Page 28 of Rescued by a SEAL

“Sweetheart, I’m a Navy SEAL. I’ve slept in tents pitched in the desert,” he said with a grin. “The hard floor of a C-17 cargo plane on a nonstop flight across the Atlantic. Believe me when I say your sofa is a luxury compared to any of that. And hell, your company is infinitely better than that of my buddies. You’re much better looking than them, too.”

She blushed furiously, and he smiled.

“I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable. This wasn’t exactly a planned date or something. You relax, do whatever you need to do, and I’ll be out here. Tomorrow I’ll go home and change and then we’ll go out on a proper date. I’ll come pick you up and everything.”

“If you’re sure,” she hedged.

“About the date?”

“About sleeping out here.”

Mason’s phone buzzed with an incoming text, and he pulled it from his pocket.

Who the fuck is this?

Mason frowned and thumbed a response.

A friend of Taylor’s. Tell her ex not to come around here anymore.

“What’s wrong?” Taylor asked, noticing the expression on his face.

“It’s that guy Jake. He wondered who was texting him—no surprise. I didn’t say anything earlier, just told him to get his friend.”

“Is Eric still out there?” Taylor asked, moving toward her front door.

“I’ll check,” Mason said, holding his hand up to stop her. She froze in place, and something in his chest warmed as he crossed the room. She trusted him. Listened to him. He was used to being in control, and she had enough faith in him to let him be.

He knew she was independent in many ways, living alone, keeping a waitressing job that gave her time for pursuing her hobbies. But the fact that she’d let him into her space and let him take control of the situation spoke volumes.

He loved to be in command—both in and out of the bedroom. The fact that she was willing to let him be so far spoke well for their future.

And hell, what was he doing thinking about their future?

He still hadn’t even taken her out yet. Kissed her goodnight.

Somehow he knew he’d do whatever it took to keep her happy and safe though.

Mason peered through the peephole, his hand on the doorknob. “Nope, he’s already gone. Either he left himself or his friend came.”

“Probably Jake already came. He lives close by.”

“Damn. I would’ve liked a word with him, too.”

“Another time,” she said. “Maybe tomorrow we can get my car back. I mean, if you don’t mind coming with me. I’m tired of calling and asking about it. Eric’s friend just keeps giving me the runaround.”

“Absolutely,” he assured her. “Are they open on Sundays?”

Her face fell. “Actually, I don’t think so.”

“No problem. I’ll go with you to get it—first thing Monday morning if we have to. We’ll handle it.”

She nodded, looking nervous, then gathered a blanket and pillow and placed them on the sofa. “Are you sure you don’t mind staying over? I mean, Eric’s already gone, so there’s no need….”

“There’s no where else I’d rather be,” he assured her. “I want to make sure you’re safe.”

His eyes heated for a moment as he walked over to stand by her side. This wasn’t exactly how he’d imagined his first night with her would go, but he liked knowing where she was. Safe. Home. With him.

Maybe he wouldn’t be taking her to bed just yet, but crashing outside her bedroom door was a hell of a lot better than pitching a tent with his buddies.

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in for a hug. Inhaling her sunshiny scent. She relaxed against him, sighing in contentment. “Sweet dreams, Taylor,” he said, brushing his lips over her hair. “You don’t have to worry about anything when I’m here.”

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