

"Of course. I was surprised to be hear from you since…"

"Since the Shepherd wedding, I know. I'm sorry about that. It was a drunken mistake, and I didn't handle it very well."

Nate felt a pang in his chest at the word "mistake." That night felt like anything but a mistake. "Gee, thanks."

"Ugh, that's not what I mean. Not that you are a mistake, but what we did was a mistake. I had just broken up with Dan, and I wasn't in a good headspace. Can we please just leave the past in the past? That's not why I called you."

"Fine, then why did you call me?"

Serena knew that she was overstepping her bounds here, but she was concerned about her friend. "I'm worried about Blair."

"Serena, Blair and I are going to the gala together. Besides picking out my bowtie for tonight, we've barely even talked. I can assure you that I have no intentions of defiling your innocent friend. I'm a little offend that that's what you think about me."

She rolled her eyes, "I'm not worried about you defiling her…"

"Oh…"

"She would kill me for telling you this, but I caught her making out with Chuck last week. She was in his lap and his hands were under her shirt. Nate, she's not the kind of girl that gets involved with Chuck Bass."

"Damn him," Nate cursed.

Serena looked at him questioningly, "You don't think he's…"

"No, I don't think so, but don't worry I'll take care of it."

XOXO

"Hot, damn, B! You look amazing. That dress is killer on you!" Serena gushed as Blair twirled in front of the mirror. The Naaem Kahn gown was lower cut than anything she'd ever worn, but the lace sleeves and delicate beading worked together to create a delicious mixture of glamour and elegance. Blair's hair had been swept into a low chignon with curls framing her face.

Serena grabbed her bag, and said, "I'll see you in the limo in an hour or so. You sure you don't want to just come wait with me at my house?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Chuck wanted to meet me here before the gala." This time Serena didn't miss the flush that rose into Blair's cheek.

"Blair…"

"Don't say anything. He just said he has something to give me."

"I don't know what he's playing at, but I don't think he has the best intentions with you."

"Serena, I really don't want to argue with you tonight. We've already been through this. You know nothing about who Chuck really is. You should know better than anyone that you can't always judge someone by their reputation."

"Just be careful. I don't want to see you get hurt."

Twenty minutes later, Dorota called, "Ms. Blair, Mr. Chuck for you."

"Send him up, Dorota!" She felt her pulse throb in her neck. She hoped he liked her dress. What if her mother was right, and it wasn't flattering on her frame?

When Chuck saw her he stopped in his tracks. How had the goddess before him surrendered her virtue to him the previous night? What had he done in his life to deserve even an ounce of her attention?

"Wow...Blair…" He was unable to formulate words. Were there any words in the entirety of the English language that could come close to describing how perfect she was? "I'm speechless. Words couldn't possibly do you justice. You are captivating."

She beamed at him. "You said you have something for me?"

"Impatient, are we?" He smirked at her and pulled out a plush velvet jewelry box. Nervously, he opened the box. "I saw it and thought of you."

She audibly gasped and looked up at him, "Chuck...the Erikson Beamon necklace? I couldn't possibly…"

"Yes, you can. Something this beautiful deserves to be seen on someone worthy of its beauty." He gently clasped the necklace around her neck and kissed her just below her ear.

"Chuck, I don't know what to say…"

"You don't have to say anything. Just save me that dance you were talking about." He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. She wound her arms around his neck and melted into his embrace. "Can you come over for breakfast in the morning?"

He decided it was time to talk to her about being exclusive, but he would wait until after the gala, after her night with Nate, so that she could make a real decision about the status of their relationship without the pressure of her impending date with another guy.

"Or maybe I can stay for breakfast depending on how the night goes…" She whispered and kissed him again.

"You are going to be the death of me." He groaned and pulled her hips against his own to prove his point.

"Nah, I like you too much to let that happen."

He kissed her again, "I'll see you at the gala shortly. Don't let Nate get to handsy. I really like having him as my best friend, so it would be a shame if I had to set him straight."

She laughed and blew a flirtatious air kiss as he entered the elevator. Tonight would be a special form of torture, he thought, but hopefully after their conversation tomorrow morning, he wouldn't have to worry about any other guys ever touching her again.