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Silence settled between them and she crossed her arms over her chest as she continued to stare at him. “That’s it? That’s all you feel? We just had sex on your desk and all you feel is . . .”
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing. Forget it. This makes things easier, doesn’t it?” She attempted a smile, but failed miserably. “So, what was this? Just one last hurrah before I leave town for good?”
Her harsh words were like a slap to his face. That’s exactly what this looked like, but damn it, everything between them was so much more. If they’d had sex on the desk or a bed, his emotions would still be just as deep and just as strong.
“If you’re leaving town, then I guess this was it.”
Her lips thinned as she continued to stare at him. He wanted to tell her exactly how he felt, but that would border on begging and he refused to go there. She had to make the decision for herself and, clearly, she’d made it. All this time they’d been nothing but physical and he’d been so naïve in thinking they were more.
He’d been played for a fool again.
When she continued to stare without saying a word, Jax reached behind him and flicked the lock on the door. Keeping his eyes on her, he stepped aside and silently gave her the out she clearly wanted.
Jax hooked his thumbs through the loops of his jeans and leaned back against the wall. Though his heart was breaking, he couldn’t let her see just how she’d destroyed him.
Livie bit down on her bottom lip and blinked as if trying to fight back her emotions. If she’d just tell him what she was feeling, what she wanted, maybe they could work this out.
The second she started for the door, Jax knew there would be no working it out. She’d gotten what she wanted—the job and the sex.
As she opened the door, her arm brushed against his and his entire body tightened. That sweet jasmine scent mocked him when she passed through and the soft click of her heels on the concrete floors out in the hangar echoed.
Unable to take the pain anymore, he slammed the door and didn’t give a damn that she’d heard. He was done. They were done. And he was utterly and completely shattered.
Chapter Twenty
Olivia jerked the laces on her running shoes and cursed the tear that fell onto the back of her hand. Why had she gone to the airport to begin with? She could’ve texted or called.
But no. She thought Jax deserved to be told in person exactly what was going on. The second he’d touched her, though, that had been it. The man knew how to light her up like nobody else ever had and the whole alpha swipe of the things off his desk had been the biggest turn-on of her life.
Unfortunately, their personal relationship was over—the slamming of his office door was like one giant exclamation point. She could still hear that echo through the hangar. She’d managed to hold it together until she’d pulled out of the lot. Then she’d had to park on the side of the road until she could manage the drive home.
What was she so upset about? She’d gotten the job. She’d found a solution to the airport and had placed her childhood home on the market. Wasn’t that all what she’d set out to do only a short time ago?
She’d vowed not to leave Haven until everything was resolved . . . and now it was.
Olivia pushed off her bed and adjusted the waistband of her running shorts. Jade and Melanie were out already, which was a blessing because she wasn’t quite ready to answer questions or dive too far into why she couldn’t stop the tears.
She’d hurt Jax. There, she admitted it. She’d seen the pain in his eyes though he tried so hard to mask his emotions. The last thing she ever wanted to do was hurt him, but she’d warned him once before that someone was going to end up on the wrong side of a broken heart. Unfortunately, they both had.
Olivia bounded down the back steps leading to the kitchen. She swiped at her damp cheeks just as the back door opened and Melanie and Jade stepped in.
Both friends glanced at her and that was all it took for the damn to burst again. Melanie stepped forward.
“No,” Olivia stated, holding her hands out. “Don’t touch me, hug me, or ask me about my day. I just . . . I need to go for a run and clear my head.”
“I have to assume you’re not upset over the promotion,” Jade stated, still holding on to the doorknob.
Olivia shook her head. “No. I got the job. I’ll start in two weeks.”
“Congratulations?” Melanie asked in that unsure tone. “I mean, I guess you’re happy about that since you’ve worked so hard, but—”
“Oh, there’s a but,” Olivia confirmed with a sniff. She rubbed her eyes and wondered if she should put on her sunglasses to head out so the neighborhood didn’t see her puffy red eyes. “The but has Jax written all over it. Right now, though, I can’t talk about it.”
“Go on,” Jade stated, stepping aside so Olivia could get out. “When you get back we’ll make a nice lunch and talk. Someone is coming to look at the house tonight at seven, by the way. Sophie texted me this morning because she wasn’t sure when you’d be back.”
Olivia nodded. “Okay. We’ll do lunch, I’ll explain everything, and then we’ll make sure the place is picked up for the showing.”
