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Pippa
Pippa tiptoed downstairs to get some water. Lady yawned and followed her to the kitchen.
Pippa had gotten used to living in Mason’s home during these past three weeks. She was more at home than she’d thought she’d be. Her head was much better, but she couldn’t stare at screens very long, and her balance was still affected every now and then. It’s almost time to go back to my loft. Her gut sank at the thought.
She flicked the light on and opened the cupboard to grab a glass. She let the tap run for a moment before filling her cup. The cold water slid down her dry throat. After draining the liquid, she refilled it to bring back upstairs with her. She turned, her other hand resting on the light switch, when a snoring sound startled her.
She flinched, her gaze roaming the dim living room across from her in the open-plan home. Heart racing, she let out a relieved sigh as her eyes landed on the handsome figure on the couch. Light snores drifted from Mason. He was in the same clothes he’d worn to work at the bar—black jeans and a matching dark T-shirt. His head tilted back on the couch, mouth open as his Adam’s apple bobbed with each breath.
He must have come home from work and fallen right to sleep. Pippa’s chest expanded with warmth.
She sat on the coffee table in front of him and set her drink down beside her. She took him in, taking advantage of the moment to really look at him. Dark circles formed rings under his eyes. He’d been working his security job at The Shipwreck and then getting up early to open the bookstore on days Troy couldn’t or when he needed the extra help. Mason had been taking care of her shop. He then came home to spend time with Aspen and her. The Wrights included her in almost everything. Everything except whatever they did in his office every night this week while she’d read in her room, or taken her tea out to the back patio by the gas fireplace on the deck.
She swallowed the lump of emotion that rose in her throat. Mason had said he wanted her and apologized. Since then, every action he’d taken had been proving his words true. But could she trust him again? How did she know this would continue?
Pippa leaned forward and gently rested a hand on his knee. “Mason?”
He jerked awake, his blue eyes wildly scanning her and the room around them before his shoulders drooped. He rubbed his eyes and blinked. “Whoops. Thought I’d sit down for a minute. Guess I fell asleep. What time is it?”
She checked the clock on the wall behind him. “Three in the morning.”
“What are you doing up? Is everything okay?” He sat straighter and reached for her hands, engulfing them in his.
A thousand hot spikes of awareness prickled through her. Her breath caught. “Came down for a drink and found you like this. I figured your neck would thank me if I got you to bed.”
“I know a few other parts that would thank you if you were in that bed.” He smirked.
She chuckled. Butterflies stirred in her belly as her core heated with arousal. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. It will . . . complicate all of this.”
Mason leaned closer, pulling one of her hands to his lips and then the other. “I just want to hold you. I miss having you beside me while we sleep.” He reached out and dragged his knuckles over her cheek, sending a shiver through her. “Miss having your scent all over me. And the warmth of your body wrapped around mine.”
She closed her eyes. Something pulled Pippa towards him like he was gravity and she had no choice but to fall. “I miss that too.”
“I never wanted just your body. From the first time I saw you, walking from the café to your bookstore, you stole my fucking breath away.”
Her eyes flashed to his. “What?”
“I thought I was having a heart attack, the way my pulse raced. But I turned around and ran because I was terrified of what letting you inside would do to the carefully controlled world I’d built around me.” He gave her a sad smile. “And then when you ran into me in the café, it was easier to be angry at you than admit you’d fucking knocked me off my axis. Like that coffee you spilled—I was done for.”
She chuckled, tears welling in her eyes.
His gaze softened. “You saved my little girl that day, protected her with your life, and helped her through one of the most pivotal times for a young woman. I’ll never be able to thank you enough. But, baby, I plan on doing my best every day to show my gratitude. I don’t plan on wasting a second.” He stood, drawing her hands up so she got to her feet. His front pressed against hers as he leaned down and kissed her forehead and then her cheeks. “I’ll be as patient as you need. But I’m not going anywhere.”
Pippa stared into his determined gemstone eyes. Nothing but pure honesty and vulnerability was reflected back at her. She should say something. Tell him she wanted that too. That they would get through this together and come out stronger.
“Come on. I want to show you something.” He took her hand and led her to the stairs, not letting go as they climbed each step. Pippa’s heart raced. Everything that had happened between them flashed through her mind. How he’d treated her with respect from the very beginning, how he’d taken care of her and her dog even when they were not on the best of terms. And when he’d pulled away, it was because he was protecting his daughter and doing what he believed was best for both Aspen and Pippa. The problem was that he’d shut down and made those decisions on his own, closing her out.
Finding out she was pregnant was a curveball neither of them had seen coming. And he stayed this time. He’s been fighting for me every day since.
Mason stopped outside the office door. His hand rested on the handle as he turned to her. Lady sat by her feet.
A hint of nervousness crossed Mason’s expression. “I—uh, wanted to show you that I’m in this, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes. Wanted you to feel more welcome here. And . . . well, I guess I’ll tell you the rest after you’ve seen it.” He blew out a breath and pushed open the door.
Pippa followed him inside the dark room. She winced as he flicked the light on and gasped. Gone was the desk and office equipment that used to be there. Instead, two matching cribs sat against one wall. A mobile hung above each one, featuring felt roses and tiny books. To the left were a changing table and double rocking chairs. A white dresser that matched the cribs sat on the opposite wall with a bookshelf hanging above it displaying a collection of Disney stories.
Wow.
“What do you think?” Mason’s voice was raw.
