Gray's Shadow (Kings of Hell MC 4)

Shadow sighed and backed off, but then straightened up when he realized there were other ways to prove his masculinity. “Would you like to have dinner with me?”

Gray’s eyes glinted. “Sure. We’re in the middle of Manhattan. Plenty to choose from. Maybe we could go to this cronut place for dessert. I want to try something fancy.”

Shadow made a broad gesture with his hand. “Anything you like. I can afford it.”

Gray poured water down the back of his head, washing the soap out. “Oh… don’t worry. I have cash.”

Shadow frowned. Would nothing go according to plan? Was Gray trying to undermine Shadow’s masculinity in a way some of the videos warned? “No, I will pay. I want to treat you.”

Gray looked at him from behind a curtain of wet hair. “Um… that’s nice of you, but you don’t have money.”

“I do.” He’d made sure to prepare for this in advance.

Gray was quick with washing the rest of his body, his attention clearly focused on Shadow. “Where is the money from? You don’t work.”

Shadow crossed his arms. “Here and there. Don’t worry your pretty head about it.”

The showerhead almost dropped from Gray’s hand. He frowned at Shadow, but it wasn’t clear if it was a good or bad frown. “What did you say?”

Shadow sensed the apprehension hanging in the air, so he treaded carefully. “That I will take care of you. Like a real man. With money.”

Gray switched off the water and rose in the tub, facing Shadow in all his naked glory. “I have my own money. It doesn’t really matter.”

Shadow pursed his lips. He’d been living off Gray’s resources for over a month, so no wonder Rev considered Shadow an inappropriate partner for his son.

“Why don’t you just let me treat you? They’ve got a restaurant in this building. With steak. And you like steak.”

Gray stepped out of the tub and grabbed a fluffy towel from a copper stand. “Oh. I thought we could use this opportunity and go to that bug restaurant, since we don’t have those in Brecon. Wouldn’t you rather do that?”

Of course he would. But Gray had been disgusted with the idea of eating insects. Second by second, distress grew in Shadow’s body like blood-red strawberries in the sun. “I want it to be nice for you.”

Gray wrapped the towel around his hips, hiding his beautiful buttocks and cock. His hair seemed longer when wet, and it clung to his skin in a way that made Shadow wish he could replace it with his tongue. “I want it to be nice for you too. You’ve taken care of me for five days. I think you deserve a treat.” He cleared his throat and put his hands on Shadow’s shoulders, squeezing gently. “So how did you get cash? Did Magpie offer you a gig?”

“N-no. I found it.”

“Where?”

“In people’s wallets.”

Gray licked his lips, but not in a sexy way. He looked worried, and once again, Shadow didn’t know what it was that he’d done wrong.

“We’re guests here. You can’t steal from friends!”

Shadow raised his arms. “But they had lots of it! I’m trying to be the kind of man you need. Why are you not letting me?”

Gray pressed his lips tightly together before suddenly meeting Shadow’s gaze and stepping into his personal space. “What kind of man do I need then?”

Shadow stood his ground, but his stomach twisted with panic. He wouldn’t be punished, would he? “A… real man,” he mumbled in the end.

“I heard you. What do you think that means?”

How was he supposed to explain it when he was still only grasping the concept himself? “You’re the human, you should know.” A real man didn’t show weakness.

Gray stepped back, which set off in alarm inside Shadow. “Did something happen? You’re not acting like yourself. Where did all this come from?”

All Shadow wanted from Gray now was a hug, but he had to show that he wasn’t affected. So he crossed his arms, bracing himself against any outside force. “Your father thinks I don’t live up to human standards. But he’s wrong. I know what I’m doing. Just because I’ve only been here for five weeks doesn’t mean I’m less of a man than everyone else.”

Gray stared at him, his expression going softer by the minute. “I’m sorry,” he said before stepping forward and tightly enfolding Shadow in his arms.

Shadow stilled at first, but then couldn’t help himself anymore and hugged Gray back. “What for?”

Gray exhaled and rubbed Shadow’s arms in gentle strokes. He remained silent for a while, then turned his head to press a kiss to Shadow’s jaw and spoke. “You don’t have to listen to him or anybody else. There’s nothing wrong with you.”

The tension in Shadow’s stomach began to melt as if the kiss was the first warmth of Spring. “I want to try to be the best person for you, but it’s hard, because humans seem to have rules for everything. I’ve watched so many videos about it, but it’s still confusing. I’m trying, but it might take time until I’m any good at it, okay?”