Page 21 of Problems

There were already pain meds and a bottle of water waiting for us on the bed. Finnian must have gone ahead and got it for Jack. The man was a hard ass, but I was starting to see the softer parts of him or at least I hoped I was. I sat down with Jack in my arms and the boy clung to me even tighter. His blunt nails dug into my flesh leaving little bites of pain. It did nothing to combat the smoldering desire rocking in the pit of my stomach.

"Jack, I need you to pull back a little and take this pill."

Two glossy brown eyes looked up at me.

"Open up."

Jack didn't argue or ignore me. His mouth opened up and he stuck out his tongue. I placed the pain pill in his mouth and held the water bottle up to his lips. Jack swallowed the pill.

"Keep drinking," I said.

Jack looked at me through his wet lashes as he continued to drink the water. He didn't stop until I pulled it back.

"It will kick in soon, anywhere else hurts?"

Jack's cheeks reddened further. "My butt."

I couldn't help the tilt of my lips. I didn't think as instinct took over and I pressed a kiss to each eye. "Good boy."

Jack squirmed in my hold as a shy smile that took my breath away came over his face.

He's gorgeous.

"Da—Ronan," Jack called. He put out his bottom lip and I fell prey to it this one time.

I pressed the faintest kiss to Jack's forehead. "You did good taking your punishment, but you know it's not over, right?"

Jack whimpered and it tugged at something in my soul. I wanted to give him the world to hold and kiss him for the rest of our lives. It was a feeble dream, but for now, I could pretend and cave into it. Just for a little bit, I'd have Jack O'Brien.

"But—"

I pulled back and looked down at Jack. "Are you trying to argue with me?"

He looked away instantly and stared down at his hands. "No—"

There was more to it, and I was desperate to hear what Jack wanted to tack onto his response. Instead of demanding like my heart wanted, I moved on to my punishment. I laid Jack down on his stomach and checked his ass. It was red and as I laid my hand on it, I could feel the heat radiating off his flesh.

"Here." I grabbed his loose-fitted joggers and helped him slip them on.

Jack whimpered and looked back. "Can I have french toast and sunny side up eggs?"

Yes, was my immediate answer but I swallowed it down. "Not till you're done with my punishment. Be a good boy and maybe Finnian will make it."

Out of all of us, he had the best skills in the kitchen. None of us trusted Cian in there. There was no telling what he'd feed us. Might even poison us just for shits and giggles.

Jack bit his bottom lip and I pulled it free instantly. I ran my thumb over his plump bottom lip hypnotized by how soft it was.

"You're going to kneel in the corner and think about what you did wrong."

Jack glanced at the corner and then back at me. "Yes da—"

Again, with that slip up. I wanted to hear him finish it more than anything. If he kept it up, I was going to end up shaking it out of him. I helped him off the bed and over to the corner. Jack sank on his knees, moving to get as comfortable as he could. His face was tight as he was forced to stay perfectly upright.

"And no dessert for the next week."

Jack groaned. "But—"

I cocked a single brow at him waiting to hear his argument. Jack could be difficult if he wanted to be.

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