I get up before seven to get ready to swim with Blue. It actually matters to me that I’m not late.
Apparently, my parents never expected I’d end up with access to a private pool, so I don’t own proper swim trunks.
All I’ve got are black boxers, and they’ll have to do.
As for my body, that’s never really been something I felt insecure about. Daily Muay Thai training gave me a lean physique, no extra fat, just clean muscle, not overblown like a bodybuilder, just toned, athletic, and clearly defined.
I glance at myself in the mirror before leaving. My dick actually looks pretty good in these thin boxers. They hold everything up and leave a pretty clear outline, emphasizing the thickness.
I let my eyes travel over my body one last time.
If only I could walk around half naked every day. My stomach is flat, my chest defined, my biceps pushing nicely beneath my skin.
All good.
But then I look at my face.
And that tells a different story. I know I don’t look intimidating. My whole vibe is more of a scared teen or nerd, even though people always say I’m handsome, with balanced features typical of the Nolan family. My eyes are green with thinstreaks of gold, and my hair is chestnut with a hint of red, cut short because it’s more practical for cage fighting. Yet somehow I still lack that spark, that charisma, that strong alpha presence.
It’s funny. The pool might actually be one of the only places where I feel even remotely confident, because everywhere else I’m constantly doubting myself. Even after winning underground fights, I still used to sneak out afterward praying nobody would ask me for an interview or a selfie.
Walking on campus, I used to keep my head down, hiding inside oversized hoodies and baggy pants, burying my body under layers that made me look completely shapeless.
Unfortunately, Marcel never saw me naked. My best asset stayed hidden under thick layers of fabric.So all that was left was me and my personality, which wasn’t exactly flashy.
Huffing in irritation, I grab a towel and leave the room.
I open the last door and realize I’m in a small changing area with a shower, but since I already showered earlier, I keep going and step into the pool room.
Blue isn’t there yet. It’s still five minutes before seven. I glance over the water. Everything around it is shades of blue, the room comfortably warm. The pool itself isn’t huge, maybe about sixty by twenty-three feet, but definitely big enough to swim laps.
There’s also a massive window made of thick tinted glass overlooking the early morning skyline.
I walk over to the ladder, having a brief thought about what’s going to happen to the ankle monitor I’m wearing, but it has already survived plenty of showers, and besides, that’s not my problem.
The next second I lower my foot into the water I realize it’s freezing. Okay, technically it’s room temperature, but come on. That’s not a temperature meant for human happiness.
Right as I’m standing there debating my life choices, the door opens and Blue walks in.
And if I thought I was about to see his body, I couldn't have been more wrong. He’s wearing a full neoprene wetsuit, the kind surfers use, covering him completely from wrists to ankles.
Well, I can still tell he’s slim and nicely built, with beautiful straight legs, a narrow waist, and slightly rounded hips, but not a single inch of skin is visible.
Honestly, considering the temperature, it makes sense.
"Good morning, Mr. Lowen," I say. "I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting this level of cruelty from the water temperature."
"Well, I see no reason to heat an entire pool for one person who uses it forty minutes a day. As an environmental activist, you should appreciate that we’re not wasting energy on it."
I blink at him. "Wow. Didn’t know you were into that."
"Why wouldn’t I be? Whenever I see an opportunity, I implement energy-saving solutions. Most of my pharmaceutical factories operate on solar power."
"That’s… actually impressive," I mutter, suddenly feeling kind of dumb.
Without hesitation, Blue steps into the water. He sets his glasses beside the pool and adjusts his goggles. His hair is hidden beneath a swim cap, making him look almost professional.
He has a very elegant neck, slender and delicate, and there’s something about his slight frame that keeps pulling my attention there. Blue catches me staring, so I quickly clear my throat.
