Free Big D: Senior Year (Three Daves #3) by Nicki Elson

few girls. Jen didn’t know whether “a few” meant three girls or ten—she didn’t need to know. But holding him close, she realized the difference between three and ten was microscopic compared to the difference between one and zero. She couldn’t let him keep thinking she was still a virgin.

Chapter 8
    The heat of Jen and D’s intimacy went from tepid to tropical after they returned from spring break—always behind a firmly closed and locked door, of course. His touch would start gentle, growing stronger and more adventurous each time they were together. Jen often found herself throwing a firm hand against his beefy chest to halt him when things threatened to get out of control. She was delighted.
    The family vacation hadn’t been the right time to tell him about her lack of virginity. She hadn’t found a good time after returning to campus, either. But she’d tell him. Eventually.
    Big D’s amorous declarations grew along with his physical boldness. He constantly told Jen how lucky he was to have her, how wonderful and beautiful she was. His steely blue eyes melted into liquid metal whenever he looked at her. As they sent resumes out to the greater Chicagoland area, he analyzed how each position and location would impact their future together—would they live in the suburbs or the city? Could they commute together by train? Jen sometimes found his attentions daunting. She cared about D, and that affection grew daily, but not as rapidly as his seemed to be. Part of her wondered if maybe the secret she kept held her back from opening her whole heart to him. She had to tell him. Soon.
    Kate returned one Sunday evening from a weekend in Chicago with Jake. She entered the apartment carrying her weekend luggage along with a garment bag. “I brought back two of my dresses you can pick from for formal,” she said to Jen, who sat with her legs kicked over the side of the armchair as she read her Global Marketing text. Before Kate had left for the weekend, Jen had told her about her plans to go with D to the upcoming Sigma Chi formal in Indianapolis.
    Jen swung her legs off the chair, and dropped her book to get up and help Kate carry in her things. “That’s so nice! But me and some of the other guys’ girlfriends decided to wear blue and gold—Sigma Chi colors.”
    “Oh. One of these is red and the other’s silver. But they’re both really pretty.”
    “I’m sure they are, but don’t worry about it. We’re going on a shopping trip next week when all the guys have their Seniors Night.”
    “You’re going to buy a brand new dress when you can wear one of these for the cost of an alteration?” Kate asked.
    “I think D would like the House colors.”
    Maria snorted, stepping from the kitchen where she’d been washing dishes. “House colors? Listen to you.” She turned to Kate. “I guess we should feel lucky she’s not dating one of the Tau’s—then she’d be doing steroids.”
    Kate snickered. “Yeah, right.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” Jen asked, feeling like a cat with its fur prickling.
    Kate tilted her head and arched a blond eyebrow. “You know you’re a total chameleon when it comes to guys.”
    “What?” Jen yelped.
    “Let’s review,” Maria said. “You were a punker wannabe with Dave last year, and now you’re a total frat girl.”
    Kate smile as she laid the dresses over the back of a chair.
    Jen’s anger swelled. The accusation didn’t hurt half so much as seeing Kate and Maria paired up against her. They’d obviously discussed Jen’s supposed puppy-dogness behind her back. That stung. Her instinct was to sting back. “Oh, yeah, Kate, I forgot how independent you are. Running up to Chicago every weekend to live Jake’s life. He’s really made an effort for you, hasn’t he? Seriously, I’ve never even met him.”
    Kate’s baby blue eyes flashed, opening wide in surprise. Her eyebrows pulled together. “He’s coming to graduation.”
    “We’ll see,”