Cora had no idea what to wear. She hadn’t been on a date in forever. And the last few times she had, her son hadn’t been with her. Milo was playing with his trucks in her bedroom, the puppy joining in his fun, while she washed her face and applied makeup. Nothing overly dramatic, but she wanted to look nice.

She did her makeup and her hair, a simple ponytail that she put a few curls in. She went for simplicity and comfort. If he was taking the both of them out, she assumed it would be a casual restaurant. At least, she hoped it was. While Milo’s table manners were good, for a toddler, he was still only three and could make a mess simply by being in the room. In the end she opted for jeans and a peasant top in ivory with baby blue forget-me-nots framing the square neckline and hem. It wasn’t warm enough for sandals, but she chose a pair of blue-gray flats.

When she felt like she was reasonably attired for what Garrett had planned, she waltzed into her bedroom and said, “Hey baby, let’s go get you changed.”

“No change.” He shook his head, not lifting his face from the demolition derby happening on her bedroom floor. Trucks were haphazardly strewn about, flipped on their sides and upside down as Milo used the yellow dump truck in his hand like a battering ram, cackling as he destroyed the scene. She sometimes wondered whether she should worry about how much Milo enjoyed destroying things, but she didn’t think it meant he would become the next Ted Bundy.

Normally she wouldn’t press the issue of changing his clothing, but she had no idea where Garrett was taking them. As it was, Milo was currently shirtless. Early this afternoon he’d spilled water down the front of his shirt during snack time. Milo did not like being wet. Before she could stop him, he’d stripped the shirt off and had refused vehemently to wear another one. When they were inside, and it was just the two of them, she didn’t push. Cora had learned early on that not all battles were worth the fight. There was a smear of indiscriminate origin on the left knee of his green pants, likely dirt from when they took Elmo outside to potty and he’d stumbled.

Milo would need a bath once they got home that evening. They didn’t have time for it now.

“Well, I guess you don’t want to go have a big boy dinner with Garrett and ride in his truck then, huh?” she chided.

Her son’s eyes grew wide at the prospect.

“Do you want to go have dinner with Garrett?” she said with an enticing, come on, I know you want to disposition.

Milo sprang up and screamed ‘Yay!’ loud enough she was sure the dead were plugging their ears with their fingers. He scampered on his sturdy legs to his room. Convincing a toddler to do menial tasks, like getting dressed, at times was like trying to pull your bottom lip up over your head. Rather painful and pointless. So she was not above bribing her son sometimes. If she didn’t, she would never get anything done.

She followed him into his room. They’d just upgraded his bed to a big boy bed instead of his crib. Milo loved it and his Sesame Street bedding. Spencer had painted this room a soft beige before they’d moved in. Milo’s bedroom wasn’t overly large, but it fit his twin bed and dresser, along with a toy chest that Jeff had built before he died. The pinewood box with Milo’s name carved into it always brought up bittersweet memories. Like how excited Jeff had been that he was going to be a father. And when they’d learned she was carrying a boy, he’d been so puffed up proud.

Cora had loved Jeff with everything she had inside her. And Jeff had loved her. There had been a period of time after he died when she’d been furious with him. He’d promised her that he was always the soul of caution when he was on duty, that he would be sure not to take the lead and enter burning buildings. It was a promise he’d broken—and it had killed him.

It was why she hesitated about getting involved with anyone. It wasn’t just losing Jeff that had been difficult, but knowing his final act had been breaking a vow he’d sworn to uphold. How did a person recover from that?

So trusting Garrett, even as he’d come through for her when she needed it most, was a complete leap of faith.

Milo’s toys were piled on top of the wooden chest; a mix of robots, toddler Legos, cars, trucks, superheroes, and all sorts of replicas of his animated heroes. Nearby was his coloring table piled high with coloring books and crayons. There was a small shelf with his books. Every night before bed, they read together. It was something she’d done with him since he was a newborn, and their way of winding down at night.

She dressed Milo in jeans and a shirt with a truck on it, as well as socks with a superhero logo on them and his slip-on sneakers. She brushed his mop of blond curls. “You look so handsome, baby.”

“Mama pretty too.”

She kissed his cheek, then packed her large purse. It carried everything she might need. Even though Milo was potty trained, accidents did still happen. And she always liked to be prepared so she grabbed a pair of his superman underwear and another pair of pants, as well as one of his small trucks to play with while they were at dinner.

They headed downstairs and she packed a sippy cup with a lid and extra snacks in case Milo was difficult and didn’t want to eat what she ordered for him. He could be so picky sometimes with his food. Some days all he wanted was hotdogs and peas. Others, he would only eat peanut butter sandwiches and popcorn. There was no rhyme or reason to it. Thankfully she’d gotten him started on fruit early and he loved bananas and apples, without the peel, of course. But she packed a banana, a bag of cheddar crackers, and some yogurt raisins.

Then she put a crying Elmo into the downstairs bathroom with food and water, and one of his chew toys. This way she wouldn’t have to worry about more accidents on the carpet or losing any more shoes to the puppy.

At the knock on the door, Milo squealed and raced over. Garrett had apparently made an impression on her son today. Cora followed behind at a more sedate pace. Opening the front door, she couldn’t help but smile over Milo’s enthusiasm as he clapped his hands and jumped up and down.

And then she looked at Garrett. The man took her breath away. He was so tall and built. And in his jeans and blue plaid flannel shirt, he appeared infinitely more accessible and down-to-earth. It made him real. She’d never been into facial hair on a guy, but loved his close-cropped beard, how it framed his lips and strong jaw. His gaze smoldered as it raked over her form.

“Up,” Milo said, holding his arms out to Garrett.

The man didn’t hesitate. He picked Milo up and said, “Hey, squirt, ready to go have some dinner?”

“Yep. Ride in the truck.”

Garrett smiled. “Absolutely. Ready?”

“Yeah, let me just grab his jacket. And we should probably move my car seat into your truck.” It would probably be easier to take her minivan than to move the car seat but she figured Garrett would likely take it as an affront to his masculinity to be seen in her van.

“That’s not necessary. Get your things and we’ll go.”

“Garrett, he has to be in a car seat.” That was non-negotiable. Her son was too small to go without a car seat, not to mention it was illegal. She moved, collecting her purse and Milo’s jacket. Garrett would just have to make the concession and move it to his truck. Otherwise they weren’t going.

“I’ve got one, so it’s not a problem,” Garrett said, escorting them out the door. He took her keys from her hand and locked her front door as she stared at him.

“Why do you have a car seat?” she asked.

“I bought one this afternoon,” he said with a shrug.

She stood, rather dumbfounded. He’d bought a car seat so that her son could ride in his truck. Those things weren’t cheap. He and Milo were talking, with her son waving his arms. And all she could think was that Garrett had bought her son a car seat to ride in his truck. It was more than overly generous. It spoke of permanence and stability.

She broke herself out of her reverie and followed them to Garrett’s black pickup. The two of them were obviously enjoying each other’s company as Garrett put Milo in the car seat. Milo was thrilled at being in Garrett’s truck, happily chatting away. Once he had Milo secured, Garrett held the passenger door open and helped her climb in.

The man kept surprising her, showing her with his actions that this was more than a mere booty call. She glanced across the front seat, impressed by how easily he navigated the large truck through the streets of Jackson, and realized she wanted to know more about him.

And she would, even if it meant risking her heart in the process.

“So, where are you taking us to eat tonight?” she asked, more than a little curious. Where did a man who was trying to date a single mom take a woman and her child for dinner? Hopefully not a place with golden arches.

“You’ll see.” Garrett flashed her a sexy, male grin.

Cora studied him out of the corner of her eye as he drove, while paying attention to Milo. He drove with confidence. She’d never realized just how muscular his hands were, even though she’d had them all over her body. The palms were wide and the fingers long, displaying their strength and the power inherent in them. In all her life, she’d never been attracted to a man’s hands before. Then again, she learned something new every day.

He wore a pair of aviator sunglasses, the silver sheen of the lenses hiding his enigmatic eyes. Eyes that always looked at her with hunger.

“So you bought Milo a car seat. Can I ask why?”

“I thought it would be rather obvious,” he said, turning a right corner.

“Garrett, car seats are not cheap. You’re acting as if…” She broke off as a sudden spurt of fear clutched her chest and made her belly churn.

“Finish your sentence.”

“As if we were a couple,” she said in a whisper.

“Aren’t we? At least at the start of something here?”

She hesitated as hope bubbled in her chest. Then replied, “I thought you wanted just a night.”

“Plans change. I bought the seat because I think it is more—or that it could be more,” he said as he pulled into a parking space. When he shifted the truck into park, he finally glanced her way. “I’m not wrong, am I? There is more here,” he said, twining his fingers through hers.

Her heart stuttered in her chest at his innocuous, sweet gesture. It bespoke of more than hot hands and horizontal action. That simple act was one of care. “Yes, but—”

“No buts, Cora. We can go as slow as you need to go, but I’m in. I know we still have a lot to learn about each other, but I want to know you more. I want there to be an us where I not only claim you at the club but have you in my life. Both of you in my life. And because of that I bought the seat. I know it’s not just you.”

And he was making room in his life not just for her but for her son. Her heart tripped over itself in her chest.

When she didn’t respond, he said, “Come on. Let’s go grab a bite to eat.”

Garrett climbed out of the truck. Before she had opened her door, he was at her side, helping her out and then retrieving Milo from his seat. Garrett carried Milo with one arm. Her son was happy as a clam and soaking up all the attention he could. But then Garrett’s free hand threaded through hers, like they were a unit already.

“Where are we?” she asked, staring at the open field of vehicles.

“The rodeo.”

“This is where we’re eating dinner?”

“Yep. Problem with that?” Garrett asked, and for the first time since she’d met him, he seemed unsure. When he was the one really trying for her and Milo’s benefit. It made her want to hug him, this sexy Dom who was putting her and her son first.

“Not even a little bit. Milo will get a kick out of it,” she replied, giving him a warm smile. It was hard not to do as he escorted them to a small wooden building that was the entrance to the rodeo grounds. After he handed the tickets over, he led them over to a spot with wooden picnic tables and a concession stand serving up all sorts of yummy treats sure to go straight to her waist line.

“Why don’t you and Milo have a seat and I’ll go grab dinner. Anything in particular you both want?”

“Hot dogs would be good.” And it was a meal she knew Milo would eat without many problems.

“Hot dogs it is,” Garrett said, depositing Milo on the bench beside her before he strode over to the concession stand. Cora caught herself watching him. The big tall cowboy was all masculine grace, and while he might be a tad arrogant, he was also infinitely kind. It was an intoxicating combination. Not to mention he was sinfully gorgeous, both with and without his clothes.

They ate hot dogs and fries, which Milo was over the moon about, especially since Garrett added a chocolate chip cookie for him. The cookie was nearly the size of Milo’s head. She and Garrett had a few bites of it because, frankly, her son on that much sugar could be an epic disaster. After they’d eaten, Garrett took them into the stands where they sat and watched as the rodeo began. Milo was enthralled with all the cowboys. Cora was, too, with a certain cowboy. The one-night stand who kept on surprising her. He made it hard—hard for her to say no to him.

And she worried about the swiftness with which their relationship was progressing. None of the few guys she’d been on dates with over the last few years had even met Milo. So just allowing Garrett to meet her son and get to know him was a new experience for her. Cora knew she was overprotective at times. But what choice did she really have? Even the people who wanted to help, like Spencer, weren’t there to help her make all the decisions. They weren’t there when Milo was teething and barely sleeping through the night. They weren’t around for the hard choices she’d had to make and would have to continue making as a single parent. As Milo’s only parent.

And yet, Garrett had stayed. When Milo had been ill, he had stayed when anyone else would have run. She watched her son, saw how much he was basking in Garrett’s attention. As much as she knew she should put a stop to this before her emotions got too tangled up—and, more important, her son’s feelings were on the line—she didn’t. Garrett was enjoying himself with her son. They were laughing together like loons. Her heart sighed in her chest as the man and the fatherless boy bonded.

When Garrett flashed a grin her way and slid his arm around her back, pulling her close, she didn’t fight it. Didn’t fight the feelings rising inside her. It would have been far easier to try and contain a tornado than to stop her heart from falling.

When Milo started to yawn, Garrett ended the night and drove them home. Milo dozed in the car seat, not an unusual occurrence. When they reached her house, Garrett helped her get Milo up to bed.

She walked him back to the front door and said, “Thank you for tonight. Milo had a wonderful time. I would invite you to stay but…”

“I had a good time. And I’m hoping that Milo’s mom did as well. I’ll be by tomorrow night.”

“For what?” She looked at him, confused. Had they made plans she didn’t remember? “I’m working at the club and can’t go out.”

“I know that. I’ll be by to watch Milo for you while you’re at the club.”

“I don’t get you.”

He crowded her against the door, trapping her against it and murmured huskily, “That’s okay, we’ve got plenty of time to learn each other’s favorite color.”

“It’s blue but then again, blue is my life.”

“I tend to like black myself, mainly because I want to see you wearing my cuffs.” He circled her wrists with his hands and then pressed his body flush against hers.

Air backed up in her lungs. “Garrett, I don’t know what to say to that.”

“I’m just telling you my intentions so that you can get used to the idea. I know you’re a package deal. And I want you; want you to belong to me and only me. I think, deep down, you know there’s something here, something deeper than just a casual fuck. And I plan to prove it to you.”

Garrett brushed his mouth against her lips with such tenderness, she moaned, leaning into his kiss. He traced her lips with feather-soft strokes of his silken tongue. At her gasp, his tongue slid inside her mouth and he slanted his mouth against hers, changing the tenor of the kiss. What started as light and drugging became a hot and heavy entanglement. Being kissed by Garrett was like nothing she’d ever experienced before. He was lightning and thunder, rattling her to the core of her being until she didn’t know who she was without his lips upon hers. Desire rose swift and sure in her being. She strained to touch him with her hands, to caress his body, to hold on. But he was having none of it. He controlled the kiss. Dominated the tempo, the depth, and her desire.

The rest of the world fell away with every deft stroke of his tongue. He didn’t just kiss her but demanded her soul in exchange for bliss. Cora stopped struggling, stopped trying to control any part it and surrendered. If anything Garrett’s mouth became more fervent, demanding every part of her, and she succumbed to his heat, his fire, ready to change her mind and invite him up to her bedroom.

When he finally lifted his mouth, he released her hands, and stroked a knuckle over her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow night. Lock the door behind me,” he said with a tender command.

“I will. Good night.”

“Sweet dreams.” He kissed the tip of her nose and then left. Cora watched him climb into his truck and shoot her a last heated glance before she closed the door and locked it. Then her legs gave out on her and she sat near her front door for the longest time, touching her swollen lips and knowing she was in deep.