Page 38 of Benjamin and the Thief

He finally let go of her hand. A few seconds longer, and he would have realized that her palm was sweaty all of a sudden.

“So where did you guys meet?” Ethan asked.

“Oh, uh…” she stammered, not prepared for the question. It took her a full five seconds to realize that she could tell him the truth, since how they’d met had nothing to do with the Preston party. “I was trying to park my car half a block away from here when this guy stole the spot right under my nose. Arrogant bastard!”

“Benjamin stole your spot?” Ethan asked. “And you’re dating him?”

“No! It wasn’t him. Some other guy. But Benjamin and his mother saw it, and they helped me get the guy to back out again, so I could park.”

“Ah, isn’t that typical Benjamin? Always needs to play the hero,” Ethan said, shaking his head.

“Nothing wrong with that,” Benjamin suddenly said from behind her.

He slung his arm around her waist and pulled her back against his chest.

“Is this guy bothering you?” he asked playfully, dipping his head and pressing a kiss to the crook of her neck.

Instantly, a sensory memory rushed over her, causing a pleasant shiver to run over her skin. Displaying his affection for her in such an open way in front of his friends wiped away her doubts in an instant.

“He was just asking me how we met,” Catalina said with a smile, feeling reassured now.

“Alright then, otherwise I could beat him up for you,” Benjamin suggested.

Ethan lifted his hands in a show of surrender, laughing now. “Hold your horses, bro! I know when I’m a fifth wheel. And the party wasn’t my idea.”

He pointed to Patrick. Isabelle had already introduced him as her youngest brother.

“Patrick thought it was a brilliant idea,” Ethan claimed.

“I’m surprised Patrick has time to plan parties,” Benjamin replied. “It’s only been a few months since he’s blood-bo⁠—”

“—so bloody lucky he’s found that amazing woman,” Ethan interrupted.

Benjamin cleared his throat. “Yeah, that’s what I meant. Patrick and Fallon got married not even four months ago. If that was me, I wouldn’t be wasting my free time with any of you guys.”

She felt him draw her closer to his body. Her backside rubbed against his groin, and she could feel the outline of his cock. His very hard cock. It was evident what he meant by his words.

Isabelle laughed softly, and her gaze drifted to the biggest man in the room. As if he’d heard her laugh, he turned his head and looked straight at her. Their eyes locked, and the love between them was palpable.

“I think Orlando and I should go home. Mom is looking after Ross. He’s probably a total terror. We should relieve her.”

Benjamin watched Orlando make a beeline for his mate, Isabelle. They had communicated via their telepathic bond, which was unique to blood-bonded couples. He’d almost made a huge mistake. If Ethan hadn’t jumped in so quickly to save him from blurting out that Patrick and Fallon were blood-bonded, Catalina would have had questions he didn’t want to answer yet. Because how would he explain what a blood-bond was without having to also explain that he and his friends were vampires?

He owed Ethan a favor for interrupting him just in time.

Isabelle’s exodus with Orlando prompted others to get ready to leave as well. Within another half hour, everybody was gone, and he was finally alone with Catalina.

“I’ll help you clean up,” she offered.

He shook his head. “No, you won’t. You’re tired. Go, take a shower, or a bath, or just get ready for bed, and I’ll be there in a few minutes. There’s a spare toothbrush in one of the drawers under the sink.”

“Are you sure? It’s your birthday.”

“I’m sure.”

He gave her a soft slap on her butt and directed her toward his bedroom. After she’d closed the door behind her, he quickly grabbed the glasses, plates, and utensils, stacked them in the dishwasher, and switched it on. Then he opened the refrigerator. He snatched a bottle of blood, unscrewed the top, and gulped it down greedily. He placed the empty bottle in the recycling bin, where his friends had also placed their empty bottles, but instead of leaving the bin under the sink, he moved it into an empty cabinet in the laundry room.

There were still half a dozen full bottles of blood in the fridge. He took them and went into Damian’s old bedroom. His twin had never taken his furniture with him, and now the room was a guest room, but the small fridge in his closet was still there and working. Benjamin placed the bottles of blood inside and closed it. Realizing that he still had the metallic taste of blood in his mouth, he went into Damian’s ensuite bathroom and rinsed his mouth with mouthwash so Catalina wouldn’t suspect anything.