Page 40 of Problems

Jack sighed and a soft smile took over his face. "Thank you. I tore up half my room looking for it."

It was a bright blue sweater. There were tears at the seams and around the cuffs of the sleeve. The word on the front was all but gone. Faint letters could be made out if I squinted long enough. It was more than rags but it didn't change the way Jack looked in it. He brought the collar to his nose and took in a big whiff. He sighed as his eyes closed. Instantly he was relaxed. I had no idea what his attachment to the sweater was, but I'd made it a habit to make sure it was packed anytime he had to go somewhere for long periods of time.

"Here, I'll help you with the rest."

"I can dress myself," Jack said, but he made no move to do it.

I attempted to calm my racing heart as I pulled the skirt down. The panties were no better than the bra he was wearing.

"Can I keep them on?" Jack asked softly.

I'm going to die at this rate.

I nodded and held out the loose sweats for him. Jack rested one hand on my shoulder as he stepped into the bottoms. Warmth seeped into my body from our point of contact and threatened to overtake me. His skin was so warm and soft against my fingers as I dragged his shorts up his waist. I might have taken twice as long to dress him than what was needed.

"Still feel like gaming or are you too tired from cleaning?"

"NoIwanttoplay," Jack rushed out.

I placed the cushions on the floor side by side. The moment I sat down, Jack pushed my legs apart. He took his cushion and moved it between my thighs and plopped down.

"I want to sit here."

Stubborn as always. Normally I'd force him back to my side, but I could have this now. My palms felt sweaty, and I gripped the remote tighter making sure not to let it slip out of my hands.

"Okay."

We started playing the racing game. The first few rounds were on the easy tracks and Jack came in first on every single one of them. He rested against me whooping and shouting every single time he knocked another racer off the track. As we switched to the harder levels that was no longer the case. Fourth and tenth place flashed on the screen.

Jack's shoulders were tense, nearly touching his ears. He had a death grip on the remote and any second now he was going to get pissed off and throw it.

"Another round," Jack growled.

I should probably stop him, but I was enjoying this as well. We started another round on the hard level and sure enough, I got last place, but Jack got second.

"Shit!"

I took the remote out of Jack's hand and turned him around to straddle my lap. His long legs dropped on either side of me as he got comfortable.

"Jack, I know you're frustrated with losing but you shouldn't curse." I cupped his face.

How many times had I thought about doing this to him? How many nights had I spent imagining him in my lap and the sweet innocent look on his face?

"Da—Daddy doesn't like hearing his sweet boy curse. I have a new rule for you to follow. No cursing." I know I always asked it of him, but this felt different with our relationship shifting. "Can you try for Daddy?" I didn't expect him to be perfect. Trying his best is all I asked of him.

"Sorry Daddy Ronan." Jack blew out a breath. "I was so close to winning."

I nodded. "You were. You did so well."

Jack relaxed in my lap, slipping more into the innocent soft side of him I adored so much.

"Can we play a little more?"

"I don't know, Jack. You got pretty angry with the game, maybe we can switch it out for another?"

Jack looked back at the screen before facing me once more. "Okay. Will you keep playing with me?"

"I'll do my best, but we both know I have no idea what I'm doing."

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