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“Adieu,” he whisper-mumbled into the phone recorder.“Notre famille arrive. Soyez prêts.”
With that, he placed the phone on the floor, ready to be found by The Business.
“Our family’s coming. Be ready.”
Chapter 1—Connor
Thisis the exact spot. Theexactplace where the light of the morning sunrays reflect perfectly on the green valley with its thousands of trees and soft slopes. With its secrets. As fascinating as the winding river that glitters like diamonds. Magnificent.
Click, click.
My newly purchased camera is worth every single Swiss Franc.
The entire campus was designed to catch the glittering daylight, but the library is particularly luminousas it’s situated on the third and highest floor, making this particular spot right between two bookshelves, just perfect. For my camera, and—Oh, who am I kidding?
This cramped place has become my perfect hiding place over the last week.
Yes, I love coming here. But the reason I find myself here now is due to my stupidity. If I hadn’t been so tempted, sodesperate, to walk into that locker room after the hockey match, I wouldn’t need to hide. I’d be solely focusing on the gravity of the shit our family business is going through back in New York. Hell, my assistance is needed and the only thing I can think about ishim.
Has it evernotbeen about him?
Shaking off the thought, I eye the window and let out a yawn.
I’ve booked the dark room for today, eager to develop the color palette of red, yellow, and gold in a perfect snapshot on paper. After a particularly wet and dreary winter, we’ve been rewarded with beautiful spring days. Chilly, yet sunny weather that makes you feel crisp and fresh after a good walk, which is exactly what I intend to do later today. Anything to keep my mind off last week’s disaster. I scratch the back of my neck as shame burns through me again.
Focus on graduation. Focus on The Business.
But I can’t. Flashes of memory poison my mind, making me curl up in a ball of disgust.
I told myself that I only wanted to take some pictures of the campus for the college newspaper. Instead, I watched the match. I watchedhim. Tall, dark, and muscular Austin. Captain of our hockey team and an absolute delight—the way he owns the field, gaze never faltering, words always encouraging. Austin is a cocky, popular fucker, and a notorious playboy. And oblivious to my existence.
I admire him from afar. I’m good at it, you know? Always a few steps behind him, never in the same class.
So, after I’d taken pictures of the match, I loitered in the shadows, insecurity blanketing me. Despite my love and devotion for swimming, I don’t get on well with jocks, and they definitely would have told me to piss off. By the time I finally found the courage to go inside, the place was nearly empty.
Nearly.
For I should have recognized the sound of the shower as a sign, its sight a spectacular one to behold. One that made me stand there like some pathetic idiot, frozen to the ground. There, at less than fifteen feet away, stood Austin under the shower. My feet moved forward of their own accord as my eyes drank him in like liquor, my entire body buzzing with desire.
Hot jets were rolling down his body, the place steamy like a tropical storm in a forest. His featuressharp as a knife, his angular face glistening as he tilted his head back, pushing his wet bangs out of his face. His eyes closed, lips slightly parted, his broad chest toned with thick, strong pecs.
Click, click.
Before I realized what I’d done, I spun on my heels and fled toward the exit, the camera in my hand heavy with its own guilt. Like some pathetic idiot, I’d taken pictures of my college crush.Naked.
Shame has been curled up in a ball in my stomach ever since. And fear, because if he finds out what I’ve done, he’ll come for me. Apart from being popular, he’s also aggressive, always looking to pick a fight.
I’m a straight-A student in IT, a good swimmer, and doing a minor in photography. Perhaps I could gain some in the social department, but luckily that’s a class I can’t fail. And with only a few more weeks to the finish line, I’ve decided to cut down on any activities that require my presence amongst others.
Because the story doesn’t end there. Yeah, I used the photo for my own pleasure.Once. Made myself come with my hand on my cock and my eyes burning into the image of Austin’s body.
So the result of the photo I took was sweet…andbittersweet, as I was about to find out.
I blink my brown eyes as the sun has now completely risen, shining brightly above the valley likea proud and fiery ball in the pale blue mass. Outside the church bells ring, which means I have to hurry if I still want a quiet breakfast.
The pinging sound of the elevator makes me turn in surprise. For a brief moment, I’m afraid it’s that bully Noah Prince, who’s been giving me shit for whatever reason for far too long. But as soon as the doors open and my eyes lock with a dark brown stare, my heart drops and a sliver of fear slides through my belly like a poisonous snake. I swallow hard and watch as Austin slowly heads my way. Then he gives me a cocky grin and it’s enough to break my trance. On autopilot, I start filling my bag while forcing the rapid beat of my heart to quiet down.Relax, he doesn’t know me, of that I’m sure.
With trembling fingers, I fumble with the lens, nearly dropping the goddamn camera before I finally manage to slide it back into the delicate, velvet pouch that suddenly feels too small for my thick and clumsyfingers.
