Page 2 of Problems

"Yes."

"Good, I took a taxi." Maybe he was open to those who needed to fill the silence with talking because his lips kept moving. I was normally a good listener, but it was taking everything in me not to think about Jack.

I sped up leading him to the car as fast as possible. The moment we reached my black BMW I unlocked it and unwove my arm from his. I held the door open for him.

"Thank you." He blushed and I instantly felt bad.

All I'd been thinking about was getting off of him because he didn't feel like Jack. I plastered a smile on my face and nodded, not sure what else to say to him. Once I shut the door I rounded the car mentally coaching myself.I can do this.It was for a cause, so I didn't fall prey to Jack's flirting. I sank into the seat behind the wheel. My fingers tightened around the wheel and once again I reminded myself I could do it. That I'd feel better once I got Jack out of my system. I glanced at the other man and guilt twisted my insides. It felt wrong to use him to get over someone else, especially someone as amazing as Jack O'Brien.

The man buckled up filling my car with his scent. It was sweeter than Jack's. I ground my molars. Why couldn't I stop comparing every man I met lately to him? It was a problem and I had no idea how to solve it.

He rattled off his address and I swallowed back my guilt and uncertainty. I wouldn't know until I tried. Who was to say after sleeping with him I'd be able to face Jack's advances with ease? I wanted to laugh at myself. I knew without trying it wasn't going to work and the closer we got to his place the more I felt it deep in my soul. Everything moved at break-knee speed. One second we were stuck in traffic and the next I was parked in a garage.

My fingers tightened around the wheel as I glanced over at the man I was going to take to bed. The one I was going to use to forget the boy of my dreams.

The man unbuckled, hesitating as he reached for the handle. He glanced over his shoulder at me. "You coming up?"

My mouth opened, no and yes battling it out, making it impossible for me to say anything. I'd never been so indecisive in my life. It feltwrong. Ringing penetrated the air by passing the soft music playing in the background. I took my phone out of my pocket knowing only a few people had this number. The main person who I knew would call was Jack.

Instantly my heart started to race. I wanted to peel out of there and go to him to make sure everything was okay. Hold him and comfort him. Ever since he'd come home from college, he'd been trying to show Declan he was more than a pampered prince. It had led to a few arguments that left Jack hurt and floundering about. I could only be the support he ran to. I had no way of changing Declan's mind, not that I wanted to. I agreed with the boss, Jack wasn't meant for this life. He was gentle, caring, and delicate all things that the underworld would chew up and spit out.

The phone buzzed in my hand and I hesitated. If I ran back, I'd be at square one. I'd be wrapped back in the web of desire Jack spun. It was my night off. I clicked off the screen and checked the tracker app. Jack was at home and Declan had his men surrounding the place. He was safe, there was no need to panic and run back to his side.

“Do you need to get that?”

I hesitated. I knew the moment I heard Jack's voice there was no way I’d be okay going home with a knockoff. He wouldn’t feel right, wouldn't smile as brightly or let out soft moans that made the base of my spine tingle.

I answered and brought the phone up to my ear.

"How long are you going to be gone?" Jack asked.

The question didn't concern me as much as the sound of his voice. The audible strain as if he was holding back tears.

"Did something happen?"

"I need you Ronan."

There was no thought in my head. I nodded and put the car in reverse. It wasn't until I was out of the garage and about to merge into traffic that I remembered the man next to me. He stared at me with a perplexed look on his face.

"I'm on my way. Go sit down and grab your sketchbook."

A frustrated groan came over the line and I knew instantly Jack was having issues withdrawing. I mentally went over the projects he’d been working on.

"Ronan—"

"You don't have to say what's wrong right now. I'll be there soon. Wait for me and be good.”

Jack let out a heavy sigh. "Okay."

I was reluctant but I ended the call. The more I heard, the more I wanted to get back to him.

"You don't have to say anything. The guy is lucky to have someone like you,” my date said.

"It's not like that." Or at least it couldn't be, no matter how my heart said otherwise.

The man opened his door and slipped out. He leaned down and gave me a sad smile. "If it doesn't work out, call me."

I wouldn't, I knew that without thinking about it. The moment the door closed I drove off and headed toward Jack. It didn't matter what he needed. Until the day I was no longer his bodyguard, I'd stand at his side. Even if every day I couldn't have him as mine was torture.

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