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He remembered Paul saying that about her. She’d sit on their back porch and watch a storm for hours until they made her come inside.
Jax wasn’t too concerned about Piper waking. She was such a sound sleeper, but he propped the door open to the outside, so he’d be able to hear her if she called for him.
The rain came down steadily, bringing with it a scent he only associated with storms. There was something so relaxing and calming about a good hard rain, the rumble of thunder, and the flash of lightning.
But Jax wasn’t too relaxed or calm right now. He was too keyed up with Livie showing up unexpectedly. Something was on her mind, but he had no clue as to what. Something had brought her here and he only hoped she’d had some grand epiphany and decided against selling his life out from under him.
Jax took a seat next to her on the bench and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. He stared down to his hands dangling between his legs and figured she’d start talking soon. He was content to wait her out.
He was rather intrigued she’d opted to come to him, especially considering how they’d left things.
“Why did you kiss me the other night?”
Okay, definitely not what he thought she’d lead with, but a topic he didn’t mind answering honestly.
“Because I wanted to.”
Hadn’t he warned her he got what he wanted? Livie was no exception. He’d wanted her since he was thirteen years old . . . granted those wants turned from a crush to a full-blown aching need only a man can fully appreciate.
“You don’t like me,” she argued.
“I never said I didn’t like you. I don’t like the reason you’re here.”
Olivia folded her arms over her chest and leaned back against the bench. Jax threw a look over his shoulder, but Livie was lost in thought as she stared at the rain dripping from the overhead gutter.
“Are you happy here?” she asked, finally searching his face. “I mean, if Piper wasn’t in your life, if you were just a bachelor—”
“She is part of my life,” he stated. “I never think about her not being here. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened.”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” she corrected. “I just want to know are you doing what you love? I know you want to fly, but here? Why not for some major airline where you can travel the globe?”
Jax laughed and leaned back beside her, his shoulder brushing hers. “You still don’t get it. This place is my life. It’s everything to me. Going somewhere else doesn’t even cross my mind, so yes, I’m happy.”
Livie nodded as she chewed on her bottom lip. Something was racing through that mind of hers. She clearly had an issue she was sorting out and he figured it was more than just how to sell this piece of her past. It was clear she was battling herself and he didn’t want to intrude. Besides, sitting here listening to the rain with a beautiful woman wasn’t a bad way to spend the evening.
“Jade came up with an idea and part of me wants to run fast and far, but the other part makes me wonder if this is the answer we’d been looking for.”
Actually, he hadn’t been looking for an answer considering he had no intention of selling, but her words intrigued him.
“What did she say?”
“For us to renovate the airport and cater to a higher class of clientele.” Just as he opened his mouth to argue his clientele was just fine, she held up a hand. “Wait. Nobody would take away what you’ve already got here. But, with the film industry in this state, why not tap into that?”
Why not? He could think of several reasons.
“Money, time,” he murmured. “The legal side of upgrading the airport would be costly on top of the actual renovations. We’d need more hangars, employees who would want to be paid. There are so many cons, I can’t even get to the pro side of the list.”
“That’s why we need to talk,” she retorted. “I’m not saying I’m one hundred percent on board with this plan, either, but it’s worth discussing.”
Scenarios ran through his head. What did he know about high-profile clients? No doubt they’d have their own private planes and this airport was only set up for a certain size to land. There were just so many negatives and the idea had only been in his mind for all of two minutes.
“We’d have to work together to see this through,” she began.
Jax flashed a smile. “I wouldn’t mind some one-on-one time.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.” Livie’s brows rose. “You think we’re just going to pick back up from that kiss? I’m trying to have a serious conversation here.”
With a shrug, Jax turned back to watch the rain puddle in on the uneven sidewalk. “One has nothing to do with the other. I’m attracted to you, you’re attracted to me. The airport doesn’t affect my emotions.”
