Page 50 of His Boys to Protect

Charlie tipped his head to one side, then let out a tinychirp, as though saying,I'll allow it. Then he turned and headed into the house.

Ward watched him go, waiting until the boy was inside before he turned away himself and got back into his truck. He couldn't stop smiling the whole way home. He'd be able to stay intouch with Charlie, and he had permission to see Skylar again. It was so much more than he'd hoped for.

Just as he stepped into his apartment, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Ward pulled it out and found a notification for a text from an unknown number. He clicked on it and read,Hey, Ward. It's Skylar. I hope you don't mind. I snuck your number out of Charlie's phone while he was in the shower. I just wanted to say thank you so much for talking to him, and I hope you have a happy Christmas.

Ward's heart started racing all over again. Now he had Skylar's number as well. He quickly saved it as a new contact, then found himself standing there, staring at the two names in his texting app.

When he finally tore his gaze away and went to set his phone aside, he was struck by the drabness of his apartment, thinking of the look of disappointment on Charlie's face.

Ward glanced at his phone, feeling another smile take over.

He strode over to the closet, found the boxes labeledChristmas decorations, and got to work.

Chapter 20

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CHARLIE

CHARLIE WOKE up on Christmas morning to find a series of new text messages from Ward.

The lockscreen notification showed a time stamp from last night, after Charlie had gone to bed. Charlie frowned, wondering what the man could possibly have had to say when he should have been asleep.

A heavy feeling filled his gut. Was Ward letting him know that he wanted to see Skylar again? Had the man already made plans? Maybe even already contacted the escort service and set up an appointment?

Charlie hesitated, picturing Ward and his Sky having sex. His skin tingled all over. The thought should have made him angry—and he supposed it did, in a way—but more than anything, it aroused him. His penis grew hard as he sat there. Charlie frowned. Why was his body being so confusing?

He rubbed his eyes, then got up and padded quietly downstairs, taking his phone with him. It was hard to think without coffee. Charlie went straight to the kitchen and poured himself a cup, then headed for the sitting room so he could look at the trees.

Charlie turned on the Christmas lights, leaving the room otherwise dark, and sat down in one of the comfortable chairs.

He looked at his phone again, still worried about what Ward might have to say. But curiosity got the better of him. That, and the need to clear the notification off his phone. He clicked on it, opening the text thread, and gasped.

Pictures! Of Christmas decorations!

Charlie scrolled back to where their conversation had ended last night in the parking lot. He found a new text just below it.

Ward: I know this probably isn't perfect, but I tried. I hope it makes you smile.

After that followed a series of pictures of Ward's apartment. Instead of being all drab and sad like it had been, it was now bright and colorful and full of cheer. Ward was right: It wasn't perfect. The garland and light strands weren't straight or symmetrical, and some decorations were clustered too much in one area while too sparse in another, but it was something.

Charlie bounced in his seat and let out a string of noises. He couldn't help it. Ward had gone to the trouble to decorate at the last minute, all to make him happy. He sent Ward a quick text back.

Me: :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Charlie paused.Uh oh. He'd forgotten to saygood morningfirst. The excitement had been too distracting. He had to fix that.

Me: Good morning, Ward. Merry Christmas! Thank you for the pictures!

Charlie waited. Several minutes passed with no response. He started to frown, but then he remembered that everyone else in the house was still asleep. Maybe Ward was, too. Charlie sipped his coffee and looked up at the Christmas trees in the corners.

Ward needed a Christmas tree!

Just as he was about to send a text to tell the man so, his phone vibrated in his hand.

Ward: Hey, buddy. What are you doing up so early?

Me: My body always wakes up at 4:30. Unless it's that stupid daylight savings thing, and then my body wakes up at 5:30 instead. It's the same time, really, but the numbers are different. Why do the numbers have to be different? Laws are stupid.

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