Page 46 of Problems

"That's a good boy. Run along and clean up. When I'm done, I'm going to make sure you know how to clean without destroying the kitchen."

"Yes, Daddy Finn."

That little lip poked right back out, but I ignored it this time. Instead, I went to take my shower. The whole time I washed the stink of sweat from my flesh I thought about Jack. It was my day. I wanted to teach him how to do things properly instead of being a mess. Declan never tried to get him to do anything, and I knew why; he was soft on Jack. Not that I could blame him in some ways. After his wife died, he just wanted to keep Jack close and safe, but he'd definitely spoiled the boy. And that helped no one.

Once I stepped out, I slipped into a pair of dark sweats and a fitted t-shirt. I picked up a hair tie from the bathroom counter and fixed my hair into a short ponytail. I wanted to be able to see clearly for what I had planned for Jack. The boy needed some order, desperately. I wanted to be the one to give it to him.

I headed toward my room, before I remembered the broken plate on the kitchen floor.Shite. Should clean that up first.I made a beeline for the broom and dustpan. Technically, it should have been on Jack to clean up his mess, but he'd been working hard. Besides, he had a habit of going barefoot and I didn't want him to cut his feet open. I bent over as I swept up the shards of porcelain.

"Are you cleaning for me?"

I stopped and glanced over my shoulder. Jack peered at me curiously. "Aye," I said. "It'll be quick work and then back to work."

Jack groaned. "I don't want to do the kitchen anymore," he said stubbornly, practically stamping his foot on the floor. "It's stupid."

I straightened up. "Excuse me?"

Jack chewed his bottom lip. "It's stupid," he muttered.

I opened my mouth before I clicked my tongue. "Disrespectful," I said plainly. "You're going to keep doing this room until I think you're ready to move on."

Jack crossed the space between us. He laid his hand on my chest. I stared down into sweet eyes, the kind of eyes a man might hand over his entire fortune for. He stroked his palm down my body before he danced his fingers over my cock.

"Can't I do anything to fix that?" He whispered. Jack leaned against me so closely there was no space between us. "Please, Daddy?"

It would be easy to fall for his words. Easier to indulge in the gentle caresses he unleashed upon my body. Instead, I took a step back and regained my control. The confusion in Jack's eyes felt triumphant.

"You don't get to charm your way out of things," I said calmly. "Get back to work. I have something just for you."

He huffed, crossing his arms over his chest as he glared at me. "I don't want to."

"You will," I said. "Or you'll be punished. And remember what I said; there won't be any more fun punishments."

I left him there with his mouth gaped open as I dumped the shards of plate into the trash. Once I returned the broom and dustpan to its closet, I went back to my room. Stuffed into the closet was exactly what I needed to deal with Jack. I grabbed the items, tested them out, and once I was satisfied, I returned to Jack.

"Stand up straight," I said as I placed the spreader bar between Jack's legs. I'd had it delivered the night before and now I was glad I had. "Spread them more."

Jack let out a cute whine. "What are you doing to me?"

"Be a good wee one and do as you're told," I said calmly. "Ronan is sweet on you, he lets you do things the way you want. Me? I prefer things to be done the wayIwant them to be done. Your game doesn't work on me." I locked the bar into place. "Is that comfortable?"

Jack chewed his lip, but nodded. "Yes, Daddy Finn."

"Arms."

He stuck his arms out. I quickly maneuvered the black and purple wrist restraints into place. The buckles were fastened, and I slipped a finger underneath to make sure they wouldn't cut off Jack's circulation or hurt him. Pain wasn't the point. Teaching him to move mindfully was. I tugged at the chain between the restraints and nodded, satisfied.

"That's good," I said. "Now, turn around and get to work."

"How!" Jack scoffed. "I can barely move!"

I grabbed the back of his neck. "That's the point," I whispered against his ear. "I've watched you enough to know that you move without thinking. You're just trying to finish your task, not actually make sure it's done correctly. So, these," I said as I picked up the chain making his hands dangle, "are to help you think about every step. Now, be a good boy and get to work."

"Yes, Daddy Finn."

My lips brushed against his neck. I inhaled his scent, that delicious aroma that was distinctly his and no one else's. I wanted to take a bite. Instead, I lingered on the kiss before I moved back and allowed him to do what needed to be done. Immediately, Jack began to move, but much slower than he normally did. Every reach was calculated, every twist, turn and step was thought out. One by one he started clearing the dishes. He took his time, carefully stacking them in the dish drain.

I smiled. "See? Isn't that better?" I asked. "Since you're doing so well on this chore now, you can move on to something else tomorrow."

---