Page 126 of Splintered Hearts

“Roommates are the fucking worst.”

Bowen laughs, tipping the rest of his drink back. “Well, my roommate is also my best friend. I guess he’s not technically my roommate. He’s just staying with me for a bit. We’re fighting right now.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Enough about that.” Pink dusts his cheeks again. “Are you like... I mean do you like...” Those honeyed eyes look away. “Sorry, I don’t do this often. Or at all.”

I cup his face, turning his eyes back to me. “Dealers choice, babe. Whatever you need me to be.” I lean in, gripping his chin as his eyes go molten with want. I kiss him again. Soft and warm,his lips are a little smaller than Jamie’s.

Fuck. No.

I have to get him out of my mind. Bowen’s tongue swipes the seam of my lips with a soft moan. I pull back, more than ready to go. “Take me home.”

As we walk down the street, the brisk night air sobers me up some. Which isn’t good. I’m overthinking now as Bowen talks about the area. He moved here right out of high school using money he’d saved up from doing gigs here and there. His dream was to write music, or get paid to play the piano, enough to make a living from it.

Bowen is gorgeous, funny, and adorably awkward. While I like so many things about him, something feels off. Something I’m trying to ignore.

We come to a restaurant and he leads me up the side stairs to an apartment. “I’m renting from the owner. They cut my rent when I come down and play for them, like once or twice a week depending if I have time.”

“That’s really cool.”

As I follow him in, I remember what he said about his roommate. “Is your friend here?”

“No.” Bowen sighs. “He’s out finding his own source of fun tonight.” I don’t miss the edge to his tone. “We have the place to ourselves.”

The apartment is surprisingly big for being above the restaurant. The kitchen and living room share a space in an open concept, divided only by a bar with stools. I don’t miss the big piano off to the side next to the windows. A couch littered with papers and a computer catches my attention. “Cam leaves his shit everywhere.” Bowen walks up to me, looping his arms around my neck and leaning in to kiss me softly. “We can go into my bedroom, though.”

“Oh yeah? And do what?”

“Fuck me until I beg you to stop.”

Pulling back, heat floods my stomach. “Bedroom. Now.”

Bowen points to the hall. “First door down the hall.” I grip Bowen under the knees, lifting him to wrap his legs around my waist. Soft lips caress my cheek as I walk us down the hall.

My knees hit the bed and I lay Bowen down with his shirt riding up his toned stomach. “Lube is in the nightstand.” Bowen squirms. “I am on PrEP but—”

“Condoms.” Absolutely no way. I’ve already had my freak-out about Jamie fucking me bare last night. It felt... different. I’m not sure if it was the lack of condom or the large man inside me.

Bowen relaxes, nodding. “In the drawer too.”

Opening the draw, I grin wide. “And what do we have here?” I pull out the baby blue dildo, watching Bowen’s cheeks flush.

“That’s my usual date.”

Laughing, I put it back. “Well I hope I can measure up.”

“Not many have,” he teases.

Lifting up, he takes his shirt off as I follow, just trying to keep my head in the here and now. I cover his body with mine and Bowen’s hands caress my skin. With my fingers I make quick work of his buttons before he shoves his pants down. I plunge my hand inside his briefs and he moans from the grip as he ruts up into my fist. “Pretty fucking thing,” I whisper, kissing his neck. “Take them off.”

Sitting back on my thighs, I watch Bowen drag his underwear down and the way his cock slaps against his stomach. Oh, I can so fucking do this. “Take yours off.” Breathless, Bowen watches me as I get off the bed to strip off my shirt and pants.

I take off my briefs, noticing now hownothard I am.

Bowen frowns, but I don’t give him a moment to say anything as I dip back onto the bed, guiding his thighs around my waist. “Are you okay?”

I hate the insecurity in his voice. “I’m fine.” I nip his lip.“Maybe I just need your mouth.”

---