Chapter Seven

Life with London was calm and quiet, with more than its fair share of bursts of mind-blowing sex. It had been weeks since he had any incidents with his stalker. He had gotten way too comfortable. It never even crossed his mind to suggest going home. The home he still paid the rent on each month. They had dropped by a few times so he could grab some things. London had hired someone to clean the place after Ransom had processed it. It was as if nothing ever happened there. Still, Casper didn't want to go home. Not only did he have this irrational fear the stalking would immediately resume, he couldn't lose the bed he shared with London.

The bad part about the entire arrangement was he barely saw Carver anymore. They had been on opposite shifts for a while. That bothered Casper more than he wanted to admit. It wasn't like he could complain. That seemed childish. So he did the next best thing. He dragged London to Leather Bait on his night off. London hadn't balked, but neither did he look thrilled as they pulled into the parking lot.

"I promise we won't stay long."

London's sexy gold eyes flashed his way. "It's fine. I know you miss your brother."

Casper flashed him a grateful smile. He raked his gaze down London's body. In dress pants and a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, London looked smoking hot.

"By the way, you look incredibly sexy tonight."

London leaned across the console and stole a quick kiss. "You too."

He was getting better about accepting compliments. Casper adored that. He wanted London to feel as gorgeous as he was. Hand in hand, they headed for the door. Inside, as always, music blared. Several people waved and stopped him for hugs. London remained patiently at his back, guarding him like always.

When the bar came into view, a wave of disappointment washed over Casper. Carver wasn't there. "What the hell?" Casper didn't hesitate to step behind the bar to find out what the hell was going on. Major was working, which only happened these days when someone called out sick. "Where's Carver?"

Major shrugged. "I have no idea. Duncan called and said he never showed."

Casper chewed his bottom lip. It wasn't like Carver to no call, no show. "I'll see what I can find out." He pulled his phone from his back pocket.

"Is everything okay?"

At London's shout across the bar, Casper focused on him. "I don't know. Carver didn't show up tonight. He didn't call either."

"Do we need to go check on him?"

"Let me try calling first."

London motioned for him. "Come on. Let's go outside where you can hear."

Major pointed toward Duncan's office. "Use the office."

With a nod, Casper and London headed for Duncan's office. Duncan was on the dance floor, making his customers happy. Thankfully, that left the office empty. Casper started dialing the second the door closed behind him. Carver answered on the third ring, saving Casper's sanity.

"Hey, bro." He sounded like shit.

"What's wrong?" Casper didn't bother with pleasantries. "You sound awful and you didn't show up for work."

"Shit. I fell asleep and forgot to call them. I have the flu. Tested positive this morning. Sky high fever. The works."

"Do you need me? I can make you soup or something."

"Are you nuts? I don't want you to catch this. I'm good. If I need anything, I'll just get it delivered and have them leave it at the door."

While Casper was still disappointed he hadn't gotten to see Carver, he was glad he wasn't dead in a ditch somewhere. "Okay. Well, keep me posted. I came to the club to see you. We've been on opposite schedules for a minute."

"I know. Sorry about that. That new guy Duncan hired already quit. I told him I would take his shift until they hired someone new. I thought you knew, but I should've been texting and calling. You know how I can be."

Yeah. He knew. Carver loved him, but Carver was also a free spirit and sometimes that meant people got pushed to the side. He didn't normally do that with Casper, but it was whatever. "I love you. Get to feeling better, okay. Don't make me call Mom."

Carver's groan had a smile snapping to Casper's lips.

"I love you too. Tell Major I'm sorry."

"I will. Sleep well."

Casper ended their call. He hated knowing Carver was sick. Part of him felt like he should offer to cover his shifts until he was well, but he didn't want to do that. He was tired of the grind. Even working at one of his favorite places, it was still work. He needed this night off. Casper didn't want to give up this free time with London.

He focused on London. "He has the flu. So, I guess it's just you and me." A wicked smile tugged at his lips. "You have my full attention now."

Carver tapped his phone against his lips. He hated lying to Casper. There was no one in the world who meant more to him, which was exactly why he had to be kept in the dark on this one. He would never understand. His gaze slid toward the man tied to his bed. He set his phone aside.

"Well, that bought us a few days to play uninterrupted." Carver crossed the room and straddled the man's body. "Whatever shall we do with all our free time?" The erection in the man's jeans said everything. Carver wiggled a little, hoping to make it worse. "Oh. Are you hard for me?" He leaned in and went nose to nose with his gagged hostage. "You should've thought about that before stalking my brother. Maybe you could have me right now."

The man's eyes flashed with rage.

Carver chuckled. "We'd never work, you and me. Two psychopaths in a single relationship is definitely at least one too many. We can keep playing, though. I'm one hundred percent not done with you yet." An evil smile tugged at Carver's lips. He wasn't finished with his torture. When he was, who knew? Maybe Carver would put him out of his misery.

Casper's wicked expression had a ton of ideas popping in London's head. One thing was for sure, though. London couldn't simply take Casper back home. One of these days, Casper would get sick of being kept stashed away from the world. His phone chirped before London had time to suggest anything. He held up one finger and dug his phone from his pocket. There was a text from Ransom.

Ransom: Diego Alvarez was found dead. Gunshot wound to the head. Execution style. It looks like someone beat us to him, but it's whatever. Casper is safe now. That's all that matters.

London didn't know how to react. He hadn't told Casper about Diego. When Ransom had processed Casper's house, he had found Diego's fingerprints and DNA all over the place. He was definitely their guy. London hadn't wanted Casper to think about it. They were on the case. He had always been safe. But now Casper could go home, and London didn't want that. Guarding Casper would no longer be a part of his duties. Life would soon return to how it had been before he had met Casper. Casper would move on and forget him once he was no longer trapped with London. One day, their time together would just be a memory. Not tonight, though. He didn't have to tell Casper right away. They still had tonight.

He stuffed his phone back into his pocket. "Let's go dance."

At the suggestion, Casper beamed. "Okay."

London took Casper's hand and headed out to the dance floor. He made it only feet from the office before he had Casper in his arms. Casper didn't disappoint. With his arms wrapped around London's neck, Casper moved against him Dirty Dancing style. London's gaze never wavered from Casper's beautiful face. He knew it was nuts. They had only been together a month. But they had been together twenty-four-seven for that time and done nothing much other than exploring each other's bodies and minds. He was in love with Casper. London doubted the feeling was mutual. It didn't matter. London felt how he felt.

The music got slower and sexier. Things turned hotter by the second. It was like they were connected and alone. The entire club disappeared around them. All London saw was Casper. He held the guy's ass, keeping their body firmly flush together. London was hard. He didn't doubt Casper felt his erection, because London felt his.

Casper's fingers went to work on the buttons of London's shirt. London didn't balk. He was a hell of a lot more covered than a majority of the people there. Showing a little chest meant nothing. Then the two halves of his shirt were open and Casper's mouth was on his collarbone. He sucked. London drew a shaky breath. Casper's mouth moved lower. His teeth closed on London's hardened nipple. His breathing got shakier.

London watched Casper kiss and bite his way down London's torso. Even when Casper dropped to his knees and unzipped London's pants, London didn't stop him. If people watched, London didn't notice. Casper had his full attention. Even when air hit his erection and Casper's mouth swallowed him, London didn't return to reality. He didn't care about anything but the show and the pleasure. London fucked Casper's mouth. He sucked air and rode his tongue. Casper looked naughty as hell. London had never been prouder to be seen with anyone. He wanted everything with this man. London wanted everyone to know Casper was his. His heart was in his throat even as his body raced toward the edge. Casper on his knees was fucking magic. His muscles tensed. London held Casper's hair. He tried not to tug. He always thought he would hate to have that done to him, so he tried to be respectful, but goddamn. London knew he would die if Casper stopped. Each breath came harder than the last. A moan tore from him as his orgasm struck.

Casper sucked him dry, then shot to his feet. Their mouths clashed. Casper fixed his pants while exploring London's mouth. The taste of London's cum still coated Casper's tongue. London didn't shy away. Even once the high passed, no shame hit. He had told Casper he would explore his exhibitionist side with him. He regretted nothing. London wanted to spend the rest of his life with Casper. He wanted to be Casper's everything. That meant he had to be honest. He had to tell Casper he could go home and pray Casper chose him instead. London was terrified. He wasn't sure he was worth keeping. It seemed he would know soon enough.