Page 48 of His Boys to Protect

Charlie's thumbs rapidly tapped away at the screen. A moment later, Ward's phone beeped in his hand. Charlie winced. “Hhnn.” He scowled and pointed at his ear.

“Okay, buddy,” Ward murmured. “I'm sorry.” He pressed a button on the side of his phone, adjusting the volume down until it switched to vibrate. Then he clicked on the notification for a new text message.

Before he even read it, Ward clicked on the menu button and selectedAdd to Contacts. He quickly created a contacts card for Charlie, saving the number to his phone, then went back to Charlie's message.

Charlie: Hello, Ward. This is Charlie Pratt.

Ward bit back a smile. The boy was simply too adorable. Then he hesitated. Should he text back? Or was he allowed to talk? Knowing Charlie's sensory issues, he decided to err on the side of caution.

Me: Hello, Charlie.

Charlie rocked where he stood, then typed and sent another message.

Charlie: Are you going to have sex with my Sky again?

Ward stared at the words, nearly knocked off his feet by the bluntness of them.Shit. How could he even respond to that? He looked at Charlie, trying to gauge what the boy was thinking or feeling, but Charlie's blank expression was damned difficult to read.

“I don't know,” Ward blurted out, then paused with a wince, wondering if he should have texted the response instead. When Charlie didn't immediately complain, Ward went on. He figured Charlie deserved the truth, after all. “I want to,” he admitted, “but…he's there and I'm here. It's complicated.”

Charlie: But you went to San Francisco to see him.

“Yeah, I did.”

Charlie was silent for a moment, head rolling and gaze wandering while he rocked on his feet. Finally, he turned back to his phone and typed again.

Charlie: Did my Sky make your penis feel good?

Ward felt his face go bright red. He had to swallow hard before he could answer. “Yeah. He did.”

Charlie nodded as though he'd expected that answer. He quickly typed another message.

Charlie: Did you make my Sky feel good?

Ward studied Charlie's face before he replied, “Yeah. At least, I think so.”

Charlie gave a single, tinychirp, then bent over his phone again.

Charlie: I saw you both kissing again. When I came out of the bathroom at your apartment. My Sky is never like that with me.

Ward's heart clenched at the words, then again when he saw the subtle hint of sadness on the boy's face. “Like what?” he asked.

Charlie: My Sky lets me have sex with him, but it's never hungry and loud like he looked with you.

Ward frowned. They hadn't been loud. But then he remembered Skylar saying something about'loud feelings'for Charlie. That had to be what the boy meant. Passion. Desire. Need.

Before Ward could reply, Charlie sent him another message.

Charlie: Are you going to take my Sky away from me?

“No!” Ward gasped. He crouched down, putting them at eye level even though Charlie kept his gaze fixed on his phone. “Charlie? No. I'd never do that,” he swore. “I want him, yes,” he admitted.And I want you, too. “But he's yours. I didn't know that until after I was with him. If I'd known, I never would have let that happen, I swear.”

Charlie fell silent and still, making Ward's heart race, wondering what the boy was thinking. The moment stretched, seemingly endless. Ward waited. If Charlie told him to stay away, then he'd do so. It was only right. Ward had no place with them. Either of them. When Charlie started typing again, Ward braced himself.

Charlie: You can have sex with my Sky again, but only if you promise to follow the rules.

Ward stared at the words, feeling completely stunned. He could see Skylar again? And with Charlie's permission? His heart raced and his skin tingled all over in anticipation. “What rules?” he asked.

Charlie: You have to pay him. He needs the money. My Sky still has icky parts inside his body, and he needs to pay a doctor to make them go away.

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