Page 25 of Rescued by a SEAL

Chapter 7

Mason clutched the steering wheel of his SUV, clenching his jaw. He scrubbed a hand over his day-old stubble, frowning. He’d been surprised to hear from Taylor tonight but pleased she’d texted him—until he saw her second text.

His blood boiled at the thought of her asshole ex right outside her front door.

What if he’d been awake when Taylor got home?

Would he have forced himself into her apartment? Forced himself on her?

Guys didn’t just keep showing up like that when they were thinking rationally. Hell, he was used to dating women for a few weeks and then moving on. Never giving them another thought.

The fact that Taylor’s ex kept showing up more and more unnerved him.

Maybe he hoped to win her back, but the likelihood was that he kept coming around because he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He was fixated on her. Obsessed. Maybe he hadn’t been until she’d broken up with him, but some guys always wanted what the couldn’t have.

Hell.

His phone buzzed with a new text as he drove down Atlantic Avenue, and he saw her address flash across his screen. He was supposed to be picking her up tomorrow afternoon for a date, not rushing over because her asshole of an ex wouldn’t leave her alone.

A certain sense of male pride filled his chest though at the fact that she’d texted him for help.

She trusted him to be there for her, relied on him for her safety.

Maybe they hadn’t exactly gotten off to a normal start, but hell if he wouldn’t do everything in his power to protect her. He wanted to woo her, sure. Take her out, kiss her goodnight, take her to bed.

Eventually.

None of that would ever happen if this was hanging over her shoulders.

Grumbling under his breath, he pulled into the parking lot of Taylor’s apartment complex, his gaze sweeping the area. One street light was out in the back corner, but he was pleased to see that it was mostly well lit. The walkways and grounds were well-maintained, with lamp posts scattered throughout. It was relatively safe for a single woman living alone.

Relatively.

Because the breezy, open apartment buildings had no way from keeping Taylor’s ex from showing up at her door.

A secure building with a doorman would’ve been ideal, but that wasn’t exactly common in this beach community. People were casual around here. Tourists came and went in the warmer months. They wouldn’t want to show identification in gated communities or buildings with security and doormen.

They just wanted to relax and enjoy their vacation.

He quickly shut off the engine and stepped out of his vehicle. He’d been in such a rush, he hadn’t even grabbed anything to spend the night here.

A tee short and shorts would have to suffice. He could always sleep in his boxers, but he got the impression Taylor wouldn’t appreciate that just yet.

Briefly, he wondered what she slept in as he moved across the lot. A sexy little nightie? Comfortable cotton pajamas? Nothing at all?

Not that he’d be finding out tonight.

Her safety was his primary concern, and if she wasn’t comfortable with him yet, he’d give her space.

For now.

Taylor was standing by the well-lit stairwell, and he was both relieved and unnerved. She shouldn’t be standing around alone this late at night, but she didn’t have her car. Couldn’t get into her own damn apartment.

Hell.

Her ex was controlling her life whether she realized it or not.

And Mason didn’t like it one bit.

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