CYNTM CHAPTER 63

Hunter was just about to pull down his eye mask when Winston grabbed his hand. “I want to see you.”

“You’ll be seeing me every day from now on.” Hunter insisted on pulling the mask, worried that Winston would realize just how much that kiss had affected him.

For hours, Hunter lay awake with the mask on, unable to sleep. He couldn’t stop imagining Winston might be watching him.

The plane landed in New York after 2 AM. As they were leaving the airport with their luggage, the PR manager asked, “Hunter, are you heading to your apartment?”

Hearing this, Hunter remembered that the bed at his place had collapsed under his and Winston’s jumping, so there was no point in returning now.

“Hunter isn’t going back to his apartment. I’ve booked a hotel near the photoshoot location. He’ll be staying with me tonight,” Winston said, then raised his chin towards Hunter, signaling him to follow.

“What about me…” the PR assistant whispered. Although the racing team had booked hotels for both Hunter and the assistant, if Hunter went with Winston, the two would have to split up.

“You stay with my assistant. We have to get up early tomorrow, so getting enough sleep is the priority.”

The car Winston had arranged took them to the hotel. Everything had been planned out perfectly, leaving the PR assistant in awe of the Ferrari team’s organizational skills.

In the hotel room, Hunter immediately sprawled out on the bed. “Ah—this feels amazing. Finally, I can straighten my legs!”

Winston gave him a glance before heading to the bathroom to freshen up. With five hours left, Hunter didn’t want to move at all. When Winston came out of the bathroom, Hunter was already asleep with his arms and legs spread wide and head tilted to one side. Winston walked over to the bed and knelt between Hunter’s legs. Feeling the mattress dip, Hunter’s eyes snapped open, and he quickly pulled his legs back. “Hey… you scared me to death!”

“I just wanted to wake you up so you could brush your teeth.”

“Oh…” Hunter quickly got up and headed to the bathroom.

Winston frowned, watching him leave, and brushed a few stray hairs back from his forehead with a sigh.

Meanwhile, Hunter tilted his head as he spat out the toothpaste foam at the sink. He had really thought Winston was about to pin him down… and now Winston must have sensed his defensiveness. Hunter felt stupid. Winston only wanted to remind him to brush his teeth.

As Hunter returned to the bedroom, he found Winston nestled under the covers, his back turned. Winston’s eyes were closed, and his hair spread softly across the pillow, giving him a serene and harmless appearance. Hunter lifted the corner of the quilt and slipped in, reaching out to wrap his arms around Winston. Feeling Winston exhale, Hunter knew he wasn’t angry and gently kissed the back of his neck.

“Dummy. Be careful, or I might actually do something to you.”

“Just try it. And watch out, or it might be me doing something to you instead!”

After saying that, Hunter realized that all his previous fears were truly unfounded! He could learn to overpower Winston! Once Winston was down, there’d be no need to worry about being poked to destruction! Taking the offensive was the correct strategy! With this thought, Hunter felt hopeful about life and quickly fell asleep.

 

“Hunter, wake up. It’s time to get up,” Winston’s voice echoed in his ear.

“Mm…” Hunter stretched out his arm to embrace the person speaking beside him.

Winston’s shoulder stiffened. He gradually lowered his head and kissed Hunter’s brow.

“Mmn… Mm…” Hunter unconsciously rubbed his lips.

Winston let out a breath, “Hunter, you know that morning is the time when men have the least self-control, right?”

“Hmm?” Hunter’s eyelids fluttered, but he didn’t open his eyes.

“If you don’t get up now, I’m going to put my hand in your pants.”

As soon as he said that, Hunter’s eyes flew open, and he quickly sat up. Winston stepped back, skillfully dodging Hunter’s headbutt. Hunter stared blankly at him, and Winston folded his arms. “What are you afraid of? I only said I’d put my hand into your pants, not your body.”

After that, Winston moved away from the edge of the bed.

Hunter sighed and buried his head in his hands.

Hunter, Hunter! You are so useless! You’ve probably hurt Winston again!

“Hurry and wash your face,” Winston reminded him while putting on his shirt.

“Oh!” Hunter went into the bathroom and saw that the toothpaste had already been squeezed out for him. He suddenly felt both touched and guilty.

As he bent down to brush his teeth, Winston appeared at the door, leaning against the frame and saying, “Hunter, today you’ll be working directly with the stylist and photographer, so make sure to shower.”

“Huh? Do I smell?” Hunter pulled up his collar to sniff. He didn’t think he was sweaty, but of course, showering before meeting people was the right thing to do.

“You smell like me.”

His words were like a cup of bitter coffee suddenly sweetened with warm milk. Hunter glanced up and saw Winston’s slight smile in the mirror. “Get out! Get out! Get out! If I smelled like you, you wouldn’t let me shower! It must be the smell of the beef burger!” Hunter mumbled with his mouth full of toothpaste.

Winston didn’t respond, just silently watched him.

“I’m going to shower now!” Hunter announced solemnly as he reached the bathroom door, intending to close it.

Unexpectedly, Winston blocked the door with his hand and leaned closer. “If you want to shower, where are your clothes?”

“…”

“Kiss me and I’ll give them to you.”

It was then that Hunter noticed Winston holding his clean clothes. “You jerk!” Hunter frowned.

“Oh? How am I a jerk?”

“Even if you didn’t give me my clothes, I’d still kiss you. You don’t need to use this as leverage.”

Winston’s usually expressionless face clearly showed a hint of surprise. Hunter suddenly bit Winston’s lip, then snatched his clothes and slammed the door shut.

Winston took half a step back, raised his hand to touch the place where Hunter had bitten him, and chuckled silently.

Hunter rinsed off at lightning speed and changed into his clothes. It had to be said that Winston had good taste. The combination of the T-shirt and casual pants he picked made Hunter look cool.

After he came out, they headed to the hotel restaurant for a simple breakfast. The PR assistant, who had been anxious before seeing Hunter, was now astonished, “You… you’re actually up?”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Hunter mumbled with his mouth full of jam-covered bread that Winston had prepared for him.

“Do you know how hard it is to wake you up every morning?”

“Really?” Hunter widened his eyes, genuinely unaware of this.

“Really!” The PR assistant nodded vigorously, then looked at Winston with admiration, “Mr. Winston, how on earth did you manage to wake him up! Please teach us!”

Winston spread jam on a slice indifferently. “It’s something you can’t learn. If there’s ever a problem, just let me know, and I’ll handle waking him up.”

Hunter choked. The PR assistant almost knelt in front of Winston, “A thousand thanks to you!”

After breakfast, they went to the photo studio Versace had booked—Rossi & Carlos Studio.

Both Rossi and Carlos were well-known photographers in the fashion world. Their paths had crossed by chance during a trip, and their shared philosophies on photography led them to establish this studio.

Entering the studio with Winston, Hunter was filled with curiosity.

The studio resembled a home, with the walls covered in the photographers’ works: wild animals, serene plants, and even some photos of the two of them together—but no fashion photos at all. The living room was filled with the rich aroma of coffee.

Rossi, an elegant man with long platinum hair tied behind his neck, was dressed simply, while Carlos looked much more rugged. He had a beard, a cigar in his mouth, and his shirt collar open without a care.

“Hey, Winston, you’re here.” Carlos patted Winston on the shoulder familiarly.

“Mm, this is Evan Hunter from Marcus’ Team.” Winston tilted his head and draped an arm lightly over Hunter’s shoulder, “It’s his first time shooting a magazine ad, and apart from making a peace sign, he doesn’t know how to pose. You guys might have your work cut out for you.”

This clearly wasn’t Winston’s first time working with them, which made Hunter nervous. What if he dragged Winston down?

Marcus! Why didn’t you accept an ad for sports equipment? Like mountain biking or something?

Sigh… Hunter sighed inwardly.

Rossi smiled, carefully observing Hunter’s expression, then snapped his fingers next to Hunter’s ear, “What are you thinking about?”

“Huh? Nothing… not thinking about anything. But I’ve never been fashionable.”

“Not fashionable? I don’t think so. You just don’t understand yourself yet.” Rossi patted Hunter’s back and nodded toward Carlos, “I’ll take Hunter. You look too intimidating. I’m worried he might get freaked out.”

As Hunter followed him, he glanced back at Winston. Weren’t they supposed to shoot together?

“You represent a casual style, while Winston is more formal. So you two need to take separate shots first.” Rossi explained, “Don’t worry, kid. I won’t go tough on you, we’ll take it slow.”

The Versace styling team had arrived, and their work efficiency was astounding. As Hunter’s makeup was applied, the hairstylist worked on his hair, and wardrobe changes and alterations were made on the spot.

This scene reminded Hunter of mechanics simultaneously changing tires at a pit stop.

When the stylists announced they were done, Hunter looked at himself in the mirror and was surprised. The Versace casual wear perfectly complemented his easygoing temperament. The hairstyle wasn’t overly mature; on the contrary, a few messy touches liberated him from any stiffness.

“Great.” Rossi clapped his hands.

However, Hunter wasn’t adept at posing. As soon as he stood in front of the camera, his heart pounded wildly.

Rossi addressed all the lighting technicians and staff, “That’s enough. Everyone except Hunter and me, take a break. Go have some tea, browse the web, whatever you like.”

This made Hunter breathe a sigh of relief.

Rossi put his DSLR camera over his shoulder, aimed it at Hunter, and smiled, “Let’s warm up. How about a peace sign?”

“Better not, Winston will laugh at me.” Unsure what to do with his hands, Hunter shoved them into his pockets.

Rossi laughed, “Then just stand there. I’ll test the lighting and distance first. When it’s time for the actual shoot, I’ll let you know.”

“We haven’t started yet?” Hunter blinked.

“No, not yet. When we do, at least the lighting technician needs to be here, you silly. I need to adjust the lens to see what works best for you.”

“Oh!”

It hasn’t started yet!

Hunter let out a breath and tugged at his collar.

“Since joining F1, what’s been your favorite race? Was it the recent one in the US where you finished third?”

“Actually, no.”

“Was it the British Grand Prix?” Rossi asked. “You achieved an impressive result under the toughest conditions at Silverstone. Many commented that it truly embodied the spirit of F1.”

“It wasn’t that one either,” Hunter smirked, his expression was a mix of mischief and childlike innocence, which Rossi keenly observed through the lens.

“Then which race was it? I’m not a reporter, so if you have a little secret to share, I won’t tell anyone. Photographer’s ethics.” Rossi lowered the camera, adjusted the lens, then lifted it again, moving around as if searching for the perfect lighting.

“Actually, it was the Spanish Grand Prix. I performed terribly in that race.” Hunter recalled what he had done in the bathroom and chuckled to himself. “But… after that race, I talked to Winston for the first time.”

“…Oh.”

They continued chatting for about ten minutes when Rossi suddenly lowered his camera and said to Hunter, “Go change into a different outfit. This one… something’s missing.” Rossi shook his head in frustration.

“Huh? But the stylist spent a long time on this look!”

“It’s fine. They’re professionals and respect the photographer’s opinion. Go change. We still have time.” Rossi’s smile was so gentle that Hunter didn’t feel any pressure.

“Oh, sure!”

After returning to the stylist, Hunter shyly relayed Rossi’s thoughts. They simply smiled and immediately helped him change clothes and restyle his hair.

“You guys work really fast!” Hunter exclaimed.

“Backstage at fashion shows is much more hectic than this. We’re used to this pace. If there’s anything you’re uncomfortable with, just let us know.”

“I’m fine.”

Hunter went back to Rossi, and they resumed their conversation.

“From a male perspective, what do you think is the most gentlemanly aspect of Winston?” Rossi asked.

“If I tell you, you really won’t tell anyone?” Hunter asked, keeping his hands in his pockets and turning his face to the side.

“Promise.”

“I’ve never thought of him as a gentleman.”

“Hahaha! That might actually be the most accurate answer. But have you really never, not even for a moment, thought of him as a gentleman?”

Hunter tilted his head back and thought for a moment. “Actually… maybe there have been times.”

“Example?”

“For instance, when we travel together, he plans everything. I just follow him without having to use my brain.”

“Being organized is a part of being a gentleman. What else?”

“Also… he knows what I’m not good at or don’t like doing. If we’re together, he’ll handle those tasks without forcing me to do them, like packing my luggage.”

Rossi laughed while holding the camera, “Being with Winston seems like it would be stressful due to his taciturn nature, but it’s actually quite relaxing.”

“Hahaha, Miss Audrey Wilson once said the same thing.”

“What about other aspects? The traditional things that you think are gentlemanly?”

“Being a gentleman is just a show men put on for women, right? But I can sense a noble air about him,” Hunter said.

“Oh? An example?”

“Like when we were sightseeing on the London Eye, he taught me a poem.”

“Which poem?”

“He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven.”

“Do you still remember it?”

“I…” Hunter paused, “Of course, I remember…”

“Could you recite it for me?” Rossi placed the camera against his chest, frowning as if displeased with some function of the camera.

“Is your camera okay?”

“It’s fine. Even old flames get temperamental sometimes.” Rossi patted his camera and added, “He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven… It’s a beautiful poem.”

“Yeah… ‘Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths, enwrought with golden and silver light, the blue and the dim and the dark cloths…’” Hunter closed his eyes, recalling Winston sitting beside him, with the Thames River beneath them in breathtaking light. He used to think that moment was ordinary, but now it made his heart pound. “‘Of night and light and the half-light… I would spread the cloths under your feet…’”

Rossi’s expression softened.

“‘Tread softly…’”

Tread softly, Hunter.

Because I have spread my dreams under your feet.

That was Winston’s confession to him. Back then, Hunter didn’t realize it, only feeling it was beautiful. But now, he suddenly missed him terribly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Suddenly, I can’t remember the last line, hahaha…” Hunter laughed sheepishly.

“‘Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.’” Rossi looked at Hunter. His elegant smile was perfect for reciting such a poem, but Hunter preferred Winston’s voice. Because it was deep… restrained, and so serious.

“Alright, Hunter… This poem has just given me new inspiration. I’m going to discuss it with the stylists. Let’s change this look to another.” Rossi took out his phone and spoke with the Versace styling team.

Standing under the lights, Hunter squinted and suddenly realized, “…You’ve been taking pictures all this time, haven’t you?”

Rossi turned and smiled helplessly, “Aiya… you caught me.”

“You’ve really been taking photos?” Hunter stepped forward. “Were you taking snapshots?”

Rossi hid the camera behind his back, “It’s a secret, Hunter. You’ll see them after we’re done.”

“Okay…” Hunter felt a bit disappointed. Since Rossi asked him to change clothes so quickly, he probably wasn’t satisfied with any of the photos.

Later, Hunter changed into several more outfits, and Rossi continued to chat with him while taking photos. When the conversation touched on topics that excited Hunter, he genuinely forgot about the camera, but most of the time, he remained self-conscious.

Photographers don’t really have the concept of a “lunch break.” By 1 PM, Hunter was eating a simple lunch with the styling team in the break room, while Rossi was still studying his camera alone in the studio. Carlos approached Rossi, glancing at the photos on the camera with amazement, “Oh my god… this kid is definitely going to make women want to take a bite out of him, huh?”

“Yep, the kid has an innocent sexiness. I tricked him for two sets of photos, but he caught on by the third.” Rossi said regretfully, “After that, there were very few shots that satisfied me. He looks cheerful, but he’s actually quite shy. This shyness is cute, but I want to see another side of him… How did Winston’s shots turn out?”

“You know how Winston is. He makes photographers feel redundant. He’s a heartthrob. He doesn’t flaunt it, but the more you look, the more you crave. I finished the sets of photos Versace requested almost without a hitch.”

“Can you bring him over to help me for a bit? Just for two hours. I think having Winston here will make Hunter more natural,” Rossi said.

“No problem. Besides, the next set is for their joint photos. If you don’t finish up, the overall schedule won’t stay on track anyway.”

The afternoon shoot was about to start, but Hunter was already tired. He had barely managed to sleep for five minutes before the assistant woke him up.

I wish this would end soon… If only taking photos could be as stress-free as it was when traveling with Winston in Dubai.

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The author has something to say:

Winston: Rossi thinks you’ll be more comfortable with me around.
Hunter: Yes!
Winston: Actually, you’ll be sexier with me around.