“Shall we get Mr. Sutton? I’ll take the bag, and you can take him,” Caleb said.
“Sounds like a plan. I’d better get him into a bed before he’s out for good.”
They returned to the lobby, and after Thomas thanked Sarah profusely for her help, he coaxed Rhys to his feet. Fortunately, Rhys was pretty steady, needing guidance more than support to keep him upright on the way to their room, and when they arrived, Thomas handed the key to Caleb.
“If you don’t mind managing the door?”
“Of course not.” Caleb slid the key into the lock and opened the door, and then he stepped inside so he could hold it for Thomas.
“Thank you. Come on, big guy. Not much further and you can be comfortable.” He guided Rhys to the king-sized bed so Rhys could sit down. Then he turned to Caleb. “I couldn’t have done it without you. I’ll definitely kill a few zombies in your honor.”
Caleb set the bag and the key card on the small table by the sliding door leading out to a balcony. “I appreciate it,” he said. “If there’s anything else you need, don’t hesitate to call. I left my business card in the bag, so you can come straight to me.”
“Thanks again.” Thomas held out his hand to Caleb with a grin. “If you weren’t already married, I’d be tempted to kiss you in gratitude.”
Caleb’s face turned bright pink as he shook Thomas’s hand, and for the first time, he seemed flustered. “If I wasn’t already married, I’d be tempted to let you,” he said.
Thomas released Caleb’s hand with a squeeze. “I’ll make sure to sign that DVD. If I don’t see you again before we leave, it’s been a real pleasure.”
“Thanks, it’s been a pleasure for me too, and I hope you enjoy your stay — and that Eli stays alive for many seasons to come.” Caleb smiled and waved before leaving the room, and Thomas turned around to see Rhys sitting on the bed and staring at Thomas with an unhappy frown.
“You wanted to kiss him?”
The question startled Thomas so much that he could only stare at Rhys for a moment, unable to process why Rhys seemed to have fixated onthat, of all things. Then he smiled slightly and gave a little shrug.
“In gratitude for all his help, yes. Not because I have the hots for him. Where did that come from?”
“I just didn’t want you to kiss him, that’s all,” Rhys said, leaning over to pull off his heavy black boots, but not doing a good job of it.
“Well, I didn’t, so there’s nothing to worry about.” Thomas shook his head, then knelt down on the floor and took one of Rhys’s boots in his hands. “Let me do that before you fall on your face.”
“Kay.” Rhys stuck out his foot and leaned back on his hands, seeming satisfied with Thomas’s answer.
It took Thomas no small amount of effort to get Rhys’s boots off, and he went ahead and stripped off Rhys’s socks while he was at it. He tucked the socks inside the boots and then set them neatly aside before rising to his feet.
“Caleb gave us a couple of robes, t-shirts, and some boxers. If I help you get your sweatshirt off, do you think you could manage your jeans? Then you could put on the boxers to sleep in.”
Thomas didn’t mention it, but he was going to let Rhys have the bed. Rhys was too big to be comfortable on the loveseat, so Thomas planned to be gallant and take it himself.
Rhys blinked owlishly. “I’m already wearing boxers.”
Thomas hadn’t considered that. He assumed that as a former stuntman, Rhys would have preferred something clingier, as Thomas did. “Okay, if you can get your jeans off, how about a nice comfy t-shirt?”
“Kay.” Rhys stood up, wavering slightly, and fumbled with the buttons of his fly. It took some extra concentration and effort, but he got his jeans unfastened, and he stripped them off.
Thomas had to avert his eyes. The room suddenly seemed much smaller and warmer, and he desperately wanted to peek and check Rhys out. Which, considering Rhys’s state of inebriation, was wrong on more than one level.
“Er… okay, good. If you sit down, I can help with the sweatshirt.”
Rhys promptly sat down and held up his arms, showing much more obedience and agreeability than he ever did when he was sober. Thomas grasped the hem of Rhys’s sweatshirt and tugged it up and off.
“I’m not used to you being like this. It’s useful at the moment, but I think I prefer you all fired up and snarky.”
“I don’t feel fired up right now.” Rhys wound his arms around Thomas’s waist and leaned his head on Thomas’s shoulder. “I feel… good. Relaxed.”
Thomas’s heart seemed to skip a beat, then began to pound hard enough that he was certain Rhys could feel it. He was glad Rhys felt good, but it was sheer torture for Thomas, having a warm, nearly naked and oh-so-compliant Rhys wrapping himself around Thomas. If only Rhys was willing to do this without the benefit of bourbon!
Thomas couldn’t resist sliding his arms around Rhys’s shoulders. He pressed his lips to Rhys’s temple. “I’m glad you’re relaxed. How about we get you in a t-shirt, and I’ll tuck you into bed?”
