Page 45 of His Surrogate Omega

In that one moment, he felt cheapened.

They’re renting my body. I’ve become little more than a prostitute.

Tears burned in his eyes as he rose to his feet. Barely looking at either of them, he gave them a quick thanks before tucking the check into his bag and trying to leave.

“Gray? Do you mind staying another moment?” Tensen asked. He turned to Rohan and Jamie. “You both can go. I’ll send over the packet for you to review soon.”

Gray watched as they both hesitantly left the room. He could tell Jamie wanted to talk… and that Rohan wanted something that required no talking at all. Finally, the door closed behind them and left him alone with the solicitor.

“Are you alright?” Tensen asked.

He wasn’t. Nowhere near alright. Plastering a smile on his face, he eyed Tensen. “I’m great.”

Tensen took a step closer.

Too close.

The beta collected Gray’s face in his hands and shook his head. “No. You’re not.”

Gray swallowed back the emotion he felt. But that emotion was for what he’d just done… not for Tensen—which was a travesty. He sensed Tensen’s concern…

“I’ll be alright. I just need to go home, take a warm bath, relax…”

“I had no idea Jamie would want this,” Tensen said. “I don’t know that I would’ve introduced you two if I had.”

“Why not?” Gray asked, confused.

Tensen reached out and rubbed the back of his hand against Gray’s cheek. Immediately afterward, he took a step back and ran a hand through his salt and pepper hair. An odd smile crossed the beta’s lips. “The thought of Rohan touching you—” Tensen paused, shaking his head. “If only things could be different in our world.”

“They’re not. This is the way of things,” Gray murmured.

Tensen’s face hardened. “Yes. It is.” He lifted his stare to Gray’s.

Gray was almost taken aback by the need he saw in the solicitor’s expression.

“I’ll take you home,” Tensen said, collecting papers. “Just give me a moment.”

“No,” Gray whispered, shaking his head. He didn’t want to give Tensen any reason to think there could be more between them. It was impossible. “I’d rather walk.”

“Are you sure?” Tensen asked.

Gray nodded before squeezing the solicitor’s shoulder. “Thank you for caring so much. But I’ll be fine. I swear it.”

Tensen’s hand came across to cover and squeeze Gray’s. Gray felt the warmth of the man leeching into him, hating the lines drawn between them.

And then that hand was gone—and he felt even emptier.

Gray left the conference room, even more shaken and wondering if his world would ever right itself again.

* * * *

Gray walked into the kitchen after departing his studio, wiping his paint-splattered hands on a spare cloth. Before he could do much more than get some water, Avery came bounding in. Excitement was etched over his face.

“Where are the boys?” Avery asked, near to bouncing.

“I’m not completely sure. I just walked back into the house. I assume you had a good time.” Avery had had orientation that day. The first day of college was nearly upon them.

“Orientation wasamazing!”

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