My summer crush
Ava never expected one summer to change everything.
At eighteen, shy and fresh out of high school, Ava plans to spend a quiet summer at her older brother Davis’ apartment in Pasadena before college begins. But everything changes when she meets Christien, Davis’ mysterious best friend.
Cold, unreadable, and dangerously attractive, Christien is the kind of guy Ava knows she should avoid. With black eyes, tattoos climbing his neck, and a silence that unsettles everyone around him, he hides behind a reputation that keeps people at a distance. Yet the more Ava is around him, the harder it becomes to stay away.
What Ava doesn’t know is that Christien’s life is far darker than it seems. Born into one of the world’s richest oil empires, he lives under the control of a cruel father who sees love as weakness and perfection as survival. Beneath the wealth and intimidating image is a broken young man carrying years of abuse, scars, and secrets.
As summer passes, the tension between them becomes impossible to ignore. Christien fights his growing feelings for Ava, especially after Davis asks him to protect her like a younger sister. But jealousy, stolen moments, and dangerous emotions slowly destroy every boundary between them.
And when Ava uncovers the painful truth about Christien’s world, she realizes loving him may come at a price.
Because in Christien’s world, weakness gets punished.
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Chapter: Summer PoolAVA'S POV;“Ava!!”I suddenly heard my name and ran down the stairs. I told Davis never to call my name like that for no good reason.“Why did you yell like that?!” I yelled back when I came down and saw Davis with a girl in a short brown skirt and a crop top. Another of his exploits.“It’s Dad. He wants to speak to you,” Davis said, passing me the phone.“Then why didn’t he just call my phone?”“I don’t know. Tell him to and give me my phone. I’m heading out,” Davis said as he smiled at the blonde girl he was holding by the waist.“Can you not do that in front of me?” I said, rolling my eyes.“Give me my phone and I’ll be out of your face,” he smiled.“He isn’t even on the line, Davis. You should have just texted me to call him instead of yelling,” I said, rolling my eyes as I gave him his phone.I had been annoyed all week. It had been a week now and Christien hadn’t come back.“I’ll be back by seven. Don’t go outside,” he said.“I won’t,” I replied as he left with the blonde.I sa
Last Updated: 2026-05-29
Chapter: Three days apartThree days.That was how long I managed to stay away from her.I buried myself in contract signings, meetings, and everything Sophie arranged for me. Three quiet days inside the Imperial Crown Hotel overlooking the glittering lights of Pasadena.And somehow… none of it could clear Ava from my head.I shut my laptop with more force than necessary and leaned back against the chair in the hotel suite.The room was silent except for the faint hum of the air conditioner and the distant sound of traffic below the hotel tower.Luxury always looked peaceful from the outside.Inside, it was just another prison with expensive walls.My loosened tie hung around my neck as I stared at the untouched documents spread across the table.Contracts.Financial reports.Merger details.The exact type of things that were supposed to keep my attention occupied.Normally, they did.But lately, my focus had been slipping in ways I didn’t appreciate.Every quiet moment somehow led back to her.Ava.Stubborn.
Last Updated: 2026-05-29
Chapter: Distance was best.CHRISTIEN’S POV;The door slammed hard enough to shake the walls of the room.I stayed still long after she left.My jaw tightened slowly as silence settled around me again.She was angry.Good.Maybe anger would finally make her stay away from me.I looked down at my shoulder. The bandage wrapped across my back and arm was pink.Of course it was pink.I should have taken it off immediately. Instead, I kept staring at it like an idiot.The room suddenly felt too warm.Too quiet.Too full of her.Her scent still lingered faintly in the air, mixed with antiseptic and the metallic smell of blood.Annoying.I bent down, picked up my shirt from the floor, and pulled it on carefully despite the sharp pain that spread through my shoulder.Pain didn’t matter.It never really had.I was used to it.What I wasn’t used to… was her.The way she looked at me.The way she spoke to me.The way she kept pushing past walls people usually avoided.I grabbed my phone and texted Sophie.Book me a suite a
Last Updated: 2026-05-28
Chapter: I Don't Know You“Christien!” I gasped, covering my mouth. My mind spiralled, and I could hear my heart beating fast.“What happened to you?” I asked again. He looked up, his dark eyes much darker than before.He opened his mouth, but instead he fell against my shoulder.“Christien,” I said as I placed my hand on his back. I withdrew fast when I felt something warm and sticky touch my palm.It was blood!His whole back and shirt were drenched with blood.I didn’t know what to do.I dragged him into his room. The room was beside the staircase, and I dropped him on his bed with his back up.I ran out to get a towel and a bowl of water.I came back and his eyes were still closed.I hoped nothing was wrong with him.I bent over and dropped the bowl and towel on the table beside the bed, placing my ear on his chest to hear his heartbeat.But suddenly he opened his eyes and grabbed me, slamming my back on the bed while he hovered over my body.I stared blankly at him. His necklace dangled, and this posture
Last Updated: 2026-05-21
Chapter: He Came Back HurtAVA’S POVSo in case you all are wondering, I didn’t find out what drug they were talking about.I was just irritated by the fact that she knew something I didn’t.After breakfast, I heard Sophie and Christien discussing. They were planning to go somewhere together.Where were they going?Was it also for business or for something else? Christien didn’t look like someone to indulge in office romance.It was clear Sophie was the one fawning over him.And even if he was, it was definitely none of my business.I watched Sophie and Christien discuss things I didn’t understand.He grabbed his black leather jacket, but she collected it from him, smiling as she placed it over her arm.What a beautiful sight indeed!“Davis, I’ll be back late. I have something to take care of out of town,” Christien said as he and Sophie passed in front of me.“I’ll see you soon, Ava,” Sophie smiled at me, and I gave her a forced one.I shouldn’t be doing this because she was so nice to me.But I couldn’t seem
Last Updated: 2026-05-21
Chapter: The Girl Beside ChristienOur eyes locked instantly after he said that.His cold black eyes were now on mine.He didn’t look away, and I was too carried away to do so either. My heart was beating so loudly, I feared one of them would hear it.“Ummm, Ava, take your bags up. The first room you find is yours,” Davis said,I don't think he noticed the shift in the room’s atmosphere.I didn’t bother to say a word. Instead, I dropped my eyes and hurriedly carried my bags upstairs.By now Christien’s gaze was already back on his laptop.I ran into the first room I found.Dropping my bag, I slammed my back against the door, closing it with force, my heart thudding loudly against my ribcage.What was that about?His look was so intense.And why did I stare back? Ava, you just made a fool of yourself.My palm pressed against my chest as I steadied myself.I bent and grabbed my bags, ready to unpack. I definitely wasn’t leaving this room till tomorrow.I actually succeeded in not leaving my room for about twelve hours.B
Last Updated: 2026-05-21
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