Stay with Me

by Jules Bennett

  “I’ll think of a way.” She let out a sigh and propped her feet on the coffee table, crossing her ankles and relaxing somewhat. “When I want something, I make sure I get it.”

  Oh, the opening was just too good.

  He stared across the space between them and met her gaze. “So do I.”

  “You already had me, so stop looking like that.”

  He couldn’t help but smile at her bold command. “I may have had you, but I’m not finished and neither are you. You’re scared, that’s why you didn’t answer my messages. If we’re going to go full in on this project, there will be no dodging me.”

  “I’m not dodging,” she insisted, complete with a tilt of her defiant chin.

  Wasn’t that adorable that she was trying to convince herself? But he wasn’t into playing games.

  “You are,” he countered. “But I’m not going to let you.”

  She opened her mouth to say something else when his cell chimed from his pocket. He kept his eyes on hers as he reached in and pulled the phone out. A quick glance and he knew he couldn’t just let it go to voice mail. They needed all the business that came their way.

  “Hello,” he answered as he came to his feet.

  “Hey, man. It’s Brock. You said to call when I got my online work done and it’s officially complete. I’m ready to get my hours in.”

  Jax was always eager to show new pilots the ropes. There was nothing more rewarding as far as he was concerned.

  “What’s your schedule like with work and college?”

  “I’m pretty flexible,” Brock replied. “I’m still working for my aunt at Knobs and Knockers and my classes are all online. I can work around your schedule.”

  Jax turned back around as Piper came running through the house, cookie in hand. She saw him on the phone and came to a halt.

  “How about you come to the hangar in the morning about nine?” Jax suggested. “Can you spare about three hours?”

  “Oh, man. I would love to. Thanks.”

  Jax recalled being a nineteen-year-old boy and eager to discover more. Then the military had shown him so much more than he’d ever dreamed. He’d traveled, met people who would stick with him forever, and ended up heartbroken and a single father. Life never went the way you planned when you were a teenager.

  “See you then.”

  He disconnected the call and slid the cell back into his pocket before turning his attention fully to Piper.

  “I’m pretty sure you’ve had enough cookies.”

  She flashed him that sweet smile that too often had him turning all soft and giving in. If only his air force buddies could see him, they’d be stunned that someone so little and innocent could turn him into a pile of mush. But Piper was his world and while he often disciplined, he also knew to give in and choose his battles wisely.

  “Why don’t you give that one to Livie?” he suggested. “Unless you’ve licked it.”

  She glanced to the cookie in hand and smiled wider. “Maybe.”

  Jax laughed. He couldn’t help it. “I guess it’s yours then. Why don’t you go into the kitchen and get her one? We’re almost done here.”

  She popped the cookie in her mouth and scurried off. Shaking his head, Jax turned his attention back to Livie.

  “Come over for dinner tonight.”

  Livie’s eyes widened. “Are you telling me or asking?”

  “Which one will get you there?” he joked.

  Livie stood and crossed the room to stare out the narrow, floor-to-ceiling window. “You’re making this impossible.”

  As much as he wanted to go to her, to touch her, he kept his distance and let her battle with herself. She’d come around to finally realizing she couldn’t keep him at a distance forever.

  “I’m actually making this simple,” he corrected.

  She rubbed her forehead and let out a sigh. Oh, how sweet this was to get Miss Prim and Proper tied up in knots. The front door opened and closed just as Piper came rushing back through.

  Jax turned toward the foyer to see Jade nearly get mauled by a toddler.

  “Oh, cookies for me?” Jade asked.

  “This is for Livie,” Piper stated as she ran into the living room. “But I’ll grab you one.”

  She handed Livie the snickerdoodle and off she went again just as fast. Jade laughed. “I wish I had that energy.”

  “I’m sorry she’s running in your house. She’s excited to share her homemade treats with you guys, plus she’s had a few too many.”

  Jade set her keys and her purse on the entryway table and stepped into the living room. “So, did you come just to share cookies or are you returning Olivia’s shoes?”

  “Jade,” Melanie scolded as she came in behind her friend.

  With a shrug, Jade smirked and continued to stare at Jax just as Piper came back and handed over the treat.

  “It was a legitimate question,” Jade defended.

  Piper paid no attention to the adult conversation as she sat down on the floor and attempted to tie her shoe. Apparently, it had come undone in all her sprints, but she was still learning so she would be occupied for a bit.

  “I’m actually keeping the shoes and the stained suit until she comes to dinner.”

  Livie muttered something behind him, something akin to “jerk” and “impossible.” She was crazy about him.

  “What are you making?” Jade asked.

  “Would you shut up,” Livie exclaimed. “You’re not helping.”

  Jax caught Jade’s wink. “Oh, I think I’m being very helpful. A hunky guy is offering dinner and he’s holding your things hostage. What’s there to think about?”

  “We’ll watch Piper for the evening,” Melanie contributed with a naughty grin. Who knew the shy, quiet one of the bunch could be an instigator? Jax loved these friends.

  “A sleepover?” Piper squealed.

  “No.” Livie stepped forward, her hands up. “No sleepovers. I’ll do dinner—”

  “And dessert,” Jax supplied.

  “Can I pack my new sleeping bag, Daddy? Oh, and my pony pajamas?”

  Livie groaned and it was all he could do not to burst out laughing. “Pack whatever you want,” he told Piper.

  “I’ll be home by nine,” Livie promised. “But she’s more than welcome to stay all night.”

  Jax leaned over to whisper in Livie’s ear. “Nine in the morning, maybe . . . if I let you go that soon.”

  Her sharp elbow hit him in the side. Oh, this was going to be a fun evening.

  “Come on, squirt.” Jax leaned down and hoisted Piper up into his arms. “Daddy has some things to do before his dinner guest arrives.”

  “Can I help you cook?” she asked, her wide brown eyes searching his.

  “Of course, but first you have to help me grocery shop.”

  She clapped her hands. “I push the cart.”

  “I’ll bring her back around five,” he told Jade and Melanie, who hadn’t stopped smiling since they’d ambushed their friend. “And pick Livie up then, too.”

  “I can drive.”

  “What kind of gentleman would I be if I let you drive to our date?” He ignored her growl and headed to the door. “See you later, ladies.”

  What he wouldn’t give to hear those three women chattering once he was gone. But he had plans to make and he was pulling out all the stops.

  As he put Piper in her booster, he recalled he was due at the hangar at nine in the morning to meet with Brock. Nothing he couldn’t push back for an hour or so, because Jax had a feeling he would be preoccupied come morning.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “You’re playing with fire.”

  Jax snorted and put the casserole in the oven before turning back to Cash. “I sure as hell hope so. It’s been too long since I wanted a woman and I’m damn sure going to enjoy this.”

  “You better make sure this doesn’t blow up in your face and affect the airport renovations.”

  Jax stared out the kitchen window
over the sink and watched Piper as she swung on the old tire swing. With a fenced yard, he wasn’t worried about her outside alone, but he always kept an eye on her. She’d made the dough and now it was in a bowl with a towel over it waiting to rise.

  “I won’t let anything stop those renovations from going through,” Jax vowed. He turned around and rested against the counter. “They’ve come up with some great ideas, so I really think it’s on the right track. With those three women and all their business sense added with my determination, we’ll be fine.”

  “I hear you’re getting ready to teach Brock Monroe.”

  Jax nodded and crossed his arms. “He’s an impressive kid.”

  “He and Zach were in the gym the other night talking about it.” Cash reached for his bottle of water and toyed with the label. “The women’s resort they have is really booming. You may want to consider working on a plan with them as well when the renovations are done. Maybe some package for travelers coming into the area.”

  That was actually brilliant. “I’m impressed,” Jax stated.

  His cousin flipped him the finger. “Just because I run a gym, doesn’t mean I don’t understand business in general. You always have to be thinking of ways to expand and grow.”

  Jax and Tanner often teased Cash that swinging kettle-bells and flipping tires wasn’t a job, but Cash always threw everything back in their faces with some snarky remark. If they didn’t tease and crack on one another, there would be something wrong. They’d been through it all together and this next chapter in Jax’s life was just another step he’d take with his favorite guys backing him.

  “I’ll discuss it with Livie,” he promised.

  “Could you discuss before you two hit the dessert course?”

  Piper burst in through the back door crying. Jax instantly crossed the room and crouched down to her. “What is it?”

  She pointed to her knee while she wailed. “I broke it.”

  Cash stood at his side as Jax examined the injury. A skinned-up knee, typical of summertime and playing outside. But he recalled being a kid and skinning his knees, usually while riding his bike downhill and falling off, so he knew how much this stung.

  “I don’t think it’s broken, but we need to clean it up.”

  She continued to cry, and Jax picked her up and carried her over to the center island and sat her down. “Cash, grab the first aid kit from under the sink in my master bath.”

  He blew on her knee to take away some of the sting while he waited on Cash to get back. “How did you do this?”

  Piper sniffed. “When I pushed off the tree, my foot slipped and I hitted my knee.”

  Cash came back in and sat the kit next to Piper. While Jax carefully cleaned the area, Cash stepped up and started distracting Piper with his ridiculous, toddler-friendly knock-knock jokes.

  Jax was thankful to have someone else here because it was times like this he needed the backup. Being a single father wasn’t the easiest, but it was definitely the most important job he’d ever have. Having Cash here, no matter how annoying the jokes were, was a blessing. Piper loved Cash and Tanner just as much as he did and in a way, they were one big happy family.

  “There you go,” he told her as he placed the bright blue Band-Aid over her knee. “Good as new.”

  Jax swiped her tears and picked her up, giving her a bear hug. “You want to help finish the bread or would you rather go watch a movie?”

  Those little arms around his neck meant everything and he wished he could prevent her from ever crying. Tears absolutely gutted him.

  “I’ll watch a movie with Cash,” she sniffed again.

  Jax eyed his cousin over Piper’s head. Cash nodded.

  “That’s fine, but we have to leave in an hour to take you to Livie’s house, so you won’t be able to watch the whole thing.”

  Cash raised his brows. No need to tell him about the whole ambush sleepover. He didn’t need more attention on the topic of Livie Daniels.

  “Come on, little one.” Cash rounded the island and took Piper from Jax’s arms. “You go in and pick out the movie and I’ll bring in some snacks.”

  “I’m not allowed to have more cookies today,” she told him.

  Cash nodded. “I’ll make sure we’re cookie-free.”

  He sat Piper down and she raced toward the living room . . . apparently snacks, a movie, and a Band-Aid were a cure-all.

  “There’s some fruit cut up in the fridge or you can make popcorn.”

  Cash went about getting snacks while Jax checked the casserole.

  “So if Piper is going for a sleepover at Livie’s house, but Livie will be here . . .”

  Jax moved to the covered bowl with the rising dough. “Shut up.”

  “Awww...is this your first slumber party since the divorce?”

  Jax pulled the dough out and onto the counter. “Kiss my ass.”

  Cash’s laughter mocked Jax. “This is all just too easy, man. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t annoy the hell out of me if the situation was reversed.”

  He pounded the dough, ready to get his nosy cousin out of here. “You were never married, so this isn’t the same. And I’m not looking for a wife, Cash. I like Livie and we’re going to be working together. No reason we can’t enjoy each other’s company while she’s here.”

  “Keep telling yourself that.”

  Cash whistled as he headed into the living room. Jax wasn’t getting caught in that bait. No way. It was bad enough Cash knew about Livie coming over and potentially staying for breakfast, but that would be her decision. He wasn’t going to press her or persuade her. As much as he wanted to go full-on seduction mode, he also wanted her to have this same need and ache he had. And she did, but getting her to admit it to herself was the frustrating part.

  Jax readied the bread and put it in the loaf pan. He’d learned flying from Paul Daniels, but his kitchen skills were all from his grandfather. The grandfather who’d had to take over when Jax’s parents had been killed in a car wreck when Jax had been only ten. That time had been the darkest, scariest of his life, but his grandfather had done the best he could. They’d mourned together and healed together.

  And once Jax’s grandfather had taken him on that first “for fun” plane ride, Jax had been completely and utterly hooked. Even though his grandfather had been older and weak at times, he’d made sure to make the most out of the days he was feeling good.

  From the moment that first plane ride was over, Jax read anything he could on aviation and becoming a pilot. He’d learned a great deal from his grandfather, who had also been in the air force. Between those two powerful men, Jax was destined for the sky. He couldn’t wait to pass the love down to Piper, who already showed so much interest.

  As he finished everything up, he listened to Piper’s giggles from the living room. Having Cash and Tanner as role models in his daughter’s life was priceless. Jax had been worried how he’d ever handle raising a child on his own, but he was raising such a remarkable, well-rounded little girl.

  He turned off the oven and left the bread and the casserole in there to stay warm. Now all he had to do was kick Cash out the door and take Piper to her sleepover.

  There was part of him that knew this was more than physical. He’d already let Piper into the lives of not only Livie, but also her friends. Whatever was happening between them went far beyond sex . . . and perhaps that’s what had Livie so afraid.

  Well, that made two of them because he had no idea what the hell he was doing. The red flags were in place, but he forged beyond each one in his pursuit. He wanted Livie . . . and he damn well planned on having her.

  * * *

  “I’m impressed.” Olivia stared at the spread on the kitchen table. “Who knew you were such a good cook?”

  Jax sat two glasses of sweet tea on the table. “You haven’t even tried it.”

  Gripping the back of the wooden chair, Olivia shrugged. “The fact you have all of this is impressive enough.”

  When he
’d come to pick her up, she’d wanted to protest and stay home. But there was that part of her, the very feminine part, that wanted to come. She was a fool for even trying to pretend she didn’t want this, didn’t want him.

  What was she supposed to do when she fell for this man? Because she was seriously heading in that direction. Honestly though, what had she done to stop it? She’d already spent the night with him and loved every glorious moment. Now she was ready for round two—but she was going to hold out. Maybe if she could resist him, maybe if she could keep this evening focused on the airport and not the fact he’d made a great dinner and he looked so sexy in his fitted jeans and T-shirt that stretched across—

  Yeah. She was doomed. There was no hope at this point. Everything he did, from the way he looked, to the way he was with Piper, to the way he made her feel things she’d never known . . . it was a lethal combination for her heart.

  “You’re thinking way too hard.” He circled the table and came to stand directly beside her. “It’s dinner, Livie. I won’t strip your clothes off until we’ve at least had salads.”

  No doubt he intended to take the edge off with his sarcasm . . . and it totally worked. She shifted to face him and smiled.

  “Well, I wore the ugliest bra and panties I had so I would leave my clothes on.”

  Jax circled her waist and tugged her against his firm chest. Instantly she recalled exactly how he’d felt against her when there had been no barriers between them.

  “I’ll rip them off anyway,” he growled as his eyes held hers. “You wasted your time putting anything on.”

  Oh, that promise had her shivering all over.

  “One night was fine, but how long are we going to keep this going?” she asked, forcing herself not to reach up to grab hold of him.

  “I plan on enjoying you as long as you’re here. Do you see a problem with that?”

  Olivia couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her. “I see so many problems, I don’t know where to start.”

  He kissed the tip of her nose—how freakin’ adorable was he?—and pulled out her chair.