Stay with Me (Return to Haven 1)

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.

“Let’s start with a salad and move on from there.”

He left her standing there wondering how he could be so casual, while he dished out their food. She knew Jax wasn’t one to bring women into his home, not with Piper around. He wasn’t that type of man. Yet he’d been adamant she come here; he’d steamrolled her into it, actually, and now he was pretending this didn’t faze him in the least.

That man was one outstanding liar.

Olivia took a seat and sipped on her tea. There was nothing like good sweet tea. She hadn’t had it for a while because she opted for water or wine.

“So, you do casseroles?” she joked.

Jax took a seat across from her. “I live in the South, Livie. Casseroles and sweet tea are staples. And fried chicken. Besides, my grandfather was a pretty good cook. I learned from him. Piper is a picky eater, though, so I’ve had to hone my skills.”