Page 33 of Reckless Curves
Perhaps she could give this relationship idea a chance. She would try to protect Connor from it, but ultimately, she would begin a relationship with someone. Why not the man who owned her heart? She couldn’t protect Connor from her own needs.
Connor went to run by Tom and he grabbed him, turning him upside down. Connor squealed with laughter and Tom laughed with him. Seeing her son’s eyes shine with happiness made Kendra warm inside.
Tom hugged Connor close. “I’m going bye-byes, buddy.”
Connor frowned and took Tom’s face in his little hands. “No. Stay.”
Kendra’s heart squeezed and damned if she didn’t feel like crying. She wanted him to stay too.
“I can’t right now, but I’ll see you soon. Okay?”
Connor’s gaze never wavered. “Promise me?”
“I promise.”
“You see me morrow?” Connor wanted to know.
“Yeah. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Tom replied.
Connor’s frown gave way to a smile. “’Kay.” He hugged Tom’s neck and patted his shoulder.
Tom rubbed his back and turned towards the kitchen.
Kendra blinked away tears at the sweet picture that big, strong Tom and their cute son made as they hugged. How many times had she dreamed of the three of them being a family? Too many to count. That was all it was, though—a dream. Did dreams ever come true?
Despite his insistence on getting married, Kendra would never do it because he didn’t love her. Eventually, his excitement over being a father would fade and he’d hate being trapped in a marriage that he didn’t truly want. Then they’d have horrible fights and end up divorcing. She refused to put Connor through that, no matter how much she loved Tom.
“Heading out?” She walked over to them.
Tom smiled. “Yeah. That way someone will go back to sleep.”
Kendra appreciated his consideration. “Okay. Thanks again for everything.”
Reluctantly, Tom gave Connor to Kendra. “No sweat. If you’re free on Thursday and can get a sitter, I’ll organize times for us to view some of these,” he waved the pages in his hand.
“That’ll be great. I’ll ask Stella,” Kendra said, shifting Connor to her other hip.
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow when I bring your van back.”
“Thank you. That went better than I thought. Night.”
He looked at her and Connor. The want in his gaze unmissable. “Way better.”
Kendra locked the door behind Tom and looked at Connor. “Okay. Time for a little drink and then off to dreamland. Got it?”
Connor gave her a nod. “Got it.”
As she settled Connor back in bed, Kendra couldn’t prevent her mind from reliving the fantasy again. Perhaps she should seriously consider dating Tom. The idea, like the man, was very attractive.
She slipped into bed and decided.
Tomorrow she’d face Marcus. Trying to build a relationship while keeping secrets was a recipe for failure.
