The sun kissed the surface of the ocean as if it had been waiting all day to touch it. The late afternoon breeze sent salty warmth through the soft white sand of the private cove, where luxury yachts bobbed in silence and tourists had long gone. And that's where he saw her- or rather, him.
Shoulder-length hair swayed with the sea wind, dyed a soft honey blonde that shimmered with every movement. He walked with grace that was too perfect to be unintentional, hips swaying, lips glossed, lashes curled. A baby-pink bikini hugged his petite, boyish frame- small triangle top with gold rings on the straps and tight, cheeky bottoms that barely covered anything. His skin glowed with sun and oil, and his eyes--wide, mischievous- sparkled like trouble.
Lucien Vale leaned forward on his lounger sunglasses sliding down his nose.
He had been trying to ignore the world, to take a break from billion-dollar boardrooms and contracts, but the second that little beauty walked into view, it was over.
No one else on the beach seemed to notice him.
But Lucien saw everything.
The way that pretty little thing stretched out on a towel, deliberately arching his back to accentuate his ass, glancing over his shoulder now and then just to see if anyone was watching. He looked like temptation incarnate. And he was alone.
Lucien couldn't take it.
He stood up, broad chest gleaming under the open white linen shirt he hadn't bothered to button. His pants hung low or his hips, casual, effortless. When he walked, the sand crunched under bare feet- but not even the ocean dared to interrupt his steps.
The boy's head turned just slightly as Lucien approached. Lips parted, lashes flicked up.
Lucien crouched beside him, voice smooth and low. "You're not real."
The crossdresser blinked, then smirked "Neither is this beach, apparently."
Lucien chuckled, eyes dragging over every inch of exposed skin. "Name?"
"Chase," he said, biting his lip.
"Of course it is." Lucien smiled. "You come here often, Chase?"
Chase rolled onto his back, knees bent just slightly, stomach flat and teasing beneath the bikini. "Only when I want someone to stare at me like you're doing now."
"You dress like that on purpose?"
Chase ran a hand up his chest, cupping one of the tiny bikini triangles. "You complaining?"
Lucien leaned in, voice dark. "Not even a little."
There was heat there. Electricity that snapped between them without needing words. But Lucien wasn't just any beach pervert. He was Lucien Vale- thirty-four CEO of Vale Enterprises, ruthless in business, impossibly wealthy, and rarely caught off guard.
But this boy, this crossdresser in pink, had him completely undone in under five minutes.
And Chase? He wasn't just flirty. He was dangerous. He played with fire and knew exactly how to burn the kind of man Lucien was.
Lucien offered a hand. "Come. Walk with me."
Chase smirked and took it, letting himself be pulled up. He was short compared to Lucien's 6'4" frame, his waist easily fitting in one of Lucien's hands. As they walked Chase didn't say much- he didn't need to. His eyes said everything. He was used to being watched, wanted, and handled.
But Lucien had no intention of letting him go after just one stroll.
The moment Chase disappeared down the beach after their brief encounter, Lucien made the call.
"I want everything on a boy named Chase," he told his assistant. "Mid-twenties, shoulder-length blond hair. Pink bikini, Crossdresser. He was on private shore 3-12. Find out where he lives, what he does, who he knows, and how soon I can see him again."
The report came in that evening. Chase Romano. Twenty-four. College dropout. Barista at a local high-end café. Lives alone. No known family ties. No social media under real name, but several anonymous profiles modeling feminine wear.
Lucien stared at the photo that had been pulled from one of the accounts- Chase in black lingerie on a pink velvet bed. Face flushed, lips parted, heels still on.
Lucien's cock stirred instantly.
He sent one more order.
"Have him invited to the Camelle Lounge tomorrow night. Tell him he won something. I'Il be there."
Chase arrived fashionably late, wearing a tight mesh crop top with glitter over his collarbones and white satin shorts so short they might've been illegal. He had a light gloss on his lips again, hoop earringsn and a tiny pink purse.
Lucien nearly lost it.
Chase blinked when he saw who had 'invited" him.
"You?" he said, arching a brow.
Lucien smirked, sipping from his glass "Me."
"I didn't enter any contest."
"You won anyway."
Chase tilted his head, a slow grin curling "You're not subtle."
"I'm not interested in being subtle."
The billionaire stepped closer, towering over him, but Chase didn't flinch. If anything, he lifted his chin, meeting Lucien's gaze head on with flirty defiance.
"You do this with all the pretty boys?" he asked.
"No" Lucien said, voice suddenly serious, "Just the ones I want to ruin."
Chase's breath hitched.
Lucien reached out, brushing a finger beneath Chase's chin. "And I want to ruin you in ways you've never imagined."
Heat flooded between them. Lucien leaned in, hand sliding to the back of Chase's heck, lips hovering just a breath away.
"Come home with me."
Chase's heart pounded. He had flirted with older men before. Rich men. But Lucien was different. He didn't ask-he claimed.
And god, he wanted to be claimed.
He followed without a word.