AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Pippa
Pippa leaned against the couch and ran her fingers through Lady’s soft fur. The dog’s brown eyes closed as she nuzzled into Pippa’s lap.
“You’re such a good girl.”
Lady’s ears perked up a moment before she lifted her head and looked towards the door.
“What is it, girl?”
Knock. Knock.
Pippa glanced at the late hour on the clock. Who could that be? She got to her feet and padded over, glancing out the peephole. A small gasp escaped her. She’d endured so many weeks of not seeing or hearing from Mason, and now, all of a sudden, he’d visited twice in two days. She inhaled a steadying breath and opened the door.
Her eyebrows rose. “What are you doing here?”
His gaze darted over her cotton pajama dress that came to mid-thigh, but it wasn’t sexual. It was as if he was checking her over for injury.
“Are you okay?” he asked, placing his big hands on her shoulders and studying her face as he stepped inside, causing her to back up.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” She pulled away from him to shut the door.
“Bently came into the bar tonight and told me something happened.”
Oh. That. “Is nothing private in this small town?”
“Was it another brick with a message?”
“No, it was an actual handwritten note—more quotes from the Bible.”
“Pippa! I need to do something about this. I’ll change my shifts. I’ll—”
She sighed. “This is exactly what I didn’t want—to be a burden on you.”
“I hate when you say that.” He growled.
“Well, it’s true.”
He grasped the back of her head and pulled her into a kiss. She gave in, her lips softening immediately at his slow, languid touch. He pulled back and she blinked a few times, trying to get her bearings. This man’s very presence threw her off her axis.
“I can’t help but care about you. I fucking love you. So yes, I’m concerned for your safety. That’s the price you pay for being my woman.”
Her heart lurched. His confession sucked the air from the room. Tears burned the back of her eyes. He loves me. But life wasn’t that simple. She shook her head. “No. I was your girlfriend and that lasted only a few short days. Then you ghosted me for three weeks instead of communicating with me. You don’t get to assume I’m yours just because you apologized.”
He took a deep breath and nodded. “What if I want you to be? If I can prove to you I learned from my mistakes and am here for you, will you give me a chance to earn back your trust?”
Yes! Her stomach twisted into anxious knots. Her heart screamed at her to just kiss the man and take him to bed. But something held her back. Fear that this wouldn’t last. She was terrified of opening herself up to that kind of destruction. But I love him too. Her chest tightened.
Mason’s hand cupped the side of her face, tipping her chin up as he leaned in. “You are the most beautiful, amazing, strong woman I have ever known. You’ve burrowed into here.” He pointed to his heart. “You brought me out of mere existence back to the land of the living again. You gave me hope. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. All I’m asking for is a chance to show you what you really mean to me, Beauty.”
His eyes dropped to her lips. She licked them instinctually. This was it—this was the moment when she got to decide the trajectory of her life. Would it include this amazing man or not? She sucked in rainwater-scented air. His scent intoxicated her, spinning her emotions up. Every part of her screamed, say yes to this man. Still, a piece of her held back, terrified of what giving in to him would mean.
Maybe she didn’t have to choose tonight. “I need to take this slow, start at the beginning. Friends.”
Something dark and hungry flashed in Mason’s blue eyes before he grasped her hand and led her to the bed. He lifted the comforter and Pippa climbed under the covers.
“I’m not sleeping with you,” she clarified.
“That’s not what this is.” Mason lay down on his side, his head propped up on his elbow.
