Page 20 of Spike

SPIKE

If I had to be honest, I couldn't deny a twinge of disappointment as the night ended the way it did.

Selfishly, I wished for more—a goodnight kiss, another shared moment. But I quickly scolded myself for such thoughts.

Gray had been through a harrowing day, and it was essential to give him the space he needed.

I had told him he could decide his path—stay or leave—but now I found myself regretting those words.

Perhaps he should stay in Moon Burrow for a week or two, at least until Jack Roth forgot about him.

I still couldn't fathom why Jack was so determined to bring him back. Gray might be leaving out some crucial details, but deep down, I doubted it.

He struck me as an honest guy, someone whose face always revealed what he was thinking.

Hearing the door creak open behind me, I pivoted and saw Gray standing there, a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

"Hey, you need something else? Are you hungry?" I asked, realizing I had forgotten to inquire about his last meal.

Gray took a deep breath, his expression turning resolute. Without a word, he walked up to me, and with determination, he gripped me by the shoulders.

Rising on tiptoe, he pressed his lips against mine.

The sudden kiss caught me by surprise, but I quickly responded, savoring the warmth and sweetness of the unexpected moment.

I wanted more, but I recognized that this kiss was already a bonus. When Gray pulled away, I stayed rooted to the spot.

"What was that for?" I couldn't help but ask.

"I couldn't part with you without kissing you. That's all," Gray said.

"You're cute, Gray," I couldn't help but say.

He frowned. "I'm cute?" he repeated.

Gray didn’t seem all that happy with the term I used.

"What? You don't like me calling you cute?" I asked.

"I was hoping for a more...never mind," he said quickly. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"You can count on it," I said with a nod.

I returned to the MC clubhouse, whistling to myself and thinking about where I'd take Gray tomorrow for our first official date.

Breakfast still counted as a date, right?

"Spike, Nitro's looking for you," Lenny commented the moment I stepped inside the clubhouse.

I groaned, remembering I owed him an explanation. For a moment, I debated making my way upstairs and pretending I was too tired for a lecture.

"Spike, over here," Nitro called from across the room, waving at me.

Sighing, I grabbed a beer from the bar before joining my best friend. Nitro let me take a few sips before diving right in.

"What got into you, back at the Dirty Stallion?" he demanded.

"I was just doing what anyone would," I answered with a shrug.

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