Page 29 of Rescued by a SEAL

Chapter 8

The sound of pounding on her front door jolted Taylor out of a deep slumber. In a flash, she was sitting up in bed, her heart racing. A cold sweat broke out over her skin, and her eyes landed on the clock on her nightstand.

3:08 a.m.

Rubbing sleep from her eyes, she stood, forgetting for a moment that she had on only her skimpy camisole and shorts. She hurried to her bedroom door, nearly tripping over her own two feet as she remembered Mason was out there sleeping on her sofa.

Mason, who had the body of a Greek God. Who probably rolled out of bed looking perfect.

She felt like a rumpled mess, but the pounding on her front door continued.

Mason flicked on a light, meeting her gaze, and then he was crossing her living room. Taking a quick glance out through her peephole before cracking the door.

“Don’t come here again,” he said in cool voice.

“Who the fuck are you?” Eric’s voice came from the other side of the door. He said something else, slurring his words, and Taylor realized he was still drunk.

“None of your damn business. If I see you around here again, the police will be the least of your concerns.”

“Let me inside. Where’s Taylor?”

“Eric!” another male voice shouted from outside. “What the hell are you doing here? Give me my damn keys!”

Taylor heard a scuffle, and then Mason stepped further into the doorway, bodily blocking her view. She hurried over to the door, hesitating.

If she went out there, it would only make things worse. Eric would see her and lose his mind.

As it were, Mason clearly didn’t want her outside. His large body was blocking her way.

“Are you the guy who has Taylor’s car?” Mason asked, irritated. “We’ll be picking it up tomorrow.”

Jake’s voice carried into her apartment through open door.

“Sorry man,” Jake said smugly. “It’s not ready. And we’re not even open on Sundays.”

“How the hell can it not be ready? You’ve had it for over a week. After what you charged Taylor for a tow last month, I assume the repairs are free of charge.”

“We just need to order a part.”

“Order it,” Mason demanded. “I’ll expect an update on Monday morning as to when we can pick it up.”

“Who is that guy?” Eric slurred.

“Nobody. Let’s go,” Jake said. “I’ve got enough problems without chasing you over here twice in one goddamn night.”

“Monday,” Mason repeated, closing the door before either of them could respond.

Taylor let out a breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding. She stepped back, watching as Mason turned the deadbolt. For someone that had been sound asleep like her, he sure the heck looked wide-eyed and alert. The fact that he was fully dressed while she had on her sleep shorts and camisole might have had something to do with it.

He turned to face her, his eyes heating as he glanced down at her lavender pajamas.

Although she was fully covered, she suddenly felt naked under his observant gaze. She felt feminine and small next to him. Fragile. He was all muscle, brawn, and bravado, and she couldn’t even get her ex-boyfriend to leave her alone.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his blue eyes locking with hers.

“Fine.”

“You’re shaking,” he said softly, taking a step closer.

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