Stay with Me

by Jules Bennett

  A car door slammed and she closed her eyes and sighed. Apparently, it could because now someone was approaching her.

  Please don’t be Jax. Please don’t be Jax.

  “Hey, Livie. You hurt?”

  Not Jax, but that familiar voice was the next worst thing.

  She turned to see Tanner striding toward her in all his uniformed glory. He was definitely hot, but he did nothing for her . . . not like Jax.

  “Nope. I just thought I’d stop here to rest.”

  Tanner squatted next to her. “I’ll let your snarky comment slide since that was a stupid question.” He glanced up, then back down to her. “Jax is inside. I can go—”

  “No,” she all but shouted. She’d rather crawl back home than for Jax to see her now or offer help. “I just, can you help me up?”

  “Is it your ankle?” He put his arm around her waist and held her up. When she leaned against his side, he gripped her tighter. “Okay. I’m not even going to ask why you don’t want me to get Jax, but how about a lift home?”

  Olivia glanced to the patrol car and laughed. “Can I sit in the back and you’ll turn your lights on?”

  Tanner led her toward his car. “You can sit in the back, but I can’t turn on the siren.”

  “You’re no fun.”

  Olivia actually climbed into the front seat next to Tanner and gritted her teeth as her toes banged against the door panel.

  “Hurts that bad, huh?” he asked, leaning down into the car.

  “I just need to get home and ice it,” she assured him with a smile. “Not a big deal.”

  “Want an X-ray?”

  Olivia gave him a side eye. “What do you think?”

  With a chuckle, he closed the door. Olivia just wanted to get out of here before Jax spotted her. She wasn’t ready to face him, didn’t know if she’d ever be ready, but definitely not after having hot sex in his office and then severing their personal relationship only an hour ago.

  He drove her the few miles back to her house. Melanie was out front on her hands and knees fluffing the mulch. She still wore her sports bra, tank, and shorts, but was barefoot. When she spotted the cruiser, she came to her feet and swiped her forearm across her head.

  Olivia opened her door, but Tanner was already out and assisting her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her from the car.

  “What on earth happened?” Melanie asked, running across the lawn.

  “I fell, it was stupid,” Olivia muttered, still embarrassed over the fact. “Tanner happened to be there so he gave me a lift.”

  Melanie’s gaze darted to his. “You do something other than write tickets?”

  “I was in the process of chasing old ladies and giving them reckless op tickets, but decided to stop and help Olivia,” he tossed back.

  Olivia rolled her eyes. “If you two are done, can I get inside for some ice? I’m swelling around my shoe.”

  Melanie reached out. “I’ve got her from here, Officer.”

  He gently released her and steadied her until Melanie had her arm secure around Olivia’s waist. This was so ridiculous to have to lean on someone just to stand. But she really didn’t think anything was broken.

  Jade ran out of the house. “What in the world?” she cried as she crossed through the front yard. “We leave you alone and you come back in a cop car?”

  “Not my first choice, but since only one ankle is cooperating, Tanner came to my rescue.”

  Jade flanked Olivia’s other side. “This is just like when Mel hurt herself in that marathon. Really, ladies. Watch yourselves.”

  “Yes, because we love to just get hurt on purpose,” Melanie stated.

  “I’ll get her inside,” Jade stated. “Why don’t you thank Tanner and finish the mulching?”

  Melanie laughed and called over her shoulder. “Thanks, Tanner.”

  “Anytime, ma’am.”

  Olivia may have been in some pain, but she didn’t miss the way Melanie bit her lip and shuddered. Tanner was quite an attractive guy and even Melanie couldn’t deny that. Apparently, she couldn’t deny her attraction, either, but Olivia wasn’t about to call her on that . . . not when Olivia’s own personal life was off-limits for now.

  By the time they got inside the house, her ankle was throbbing something fierce.

  “I’ll get a bag of ice and some pain reliever,” Melanie offered.

  Jade eased Olivia down onto the leather sofa and pushed the ottoman over. After propping her leg up, Melanie reached down to unlace her shoe.

  “Let me.” Jade sat on the edge of the ottoman and carefully tugged at the laces. “So you just fell?”

  “I stepped wrong on the sidewalk.”

  No way was she going to admit she’d been eyeing the gym and Jax’s truck.

  “You’ve got some serious swelling,” Jade stated. “You sure you don’t want to get an X-ray?”

  That was the last thing she wanted. “I’ll be fine after some ice and pain meds, though you all might have to make that lunch you promised and feed me right here.”

  “Happy to do so,” Melanie said as she came back in. She placed the ice bag gently on the side of Olivia’s ankle. “Sorry, but I just want to get it on there good.”

  “I’m fine.” Olivia reached for the bottled water and the pain meds. “Thanks.”

  Her earbuds still dangled around her neck and her phone was still tucked in her armband. She quickly took the pills and started pulling off her accessories.

  “Well, this day has gone all to hell,” she muttered, dropping her head back against the cushions. “I’ll give you both the run-down, but please hold off questions until the pills kick in.”

  Olivia closed her eyes as she felt the sofa dip beside her. Melanie no doubt wanted to be close to offer support. How much comforting was she going to need? Olivia had no clue because right now she felt utterly helpless. Oh, sure, her career was at the greatest point of her life, but on the personal side, Olivia had never felt more confused and empty.

  “I was offered the promotion, there was fanfare and drinks until late last night so I stayed at my condo. Then I drove in early this morning and went straight to the airport to see Jax. We had sex, we broke things off, I kept my feelings bottled up, he slammed the door.”

  Wow, even this abbreviated version hurt to discuss. Who knew what would happen once she started delivering details?

  “That’s when I came home and opted for a run. Saw you guys, headed out, ran past Cash’s gym where I saw Jax’s truck and where I face-planted on the sidewalk.”

  Her life was just one big ball of awkward lately.

  “Tanner happened to be coming by, stopped and rescued me.” Olivia took in a deep breath and opened her eyes. “That brings us up to date.”

  Silence settled into the room as two sets of eyes continued to just stare at her.

  “Say something,” Olivia demanded.

  “Have the pain meds kicked in yet?” Jade asked. “Because I only have one question.”

  “Only one?” Melanie asked. “I have at least ten.”

  Olivia held her hand up. “Your ten can wait. I’ll start with Jade’s one.”

  Jade patted Olivia’s knee and leaned forward. “Did you tell him you love him?”

  All the air vanished from her lungs. Love? She didn’t love Jax. What in the world did she know about love? How could such a whirlwind affair and arguing over business translate to love? It just wasn’t possible.

  “I don’t love him,” Olivia stated. “So of course I didn’t say the words. There’s no reason to mess things up by pulling that word in.”

  Melanie took her hand and squeezed. “If any man ever looks at me the way I’ve seen Jax eye you, I would be one lucky woman. My ex only looked at me with disgust and anger most of the time. I would love for someone to look at me like I was his only reason for breathing.”

  Jax didn’t do that . . . did he? Olivia glanced back to Jade, who was all serious. Normally she was the friend Olivia could
go to for snarky, honest advice, but apparently, she was on board with Melanie.

  “I’m pretty sure Jax doesn’t love me.” Olivia sat up a little higher, causing her ice bag to shift. Jade quickly adjusted it. “I mean, he’s never said so, he’s never asked me to stay. We have sex, we argue.”

  “You went to a party with his daughter,” Jade reminded her. “You had a sleepover with them—that screams family. You took her shopping.”

  “We took her shopping,” Olivia corrected. “I can be friends with Piper, she’s adorable.”

  “She’s in love with you just as much as Jax is,” Melanie murmured.

  Damn it. Olivia hadn’t thought of the repercussions that this would all create for Piper. There was no way Olivia could just cut things off with her. She had to continue that relationship and explain that her life was in Atlanta, but she’d always be part of the airport and Piper could call any time. The girl needed another woman in her life and Olivia could fill in temporarily . . . until Jax found someone permanently.

  Pain sliced deep into her heart. The thought of another woman coming into Jax’s life was crushing. The idea that someone else would make shadow puppets with them during a storm or have movie night or do birthday parties . . . it was all too much to consume right now.

  “There’s no love,” Olivia repeated, mainly to make herself feel better or at least give herself some reassurance she was doing the right thing. “Besides, Jax doesn’t need a woman in his life. He’s told me before how awful his marriage was and how he won’t do that again. He’s definitely only upset because I’m the one who ended things and I’ll be leaving town soon.”

  She refused to believe anything more than that because if she thought he was having deeper feelings, then that would put a whole slew of issues in her path and she simply didn’t have the energy to jump them.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Jax had just finished his preflight check when his cell vibrated in his pocket. Since his lessons were canceled for the day, he was restless and needed to get up in the sky where he could think. Piper was already getting picked up from preschool by the sitter since Jax had planned to be gone anyway. He’d still make a short day of it and get her earlier than planned, but first he needed to clear his head.

  Hitting the hell out of that punching bag earlier hadn’t helped. The only thing he knew to do was get back to the way his life was pre-Olivia. So flying and spending time with Piper was his best bet to try to find some sense of normalcy in his life.

  Jax pulled his cell from his pocket and read the text twice. He didn’t respond. What the hell should he do now? Didn’t he promise himself not to get tangled up with Olivia? Didn’t he preach to himself just how wrong it would be to give in to those desires that started when he’d been too young to know what to do with such emotions?

  Propping a hand on the side of the plane, Jax drew in a deep breath. Some guidance from Paul would be really useful right now. Paul always had the right attitude and knew what to do in every situation.

  Jax used to think he was prepared for anything after serving overseas in the air force for so long, but nothing had prepared him for life with Olivia . . . or without her.

  Resigned to the fact he wasn’t going anywhere—at least not by plane—Jax cursed himself for being all kinds of a fool. He jerked his keys from his pocket and headed out. After making sure the hangar and his office were locked up for the day, he hopped into his truck and headed to the one place he didn’t think he’d be again.

  When he pulled into Olivia’s drive, she was sitting on the porch on an old rocker with her foot propped up. She immediately glanced his way, her eyes widening.

  Was he really doing this? Was he really going to put himself in this path again?

  Yes and yes. Because he was a damn fool.

  He stepped from the truck and rounded the hood. Whistling as he headed up the sidewalk, he quickly rehearsed in his head what he wanted to say.

  “Who told you?” she demanded. “Jade? Melanie? No, it was Tanner, wasn’t it? Took him longer than I thought.”

  Jax stopped at the base of the steps and met her fiery gaze. “You didn’t want me to know you were injured?”

  “It’s a twisted ankle. It’s nothing major.”

  “If you’re hurt, that’s major.”

  She shrugged and glanced out toward the street. “Now you’ve seen me. You can go, unless you needed to discuss the airport.”

  So, she was going to be difficult. Fine. He didn’t need her to apologize for earlier or tell him she’d changed her mind and was staying. They could be civil and business partners and anything else that he’d hoped would just have to fade into the background.

  “I actually do want to discuss the airport.”

  Her eyes whipped back to him. That’s right. He’d thrown her off because she hadn’t expected him to say that. He wanted to continue to keep her world tilted because his sure as hell was.

  “Fine. Have a seat.”

  Oh, she wasn’t running this show. “I actually have something to show you at the airport. I’ll give you a lift and bring you back.”

  Her eyes narrowed as she eased her foot off the railing.

  The screen door screeched open and Jade stepped out. “Oh, hey, Jax.”

  He gave her a nod in greeting. “Livie and I are heading to the airport to discuss some things.”

  “No, we’re not.”

  His eyes held hers. “We. Are.”

  Jade laughed. “Go right ahead, Olivia. Melanie and I will finish here. We only need to run the sweeper, so it’s not like you could do that anyway.”

  Jax raised his brows.

  “There’s a showing for the house later,” Jade explained. Things were moving too damn fast. Was she that eager to leave? Damn it. He was going to put himself out there one more time and then he’d be done. He called himself every kind of moron and masochist, but the truth was he loved this frustrating woman. He loved her and he damn well knew she loved him. She loved being here, so why the hell was she so determined to leave?

  He had to get her back to her roots. Just once more, he had to try. Then, if she truly wanted to go, he wouldn’t stand in her way.

  Without a word, he mounted the steps. He shot Jade a wink as he bent down and lifted Livie up and over his shoulder. She draped over him like a sack of potatoes.

  “Put me down, you Neanderthal.”

  “I love when you talk dirty, but we don’t have time for that.”

  He shot a glance to Jade. “Don’t worry about her. I’ll have her the rest of the evening. We’ll be back well after the showing.”

  Jade merely offered a grin and headed back inside the house. Livie continued to smack at his ass while he walked toward the truck. She could throw all the temper tantrums she wanted, but until she could walk on two feet, she was at his mercy. Just where he wanted her.

  He plopped her in the passenger seat of his truck and reached to fasten her seat belt. She swatted his hands away.

  “I can get my own damn belt,” she grumbled.

  Good. She was just as irritated as he was. This would make for an explosive chat. Maybe they could keep their clothes on this time.

  As he drove to the airport, Livie remained silent, but her anger radiated off her in waves. So he started whistling.

  “Why are you doing this?”

  Jax shrugged as he turned onto the road leading up to the airport. “I enjoy the tune, plus—”

  “Why are you doing this?” she repeated. “Why are you taking me anywhere? We talked earlier.”

  “We had sex on my desk and you walked out,” he reminded her. “I still have plenty to say and you’re going to listen.”

  “I don’t want to.”

  Too damn bad. This relationship, crazy and screwed up as it was, needed to be dealt with. Not her storming out and him slamming doors.

  He parked right next to the hangar and killed the engine. Shifting in his seat, he rested his arm on the steering wheel and stared at he
r profile. She continued to stare straight ahead as if she had no clue why she was here.

  “What are you thinking right now?” he asked.

  Livie blinked, but didn’t even look his way. “You don’t want to know.”

  Probably not, but call him a glutton.

  “Then I’ll tell you what I think.” He reached out, sliding his finger beneath her chin to turn her gaze toward his. “I think you’re looking for a reason to leave, you’re looking for that out you so desperately want so you don’t have to form any type of emotional commitment.”

  Her mouth dropped open, then snapped shut. “If you brought me here to analyze me, you wasted your time. I’m not looking for anything other than moving my career forward.”

  Ah, yes. That damn career that she was married to.

  He stared another second before he jerked on his door handle and hopped out. The sun stretched across the horizon, showing off brilliant shades of orange and yellow. The perfect evening.

  Being a parent, Jax had learned early on that actions spoke louder than words. He rounded the hood and opened Livie’s door. She unfastened her seat belt and started to get out.

  As soon as he reached for her, she shot him a glare. “Don’t even think about throwing me over your shoulder again.”

  “No problem.” He shoved one hand behind her back and another beneath her knees and lifted her out. “Shut the door, would ya?”

  She did as he asked, but let out the most unladylike growl in the process. He headed to the hangar and eased her down beside him, keeping an arm firmly around her waist.

  “I’m not flying with you.”

  He pulled the keys from his pocket and shoved one into the padlock. “Of course you are. It’s the only place I can guarantee you’ll listen. We’ll keep our clothes on, and you won’t storm out.”

  As soon as he had the door unlocked, he pulled it open and lifted her back into his arms. Damn it. This felt too right. Could she seriously keep denying this? Was she going to insist that what they had was nothing more than a heated affair? Because he knew there was much more and if she were honest with herself, so did she.