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Olivia jerked her hips, held on to his shoulders, and opened for his kiss. Jax knew exactly how to make her feel desirable—now was no exception. She hadn’t expected this when she arrived today, but she couldn’t deny how fabulous it felt to be with him again.
For the last time.
“Livie,” he muttered against her lips.
Her body tightened at her name. He seemed to know exactly the moment she started to break because he slammed his mouth over hers again and arched her back onto the desk. Olivia locked her heels behind him and clenched her knees against his waist. Waves of pleasure crashed over her and as she dug her nails into his bare back, Jax’s body tightened. Muscles beneath her hands bunched as he rested his head next to hers.
When his body stopped trembling, Olivia held on. She didn’t want him to rise up and look at her. She didn’t want to break this moment because she knew the second they released each other, they would never be back to anything like this again.
Was it so wrong for her to want to make this last?
* * *
Jax pulled away, instantly missing Olivia wrapped all around him. She lay half dressed, sprawled across the desk, and he knew he’d never be able to sit there and work again—not without seeing this exact image of her with her dress bunched around her waist and the top scooping so low he was awarded the view of a very sexy, lacy strapless bra.
When she threw her arm over her face as if to block out the world, Jax wasn’t sure what to say. He quickly got dressed because if someone did come by, at least he could step out and give her privacy.
But something was wrong. He could feel the tension from the moment she’d stepped into the room. Perhaps that’s what spawned this morning’s quickie, but he’d known when he saw her again that he’d want her. Their attraction clearly wasn’t the problem. But he hadn’t expected the need to be so all-consuming. He’d allowed her to become just as important as everything else he loved in his life.
Wait. Love? No, he couldn’t . . . could he?
Jax glanced back to Olivia and realized she was either having regrets or she was gearing up for a battle. Either way, this did not bode well for him .
. . or them.
“Care to tell me what’s got you so silent?” he asked, fastening his jeans.
He pulled on his boots and shirt before Olivia replied. Without unlocking the door, Jax leaned against it. She wasn’t going anywhere until he knew what the hell was going on . . . though he had a feeling he wouldn’t like whatever she had to say.
Still lying on her back, arm thrown across her face, and dress all askew, she said, “I got the promotion.”
Jax cringed. Who knew four words could be so life-altering and so depressing? But he knew she’d get the job. Anyone who knew her had to realize her worth and he wasn’t the least bit surprised.
Then again, she didn’t seem overly joyed about it. So, that was a point in his favor . . . wasn’t it?
“Congratulations.”
What else was there to say? Please don’t leave me? He’d never begged in his life and he sure as hell wasn’t about to start now. It was obvious she was fighting her own internal battle without him gearing up to fight, too. She either wanted him or she didn’t.
Olivia sat up and smoothed all that mass of hair away from her face. Without looking at him, she slid her arms back into the straps and adjusted the top of her dress. She jerked the hem down over her legs and let out a sigh as she finally met his gaze from across the room.
“Do you mean that?”
Jax shrugged. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because we obviously have a complicated relationship and I wasn’t sure how you’d react.”
Even though his heart literally ached, Jax let out a laugh. “I’m a big boy, Livie. I knew you weren’t staying whether you got the promotion or not.”
Her brows drew in. “You don’t seem upset.”
Jax threw his arms out wide. “Do you want me to be upset? I don’t do games, Livie. You either want to stay and see these renovations through or you don’t. I can’t tell you what to do.”
She hopped down off the desk and adjusted her dress. “I didn’t ask you to tell me what to do, but I thought maybe you’d give me some hint as to what you’re feeling. And the renovations aren’t the issue, we both know that.”
Admitting more would give her all the power here and he was barely hanging on as it was. She wanted to be excited about her job, so he needed to be genuinely happy for her.
“Want to open up and share feelings?” he asked, pushing off the door. “I’m glad you got the promotion because you clearly deserve it. I’m excited and nervous to see how these renovations work out and how that will affect my business.”
