Take My Body (Curse Bound 2)

“Yeah, but first, the lead hook,” Caspian said, deciding it was time to grab the bull by the horns and step into the shoes he now needed to inhabit.

Gunner gave a brief shake of his head, but Caspian stepped closer to Brian and explained the move like Gunner had to him earlier, word for word, making sure to show each element several times, so that Brian understood what was expected of him.

But as Caspian looked up and asked if his protégé had any questions, Brian cleared his throat and uttered. “I mean… I know this one already.”

Fire ate the skin of Caspian’s face and reached his mind, making him stutter when his brain stalled. “I-I… yeah. Just w-wanted you to perfect it. That’s all.”

“So we can practice,” Gunner added quickly. “Gun was telling me it’s time to test your progress with someone in a similar weight category.” He took off his hoodie without even a hint of worry about his new body being tiny.

Brian seemed to accept that explanation and soon enough entered the boxing ring in the gym’s largest interior. Despite the high ceiling swarming with pipes and AC ducts, the air smelled of sweat and rivalry, and Caspian tried to ignore the crowd of massive guys training in small groups all around him. They might not see him as an intruder, but he sure as hell knew that he didn’t fit in, and in the new body—neither did Gunner.

Caspian wasn’t sure what he’d expected to see in the ring, but when Gunner focused on his opponent as if this was a real fight, his stomach suddenly felt heavy. Gunner had only taken over Caspian’s body earlier today, but when he moved, avoiding Brian’s jabs or making strikes of his own, it seemed that nothing at all was left of Caspian in the slender shell of flesh and bone. Gunner might not be as strong as he was used to, but he knew how and when to jab at Brian to hit him with gloved fingers.

Caspian had never much cared for boxing, or any other combat sport for that matter, but as the two boys in front of him locked eyes, searching for weaknesses in one another’s guard, he felt weirdly engaged. Brian might be small, but he had more muscle on him than Gunner, and Caspian wasn’t even sure who he was rooting for more. The younger boy to show Gunner that size was a challenge, or for Gunner to show him that one could win with more than brute force.

The hour passed like barely minutes, and while Caspian spent most of that time ogling Gunner and remembering how that slender body had taken his cock, he made sure to offer Brian praise whenever it seemed that the boy had done something right.

To Caspian’s relief, Brian didn’t seem to notice anything was off, and left after fist-bumping Gunner.

Caspian leaned over the ropes with a smile. “And how does it work? Does he pay the money straight into your bank account, or…?”

Gunner stretched, as if he wanted to show off his body—the same one Caspian had been so focused on hiding. How did this guy manage to wear it with so much confidence? “No, no! Don’t mention cash to him. He’s got a tough situation right now.”

Caspian frowned. “But you made a big deal over not losing this client.” And where was he supposed to get money for food and bills? Wasn’t this his part-time job?

“Yeah, he is. He’s a good kid, and if things get better, he’ll pay me in a month or two. His dad lost his job, and it’s all a bit shit for him right now.”

Caspian frowned, self-conscious about all the other men training in various spots around them, even though nobody tried to approach him beyond offering nods or brief waves.

“But… you’re poor. And you have that debt. You need all the money you can get.”

Gunner deflated as if Caspian had punctured him. “Well, yeah. So?” he snapped. “So I can’t do a good deed because I’m poor?”

Caspian took a step back and would have fallen off the edge of the ring if he hadn’t grabbed the thick, stiff rope that surely had never been cleaned. “No… it’s just that you could train someone else instead of Brian. Someone who could actually pay you for your work.”

Gunner scowled and wouldn’t even look at him. “Clients aren’t exactly busting my door, Casper.”

“You know my name.”

Gunner shrugged. “Whatever.”

What the hell?

Caspian grabbed Gunner’s shoulder and pulled him so they faced one another across the ropes. “I don’t like this attitude.”

“So stop pointing out what a failure I am!” Gunner scowled, showing his teeth like a rabid dog. His muscles went so rigid it seemed that only the public setting stopped him from roaring.

Caspian counted to five and took a deep breath, meeting Gunner’s gaze, meeting the same icy shade of blue he used to see in the mirror.