Jax shrugged. “Like you didn’t tell Jade and Melanie about how much you liked kissing me.”
With an unladylike snort, Livie shifted toward the door. “Forget it. I’m done here.”
“We still need to talk.”
Livie put her hand on the knob and glanced over her shoulder. “About the airport? It’s simple. You’re either on board or you’re not.”
“Are you one hundred percent committed?” he countered, crossing the space between them. “Are you ready to work one-on-one with me to get this figured out? Because this will be daunting and it won’t be easy. I know you have a life in Atlanta, but you can’t forget this is my life here and I won’t have you screwing it up.”
Livie spun completely to face him, her eyes narrowing. “You think if we moved forward on this that I don’t have just as much to lose if we fail? I own half of this as well, Jackson. Don’t forget that.”
“As if you’d let me.”
He realized he’d come to stand so close, he could easily see the variation of blue in her eyes and the navy flecks. Her eyes seemed brighter today, whether from having a relaxing day or from being angry with him, he didn’t know, but she looked too damn good to resist.
“Don’t leave,” he commanded.
Her eyes widened. “I’m not staying—”
“You are.” He took her hands, holding them up between their bodies. “We’re going to talk. Piper will go to bed soon and then you and I can get this ironed out so we can take the next step. I’m done dancing around the topic and I know you want to have some finality.”
She stared at him, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. Her unpainted lips begged to be touched, but he wouldn’t do anything to confuse Piper further. If she’d already heard him talking with Tanner and Cash, then he needed to talk with her so she wasn’t led astray. He didn’t want her to think anything was going on here, because it wasn’t. Well, other than the business arrangement and the flirting and his all-consuming need to have her.
Maybe it would be best if they hashed out all the details and she left. Maybe then he could get his mind back on his priorities and stop living with this real-life fantasy always in his personal space.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea if I stay,” she countered. “Maybe we could just talk on the phone.”
Jax laughed. “Careful, Liv. Your fear is showing.”
Piper chose that moment to bound back down the stairs and Jax reluctantly let go of Livie’s hands.
“Can we have popcorn and a movie?” Piper asked as she stepped between Jax and Livie.
Those bright eyes stared up at him and he had such a difficult time when she was being sweet. It was nearly bedtime, but he figured a movie wouldn’t hurt.
“Sure.”
Piper’s smile widened as she turned to Livie. “You’ll stay, right? I’ll share my popcorn with you and you can even pick from my movies.”
Livie glanced up to him, but Jax gave no indication that he wanted her to stay—and he did. But he wanted her to decide. He wasn’t going to beg.
“Please,” Piper added when the silence stretched too long.
“I’d love to,” Livie finally said. “I can never turn down popcorn. It’s my favorite snack.”
“I like chocolate kisses, but Daddy won’t let me have those this close to bedtime.”
Livie laughed. “Probably because he wants you to get a good night’s sleep.”
Piper ran toward the television and started digging through her basket of movies. He did a double take at her pajamas.
“Did you buy those, too?” he asked.
Livie patted his shoulder as she eased around him. “A little girl always needs one satin gown.” She took a seat on the floor next to Piper as if she belonged here. “That was the very first thing she asked for when we got to the store.”
Jax listened to her defense, but he couldn’t get over the way she looked almost at ease here in his home. She smoothed the skirt of her dress around her legs and started chatting movies with his daughter. No woman had ever been in his home, let alone cozied up with Piper ready for movie night. There was so much wrong with this moment, so many reasons he needed to guard his heart and his family, but all he could think of was the kernel of something deep within him that said this wasn’t wrong at all.
Livie tossed a glance over her shoulder and grinned. A genuine grin that clenched his heart and made him want to know what the hell he was thinking letting her infiltrate every aspect of his life. The airport he didn’t have much control over since half was legally hers. But he’d voluntarily let her into his personal life, into the life of Piper.
“We’ve got this,” Livie stated, still smiling. “Why don’t you go start that popcorn.”
Right. Popcorn. For the movie night. A simple evening that should be relaxing, but seemed more like a family night in . . . and that hit very close to his scarred heart.
As he headed to the kitchen all he could think about was the last woman he’d let into his personal space. She’d been beautiful and charming, she’d stolen his breath with just one look and she’d vowed to love him forever.
He couldn’t risk letting down his guard again, not when he had a precious, impressionable daughter who needed stability. There was nothing wrong with the obvious friendship Piper and Livie had formed today, but there was something terribly wrong with the way his heart kept tugging at the image of them laughing and chatting.
Jax rested his palms on the center island and hung his head between his shoulders. He was barely hanging on to this slippery slope and if he wasn’t careful, he’d lose his grip and find himself in the exact position he’d been in once before.
* * *
By the time they reached the middle of the movie, Piper had curled up in Olivia’s lap, laid her head on her shoulder, and promptly gone fast to sleep. Darkness had fallen outside and the only light in the living room came from one lamp on the side table and the rolling credits on the television.
Olivia had never thought about having children before, had always been too focused on the next rung on the corporate ladder, but after spending the day with Piper, there was a definite possibility. Having someone who trusted you with everything, who encouraged you to not only have fun but to thrive in the moment, it was all so much to take in.
She hadn’t been sure how today would go with attending a toddler birthday party, but it was an absolutely perfect day.
Piper had her little purple painted fingers resting on Olivia’s arm, her knees tucked up under her satin gown, and her curls spiraling over her shoulder.
“I can carry her up to bed.” Jackson came to his feet and reached for Piper. “Give me just a minute.”
Olivia hated letting go. Her lap and arms instantly grew colder without the weight of the precious child. Piper stirred a little, but settled back in with her head on Jackson’s shoulder. There was a niggle of something she didn’t recognize deep in her heart as she watched them disappear when they rounded the landing.
She shouldn’t be getting this cozy, this comfortable with Jackson, Piper . . . with this town. There was nothing here for her other than an airport she’d inherited and was now going to sink money into in the hopes of making a return profit.
Olivia came to her feet and picked the empty popcorn bowls up off the coffee table. She took them into the kitchen and sat them in the sink. The more she saw of Jackson’s house, the more she was impressed with just how homey and cozy it was. If she’d had to guess before, she’d say it was a typical bachelor pad, but that was far from the truth. This was definitely a single-father-raising-a-little-girl type place.
Jackson’s large, scuffed work boots sat by the back door, next to a dainty pair of purple sparkly flip-flops. This adorable relationship touched Olivia’s heart in ways she couldn’t explain. Jackson put his daughter first. When it would’ve been easy for him not to give up everything he’d ever wanted and let grandparents raise her, he’d come home. He’d come home instantly and taken
the role of both parents.
And little Piper was so sweet and caring and such a joy to be around. Olivia didn’t know how it happened, but Piper had worked her way into Olivia’s heart. Maybe it was the second she’d seen her in those old bibs, perhaps it was during the party, or maybe it was when she’d twirled around the fitting room earlier today. All Olivia knew was that there was something special happening and she had no control over the outcome.
“You didn’t have to pick up.”
Olivia spun around, her hand on her chest. “I didn’t hear you come back down.”
Jackson stood in the doorway between the kitchen and living room. That piercing gaze of his had her frozen in place. Why did he always manage to look at her like he could see into her soul?
Wiping her hands down her dress, she forced herself not to fidget too much. Just because she was alone with Jackson, just because she’d gotten cozy like a family this evening, and just because he was now stalking across the kitchen with his eyes never wavering, didn’t mean she needed to be nervous.
But she was. She’d never been jittery around a man before. Everything about Jackson made her on edge, made her daydream more than she ever had in her life.
“So, do you want to hear my ideas for the airport?” she asked.
A slow grin spread across his face as he came to stand directly in front of her. “We’ll get to that.”
Her heart beat faster in her chest, she licked her dry lips, drawing his attention to her mouth, which was absolutely not her intent.
“Thanks for all you did with Piper today.”
“Oh, you’re welcome. She’s fun to be with.”
Jackson’s hand came up and her breath caught in her throat. He tucked her hair behind her ear, leaving his hand on the side of her face, his thumb stroking her jawbone.
“Not many people would do what you did,” he added. “Makes me look at you like . . .”
“What?” Why did her voice sound breathless? Oh, yeah. She was having a difficult time breathing when he stood this close, when he was touching her.
“Maybe you’re not the woman I thought you were when you first came back to town.”
Olivia leaned her head slightly, seeking more of his touch even though her mind told her this wasn’t smart. They had important things to discuss. What things, though, she couldn’t quite remember.
“I’m the same woman,” she replied, grateful her voice sounded a little stronger.
“Maybe so, but you’re not who I thought you were.”
Because she wanted him to keep touching her, she moved away. Giving in to her desires was not what she came here for. Having Jackson and his charms so in her face, literally, wasn’t going to solve this issue.
“We really need to talk,” she said, moving to the kitchen table. “Jade gave me some great ideas, but I want to hear what you have to say.”
Olivia took a seat as he leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you really think you can distract me with airport talk? I mean, I’m all for work and discussing what I love, but you’ve been here all night wearing that sexy dress. You can’t possibly be immune to this tension.”
Olivia wasn’t immune to anything when it came to this man. “I just think it’s best if we ignore it.”
His bark of laughter filled the space. “Do you now? Because the way I see it, we should act on it and ignore the warning signs.”
“That’s not going to get us anywhere.”
He crossed the room, loomed over her, and rested one hand on the table, one hand on the back of her chair. “On the contrary. It will get us right where we both want to be.”
“Jackson—”
“So proper. Nobody calls me Jackson.”
She blinked up at him, trying to catch her bearings even though she was sitting down.
“Jax,” he commanded. “Just say it once.”
She swallowed. “Jax.”
“What else can I do to make you relax and have you put your CEO side away for a while?”
He was all-consuming, right in her face, leaving her no choice but to inhale his masculine scent, stare into those navy eyes, and try not to focus on the stubble running along his jawline, over his chin, and circling his kissable mouth.
“I’m not a CEO,” she reminded him, though there wasn’t much heat to her defense.
“Might as well be.” He reached behind her, gripped her hair in his hand, and tipped her head back. “Tell me, do the guys you date wear ties to dinner? Cuff links? Have a perfect part in their hair? I bet they have all the proper manners and don’t do anything to offend you.”
He was exactly right, and that was the few times she actually dated. Because if she went out, it was with someone in the same field as her or someone she’d met through work, so of course they wore ties because most of the time they’d just left work and met somewhere.
Which may explain why she’d never felt that jitter, had that curling need spiraling through her.
“Do they do anything to shock you?” he went on, leaning in to nip at her lips. “Or do they politely walk you to your door and go home?”
“Actually, we meet and drive separate,” she muttered between his kisses.
Jackson’s lips trailed along her jaw and up to that sensitive spot behind her ear. “No wonder you tremble with my touch. Has anyone ever made you shiver, Livie? Has anyone ever made you ache the way you are right now?”
Never.
“Jax—”
“That’s better,” he whispered into her ear.
A second later, his lips covered hers as he hauled her to her feet. Instinctively, she gripped his arms and let the assault on her mouth take over. She didn’t care about why this wasn’t a good idea, they were well past that at this point. Every time his lips made contact with her, she wanted more and she didn’t even care that she was letting him completely take over.
“Stay,” he muttered against her lips. “Stay with me.”
The impact of his words hit her hard . . . and for about a half second she had a valid argument. Then she didn’t know what the hell she was fighting. Hadn’t they been dancing toward this moment since the first flirtatious encounter?
Olivia didn’t answer with words, she merely threaded her fingers through his hair and pulled his mouth back to hers. Jax lifted her off the ground and started walking.
“Wait,” she panted. “Piper . . .”
“She’s sound asleep and there’s a lock on my door.”
Olivia made a quick mental note to be gone by morning. Beyond the fact she didn’t want Piper to see her still here, Olivia sure as hell didn’t want to hear Jade and Melanie mock her for the walk of shame.
But right now she’d give anything to be rid of these clothes and get behind that promised locked door.
Olivia wrapped her arms around Jax and let him carry her from the room. She locked her ankles behind his back and clung to him, anticipation spiraling through her faster than she could even comprehend. Everything about this moment was so out of character, so opposite of anything she’d ever do, but nothing had ever felt so perfect. It may not have been right, but for this night, she didn’t care about right or wrong. She cared about Jax and how he made her feel.
“Wait.” She stopped him just before he started up the steps. “I’m too heavy for you to—”
“Shut up, Livie.”
She smiled as she rested her forehead against the side of his neck. He carried her up with ease. He wasn’t breathing hard, he wasn’t straining, and that strength shot even more arousal through her.
He headed down the hallway and Olivia didn’t even glance up, didn’t need to know any more about this house. All she needed to know was how amazing she felt right at this minute, focusing on the fact she hadn’t been this turned on, this anxious to be with a man in . . . well, ever.
She’d taken lovers over the years, but never one as bold, as exhilarating as Jackson—“just call me Jax.” He demanded she face her feelings and a
s he rounded the corner to his bedroom, she was thrilled for once in her life that she’d been forced out of her comfort zone.
Her return to Haven should’ve been easy, should’ve been an in and out. A romantic involvement, no matter how temporary or shallow, never entered her mind. When did it ever? Work consumed her, she had no time for a social life, especially when vying for a top position within her firm.
“Turn it off,” Jackson growled. “Whatever it is that just had you tensing up, it has no place between us.”
How this man was so in tune with her and her thoughts was simply astounding. She didn’t want to dive into all the reasons why he had this ability, or what this meant to the level they were about to take this relationship to.
Because whether or not she wanted to face it, they were in a relationship. It may be just business with a side of physical intimacy and nothing more, but the label was there. She’d figure out the logistics later.
Jackson sat her on her feet and before she could get her balance, he had her dress lifted and jerked over her head. Instinct had her crossing her arms over her body. Not that she was self-conscious, but she hadn’t been naked in front of a man for a while and she certainly hadn’t prepared to be seen in her boring bra and panty set when she’d dressed this morning.
“Don’t try being modest now,” he demanded, pulling her hands away. “It doesn’t suit you.”
“I didn’t know we’d just jump into it when we got in here.”
He framed her face between his hands and tipped her head so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. “Baby, we’ve been dancing around this for days. We didn’t jump into anything.”
The way his warm breath washed over her, the strength of his body pressing against hers, there was something so primal about the fact he was still fully clothed and she only had the barest of necessities . . . no matter how dull.
With a quick, yet toe-curling kiss, he released her to cross the room. He closed the door, the click of the lock echoing. The reality of the moment settled deep in her belly and she knew he was absolutely right. They’d been dancing around this for days, she’d been fantasizing about it, eagerly working herself up to this moment.
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