“What are they doing?”

I turn around and look toward the exhibit just in time to see the male chimpanzee mount the smaller female. I quickly look back to Dawson, only to find him completely focused on the scene before him.

I contemplate covering his eyes or somehow distracting him. I mean, how am I supposed to explain this to a six-year-old?

I can see it now. Hey, Drew. Sorry, but your son now understands how baby chimpanzees are made.

A sense of panic shoots through me, and I say the first thing that comes to mind, “He’s keeping her warm.”

Dawson’s head tilts to the side, as if he is trying to view them from a different angle. “But it’s hot outside,” he finally says, only furthering my discomfort.

“Yes, but they are used to much hotter weather.” I look around, as if I’m magically going to find someone or something to help me through this. “So, even though it's hot to us, chimpanzees are cold.”

“But why are the others not cold?” Dawson asks.

My mind begins to race as I try to think of what to say. Why me? The very first time I’m alone with Dawson, and this happens.

“Are you hungry?” I ask.

Dawson finally looks away from the chimps that are going to town on one another, the female scratching at the male.

"Yes!" He grabs my hand and we find the food area.

Dawson's looking at the menu and I think it's the cutest thing ever. He's stroking his chin and has one hand resting on his elbow as if he's in deep thought.

"Do you know what you want?"

"Chicken fingers, french fries, chips, and a snack. Is that okay Reagan?"

"Of course, buddy."

After I put in the order for food and get it, we walk over to an empty table and eat lunch. Dawson's talking about the animals and how he really wants to feed the giraffes.

"I'm sure we can do that, buddy. I'll check the map and we'll follow it."

"Like we're on an adventure?"

"Exactly!"

"Awesome," he happily yells.

When we're done eating lunch, I take out the map and we go on our adventure. In less than fifteen minutes Dawson asks for another snack so we find a food cart and he rattles off his order to the worker.

I realize that Drew might kill me today with all the food Dawson’s eating. When the worker hands Dawson his order and I pay, I see he has a large slushy in one hand and a caramel apple on a stick in the other. How could I say no to him and his adorable face? I'm sure Drew will see the bright side to the situation and laugh with us.

“I really want to go back and see the chimpanzees!"

"Why, buddy?"

Before he can answer my phone vibrates in my back pocket, and I take Dawson's hand since he's done with his apple and keep him to my side. I reach around to my back pocket and pull my phone out.

Drew: That shade of green looks gorgeous on you. It almost matches your beautiful eyes.

For a moment, I stare at the screen. Then, it hits me, and I begin looking around from one side to another. Then, I see him, and my mouth grows dry. A conversation we shared once before regarding his wardrobe comes to mind, which makes me smile uncontrollably.

Dawson tugs on the edge of my shorts, but I can’t look away from Drew. He moves across the empty space, his eyes locked on mine.

Just before he reaches us, I hear Dawson holler out, “Daddy,” dropping his slushy and leaping into his arms.

He’s wearing a pair of cargo shorts, an Army green-colored shirt, and sneakers. The V-neck shirt shows off his muscular biceps and hugs his broad shoulders. And he’s wearing a baseball cap. I’m not sure how he’s able to take a casual outfit and look as though he’s walking the runway. I can’t look away. In a suit and tie, Drew’s unbelievably handsome, but in relaxed attire…

Holy fucking hell.

“Hi,” he says with a gleam in his eyes.

He knows exactly what he’s doing. Drew Powers is a man of many talents, one being that of making a woman weak in the knees.

“Hello,” I offer with a smile. “What a surprise,” I add, “but a very pleasant one.”

“I tried working”—Drew lowers Dawson to the ground—“but the only thing I kept thinking about was you and Dawson here, at the zoo, smiling and laughing and enjoying the day without me, and I realized nothing would be better than being right here with you two.”

I forget that we’re not alone as I reach out and press my hand to his chest, moving in closer. Acting out visions of pressing my lips and body to his, allowing him to devour me, sounds pretty damn good. Before I can react to those temptations, I remember that the little man’s watching us.

“I should warn you that Dawson's had a lot to eat,” I say, clearing my throat.

“Oh, has he,” he replies.

"Yeah! Reagan got me all this food and she never said no."

Dawson pulls on Drew's hand, trying to drag him toward more of the exhibits.

"Dad! Come on!"

Drew turns to me, "How much food did he have?"

I shrug. "It's best not to tell you."

"Wonderful," he mutters and the three of us follow Dawson through the zoo.

"By the way," Drew leans in to me, whispering in my ear, "You're so beautiful."

The lustful look in his eyes constricts my breathing. One look from a man has never made me feel the things Drew does. In his presence, I feel beautiful and desired. I realize that having him look at me as if he wants to take me away from here and have his way doesn’t terrify me, only intrigues me.

So often since I’ve met Drew, I’ve wondered what it would be like to have his hands on me.

As we stand in line, waiting for our ice cream, Drew stands with his hand on the small of my back. His fingertips slowly glide from side to side, causing my eyes to flutter shut. By the time I’m holding my dish, I’m practically panting.

“Are you okay?” Drew asks in a husky tone.

When I look up at him, I find him smirking. He doesn’t need me to tell him the effect he has on me. He knows.

“I’m fine,” I assure him, trying my best to sound confident.

I know by the look his face, he doesn't buy it, but I don’t let it stop me from moving away, my shoulders squared, doing my very best to appear unfazed.

Avoiding eye contact with Drew, I find a small table and lead Dawson toward it. Just as Drew joins us, Dawson picks that point to rehash the events I wish he'd forget.

“Do you know the chimpanzees are always cold?”

I pause with my spoon midair, only a few inches from my mouth. My eyes are wide with surprise and possible fear. Still, I don’t look toward Drew or Dawson.

“Is that so?” Drew asks.

“Yep,” Dawson responds energetically. “Reagan told me that.”

It’s then I look up to find Drew giving me a questionable look. I shrug and refocus on my ice cream.

“That boy monkey was lying on top of the girl, wiggling around real fast to keep her warm,” Dawson adds, making me choke on the bite I just took.

Drew, of course, begins to tap on my back, and when I look up at him, I find him doing his best to hold back his laughter.

“Always cold, huh?” he asks.

“It was all I could come up with at the time,” I explain. “I panicked. I did the best I could.”

“I know, baby.”

And he places his arm around my shoulders as we watch Dawson finish his ice cream before calling for us to get up, so we can watch the next show.

* * *

I stand in the doorway of Dawson’s bedroom, watching Drew tickle his son. His giggles filtering throughout the room make me smile uncontrollably. Each moment with the two of them makes me fall for each of them a little harder.

Drew isn’t the man I thought he was. He’s overbearing and strong, in need of control, but kind and sweet, too.

“Did you enjoy yourself today, buddy?” he asks Dawson.

I find myself just as eager to hear his response.

“Yes.” The instant the word leaves his lips, a sudden rush of joy hits me. “Reagan's fun.”

“Yes, she is fun.” Drew looks up, and a smile tugs on his lips. “You get some sleep, and tomorrow, we’ll find something else fun to do,” Drew assures him as he leans over and gives him a kiss on his forehead. “I love you, Dawson.”

“I love you, too,” he whispers sleepily.

As Drew stands up and begins to move toward me, I back up into the hall. He pulls the door shut behind him and carefully moves closer, placing one hand on each side of me, caging me in against the wall.

“I know I’ve said it before,” he whispers, “but I’ll say it again. You are amazing and perfect.”

My breathing becomes ragged as Drew leans in, his lips skimming over my jaw. “Seeing you with Dawson, the way you make him laugh,” he continues, “it makes what I feel for you even stronger. I adore you, Reagan,” he admits.

I tilt my neck, looking up at him, just as his lips cover mine.

What begins as a simple kiss quickly grows, and my body ignites with an uncontrollable need for more.

“You make me feel safe,” I confess before I can stop myself. “I haven’t felt this safe in so long.”

“I would never hurt you, Reagan.”

I believe him. Without an ounce of doubt, I know he’s being truthful.