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“Uh.” He scratched the back of his head. “Aspen was really worried about you.”
So she sent her father? He could have texted. Pippa wasn’t buying it. “You can tell her I’m fine.” Guilt clawed at her. “I’m sorry if I scared her.”
He stared at her a moment in silence, his jaw tense, his brow furrowed.
“Have a good day.” Pippa tried to close the door and end the awkward stare-off, but Mason’s hand whipped out and pressed it open.
Her eyes widened as he took a step closer.
“I was worried about you too,” he said.
“I . . .” The air was thick with him so close. His rain-like masculine scent made breathing difficult. “I told you, I’m fine. Thanks for your concern, but I’ve been living with this for almost my whole life, and I can take care of myself.”
“But I am concerned for you.” His voice came out like gravel.
She swallowed.
His liquid gaze darkened and lowered to her mouth. “I’m not used to this.”
“To epilepsy?” She scrunched her nose in confusion.
He shook his head. “To being so attracted to . . .” His eyes raked over her body. His jaw clenched. Was he disgusted?
Anger roiled in her belly. She stepped forward, jabbing her finger against his chest. “What? That you’re attracted to a big girl? You think I didn’t see the way you grimaced, looking at me in my bathing suit on the paddleboards? Or after you kissed me? I’m so sorry you’re afflicted this way.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm. “I don’t know how such a sweet little girl like Aspen could come from such an asshole. You need to leave.” She pushed the door to close it, but he pressed it harder, making it bang against the wall.
Lady barked as he stepped inside, anger flashing in his dark orbs. Pippa sucked in a surprised gasp.
“That’s what you think I see when I look at you?”
She crossed her arms, straightening her spine. She wouldn’t let him intimidate her. “Isn’t it?”
“You couldn’t be more fucking wrong.” He growled.
“But you—”
“You’re right about one thing. I hate how much I’m attracted to you.”
She flinched. Fresh hurt flowed to the surface.
“But not for the reasons you assumed.” His thumb brushed her lower lip. Tingles raced from his touch. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid my eyes on.”
What?
Calloused fingers traced her jaw. “When I look at you, I want to touch every inch and find out if you’re as soft as I imagined. I want to map your body and worship between your thighs.”
Holy hotness. Pippa’s core clenched in response as her shorts grew damp.
“Why’d you stop kissing me the other night, then?” Her voice came out breathy.
“Because I have nothing to offer you. You’re young and have your whole life ahead of you. I’m a single dad in my thirties. My daughter will always come first. And I can’t afford any distractions.” Regret flashed in his gaze as his hand trembled as if he were fighting a war—should he stay or should he go?
Fear that she would lose him, lose this connection that set her body alive, reared inside of her. The hesitation and anger she’d had towards him was gone, replaced with desire. “I’m not yours to worry about.”
For a moment, they just stared into each other’s eyes. Hers pled with him to give in to this. Even if it couldn’t be for more than one afternoon, she’d give anything for a few hours in his arms. To feel so wanted by a man like him was heady and intoxicating.
“I can’t . . . We can’t. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting to.”
Disappointment settled in her gut.
