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Mason
Mason stepped down off the ladder and wiped some of the sawdust off his arm.
“Is that the last one?” Pippa asked, a handful of books pressed against her chest.
“Yes, ma’am. Every angle of this bookstore, inside and out, is now under video surveillance.” He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her forehead.
She sighed, leaning into him. He hadn’t let her out of his sight since everything had happened yesterday. He’d even called in someone to cover for him at the bar tonight so he could be there for her. Regardless of her stiff spine, and her fierce independence, the woman was shaken by the vandalism. This was a problem he could fix, so he did. He’d put up more security measures, and stayed with her in the comfort of her own home. But maybe tonight he could convince her to come back to his.
“Pippa?” Bently’s voice came from behind them.
Mason released her, slipping his arm to her lower back as he set the drill on the ladder step.
“Did you find anything?” Pippa asked, hopeful.
Bently’s eyes flicked to Mason’s before returning to Pippa’s. “No, I’m sorry. Nothing out of the ordinary. We couldn’t lift a good set of prints off the brick. It’s too porous. But we sent it off to a forensic lab to see if they would have any luck. And I spoke to Pastor Calvin. He had alibies for both times your shop was targeted.”
Pippa’s shoulders drooped as she nodded. “Thanks for the update.”
Bently scanned the bookstore and the few gazes of interested onlookers they’d drawn the attention of. “You added more cameras?”
Mason nodded. “Every square inch is covered now.”
“Just be on alert. I let the rest of my team know what’s going on and they will all keep a lookout. I’ll have someone close by unless we get a bigger callout. I would consider taking some self-defense classes. We offer them for free through the department at Tidal gym every week.” Bently handed Pippa a card with the information.
“Thank you.”
“Alright, you two have a great rest of your afternoon. My direct line is on the other side of that card. Feel free to call me if anything else happens, night or day. If you feel something is off, let me know.” Bently’s focus zoned in on Pippa.
“I will.”
Bently gave him a nod and then turned and left.
“You know I happen to volunteer at those classes as an instructor,” Mason supplied.
Pippa turned to face him, one eyebrow quirked up. “Oh, really?”
He shrugged. “I might be able to get you some private lessons if you want.”
A small smile played on her lips. “Are these naked lessons, perchance?”
He chuckled and leaned in. “Not saying we won’t end up that way, baby.” Mason kissed her jaw, and then her neck. She shivered and leaned into him. So responsive. He pulled away, planting his hands on her shoulders. “But I think it’s a great idea. Every person should know how to defend themselves. Who better to train you than your boyfriend, who just so happens to be a former SEAL?”
Pippa’s eyes widened.
Yes. He’d said it out loud for the first time. But there was no way he was going to let this woman slip through his fingers. The more he had of her, the more his hunger grew. It went far beyond the physical. He loved who she was, so kind and empathetic and . . . and . . . wow. I love her.
“Boyfriend, huh?”
“That’s what more means, doesn’t it?”
She nervously moved her bottom lip into her mouth. Mason pressed his thumb to it, pulling it out of her teeth. “That okay with you?”
“I . . . you just . . . you keep surprising me.”
“Is that a good thing?”
She nodded. “The best.” She stood on tiptoes and melded her mouth against his in a chaste kiss.
