Page 26 of Rescued by a SEAL

Taylor flushed in surprise as she turned and saw him, a relieved smile flashing across her face. “You came.”

He ducked down, brushing his lips across her forehead and inhaling her scent of coconut and sunshine. “Of course I came. Did you really think I wouldn’t?”

“Yes. I mean no, I mean—” She trailed off, looking flustered. He took her slender hand in his, wanting her close. Needing to see for himself that she was all right.

“I don’t like that he’s showing up at your apartment late at night,” he said, his thumb briefly rubbing over the soft skin of her hand before he let go.

She gazed up at him, those wide brown eyes so damn innocent.

“I don’t like it either, but what am I supposed to do? I left him there passed out drunk yesterday, hadn’t heard from him all day, and then came home from work to find him here. I’ve told him it’s over, and he just keeps coming back.”

‘You’re doing everything right,” Mason assured her. “You’ll probably have to cut off all contact. Don’t answer the door for him, don’t answer his calls. Don’t send him any texts. The next step is going to the police though. A restraining order won’t keep away someone bound and determined to be here, but it’s a start. It’ll be official that way.”

“The police?” she asked, her eyes widening slightly. “I don’t want to get him in some sort of trouble. And it’s not like he’s done something wrong. I mean nothing illegal anyway.

“Refusing to leave someone alone is stalking them.”

“He’s not stalking me,” she protested.

Mason raised his eyebrows.

“It’s not like he’s following me around at night, hiding in the shadows or something. He was at my front door!”

“Showing up uninvited again and again is stalking,” he said in a low voice. “Refusing to leave you alone. Not taking no for an answer. Didn’t you say you’ve missed work because of this? He came over and you didn’t want to leave?”

“Yeah, but I was afraid to leave him there alone because he was drunk. It’s not like he forced me to stay or something.”

“Maybe right now he just wants to talk or try to win you back, but what if this escalates? What if he comes over and won’t leave? Or if he won’t let you leave?”

“Well,” she hedged, shifting nervously from foot to foot.

“Is he up there?” Mason asked, nodding his chin toward the stairs.

“He hasn’t come down, so I assume so.”

“What floor are you on?”

“Third floor. Apartment 307.”

“All right. I’ll drag him out of the way if I have to. If you don’t want to involve the police at this point, we can call a cab or one of his friends to come get him. He’ll be pissed as hell if he wakes up feet from your front door. I’m not sure what other options we have. I could have my friends come and take him somewhere.”

“Your friends? I don’t want to get them in trouble. Besides, it’s embarrassing that my ex keeps coming around.”

“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. He’s the one in the wrong here. Let’s go see where he is.”

Mason turned and started up the stairs, Taylor following behind. He didn’t like that her ex was manipulating her. She was so concerned for his welfare, she didn’t want to involve the police.

But hell.

Guys like him just didn’t get it.

He reached the landing and crossed to her apartment in a couple long strides. Crouching down by her ex, he frowned. His eyes narrowed at the crushed flowers, but he didn’t say anything, just gripped him beneath his arms and dragged him roughly down the hall.

The guy was big—not nearly as muscular as Mason, but he could easily overpower Taylor if he wanted.

Too easily.

Eric continued to lightly snore but didn’t stir. Mason unceremoniously dumped him by the top of the stairwell. Crossing back to Taylor’s door, he grabbed the empty beer can and flowers.

---