Page 52 of Fragile Hearts

“Got it.”

Owen orders macadamia nut crab cakes to start along with a bottle of wine. My age has never seemed to be an issue when it comes to drinking, and not that I’m like most people my age when it comes to alcohol. I drink with my friends but rarely get drunk because the idea of losing control of myself like that scares the hell out of me.

“These are amazing,” I moan as I take another forkful of the crab cake. They have this combination of sweet and spicy mixed with the saltiness of the nuts. It’s perfection. “This might be my new favorite thing.”

“We haven’t even gotten to the main course yet. I’m pretty sure you’re going to love that too. And we still have dinner tomorrow night. That’s usually the best of everything. Maybe even some octopus tentacles,” Owen teases, winking at me.

He’s watching me, his green eyes are the color of emeralds in the glow of the sunset. Motioning to the last piece of crab cake with his fork, he says, “That’s yours.”

I look up at him, swallowing hard. Pushing away my past, I take the last piece, savoring it. The flavor bursts into my mouth—delicious and orgasmic.

“All the fish is locally caught, and the menu will change based on it, but some things, like the crab cakes, will always be on the menu,” Owen tells me just as our next course is set down in front of us.

The waitstaff has been unreal, quiet and reserved like they aren’t even here.

“Will that be all, Mr. Sinclair?” the waiter asks, and Owen nods, thanking him. “The dessert has been placed in the refrigerator per your request. Have a wonderful night.”

The waiter nods at both Owen and me in acknowledgment and slips out of the suite. Not that I would have known he was here anyway. He could have been anywhere in here with its size, and I would have never known.

“Ready?” Owen asks me, the plates in front of us covered with domed lids, and I smile, letting him know I’m ready.

“What do we have?” I ask, feeling my cheeks start to ache from smiling so much.

“We have,” Owen starts, his hand reaching out to the first lid, “grilled mahi mahi with mango and rum bananas and coconut rice.”

Lifting the lid off, it’s seriously the most beautiful plate of food I’ve ever seen, perfectly placed, and the smell is amazing.

“What else?” I ask with far too much excitement. It’s like Christmas, something I wish I got to experience as a kid, but this will do.

“Next is Tristan Island lobster tails. This is my favorite. It comes from some crazy-ass remote island where no one lives, but the lobster is…” Owen stops, giving a chef’s kiss gesture, and I giggle. He’s so damn cute. “And last, we have seared ahi tuna with pearl mushrooms, caramelized Maui onions and sweet potato mash. I think you’re really going to love this.”

“I think I’m going to love all of it, but I don’t think I’ll be able to move after eating all of this,” I say, taking in the amount of food in front of us.

“Save room for dessert,” Owen says, but his words come out seductive and deep, and I have no idea if he’s talking about actual dessert or what could come in that bedroom.

One thing I know: I’m down for both.

Jerking him off in the pool today was probably one of the hottest things I’ve ever done. Feeling him harden at my touch, the moans leaving his mouth as I stroked him, his cock velvety soft and thick. I want him so badly, but I also want it to be good, not rushed or forced. I want to savor every minute with him, exploring his body and him exploring mine.

When we finish the last bite, Owen taking it, we both relax back in our chairs. The sun has now set, and the lanai is bathed in the soft light of the moon as it glows off the water.

There’s this oversized daybed on the lanai, loaded down with pillows, and I look over at it. Getting up from the table, I walk over and lay down.

“Come lay with me,” I say to Owen, whose eyes have never stopped watching me. Closing my eyes, I listen to the sounds of the night: the waves, the soft calls of the tropical birds, the wind blowing through the palms.

I feel the bed dip beside me, Owen’s scent surrounding me as he slips his arm underneath my head, pulling me into the crook of his body.

We lie together in a calming silence, my fingers tracing a soft pattern on Owen’s side where his shirt has risen up.

I feel a million miles away from my life on Maui, but more than that, I feel a million miles away from the girl I once was. Owen has created a confidence in me that I didn’t know I had. He’s ignited a passion in me to explore life and to enjoy being with him. He’s made me see that I am deserving of all life has to offer, and I’m not that lonely kid I once was, the kid no one wanted.

He wants me, and to me, that means everything.

“Today in the pool,” Owen starts, his words quiet but laced with desire, “was the hottest fucking thing. I don’t think I’ve come like that…ever.”

“I can’t remember the last time I jerked someone off, but it pales in comparison to what we did.” I pause, letting out a little chuckle.

“What was that for? That laugh,” Owen quips, pinching my side as he pushes up on an elbow to look at me. His hair is disheveled, and his smile bright, that dimple settling in his cheek.

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