Chapter 4 #3
She couldn’t let herself fall for a man like him, despite how much she appreciated him being here now. Despite how badly she wanted to be with him.
She was attracted to him and intrigued by him, but then what?
He’d move on, maybe even bring a date into Anchors, and she’d be on the outside looking in. Watching him and his buddies have a good time while she pretended that it didn’t hurt.
“How long did you say you were together?” Mason asked when she hadn’t said anything.
“Three years. He was shocked when I broke up with him, and I—I don’t like that he’s been coming around more and more.
Instead of moving on and getting past our breakup, he seems like he’s trying to get back together with me.
He keeps showing up, insisting that we talk and he come in.
Of course, he’s too drunk to have much of a conversation about anything. ”
“Does he know where your friend lives?” Mason asked, nodding toward the building.
“Bailey? Yeah, of course. We dated for several years, so he’s been here plenty of times. He wasn’t always an asshole,” she added. “Things started to sour when he began drinking more. He couldn’t hold down a steady job, and the guys he hangs around with are bad news.”
Mason nodded, seemingly lost in thought. “All right. I’ll walk you to the door,” he said, climbing out of the vehicle.
Taylor was already climbing out of the SUV by the time he rounded the front.
“I would’ve helped you,” he said, his voice deep.
She grabbed her purse from the front seat, stepping back as Mason shut the door. “I’m fine.”
“Maybe I just wanted an excuse to hold you close,” he said, his voice gruff.
His arm draped over her shoulders, and he pulled her toward him like they belonged together. Like they were a couple heading home for the evening, not a man dropping off a waitress he barely even knew.
Okay, so she was slightly more than just his waitress.
He’d gotten her number, they’d texted, he’d asked her out.
That didn’t mean she should make any more out of this than what it was though.
He frowned as they walked toward the apartment building. “I don’t like that you work such late hours—it’s not safe for a single woman to be out alone this late at night. Especially not with a jilted ex following you around.”
“I’ve had this shift for months—you guys should know. You’re in Anchors all the time.”
“Yep,” he agreed with a chuckle. “Guilty as charged. And hell if I didn’t like seeing you there.
” His hand rested on the small of her back as they walked up the stairs of the garden style apartment building, the heat from his skin blazing through the tee shirt she had on.
It felt like he was leaving an imprint on her skin—branding her with his mark.
And she liked his touch a little too much.
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.