Page 77 of His Boys to Protect

Ward couldn't help smiling as he claimed Charlie's mouth next.

“Fuck, I'll never get tired of seeing that,” Skylar whispered.

Ward turned and crushed his mouth against Skylar's, then went back to Charlie. They wound up standing there, making out for so long that Dakota had to come back up to tell them they'd better hurry or dinner would start without them.

They finally pulled themselves apart from one another, but it wasn't easy. Not for any of them. Not even Charlie. Despite all his protests about being hungry, the boy looked like he wanted nothing more than to stay right where they were.

And Ward felt the same. The boys were beyond addictive.

As they headed downstairs, Ward realized he didn't even mind much, having to face Charlie's parents after what they'd just done. He'd take whatever time he could get, just being near the boys. After the barbecue tomorrow, it would be two full weeks before he'd get to see them again.

Those weeks couldn't pass quickly enough.

Chapter 29

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CHARLIE

CHARLIE DIDN'T want to go to the barbecue.

Everything was soloudafter last night. Loud in a good way, but still. The barbecue would simply be too much. Too many people. Too much noise. All the bad loud, when he was already overwhelmed.

Being with both his Sky and Ward had made him feel things he'd never known were possible. Lying on his back had messed with his sense of order, but once he'd gotten inside his Sky, that unease began to fade. And then feeling Ward's penis so near his own? “Hhng!” Charlie should have hated it, but all he wanted was more.

The best part, though, came afterwards. Charlie had heard about cuddling after sex, but it had never interested him. His Sky had never asked for it, and Charlie was usually so over-sensitized by then that all he wanted was space.

Something about Ward made him want it. The man's brief absence—when Ward had gotten up to dispose of the condoms—had left Charlie feeling cold and vulnerable. He shivered just at the memory of it. Thankfully, it hadn't lasted long. Ward hadcome back and pulled them into his arms, holding them tight. Charlie had never felt so cozy and warm.

So safe.

His Sky made him feel safe, but this wasdifferent. Charlie wasn't even sure why.

It was so confusing!

“Charlie?”

Charlie jumped and whirled around. His Sky stood in the bathroom doorway, looking at him with concern. Charlie covered his ears. His thoughts were so loud, he hadn't even heard the door open.

His Sky stood very still, not saying a word.

Charlie squeezed his eyes shut and started to rock.

He wanted Ward! He wanted to sit in the big man's lap and make all the loud go away.

Charlie felt more than heard Skylar move. He opened his eyes and watched the boy head for the window, looking out at the driveway as the sound of tires on gravel drifted up towards them. Charlie perked up.Ward?He ran to Skylar's side and scanned the parking lot.

A white truck came to a stop, but it had the wrong shape. When the doors opened, Charlie recognized Skylar's friend, Adam, and Adam's husband, John.

Charlie slumped.Want Ward, he signed.

Skylar got a funny smile on his face. “Yeah? I'm sure he'll be here soon. How about we go downstairs and wait for him?”

Charlie scowled.People.

“I know,” Skylar said with a chuckle. “What if we go sit at the piano? I'll play, and you can watch for Ward to come in.”

Charlie considered that. There would be a lot of people around the piano, just like last year. But he didn't get to hear his Sky play very often. He'd missed out yesterday because he'd been hiding away there in the room. And they'd be leaving earlytomorrow morning to get back home. He wouldn't get another chance while they were here. Charlie braced himself for noise and gave a nod.

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