Livie pulled in a shaky breath and scratched her cheek, resting her open palm on the side of her face as she continued to stare aimlessly. “Jade came into the room as I was reading and told me about Zach’s quote for the renovations so I just gave her your number. I didn’t want to talk to you or anyone else, really. I just wanted to read.”
And now he felt like an ass for being so angry with her earlier. She hadn’t been running, at least not that time. She’d been reading and reconnecting with her father in the only way possible now. She’d most likely been feeling guilt for not being here and for losing him suddenly.
“Then I got your text and came right over.”
Jax leaned back against the door and shoved his hands in his pockets. This tiny office seemed to be closing in on them and all of these feelings. Too many feelings that neither of them knew what the hell to do with. They’d both steamrolled right into unchartered territory and they were floundering through it together.
Well, he was floundering around. Livie had a pretty clear picture of what she wanted for her future . . . and he wasn’t in it.
The thought squeezed at his chest like a vise and he hated that he’d lost control over his plans and his life. There was so much he wanted, so much that seemed within reach, but in reality all of this was totally temporary.
Clearing his throat, Jax pushed aside those emotions. She wasn’t ready to face them and he wasn’t going to press her. He had to remind himself she was dealing with much more than just him. She was going through Paul’s things, trying to get her house on the market, vying for a top spot at her firm . . . and he was purposely trying to make her realize what she had here.
But this wasn’t her home. Haven hadn’t been hers for some time now. Just because he loved it here, because he wanted to keep his roots firmly planted, didn’t mean she did.
“Listen, I do need your help.”
He held his hands up, palms out, when she opened her mouth. No doubt she was about to protest, but he wasn’t having it and he wasn’t letting her leave so soon.
“You can hold the ladder and the tools if you want, but I am not calling someone in when I’m sure it’s something I can do myself,” he explained.
Livie pursed her lips together and finally nodded. “Fine. But I do have to get back to paint.”
Jax smiled. “You give me an hour and I’ll come help you paint.”
“Where’s Piper today?”
“She’s at the sitter’s. I’ll get her later and then we’ll come over. Surely one of you ladies can keep her entertained while I work.”
Livie rubbed her hands over her damp cheeks, then glanced to the paint splotches on her hands. “I’m such a disaster,” she groaned. “I don’t even recognize myself. I don’t know how to paint without making a mess.”
“Honestly, I’m impressed you were painting at all. Figured you would try to hire that out.”
With a swat across his chest, Livie let out a slight laugh. “I’m offended. Just because I appreciate nice things and I prefer to wear heels instead of tennis shoes doesn’t mean I don’t know how to do manual labor. I’m still Paul Daniels’s daughter.”
Which was both a curse and a blessing at the moment. If she were anyone else, he may not have had that initial physical reaction to her. But, if she were anyone else, she wouldn’t be here.
Paul Daniels’s daughter. The woman who had sparked his interest since he was too young to even know what to do with a woman. But he knew now. He knew exactly what to do with Livie and she knew exactly what to do with him to drive him out of his ever-loving mind.
He couldn’t start down that path or he’d make use of this empty office and clear that desk with one swipe of his arm.
“Let’s get this over with.” Jax turned and opened the office door, gesturing for her to go on ahead. “I have a guy coming in this afternoon to set up some flights for work. He has several over the next couple of months, so I hope we are still up and running during renovations . . . if that even happens.”
“Oh, it will happen,” she stated as she marched by him. Those little shorts did nothing to keep his mind in the professional territory and had him seriously reconsidering cleaning off that desk. “We’re a step closer every day and Melanie is determined. She’s one sharp attorney and between her and Jade, they won’t let us down.”
“Is there an us?”
Damn it. Did that question seriously just pop out of his mouth? What was he thinking? He didn’t need her to affirm or deny anything. Unfortunately, the words were out and from Livie’s rigid stance, she was just as shocked at his question.
“Jax—”
“Forget it.” He cut her off. Why make this even more uncomfortable than he’d already made it? “We’ll get this metal roofing back in place and then you can be on your way.”
Livie glanced over her shoulder, her eyes swirling with both desire and pain. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Jax shrugged. “I’m not going to get hurt, Livie. Besides, I’ve been through quite a bit before you came to town. I can handle being roughed up.”
She turned fully to face him. “Which is why I don’t want to lead you on or pretend this is some happily-ever-after we’re going to have. I’m not staying. I’m here for the airport and I’m here to get the house sold. I mean, I’ll come back every now and then since this is my investment, too, but it won’t be often.”
“Are you telling yourself that or are you trying to convince me? Because, baby, that wasn’t very convincing.”
Her eyes narrowed. Obviously, he’d hit a
