Page 8 of His Boys to Protect

And sex with Charlie was easy. Granted, there was zero romance or passion to it. The only reason they even did it was so Charlie could satisfy that basic, human need. It was physical relief. Nothing more. Their sex was quick and almost clinical, but also gentle. Not like some of Skylar's clients.

Skylar eyed Ward as the wedding dragged on before them. Would Ward be rough or gentle? Skylar could usually read a man at a glance, but Ward was a mystery. The man was built like he could easily throw Skylar around, pin him down, and use him mercilessly. Like maybe all that bashful innocence would flip a switch in the bedroom. That would suck, but even that didn't lessen Skylar's arousal. He didn't care how he got Ward, so long as he got the man on top of him.

Ward touched his hand. “You ready?”

“Huh?” Skylar looked around, slowly registering that everyone was on their feet. “Oh!” The wedding was over, the last of the party making their way down the aisle.

Cripes. Where's your situational awareness, Sky?He took Ward's hand and stood. They followed the crowd to another room, where the reception was being held. Ward found their table and pulled out Skylar's chair.

Skylar felt his cheeks go hot and he couldn't help smiling. “I really need to meet your mother and tell her what a good job she did, raising you. Or was it your dad who made you such a gentleman?”

Ward smiled sheepishly as he took the seat beside him. “Both, really.” His smile dimmed. “If it's too much–”

Skylar leaned towards him. “Ward?” he murmured. “Don't stop.Please, don't ever stop.”

Ward's eyes darkened and his nostrils flared.

Fuck. That hungry look on the man's face was almost irresistible. Skylar clenched his hands into fists, fighting the urge to climb straight into the man's lap and beg.

“You okay?” Ward asked, studying Skylar's eyes.

“Yeah,” Skylar replied breathlessly. “Sheesh. I feel like a cat in heat. I'm sorely tempted to crawl right up onto this table and shamelessly beg you to take me, right here in front of everyone.”

Ward swore under his breath, then studied Skylar's eyes again. “Is this how you do it? Get a guy so riled up that he can't resist paying for more time later on?”

Skylar flinched.Shit. Normally, that was exactly what he did. Sex after a date wasn't always a given. Some men really did need to have someone on their arm in public to keep up appearances. Others simply wanted someone to listen. To give them undivided attention. For them, it was less humiliating than therapy.

For many, though, there was always that underlying expectation. The idea that an escort was really just a high-class whore. Skylar could usually tell right off which new clients were expecting sex and which ones would have to be talked into it.Extra time, they called it. When a date was booked, it was scheduled for so many hours. The client was given the option to extend the date for extra time, but they were warned to bring cash for such things in case the office was'closed'and couldn't take a credit card payment. That way, there was no paper trail, which benefited both the company and the client.

And that cash went a long way to helping Skylar get closer to leaving this life behind for good. He did whatever it took to earn every penny he could get his hands on. The faster he made money, the faster he'd be free.

Which meant giving in to the easy clients and seducing the tougher ones. After years at the job, it was second nature. He'd flirt shamelessly and get the client so desperate that the night simply couldn't end without some cash changing hands in a bedroom.

But, for once, money was the furthest thing from Skylar's mind.

“No!” Skylar gasped, then winced and added, “I mean, yes, but not–” He broke off and swore. “Shit. No. Ward? I'm sorry. That's not what I'm trying to do. Not with you. If you want me to stop, I will. I'll behave, I swear. We can just be here at the wedding and leave it at that, if that's all you want. You're the client,” he added in a whisper, making sure nobody else could hear him. “What you say, goes. End of story. But honestly? I've never been so attracted to anyone in my life. And my boss would kill me if he heard me say that, because I'm supposed to be'attracted'to everyone,” he went on, making air quotes with his fingers. “But you?Jeebus criminy. You're like a walkingwet dream, and I'm having trouble keeping my damned mouth shut.”

Ward's eyes darkened again, his gaze intense as he studied Skylar's face, probably looking for any hint of a lie.

Skylar held completely still, waiting for the man to respond. It was strange, how utterly devastating that direct gaze was. Charlie almost never looked him in the eyes, though he was like that with everyone. The boy couldn't stand direct eye-contact. But it was the same with several of Skylar's clients, who seemed to think that avoiding his eyes allowed them to pretend that they weren't out in public with a whore. Like not looking directly at him meant they didn't have to acknowledge him. Or the truth. Then again, most people tried to ignore reality these days.

Being pinned under Ward's gaze should have made him uncomfortable. But it didn't. If anything, Skylar felt himself drifting, lost in the moment, his skin tingling with the knowledge of Ward's awareness of him.

“Is that Wolf?” someone called out, shattering the bubble that surrounded them.

Ward blinked, then tore his gaze away, rolling his eyes and laughing as he stood up to shake hands with someone.

More introductions were made, and then everyone sat down to eat. Skylar sat quietly and listened more often than not, answering questions when they were put to him but mostly focusing on the food. It wasn't as good as he'd been expecting, but it was free, so he was hardly going to complain. Goodness knew he had little enough at home. Then again, that was by choice. He had to save money wherever he could.

Ward shifted in his seat and looked around.

“Something wrong?” Skylar asked, resting a hand on his arm.

Ward blushed at the contact, then said, “Just need a bathroom.”

“Oh. Over there.” Skylar pointed discreetly.

“Ah. Thanks. Um. Be right back.” He got up and pushed in his chair before walking away.

---