Page 26 of SEAL Summer Escape

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 shirt 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.

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.

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