RAW Deception (Round 2 in the RAW Instinct Series)

Chapter 5

Thursday.

Canton's Cottage.

Drakensberg.

The excitement lasted beyond their expectations. It was as if the gods of the sky had brought father and son together. To Raw, this was a life changing moment and he wondered what adventures lay ahead, now that Edward had his father. He couldn't help but think that Gregory's image on Facebook did him no justice at all. Gregory was far more handsome than Raw imagined for a middle-aged man. He oozed muscular energy. His shoulders were large and his pecs brewed with hardness. Raw could see almost every contour of his stomach through the white T-shirt he wore.

They stood on the patio watching the last light of day turn into the chill of night, drinking wine in the silence.

No one noticed Shane as he joined them, not until he spoke.

"Good evening, gentlemen," he said softly as if he didn't want to disturb the hushed ambience of the moment.

Raw turned and his face widened into a smile. "Shane," he said, hugging him. "Join us. I'll pour you a glass of wine." Raw reached for the bottle on the patio table and poured some into a short stemmed glass.

"Gregory," Edward said. "This is Shane. The guy I told you about on the phone. Shane, meet Gregory, my dad."

Gregory turned and for a split second was rendered speechless. This man-god standing before him with brown, shining eyes and a dimple on his chin, held out his hand. Gregory took his hand and almost didn't let go. "Pleased to meet you, Shane."

"And you, Gregory. May I call you Gregory?"

"Greg would sound better."

"Did you enjoy your nap?" Raw asked, handing Shane a glass of wine.

"I did. Man it's so peaceful and quiet here. I was out like a light."

Julia came out for a brief moment. "Gentlemen, supper is served."

Raw exclaimed, "Yes! I'm famished. Let's go inside, gents." He took the lead and limped towards the dining room.

Edward showed Gregory his place at the head of the table.

"Are you sure?"

"Head of the family sits at the head of the table in this house," Edward said, moving the chair back.

"Thank you," Gregory said, taking his seat. "I'm honoured."

Shane sat at the other end of the table and Raw and Edward sat in the middle, opposite each other.

"I couldn't help but notice you walk with a limp, Raw," Gregory said, tucking into his food.

"Hit and run," Shane said, passing the roast potatoes around the table.

Edward continued. "Before I met Raw he was seeing this guy on and off. Raw was into competitive boxing, and this guy was the administrator for the Boxing League of South Africa. A casual relationship. Nothing serious, or so we thought. Raw had this fear of coming out to the world so he kept his sexual preference a secret."

"Being a boxer I thought I had a lot to lose if I came out," Raw said.

"Sounds like we have a lot in common," Gregory said, staring at Shane seated across the table. "I absolutely fear coming out. There's still a huge stigma attached to gays in the air force. Carry on, I'm being rude."

"Not at all. We'll get back to you, Dad," Edward said.

Raw continued. "I met Edward through Angelica, a family friend of ours, and although I fell for him at first sight, I didn't let him in. My heart was closed. Over time, we got to know each other and it so happened that your son is a hell of a boxer too. I couldn't get him to join my dad's gym for reasons I'm sure he'll tell you about."