Page 29 of His Boys to Protect

“I think so.” Skylar carefully prodded at his cheek. “It doesn't hurt that bad. He startled me more than anything.”

“What's going on in here?”

Ward felt himself go hot all over.Oh hell. That was Charlie's dad. And here was Ward, lying on top of the man's son. But Mr. Pratt wasn't alone. The entire party had come back inside, all of them crowded into the foyer, investigating the commotion. Ward knew he should get up and move away from Charlie, but then they'd all see just how hard he was.

Geez.Could this day get any more awkward?

“It's my fault,” Skylar blurted out. “Charlie had a fit, but he's okay now. I couldn't restrain him, but Ward helped.”

Dakota crouched down beside them. “You're quick,” he said, sounding impressed, then looked down at his brother. “Hey, Charlie. You okay?”

Charlie squeezed his eyes shut and hid his face under Ward's arm. “Hhnn.”

“Oh, honey, what happened?” Mrs. Pratt asked, kneeling beside Skylar. She reached out, stopping short of touching the bruise starting to form on the boy's face.

“It's nothing,” Skylar insisted. “I'm fine. Charlie just got away from me, that's all.”

“Hhhnnnnnnn,” Charlie whined.

“Okay.” Dakota held up his hands. “I know. Too loud.” He backed away from his brother. “Let's give them some air. Come on. Everyone out.” The boy got up and ushered everyone away from the room.

Ward let out a sigh of relief once the three of them were alone again, but he still couldn't bring himself to move. Did he not want Skylar to see him erect? Or was he not willing to let go of Charlie yet? Ward wasn't entirely sure.

Charlie began to struggle again, jerking his right arm, trying to pull free of Ward's grip.

Ward let go of Charlie's head and started to reach for the boy's wrist, but Skylar stopped him.

“He needs to sign something,” Skylar explained.

“Oh.” Ward released Charlie's right arm.

Charlie rolled his right shoulder back, lifting it up and off the floor, pushing against Ward as he did so. He slapped his right hand hard against his chest, then made a fist and swept the arm up and out in an arc. He repeated the motions over and over, the slaps on his chest turning almost violent. Insistent.

“What's he saying?” Ward asked.

Skylar grimaced. “'My Sky.'”

Charlie started to sign something else, then pulled his hand in against his body and squeezed his eyes shut.

“That was abut,” Skylar said. He tipped his head down, looking at Charlie. “But what?”

Charlie gave a tiny shake of his head. He curled his arm up and pressed the back of his hand to his eye, his fingers pointeddown towards his chin. The move was so shy and sweet that Ward couldn't stop staring. Jealous outbursts aside, Charlie was simply too precious.

Damn it.Ward wanted more.

Chapter 13

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CHARLIE

CHARLIE HAD never felt so conflicted in his life.

On one hand, he was furious.Ward was kissing my Sky!It was one thing to know that other men touched his Sky, but another thing entirely to actually see it happen. Charlie had gone from liking Ward to hating the man in that moment.

What if Ward tried to take his Sky away from him? Charlie couldn't let that happen. He'd nearly lost Skylar once. He wouldn't survive losing him again.

On the other hand, he was so utterly aroused that he thought he might ejaculate at any moment.

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