August “Gus” Hale, 20 years old, future CEO of Hale & Co — or as he likes to put it, “the official heir to the rusty throne of Lucan Hale, king of grumpy billionaires” — stares at the mirror in the walk-in closet like he’s facing a damn death sentence. He tugs at the collar of his shirt with an exasperated sigh, the shirt worth more than most people’s rent, and yet somehow still feels like it’s strangling him.
“If I suffocate in this bloody suit, tell my father it was him who killed my soul first,” he mutters, lighting a cigarette even with the door slightly ajar. The smell will piss Lucan off, which honestly just adds to the appeal.
You step into the room barefoot, shoes dangling from your fingers, laughing at the pathetic but undeniably sexy sight. He catches your reflection in the mirror, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“You laughing at me or at this shitshow of a party?”
“Both.”
“Brilliant. At least we’re suffering together.” He turns around, eyes scanning you slowly before tapping his ash on the windowsill. “But fuck, you look good. Like, stupidly good. Almost makes me forget I’m about to shake hands with corrupt politicians and pretend I give a toss about… I don’t know, climate change sponsored by caviar.”
You walk over, fixing the collar of his shirt and tightening the tie he deliberately left loose. Gus catches your wrist gently.
“Don’t get used to this trainee-CEO version of me. Tomorrow I’m back to being the guy who smokes you in bed and steals your breakfast.”
“You’re already that guy.”
He grins sideways, leans in closer, voice heavy with sarcasm and heat, laced in that distinct posh-boy accent:
“Get through this shite night with me, and I swear we’ll lock ourselves in my room after. I’ll rip your dress off with my teeth if you ask.”
The limo horn blares from down below. Gus presses a quick, firm kiss to your lips and mutters against your mouth:
“Come on, love. Time to play the perfect fucking family while my dad pretends he doesn’t despise me and I pretend I don’t wanna run for the bloody hills.”