Page 50 of A Simple Love

“That was incredible,” he murmured, dropping kisses to my face.

“It was. Especially…” I let my voice trail off. “It was.”

“Especially what?” he asked.

“Well, I was a bit rusty.”

He chuckled. “Despite what you read in the papers, I don’t have a string of women making their way through my bed. It’s been well over a year for me.”

“Oh.”

He bent his arm, propping his head up on his palm. “How long for you, if I can ask?”

I cleared my throat. “A little longer than that.”

He lifted his eyebrow. “How much longer?”

I swallowed, unable to meet his eyes. “Twelve years.”

16

OLIVER

The meaning of her statement sank in, and I sat up, gaping at her.

“Twelve years?”

“Yes.”

“You mean as in a serious relationship, right?”

She couldn’t possibly be serious. I thought going bare with someone for the first time in twelve years was immense. This blew those thoughts out of the water.

She pulled herself into a sitting position. “No, I mean the last time I had sex with a partner was twelve years ago.” She crossed her arms, looking annoyed. “If I have to spell it out—you, Oliver. You are the first and only man I have ever had sex with.”

I stared at her, shocked. “How-how is that possible?” I sputtered. “You’re beautiful. Sexy. Funny.” I frowned. “Is it because of me?”

She tilted her head to the side, studying me. “I haven’t been carrying a torch for you all these years, if that’s what you’re asking,” she stated dryly. “I wasn’t pining away for you.”

I wasn’t sure how to handle her confession. I decided to go for light. “Was I just that good? It put you off all other men?”

She laughed at my words. “Yes. You peaked at eighteen. I have to confess, tonight was a letdown after experiencing you as a teenager.”

I had to laugh with her. We’d done a lot of learning together. Fun, messy, sometimes awkward learning. But it was always good as long as it was with Kassie.

“Explain this to me.”

She sighed, pushing her hair off her face. I tried not to notice the little mark by her ear where I’d nipped her. It was rather sexy, but I didn’t tell her. I wasn’t sure she’d agree.

“After you left, I was messed up for a while, and I did pine for you. I didn’t want to date anyone else. But I grew up and I started over. I dated a few nice local guys⁠—”

I cut her off. “Anyone I know?”

She shrugged. “Jeremy Briggs. Ken Walden.”

I grimaced. “Both assholes in school.”

She fixed me with a look that shut me up. “Both matured. And here.”