Page 48 of Problems

"Cute boy," I said before I clicked my tongue. "Fine. It is your reward after all."

Jack lit up as I stripped out of my clothes. I took my time, removing each item piece by piece before I folded them neatly. Carefully, I placed them aside. The excitement on Jack's face made it look like he was about to burst. His eyes swept from my head to my toes, then back up again. I grinned as I straddled his body.

"What? You like what you see?"

Jack swallowed hard. "I thought Cian was the cocky one, but you're just as bad."

I groaned. "Don't compare me to that asshole."

"That's a bad word, Daddy," Jack whispered.

I pinched the bridge of my nose as he dissolved into laughter. Yes, he was a real little shit, but I'd also never heard Jack laugh so much in my life. He was usually a serious boy or a whiny one depending on the day. It was rare that I heard so much joy and playfulness in his tone. I was starting to get addicted to that sound.

"What's my reward?" Jack asked.

"Right," I climbed off and carefully maneuvered Jack across my lap. Thanks to his restraints, he really couldn't move. "How about a nice, hot spanking?"

Jack squirmed on my lap. "O-okay."

"No, I'm going to need to know this is what you really want," I said. "And what do you call me?"

If it was possible, he squirmed even more. "I want it," he groaned. "Please, Daddy? Please!"

I whistled. "Who knew Jack O'Brien could use the word please?"

"Don't tease!"

"Why not? I like the way you rub your cute cock against me when I do it."

Jack rubbed against me even harder. I could feel him stiffening in those shorts. My heart raced in my chest as I slowly peeled the shorts away and dragged them down his slender thighs. There were muscles there, potential waiting to be unlocked. I ran my hand over them, mesmerized.

"You should work out with me," I blurted. "It's good for your mind, your body, and you're always telling everyone you're tough. Developing a few more muscles might help."

Jack perked up to peek back at me. "You'd help me?"

I shrugged. "Sure, why not? A wee lad like you could use some tonin' up."

Jack wiggled. "You're supposed to be spanking me, not making fun of my lack of muscles!"

“Sorry,” I said. “I wasn’t much bigger than you at your age, to be fair. I had to train to look the way I do now. Still do.”

Jack sighed. “All I do is draw. That doesn’t exactly make you stronger.”

I chuckled. "No, but I think your drawings show talent. Always have."

"Really?" He whispered.

The back of my neck burned. No way in hell my face wasn't red as a tomato. I shoved him back into place. Yes, I'd admired his work for some time. And I'd agreed with his father that drawing, architecture, and a corporate future was well within his grasp. So why the feck had I just offered him a way to get stronger?

Focus.

"Daddy?" Jack called.

I brought my hand down onto his ass. He cried out. It was enough to distract us both from the conversation that bordered on too damn sweet. Too close. I was used to putting up walls and keeping people in compartments. It kept my life organized. It kept emotions out of what needed to be done. Enjoying Jack was a temporary thing. Sooner or later, we'd all return to New York and this would be over.

My stomach twisted at the thought. To chase it away, I smacked Jack's ass again. My hand bounced against his perky, jiggly flesh. Heat licked my palm. It dispersed, radiating over his skin as he bucked and moaned. That sound was enough to drive me insane. He shoved his ass up into the air before he drew in a deep breath. I rubbed his ass instead, letting him fall into relaxation before I struck him again.

"Hey!" Jack yelped. "You can't just--."

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