Casanova In Training (14 page)

“There was also this.” His fingers danced along the keys and she stared in disbelief at what she witnessed.

“Store this on a zip for me,” she ordered.

His entire body tensed. “We’re—”

“Do it, Petty Officer. I’ll handle any repercussions if they come.”

“I can transfer it to your tablet if you prefer.”

She retrieved her tablet PC in moments and watched as he did as he’d said.

“Commander Amos.”

She snapped her head up and saw a guard approaching. “Yes?”

“Your presence is requested in the ready room.”

“On my way, Staff Sergeant. Thank you.” A glance down assured her Sedin had finished the transfer, so she scooped it up and stepped away. “Thank you, Sedin. We’ll talk more later.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She followed the staff sergeant and smiled at the sight of the two men of the maintenance squadron crew on top of her bomber performing a fingertip inspection of the fuselage, checking for any damage to the stealth skin. As she left, more ground crew entered but her mind was already focused on who could have sent for her. Not to mention the information she had on her tablet.

At the door to the room, she paused briefly before pushing through. Captain Fentress waited in there along with Dr Thompson.

“You wished to see me,” she said, unsure of which of the two had actually called for her.

“Dr Thompson asked if you could be his guide today. No one’s flying so I said okay.”

“Of course, sir.”

He gave a slight smile then left.

The moment they were alone, she glanced at the man in there with her. She could see the swelling on his nose but otherwise he looked as put together as always.

“Come.” He walked by her to the door.

Jaydee followed him to a room that was set up for the professors. The room was crammed with whiteboards and a full coffeepot despite the lack of people. She closed the door behind her, the click amplifying the fact that they were alone.

Dr Thompson merely arched a brow and asked in his smooth, unhurried way, “Who is he?”

The question made her stomach clench a bit, even though she’d been expecting it.

“A fellow pilot.”

No expression change. “Come sit, Jaydee.” He gestured to a chair near him.

She didn’t want to but she couldn’t refuse him. So she sat where he indicated.

“I’ve never been told not to touch you only to get hit after. Is he someone special to you?”

Was she imagining things or did amusement exist in his tone? Picking up a pencil, she began working on the equations on the pad before her. “Nope,” she lied without remorse or inflection.

“You ask me not to press charges for someone who’s not anything to you?”

Composing her facial features into a bored look, she lifted her gaze and met his head-on. “I’m a scientist and a pilot. You taught me to take apart and analyse things. Make smart, informed decisions. Not ones based on emotions. That man is an ace pilot and is the top test pilot for this facility. It would be nonsensical to have him removed from duty because of his one night of bad decisions.”

“I also told you the smallest thing can change outcomes.”

She yawned and shrugged. “Like I said, he’s an ace pilot. Our overall goal is these planes. He’s the best they have.”

“What about you? Is he better than you?”

She blinked. “No. However, I’m not permanent here.”

“Still doesn’t explain why he felt the primitive urge to hit me.” Dr Thompson narrowed his gaze and stared at her with shrewd eyes.

“The men here are a bit on the protective side.”

A noncommittal sound left him. “Have you flown with him?”

“Not in the same plane but yes, I have.”

“He’s the one whose scores you beat?”

“Yes, sir.”

He smiled at her. “That’s my girl.”

She barely hid her shock at his comment. He wasn’t a man given to compliments. All she could do was focus back on the stuff before her.

They worked in silence for a while, Jaydee on some boards in the back, wishing she didn’t have her flight suit on. And wishing she had her music in her ear. Even so, she fell into the same easy and consistent work as she’d done in the lab numerous times.

“Jaydee.”

She popped her head around a board at the call from Dr Thompson and promptly lost her breath. Gio stood there, looking all kinds of delicious in his flight suit. She clenched her hand into a fist then spoke in a calm tone.

“Yes, sir?” She forced herself to keep her gaze upon Dr Thompson as she spoke to him.

“Take a break.”

“Yes, sir.” She vanished from their view and replaced her marker. With a deep breath, she walked around the board, past the men, and out of the door. It took so much for her to avoid staring at Gio. The cut below his eye added to the air of danger he seemed to be enveloped by.

Jaydee found herself in the cafeteria. She got a bottle of water and strolled outside into the late morning. Seated at a picnic table she took a long drink before sighing heavily. What if Gio attacked him again? Shaking the thought from her mind, she looked around. From her position, she could see people from both bombers’ ground crews working.

This facility had seven hangars but only two were in use for the moment, aside from the one that housed the wreckage. She loved it here—the smell of jet fuel never failed to bring a smile to her face, and the noise and the undercurrent of energy she always felt around the Spirits made everything worthwhile.

The long hours, intense training. All of it was worth it to be able to take one of these babies up in the sky. To be able to watch the sunset as a backdrop for one of these amazing planes. To see one coasting down right before take-off in the pre-dawn where they seemed spectral.

She’d miss it when the time came to leave.
I wonder how it would be to have
my
name on one of the bombers.
She knew. Deep down she knew it would be such an honour. Another sigh. Such a thing wasn’t her future. She was first and foremost a scientist. A geek. Someone others used for their own benefit.

Shaking away her somewhat depressing thoughts, she powered up her tablet and got back to work, grateful to be outside. While she wanted to look at what Sedin had transferred to her, she had other things to finish up first.

* * * *

Hours later, she stood between Keel and Lizard before Fentress. Gio stood on Keel’s other side.

“The way you all have been flying is wonderful. Take your ninety-six and be prepared for another battery of tests upon your return. Have a great weekend and try to stay out of trouble. I don’t want any calls from the LEOs about anyone. Dismissed.”

She studiously avoided Gio’s gaze as everyone left. At the room Dr Thompson had taken over, she slipped in. He was the only one in there and glanced up at her entry. Silence stretched between them for a bit.

“Why are you here?” he eventually questioned.

“We are on our ninety-six.”

He nodded. “Go. Enjoy your free time.” He saw her hesitation. “You deserve some rest. Meet me for dinner tomorrow at seventeen-hundred. The place called Carlotta’s. Do you know it?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Great. I will call if I need you.” A pointed look. “Get some rest.”

“Yes, sir.” She turned the handle and stepped out. “Tomorrow night then,” she called out over her shoulder.

Quick steps took her out into the afternoon sun. She slid on her sunglasses and strode to her bike. Once she left the base a wide grin filled her face. She was free for her entire time. Shifting, she asked for more speed and raced for home.

At her apartment, she showered and dressed in purple shorts and a grey T-shirt. She cut herself up an apple and settled in comfortably in her chair as she opened her book—a mystery she’d wanted to read for some time now. She felt herself relaxing as each page passed.

Ding-dong.

Jaydee blinked and looked around. She’d fallen asleep in her chair. A peek out of her large windows informed her night had fallen.

Ding-dong.

Pushing up from her seat, she padded to the door, turning on a light as she went. She stifled a yawn and opened the door. Her traitorous heart stopped then pounded hard and fast. And it wasn’t the only body part with an extreme reaction.

Gio stood there, one hand braced against the doorframe. His baseball cap concealed his eyes from her. She saw his straight nose, those bow-shaped lips, and wanted to touch him. There was no feeling of panic, like she’d had at his first appearance at her apartment.

Silent, she stepped back and allowed him entrance. The scents that made up Giovanni Cassano—masculine and fresh—filled her as he passed. Dampening her lips, she took a deep breath, closed the door, and turned to face him.

Damn!
Gio had this thing about him—a magnetism—that made her forget her surroundings.

“What are you doing here, Gio?”

He strode towards her and her breath hitched even as her body responded in a more sexual way. He pushed back the brim of his cap, allowing her to see his hazel eyes. They smouldered and seared her with their heat. She shivered at the darkly sensual promise lingering in them.

“Spend the weekend with me.”

Okay, not what she’d expected to hear.

“What?”

He reached out and stroked a knuckle along her face. “We have ninety-six hours before we have to be back at work.”

She shook her head until his fingers gripped her chin. “Our having a…a sexual relationship is highly unprofessional.”

His hold gentled before he trailed his fingers down her neck and along her shirt’s neckline. “What we have is more than purely sexual, Jaydee.” His words were seductive and she fell under his spell again.

“Unprofessional,” she reiterated.

“Say yes.”

“I can’t have you here all weekend.”

He never hesitated. “Then come to my place. You can keep your bike in the garage. I have plenty of food. We won’t have to leave the house.”

She swallowed. Could she? Was she brave enough? Gio must have sensed her indecision for he cupped her face in his hands.

“Think about it, Jaydee. You know where I live. I want you with me. Let me take care of you for a weekend. Let me get to know
you
. The real you.”

His kiss was tender and brief. She dug her fingers into her palms so she wouldn’t grab him. He backed to the door, his eyes never moving from her face. Hand on the knob he winked and said, “Clothes are optional. Don’t be long.”

He was gone. And she was alone,
again.

Lip between her teeth, Jaydee went and sat on her couch with a loud sigh. How’d he do it? How did he manage to blow past every wall she’d erected?

The thought of spending their time off together appealed to her, more than anything. To sleep and wake in his arms…an experience she’d never get enough of.

But attachments were risky. And she had already become more attached to him than was advisable.

She rose and roamed to her phone. After she’d located the desired number, she pressed ‘Call’ and waited.

“Yeah?” an out-of-breath woman answered in a sharp tone.

“I have a problem,” Jaydee said without preamble.

“Hang on a sec, hon.” Shuffling sounded and a masculine grumble. “I have to take this, babe, I’ll be back soon.” The voice got louder. “What’s up, Jaydee?”

“I’m sorry for interrupting, Lexy.” She knew what she’d disturbed. “I forgot the time difference.”

“Who cares? He’ll be there after we’re done. And, if not, there are always others. You know you can call me any time. Now, stop stallin’. What’s going on?”

Jaydee curled up on her couch, grateful for whatever had allowed her to meet Lexy. Honestly, how many women would stop fucking a guy because a friend called?

“Can’t help you if you’ve decided to go mute, Jaydee. Come on, talk to me.” Lexy’s voice was warm and welcoming. So she did as Lexy had bidden.

Chapter Nine

Gio did his best to ignore the clock on the far wall but he couldn’t quite seem to manage that simple feat. Three hours had passed since he’d got home from Jaydee’s apartment. He’d truly thought she’d come right after him. Even if just for some more sex because, to be honest here, what happened between them was explosive to say the least. Off the charts and out of this world, if you wanted to get more specific.

He’d been called many things. A player. A Lothario. A Romeo. Women had rarely held his interest more than once. Sometimes they did, but he was, as his call sign stated…a Casanova. Lover of women.

Until he’d met Jaydee. He had been shoved head first into uncharted waters. Now, no one else could do it for him. He was fine with that, for he wanted only Jaydee Amos. Pilot extraordinaire. Genius. His lover. What he wasn’t okay with was the way she continually seemed able to shut out the passion between them. He longed to be able to claim her in front of everyone. She was amazing. She was…here.

The roar of her motorcycle brought him to his feet in a single, smooth motion. At the front window, he stared out into the dark. A single headlight swung into his drive and he hurried to open the garage door. He waited at the top of the two steps and watched her back her bike in. The door closed behind her and, once it hit the floor, she shut off her yellow-trimmed black Ninja and removed her helmet.

His breath caught as she tossed her hair then glanced at him over her shoulder. He growled low in his throat when she swung her leg over and hung the helmet on a handgrip. While she removed the reflective vest and unfastened her bag from the back, he stared at her. She wore a white T-shirt that had some symbol on the front he couldn’t decipher. Some baggy, holey jeans and white canvas slip-on shoes.

Fucking hot.

She strode towards him and stopped at the bottom of the steps. Her gaze met his. “I have a dinner tomorrow night at seventeen-hundred I can’t miss.”

He stepped down, forcing her to move back. “We’ll worry about that later. This all your stuff?”

Guileless eyes blinked at him. “You did say clothing was optional.”

She was in his arms before her words had faded from the air. It took him very little time and he had her naked in his bed as he slid his hard length deep inside her.