“Well, sure. That makes a ton of sense, and you don’t have to. I’m here to help, and I think we’re getting on pretty good.”
He turned back to Ryder and smiled. “We are. You’re special. I hope you know that about yourself.”
“Oh, that’s awful kind of you to say. I wish… I’d sure like it to be true.”
Charles nodded. He’d felt a similar way about himself at one time. “I don’t have any reason to lie.”
“Me either. You’re not going to remember this talk tomorrow anyway.”
“I might.” He winked at Ryder as the car stopped outside his building. Ryder had a point though. Maybe that would be for the best since he shouldn’t be saying all of this anyway. “Or I might not. But you will.”
“Yes, sir. Let’s get you upstairs and comfy. That suit can’t be comfortable.” Ryder eased him up and out of the car, hands warm and gentle on him.
“I’m ready to get rid of the tie. I don’t really like ties, but one has to wear them with a suit, right? On the other hand, it’s a nice suit.” He just went along, feeling heavy and tired, letting Ryder steer him. He trusted Ryder to get him home.
Ryder hummed and helped, moving him through the building and up to his apartment. “Do you want to head straight for your bedroom, or do you want to visit a bit in the front room?”
If he sat down right now he would just fall asleep. “Oh, no. No. I should go to bed. I’m tired. I’ll just go to my room.” He shrugged out of his suit jacket feeling warm now that he was inside.
“Fair enough. Let me help you get settled. I’ll grab you water, vitamin B, and Tylenol. It’ll help for the morning.”
“Okay. I’m going to—I’ll see you.” He was drunk. Definitely drunk and he needed to get out of Ryder’s hair.
“I’ll be right there, sir. I got you, okay? No stress.”
What a kind, service-oriented man.
“No stress,” he echoed, making his way back to his bedroom. He pulled off his tie and tossed it over his butler stand. He got as far as opening his belt before he flopped onto his bed, feet hanging over the side.
Oh. Spinning. That wasn’t good.
“Oh, Mister Charlie…” Warm hands removed his shoes and socks, then helped him sit up. “I have some vitamins and water for you, now.”
“Water.” He nodded. He just wanted to go to sleep, and those hands were so warm and strong.
“Yep. Take these, and I’ll get you settled in the bed, okay?”
He was given the pills, a bottle of water, then Ryder started working his shirt off.
He popped the little pills in his mouth, then switched the bottle to his other hand to drink so Ryder could help him with his shirt. A little voice was whispering to him that this was wildly inappropriate, but he decided Ryder was stronger than that whisper and ignored it. Ryder’s hands were steady and gentle, and he was enjoying the touch.
Thehelp. He was enjoying the help. Not the touch, that really was wildly inappropriate.
Even if it was true.
Soon he was tucked in his bed, that soft voice singing to him, easing him.
“I didn’t think to ask for a companion that could sing lullabies, so I got lucky.” He took Ryder’s hand and held it as his eyes closed. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sir. Get some good rest. I’ll see you in the morning.” Ryder didn’t leave him, though.
That warm hand stayed in his until he fell asleep.
8
Ryder made oatmeal and toast for breakfast because he didn’t know what Mister Charlie would want. He let the man sleep in, just sitting in one of the big windows, coffee in hand.
Lord have mercy, that had been one weird-assed night, but he thought he’d done okay. He’d called Roper, who’d said he was solid, that everything was good on his end too.