And he was going to discover very quickly how limited her cooking skills were. She lived largely on a diet of healthy raw foods—often by necessity—but she could cook the basics. Very basic. Having a personal chef around twenty-four-seven for the next few days could prove a blessing. Or not.
‘You go shower. I’ll get breakfast,’ Jett said, behind her, relieving her of the problem of how he wanted his eggs cooked and whether he was going to watch.
Maybe he’d already picked up on her lack of expertise. Or he couldn’t bear to look at her in her state of dishabille. Either way, she escaped without putting up much of a fight.
A short time later, feeling refreshed and towelling her damp hair, she followed the aromas of grilled bacon and coffee.
‘Smells fantastic.’
When he saw her, he slid food onto two plates. ‘Sit down and eat while I talk.’
She did as he told her. He didn’t mean to come across so dictatorial. Since Jason, she’d never imagined feeling comfortable with a man who seemed to dominate everyone around him but Jett was different. Unlike Jason, she knew he’d at least listen. Also unlike Jason, with Jett she felt safe. And respected.
‘I did some costing while you were asleep last night.’ He set her plate in front of her, sat down opposite with his own. ‘Ran a few ideas by an architect I know. With thought and planning we could turn this place into your retreat.’
‘Jett...no.’ She shook her head. ‘I told you. An architect?’ She didn’t like that he was way ahead of her. ‘Too expensive. You—’
‘Hear me out. Just close your eyes and visualise. Please.’
‘Okay, but this is my baby.’
‘Goes without saying,’ he reassured her. ‘But it doesn’t hurt to have another person’s take on it.’
She closed her eyes.
‘Improve and extend the kitchen garden so that in time, when the facility opens, it’ll supply its own organic produce. Upgrade the pool facilities to include a relaxing fitness area and equipped gymnasium and join it to the main building. We knock down walls and extend the back of the house into—’
‘Whoa.’ She shook her head, her mind spinning. ‘Even with the money we raised on Chasing Dawn, we’d only manage a fraction of that. We should rename her Chasing Dreams.’
He nodded. ‘Why don’t you? Sounds appropriate.’
‘Because I’m going to sell her.’ Her decision wasn’t one she’d made lightly.
He frowned. ‘Doesn’t she hold special meaning for you and your mother?’
‘She’s done her job. I need the money for other things,’ she said briskly, dropping her gaze to her plate.
‘I’ve been looking for a new project,’ he told her slowly. ‘I’d like to work with you on this. You and my sister are in this together, which kind of gives me a foot in the door, wouldn’t you say?’
‘But what about your cookbook plans?’ Your life?
‘At the moment this is right where I want to be—working on something different. I’ll still write but I’d like to be involved in this venture.’
She tempered the rising excitement; there was the complication of their relationship to consider, but she was thinking... Having him aboard had so many advantages. Brie could get to know her brother better. Jett would have his opportunity to look at something new. He’d bring a different perspective to the table.
She’d get to see more of him.
‘I’ll have to talk to Brie,’ she said.
‘That’s all I ask. If you’re both fine with it, do we have a deal?’
She agreed and they took their coffee outside so he could show her how some of his ideas might work around the property.
Jett watched her eyes light up at his suggestions. Her response further fired his excitement. But excitement of a different kind wasn’t happening. I’ve no intention of having sex with you again, Jett.
He knew time and circumstances weren’t favourable to revisit that particular conversation. More importantly, maybe she’d be willing to accept his support for now without the complication of sex getting in the way.
And he had a plan to make her smile again.
TWELVE
That evening, over the steaks he’d slapped on the grill while Olivia caught up on insurance claims and financial matters, Jett told her to keep the following day free.
‘I can’t just take the day off,’ she told him in shock-horror and set down her cutlery with a sharp clink. ‘You’ve seen this place.’
‘Which is why I’ve arranged to fly my housekeeper over.’
Her brows rose into her hair. ‘Fly her from Melbourne?’