Over the Phone

Chapter Nine

Chloe was trying hard not to grin like a fool, but she couldn't help it. Adam was not only single, but he was so much better than she had already thought- and he actually wanted to be with her. He was gentle and caring and he didn't hide himself from her. It may have only been a month since they'd met, but she was totally head over heels for him.

"So you never answered by question," he said suddenly. Chloe looked sideways at him, trying to figure out what he meant. All she remembered was the feel of his lips on hers and the warmth of his hand enveloping hers now.

"What question, Adam?" He smirked and raised an eyebrow at her.

"The question as to whether or not I'm allowed to tell people you're my girlfriend," he said. She smiled at the sound of it; his girlfriend. She smacked him playfully on the arm, her smile growing even wider.

"You know my answer is yes." He pulled her to a stop and tugged her to him, both hands on her waist; her skin felt like it was on fire. She felt like she was very near melting under his gaze.

"Now, how would I know that if you don't tell me." He winked and lifted her off her feet, swinging her around and onto his back  like her had the day before.

"Well, now you know, smart alec. Where are we going?" He shrugged, her arms rising with his shoulders as she wrapped them around his neck.

"I kind of started heading toward my place out of habit, but we can totally go somewhere else if you'd feel more comfortable." Chloe didn't even have to think about it.

"Ever since freshman year, I've never been as comfortable as I do with you in your apartment." His steps slowed.

"I'm sorry. Beck's really been making it hard on you this last month, hasn't she?" She shrugged.

"Well, she wasn't too hard to deal with for a long time- so long as I pretended I didn't know what was going on- but this past year she's been bringing guys by even more often than usual. And now they don't even get to her room before the clothes come off. And I'm pretty sure that one day last week, they didn't make it to the bedroom at all..." Her voice trailed off as she remembered how awkward that night had been.

"But ever since you and I have been talking, it's gotten worse. It's so uncomfortable for me; I don't have sex for a reason. I don't want to listen to her doing it..." She faltered, feeling completely out of place. He set her down and touched her cheek, his fingers lingering sweetly against her skin. His touch did weird things to her thought processes; she felt drunk.

"I don't want you because of what I can take from you, you know that right?" Chloe smiled, flushing a little. She found herself leaning into his touch.

"I've stayed overnight in your apartment twice, and you didn't try anything funny. I trust you," she told him, knowing she meant every word with her whole heart. He stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers.

"Glad to hear it," he said as he opened the door to let her pass. She walked in and went to sit on the couch. Adam sat next to her, pulling her flush against his chest.

"You can stay again if you want." He took her hand and twined their fingers together on her leg.

"Okay," she said, only half listening. Leaning back, Chloe rested her head on his shoulder. The last thing she remembered before fallingasleep was thinking that she could easily see herself making a life here with Adam...