Stay with Me (Return to Haven 1)
When Livie sank into the leather chair, he smiled. Obviously, getting cozy on the couch together wasn’t an option. He was fine with that, but he meant what he said. He’d have her again. That simple kiss moments ago only whetted his appetite for more.
“How soon will we know about that?” he asked, sinking onto the old leather sofa.
“Could be anywhere between a week to a few months. If they need more information, they’ll let us know. If not, they’ll just come back with an answer.”
He didn’t know which scared him more, the possibility they’d be denied or if they’d get the funds and move forward with completely renovating the small-town airport.
“I think we have a pretty good shot,” she went on. “We have so many ideas regarding how to expand and how to pull in more clients, especially with the film industry booming in Georgia. But we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves and spend too much time on it if it’s not going to happen.”
Because they all had other jobs. It was understandable, but the airport and the current clients were his job—they were his life.
“And if the grants don’t go through, then what?” he asked.
More laughter filtered in from the kitchen. There was something so heartwarming about hearing his daughter bond with another woman. There were only so many things he could give her and a female’s perspective certainly wasn’t one of them.
“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.