Chapter 16
C harles led Ryder into the hotel bar by the hand. He liked holding the cowboy’s hand, but he also wanted to make it very clear to whoever this ad guy was that Ryder—well, that the cowboy belonged to someone, for lack of a better phrase.
Or perhaps there was no better phrase. He felt protective right now, and along with that came a certain level of possessiveness, because he didn’t intend to let anyone force Ryder into anything he didn’t want to do.
Not even a twin brother, who clearly made it difficult for Ryder to refuse him.
He didn’t feel as if Roper was mean or cruel, more careless, definitely reckless. Roper was the more extroverted of the two for sure and had probably gotten Ryder into many awkward situations like this one.
Hopefully not just like this one.
“Do you know who we’re looking for?” Roper had headed to his room to shower and planned to meet them. “Should we just sit at the bar?”
“I know him. He’ll recognize me. We can get a table, or otherwise I have to pretend to be Roper until he shows.”
“All right. Pick a table and let’s sit.” There was no way he was going to allow Ryder to pretend to be Roper.
He examined that thought a second. Did he have the right to do that? To prevent Ryder from doing…anything? He didn’t know, but then again, he supposed he could do whatever Ryder allowed him to do.
If Ryder needed his support in this, then he would provide it.
They found a table and sat, and he ordered them each a beer. Beer seemed to be in keeping with the evening, even if he did choose a trendy IPA for himself.
Ryder could nurse the beer as long as he wanted to.
“I’m right here,” he said softly and settled his arm over the back of Ryder’s chair.
“Thank you. I know it’s going to be okay. I’m just going to kindly say no.”
He had a bad feeling it wasn’t going to be that simple, but he’d said what he needed to. He had Ryder’s back.
Fans kept glancing at Ryder, frowning or smiling, then looking away when Ryder didn’t respond.
“Roper?” A short man in jeans and a checkered shirt headed right for them and pulled out a chair. “How was the show? Sorry I missed it. I was doing a shoot. Is your brother coming like we talked about?”
“He is.” Ryder stood with a short nod and shook the man’s hand. “How goes it?”
“Good, good.” The guy looked at him and stuck out a hand. “Joe Gresham.”
“Charles.” This guy didn’t need his full name. “And this is Ryder, not Roper.”
“Oh. Yeah?” Gresham laughed and took a seat. “Damn. You boys look so fucking alike.”
“I’ve heard that a few times. Roper’s on his way down. He wanted a shower.”
“Now I’d pay to see that.”
Ryder wrinkled his nose.
Their server brought their beer and set them on the table. “What can I get you?”
“Rum and Coke.”
No please or thank you. This guy was losing his respect more and more every time he opened his mouth.
“Also four shots of Patron for the table.”
Ryder shook his head. “Not for me, thanks.”
“Nor I.” He had Ryder’s back. And he didn’t care for shots in any case.
Gresham waved them off. “Four shots.”
He didn’t so much as twitch, but he also had no intention of even touching the shot glass when it arrived.
He was ready to leave the table with Ryder right now, but he respected that Ryder had made a promise to Roper.
He also respected that Ryder was setting his own boundaries, with his backup.
“So Roper told you what I’m looking for? He told me no video—” Gresham shook his head. “Which is a shame, but he said he thought you’d go for a photo shoot. You have a great look. He told me that’s natural. The hair? Wild.”
“It’s just hair, but we didn’t do anything to it. It’s just hair.” Ryder was trying to smile, but it wasn’t working.
Charles looked around the bar wondering why it seemed like they were always waiting on Roper. He wondered if Ryder always had.
“It’s a great look,” Gresham repeated, as if “great” were the only adjective in his vocabulary.
It was entirely possible.
“Mr. Gresham?—”
“Joe,” Gresham waved him off again. “Please.”
“Mm. Okay. Joe . What is it you do exactly? Roper mentioned something that sounded like marketing?”
“I make calendars, posters, that sort of thing. I’m currently making a Hot Rodeo Men calendar, and we want the twins.”
“I don’t…”
“Hey, y’all. How’s it going?” Roper came up, beer in hand. “Sorry, but I smelled like bullshit, and I needed a bath.”
Charles started to welcome Roper, but Gresham spoke up first. Or perhaps he was just louder. It was difficult to say for sure.
“Hey, man. Have a seat. We were just getting down to business. I ordered some shots.”
Roper stared at Ryder, who stared back, lips tight. “Well…that’s kind of you, I reckon.”
Roper sat between Gresham and Ryder, the act deliberate and sure.
That made him feel much better. He picked up his beer and leaned back in his chair letting Roper handle this. Twins , he reminded himself. Ryder belonged to Roper first.
“So, I was just saying that the calendar I’m working on needs the two of you.” Gresham leaned back as the shots arrived, then put one in front of each of them.
Ryder ignored it. “I’m retired.”
“My clientele won’t care. Y’all are still a fantasy. Just one photo shoot.”
“Are they pictures we could show our granny?” Ryder said.
Gresham laughed. “Only if you usually skinny dip with her. Pay is good. Buy Granny a new wheelchair.”
“I’m leaving. Roper?”
“What?”
“We’re leaving.” Ryder stood up. “Right now. We aren’t doing this.”
Gresham pushed a shot glass closer to Roper and leaned forward. “Half up-front, Roper. I’ll take you by yourself.”
“Ry—It’s good money.”
“I’m leaving.” Ryder stared Roper down. “You make your own bed in this. I won’t.”
Charles set his beer down and stood with Ryder. He didn’t say a word, but his stance said more than enough for Roper to understand.
Gresham didn’t look the least bit ashamed of himself. “It’s ridiculous money. And the fans are going to eat it up, Roper.”
“Our momma will see it.” Ryder stared until Roper stood.
“Sorry, man. Ryder isn’t in, I’m not either.”
Gresham stood as well. “Ryder’s old news, Roper. He’s washed up. You’re the celebrity now. Don’t let him ruin this opportunity for you.”
Roper tilted his head and blinked like a lizard. “Pardon me? Are you insulting my brother?”
Ryder whispered, “Oh, shit.”
Charles thought about stepping in and cooling things down, but they were on cowboy turf right now, and he had no intention of stepping into something he knew nothing about. This wasn’t his milieu.
Fortunately, Gresham seemed to realize his mistake. “Now, Roper. I’m just telling you that you have a fan base now, and you should cash in on it.”
“And I’m telling you no.”
The twins stood side-by-side, and Charles knew without a shadow of a doubt they could tear this photographer into tiny pieces.
Gresham nodded, admitting defeat with his body language. “I hear you. It’s a shame, but I hear you.”
“Come on, Roper. Let’s go.” Ryder met his eyes. “Charles? You coming?”
“Yes.” The look in Ryder’s eyes was smoking hot. This was a bull rider he was looking at, and the side of Ryder that had taken care of Roper for so long. “Right behind you.”
“Good deal.” The twins stormed out, keeping him caught between them.
They had to make quite a picture, the tall Yankee flanked by twin cowboys, but he was only focused on one of them.
“I’m going upstairs, Bubba. I’ve got a guy on speed dial that…you know.”
Ryder glanced at Roper. “You pissed?”
“A little, but mostly at him.”
“’kay. Call me in the morning.”
“Good night, Roper.” He gave Roper a nod and took Ryder’s hand. “Is he okay?”
“He’ll be fine. He’s going to have loud, crazy sex.” Ryder rolled his eyes.
“Sounds like a great idea. Minus the crazy part.” There was no way he’d ever confuse Ryder with his brother. Not if he could see into their eyes. “Let’s go upstairs.”
“Yes. I need—” Ryder swallowed and squeezed his hand. “You. I need you.”
He heard that, and he rewarded his cowboy with his own truth. “I need you too.” He hadn’t needed anyone as fully and completely in his life.
He made sure Roper had already gone on his way and led Ryder to the elevators.
They were still holding hands, and the heat between them was making their palms a little slippery.
He made himself breathe because he was tempted to lock the hotel room door and take his lover right there.
He’d promised Ryder something unforgettable, and they could build up to it—there was always time for that—but he was determined to make sure Ryder knew he wanted more.
He wanted to give his cowboy more as well.
“I was going to kick that bastard’s butt. Roper was right there with me. I’m glad you were there.”
“I’m not sure my presence was as helpful as it could have been. I was going to let you.” He dropped his voice lower. “You’re sexy when you’re angry.”
Ryder blew out a hard, short breath. “Then I must be goddamn irresistible right now.”
No question. “Absolutely. I’m impatiently waiting to get my hands on you.”
“I want that. I want you to make me blind to anyone but you.”
Charles could do that. It was exactly what he wanted.
They stood close as the elevator doors shut, and he didn’t even trust himself to speak, much less touch Ryder. Anywhere.
But as soon as they reached their hotel room, he fished his keycard out of his wallet and leaned close enough that Ryder knew he was right there. “In a minute, I’m going to be your whole world.”
“Good.” Ryder was still frowning, eyebrows drawn in close.
He opened the door and, after Ryder marched inside, he closed it and turned the lock. “Bedroom.” He hadn’t intended to growl.
He loved the dark, hungry look he got from Ryder, though, the way Ryder wet his lips. He followed, watching Ryder’s determined stride, focused on his cowboy.
They hadn’t gotten two steps into the bedroom when he reached for Ryder and pulled him in close, kissing him hard.
Ryder grabbed his ass with both hands, meeting him halfway with a deep rumble as he dragged them together.