Casanova In Training (16 page)

No words passed between them but she could
feel
him. He was making his way into her, in more than just the physical way.

“Please,” she murmured, craving the release he brought her. What only he could give her.

He didn’t make her ask again, nor did he make her beg. Which at this point she wasn’t averse to. Gio dropped his hands to her thighs. “Take it, Jaydee.”

She dug her nails into the skin along the back of his shoulders and increased her speed. Yes! This was what she needed. Her lids fluttered.

“Uh-uh, sweets. Eyes open. Look at me.”

Nothing had ever been so difficult but she managed to do as he said. Strain etched on his expression and she knew he was close as well. She captured her lower lip in her teeth and moved faster.

He muttered something too low for her to decipher but the gravelled rasp was like his touch and elicited a passionate reaction from her. She could taste her release—it hovered so close, swarming her.

“Watch me, sweets,” he rumbled.

His fingertips grazed across her overly sensitive clit. That was all it took and she exploded. Her body tightened around him and she felt him come within her, a low roar erupting from him.

Boneless, she collapsed against his sweaty chest. Gio rolled them to the side, still buried to the hilt inside her. His lips brushed her head. Eventually he withdrew and left the bed. She watched him return, unashamed of his nudity. Hell, she couldn’t blame him. His body was to die for. Back on the bed, he gathered her close.

She closed her eyes and allowed the moment. Beneath her ear, his heart beat out a tattoo. With one hand, she stroked his chest.

“Why?”

His arms curved around her, holding her tighter. “Why, what?” A pause. “Why did I want to watch your eyes?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve never seen your eyes when you come. I wanted to. They go gold, it’s amazing. You are truly beautiful, Jaydee.”

For once, she felt it.

Chapter Ten

Morning’s light streamed in through his blinds, filling the room with golden rays. Gio moved his head slowly and gazed down at the woman lying in his bed. In his arms. Jaydee lay pressed against him, her head on his chest, over his heart.

Her lashes were long, thick and curved. When she looked at him…man, the things he thought and wished for. Right now, her lips were slightly parted as she slept. He wanted her. The tent in the sheet gave that away, but he held off and refrained from sliding his cock deep inside her to wake her.

Jaydee had looked as if she was so tired and he wanted her to get enough rest. Besides, he was rather fond of having her naked body in his arms. So while she slept he spent the time just staring at her. How her skin was all soft and smooth. She had a cluster of freckles on the back of her left shoulder.

Her body was strong, with lean muscles that helped make her look so delicious in anything she wore. Right now, he could imagine her having fun with friends at a pool or the beach. All that would change the moment she woke.

Fun wasn’t something she seemed to understand. He grinned. Luckily for her, he did.

She stirred. One leg rubbed along his, heating his blood as the neatly clipped hair between her legs caressed his upper thigh. Sweat gathered on his brow and he tried valiantly to remember he wanted to let her get all the sleep she needed. She moved again and he barely kept his moan contained.

Moving slowly, he untangled himself from her luscious form. She made a small moue before deep sleep claimed her. He left her there bathed in the sun’s soft glow. He grabbed a shower and headed to his kitchen where he emptied his dishwasher.

The doorbell rang and he glanced towards his bedroom door as he made his way to the front. Opening it, he arched a brow at the familiar face that watched him in return. Jason.

“Morning, man.”

Rubbing his hand along his jaw, he sighed. “What’s up, Lizard?”

“You seem shocked to see me. Don’t I usually stop by for breakfast on a ninety-six?”

Lizard was right, he normally did. “Right.” He still didn’t move.

“What, man? I don’t care if you have a woman in here. I’ve seen them here before.”

Again, all truth but none of them had been Jaydee. And since their being together was a violation…he didn’t want to risk her career.

One brow rose. “Unless it’s—”

“Yes, I have a woman here, so just keep your voice down. She’s still sleeping.” Shit, now he had to feed him.

Lizard had a smirk on his face. “Well, I guess this woman was good.”

He frowned, not appreciating the attempt at a joke. Lizard shook his head.

“You okay, man? You seem relaxed and yet like you’re ready to bite my head off at the least bit of provocation.”

“Sorry, man. Just cancel the jokes about women, okay?”

He stepped back and his fellow pilot stepped through into the house.
Please stay asleep, Jaydee.

They went to the kitchen and he began fixing a meal for himself and Lizard. It had been a thing they’d been doing since he and Mike had moved in to the house. They’d always had a meal, just them, and shot the breeze. It was different with Mike gone, but this was kind of their own way of keeping him around. His memory alive.

Not much later, they were eating omelettes and drinking coffee.

“Have you ever met someone who made you willing to do anything to keep them happy, Lizard?”

Jason’s blue eyes widened before he rested his elbows on the table.

“This have anything to do with the woman sleeping in your bed?” His tone was completely serious. “Or are you talking about the hottie who’s joined our squad, no matter how temporary?”

He’d got his proof that Lizard didn’t think Jaydee was sleeping in his bed, since he’d posed it the way he had. Or so he hoped.

“I guess just in general. Have you met someone like that?”

“No.” He ate his final bite of breakfast and quietly laid his fork down. “You
are
talking about Jaydee, aren’t you?”

He ran his finger under his nose. “Why do you think that?”

“Because I see how you watch her, especially when you think no one is any the wiser. I’ve seen the rage when another man talks to her, even Keel—who we both know is a blissfully married man. And I’ve seen the fear for her when we fly.” A light shrug. “But perhaps I’m all wrong and it’s just some hot-assed babe with big tits.”

Gio nodded, because his assessment was just too damn close to the God-awful truth. Unfortunately for him, his friend knew him better than that.

“Don’t bother trying to lie, Giovanni. We both know the truth, just like we both know if I were to go down to your room I would find Jaydee there.” Jason held up one hand. “I don’t care, Casanova. I don’t. I’m happy for you. Jealous too, but mostly happy. She’s done something to you which I never thought I’d see.”

“Which is?” he asked. No point in trying to hide it from him, he’d given his word. Besides, if he couldn’t trust Lizard, who could he trust?

“Made you unsure of yourself with a woman. She doesn’t fall prey to your considerable charms. She makes you question all the smooth lines and swagger you’ve used before. Basically, she’s put Casanova in training.”

He narrowed his gaze at his soon-to-be-murdered best friend. “Excuse me?” he growled.

“Calm down, Superman. I just mean this woman has you having to relearn your skills with women. Jaydee is…well, let’s face it…smokin’ hot.”

A dangerous rumble rose up from his chest. Lizard just continued, undaunted.

“I don’t blame you for your actions. I’d be breaking all kinds of regs for her if I thought I had—”

“You don’t,” he bit off.

Lizard shook his head and smiled. “I said if, man. If.” He laughed. “She’s an amazing woman, Casanova. Brilliant and sexy as hell. And, from what I’ve seen, she’s not a fan of your caveman attitude. And, with a woman like her, sex—no matter how great—won’t keep her around.”

Those words sobered him and created a knot of worry in the pit of his stomach. Was Lizard right? Yes, the sex between them was phenomenal. He knew there was more to be explored between them, but would she not only acknowledge it, but accept it as well?

“I won’t give her up, Jason.”

“She’s only here temporarily. Surely you remember that bit of information?”

Yeah, he recalled that. “I don’t care. There’s just something about her…” He trailed off, unsure of how to put it in words.

“I’m happy for you, Giovanni. Truly I am, but you need to be careful. Fentress has been asking about your cut and the doc’s black eye. Not to mention, with it only being us four in the ready room, he’s able to watch you a hell of a lot closer.” He leaned nearer. “Do you get what I’m saying?”

He nodded. Bottom line, he had to watch his behaviour towards her. Jason stood and carried his dish to the sink then he turned his body to face him.

“Good. Now I’ll make myself scarce. You”—he winked—“have a wonderful weekend.”

“We will.”

“Lucky bastard,” Lizard said with good humour.

Gio rose and walked him to the door. They shook hands and he stated with complete honesty, “Thank you, Lizard. For everything.”

“We’re best buds, man. You know I’ve always got your back. But, on the off-chance you find another like her, remember my number, would ya?”

He laughed. “Sorry, man. Jaydee’s one of a kind.”

“I know. Damn, do I know.” He jogged down the steps and headed to his truck. Lizard waved and drove away.

With a sigh, Gio entered his house and closed the door. It was oh-eight-hundred and he went back to his kitchen where he cleaned up. Once the room was spotless, he ambled down the hall to his room. He cracked the door and peeked in.

She lay on her belly, arms akimbo. Her head was pretty much buried under one of the pillows on his bed. The cream sheet bunched up at her ass and Iridessa played peek-a-boo with him.

Her whipped-chocolate skin reminded him of satin or silk.
Damn, she’s beautiful.

He approached slowly and sat on the mattress edge. One hand reached out and trailed down her spine. The ridges were present and he took a deep breath. Here and now, she seemed so delicate, fragile even. Not the woman who was his equal in the air. No, correction, his superior. Yes, he might have combat experience, but her skills were unbeatable. And on the ground, she was brilliant to his average.

He could make out her ribs and he just longed to pull her into his arms and protect her. He traced his fingers over the circle of freckles. She moaned and shifted. The sheet slid off her ass and he muttered his approval.

“Gio.” His name left her lips on a barely audible breath.

Lightning sparked through him. Lowering his head, he pressed kisses up along her spine. Jaydee groaned and arched more into his touch.

“Right here, sweets,” he whispered in her ear.

“Mmm. You never answered my question of what you and Dr Thompson talked about.”

He stroked her spine and wondered about how odd it was for her to call her father Dr Thompson. “I haven’t?”

She grunted and rolled on to her back, the sheet somehow covering her enticing body. “No. Now tell me.”

He sighed and stood up. “Okay. Over breakfast?”

Jaydee lay there and watched him, her hair around her like a cloud of black silk. A whole slew of things hit him as he stared at her. Like how much he wanted to…

“Why are you attempting the removal of the sheet?” she questioned.

He grinned. “Why do you think?”

“Classic avoidance technique.”

With a groan, he positioned himself over her. His hands rested on either side of her hips.

“Do you know,” he said brushing his lips along hers, “you taste like fresh, pure mint.”

She coolly arched a brow. “Dropping chaff.”

He laughed at her use of the phrase. Dropping chaff was a way to try to get missiles off your ass by giving them other targets to focus on. “Only you, sweets. Only you can make that sound sexy.”

“Tell me.”

He could hear the need in her voice.

“Dr Thompson wanted to know about my history as a pilot. We talked about you and my position on your flying with us.”

She stiffened but her expression remained impassive. He leaned close and sniffed her hair. Peace flowed through him.

“I told him I hated it when you first arrived because you were yet another reminder of how Michael wouldn’t be coming back. Ever.” Her breath hitched and he kissed her jaw. “I don’t blame you, sweets. Not now.”

When she wriggled free and left the bed, he knew the words weren’t believed. She tugged on a shirt, hiding her amazing body from his lustful gaze. The sorrow in her eyes prompted him into action.

“Jaydee.”

She paused in the act of gathering her hair into a ponytail. “What?”

He prowled towards her, grabbed her hand, and led her to the bed. “Sit,” he ordered.

He noticed her hesitation but she followed his directive. Once she had, he joined her. Her entire body was rigid and he stretched a hand out to cup her cheek. The eyes that met his were tormented.

“Jaydee, believe me, please. If not about anything else, believe I don’t blame you for his death. Do you believe me?”

Her nod was slight and he expected her agreement to lift a weight from him. It didn’t happen. And when he looked—really looked—into her eyes, he realised why. She might believe he didn’t blame her, but it didn’t matter because
she
blamed herself. And that bothered him, more than he could even begin to fathom.

“This wasn’t your fault, Jaydee.”

“It was.” Her voice sounded so tired and lost. So unlike the confident one he was used to—a bit haughty and almost, not quite, but almost condescending.

“No, sweets, it wasn’t.”

She stared at him, her large tortoiseshell eyes shimmering with unshed tears. They tore a hole in his gut.
Christ! She truly believes it was her fault.
It explained so much. Why she’d been busting her ass going over everything.

“Yes, it was. Something went wrong with the EG.” She ground her jaw. “That’s my area,
mine!
So, since the system malfunctioned, the blame falls upon me.”

Rage filled him. “Is that what your
father
told you? Is it? Because, if so, he’s full of shit, Jaydee.” He longed to slug the man again.