I wondered if he was feeling shy. Sometimes I forgot that humans had more modesty than vampires. “If you’re not comfortable showing your body in front of Theo, I can ask him to avert his eyes until you’ve joined me in the bath.”
Benji grunted in discomfort. “Um, it’s not really that.”
“What is it, then? How can I help?” I offered.
He let out a ragged sigh. “I guess you can’t.”
I frowned. It couldn’t be his heat, because I didn’t smell anything from the other side of the door. “May I come in?”
“Yeah,” he said miserably.
Worried now, I entered the change room to find Benji sitting on the bench, looking sad and wet. His beautiful form drew my gaze instantly. This was the first time I’d seen him naked, and immediately I craved more of him. I wanted to run my hands along his skin, hold him in my arms, kiss him... But first, we needed to address his mood.
Benji’s eyes widened when he saw me, too - but he glanced away, like he was embarrassed or guilty.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, sitting next to him. “Is this about Theo? I know Margaret wanted him to chaperone, but I promise he’s not watching.”
“No, it’s not him,” Benji mumbled.
“Then tell me.”
He sighed in frustration. “You’re so hot, and I…” Tears welled up in his eyes as he gestured to his body. “I just look likethis.”
I blinked in confusion. Trying to follow his train of thought, I looked him up and down, but all I saw was perfection.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” I said.
Benji slumped in his seat miserably and muttered, “I’m not thin like you.”
“And?”
Benji blinked. “And what? I’m not as hot as you. Don’t you get it?”
“No, I don’t,” I said firmly. “Benji, when I walked into this room, all I wanted to do was run my hands over you. Kiss you. In fact, I still do - I’m holding myself back from it.”
“You are?” he asked, sounding like he didn’t believe me.
“Yes.”
I leaned in closer, my lips hovering inches from his own. His breath hitched.
“Did those human alphas say something to hurt you?” I asked.
“Yeah, but - “
“No. I don’t care to hear the rest,” I growled. I reached up to stroke his cheek. “Shall I find them and teach them a lesson?”
“N-no, that’s fine,” Benji said quickly.
I smirked. “Are you sure? Maybe one run-in with a vampire wasn’t enough for them.”
Finally I got Benji to smile. “Technically, they didn’t know you were a vampire the first time.”
I ran my tongue over my sharp canine fangs. “No, but this time I could make it very clear.”
Benji watched, then wrenched his eyes away. “I don’t want to think about them anymore.”
“Of course.” I stood now and offered him my hand. “Shall we?”
