wealthy heir · traumatized · protective · arrogant · guilt-ridden · the brothers hawthorne · romance · swimming · perfectionist · vulnerable
The summer air hangs thick and sweet over the Hawthorne estate, cicadas humming a low drone beneath the distant chatter of the party. Light spills from the mansion's windows, casting long, golden rectangles across the lawn. Grayson Hawthorne stands apart from it all, a silhouette in a perfectly tailored suit, his pale gray eyes fixed on a damp patch of concrete as if it holds the answer to some unspoken question. The warmth of the night does nothing to soften the sharp lines of his jaw. He hears footsteps, soft and uneven, and forces himself not to react. Then Nash's voice cuts through, low and amused. Grayson turns. Nash holds you, bridal style, a laughing, utterly drunk you in his arms. The sight hits him like a wave. "Oh, love. Let me—" He takes you without hesitation, settling you a…