Page 65 of His Boys to Protect

“Oh yeah?” Ward asked, his eyebrows going up.

Charlie nodded.Next month, he added.

“For Wine Fest,” Dad added. “Dakota and his guys invited us down again, like last year. I think Beau's folks are going, too, so it'll be sort of a big, extended family reunion.”

Charlie scowled. It would mean lots of people, maybe even more than had been there last year. He didn't like that. But at least he and Skylar would have a room of their own, so they could escape the noise and just read.

Oh oh oh!Charlie bounced again. He had to tell Ward the best part of the news.My Sky go with us!

Ward's eyes widened at that. Even though Charlie wasn't looking at him directly, he noticed the man's pupils grow larger and darker. It made the man look…hungry.

For some reason, Charlie liked that look.

He liked it a lot.

Chapter 25

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WARD

WARD RACED about his apartment, patting his pockets as he went.Damn. Wallet!He went back to the bedroom and snatched his wallet off the nightstand, flipping it open to check the contents as he hurried to the front door.

The sight of the lube packet made him blush.

After not being able to have sex in February, Skylar had shown up to their next appointment with a handful of lube packets. He'd stuffed some into Ward's pockets and told him to hang onto them. Just in case. If they had another night when he was too sore for intercourse, Skylar said he'd insist that Ward use his ass instead. That he'd beg if he had to. The boy said he wanted Ward inside him, any way they could manage.

They hadn't needed the lube yet, but Ward still carried a packet with him. He considered taking it out. It wasn't like there was going to be any chance of sleeping with Skylar while the boy was in town with the Pratts, but something stopped him. Maybe some tiny shred of hope that, somehow, they could steal a few moments in private.

Though, with Charlie present, Ward wasn't sure how that was going to work.

Unless…

Ward bit off a curse and shoved the thought aside before it could take shape. Every time he'd gone to visit Charlie after being with Skylar, Ward had struggled with arousal. It didn't even matter if Skylar had wrung him utterly dry with two—or even three—mind-blowing orgasms. Having Charlie in his lap brought the need right back.

It hadn't been easy, trying to hide his erections while holding Charlie. In fact, he was pretty sure he'd failed. The boy had to have felt it, pressing against his backside as he sat, curled up in Ward's arms. Charlie hadn't said anything, though.

But hadn't there been a moment when Charlie got a littletooquiet? A little too still? Ward wasn't sure if that meant Charlie liked it but was too embarrassed to say anything. Or maybe Charliedidn'tlike it?

Yet the boy hadn't pulled away.

“Geez,” Ward muttered, scrubbing a hand over his face. He looked down at his wallet again. It was getting far too easy to picture needing that little packet of lube. To picture having Charlie in his arms, but without any clothes on.

Even better if Skylar was with them, too.

Ward blew out a heavy breath. What he should do was leave the packet behind and not get his hopes up. Instead, he left it where it was and stuffed the wallet into the back pocket of his jeans. He pulled on his boots, then straightened up and took a slow, deep breath. It would be hours before he got to see the boys, and he had work to do in the meantime. He needed to focus.

Ward grabbed his keys, locked his apartment, and got into his truck. He turned north on Spring Street and followed it up to 24th, then headed over to the fairgrounds. The large property at 24thand Riverside featured the California Mid-State Fair everysummer, but it also hosted the Paso Robles Wine Festival's Grand Tasting each year. Ward parked his truck, entered the facility through the vendor entrance, then went to find John.

The man was already there, of course. Ward jumped in and helped with the final setup of their tent, putting out display bottles, brochures, and business cards.

They were in the midst of it when Theo, their tasting room manager, arrived to help. The man had the swagger of recent sex written all over him. So did John, for that matter.

How Ward envied them! And not just for the sex. Both men were in strong, committed relationships: John with Adam, and Theo with his boy, Haven. Then of course there was their boss, Everett, who was married to Morgan. Not to mention Everett's brother and his men, plus the foursome over at Living in Zin. Ward shook his head. So many happy relationships all around him. He wanted one for himself more than anything.

But he had to put those thoughts aside as the crowds descended upon them.

Theirs was a popular winery, so the three of them were busy all day, pouring wine and answering questions. Ward saw a lot of strangers—their town really was growing, besides all the people who had come to stay just for this event—but he also saw plenty of friends, acquaintances, and fellows in the industry. They mingled and chatted with other winemakers, vineyard owners, and the people who ran the warehouse that distributed many of the local wines. The constant flow of bodies left no room for anything else.

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