“He was an ass. No redeeming qualities last night.” He had to wink. Had to.
“Zero,” Charles agreed. “Just so. I knew you were a keeper.” After a few more bites of his oatmeal, Charles seemed to be more relaxed. “I think I’d like soup for lunch. Chicken noodle or perhaps minestrone. And a nice crusty bread. You should be able to buy all of that close by. I suspect there will be an afternoon nap in my future as well.”
He grabbed his phone and started a list. He’d buy himself some pecans and a fancy coffee and something to mail to Roper, plus the twins, Momma, and Daddy. “Yes, sir. What are you wanting for supper?”
“Keep it light. Maybe Caesar salad? I love a good Caesar dressing and some tasty croutons. A little chicken on it is nice too. And maybe a glass of wine.” Charles winked at him. “I do remember some of our conversation.”
He chuckled softly but nodded. “Yes, sir.” He texted himself a note.
Ryder
Look up Caesar salad. Look up Caesar salad dressing. Get wine. Get a wee bottle of whiskey & Cokes for the bedroom
He’d buy his booze on his dime.
“I find it difficult to believe you’ve only been with me for a week or so. Don’t you? It seems so easy. I thought it would take some getting used to, having a stranger in my house. But you don’t feel like a stranger.”
Well, that was a blessing. “I’m so glad. I’m learning a lot, but I’m tickled I’m not making you miserable.”
“On the contrary. I think we’re getting along quite well.” Charles’s sharp blue eyes flashed with fun. “It even appears to me that you’ve forgiven my poor judgment last night, which has made me feel very far from miserable indeed.”
“Oh, let me tell you, I have been accused of poor judgment more than once.” Mister Charlie had no idea. “You weren’t close.”
“Oh my. That sounds like the sort of story you should tell me if I’m ever that drunk again. Which I don’t intend to be. You might be safe.”
“Well, one way or the other, I’ll make sure you’re safe, coming and going.” He could manage that, all the way.
Charles had been looking at him so strangely all morning. Studying him like he was looking for something. “I’d like some more coffee, please.”
“Yes, sir. You done oatmealing too?” He stood and picked up his dishes.
Charles handed off his bowl, then pulled out his phone and started scrolling. “I am done. Thank you, it was delicious. Did you make it yourself?”
Did it come froze? Could you order it in? Because he’d eaten the shit from the packet. Lots. This was way better. “Yes, sir.”
“I’m so impressed with your cooking, I really am. When I’m here, I usually buy some bagels and call breakfast handled. The oatmeal was very nice.”
“I’m tickled you like it. I’m feeling my way around lots of this, so there’s bound to be a few disasters. So far? I’ve lucked out.” And he was grateful for it.
Of course, he’d never even heard of minestroney, so he’d be testing that…
“Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to let you know.” Charles shook his head and looked back at his phone.
“Yes, sir.” He finished his oatmeal in a couple of quick bites while he made them both another cup of coffee, delivering Mister Charlie’s before doing the dishes.
He was going to have to Google Map a grocery store, a liquor store, and a place to buy soup…
9
Charles picked up his phone to call Ryder’s placement service as soon as Ryder walked out the door to go shopping. He’d been drunk last night no question, but not so inebriated that he couldn’t recall most of the evening.
He remembered his conversation with River well enough. Vividly, in fact. River had assumed he and Ryder were lovers, and not only that, River had extended an invitation to Charles to bring Ryder to his men’s club. He was aware that River and Victor were members, and it wasn’t the first time he’d been invited. Tad hadn’t ever cared to go, so they’d turned down an invitation more than once.
He wasn’t sure he completely understood the goings-on there, but River and Victor were both upstanding, good to their partners and otherwise friendly and kind. If he and Ryder were more than they were to each other, he felt as if he’d consider accepting.
But he and Ryder?—
It had been a long time since anyone was as attentive and gentle with him as Ryder, and his feelings about it were confusing. He was paying the man to work and to be that verything for him, but Ryder had gone above and beyond last night. And not just last night—to be fair, Ryder was much too good at his job.