“Good choice,” he said, as he carefully picked up the box. Then he turned toward the opposite wall. “You’re going to need lube, enema bulb…” London added, already reaching for more items and stacking them neatly on his arm.
Boaz blinked, watching him. He had no idea what any of it was for, or if he actually needed any of it. But he was too embarrassed to say anything.
London moved behind the counter and began ringing everything up. Boaz paid without a word and was out the door in seconds, the bell jingling loudly behind him. His grip tightened around the plain paper bag London had handed him as helengthened his strides, instinctively putting distance between himself and the store.
“Boaz!”
He looked up and a few paces away was Manlius, waving to him in greeting.
Shit.
Boaz adjusted his hold on the bag as he approached, grateful that London had packed everything into a plain bag. Being curious about his sexuality was one thing, having everyone know about it was another.
“I was about to call you,” Manlius said as they met.
“Oh yeah? Everything alright?” Boaz asked.
“I don’t know.” Manlius frowned, concern etching into his features. “Brett asked for more blood.”
Boaz stilled slightly. “More?”
“Yeah,” Manlius said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Can you let Alexander know when you see him? I thought he’d come by to ask about his test results, but he hasn’t shown up.”
“Okay. I will.”
Manlius nodded, already turning to leave.
“Did he say why he needs more?”
Manlius paused, glancing back at him, the worry still there. “No. But I’m sure he’s running multiple tests. That kind of thing usually requires more samples.”
That made sense.
Boaz nodded slowly. “I’ll let him know if he shows up.”
Manlius nodded and continued down the walkway, disappearing into the flow of people.
Boaz watched him go, a faint knot of guilt tightening in his chest.
He knew very well that the vampire was coming tonight. And yet, he said nothing.
Maybe he wasn’t ready for anyone to know what was happening between them. Though, there was nothing to be ashamed of. He was only feeding the vampire. Nothing more.
Once Alexander’s body adjusted to being awake again, this would all come to an end. It would fade away like a bad dream.
At least… that’s what he told himself.
Boaz turned and headed back to his truck, the paper bag crinkling softly in his grip.
By the time he stepped inside into his cabin night had settled over the land. Boaz shut the door behind him and slid the lock into place with a soft click. Though Hansel rarely came by unannounced. Still… tonight needed privacy.
Boaz walked to the bed and dumped the contents of the bag onto it. The boxes bounced lightly against the mattress, knocking into each other. A bottle of lube tumbled over the edge, hitting the floor with a loud bang that echoed in the small space.
He cursed under his breath and bent down to pick it up.
The moment he straightened, Alexander was there.
Standing in the middle of the cabin. Watching him.