Charles smiled gently. “What I mean is that you’re not working right now,so…” That last word had a strange emphasis, like he was supposed to know what came next.
“I don’t usually—No, I’ve never once woke up with someone I worked for before. I won’t make you sorry, though.”
“I’m not sorry. I’m happy. This is good. I believe we’ve made the right decision. I just want to know what you calling me ‘sir’ means. Right now. In bed. Since you’re not working.” Charles was still smiling at him and tugged at a lock of his hair. “I need to know who you are, Ryder.”
“I—” Oh. Oh, God. He didn’t even think about that sort of thing anymore. At all.
No matter what.
“I promise I’m not—” Bad.
“I don’t care what you’re not.” Charles cupped his cheek, the smile turning into something warm but more serious. “I want to know what you need. I’m afraid I don’t have experience in this area.”
“I don’t know what to say.” He took a deep breath, telling himself that he’d done nothing to be ashamed of. “I’m not into things like Roper is. I tried, and I’m not that. I just want to make sure you’re well taken care of.”
“Ah, yes. I remember what you told me, Roper likes trouble.” Charles spoke slowly and his tone was gentle. Curious and alsocaring. “I like the way you take care of me. I never thought of myself as a man who needed taking care of, but—” Charles’s look turned thoughtful, his focus distant. “I like how you make me feel.”
“I like how I make you feel, as well. It’s necessary.” And Ryder meant it. It felt amazing, to make things right.
“Necessary. I see.” Those eyes snapped right back to his. “And you want me? You want this—with me?”
“Yes, sir.” No question. He was happy with Mister Charlie, and he wanted this position in Charles’s life.
That earned him a kiss. It was slow and heavy, and when Charles pulled away his look was serious. “We have a problem, Ryder.”
“Okay. I’ll fix it. Just tell me.”
“This is something I suppose you can fix, if you’re willing.” Charles shifted and sighed. He seemed to be taking a second to think. “I can’t pay you and also have you in my bed. So, you’re going to have to let me take care of you too.”
“I—Can you do that? I mean, obviously you can, like with money, but I mean, are you okay to do that?” He had a little savings, and if Charles decided to break up with him, he hadn’t had a job when he’d gotten his last one…
“Aren’t you kind?” Charles kissed him again, just quickly. “I am fine, thank you. I think I can figure this out. Other than disengaging with your employer and making new sleeping arrangements, I don’t suppose much needs to change. And I have friends who I can, well, whom I can consult.”
“I’m not trying to be a problem. I swear to you. I enjoy being with you, being your…good and safe place.” He had lots of thoughts about the things Roper did, about the things that he’d tried, and he was bad at them.
“If you were a problem, you’d be a good problem to have.” Charles settled and pulled him close again, and a long, strongarm curled around his back. “I know I’m asking a lot for you to give up your income to be with me. It’s important to me that you have everything you need. I don’t want you to worry about your future, no matter what happens between us. I’ll make you whatever deal you need up-front. I’m a fair man, I promise you.”
“I guess that’s something we need to chat about, sure, but I’m not—I mean, it hasn’t been a job-job for a while now. Maybe since New York.” What this was, was more like a calling, like a bigger thing than a man could pay for.
Charles nodded. “I know just what you mean. I just don’t want to get out of bed until we’re on the same page. I want to walk out of this hotel room and know where we stand.”
“I don’t work for you. I quit. I’m here because I want to be.” That was clear, right? He’d find himself a job he could do from Charles’s.
“You’re the first person in my employ to ever quit, you know.” Charles’s chuckle rumbled in his chest, vibrating against his cheek.
“Well, I’d tell you this was the first job I ever quit, but that would be a lie.” He hadn’t lasted two weeks at the Dairy Queen.
“Goodness! If I’d known your track record I never would have hired you in the first place.” Charles kissed his scalp and nuzzled his hair. “I think you should make up for your shortcomings by starting a nice hot shower for us.”
“Mmm…” Us. He liked that idea. He liked it a lot. “Yes, sir. I’m happy to.”
He’d packed the shampoo and soap that Mister Charlie liked, so he knew that the shower would be good.
“Thank you. Then I will take you out to breakfast, and we can decide what to do with our day. Did you have thoughts before the show tonight? Do you want to check in with Roper?”
“I do. I didn’t have a drink with him last night, so hopefully he’ll want to hang out for a minute today.”
“He’s welcome to join us, or I can leave you to spend some time with him on your own. Whatever you want.” Charles sat them up and kissed his shoulder. “Go on. Shower, cowboy.”