Jax locked the back door just as another rumble of thunder nearly shook his house. A pop-up storm, perfect for what he had in mind. If she loved the rain, then he’d open his bedroom windows and let the sound of the storm surround them.
Just as he stepped out of the utility room, Livie came back down the hall. She’d draped the throw from the couch around her shoulders, clutching it between her breasts as if modesty had a place here now.
“That was Jade.”
Jax froze. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” she reassured him. “But the storm is a little scary for Piper so Jade wanted to know if she could bring her home.”
“Yes,” he said without thinking twice. “I can go get her so Jade doesn’t have to come out. Call her back.”
Livie’s soft smile warmed him. With her hair in utter disarray, her face void of most makeup, and her wearing nothing but a grin and a blanket, he felt himself falling and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to stop it.
“I already told her to bring Piper.”
Yeah, there he went slipping down that slope again. He was quickly stumbling headfirst in love with this woman. The fact she didn’t ask him, but put Piper’s needs ahead of their plans spoke volumes for the type of woman she was . . . perhaps the type of mother she would be one day.
No. He wasn’t thinking along those lines. He’d gotten tangled up once with a woman who wanted something bigger out of life than what Haven, or a family, had to offer. Jax’s eyes were wide open this time around . . . unfortunately, so was his heart.
“Come to my bedroom.”
“We don’t have time for another quickie,” Livie grumbled as she shook her head.
Jax snaked an arm around her waist and jerked her against his chest. “When I get you in my bed again, it sure as hell won’t be quick.”
He smacked a quick kiss on her lips before releasing her. “We’re getting clothes before my daughter arrives and wonders what the hell kind of sleepover I was having.”
As he circled around her to head out of the room, he gave her a swat on her butt. She yelped, then laughed.
“Go get me a shirt and pants,” she scolded, following him. “I’m drawing the line at wearing your underwear.”
A visual of her wearing nothing but his clothes against her skin had his body stirring to life all over again. He stopped at the base of the steps and turned to face her.
Without any warning, he bent and put his shoulder into her midsection to lift her into a fireman’s hold. “If you keep talking dirty to me, your friends and my daughter are going to have to wait for us to finish.”
The electricity flashed as she smacked him. “Put me down before you drop me. If the lights go off, I don’t want to tumble naked down these steps.”
Jax tightened his hold. “I’d never let you get hurt, Livie.”
There was so much more to that statement, so much he could continue on about, but right now they had to get dressed because the storm was raging and he knew Piper was going to be scared when she got here. His night had been cut short with Livie, but he knew for certain that her feelings were just as strong as his. The question was, who was going to cave first and admit it?
* * *
“I can give you a ride back home.”
Olivia glanced from a trembling Piper being held in her father’s arms back to Jade, who stood in the doorway. “I think I’ll stay.”
Jade raised her brows. “You know what you’re doing?”
“Not at all.” And that’s what terrified her the most, but she had to figure it out. “You okay to drive in this?”
Jade nodded. “It’s not that far. Melanie is pulling out all the candles and flashlights. She already made snacks in case we lose power.”
Olivia laughed. “Food is important. I’ll see you guys in the morning.”
Jade looked as if she wanted to say something else, but she merely nodded and stepped out into the storm. Olivia watched as her friend pulled her hood up over her head and took off running toward her car.
Olivia carefully closed the door and flicked the lock. When she turned, she met Jax’s questioning gaze and instantly felt like a fool. She hadn’t once asked if she could stay. Maybe now that they’d had sex he didn’t want her here—not that she got that vibe from him, but it was rude of her to just assume.
“I hope this is okay?” she asked, her hand still on the door.
“More than okay.” His smile instantly relaxed her. “When it storms we make a blanket fort in the living room. You up for it?”
“I’ve never made a blanket fort.”
Piper jerked her head from her father’s chest. “Never? That’s sad. Daddy gets all the blankets and cushions. It’s a mess.”
Jax laughed and hugged Piper tighter. “Why don’t you start taking the cushions off and I’ll grab blankets. Olivia will stay in the room with you in case the lights go off. Okay?”
Piper nodded and jumped to start her job. Jax crossed the room and stood directly in front of her.
“You look like you’re about ready to run out that door.” He pried her hand away and gripped both of hers between his own. “What are you afraid of?”
The truth slammed into her. She’d seen it dangling in the back of her mind before, but right now it was front and center. They’d just been intimate—for a second time—and now she was going to stay over and have a slumber party with the man she was falling for and his daughter. Things didn’t get much more serious than that . . . at least not for her.
“This all seems so . . .” She couldn’t say the words. Didn’t know how to verbalize her thoughts without
