The Imperfection of Swans (29 page)

In way of response, Kevin leaned in with a kiss. There was something nice about being the same height, not having to crane his neck up.

Casper tasted like spaghetti, which was rather pleasant, despite the garlic undertones. Their kiss deepened, but remained slow. Though Kevin felt his desire building, as well as felt Casper’s length hardening as it pressed against Kevin’s leg, the kiss felt more of comfort than it did fire.

They adjusted so Casper’s back was supported by the lamppost, and he circled his arms around Kevin, never breaking the kiss.

Still marveling at how the closeness didn’t trigger his panic, Kevin sank against Casper.

Casper’s body wasn’t big and muscle ridden like the one Kevin had been used to, but Kevin had never felt safer.

Something inside of him began to crumble. And that scared him a little. Instead of giving in to the fear, he pulled back from the kiss and rested his cheek on Casper’s shoulder, focusing on the warm arms that held him.

He felt Casper let out a long, contented sigh. God, that felt good. Kevin angled his face so that he could be heard without having to raise his voice. “I know it’s our first date and everything, and the rules say we should wait, but we’re breaking every rule anyway. Both with the business and with us.” He hesitated, suddenly unsure.

Casper chuckled softly. “Are you asking to power bottom on our first date, Mr. Bivanti?”

Kevin shook his head in mock exasperation. “Something like that.”

“Well good.” Casper separated them slightly to look into Kevin’s eyes. “Because I’ve already booked us a room at the Jewel. They still gave me my old employee discount. No way I’m taking you back to a sleeping bag tonight.”

Lust flared then; he’d forgotten about certain parts of Casper’s anatomy, though he was surprised to realize it.

He’d never been with anyone who made him feel this way, in any aspect.

Fear spiked again. “Casper?”

“Yeah?”

“I know you said we don’t have to be perfect, but we are moving really, really fast. There’s bound to be some issues come up. Maybe some big ones….” Especially with as many questions as Casper seemed to come up with.

Casper held his gaze for a moment before he replied. “Yeah. There will be. And when they come up, we will just hug it out. We’re going to be awesome. We’ll hug it out.”

CASPER

“WOW! IT’S
even more beautiful than I pictured.” Casper couldn’t suppress his Christmas-morning grin. “I know I kept talking about how it would glow, but seriously? This is like otherworldly.”

Kevin chuckled beside him and slipped his hand into Casper’s. “You might be a little dramatic, but it is perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

The floors had finally been refurbished, and he and Kevin had waited the twenty-four hours before returning and had just spent twenty minutes wandering through all three levels.

“You know this means we can finally get your bed moved up to the apartment and get it set up.” Kevin leaned into him. “I think that space surprises me more than the others. It’s actually really pretty up there. Though it might need a few more days. The fumes in here are pretty intense still. I feel like I’m getting a layer of varnish up my nose.”

Casper had a hard time concentrating on Kevin’s words; the pressure of their bodies together made his thoughts go other places.

The past week had been the happiest time of his life. He knew that it might be pathetic or sappy to feel that way, but it was true. What could be better? He’d fallen for the most beautiful man he’d ever seen, and that same man seemed to be falling for him as well. They were starting their dream businesses in a space more gorgeous than he could have imagined.

He had it all. He wasn’t going to question it or try to sort through the shoulds or shouldn’ts. He was just going to be thankful. And he was. Casper felt like the luckiest man on the entire planet.

“I wish we could get going right now. Now that we’re here, I want to see it all set up. I don’t want to sleep or do anything else until it’s all done.”

“It will be a bit before it’s all done, Kev.” This part did worry Casper. Now that the brownstone was ready for them to really turn loose and get it how they wanted, he wasn’t sure if Kevin would be able to find a balance without breaking down. “And I can think of things I’d rather do with you than spend 24-7 in work mode.”

Kevin turned toward him, not letting go of his hand. He trailed his free hand over Casper’s crotch. “How about for each major task we finish, we find a new way to celebrate.”

“Uh, yeah. You win. I’ll work every minute of the day.” He groaned as Kevin squeezed his cock through his jeans. “Can we celebrate now?”

“I don’t think the floors are quite ready for that yet. But when we get back to the hotel….”

Kevin’s hand left Casper’s cock as he lifted his arms around Casper’s neck, pulling him in for a kiss.

How the hell had he lived without this? If he didn’t trust fate so much, he would be afraid that it was too good to last.

There was a throat-clearing noise from the front door.

Breaking the kiss, Casper turned at the sound, then scampered backward to get away from Kevin.

Renata and Noelle were standing in the doorway. Renata had an uncomfortably stern expression, and Noelle looked as if it was taking all of her self-control not to burst out laughing.

And all Casper could think was how to hide his erection through his jeans. He couldn’t stuff his hand down and readjust or stand with both his hands covering his crotch. And there wasn’t a damn piece of furniture to stand behind. He could run up to the bakery and use the shelter of the marble counter, though that just might be noticeable as well.

Apparently Kevin had no such concerns as he rushed toward the door, waving his arms frantically. “Don’t walk in here! Take your shoes off!” His panic sounded as if they were threatening to burn the place down.

Noelle lost it. Doubled over in the doorway, laughing so hard she snorted.

She might be Casper’s favorite of the Bivanti family. He started to snigger himself, until he was able to see past Noelle. Had they brought the whole family with them?

“Laugh all you want, but I’m serious. Shoes off. They said socks only until tomorrow.” Kevin’s stern expression and his police-like posture, hand out at the doorway, set Noelle off into a new fit of laughter.

Still laughing, she slipped her shoes off and carried them in her hand as she stepped into the brownstone.

Renata glared, though Casper wasn’t sure who she was glaring at. Maybe at the store itself. She pointed down at her shoes. “I don’t have socks, dear.” She was wearing black stilettos. As per usual.

“Geesh, sis. You’re a big lez. Act like it.” Tony stepped around her and into the building, also holding his shoes. He flinched when he’d made it fully inside. “Actually, Renata, you might want to stay there. It smells like someone spilled a few hundred bottles of poppers.”

Two more of the siblings followed him in, each clad in socks. Beatrice and Francesca, though he couldn’t remember which was which.

Kevin greeted each of them and then kissed his mother’s cheek in the doorway. “Sorry, Mom. I love you, but you’re staying there.”

Casper wasn’t sure why she looked so offended. From what he’d seen from Renata, she would have done the exact same thing. Then Noelle was in front of him, sweeping him up into a huge hug before leaning back to stare meaningfully into his eyes. She didn’t say a word, but spoke volumes.

Yep. Definitely his favorite.

Tony came up and whapped him on the shoulder. “I thought I was just coming to see the renovations. Didn’t know I was going to get a show too.” His tone was teasing, but there was a warning behind his gaze. “Didn’t know about this new development. I guess I’m supposed to say welcome to the family, or is this a hookup for you?”

“Tony!” Noelle smacked him on the shoulder, and from the sound of it, with the intention to sting. “Knock it off. Casper is wonderful, and this is a very good thing.”

Tony looked skeptical.

Both of the aunts were more unreadable as they greeted him.

Renata spoke up from her prison in the doorway. “We knew you were getting to see the new floors this evening, so we thought we’d join. See how our investment is coming along.”

Casper tried to read between the lines. He knew how his family would be if they’d invested in his business, and it wouldn’t be good. He glanced at Kevin to see his reaction.

Kevin didn’t appear to feel the need to read between any lines, so that was a good sign. Hopefully. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”

One of the aunts, Beatrice, he thought, padded over and touched one of the larger sections of exposed brick. “It’s beautiful. Renata had said that you moved away from your original design. I think this is going to look wonderful when it’s all done.”

The other one—Francesca?—spoke up, pointing at the clusters of light pendants hanging from the ceiling. “It’s already wonderful. It’s gorgeous. Look at these lights—what a great idea.”

“Those were Casper’s suggestion.” Kevin smiled over at him. “Not something I would have thought of, but it really brings it all together.”

“I agree. Nicely done. Can we see the rest of the place?” Tony’s tone seemed more at ease, but still somewhat reserved. “I know I’m not an investor, but I’m still excited about this place. Rick wants to see it too, but I think he’s too embarrassed right now.”

In all the bustle and his excitement over his new relationship, Casper had forgotten that Kevin said Tony and Rick had decided to stay together, as long as Rick remained in therapy.

Kevin led the crowd up to the bakery. From the sounds of oohing and aahing floating down the stairs, the family was impressed.

Casper stayed behind, feeling strange about leaving Renata stranded in the doorway. He walked over to stand awkwardly beside her. “You can borrow my socks, if you’d like. I hate for you not to be able to see it with everyone else.”

He couldn’t miss her nose crinkle at the thought of wearing his socks. It was an expression he’d seen on Kevin’s face so many times already that he couldn’t help but find it rather adorable.

“I think I’ll just wait, but thank you for the offer.”

A tense silence fell between them, and Casper had no idea what he should say to make it better. With all the fumes still lingering, he imagined things should be a little more slaphappy and less Godfather.

Finally Renata addressed him once more. “I want you to know that even though I’m not as overly exuberant as my wife, I am happy for you and Kevin.”

“Thank you, that—”

She cut him off. “Let me finish before you thank me. I do have to express my concern. I am worried that it is too soon after Scott. And don’t get me wrong, you’re much better than Scott… who isn’t? But I think the timing is bad, and I don’t believe it’s wise to start a relationship and a business at the same time. Noelle tells me to just be happy for our son. But I just needed you to hear my thoughts.”

He had a hard time reading Renata, but there was a softness, a fragility, in her, even during such a speech, one that reminded him of Kevin, that made not liking her impossible. “Thank you for being up-front. I’d rather you tell me your fears than keep them to yourself.”

She inspected him, as if digging for truth. “Are you not concerned about those things?”

Casper almost lied, thinking that it might make her feel better, but he couldn’t do it. “Actually, no. I’m not. I know I should be, or at least I’m supposed to be. But I just feel it’s right. I have so much peace about it.”

“Do you love my son?”

He felt his eyes widen at that. He for sure hadn’t been expecting that question. His heart pounded out an answer, probably loud enough for her to hear. “I’m sorry, Renata. I’m not going to tell you that before I even say the words to Kevin.”

“Hmmm.” Though she didn’t smile, Casper could sense it. “You remind me of Noelle.”

“I’ll take that as a huge compliment. And a good sign.”

She didn’t respond, but again, he knew she was smiling in there. Somewhere. When she finally spoke, there was warmth in her tone. “I also want you to know that even though it may look otherwise, we aren’t here to take over yours and Kevin’s business. While it’s not the way I would have chosen, I trust my son and know that he will do what he sets out to do. We might have money invested, but that will not affect our interference with how the two of you manage it.” Her gaze flicked up toward the voices drifting down from overhead. “That goes for all of us.”

Casper wasn’t really sure how to respond to that either. So he kept it simple. “Thank you.”

Renata nodded and brought her attention to the green doorframe. She leaned closer, then ran a finger down the surface before inspecting it. “You boys need to dust.”