Page 85 of His Boys to Protect

“No?” Ward asked.

Skylar shook his head. “We'd have to take him back home afterwards, and that's assuming he'd even come in the first place. You know he doesn't like his routine upset without some seriously advanced notice.”

Ward chuckled. “We could ask. And then we could all stay here for the night. I could take him home in the morning.”

Skylar shook his head again as he glanced out the window, gauging the direction of the sun. “The bed doesn't point east.” When Ward gave him a curious look, Skylar chuckled. “He's seriously sensitive to circadian rhythms. His body will know, even if we don't tell him. Trust me. He won't be able to sleep, which means we won't be able to sleep, and then we'll all be super cranky.”

“Huh. Guess I've got more reading to do.”

Skylar grinned. “I love that you're learning about Charlie. Most people wouldn't bother.”

Ward shrugged. “I want him to be happy. And you, for that matter.” Ward paused and took a step back, pulling Skylar along with him. “Come here.”

Skylar automatically put on a flirtatious smile. It was like breathing. Something that just happened without any conscious decision. “So you do wanna fuck me, huh, Daddy?”

“Just come lie down with me,” Ward murmured, pulling him close. “That's all I want.”

Skylar's breath caught in his throat, and his eyes stung with the threat of tears. He climbed up onto the bed, his skin itchingwith the need to satisfy Ward, but as soon as he was in the man's arms, held tight and safe, he had no choice but to obey.

And it felt good. Too good.

They lay there in silence until they got hungry, then Ward got up and ordered room service. Skylar had to force himself to eat despite having an empty stomach. He'd been so excited to see Ward, he hadn't eaten breakfast before leaving his apartment. Granted, part of that had to do with not having much in the way of food. But knowing there was a clock on all this? It killed his appetite.

Still, he managed to eat enough not to make Ward suspicious, and they curled up together to watch a movie. Despite everything, Skylar drifted off in Ward's arms. He tried to keep himself awake, not wanting to miss a second of Ward's presence, but all the stress of the past couple weeks caught up with him, slamming his body with exhaustion.

He woke with a start to the sound of his phone beeping. Skylar groaned and sat up in the dark. Ward was fast asleep beside him, and the clock read almost four in the morning.

Skylar picked up his phone and checked the lockscreen. The text preview had him cursing.

Boss Man: I need to know you're okay.

“Shit,” Skylar whispered. He opened the text thread and found four other missed messages.

Boss Man: Come over when you're done. It's been a while since you checked in.

Boss Man: Are you still with the client?

Boss Man: Are you okay?

Boss Man: Tell me you're safe.

Skylar quickly sent a text.

Me: I'm fine. Sorry. Fell asleep.

Boss Man: Thank fuck. I was about to call the cops.

Skylar cringed, eyeing Ward. That would have been just what they needed. Uncle Zeke thinking Skylar had been beaten—or worse—and sending cops to bust down the door.

Boss Man: Come on by. I need to see you for myself.

“Damn it.”

“Sky?”

Skylar jumped. “Shit. Sorry.” He looked at Ward, who sat up, rubbing his eyes. “I didn't mean to wake you.”

“Everything okay?”

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