“Are you a model?”

And just like that, Aubrey’s peaceful night was ruined by a greasy, middle-aged-in-crisis man, in an oversized three-piece suit, and a goatee to match. Thick roots nested like a crown upon his box-dyed black hair, and a rattail snaked around his neck. Aubrey cast him the largest side-eye known to man, further enhancing his natural RBF. 

How did this man get past the extra tight security, let alone carry an invite, to this exclusive black-tie event? 

“No,” Aubrey replied flatly. 

That one word was powerful enough to be a sentence on its own. 

Unfortunately, it encouraged the greasy, little fuck of a man to continue assaulting Aubrey's personal space instead of walking away. 

“Hot damn, you’re a feisty little thing, aren’t you? A little on the flat side, I might say, but skinny chic is still the rage on the runway. I’m an agent. I have a good eye for what’s in. The name’s Rex.” 

Again, how, Aubrey thought, barely hiding the disgust on his RBF, did this man even get through the front gate? 

Aubrey then had to remind himself that this was not the time or place for his legendary temper. His best friend and roommate, Wesley, had just signed an exclusive modeling contract with the owner of this luxurious mansion, the famous French designer of House Genevieve, Vanille Grosvenor. The last thing he should be doing was lose his composure over this prick. 

Aubrey shot fashion editorials as a career, and some of which displayed House Genevieve's premium silk-and-lace collection. He rarely mingled with the upper elite in fashion. He rather preferred his peace and solitude. However, Aubrey was a guest of Vanille's. Keeping his composure was paramount. He couldn't show how less than impressed he was by the social and cognitive dissonance of the filthy rich. He couldn't say this gentleman counted as one of them, but Rex was close to getting his teeth kicked in by a red-bottomed boot. 

“I am not interested,” Aubrey said firmly, deepening his voice. 

“But hear me out, you’re such a beautiful woman. I can take you to places.” 

Aubrey could feel his restraint beginning to slip. He was fully aware of how much his face didn’t match with his voice. Throughout his life, people have told him (without any prompting) “you’re pretty for a boy” or that he was born with the “wrong parts.” He was always baffled and disappointed by their absolute audacity, and their inability to mind their own fucking business. 

“Sir,” Aubrey said through gritted teeth. “I am going to say this only once.” He paused to take a breath, turning away from the fantastic view of the city lights down below to look directly at Rex, who smelled strongly of cheap cologne and dirty wet socks. “No means no, and I am not interested in what you ha…”

The words stopped when Aubrey noticed a familiar man approaching them. As the man grew closer, Aubrey’s eyes widened and the temper fizzled out of him. He fell completely silent as the man loomed behind Rex like a dark, forbidding castle. 

Aubrey stood at the average height of five-seven. He had spent enough time in the modeling industry to understand that five-seven translated to short. Rex, the slimy cretin who just solicited Aubrey, was even shorter in frame. 

Aubrey had to crane his neck back to meet the man’s piercing eyes. This man was Vanille’s younger brother and elite model, Sabien Grosvenor. 

Rex did not notice Sabien as he tried to sell his points further. Aubrey heard nothing but gibberish as he took in the powerful and striking presence of the French model who’d graced countless magazines and billboards. Broad shoulders stretched out the black turtleneck. A gold, single-linked Cuban chain hung from his thick neck. His unblemished skin was pale like moonlight with a faint pink hue across his sculpted cheeks. His eyes were cold and piercing — a storming arctic blue that was as startling as they were magnetic. Sabien’s short hair was a combination of blond and white, cut in a two-block that emphasized more of the length on top. 

Sabien was one of Vanille’s muses like he was for many other high fashion designers. Aubrey knew, with a quiet and fierce longing, how Sabien’s visual could sell practically anything. 

And holy fuck, he was hot in the most biblical manner. Like a seraphic angel, both beautiful and vexing to a degree. 

“Is there a problem?” Sabien asked, not so much looking at Rex. Sabien’s voice was an illicit purr. Deep and rich, like sex, Aubrey thought with an inward shiver.  

Aubrey shook his head. He worked with plenty of models, including his best friend, Wesley. None of them made him feel so small or this aroused. 

“Good,” Sabien said, shifting his stormy gaze to Rex. “You should go back inside. Security would love to be acquainted with a respectable man like yourself.” 

Rex looked ready to argue, until he realized how much more trouble he’d be in if he did. With a nervous glance at Sabien, Rex nodded and mumbled about an appointment he’d forgotten about. He walked away, leaving Aubrey and Sabien alone with the city lights below them. 

Aubrey’s heart wanted to jump up to his throat. He tried to be calm, but this was Sabien. The Sabien. And Aubrey had been crushing on him for like ever. 

Sabien still looked like the boy he met in college. Aubrey was thirty-four now, and he felt it. Sabien hadn’t aged a single day, as if time was nothing but a construct in his extravagant life.  

“You didn’t have to do that,” Aubrey said, tucking a medium-length strand of black hair behind his ear. “I would’ve been fine.” 

Sabien raised a pale brow as he shifted his weight to one side. Aubrey noticed the enticing veins on the back of Sabien’s hands before they disappeared into the pockets of gray plaid pants. Of course, his clothes were tailored immaculately, accentuating his wide chest and tight waist. 

Aubrey’s thoughts lingered on the veins. Sabien had the kind of hands that made Aubrey wonder how they’d look when squeezing something. He gulped, mustering the strength to resist the onslaught of a hand-related fantasy. 

“I highly doubt that,” Sabien said with a slight, knowing curl to his lips, “You looked royally upset with the thought of breaking your nails because of a good beat down.” 

Aubrey huffed, his chest puffing with pride at Sabien’s appraisal. “No one likes a broken nail. It’s a bitch to deal with.” Then, he looked away, slightly chagrined. “But violence is not the way, obviously.” 

Sabien chuckled, his voice sounding warmer, “Bree, it’s so good to see you again.” 

A jolt of heat tightened the sensitive muscles below Aubrey’s waist at the sound of Sabien’s chuckle. He shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact. His hands clutched the balustrade for dear life. Sabien made Aubrey’s knees weak, and to his dismay, his cock hard. He was grateful for the shadows and his decision to wear black tonight. 

“You too,” Aubrey said after a cough. “You look… good.” 

“As do you, Bree.” 

The air suddenly vanished from his lungs when Sabien joined him to take in the view. Aubrey was aware of everything about Sabien. He had an intoxicating effect wherever he went, drawing everyone in like moths to a burning flame. 

Aubrey wasn’t immune, especially when his nose caught a whiff of Sabien’s cologne from standing this close to each other. Mint and freesias, with a hint of sage. It was perfectly fitting for Sabien’s frosty demeanor.

Aubrey coughed again and cleared his throat. “Thanks,” he said. 

The blush warmed Aubrey’s face, enough to make his skin tingle as the heat traveled south toward his neck. He used to have long nights thinking and dreaming about Sabien. He thought he had finally let go of his unrequited crush. He was even more certain Sabien had all but forgotten about him. 

“How have you been, Bree?” 

He cast Sabien a sidelong glance as his lungs chased for air. How could Sabien make the shortened version of his name sound so sweet and intimate? It was cruel, almost, and made it nearly impossible to not engage with his fantasy. 

But, Aubrey reminded himself, he had to be good. He was a guest, and a professional. He could not be lusting after his client’s relative. 

“I’ve been all right. Shot a few good gigs here and there.” Aubrey eventually replied. 

“I’ve seen your work on Wesley’s last campaign. It was stunning.” 

Aubrey’s blush deepened. “Thank you.” He said, inwardly swooning with joy. 

“Are you guys are still rooming together?” 

“Yes,” Aubrey said, surprised that Sabien had remembered that detail from long ago, “We share a loft downtown now.” He suddenly had an odd feeling as their conversation progressed. Was it in his head that he caught the slight tone in Sabien’s voice?

“Interesting, after all these years, you’re practically inseparable.” 

“We’re practically brothers,” Aubrey corrected, feeling a sudden strange need to reassure Sabien. “We go way all the way back to third grade. Our moms are best friends, and we never saw each other like that. Sure, he’s good-looking, but I’ll throw up if we kiss or anything more.” Aubrey couldn’t repress his shuddering. He was sure the feeling was mutual. Wesley and Aubrey were close, and that was perfectly fine. People were allowed platonic soulmates when the rest of the world sucked.

“…Right,” Sabien said after a pregnant pause. 

“What about you? What has the ‘moneymaker’ been doing all this time?” Aubrey did the air quotes. He grinned as Sabien sighed loudly. 

“Ugh, don’t ever… call me that again.” Sabien groaned, “And I’ve been on vacation. It’s nice to get away for a while.” 

“Yeah, sure,” Aubrey said, and they lapsed back into another long pause. 

Aubrey’s mind was racing. For one, he couldn’t believe this was happening. Should he collect proof by asking for a photograph? No, he wasn’t like that. He didn’t even post photos of himself on his socials. He’d love to have one of just the two of them as a keepsake. It might be too weird to ask out of the blue. Sabien was probably annoyed by strangers asking for selfies and pictures all the time.

Suddenly, Aubrey was self-conscious about his attraction being too obvious. Even Wesley, his big beautiful himbo of a best friend, knew about this long-term crush. He had clocked Aubrey’s attraction toward Sabien the first time. 

This time was no different.