Pull his hands away

You gently grab his hands and lift them away from your crotch. He looks at you with his big, brown eyes.

"I'm sorry, did I offend you?" he asks. "I was only trying to help."

You shake your head. "No, it's fine. just a little... personal. I know you didn't mean it."

Luke turns away. "You're just saying that. It's the fur, isn't it? Or is it the tail? I disgust you, don't I?"

"No, I-- That's not-- I don't--" you stammer. His shoulders shake as he makes a soft, breathless sound. Is he crying?

"Just go," he says. "I'll manage without you. I'll just curl up in the bottom of the tub and lick my wounds -- the ones in my arm and in my pride."

"Oh my God, it's not you!" you say, exasperated. He's like a character from a soap opera. "My problem is, I'm attracted to you and you got me hard, and- and I was embarrassed."

"Thanks for trying to spare my feelings, but I know you're making that up," Luke says.

You've had enough. You shove down your shorts and briefs, your erection springing free. "Am I making this up?" you ask.

Luke turns, his eyes sparkling with unshed tears... of laughter. His grin is so wide you can see every one of his small, sharp teeth. It was a joke, all of it, just one big joke.

"You're not even hurt that badly, are you?" you ask.

He glances at his arm as he continues to chuckle. "Well, I was shot, but I told you, it was just a graze."