“Because you love him. Of course you do.” He had to wonder about Roper and what it would actually take to make him happy. If he was understanding correctly, whether Ryder wanted to admit it or not, Roper needed a very specific sort of relationship that seemed an unlikely find on the bull riding circuit. It was possible that Roper might find what he needed here in New York, however. “Maybe he’ll like New York. He’d be welcome to stay.”
Short term. He didn’t think he wanted to live with Roper indefinitely. He honestly wasn’t sure Ryder would either.
“For a little while, yes.” Ryder winked at him, playing with him. “I love our lives.”
“For a little while. Yes.” He nuzzled Ryder’s hair. “He’ll be okay. Whatever he’s going through will work itself out one way or another, and you’re here for him, with him, in the meantime. That’s what family is for. No guilt.”
“No guilt it is. God, I love you. I’m so glad we’re together.”
“I am very glad.” Charles shifted so he could look Ryder in the eye. “And whoever your brother needs to be happy is what it is. It’s not for us to judge.”
Ryder’s head tilted. “What are you telling me, Sir?”
“That when we’re at the club, you have to let him be himself.”
“I do. I think I do.” Ryder tilted his head. “Don’t I?”
“Hm. I believe you want to, but you often look uncomfortable, and you’re good at changing the subject.” If he could feel Ryder’s discomfort, surely Roper did too.
Ryder sighed softly. “He’s just very…sexual.”
That was an interesting observation, given who his lover was. “Says the man who drags me off for a nap nearly every afternoon?”
“Mmm…okay, can I tell you a secret?” Ryder’s lips brushed his ear. “He’s a little kinky.”
It was all he could do not to laugh. Poor Ryder was very serious. “Yes, I know,” he replied quietly. “That’s what I was getting at. He will probably feel right at home at the men’s club, and we need to let him be…himself. Kinky. Submissive, I think.”
“I don’t have to watch, though, right? That’s weird. He’s my brother.”
He did chuckle that time. “Definitely not. One assumes those things belong behind closed doors.”
“You don’t want to watch either, right? I mean… I want you to watchme. Not another man.”
“Oh, no.” He took a quick kiss to prove his point. “I have no interest in anyone but you. Watching or otherwise.”
“Good.” Oh, that little bit of possessiveness felt lovely.
He smiled, kissing Ryder again. “Indeed. You are more than enough for me.”
Ryder nodded, kissing him harder. “Want to go…nap?”
“No.” His shot Ryder a sly grin. “Now I am going to make you wait until tonight.” He expected Roper to be up shortly anyway.
“So mean!” Ryder’s face was a study in hunger, in happiness. “I suppose I can live with that…”
“I think we both can. It will make our evening better. Though we might make Roper ill being too…sweet.” He didn’t care at all. He was just amused by the idea.
“If I had a dime for every time he said I was too sweet…” Ryder kissed the corner of his lips.
“It’s why I never mixed the two of you up. Your faces are very similar, but you’re really not alike at all.”
Ryder beamed at him. “Thank you, Sir. That’s important to me.”
“I know.” He smiled at Ryder. “As I said earlier, you’re the right one for me.”
“Maybe the only one for you, now?” Ryder flushed dark. “You’re the only one for me.”
“The only one, now.” Tad would be incredibly jealous and incredibly happy for him. “Right, and only.”