Chapter Eight

Even though Casper's body burned, his soul glowed. He couldn't wait to get home and finish what they started on the dance floor. He beamed like an idiot all the way to the car. Casper had known London was perfect, but wow. Not only had Casper gotten to feed his kink, he had gotten to do so with a man so sexy, he probably had everyone as jealous as they were turned on by their show. Even though London was getting better when it came to the insecurities over his looks, he still didn't realize the truth. Not only was he drop dead sexy, but he was also the hottest guy Casper had ever been with. His perfect body was something out of a wet dream. He turned heads everywhere they went. Casper looked forward to enjoying that body soon.

They climbed into the car. London didn't start it. He stared silently at nothing while Casper's glow dulled. Dread rose in his chest. Something wasn't right. The tension was cloying. Casper knew it wasn't in his head. Something was wrong.

"I'm sorry."

London's gaze shot his way. "For what?"

Casper made a helpless gesture. "For whatever has you angry with me right now. If I went too far—"

London kissed him, cutting off his panic. He pulled away and pressed his forehead against Casper's. "Stop. You haven't done anything wrong."

"Then what's wrong?"

London moved back to his side of the car. He ran his hand around the steering wheel in a nervous motion. "I got a text from Ransom earlier."

"Okay." Casper was getting more terrified by the second. He couldn't lose London.

"Ransom got a match from the DNA on that first note. It was for a guy named Diego Alvarez. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to panic. Then Ransom processed your place after it was tossed. The same guy's fingerprints were all over the place. From there, we knew we had the right person and Ransom has been on the hunt for him ever since."

"But I don't know anyone by that name. Why would he target Carver and me?"

A sad-looking smile touched London's lips. "Likely because you're beautiful and twins and he's a known sex trafficker. It doesn't matter now. They found his body. He's dead. You're safe now."

The ramifications of that statement weren't slow to come. They fell on him like a load of bricks. London wouldn't be paid to protect him any longer. Casper had a home that wasn't with London. He had let himself get lost in a life that had never stood a chance of becoming reality. Casper couldn't breathe. His eyes stung. It was so stupid, but he didn't want to go back home. That duplex didn't even feel like home anymore. He couldn't explain it, but his place was with London.

Casper cleared his throat. He had questions, but his tongue wouldn't work. They stared at each other. It was obvious neither of them wanted to be the one who spoke the obvious. This could mean they were done. He didn't know what London wanted full time, but he had a life that didn't include Casper.

"Tell me what you want me to do." London's voice came out in a strained whisper. It hit Casper. He felt the same. London was hurting and just as scared of losing them. A lump swelled in Casper's throat. He had gone from the highest highs to the lowest lows in a span of five minutes. His brain was mush and his mouth was dumb. Desperation clawed at his guts. His heart couldn't take this. He couldn't stop the words from spilling from him.

"Tell me you feel this thing between us and that you don't want us to end." A tear slipped down Casper's cheek. London hadn't said they were over, but he knew things would change. "Tell me I matter to you as much as you matter to me. I'm not safe. Not at all. I feel the heartbreak waiting for me back at that duplex. It feels like you plan to take me there and never look back."

London never broke eye contact. "I feel this thing between us and I don't want us to end. You more than matter to me. I'm in love with you, and if I have to take you back to that duplex, giving up your body next to mine every night, it might kill me."

Casper had started crying for real halfway through London's speech. He sniffled and swiped his cheeks. "Okay." Even Casper heard the happiness in his voice.

"Okay what?"

An elated burble of laughter rose in Casper's throat. "Okay. Don't take me back to the duplex."

London looked as if he was scared to hope. "Are you sure?"

Casper nodded. "If you want, I can keep up the rent on the place for a while so there's no pressure, but yeah. I've gotten kind of used to your chest being my pillow."

"We'll do whatever you're comfortable with as long as you don't leave me. But I'll cover your rent. I don't want you struggling just to be with me."

Casper shook his head. "I really want to argue about that right now, but I get the feeling I won't win. You'll likely just find a way around me to pay it."

A smile exploded across London's face. "Yep."

There was a ton of happiness squashing every bad thing said that started this conversation. He had known London was special the first night they met. He hadn't been wrong.

"Put on your seatbelt. I need to get you home so I can finish what you started."

"In a second." Casper crawled across the car and straddled London. "I need a kiss first."

London snagged the back of his head and hauled him forward, giving Casper exactly what he wanted. It was like sealing the deal on the plans they had made. Casper couldn't be happier.

London wasn't blind to the fact that Casper hadn't returned his words of love. It was okay, though. He realized he had probably said them too soon. But London felt what he felt and he couldn't let Casper get away with saying as much. With Casper on his lap and sucking his tongue, London wanted to say it again. Fuck. The guy just gave him life.

With one final swipe of his lips across London's, Casper pulled away. He brushed noses with London. "Okay. Now you can take me home." Except he didn't move. His mouth covered London's again, and London took everything he gave. Things were getting beyond heated. London wasn't sure they would make it home.

Casper's mouth moved to London's ear. London's entire body lit with goosebumps with Casper's breath sounding against his ear. "I just realized I forgot to tell you something."

London's fought for his life. He wanted to lift his hips and grind against Casper. It was hard, but he tried holding up his end of conversation. "What's that?"

"I'm very much in love with you."

Everything inside London soared. He went on the attack, kneading Casper's ass and rocking him against his body. Casper bit and sucked his neck. The windows fogged. Nothing mattered any longer except the way Casper worked at springing their erections from the confines of their clothing. London lowered the seat, giving them more space and getting comfortable. He knew Casper's knees had to be digging into everything, bruising them, but he never complained. In fact, a loud moan filled the air as he held their dicks together and stroked.

"Oh, God. You're all I think about."

Casper's confessions were killing him tonight. "Same. I waited my whole life for you." London's voice sounded raspy. All he could focus on was Casper's touch. He was already getting close—like Casper hadn't just blown him inside the club.

"I'm sorry, sexy. I'm so fucking close. You got me too hot sucking you earlier. I won't last."

That was fine. London wanted that. He pushed Casper's hand aside and took control. He stroked fast, savoring the sounds Casper made. When Casper blew, the sensation of his jerking cock coupled with his hot cum pouring onto London's crown had him following. The sounds they made seemed even louder with the car as their bubble. They both gasped for air like dying men. London didn't know which of them laughed first, but they equally couldn't stop. His life had been wild as hell since meeting Casper. He had gone from the consummate professional to this uncontrollable, needy person seemingly overnight. London wouldn't change a thing.