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

gown to put on the strapless, red one. It fit better and was flattering against the tan that remained from Sanibel.
    “It won’t be long before we’re trying on bridesmaid dresses for each other’s weddings,” Kate said.
    “I wonder whose will be first,” “Maria said, sliding a competitive sideways glance at Kate.
    ***
    Later that night on Jen’s bed, with D’s shirt completely off and Jen’s in disarray, he paused the action, holding his hand to the side of her face. “I love you, Jenny.”
    “Yay.” She smiled from underneath him, pressing her hand against the smooth muscle of his broad chest.
    “Yay?” His eyebrows pulled together. “Anything you’d like to add to that?”
    “I love you, too.”
    A corner of D’s mouth twitched up, and he shifted to lay his side on the bed, taking his weight off her. Tracing his finger lightly across her forehead, he swept her hair from her eyes. “Benny and Margo asked if we want to share a room with them in Indy. What do you think?”
    Jen had expected the question and was prepared with her answer. “I think we should get our own room.”
    “Are you sure?” He trapped her in the intensity of his steel blue gaze.
    “Uh-huh.”
    Just like that, it was decided—on the night of formal, Jen would lose her virginity. Again. Which meant she couldn’t put off setting her boyfriend straight about her virtue for another second.
    “D, there’s something I have to tell you.” Her stomach rolled. She brought her hand to rest along the strong line of his jaw in an attempt to steady herself. “I’m not a virgin.”
    “What?” He jerked his head away from her hand.
    “I know I let you think I was. But in a way. I kind of am a virgin because the other time was just to get experience so I’d be ready when I met…you.” D rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. Jen fell onto him, pressing her face against his warm, bare chest. “Please don’t be mad. I was afraid to tell you, and I let you keep thinking I was a virgin for way too long. I know that. But there was never a good time. I love you, D. Please don’t be mad.”
    She listened to his heart thunder while she waited for a response. His arms lay by his side. He didn’t lift them to touch her or offer any comfort. At least he hadn’t pushed her off of him—yet.
    “When?” he finally demanded in a voice like stone.
    “It was a long time ago, before I ever met you. The end of sophomore year. It meant nothing. We weren’t even dating. I seriously only did it for experience. He knew the deal.” She kept the side of her face pressed to his chest so she wouldn’t have to see his expression.
    “Why didn’t you tell me before?”
    “I don’t know. I just…I liked the way you looked at me when you thought I was still innocent. Like I was special.”
    He threaded his fingers through the back of her hair and lifted her head, turning it to face him. “How am I looking at you right now?”
    She studied the rigid lines of his face. There was iciness in his blue eyes but also the customary tenderness. “Like you’re mad. But like you still love me.”
    “I do, Jen. I’ll admit that I liked the idea of getting to be your first, but your virginity isn’t what made you special. I wish you hadn’t felt the need to hide things from me. I didn’t hide anything from you.”
    “I’m sorry, D. I’m so sorry.”
    “Is part of your reason for not telling me because you still care for the guy?”
    “No! That’s not it at all. There wasn’t any caring, not in a romantic way—on either side.”
    “Who was it?”
    She’d never asked D to name names. There was no point to knowing. “It doesn’t matter who. That’s what I’m telling you. He didn’t matter then and he doesn’t now. I love you , and you’re the only one I’ll ever be with again.” She pressed her mouth to his chest. “I’m yours, D.” Working
    her way across him in a line of baby kisses, she said in between, “I’m so glad I