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Olivia hated letting go. Her lap and arms instantly grew colder without the weight of the precious child. Piper stirred a little, but settled back in with her head on Jackson’s shoulder. There was a niggle of something she didn’t recognize deep in her heart as she watched them disappear when they rounded the landing.
She shouldn’t be getting this cozy, this comfortable with Jackson, Piper . . . with this town. There was nothing here for her other than an airport she’d inherited and was now going to sink money into in the hopes of making a return profit.
Olivia came to her feet and picked the empty popcorn bowls up off the coffee table. She took them into the kitchen and sat them in the sink. The more she saw of Jackson’s house, the more she was impressed with just how homey and cozy it was. If she’d had to guess before, she’d say it was a typical bachelor pad, but that was far from the truth. This was definitely a single-father-raising-a-little-girl type place.
Jackson’s large, scuffed work boots sat by the back door, next to a dainty pair of purple sparkly flip-flops. This adorable relationship touched Olivia’s heart in ways she couldn’t explain. Jackson put his daughter first. When it would’ve been easy for him not to give up everything he’d ever wanted and let grandparents raise her, he’d come home. He’d come home instantly and taken
the role of both parents.
And little Piper was so sweet and caring and such a joy to be around. Olivia didn’t know how it happened, but Piper had worked her way into Olivia’s heart. Maybe it was the second she’d seen her in those old bibs, perhaps it was during the party, or maybe it was when she’d twirled around the fitting room earlier today. All Olivia knew was that there was something special happening and she had no control over the outcome.
“You didn’t have to pick up.”
Olivia spun around, her hand on her chest. “I didn’t hear you come back down.”
Jackson stood in the doorway between the kitchen and living room. That piercing gaze of his had her frozen in place. Why did he always manage to look at her like he could see into her soul?
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.”
