Chapter 3

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WARD

WARD CAUGHT himself staring at Skylar's ass. He quickly tore his gaze away, but it wandered right back, tracing the firm, round shapes outlined in stretchy, black fabric. Ward shoved his hands into his pockets. With all the women he'd dated over the years, he'd never touched one of them intimately or inappropriately in public. He'd been raised better than that.

But he'd also never been as sorely tempted as he was in that moment.

Geez . Skylar was insanely irresistible. Granted, the boy was paid to be that way and was clearly very good at his job, but still. Ward was having the hardest time not giving in to the fantasy before him. Not giving in to everything Skylar offered.

Sarah , Ward reminded himself. I have to call him Sarah. And her , probably, too.

That was going to be hard. Ward already thought of Skylar as a boy, despite the convincing getup. He almost wanted to skip the wedding and take Skylar straight upstairs. To see how the boy looked as a boy. The disguise stripped away, leaving nothing but the genuine person. And then see if he still wanted Skylar just as badly as he did now.

When Skylar glanced over his shoulder and gave him a smile, Ward felt a tightening in his gut. Oh geez. Yep . He was pretty sure he'd still want the boy even then. Looking past all the makeup, the hair, and the feminine clothing, there was something about Skylar's blue eyes that simply drew him in. Ward could almost see the boy trapped inside, clawing to escape.

He felt a sudden, desperate need to set the boy free. To bring Skylar up to the surface, away from where the boy had himself buried beneath the persona he'd put on for the night. Ward had already caught brief, flickering glimpses of the real Skylar trying to get out. He couldn't wait to see more.

Ward helped Skylar into his coat, carefully tugging the boy's hair free of the collar before Skylar could do it himself. It wasn't quite as soft as he'd imagined. Then again, it was probably full of some product or something, whatever it was that women used to keep their hair styled. Maybe they could take a shower together later. Wash the product out and let himself really get his hands on it.

“ Sheesh ,” Skylar whispered as he fastened the buttons on his coat. “Are you always such a gentleman?”

Ward dropped his hands and quickly stepped back. “Sorry.”

“No! Ward? That was a compliment.”

“Oh.” Ward blinked, then gave a shrug. “My last girlfriend–” Ward began. Fiancée, really , he thought, but he didn't want to go down that mental road. “She hated it when I touched her hair once it was all done up. Shit.” Ward rubbed the back of his neck. “I'd almost forgotten all about that.”

“Ward.” Skylar rested a hand on his arm. “I liked it,” he murmured. “Damn. I didn't know they even made men like you anymore.” He leaned closer, stretching up until their faces were within inches of one another. “Don't stop.”

Ward smiled sheepishly even as he felt his face go hot despite all the blood rushing south.

Skylar gave him a teasing grin, then stepped back and took his arm. “Shall we?”

Ward rolled his shoulders, cleared his throat, and led Skylar outside.

The air was brisk, but he hardly noticed. Nor did the towering buildings and thick traffic really catch his attention. All he saw was the boy on his arm. It was almost painful to let go after he helped Skylar up into the passenger seat of his truck, but as soon as he got in on the driver's side and shut the door, the air grew thick with anticipation. Even with the center console between them, Ward was achingly aware of the boy sitting just inches away, the two of them almost closed off from the world.

“Nice truck,” Skylar commented. “Tundra?”

“Sorry it's a mess,” Ward said, glancing around as he nodded in response to Skylar's question. The truck wasn't filthy, exactly, but it wasn't spotless, either. Driving on dirt roads all the time made it hard to keep the thing truly clean.

“This is not a mess,” Skylar said with a laugh. “You should see my car.” He grimaced, then laughed again and shook his head. “I was expecting a Ford or a Chevy. Saw lots of those down your way.”

Ward chuckled as he pulled on his seatbelt. “My brother's a mechanic. He was very explicit back when I started driving. Told me, since he was going to have to work on whatever I drove, that I'd better buy a Toyota or nothing.”

Skylar nodded. “I have an old Tercel. Darn thing is beat to death—it was like that before I got it—but still runs like a champ. Kinda blows my mind.” Skylar turned in his seat and gave Ward a dazzling smile. “So. Where are we going?”

“Uh.” Ward started the truck, pulled up the navigation app on his phone, and selected the destination address he already had programmed in.

“Oh! I know that place,” Skylar said, eyeing the screen as the guided navigation began. “Great wedding venue. If you're into really big weddings, that is, which I'm not. I've always preferred ones that are smaller. More intimate. But it's still a beautiful place.”

Ward put the truck in gear and checked for traffic, then glanced at Skylar. He half expected the boy to start pointing out directions, considering Skylar seemed to know where they were going. Every one of his past girlfriends had done things like that. Talking over the navigation. Telling him where to go. To speed up or change lanes or park closer. Ugh. But Skylar sat back in the seat, looking comfortable and relaxed, ceding to Ward's control. Another tiny thing, but it felt good nonetheless. Ward couldn't help smiling as he drove.

“I wish I could have seen Everett and Morgan's wedding,” Skylar went on, “even though I barely got to meet them at that party.” He paused while the guided navigation gave a direction. “Adam said it was beautiful.”

“It was,” Ward agreed. The wedding had been held in the event room at Vista Robles Winery, where he worked. The place had been done up in lights and flowers, making it look like another world.

“Then again,” Skylar said, tilting his head thoughtfully, “there's just something about winter weddings, you know? The air is already festive, so it feels more romantic, somehow. I would love to have a Christmas wedding.” He paused, then added in a mumble, “Assuming I ever get married.”

You and me, both , Ward thought. He'd been right on the verge of marriage once. Amongst other things, they'd argued about which season to hold the wedding. Ward wanted something in the winter. Kelly had insisted on spring, even though almost every local venue was turning up booked. Ward had given in, but it had all come to nothing in the end.

Skylar laughed, interrupting Ward's trip down Memory Lane. “Or maybe it's just that I really can't stand the summer heat,” he said. “I mean, a wedding in the middle of August? Even indoors, that sounds miserable.” He laughed again. “It's funny. Used to be, anything under eighty degrees out, and I was shivering. But ever since I started on hormones, I run so much hotter. Now, if it's anything over, like, sixty-five, it's too damned hot.”

Ward barked a laugh. “Yeah, I'd have to agree with you there.” He navigated a turn in silence, content to leave the conversation at that, then found himself elaborating anyway, wanting to draw out more of Skylar's voice. “I love being out in the vineyards. Watching the grapes grow. But— damn —if it isn't miserable when it's a hundred degrees out.”

“ Ugh . Yeah.” Skylar nodded. He turned and looked out the window, and Ward caught a thoughtful frown on the boy's made-up face. “It sure was pretty down your way when I was there, though. All those vineyards everywhere. The trees . My gods, the trees! So much green.” Skylar glanced all around, his expression now a thinly veiled grimace. Not like this , it said.

Ward had to agree. Even being in a nice part of the city, he couldn't understand how anyone would want to live this way. Barely a view of the sky. Not nearly enough plant life. The air choked with the stench of garbage and exhaust. No, thanks . He already couldn't wait to get back home.

But not without experiencing Skylar first. With every passing second, having the boy beside him, Ward had to fight more and more to keep his hands to himself. His skin tingled with the need to touch Skylar, even in the smallest way. To hold the boy's hand. Tuck a lock of hair behind his ear. Trace those delicate collarbones. Something. Anything .

Ward was about to tug on his collar again when the guided navigation announced that they'd arrived at their destination.

He found a place to park, then got out and went around the truck to help Skylar down. Hell . A shiver ran up his arm the moment their fingers touched. And when Skylar slid out of the seat, dropping into the tiny space between Ward and the truck, that shiver danced through his body, making his heart race and his skin feel hot all over.

Skylar leaned in close, their bodies just brushing together, teasing Ward with a need for more. He wanted to haul Skylar hard up against him. Wanted that little body pinned under him. Geez . What was it about this boy? Then Skylar smiled up at him and murmured, “Such a gentleman. Thank you, Daddy.”

“Fuck,” Ward gasped.

Skylar grinned, making his eyes light up. “Oh, you do like that, don't you? I was so hoping you would.” He took a tiny step back. “Don't worry, Daddy. I'll behave. For now. But later?” He stretched up again, nearly brushing their noses together. “I'll be Daddy's good little boy and do whatever you want. I hope you like dirty talk. But, if not, you can always shut me up with your cock in my mouth. I wouldn't mind that one bit.”

Ward gasped out an incoherent curse.

Skylar chuckled and leaned back, putting just enough space between them that Ward managed to start breathing again. “Shall we?”

“Uh.” Ward blinked, trying to remember where they were and what they were doing. “Right.” The wedding . Ward cleared his throat, then took a moment to make sure he wasn't tenting his dress pants before he stepped away and shut the door. He locked the truck and took Skylar's arm again, leading him inside.

They found seats on the groom's side of the aisle, and Ward held Skylar's— Sarah's— hand while the boy— girl, damn it!— gracefully sat. Ward inwardly winced. If he couldn't even see Skylar as a woman, despite the convincing appearance, how was anybody else going to fall for the disguise?

Someone clapped him roughly on the back, nearly knocking him over. “You made it!” Ward whirled around to find Aaron, the groom, standing behind him in the aisle. The man hauled him into a crushing bear-hug, then stepped back and grabbed Ward's hand, shaking it vigorously. “How the hell have you been?”

“Good,” Ward replied.

“And who is this stunning creature?” Aaron asked, looking at Skylar.

Skylar raised a limp-wristed hand, and Ward watched Aaron take it, feeling a momentary pang of jealousy and possessiveness. The hell? Ward struggled to shake off the feeling until Skylar spoke.

“Sarah Clairmont,” the boy introduced himself. “Ward's told me so much about you.”

“All bad, I hope,” Aaron teased.

“Oh, of course,” Skylar replied with a wink.

“Jesus, Wolf, where'd you find her?” Aaron asked Ward in an aside. “I thought you normally went for brunettes. But I gotta say, this one's a looker.”

Ward felt a knot loosen in his chest. Even Aaron was convinced? Maybe this whole thing might go smoothly, after all.

Although, hearing Skylar call himself by that name just felt wrong .

Skylar smirked up at Aaron. “Who's to say I'm not a natural brunette?” He punctuated that statement with a quick, downward flick of his glance.

“Oh!” Aaron laughed. “A saucy one, too.” He gave Ward a back-handed slap on the chest. “I like her–” He broke off at the sound of a commotion up by the altar. Aaron stiffened and fussed with his bowtie. “Shit. How do I look? Is it straight? Jesus, I'm nervous.”

Ward clapped him on the shoulder. “It's gonna be great.” Unlike my own wedding.

Aaron blew out a breath, then flashed him a quick, nervous smile. He whirled around and raced back up to the altar while everyone around them quickly took their seats.

Ward followed suit, taking the chair next to Skylar, achingly aware of the boy beside him. The warmth of his little body. The allure of his posture and the hints of bare skin. Ward inwardly cursed, reminding himself that they weren't alone.

Skylar leaned towards him and whispered, “Wolf?”

Ward blushed. “Nickname from college. Well, from childhood, really.”

“Oh?”

Ward hesitated. His girlfriends had teased him mercilessly about his name, but something in the earnest curiosity of Skylar's face made him blurt out, “Ward is my middle name.” He paused. “My first name is Wulfric.”

Skylar's eyebrows went up. “That's not a name you hear every day.”

“My brother and I were both named after our grandfathers,” he began to explain, then had to stop when music drowned out all conversations throughout the room.

Everyone turned to watch the wedding procession start up the aisle, but Ward found Skylar looking at him instead.

And as Ward gazed back into the boy's incredible blue eyes, he couldn't tear his focus away to save his life.