Page 48 of Fragile Hearts

“Come on, let’s go see the rest of this place.”

Taking Owen’s hand in mine, I drag him around to every room. Each one is better than the next, and when we get to the bathroom attached to the main bedroom, I freeze.

“That bathtub,” I groan, my head falling back, but then I see the shower, and it’s even better. “Owen! Look at the shower. It has a place to sit and,” I stop, counting the showerheads, “it has twelve showerheads. Holy shit. I think you could fit like six people in there.”

“What if I only want to fit two in there?” Owen says, his eyes smoldering, and he was right when he said we should wait because we’re going to fuck in that shower, and it’s going to be unreal.

My cheeks heat up at his comment, and he brushes his fingers across one, smiling as he says, “There’s that shade of pink that I love.”

I wet my lips, smiling and trying hard not to strip his clothes off right here and have him bend me over that massive marble counter.

“I don’t even know what to say, but I need to thank your parents. Will we see them tonight?” I ask, getting away from the subject of sex—sex that I want like I’ve never wanted anything in my life.

“I don’t think so. Probably not till tomorrow,” he tells me, and I’m okay with that as long as I get to thank them.

“Hard to believe this whole thing started off as a shithole motel on Waikiki back in the sixties, huh?” Owen now says as we make our way back to the living area. “My grandfather started Orchid Bay when he was stationed on Oahu with the Navy, and now it’s this.”

This story is in every room at the Orchid Bay on Maui, a little book on the tables in the rooms telling guests how it all began, and it really is one of those stories that people are drawn to. A simple man with a dream, and it’s grown into one of the most prominent hotel chains on the islands.

Owen steps out onto the expansive lanai, and I stand next to him, weaving my fingers with his and bringing his hand to my mouth, kissing it.

“Thank you. This is more than I could ever have dreamed of.”

“No one else I’d rather be here with than you,” he says, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “Now let’s go explore this place.”

Sloane and I spend the next hour or so checking out the rest of the hotel. It really is beautiful, probably one of my favorites, to be honest, and I am so glad I get to share this with her.

Just as we are heading down to the pool area to grab some lunch and take a swim, we run into my parents.

“Owen, Sloane!” my mom shouts, waving at us as she walks over, Dad trailing behind her. “How are you enjoying the hotel? Is your room nice? We gave you one of the suites. Do you need anything?” Her words are coming out at a million miles an hour, and I swear it feels like she’s more invested in impressing Sloane than I am.

Laughing, I give her a quick hug as I say, “Ma, it’s great, seriously. The whole place is beautiful, definitely your best yet.”

Mom beams at my compliment before turning to Sloane. “What do you think? Want to transfer from Maui?”

Sloane laughs, glancing over at me before turning back to my mom. “Very tempting, but I’m pretty happy where I am. Plus, I have school.”

“And you’re all settled, living with Owen too, right?” Mom asks, making Sloane blush.

With a laugh, I pull her close, my arm around her shoulders as I drop a kiss to the top of her head. “Ma, leave her alone.”

Mom waves my comment away as Dad laughs from behind her. I roll my eyes at him as Mom turns back to Sloane. “You let us know if you need anything, okay?” she says, taking Sloane’s hand in hers, squeezing it once before letting go. “Anything at all.”

“Honestly, everything is perfect, Sally,” Sloane replies. “Thank you so much for inviting me this weekend.” Her gaze moves to my dad, who nods in acknowledgment.

“Of course,” Mom replies, smiling as she shoots me a quick look.

Chuckling, I shake my head at her as I say, “K, we’re gonna go get some lunch by the pool. See you at dinner tomorrow?”

“Perfect,” Mom says with a smile before we say our goodbyes and Sloane and I make our way down to the pool.

The whole area is like a secluded tropical paradise, the large pool surrounded by cabanas and lounge chairs, all discreetly placed to offer privacy. There’s a waterfall cascading down a wall of rocks into the pool at one end and a swim-up bar at the other.

After we find a cabana, Sloane and I strip down to our swimsuits, Sloane wearing a mouthwatering black string bikini that looks spectacular.

“Fuck,” I murmur as she spreads her towel out on the lounge chair.

“What?” she asks, lifting her gaze.

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