Page 20 of New Neighbor

Mac walked in, inhaling. “My god, that smells good.”

Benji eyed Mac’s perfect ass as he passed. He shut the door, images of squeezing those cheeks in both hands.

Mac stopped at the island and leaned over it. Benji pulled out an extra mug and handed it over. “I’ve got cream in the fridge and sugar there on the island.”

“Perfect,” Mac said, tossing a spoonful of sugar into his mug.

Benji poured Mac a cup before pouring his own and adding cream and sugar. The first sip was heavenly.

“You are a lifesaver,” Mac said after his first sip. He looked around the apartment. “So, what do you have on tap today?”

“Not much of anything. Maybe something to eat if my stomach can handle it and a trip to the gym—if I can manage it. I’ve only been twice this week.”

“You don’t look like a gym rat,” Mac said, taking another sip.

“Therein lies the problem.” He lifted his t-shirt covered bicep. “This is me after weeks of working out.”

Mac reached over and felt Benji’s arm. He stiffened, not expecting the touch. Mac squeezed the muscle a few times before letting go.

“Weeks? You know Rome wasn’t built in a day. It takes time to build muscle.”

“I’d like to look more like you.”

“You’re not built the same way I am.”

Benji frowned.

“But I would be more than happy to help you out, if you’d like me to,” Mac offered. “I know a thing or two about building muscle.”

Oh boy, do you.“You’d help me out?”

“It’s the least I can do. You’ve been great to offer all the help you have so far. I appreciate it.”

“You should know what you’re in for. I’m starting to doubt anything is going to help me. I’m a lost cause.”

“Every body is different, Ben. You can’t compare yourself to others… just try to be the best you.”

“But the best me is a ninety-pound weakling.”

Mac frowned. “Is that how you see yourself?”

Ben shrugged.

“You’re far from that,” Mac said. “Look in a mirror sometime.”

Ben met his stare. “I have. Every day.”

Mac’s frown faded. “Then you must be blind.” Mac took a step forward before placing his cup into the sink. “Thanks for the coffee. I appreciate it, but I need to get going. I’ve got somewhere I need to be.”

“Oh. Okay.” Ben stared at the man’s back, watching him leave.

I must be blind? What in the hell does that mean?

And then he just bolts?

Benji frowned, thoroughly confused.

What in the hell just happened?

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