CYNTM CHAPTER 64

Hunter walked into the photo studio, still groggy as he sat on the high stool. Rossi could tell right away that Hunter wasn’t in high spirits.

Just then, Winston, having changed his clothes, approached Rossi. Rossi mouthed to Winston: Please help.

Winston nodded and walked over to Hunter.

“Eh? Why are you here? Are you done shooting?”

“Mm.” Winston leaned down and whispered to Hunter, “Bored?”

“A bit.” Hunter smiled sheepishly. Despite everything, Rossi had been patient with him.

“Let’s make it more interesting then.”

“How can we make it more interesting?” Hunter asked.

“Let’s play a game: I’ll stand behind Rossi, and you imitate my poses. But while you’re copying me, you have to try your best to seduce me.”

“What?” Hunter’s face almost turned red.

“Because when I was modeling, all I thought about was you. I don’t need to seduce the whole world. I just need to make you want to kiss me when you see my pictures,” Winston said softly, lowering his gaze.

Hunter turned his face away, his ears already red. “But how do I know if I’m seducing you!”

“After the shoot, I’ll kiss you. Count how many times I kiss you—that’s how many times you’ve seduced me.” Winston flicked Hunter’s forehead lightly. “How about it? You weren’t shy when you were learning all those dirty things from Owen.”

“Don’t… don’t underestimate me…”

“I’m not underestimating you,” Winston said with a faint smile, whispering into Hunter’s ear, “But don’t overdo it, or I won’t be able to resist kissing you right in front of Rossi.”

Winston stepped back, and Rossi wondered why Hunter’s expression had turned so shy. Hunter turned his face to the side and propped his hands on the stool.

This type of shyness was entirely different from the awkwardness of being photographed or the unease of not knowing how to pose. Rossi glanced at Winston standing behind him. Winston nodded silently.

Hunter looked at Winston, whose hand was casually hooked into his collar, slowly tracing a circle on it, gradually pulling the collar down. However, just as a bit of his neck’s curve was revealed, he stopped.

Hunter chuckled. He didn’t have the talent to seduce Winston. Maybe he got lucky sometimes, but if he treated it like a game, it didn’t seem like a big deal.

His fingers hooked into his collar, chin slightly raised, eyes fixed on Winston. Though Winston’s ice-blue eyes were far from him, Hunter felt they were very close. He curled his lips into a smile, his chin lifting slightly before slowly lowering again. Then, suddenly unable to contain himself, he burst out laughing.

Rossi lifted his camera, staying still.

Winston tilted his head, his knuckles sliding slowly from his chin down, gliding past his Adam’s apple.

Hunter’s throat suddenly felt dry. He longed to grab the man and pull him close.

Hunter flashed a smile over his shoulder, a hint of self-deprecation mixed with a carefree “oh well, nothing to care about anymore” attitude. His index finger traced the line of his jaw, pausing at his Adam’s apple before slowly gliding over the curve and hooking onto his collar. But instead of pulling it down, he narrowed his eyes, parted his lips, and gently pressed the tip of his tongue against his teeth.

Winston’s gaze darkened.

Hunter slowly turned his head, his eyelids lowering.

Rossi was utterly entranced as he watched Hunter through the camera lens. Hunter’s dangerously magnetic presence dominated the frame, effortlessly drawing the viewer’s gaze and igniting hidden desires. He made you want to kiss him passionately. Rossi instinctively took a step back.

Hunter tilted his head. Rossi raised his hand, “Sorry, standing too long makes my legs tired.”

“Why don’t you sit on a stool like me?” Hunter reverted to his initial childish demeanor.

“Okay, thanks.”

Winston pushed a high stool towards Rossi.

Hunter changed into three more casual outfits, and by the time the photo shoot wrapped up, it was 4:30 PM.

Hunter eagerly tried to lean closer to the computer to see his photos, but Winston poked his forehead and pulled him away.

“I’ll take him to dinner to give him a break.”

“Sure, go ahead. But be back by seven!” Rossi smiled, waving goodbye to Hunter.

Carlos strolled over to Rossi’s computer and almost spat out his coffee upon seeing the photos.

“Surprising, isn’t it…” Rossi said, tilting his head back.

“Definitely surprising… Is this kid trying to make women lose sleep and turn men gay?”

“Exactly. He has a kind of sexiness that transcends gender. The kind of innocence and sensuality that exists between boyhood and manhood. I’m really curious about what kind of game Winston played with him.”

“All I know is… I’m really looking forward to seeing the photos those two will take tonight,” Carlos hinted with a laugh.

“Oh… you mean… those two…” Rossi had an enlightened expression.

“Haha! No way! You just realized? From the moment Winston walked in, I sensed he was very protective of that kid.”

At this moment, Hunter was walking out of the photo studio with Winston.

“Hey, where’s my PR assistant?”

“Gone to eat with my assistant.”

As they passed the break room, Hunter was still craning his neck to look at the photos on the wall when he was suddenly yanked. He reflexively grabbed the door frame, but when he felt Winston’s hand gripping his waist, he let go and allowed himself to be drawn inside.

The door was closed behind them.

With everyone else on dinner break, the room was dark. Hunter fumbled to turn on the light switch, but Winston caught his fingers.

When Winston took Hunter’s fingertips into his mouth, Hunter gasped in surprise. Winston released his hand and then ran his fingers through Hunter’s hair, gently stroking to the ends before planting a kiss on his lips.

In the pitch-black room, Hunter couldn’t see Winston’s face, but he felt the touch and temperature even more vividly. His lips were being kissed and sucked, nerve endings stretched taut, his breath seemed to follow Winston’s lure into another world. His tongue was licked and twirled, his lips kissed repeatedly.

Winston grasped his hand, releasing all his pent-up desire. It was an intense, almost overwhelming surge of emotion.

Hunter embraced him, his heart racing as if every second he was about to cross the finish line.

For the first time, he clearly felt that he was in control of Winston’s emotions and impulses. Winston’s madness and loss of control belonged only to him.

Hunter bowed his head, and Winston rested his chin on the top of it, trying to steady his breathing. Hunter was desperate to see his face. “Let… let me turn on the light and get you a tissue…”

Hunter raised his hand to feel for the switch, but Winston caught his wrist.

His face was close to Hunter’s cheek. “Wait a moment… Just a little longer… Hold me.”

At that moment, Hunter’s heart felt as if a warm tide was flooding and about to burst, yet he willingly surrendered to be submerged. “Okay…”

Hunter wrapped his arms around Winston’s waist, holding him and listening to his heartbeat.

After a few minutes, Winston finally turned on the light, his expression looking as usual. Hunter watched him, feeling slightly disappointed.

“Let’s go. We only have an hour for dinner.”

“Yeah…”

As they left the break room, the masculine scent that had filled the air with Winston’s presence vanished as soon as the door opened. Hunter felt regretful. He resolved to learn to dominate this man, so he could openly witness Winston lose control!

The two of them found a nearby Western restaurant and ordered simple spaghetti and red wine. Hunter, of course, stuck with orange juice.

“Did you count how many times I kissed you?” Winston asked while twirling his spaghetti.

“Huh?” Hunter suddenly remembered the bet he had with Winston, “Who can remember that! How could you even count!”

“Do you want to count again tonight?”

“I don’t!”

Perhaps an unexpected incident could lead to another intense battle in the room! He wasn’t ready for that yet. He needed to cultivate his skills until he became a god, then he would truly surprise Winston!

Winston gave a faint smile.

Hunter quickly finished his spaghetti and rubbed his eyes.

Winston said, “Come sit on my side.”

“Why?”

“Lean on me and take a nap.”

“Aren’t you tired?”

“I’m used to it, so it doesn’t bother me.”

That’s right. Winston had become famous as soon as he entered F1. His business and endorsement activities were certainly busier than Hunter’s.

Hunter moved over to Winston, leaned on his shoulder, and soon fell asleep.

When the waiter came to clear the dishes, Winston placed his hand on the table to signal for them to be quiet.

Half an hour later, Winston brought Hunter back to the studio, and the photo session resumed.

Hunter felt reassured because he had Winston by his side.

When they reached the backdrop, all the staff left the room as usual, leaving only the two photographers to guide and shoot from different angles.

Hunter’s spontaneity and Winston’s reserved nature formed a stark contrast.

The photo session went relatively smoothly. Rossi’s memory card was full, so everyone took a ten-minute break. With his hands in his pockets, Hunter looked at Winston with amusement and tapped his calf with his toe. “Hey, isn’t it hot wearing that trench coat?”

“Why don’t you come and feel it for yourself?”

“How? Are you going to take it off and let me wear it?”

“Sit here.”

Hunter obeyed, sitting on the high stool. Winston spread his coat wide and wrapped it around him from behind, leaving only Hunter’s forehead and the top of his head exposed.

Hunter muffled his laughter within the folds of Winston’s trench coat. “Hahaha, it’s so hot! Are you sweating? Why doesn’t it smell?”

As he was about to turn his face to sniff, his cheek pressed against Winston’s chest.

Winston lowered his head and kissed the top of Hunter’s head. “If you keep moving around like that, I will definitely get hot.”

Hunter guessed he was blushing again, so he quickly nudged Winston away with his elbow.

Winston took a step back, and as Hunter emerged from the cover of the trench coat, he realized that Rossi and Carlos had been snapping photos with their cameras for who knows how long!

Winston must have known!

The day’s shoot didn’t wrap up until eleven o’clock.

“I feel like I’ve just been through an entire season…”

Hunter walked with his eyes closed, almost falling asleep. He draped an arm over Winston’s shoulder, relying on him to navigate.

“Hey, see you tomorrow at the Million Rose Manor!” Rossi bid Hunter goodbye.

“What is the Million Rose Manor?” Hunter asked, bumping his forehead against Winston’s back.

“It’s a resort with tens of thousands of roses. It’s the private villa of Versace’s head designer, and we’ll be shooting there.”

“Roses? Two men with a rose theme?” Hunter found it hard to believe.

“The Prince and the Beast,” Winston said softly.

“Hahaha, so you’re the prince, and I’m the beast, right?” Hunter thought Winston exuded nobility.

“Really?” Winston replied casually. “It’s late, go to bed early.”

At the reception desk, the PR assistant of the Marcus team asked Hunter, “Do you need separate rooms? The shoot is exhausting, and I’m afraid you two might not sleep well together… “

Everyone has their own living habits and privacy needs.

Hunter was thinking of how to respond when Winston spoke up first, “No need. We don’t have much time to sleep as it is, and packing and unpacking would just waste time. Besides, I need to wake him up in the morning.”

What a perfectly reasonable excuse!

The PR assistant nodded gratefully. After all, he didn’t have the skill to wake up Hunter!

In their room, Hunter lay down on the bed, texting Owen.

Owen: Are you still alive?

Hunter: Shouldn’t I be the one asking that? Did the anti-fan do anything to you?

Owen: I went for coffee today. After going to the bathroom, I came back and almost swallowed a razor blade in my drink.

Hunter’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t believe the anti-fan had gone this far.

Hunter: Did you report it to the police?

Owen: I did. But the coffee shop only has cameras at the counter, and there were no fingerprints on the razor blade or the cup.

Hunter: Then you better protect yourself!

Owen: Hahaha! You should worry about protecting your behind first!

Hunter felt frustrated as his good intentions weren’t appreciated. But such anti-fans… weren’t they truly terrifying?

Suddenly, he felt something moving from his shoulder down his spine, stopping in the middle of his back… Hunter gasped in surprise and turned to see Winston.

Winston was lying on his side, propping his chin up and looking at him, one hand on Hunter’s back.

Hunter suddenly remembered Winston once saying that one of his sexiest moments was when he was lying on the bed playing with his phone.

Don’t be nervous…. Don’t be nervous…

Calm down! Winston said he wouldn’t do anything.

“Go brush your teeth and wash your face, it’s time for bed,” Winston said.

Although it was a command, his tone was gentle.

“Oh, I’ll go right away!” Hunter was about to get up, but Winston took his phone.

“Are you texting Owen?”

“Yeah, taking care of him! What if we end up having to attend his funeral when we get back?”

Winston looked at Hunter’s serious expression, and a smile slipped through his eyes.

“Impossible.”

“What do you mean, impossible?”

“No one can murder Lawrence Owen. Kidnapping you, on the other hand, might be possible.” Winston chuckled, his chin slightly raised.

Hunter’s vision seemed to retreat into his pupils, traveling along his optic nerves to jolt his brain. He pretended to remain calm as he went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face.

Damn it, he really wanted to bite this guy hard just now!

Due to the daytime photo shoot and a sleepless night before, Hunter fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed.

 

Early the next morning, they took a car to the Million Rose Manor.

This manor was designed and built by the head designer to commemorate his tenth anniversary with his wife. The daily maintenance costs for the roses were simply astonishing.

Hunter had no particular interest in roses, but the sight of the sprawling sea of flowers left him truly awestruck.

His eyes were filled with a sea of crimson, as if taking just one step further would drown him in the madness gathered and brewed from the entire world.

The photo team began setting up the light reflectors, while Carlos and Rossi discussed and envisioned the desired visual aesthetic.

With no changing room outdoors, Hunter had to quickly change clothes under the sunlight.

Nearby, Winston stood tall, his long legs even more striking in the sun.

Hunter couldn’t help but sigh.

“Why are you sighing?” Hunter’s stylist asked with a smile. “Is it because you didn’t sleep well last night?”

“No… I’m envious of Winston’s long legs…” Hunter felt no need to hide his admiration for Winston.

The stylist burst into laughter. “Hunter, Hunter… haven’t you noticed that your legs look good too? When I was adjusting your shirt, I saw that your physique and legs are longer than many professional male models.”

“Really?”

“Really.” The stylist leaned in and whispered, “And when you turned your back to Winston, he stared at your legs for over ten seconds…”

“No… no way?”

“Or maybe he just didn’t have anywhere else to look.”

Hunter turned his head and saw Winston indeed looking at him. Despite Winston’s expressionless face, Hunter felt the intensity of his gaze. He quickly looked away and continued talking to the stylist.

Stop looking at me! Others are noticing, okay!

Winston wore a black suit, but unlike his usual attire, his shirt collar was unbuttoned, and his tie hung loosely around his neck. As he walked through the roses, holding a large bouquet upside down, there was an air of wildness and freedom about him, a stark contrast to his usual disciplined demeanor.

Hunter watched from the side, wide-eyed. Winston’s strong and masculine allure stood out even more amid the flowers. Without even seeing the photos, Hunter felt his heart might burst.

“Alright, today’s theme is a carefree prince and a beast who wants to murder him. The prince trusts the beast completely. Winston, you have more experience, so take the lead and guide Hunter. Let’s aim to finish this shoot while the sunlight is at its best, then we can all go our separate ways happily!” Carlos clapped his hands and announced loudly.

“Huh?” Hunter didn’t grasp the theme and was completely clueless.

Rossi approached Carlos and whispered, “Do you think Winston will choose to be the prince or the beast?”

“Of course, he’d prefer to be the beast who devours the little prince.” Carlos gave a cheeky grin.

“Haha.”

“Hunter, you just need to sit here and look at me without moving,” Winston said softly, placing a rose in Hunter’s hand, “Hold this.”

“Okay.”

Hunter held the rose and sat on the grass. The shoot hadn’t started yet, and he felt a little silly holding the flower, so he rested it against his shoulder, waiting for Rossi’s signal.

As he wondered what Winston would do next, Winston, with his hands in his pockets, knelt on one knee beside him and leaned in as if to kiss him in front of everyone.

Hunter’s blood surged through his veins, threatening to burst from his heart. He instinctively turned to dodge, but Winston caught the rose petal resting on his shoulder in his mouth, gently biting and slowly pulling it away.

The rose shifted with Winston’s movement, and Hunter felt as if his heart had been bitten and pulled from his body.

“Oh my god… How did I never realize Vann Winston was so sexy?” Carlos said while pressing the shutter.

“Because you’re not Evan Hunter,” Rossi retorted mercilessly.

“What do you want to do to me now?” Winston whispered so only Hunter could hear.

“Pin you down and make you cry.” The realization that Winston was definitely trying to tease him sparked a mischievous idea in Hunter’s mind.

“Go ahead and try. With so many people around, I might just let you,” Winston replied.

“Haha!” A glint of mischief flashed in Hunter’s eyes.

Winston was momentarily taken aback as Hunter stood up, beckoning him with a curled finger, a gesture that was both defiant and wickedly playful.

As soon as Winston stood up, Hunter grabbed his loose tie and spun him around. In Hunter’s hand was the large bouquet of roses Winston had been holding earlier, which he arrogantly tossed towards the camera.

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The author has something to say:
Winston: Besides the submarine, there’s one more thing I want.
Hunter: What?
Winston: A rose manor.
Hunter: What do you want that for?
Winston: Imagine you lying there with nothing on, surrounded by rose petals. I could stay hard for hours.
Hunter: …