Page 49 of His Boys to Protect

Ward's eyebrows went up.Interesting. Was that why Skylar did what he did? To make money for surgery? Ward filed that thought away for later and gave Charlie a nod. “Okay.”

Charlie: You have to make my Sky feel good.

“Agreed.” Ward wouldn't want it any other way, regardless.

Charlie: You have to have his permission!!! Just because you're paying him doesn't mean he doesn't get to say NO. You have to promise.

“Charlie,” Ward gasped. He crouched down again and tried to look the boy in the eyes. “I promise. Never without his permission. Never. I swear.”

The boy looked right at him. The eye-contact was fleeting, lasting barely a moment before Charlie's gaze wandered away again, but it happened.

Ward felt that intense, fleeting look all the way down to his soul. A split second in which he'd been studied, weighed, and measured, then apparently deemed acceptable.

Charlie: And one more rule.

“Okay,” Ward agreed, then watched as Charlie hesitated before the boy typed another message.

Charlie: May I still sit in your lap when the world gets too loud?

Ward's heart clenched, and he blinked rapidly against a sudden swell of emotion and bone-deep need. “Always,” he immediately replied, his voice thick and husky. “I would love that.”

Charlie smiled then. He even let out a quiet, drawn-outsqueakthat sounded like pure joy.

Charlie: I have to go shower and get ready for bed now. Thank you. Goodnight.

“Goodnight,” Ward said to Charlie's retreating back, since the boy had already turned away and headed towards the house.

Charlie stopped halfway. Ward waited, watching him. Was Charlie going to change his mind about everything they'd just discussed? Charlie turned around and pulled out his phone again. A moment later, Ward's phone vibrated in his hand.

Charlie: Hello, Ward. This is Charlie Pratt again.

Ward had to press his lips together to hold back a smile. “Hi, Charlie. Look.” He held out his phone and pointed at the screen. “I saved your number so I'll know it's you. See?”

Charlie eyed the screen. He squeezed his eyes shut and gave a longsqueakas he bounced in place, then snapped his attention back to his own phone again.

Charlie: May I have a hug?

Oh hell. Ward couldn't hold back his smile this time. “Yes, of course, you may have a hug.”

Charlie grinned, shoved his phone into his pocket, and threw his arms around Ward's waist.

Ward sucked in a breath. The simple contact felt way too damned good, and Charlie's little body fit his just right. Ward slowly put his arms around the boy, holding him gently.

Charlie tightened his hold. “Hhnn.”

Ward chuckled. “Okay.” He matched Charlie's pressure, pulling that precious, little body tighter against his own.Oh hell. It was so perfect. Ward never wanted to let go.

But Charlie eventually hit his limit and pulled away. Ward released him and watched as the boy pulled out his phone again.

Charlie: I really have to go now. Goodnight.

“Goodnight. Merry Christmas, Charlie.”

Charlie rolled his eyes.

Charlie: It's not Christmas yet. That's tomorrow.

Ward chuckled. “You're right. I'm sorry.” He paused. “Happy Christmas Eve, then.”

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