Casanova In Training (6 page)

Indecision flickered in her eyes, so he made the choice for her. He reached out and plucked the black marker from her left hand, capped it, and tossed it on the nearest table. His fingers gripped her chin.

“I’m hungry, and I know you are, too.”

She blinked at him owlishly. “Why do you want to eat with me? You don’t even like me.”

He didn’t want to hash this out now. He needed to get some food in him before he forgot himself,
again,
and took her in here.

“Come on, Jaydee, you owe me some answers.”

She worried her lower lip before nodding and heading for the door. She paused and slid on some white tennis shoes then grabbed a bag, which she shouldered. As they left he noticed she locked the door behind her then strode off down the hall. After a final glance between her and the door, he sighed before striking out after her.

“Where to?” she asked when he caught up.

He wanted to put her in his car and take her home, but knew she wouldn’t go for that. He gave her the name of the casual diner and she nodded then walked away. Moments later, lust broadsided him as she straddled a motorcycle and put the required helmet and reflective vest on.

Christ! She rides a crotch rocket!

He stood motionless as she started the black Ninja’s powerful engine and drove away. His cock was rock hard and he was desperate to sink back inside her. She was amazing. Hot, sexy, a pilot, and she rode a motorcycle.

Adjusting himself, he groaned and vaulted into his sports car before following her. His erection had barely begun to subside when he pulled in to the lot of the diner. Jaydee leaned against her bike, bag in hand. Past her leg, he noticed another fairy. He grinned—it matched the fairy tattoo of Iridessa she had on her back.

She appeared to be entirely bored. Him…not so much. His cock stiffened all over again and he bit back a groan. This woman was giving him a serious case of blue balls.

* * * *

Jaydee licked her lips as she watched Gio walk towards her. Him. Her nemesis. The man who hated her being there, and yet fucked her as if she meant everything to him. A man she thought of as Gio, not Casanova, or Lieutenant Commander Giovanni Cassano. He was gasoline to her fire, they really didn’t mix well…at work.

Not true, we were fine in the hangar this morning.
Like she needed that mental reminder. She ignored how her body prepared itself for him and focused on his inherent swagger. On some men, it would have been laughable. On Gio…it just
was
.

He had a nice convertible and wore jeans with a T-shirt. His attire amplified the strength in his body. Another swipe of her tongue along her lips—she could still taste him. Desire washed over her and it took a huge effort not to show him.

Gio stopped before her and stared at her with those hazel eyes. One brow rose slightly and she manoeuvred around him, bag in one hand. She felt him behind her, close but not touching.

“Good evening. Two tonight?” the greeter asked after they entered.

“Yes.” Gio’s strong voice flowed from behind her as his fingers brushed briefly against the small of her back.

The woman basically ignored her, but definitely had desire in her eyes when she stared at Gio.
Date,
her brain chided.

No date. Her subconscious laughed at her.

They were led to a booth and she slid in as the greeter placed their menus and left with another blatant perusal of Gio. It bothered her—why, she wasn’t sure, but it did. Their server came and took their drink order before leaving. She was quick to return and, after placing them down, she had a hungry look on her face when she smiled at Gio.

Cripes, this is going to be a long night.
If she had to deal with women fawning all over him she was going to need something stronger than what she’d ordered. Too bad she didn’t drink anything stronger, really. She sipped her beverage and stared at him. His eyes heated as he looked directly at her. A sexy twist of his lips made her wonder about the wisdom of coming with him.

After they’d placed their order, he watched her for a few moments. “Tell me why they brought you in.”

She swivelled her straw around. “Do you question your orders?”

“You’re not getting out of this, Jaydee, so just answer the question.”

The way he said her name had her shifting on the seat. So low and drawn out like a sensual caress. She swallowed and took another drink in an attempt to cool off. It didn’t work.

“I’m here because I know the planes.”

He scowled. “So does every pilot.”

She shook her head. “No, I
know
the planes. I know all about EG and how the B-2 operates beyond the normal.”

“EG?”

“Yes. Electrogravitics. I told you about it in the simulation room.” She could see his confusion. “What allows our bombers to go as far as they do, expending very little fuel. And why, when they land, we don’t touch them for a while, or are well protected when we do.”

He drank some of his beer. “How do you know all of this?”

She leant back against the booth and held her silence as their appetiser arrived. The mixture of smells hit her and she stared at the platter of fried calamari, mozzarella sticks, and loaded potato skins. Her stomach growled and she realised he’d been right, she was starving. She watched him reach for a piece of calamari and dip it in the dill sauce before eating it.

“Eat,” he said gesturing at the plate.

“I’m a researcher,” she said, after some internal debate.

“For what?”

“The B-2. I fly them and work on the antigravity propulsion. Or, rather, I work on material for the US antigravity squadron, as some refer to it.” It wasn’t entirely a lie, she’d just omitted part of the truth.

She figured, yes, she could get into trouble for telling him, not even the CO knew this, but, despite their volatile relationship, she’d found herself irrefutably drawn to him. Not just on a sexual level but also on a deeper one.

For a moment, she wondered about her decision then shrugged, deciding the hell with it. He’d find out soon enough, if he were as smart and dogged as she pegged him to be. And she bet he was.

“Antigravity squadron?”

She stifled a sigh. “The B-2s.”

His gaze shuttered. “I’m beginning to think this is neither the time nor place for this discussion.”

“You asked.”

“I did and I’m not backing away from it. I just think it should be discussed elsewhere.”

With another negligent shrug, she began to eat. She could feel his gaze upon her but he also continued to eat.

“Tell me about you.”

The order fell with all the imbedded arrogance of an alpha male who expected to be obeyed. She
hated
following imperialistic commands. There were only a few who could get away with it in her mind, and he wasn’t one of them.

“No.” She pinned him with a calm look. His reaction was as she’d expected, those gorgeous eyes narrowed on her face. “Tell me about you,” she countered.

He appeared to war with his decision momentarily but, when he opened his mouth, the waitress arrived with their meal. She immediately turned her attention to the plate of steaming food. Some days a good ol’ burger and fries was what was needed. She salted her thick fries and poured the ketchup. Lifting one, she dipped it and put it in her mouth. A low groan of pleasure escaped. These were damn good steak fries.

“Is this a private party?”

Jaydee was nudged over as Jason ‘Lizard’ Armstrong slid in on her side, and she saw Gio had Tinman—another pilot—beside him. Both men had bottles of beer. Without asking, the two newcomers helped themselves to the remaining appetisers.

Normally, she would have been embarrassed to face Lizard after what he’d said in the hangar. But, right now, she was too damn hungry to care. That being the case, she ate.

“Why are you here, Armstrong?” Gio’s question came out more of a rumble.

“We have a weekend, thought I’d find you somewhere. Just didn’t know you and Dusti here had a date.”

She swallowed her food. “We are not on a date. We were hungry.”

Gio’s hazel eyes bored into her, almost as if he was angry. With a dismissive sniff, she reached for some fries and ate them.

“What do you call it then?” Jason asked, leaning close so his breath fanned her ear.

“A meal between colleagues, Lieutenant,” she said, ice coating her words. She didn’t mind teasing but she refused to allow any rumours of her and Gio as a couple. Or fuck buddies.

Jason stiffened slightly beside her before shrugging and eating more calamari. A foot nudged hers before stroking up her calf. It took everything she had not to jump. Her gaze centred back on Gio, who lifted his head up and peered at her with the eyes of a predator. His foot rubbed against her while his other leg encroached on her space, giving her two options. Sit rigidly, or allow physical contact between them.

So she turned her attention back to her food and proceeded to eat, doing her best to ignore the simple yet intimate—and highly erotic—touches.

The conversation flowed around her. Lizard felt—apparently—comfortable enough to take food from her plate. She allowed it, for to her it seemed they were trying to make her feel included. And it gave her perverse pleasure to watch the fleeting scowl on Gio’s face when it happened.

“So, Casanova, what do you say? Are you in?”

Jason’s question caused her to look up. Gio had a blank expression on his face and she continued to stare at Tinman. The man’s brown eyes twinkled as he met her gaze.
What are they talking about?

“Come on, Cas, you know Ashley is going to be there and she would love to see you.” Jason shifted on the seat when Gio pinned his eyes on him.

“Ashley?” she asked, licking some salt and ketchup off her fingers.

Either Jason didn’t see the warning glint in Gio’s gaze or didn’t care. When he glanced at her and grinned, she realised which. Jason didn’t care.

“One of Casanova’s women. Our pilot here has left a trail of broken hearts behind him.”

She ignored the stabbing pain that announcement gave her and lifted her glass before drinking her water. “I see, so Ashley is one of the many.” She nodded as if it all made sense. It did. Giovanni Cassano was a sexual man, with an appetite she would classify as insatiable.

His gaze slashed to her face, eyes almost hidden by thick, curved lashes. Eyes that seemed to glint gold in the light. He nudged her foot with his but she glanced over to Jason, whose eyes flickered between herself and Gio.

“Watch it, Lizard,” Gio said in a low growl.

“What? Dusti here is one of the squad.” He shrugged and nudged her. “Do we need to censor what we say around you?”

She shook her head. “Of course not,” she replied, reaching for her wallet. “I am honoured to be included. However, I must be going now. Thank you, Gio, for inviting me.”

“You haven’t had dessert yet,” he said, reclining in the booth. She recognised the look on his face—a challenge.

One she would love to take but she couldn’t. Not today. Pulling out some bills, she set them down beside her plate.

“Not a big fan of dessert. If you will excuse me.”

Gio wasn’t as nice. “Move, Tinman.” When the man did, he got to his feet. “I’ll walk you out.”

“Y’all didn’t come together?” Jason asked as he got up.

She grabbed her bag and stood. “Would it not be awkward if we had, and you want him to go get another woman?” At his look of discomfort, she grinned. “It was a joke.”

He smiled and she could see his handsomeness even clearer. “You and I will get along just fine, Dusti.”

She flashed him a grateful smile. “Glad to hear it.” Reaching back across the booth, she snagged her helmet. She could use all the allies she could get.

Jason’s eyes widened and he clasped his heart. “Oh hell, you even ride a motorcycle. Marry me.”

She laughed and shook her head, noting how the scowl on Gio’s face deepened. “I hope you gentlemen have a great time. I will see you in ninety-six.”

Walking away, she inhaled sharply as the scent of Gio filled her nose. With a wave to the greeter, she reached for the door only to have Gio’s arm snake around her and beat her to it. It felt like he sniffed her neck.

“Thank you,” she said, striding to her bike, stowing the bag, and straddling the seat.

“Jaydee,” he murmured, one hand stretching towards her face.

“I believe Ashley is waiting for you.” She gathered her hair up and put on her helmet, followed by the vest. “Goodnight, Gio.” Down came the visor and she drove away before she begged him to come home with her, instead of that Ashley bitch.

Probably some cute little nothing with big tits and no personality or IQ.
She snarled and waited for a break in the traffic to leave the parking lot. As she got on the street, she noticed him standing in the same spot.

This is going to be a long assignment.
Even with him just standing there, she craved him.
Damn you, Gio!

Chapter Four

She’d driven away. Just like that. Slid one lean, toned leg over her sleek machine and left him so he could go to another woman. That was not how it was supposed to work. Jaydee was supposed to demand he not go, tell him to come with her. That he was hers.

A thought that froze him. He shook his head with a disgusted grunt.
What the hell am I thinking? Who cares what Lieutenant Commander Jaydee ‘Dusti’ Amos thinks?

He entered the diner and made his way back to the booth. With nothing more than a look to get Tinman to move, he slid into an empty side while the other two shared.

Tinman’s expression was only slightly less amused than Lizard’s. The trio of men said nothing for a short while until the waitress came back over. Her hair, the colour of claret, offset her pale skin. She smiled at him and reached over to take Jaydee’s empty plate.

“Is your friend coming back?” she asked. “And can I get you men anything else?”

While the question may have been directed at all of them, her bottle-green eyes never left him. They overflowed with blatant invitation. One that, in the past, he would have had no problems accepting. And his friends knew it.