11 Bulge On His Robe

Alone, Riley let himself drift on the pool while waiting for Draco. The sun just started to set. It must be around 5 PM. A golden orange hue covered the sky above. And without Dylan's booming voice, the whole place was so quiet.

But it was a good kind of quiet for Riley. It gave him an uninterrupted moment to think about his life. Even the memory of the time he escaped from his brother did not disturb his current state. He felt safe and protected. Riley knows it was all thanks to Draco Sy.

Then the scene this morning flashed through his mind: Draco Sy wiping crumbs from his mouth.

Suddenly, Riley felt a little shy about getting treated that way. It made him feel like he was someone… special and treasured by Draco Sy.

No one had been so good to him like this.

Troubled by those thoughts, Riley had a second of inattentiveness and lost his balance. He sunk into the water. Riley did not struggle and let himself sink lower into the bottom of the pool.

A moment later, strong arms held Riley and brought him up to the surface. When he opened his eyes, he saw Draco's drenched face. Riley blinked, then blinked again.

"What were you playing underwater, Little Riley?" Draco drawled in a teasing tone.

Riley lost his train of thought. Half of Draco's face was in the shadows, partly concealed. And the side revealed by the sunlight looked like a bronze sculpted statue. The water on his face sparkles as it hits natural light. It was beautiful yet exuded masculinity.

They were so close that Riley could see water droplets clinging to Draco's eyelashes.

The man is truly a remarkable specimen!

Watching all the raw emotions on Riley's ever-transparent face, Draco unconsciously drew the boy's body closer to his. Damn. But he was stirred by Riley's honest appraisal of him.

He knows that Riley doesn't mean to send any sign of invitation to him. The boy was too innocent for this kind of ploy. But boy! Draco is losing his shit! He almost groaned his frustration but held himself back. He pretended not to notice and patiently waited for Riley to respond.

Clueless to all of Draco's impure thoughts, Riley licked his lips and said, "I was just diving to clear my mind." Then as if it just occurred to him, he asked, "Oh, did I scare you?"

Riley was somewhat embarrassed. Both because of his previous thoughts and for Draco to mistake him for drowning. "I've stayed in the province near the coastal area before. I'm good at swimming."

"I can see that…" Draco said, not releasing the boy.

In truth, Draco had been watching Riley for some time now bask in the setting sun. He did not mean to sneak at the boy. He simply loves to stare at him openly.

"Want to race?" Draco said in a challenge. Right now, he needed a distraction. Better to engage in healthy competition. Having some activity together, Draco can slowly transition into Riley's friend.

Riley's eyes lit up. "Sure!"

They agreed to swim two laps, to the other end of the pool and back. They were already in position when Draco suggested putting up a stake.

"Let us add more fun to this competition. To spice things up, how about we make a bet… What do you think, Little Riley?"

"Alright. What do you suggest?" Then abruptly, he added, "Nothing that involves something expensive."

Draco laughed. "Then let us bet for favors instead? If I win, I can ask three favors from you, and the same goes if you win?"

"Favors? Like what?"

"Nothing complicated. Something simple, like asking the loser to accompany the winner somewhere or asking to cook or do mundane things. What's most important is the loser cannot refuse the favor. So, deal?

Riley looked at Draco and sized him up. Although a very busy businessman, Draco Sy unexpectedly boasted very well-built physic. He kept himself fit. He was tall with muscles in the right places.

However, Riley was pretty confident with his swimming skills. He may look pale and seldom do outdoor activities. But Riley actually loves to swim. He even joined the swimming club in school.

Also, living in the province, he often goes for a swim at the nearby beaches. Even when he was in L. Country and beaches were too far, he would frequent indoor pools to exercise.

And if he fails, he doesn't really mind doing simple favors for Draco.

Feeling good about his decisions, Riley smiled, nodding his head. "Deal."

They shook hands and prepared to start.

Draco hid his grin. Little Riley looked sure that he could take him down. He likes it when the boy's eyes shine with confidence. It looked sexy.

Riley volunteered to do the countdown. Arms stretch behind, with fingers touching the edge of the pool, both men propelled themselves forward after the count of three.

The water rippled as the two swam side by side. Riley's lithe and lean body glides through the water. Not once did he check Draco's position and was solely focused on his own performance.

In the end, though Riley pushed himself and swam like a fish, Draco's longer limbs made the difference. And he came out as the victor.

At the side of the pool, Draco turned to Riley beside him. "You owe me three favors, Little Riley."

Not one bit discouraged by the loss, Riley graciously accepted his defeat. In good humor, he declared, "Then, I shall be your little genie, master Draco. Your wish is my command."

It was evident that Riley spoke with a pure conscience, but Draco's mind was deep in the gutter. Little Riley, calling him master and saying all that sweetly, came out… differently in Draco's ears.

They lounged for a while, and when the sun was completely hidden, Riley got out of the pool to go back to his room.

"Draco, let's go. It's almost dinner. I'll wash up and change. How about you?" Riley put on his robe and gathered his things, eyebrows up, asking Draco.

Draco swam farther in. "I'll soak for a while. You go ahead."

"You sure? I can stay for a while if you want."

"It's fine."

"Okay. See you at dinner."

Draco watched as Riley disappeared into the alcove leading to the main house. Then he too got out of the water and put his robe on.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, he went to his room. Luckily, he did not meet anyone on the way. Otherwise, he did not know how to explain the slight… bulge on his robe.