Page 21 of A Life Imagined
From his seat beside Laurent, Karl was bobbing his head in agreement.“The Calais Center for New Migrants has been an invaluable resource to the city’s displaced population over the past few years, and they’re well-placed to help manage a facility like this.Groupe d’action makes a point to prioritize efforts by local organizations, and I believe the funding would be well utilized here.It would also assist in reducing the movement of migrants across the Channel.You’ll find my notes in the attached addendum.”
The committee shuffled through their papers and began murmuring among themselves.One of the men removed his glasses and placed them down on the table.He fixed his eyes on Asmarina for a moment before speaking.
“We agree there is urgent need for a clean and safe residential facility to house the most vulnerable of those displaced people who’ve found themselves here.And I applaud your efforts to appeal on behalf of those unable to do so themselves.I’m not sure if Karl’s informed you, but we’ve recently been awarded an aid grant by one of the EU’s development programs.We, too, have been looking for ways to alleviate the delicate problem the Jungle presents, and with the government increasingly reluctant to get involved, I think this project represents a promising collaboration between our two organizations.”
The man glanced over at his colleagues.“That being said, while generous, the aid grant isn’t large enough to meet the full cost of even your most conservative estimate.We’ll consult on the proposal, but if Groupe d’action decides to commit the funding, it will be contingent on you securing the remaining money for the project.Appealing to the city is the obvious choice.The council has the ability to apply for a discretionary grant from the French government for projects of humanitarian importance.”
They spoke a while longer about logistics and timelines before the man got to his feet, and the rest of them followed.He rounded the table and reached out to shake each of their hands in turn.
“Karl has been following your efforts for some time, Monsieur and Madame Moreau.We’re quite confident in your commitment to the cause.We’ll have to go through the full consultation process, but I wanted to let you know that your proposal looks promising.This is exactly the kind of project that gives hope to those of us watching the development of this situation with great empathy.We’ll be in touch when we have a decision.In the meantime, I suggest you make efforts to meet with the mayor and determine the city’s involvement.”
Karl thanked the committee, and the four of them filed back into the corridor.Laurent clapped Rayan on the shoulder, a grin splitting his face.“Promising.He said promising.”
Rayan managed a smile but couldn’t muster the same level of enthusiasm.Karl and Laurent began speaking quickly, already planning next steps.
“You don’t look too pleased,” Asmarina said at his elbow.
“That’s not it,” Rayan said.
He didn’t want to voice his skepticism—not when the mood was so buoyant, when the wins were so few and far between.Yet the fact remained that they needed the city on board if they were to have any hope of breaking ground on the project.And knowing what he knew about Mayor Durand, that would prove a difficult prospect.
Chapter Eight
Mathias gritted his teeth against the growing panic.It lodged in his throat and rendered silent the caustic remarks, the protective objections.He had no one to blame but himself.He had actively, willingly chosen this—to peel it all back.To lay himself bare.
Rayan slid his hands to the backs of Mathias’s thighs and pressed down, shifting his hips so Mathias could feel the pulsing heat of his cock pressed against him.
The blood thundered in Mathias’s ears.He felt cornered, defenseless.
As if sensing his fear, Rayan brought Mathias’s palm to his chest.Mathias could feel the man’s heart hammering beneath his fingertips.So, it wasn’t just him.
Rayan leaned in to kiss him, and his mouth opened around Mathias’s own, sending a flood of warmth through Mathias’s insides.He brushed his lips against Mathias’s cheek, and when Rayan spoke, it was a whisper close to his ear.“I’ll go slow.”
The ease with which Rayan moved—his hands firm but gentle, the lines of concentration appearing on his forehead as he pushed against him—allowed Mathias to release his grip, to finally relinquish control…
Mathias jolted awake, breathing fast.Rayan lay in the dark beside him, his face serene in sleep.Mathias sat up to discover he was painfully hard.
The fuck was that?
He got out of bed and walked to the shower, more than a little unnerved.As he stood under the hot water, his erection refused to diminish.He reached down, practiced and efficient, the remnants of the dream lingering in his mind even after he came.
Mathias dressed and made his way downstairs to the kitchen.He flicked on the coffee machine then went to the front door to check for the newspaper.He spotted it poking out of a lavender bush by the roadside.
“The little shit,” Mathias muttered as he went to retrieve it.
René was the infuriatingly unreliable paperboy who delivered to their street.Mathias had tried bribes and threats, but nothing seemed to encourage the dough-faced kid to do his job properly.Mathias was at the table, reading the salvaged paper, when Rayan appeared in the kitchen.
“You’re up early,” Rayan said, padding to the coffeepot and filling a mug.
Mathias kept his eyes trained on the international news section, in no hurry to reveal why.“I like to keep things interesting.”He scanned an article about immigration reform in Greece.
Rayan came to join him at the table.“It’s here before noon.René’s outdone himself.”
“I swear, that kid…” Mathias said.
“If you make an example of him, we’ll have to move again.”
Mathias gave him a warning look, and Rayan smirked into his coffee.
