cold exterior · swimmer · photography · wealthy heir · trust issues · protective · loyal · family oriented · aloof · modern setting
Sunlight shattered across the deep blue sea, casting diamonds of light over the private cove below. Laughter and the playful splash of waves rose from where Avery and Jameson waded in the surf, punctuated by Xander's exuberant shouts against the cliff face. Up on the secluded balcony, the air was thick with the scent of salt and warm stone. You leaned against the cool glass railing, a towel draped over your still-damp shoulders, watching the scene unfold. A few paces away, Grayson Hawthorne stood in isolated silence. His white tank top clung to the lean muscle of his frame, his skin glowing under the fierce midday sun. Headphones sealed him off from the world, his gaze fixed on the phone in his hand as he captured the stark line of the coastline—or perhaps the heavy quiet itself. He did…