Genny turned off the TV that was currently blaring some mindless cartoon. She looked down at Tyler peacefully sleeping beside her in the hotel bed. He was safe and it didn't seem to bother him that they'd been cooped up in a hotel for most of the day. Genny on the other hand felt like she was about ready to crawl out of her skin. She picked up her phone and was dismayed but not shocked that there wasn't a message from her brother. She knew he was busy, but she'd love confirmation that he was still alive.

She moved Tyler's head gently from her chest to a fluffy white pillow nearby. Then she carefully extracted herself from the bed and headed to the door of their room. She needed to get out. Maybe grab some caffeine or talk to an adult. Tyler would be fine by himself for a bit. There were multiple cops in the hallways and more on the hotel grounds. He would be fine.

It didn't take her long to find a vending machine, but there was no way she was paying $5 for a bottle of soda. The bottles of water she'd brought from home and complimentary coffee in the room would have to do for the night.

"I guess they think we'll pay whatever because they have us captive."

Genny turned to see the guy she'd helped with the toddler earlier in the day. Damian, that was his name. "Yes, just like a zoo or amusement park." She looked closely at him for the first time. He had black curly hair and well-toned arms that showed under the sleeves of his tight plain black T-shirt. To say he was good-looking was an understatement. She blinked and pushed the thoughts away. She didn't need a relationship right now. "How's Jack doing?"

"He fell asleep right after you left and stayed asleep until his abuela and grandmother arrived. Now he's being relentlessly spoiled so I'm sure he's thrilled now." He smiled at her and she had to stop herself from contemplating how beautiful his smile was. "How's Tyler doing?"

"He's asleep now, but he's been having a grand time. I let him have snacks for dinner and he's had all the screen time he could want. I didn't want him to be scared or anxious about being stuck here."

"And how are you doing?" His dark eyes bore into her soul and something inside her stirred.

She shook her head to clear her thoughts. "I'm on edge. I can't relax. I shouldn't be feeling like this. Tim's been a cop for over ten years and he was in the army before that. I should be used to him being in danger. It was almost easier when I lived out of state. Now every time I hear about a cop getting hurt I have to stop myself from texting or calling my brother. I thought it would be easier to live closer to him. He got shot a few years ago and then had spinal surgery right before I moved back, but I wasn't able to come to help him recover. He said his girlfriend at the time, Ashley, took good care of him, but I felt like I should've been there."

"I know that feeling well. When my sister first joined the LAPD I would spend hours praying for her safety," He paused. "We argued right before she got married. She didn't want me to officiate her wedding and I didn't like the man she was going to marry, so I didn't go. Then she was kidnapped. She ended up going okay. She was pregnant with Jack then and he was obviously okay too. I still felt like I should've been there. Angela's always been so independent, but she's still my baby sister."

"I get it. They can be so hard to look after. I should get back to Tyler." She ran a hand through her hair and looked back down the long hallway to her room.

"Do you want to go back to my room?" Damian asked. "We could talk or not talk."

She should say no and just go back to her room. It was too soon after the divorce for her to even consider getting into a relationship. But she was on edge. She nodded.

He took her hand and led the way to his room. He opened the door to a room that looked exactly like the one where her son was sleeping. She should go back there, but it had been so long since anyone had touched her like that. She needed it. "I don't want to talk."

He let go of her hand. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "But it can only be for tonight."

He stared at her.

"Are you sure you want to do this? Are you married?"

"No, I'm not married. Yes, I want to do this." He took a step closer to her and cupped her face with his hand. "And I'm fine with it just being tonight."

He kissed her and she kissed him back. She lost herself in their kisses and the passion. It had been so long since a man had made her feel like that.


Damian laid back down on his back next to her. She pulled the comforter up and over both of them. She needed to go to Tyler, but she didn't think her legs were working yet.

"That was amazing," He sounded as exhausted as she felt.

"But it can't happen again." He was a nice guy and the sex was excellent, but she needed to figure out the single mom thing before she got wrapped up in another relationship.

"I know." He didn't look at her. "And it won't." Something in his voice struck her, but she couldn't place it.

She climbed out of bed and started to put her clothes back on. She was more tired than before, but much more relaxed. She was still worried about Tim, but she knew she'd be able to sleep now.

She stopped in front of the door and looked over at him, but he seemed lost in thought. She opened up the door and walked into the hallway and back into her regular life.