A moan escaped from the depths of Brooke's throat. She couldn't help herself as her fingers crept up the base of his shirt, landing against, the hard, tanned, toned, muscle of Chase Adams' abs. He was a great kisser and his tongue gently explored the insides of her mouth. When she felt his hand graze across her chest, she thought she might pass out.

"Okay!" she sat straight up so fast that poor Chase nearly toppled out of the bed. "Now how about that Calculus?"

Her breath was coming in radical spurts as she tried to somehow get a hold of herself and her hormones. She had invited Chase over that evening for their usual round of faux tutoring. Haley's neat lesson plan was nearby, Brooke's very own version of the math bible. It was a lifesaver and the only thing keeping her farce intact. Before they even made it to the second page, they had stolen a few light kisses. Kisses turned into more passionate kisses, which led to mild fondling which eventually became a full on make out session, complete with the sharp corner of the text book wedged in the small of Brooke's back. Chase had fingers and a tongue sent straight from heaven. He was driving her wild and she knew she had to take control before things went too far.

"Are you okay?" he asked, red faced and breathless as well.

"Sure, I, I'm fine. I…I just think we should really get back. You know, these theories and derivatives aren't going to solve themselves."

Chase watched as she cleared her throat, her words stumbling out in nervous rants and it almost looked like her hands were shaking. Sitting up, he removed the notebook from her hand and placed it on a nearby table. He wrapped an arm around her.

"Brooke…"

"Um, how about I got get us something to drink? You like drinks? Water? Soda? Juice? I could like make some tea or lemonade?"

He chuckled softly to himself. She was actually kind of cute. He had never seen her that rattled.

"I don't want anything to drink. And I know it's why I'm supposed to be here but I really don't feel like solving math equations right now."

Brooke chewed her lip. It was the last thing she wanted to be doing as well but they were all alone in her bedroom. Two beautiful teenagers with raging hormones attracted to each other like magnets. What else was there to do?

"Oh?" she croaked.

She and Chase had been hanging out for months. He was a great guy, a boyfriend unlike any other she'd had. First of all, he was nice, a genuinely sweet, good hearted boy. He was compassionate and considerate always. He was intelligent but he made her laugh and he liked to have fun. They had a lot of fun together. He respected Brooke and her opinions and ideas. He cared for her and the feeling was mutual. Their chemistry was undeniable.

She had entered into the relationship fraudulently, as some might accuse. But Brooke's intentions had been good. She had liked him and wanted him to like her. Fearful some of her flaws and past discrepancies might catch up and change his mind about her, Brooke had opted to tell a few white lies and hide some things. But the entire time, her heart had been true. True and open. And Chase had come along and proved that sex didn't make a relationship, a lesson that had proved to be quite valuable for Brooke Davis.

"You sure everything is alright?" he repeated.

"Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

He shrugged.

"Because you're looking and acting really nervous. And maybe because things were getting pretty heated between us."

Brooke looked right at him and relaxed a bit.

"I'm that obvious, huh?"

He stroked the side of her face.

"Talk to me."

"I like you a lot. I like making out with you a lot. Sometimes, making out leads to other things. I know that's not us so maybe it was a bad idea to study up here in the bedroom."

"I think that's sweet," he smiled.

"What?"

"That you're so kind, that you want to take care of me."

"Chase…"

"I didn't object to studying up here."

"I know but…"

"But what?"

Brooke exhaled.

"I'm totally with the Clean Teens thing and all but I have a teeny bit of a confession to make."

"What's that?"

"I, um, I…well, I'm sort of not a virgin. You see, I'm a Clean Teen by secondary virginity. I've done it before."

"Alright," he nodded. "That's your business but I appreciate you being honest with me."

"I'm not perfect, Chase. I'm only human. And you're a sweet guy. You're also a hot guy. You're a hot, sweet guy who just so happens to be a great kisser, hanging out in my room on my bed."

"Is that a bad thing?" he teased.

She nodded, serious for a moment.

"Yeah when it puts all these naughty ideas in my head. When it, when you make me feel these incredibly strong horny urges."

"Is that right?" Chase laughed out loud.

"It's not supposed to be funny," she hit him playfully with a pillow.

"I'm sorry I laughed. I think it's sweet and cute and um, incredibly honest."

"Chase…"

"I told you I was with my last girlfriend for a while."

"Yeah."

"It was my first serious relationship and we had been friends forever. I was totally in love. We, um, we talked about sex and stuff and we, or at least I thought we agreed we would wait. For me, it was never about waiting for marriage or anything but more about waiting for the right moment. I don't know…I wanted it to be special. And we were in love and talking about being together forever so what was the big rush, right?"

"What happened?"

He shrugged sadly.

"One of us got tired of waiting. She, um, she…she cheated on me. She slept with one of my skateboarding buddies. It went on for a long time and of course I was the last to know."

"I'm sorry, Chase."

Brooke knew a thing or two about being hurt by the opposite sex.

"Yeah, me too. It broke my heart. I was really torn up about it for a long time for so many reasons. For a long time, I never thought there would be another girl for me. I didn't even know if I wanted one. The idea of meeting someone who has similarities to you but at the same time is totally different, a girl beautiful on the inside and out with values and morals…I wasn't sure that even existed. Then I found you."

He looked so sweet and so vulnerable at that moment.

"Chase…"

"I loved my ex a lot and we were together for a long time. All those years I never found a 'right time'. Now I'm here with you and it's only been a couple of months but I'm falling in love with you, Brooke Davis."

She fought back tears.

"Why?" she whispered.

"Why not? What's not to love? Whatever this is, it's happening and it's real. I couldn't stop it, even if I wanted to…not that I want to."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I love you and I want to be with you in every way."

She squeezed his hand, feeling all the blood rush from her head.

"Chase, I, um…I don't know what to say."

His heart sank at the thought of unrequited love.

"It's cool. I mean, if you don't feel the same way…"

"Are you kidding me?" she looked right at him. "Of course I feel the same way. How could I not? You are like the most amazing guy ever. I didn't expect to meet you either but I did and you totally stole my heart. I haven't been this happy in a long time. I care for you so much and it is the coolest, sweetest, weirdest thing in the world to hear you say it, to know you care for me too. Apart of me feels like I'm not worthy, not good enough."

"Brooke, don't say that. You're more than enough for me. It's only been a little while but I…I love you."

"Chase…"

He looked right at her and gave her a shy smile.

"It's the right time."

Her heart caught in her throat. He had said it out loud and he felt it. More importantly, she felt it too.

"Are you sure? I mean, it's your first time. I want you to be ready. I want you to be sure about everything, especially about me."

Chase answered her with a kiss. He pulled her close and the minute she felt his lips on hers, she knew it was right. For a fleeting moment, many thoughts raced through her mind. He was so special, he deserved the truth. He deserved the real her. But what if that wasn't good enough? What if he didn't like that Brooke? What if her past and her many escapades turned him off?

"Brooke?" he whispered out to her. "If you feel it, I want to hear you say it. Please."

Her biggest fear in the world was losing him and what they had, losing that special, perfect feeling.

"Chase, there is something I have to tell you."

He put a fingertip to her lips.

"I love you, Brooke."

He said it and he meant it and it felt too damned good. Their lips crashed together again, gentle and sweet, still with much passion. Her whole body shivered involuntarily as his inexperienced hands removed her clothing. They disrobed each other carefully and deliberately as if opening the most fragile of packages. Lying naked in his arms, Brooke had never felt so beautiful or so comfortable. For Chase, there was no fear or awkwardness. Natural instinct took over as he pleasured her and allowed Brooke to do the same to him. The feeling, both physical and emotional, had been well worth waiting for.

"Chase, I love you, too."

The moment was right.