“Sure. Do you need me to get anything ironed or polished up for you?”
He was so spoiled, but even so he didn’t say no. Ryder needed a little grounding before their evening. “White shirt, gray jacket, black slacks and those shiny shoes you laughed at the first time you saw them.”
“I did, but I can see myself in them. I’ll get you set after I poke the bear in the butt.”
Poor bear. He had no idea whether Roper was ready for this or not. He hoped so, but Victor and his friends seemed to take their lifestyle to a lofty level. It wasn’t for him, or for Ryder, but that wasn’t what they needed.
Perhaps Roper did.
24
Ryder wasn’t as innocent as Roper and Charles thought, and he wasn’t dumb either.
He just didn’t see any need to dive into pools that he wasn’t strong to swim in.
He didn’t like big waves or sharks these days, but he loved the hot tub he shared with Charles, and he intended to keep it.
Roper? He needed a more dangerous ocean and a little bit of biting.
“Ry? You okay?”
He blinked, only then noticing the car had stopped at the club and everyone was waiting for him. “Yeah. Yeah, sorry. I was woolgathering.”
Charles, who was looking sharp in the jacket he’d made sure was completely lint-free offered him a hand seeming unbothered. “Such an interesting expression.”
“Yes, Sir.” Oh, his man looked so damn fine, and so did the club, all decked out and classy.
“I’ve never been here during the holidays; they certainly spare no expense to welcome members, hm?” Charles pulled hishand through one arm and tucked it close, so possessive. “So no one will wonder who you’re with.”
“No. Everyone ought to know I’m taken.” He thought there was nothing better than being on Charles’s arm.
Well…maybe being on Charles’s thick cock.
“Mhm.” Charles winked at him, and for a second he worried he’d said that out loud. The door was opened for them, as usual, and they were ushered in. “I’m not sure if we’re supposed to?—”
“Gentlemen.” River shook everyone’s hands with his usual friendly smile. “Roper, welcome.”
“Sir. Pleased.” Roper tipped his hat with a smile.
Ryder thought Roper was a little nervous, but he was right here, should Bubba need him.
River gave Roper an approving look and held Roper’s hand a little longer than was necessary, covering their grasp with the other hand. “Good boy. Welcome. I have a table for all of us and some people who would like to meet you. Come with me.”
Charles winked at him. “We’ll sit a while and then perhaps we’ll have a dance or move to the bar. Hm?”
“I’d love that. I just need to make sure Roper’s safe and happy, and we can do our own thing.” It was only fair.
Roper may have been nervous, but he led the way, following River to the table. He and Charles fell in behind them.
“Gentlemen, you remember Charles Martin and Ryder Vales, and this is Roper Vales.”
Charles walked around them and pulled out a chair for him. River gestured to a chair for Roper all the way across the table between a couple of men he hadn’t met before.
“Roper, this is Master Craig and Master Oliver.”
“I’m very pleased to meet y’all, Sirs.” Roper nodded, offered them a smile.
“They’re handsome,” Charles whispered to him.