Dante’s Girl (The Paradise Diaries #1)(59)
Author: Courtney Cole

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Okay. So the world didn’t actually explode.  But it sure felt like it for a minute.  I want to e-mail Becca to tell her how my world has changed, but I don’t know how to phrase it in an e-mail.

Dear Becks, my world has changed?

Dear Becks, don’t tell my mom but I’m not a virgin anymore?

Dear Becks, my fragile flower has been plucked?

OhDearLord. Definitely not that last one.

I’ll just wait and tell her when I see her.  Even though it’s killing me.  Because I want to tell her right now.

It’s monumental.

It’s huge.

The sunshine is flooding my bedroom and I’m still in bed.  I’m happier than I’ve ever been.  And I want to get up to find Dante, but I’m too exhausted at the same time.  Stupid concussion.  Stupid broken arm. Stupid emotional week.

I wiggle my h*ps just a little, testing.

And I feel a little sore.  Down there.  But not too bad.

I play the scene over again in my head.  The moonlight was slanting in through the windows of the pool house while the rain pelted the glass and thunder rumbled the ground around us.  The mountains of cushions were soft against my back and Dante’s hands were silky and smooth, his body the perfect weight against my own.

It was perfect.

It was as perfect as I ever thought it would be.

I sigh happily.

There is a light knock on my bedroom door, then it opens.

And there is Dante.

“Good morning.”  His voice is low and quiet. 

My heart skips a beat.  He’s casual in jeans and a black t-shirt and he’s carrying a breakfast tray, complete with coffee and a flower.

I smile.

“My hero.  I was just thinking how hungry I am, followed immediately by thoughts of how I’m too tired to go to the kitchen.”

Dante shakes his head and sets the tray down on the bed stand, then sits next to me.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

I nod.  “My head isn’t spinning anymore and my arm doesn’t hurt all that much. I’m just a little tired.”

He nods seriously and says, “Good.  Although I was sort of asking because of last night.”

“Oh.” My cheeks catch on fire.  “Um.  I’m fine.”

Dante is looking at me seriously.

“I feel like I let the situation get out of control. You were feeling vulnerable because of everything that’s happened.  And the rainstorm made it seem a little wild and crazy.  And I should have slowed it down. And I didn’t.  I’m a guy and sometimes, I don’t think things through.  I hope I didn’t screw everything up.”

He’s looking at me worriedly and I can’t even believe the words that are coming out of his mouth.  And I tell him so.

“Seriously?” I look at him incredulously.  “Dante.  I’ve wondered how that moment would feel for years.  I wondered if I would feel scared. Or if it would hurt. Or if it would be special.  And now I don’t have to wonder anymore.  Because it was perfect.  And I’m glad it was with you.”

He’s staring at me blankly.  Then realization floods his face and it’s once again filled with dismay, just like when he saw me watching him and Elena last night.

“Reece,” he says and his voice is very, very grave.  “Please tell me that last night wasn’t your first time.  Please.”

I look at him.  “Did I forget to mention that part?”

And I know that I did.  I remember that once upon a time, I wondered how I should tell him.  And then I never did.

Oops.

His head drops into his hands.  “Oh my God.”

And I’m confused.  Dumbfounded, actually.   “Dante, what is wrong with you?”

He looks up at me between his fingers.  “Reece, I’m so sorry.  If I had known, I would have made sure it was special.  It certainly wouldn’t have been in a pool house on lounger cushions.”

And now I’m really confused.

“Dante, it was perfect.  The timing, the night, you, it was perfect.  It couldn’t have been any more perfect.  I wouldn’t change one thing about it.”

“Are you insane?” Dante asks.  “Reece, at the very least, you deserved flowers and a soft bed for your first time.  I feel horrible.  I cheated you.”

“Okay.  Well, maybe we can do that another day.  And you did not cheat me.  Last night was perfect.  And I don’t want to hear you apologize again.  Seriously. I will remember it forever.  There are girls back home whose first time was in the bed of a pick-up truck.  Trust me, last night was special.”

Dante looks at me doubtfully.

“I will make it up to you,” he promises.

I shake my head and roll my eyes.

“There is no need,” I assure him.  “Seriously.  Now, can we change the subject?  This is embarrassing me.”

He stares at me for a second, then grabs my hand.  “Alright.  New subject, but only because I don’t want to embarrass you.  Do you want to be my date for the Regatta tonight?”

I pause awkwardly.

“Aren’t you supposed to attend with Elena?” I ask hesitantly.  “As her King?”

“Technically, yes,” he told me.  “I can walk up there, wave to the crowd and then return to your side.  But if you don’t feel comfortable, or if it upsets you, I’ll tell my dad to appoint someone else.  I’m sure Gavin would love to do it.”

I smile at that thought.  I can just see Gavin hamming it up now for the crowds.

“I’m sure he would too,” I agree.  “But it needs to be you.  It’s fine.  You can wave with her, just as long as that’s all you do with her.”

“Trust me,” Dante tells me.  “You have nothing to worry about.  I promise.”

“Okay then,” I shrug.  “It’s settled.  You can wave with Elena and I’ll be your date.”

“Perfect,” he says.  “Can I suggest that you rest today?  You should take a nap and recuperate.  You still haven’t rested enough after the accident and the doctor said you should.”

“I can rest when I’m dead,” I announce as I start to throw the covers back.

Dante rolls his eyes at the stupid old saying and stills my movements with one hand.