“So do I. Every day.” But that didn’t matter. Not even a little bit. Roper was a cowboy.
Mister Charlie rolled his eyes. “Cowboys. I’m sorry that your career ended with such a terrifying injury, but I am very glad you’re right here instead. I believe I was the winner of that show.”
“I—I bet I was scared, but I sure don’t remember a bit of it. I know Roper was there, and I know they called all the family, because they weren’t sure I’d wake up.” He’d been overwhelmed.
Charles’s arm tightened around him. “How long were you out?”
“Ten days. Like I said, I don’t remember it at all.” It wasn’t even a blur.
“Your family must have been…well. I know a little about how your family must have been. Except I knew Tad wasn’t ever going to wake up.”
He squeezed Charles’s hand. “I’m so sorry. That had to be so very hard.”
“It was at first. After a while, it was mostly very lonely. But I made him a promise, and I kept it, and I feel good about that.”
“I—is it weird that I don’t know what to say? Because I don’t.”
“No. No one really does. Nobody understood it. Sometimes even I don’t, except that I’m a man of my word, and I made a promise.”
“You’re a good guy. I swear, you make me proud to know you.”
“Thank you,” Mister Charlie sighed. “I am proud to know you too.”
“Thank you. I want you to be, you know.” He sort of needed it.
“Mhm. Yes. I know. And I want to be the kind of man you need.”
Ryder didn’t think that was going to be a problem. In fact, Charles was perfect for him.
There was a knock on the door, and Charles got up like he was expecting someone. “I’ll get that.” A man handed Charles a bag when he answered the door, Charles gave the guy a tip and closed it. “Special delivery.” The bag landed in his lap. “We needed some…provisions.”
He peered inside the bag to find a bottle of lube and a box of condoms.
Charles grinned at him and sank back down onto the couch. “I had to order the M&Ms to make the delivery minimum.”
Ryder couldn’t stop laughing, because that was at once ridiculous and adorable and wonderful and dear.
Not to mention the hotness quotient.
Mister Charlie laughed with him. “The delivery guy gave me a thumbs up.”
“He knows you’re going to get lucky.” He winked at his lover, a soft buzz building in the pit of his belly.
“Lucky-er. Luckier. I believe I am already quite lucky. I have a cowboy in my bed. I’ve seen the movies.” Mister Charlie winked at him.
“Have you? Are you suggesting I’m an archetype?” He reached up, stroking Charles’s lips, loving on him.
“No. Next to you, the movies exhibit an appalling lack of imagination.” Charles gently pinched one finger between his teeth.
The little sting made him gasp and scoot closer, rubbing them both together. So fucking hot.
Charles let his finger go and kissed him in that gentle, slow way he had the night before. Taking time, driving him mad.
“You make me want to hump you like a naughty puppy,” Ryder confessed, his breath coming faster, harder.
“Mmm. Naughty puppy? Well, not yet, pup,” Charles whispered against his lips. “Tonight, after everything. When I have time to make it just right.”
“Oh, so long.” He guessed that gave him something to look forward to, something to want and wait for.