Page 19 of Rescued by a SEAL

Maybe they’d go out a few times, but men like him didn’t usually settle down. They were gone too much for a serious relationship.

And she had a feeling that if she fell for him, she’d fall hard. Too hard.

Maybe he wasn’t like Eric, but he was dangerous in his own way.

A dog barked in the parking lot, drawing her attention from the open stairwell, but aside from the lone man walking his dog, no one else was around. She felt safe with Mason at her side. Protected. And despite the chill in the air, warmth radiated off him.

His large frame hovered behind hers, shielding her from the rest of the world.

Mason wouldn’t always be around though. She needed to handle her situation herself. Or at least try to.

They paused at Bailey’s front door, Mason’s hand hovering on her waist as he towered over her.

“I’d love to kiss you goodnight, but I’ll save that for our first actual date.”

She flushed, and he chuckled again. Her eyes were drawn to his full lips, and his fingers lightly trailed over her cheek. “I love how you blush around me.”

“It’s embarrassing,” she protested.

“It’s attractive as hell. And I love that I can get that kind of reaction from you. It makes me wonder how you’d react when we’re really alone sometime.” He paused, the air thick with tension, and Taylor wondered if he was going to kiss her anyway, despite what he said.

He dropped his hand to his side, and she tried not to feel disappointed at the loss of his touch. His blue gaze met hers.

“I know you work nights at Anchors,” Mason said. “When’s a good time to take you out on an actual date? I loved driving you home, but that doesn’t count. I figure you probably can’t get the night off tomorrow on such short notice.”

“Saturday’s our busiest night,” she agreed. “I can’t call out now, especially since I’ve missed a couple of shifts lately.”

Mason nodded, waiting for her to continue.

“I’m off Sunday though if you’re free then.”

“Perfect. I know we said dinner, but it’s supposed to be great weather this weekend. How about we plan for something Sunday afternoon instead?”

“What’d you have in mind?”

“It’s a surprise,” he said, his lips quirking into a smile.

“Well you have to give me some hint. What am I supposed to bring or wear?”

“Fair enough,” he said easily. “Let’s plan on lunch outdoors. That’s all the details I’m going to tell you for now.”

“Fair enough? That’s not fair at all,” she pouted.

He grinned, his blue eyes sparking. “Goodnight Taylor. Next time I’m dropping you off at your place, and I definitely plan on kissing you goodnight.”

She flushed again, imagining those full lips moving over hers. Would he kiss her lightly? Pull her to him? Pin her against the door and kiss her senseless?

“Text me your address tomorrow. I’ll let you know what time I’ll be by on Sunday to pick you up.”

“Until Sunday,” she said.

He brushed a lock of hair that had slipped free from her ponytail back from her face, his fingers leaving a trail of heat over her skin in their wake.

“Until Sunday,” he repeated. “I’m looking forward to it. Goodnight Taylor.”

He took a step back, watching as she produced a key from her purse and unlocked the door to Bailey’s apartment. When she glanced back a moment later, he was gone.

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