Chapter 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 his hand 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.
“Hmm? I guess so.” He only had eyes for Charles, who filled up his brain.
Roper was talking quietly with each of the men while River looked on with interest. It was probably just as well that they couldn’t hear the conversation.
“Master River, Master Charles, can Ryder and I get you drinks?” Kacey rested steady hands on his shoulders.
“Yes, please. Ryder knows what I want.” Charles patted his knee.
“Yes, Sir.” He kissed Charles’s cheek, then smiled at Kacey. “Merry Christmas, friend. How are you?”
“I’m great. Merry Christmas.” Kacey bumped shoulders with him. “You look amazing. You have happy written all over your face.”
“I am. I’m having so much fun with him. He makes me stupidly happy.” And he was going to do his best to make Charles happy.
“Good deal.” Kacey looked over his shoulder. “So…your brother?”
“My twin. Roper. He’s a good man.” Roper was going to be fine.
“I heard about him. Master River says he’s stubborn and naughty. Sounds like the exact opposite of you.”
“Well, I’m pretty stubborn, but no one’s ever called me naughty, I’m sure.”
“I get it all.” Kacey chuckled. “Depends on the day.”
He glanced back at Roper, who hadn’t moved, but was listening intently. “Do you think he’ll find a place here? My brother?”
“If he wants a place here, he’s already got one. Will he find the right Dom tonight? No way of knowing, I guess, but he’s got people looking out for him. I didn’t even know—I mean, he’s already light years ahead of where I was when I landed at River’s place.”
“Yeah?” He didn’t want to talk about Roper and kinky stuff together, but he could listen to Kacey talk about River for hours.
“Oh, yeah. All I knew was I was mad and scared and I couldn’t ever go home again. I didn’t trust anybody.”
“Oh, honey. That sucks. I’m so sorry.” Awkward. Fuck. “But it did work out for the best.”
“You know it. Everything happens for a reason, right?” Kacey smiled and it was hard to believe he was ever in such a bad place.
“That’s the rumor. You’re led to where you belong.” And he belonged with his Mister Charlie, balls to bones.
Kacey waved down the bartender so they could order drinks. “Roper too. He’s here now. He’s going to okay.”
“He is.” He nodded to Kacey. “It’s good to be home.”
They got drinks for their men, though Ryder noted that River’s was just a Diet Coke with lime, and headed back to the table, where everyone was laughing.
Roper was smiling and seemed more relaxed. “Hey, Bubba, I was just telling a couple of stories from the road.”
“Oh, good Lord and butter.” His cheeks heated. “There’s sure a lot of those…”
“Tons.” Roper waggled his eyebrows.
“Your brother is very entertaining.” Craig was laughing along, leaning back in his chair and watching Roper. Oliver was quieter, smiling, and seemed to be watching Roper more than listening.
“He’s one hell of a storyteller, yessir. He’s a hoot.” And he’d better not be embarrassing Charles, dammit.
Kacey set River’s drink down and ended up in River’s lap. Charles took his drink and patted a seat next to him. As soon as he sat Charles settled an arm around his shoulders. “Thank you.”
“You’re more than welcome, Sir. You happy?”
“I am. But as much as this is fascinating, I’m not sure our presence is needed at this table.”
“No? Would you like to dance? Find a quiet table, all our own?” Please.
“I would. Both.” Charles leaned over and spoke softly to River for a moment. River gave Charles a smile and a nod before Charles turned back to him. “We’ve been excused.” He got a wide grin.
“Excellent. Night, y’all. Have a good one.” He nodded and took Charles’s arm.
Charles nodded to Oliver and Craig, then to Roper. “We’re not leaving yet. We’ll be here if you need us.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate it very much.” Roper gave them both a nod. “Y’all have a good evening.”
Charles turned and led him to the small dance floor. “He seems to be fine, but I don’t feel ready to leave him on his own yet.”
“Sounds perfect.” Besides, he wanted to dance with his lover. He moved into Charles’s arms, sliding one hand in his.
“I’m glad you agree.” Charles curled an arm around his back and danced him in a slow circle. “He’s our responsibility for the time being.”
Roper had been Ryder’s responsibility for their whole lives. He totally understood. “For as long as he needs me.”
“Us.” Charles pulled him closer, dancing him into the middle of the floor. “As long as he needs us.”
“There you go.” He could live with that.
In fact, there wasn’t much of anything he’d change about his life.
Ryder was finally home.
END