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
