Take My Body (Curse Bound 2)

So that was what Caspian was going to do. He might not have a future at Gunner’s side, but still had feelings for him, still knew they’d stay close forever, and he couldn’t have lived with himself if he left the massive financial burden on Gunner’s shoulders, when he had the means to deal with it.

It only now struck him that Gunner might take his gesture the wrong way and storm off, slighted by the charity, but he stood his ground and smiled.

Gunner kept his gaze for a while. “I’m sorry I didn’t thank you yet. It’s just so much money. I didn’t know how to say it. I really hope it’s not ‘cause you felt obligated—”

Caspian grabbed his hand and squeezed it, his heart thumping. “No. I did it because I saw that you’re in a bad situation and deserve help. You’re my friend, and I want to do this. But let’s keep that between us, all right?” he asked, because his parents surely would have balked at him giving away so much money when it could have gone toward something they considered sensible.

Gunner held on to the slender hand as if he were drowning. “Yes. We’ll stay friends, right?”

“Do you want to stay here?” Caspian asked, because this was one of the reasons why he’d invited Gunner in the first place. It was his fault Gunner was now homeless, and it only made sense to offer him a comfortable bed to sleep in until he was back on his feet.

Gunner cocked his head in a manner painfully reminiscent of the way he acted while in Caspian’s body. Even his squint was the same. “What?”

“As in, in our guest room. Sleeping on the sofa can’t be comfortable in the long run, and it really is the least we could do,” Caspian said as heat burned his cheeks.

Gunner slipped his hand out of Caspian’s grip. “No, thanks, but, no, that’s too much. And your parents live here. It would be awkward. I couldn’t.”

The floor was crumbling under Caspian’s feet. “But my parents already agreed. And they’re out for most of the day.”

“No, really, you already did too much for me. But thank you. I need to take care of myself.”

But he didn’t. Every fibre of Caspian’s being craved to take over and ensure Gunner was safe and comfortable. One step at a time, though.

“We can talk about this again later. I’m sure Mom and Dad are waiting for us already,” Caspian said and cleared his throat, leading the way past the home office and into the bright dining room, which also served as Mom’s green space and was filled with all kinds of potted plants and flowers arranged on shelves.

Mom was fantastic at making people feel welcome, and while Caspian expected awkwardness, the meet-and-greet went smoothly, even though the ice-breaker had been a joke at his expense about the time Gunner had brought him home drunk. Caspian wouldn’t complain as long as it made Gunner feel more comfortable.

Caspian was intent on showing Gunner that he wouldn’t be a burden for them if he stayed for a while. Without the pressure to take the first job available, he’d get to think through what he wanted to do with his future, not just survive. After a lifetime of not being given a fair chance, this was what Gunner deserved. A fresh start.

“You won’t believe how patient this guy is,” Caspian said, gesturing at Gunner while they ate his dad’s signature tiramisu two hours later. “When I was trying to make changes to my wardrobe and went on that big shopping spree, he just walked with me and carried all bags so I could comfortably browse. And not a single complaint.”

Gunner laughed and hid half his face with the massive hand. At least the wine seemed to relax him a bit. “It’s not a big deal, I was happy to help.”

The cake fork looked so tiny in his chunky fingers, and Caspian would have lied if he said he didn’t miss being the big guy, but his size no longer made him feel inadequate.

Gunner was still the same person, with the same needs and a gentle personality hidden inside the rock-hard shell of muscle. If it weren’t for Gunner’s preferences, Caspian would have picked up where they’d started in a heartbeat. Now that he knew who Gunner really was, every single thing he did, even in this large, strong body, was too cute for words and made Caspian’s heart melt. The desire to take care of him was still there, and Caspian wouldn’t let go of it regardless of Gunner’s pride.

“Actually, didn’t you just lose a worker after he behaved inappropriately toward the bridesmaid at that wedding last weekend?” Caspian asked, glancing at his mother across the table.

There. Everyone had loosened up, and it was the perfect time to bring up another reason why he’d wanted Gunner to come over and show his parents that he wasn’t a dumb brute.