“I was doing a good job of it until you showed up.”
Laughing, Jax closed the space between them. She looked too damn rigid and fearful. He was glad she could at least attempt humor.
“You didn’t honestly think I’d let you off that easy, did you?”
Her hair waved down over her shoulder and he smoothed it away with the tip of his finger. She trembled, only proving she wasn’t as immune as she pretended to be.
“Maybe we should talk about the plans for the airport.” She turned to glance over her shoulder, those pale pink lips begging for his touch.
Without thinking twice, he leaned in and captured her mouth. He didn’t touch her anywhere else, but just that simple kiss was already so familiar, so right, he lingered a little longer than was smart.
When he eased back, her lids fluttered open. “You can’t do that.”
“I just did and I plan on doing it again,” he assured her. “I did come to discuss plans, but I also want you to be fully aware that just because I’m a guy, doesn’t mean I take this lightly. Something is going on between us and I’m not going to let you scare yourself away simply because it’s not what you wanted.”
She glanced back out the window and nodded. “You know nothing can come from this. I’m not staying long.”
So she’d reminded him a few dozen times. At this point Jax wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince him or herself, because he was starting to see a little crack in her defensive barrier. She didn’t want to like Haven, she didn’t want to stay here longer than necessary, and she didn’t want to like him. Yet here she was . . . doing all three.
He glanced around the room. “Looks like you’re gearing up to sell.”
“I can’t keep this house,” she told him as she turned to fully face him. “I have no need for a house in Haven, especially one this size. I think once I do some minor touch-ups, it will sell pretty quick, but painting one space has turned into working in every single room.”
There was no doubt the home would sell fast. The location was close to town yet still out where there was a little land, the neighborhood was great, and Haven was thriving and a hot spot for those wanting to be close to Savannah.
Livie’s childhood home was just outside the main part of town. It had a huge yard for children, five bedrooms, two staircases leading from the kitchen and the foyer up to the second floor. The old Georgian charm was everywhere you looked, from the built-ins to the original crown moldings to the curved staircase just inside the front door. The gleaming hardwood floors in some of the home were original and he’d bet there was more beneath the old carpet.
This house was a thing of beauty and he’d hate to see it go. Paul had loved this house. Even when he’d been alone and sick, for a time all he’d say was how many great memories he’d had here and he wouldn’t trade it for anything.
“I was going to ask you first if you were interested.”
Her quiet statement caught him off guard. He hadn’t thought about buying it for himself. Hell, he doubted he could afford it. This house was more than double the size of his cottage. It wasn’t like he and Piper needed a ton of space, but this yard was so much nicer and it was actually on the side of town where the airport was.
“I doubt that would be possible.”
She tipped her head. “If you’re referring to finances, I can—”
“No.” Like hell he’d let her lower the price. Couldn’t a man have some pride? “Piper and I are fine where we are. We love this house, we loved Paul, but you need the closure and if selling is how you’re going to do it, then so be it.”
She opened her mouth as if she wanted to argue, but closed it and nodded. “Okay, then. Why don’t you sit and we’ll discuss the plans? Jade and Melanie have already put the ball into motion for a grant.”
When Livie sank into the leather chair, he smiled. Obviously, getting cozy on the couch together wasn’t an option. He was fine with that, but he meant what he said. He’d have her again. That simple kiss moments ago only whetted his appetite for more.
“How soon will we know about that?” he asked, sinking onto the old leather sofa.
“Could be anywhere between a week to a few months. If they need more information, they’ll let us know. If not, they’ll just come back with an answer.”
He didn’t know which scared him more, the possibility they’d be denied or if they’d get the funds and move forward with completely renovating the small-town airport.
“I think we have a pretty good shot,” she went on. “We have so many ideas regarding how to expand and how to pull in more clients, especially with the film industry booming in Georgia. But we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves and spend too much time on it if it’s not going to happen.”
Because they all had other jobs. It was understandable, but the airport and the current clients were his job—they were his life.
“And if the grants don’t go through, then what?” he asked.
More laughter filtered in from the kitchen. There was something so heartwarming about hearing his daughter bond with another woman. There were only so many things he could give her and a female’s perspective certainly wasn’t one of them.
“I’ll think of a way.” She let out a sigh and propped her feet on the coffee table, crossing her ankles and relaxing somewhat. “When I want something, I
