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He wrapped his arm around her and tugged her closer before she swatted his chest and turned her head to the old lady in the corner, reading a book in a rocking chair. “I’m at work.”
“Fair enough.” He pulled out his phone, checking the tide schedule quickly. “What do you say to an afternoon of paddleboarding and watching the sunset at the beach?” She needed to get her mind off everything here and spend the day relaxing. He’d make sure she got that. He set his phone on the top shelf of his tool box.
“I’d say that sounds perfect.”
“When does your replacement get in?”
“Brynn should be here in an hour, but Troy can lock up the—”
“Did I hear my name?” The man himself walked over to them.
Mason straightened and tugged Pippa closer to his side. Finding her in this man’s arms yesterday had set him off.
“Yes, Mason was asking when you got in so we could take off,” Pippa explained.
Troy’s gaze cut to Mason’s, his eyebrows rising. “Well, don’t let me keep you. Will you be back at six to lock up as usual?”
“Actually . . .” Pippa dug a key from her pocket and handed it to him. “I made a copy so you can close up tonight, and leave it in my mailbox before you leave.”
He tucked it against his chest and smiled. “I will guard it with my life, my lady.”
Pippa giggled and Mason’s fist clenched.
“Have a good afternoon.” Troy waved them away.
“Oh, Brynn will be here in an hour. If you could show her where to shelve the new delivery of books, that would be appreciated,” Pippa reminded her employee as Mason packed up the ladder and closed his toolbox.
Troy nodded and gave her a friendly smile.
“Come on, go grab what you need from your apartment and meet me at the truck.” Mason guided her and Lady out the front door, and kept an eye on her ass swaying from side to side as she made her way up the steps to her apartment. He deposited his supplies into the bed of the truck and stashed his toolbox in the back. They’d need to stop at the general store for some sandwiches. They wouldn’t last long on the coffee and treats from Stardust Café they’d had hours ago. He’d give her an afternoon to remember.
Ten minutes later, Pippa walked down the stairs, and he almost swallowed his tongue. Every tanned inch of her glowed bronze in the summer sun as she walked down in a red high-waisted bikini and a white flowing wrap. His cock jumped to attention. How was he supposed to keep his hands off her when Aspen got back this weekend? How was he supposed to go back to sleeping in his bed alone? He had to take this slow, for Aspen’s sake. Mason was so fucked.
Hours later, and after a couple dips in the cold ocean, Mason had managed to keep his hands to himself—mostly. Being on two separate paddleboards helped.
The fuchsia and orange sunset lit the waves on fire. Flames danced along the blue-green waters. Mason turned towards Pippa. She was sitting on her board, holding his hand as they witnessed a one-of-a-kind display in front of them. They’d spent the afternoon walking down the beach with Lady, enjoying a picnic, and talking about everything and anything. It was so easy with her. She fit right into his life, like the other half of a puzzle piece he hadn’t realized was missing until he’d found her.
“It’s breathtaking.”
His gaze locked on her sun-kissed face as their bodies swayed with the waves. “Sure is.”
She inhaled, long and deep, a smile coasting on her sweet mouth. “Thank you for today. I really needed it.”
“Anything for you, Beauty.”
She scrunched her nose. “Every time you call me that, it makes me think of Beauty and the Beast.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No. It’s one of my favorite Disney movies, but not fairy tales, because the actual story is much more tragic.”
“Yeah, most of them are pretty fucked up,” he agreed.
“Almost as bad as Greek myths.” She giggled. “Troy tried to convince me we should get some mythology books for the store.”
Mason clenched his jaw. “He seemed awfully flirty with you today.”
Pippa turned towards him, her head tipped to the side.
