Casanova In Training (26 page)

“I’m senior to him. I became lieutenant commander three days prior to his promotion. So this is on me. Not him.”

Wait, she was protecting him?

“You conniving… Fine, but it’s still my call about kicking him out of the programme so I—”

“Will not be doing it,” Jaydee interrupted.

“You have no say!”

“Let me put it to you like this. This man stays, his record remains as it is now. No letter of reprimand and he is up for promotions when the time comes.”

“Jaydee, you can’t do this,” he said, stepping up beside her and gripping one arm.

“What gives you the right to think you have any power here?” Hardy sneered.

“I don’t think it, I know it. And this will happen, because, despite your desire to have him gone, you don’t want to tell
my
superiors you lost me.”

Silence descended like an ominous cloud. Tension ran high as if just waiting for the first break.

“What?” Thomas said, a sentiment echoed by him and the other two in the room.

“This is how it is going to work, or I walk now and I will never work for anything government-related again.”

Gio didn’t believe what was unfolding before him. His by-the-book, sexy-as-hell woman was actually threatening a brigadier general.

“You wouldn’t dare.” Thomas didn’t look very confident, however.

He repositioned so he could see Jaydee’s face. As he stared at her, one elegant brow rose. Her face a cool mask of disdain. The same look she’d levelled at him when she’d told him not to measure his cock to hers, for he’d come up short. Now that icy contempt was all for Brigadier General Hardy Thomas.

“I don’t lie. And I don’t make idle threats.” A careless lift of one shoulder. “I don’t make threats, period.”

“You’re defending a man who’s slept with so many women? Why would you protect him when you’re nothing but another notch on his belt?”

“A fact which has no bearing on this. He is the best pilot, and for the benefit of the programme—or combat unit—he stays.” She shrugged. “It’s the logical decision.”

“I just brought in Colonel Hirsch.”

“A good pilot, but not up to the same calibre as Commander Cassano.”

Gio smiled at her praise.

“You will not get away with this, you little—”

“Funny thing about my memory, Brigadier General Thomas, is I remember.
Everything.
Including our very first meeting.”

Thomas’ face paled a bit at her statement. “Fine. Get out of my sight.”

Jaydee nodded. “Sirs.” She glanced at him ever so briefly as she pivoted around, but never spoke. He tracked her progress to the door where she paused and peered over one shoulder. “I’ll be keeping track of his career, General.”

“Why do you care?” Thomas snapped.

Her gaze flickered over him with zero interest in it. “I don’t. He shouldn’t, however, be forced to pay for my mistake.”

With those enunciated words, Jaydee left and crushed her stiletto heel into his heart. He stood there staring at the door she’d vanished through when a hand on his arm startled him. Admiral Griffin.

“Come on, son.”

They left Admiral Fitzroy with Thomas, still shouting at one another. Not going far, Griffin speared him with a stare.

“I don’t know what happened there but you had better thank that woman for saving your ass. She just pulled your six out from in front of the firing squad.”

He had every intention of doing so. Right after he yelled at her for doing it.

“So what happens now?”

“You get ready for tomorrow. I hear the competition between you and Hirsch starts bright and early.”

“That’s it?”

“Dr Amos made sure of that. She’s an amazing woman.”

Gio stared at the man who had been both mentor and father figure to him. “I know.”

Griffin’s gaze was sombre. “Does she know you love her?”

Love. “She’s about to,” he avowed. “She’s about to.”

* * * *

Jaydee sat in the window seat, her cheek pressed to the glass, watching the rain slide down in rivulets. For the first time in her life she was torn. She didn’t have a problem with what she’d done to save Gio’s career. That wasn’t it.

She found herself conflicted about her own future. The familiar aroma of her tea dragged her eyes from the window and she saw Lexy standing there.

“Drink up, hon.” Jaydee’s friend sat down by her feet. Lexy placed a hand on her knee. “Do you need me to stay?”

She sipped her tea before compiling an answer. “No, I’m okay. Besides, you have that conference to attend.”

“There are always conferences happening, I can go to the next one. Not to mention, Eugene and Hector will be there.”

Lexy and her two older brothers co-owned a veterinary practice. She handled small animals, Eugene handled exotics, while Hector took care of the large animal portion of the clinic.

“If you say so.”

“I’ll stay for just a bit longer.”

She smiled her gratitude. Lexy wore sweats, no shoes, and a T-shirt, showing Jaydee the softer side of her personality. After navigating some boxes, Lexy returned with another cup of tea.

“It’ll feel odd to be back home,” Jaydee blurted out. Lexy’s look encouraged her to continue. “It’s never been an issue for me before. There’s no logical explanation why it’s happening now.”

“Sure there is.” Lexy crossed her legs and leaned against the wall. “Commander Cassano.”

Her traitorous pulse kicked up a few notches at the mere mention of his name. With a determined shake of her head, she said, “I did what I did for the good of the programme.”

An amused grin flitted across Lexy’s dark features. “Right. You defended him only to turn around and work nights when he wasn’t there. Followed that by preparing plans of leaving without a word.”

“So you’re telling me my feelings are because of him.”

“I’m not telling you anything, hon. I’m merely questioning your endless choices, which seem to increase the gap between you and this man—whom, according to you, you have no feelings for.” A sardonic smirk. “Or so you claim.”

“I’m going to see him tomorrow, Lexy. After they’re done for the day.”

Lexy nodded her approval.

Since her staunch defence of him six days ago, she’d not allowed herself to be near him. He’d come by her apartment a few times, pounding on the door, but she’d never answered. It hurt her but she was leaving and, as she’d shown, she had little to no restraint when it came to Gio. But he’d left a few things and she would return them. Tomorrow. Tonight she’d watch the rain and read before she headed in for her last night of work.

Ivan met her at the entrance to their building and said, “Come on, let me give you a ride.”

They dashed through the rain to climb into his older Toyota 4Runner. “Thanks.”

“My pleasure.”

On the ride in, they chatted amicably about work. Out of habit, she scanned the lot for Gio’s car.

“He’s already gone,” Ivan supplied.

She couldn’t quite determine if her sigh was one of relief or regret. Either way, she would ignore it.

The night passed quickly with the final handing over of the reins to Ivan. At least her father had left before the news of her scandalous behaviour had come to light. Many people still gave her odd looks. Some envious, some jealous, and some downright confused.

After work, Ivan took her out for breakfast. As she nibbled on her toast, he put his fork down and stared at her.

“What?” she asked after a few moments had passed with his gaze unwavering.

“Marry me.”

She slowly set her toast down on the edge of her plate. Perhaps she’d misheard. As she stared into those pale blue eyes of Ivan’s, she realised she’d not. She didn’t laugh or attempt to make a joke of his statement. What she did do was consider his offer.

It could work, she discerned. Ivan was a good man. Smart, handsome, and he had genuine affection for her. They were compatible, for lack of a better word. Sex would always be pleasant and he already had been acquainted with most of her quirks—as others referred to them.

Yet, as she sat there and stared into his blue eyes, she couldn’t help but notice there existed no heat. No passion that seemed all-consuming. As it had in a pair of hazel eyes when Gio had watched her.

The tip of her tongue slipped out and skimmed her lips. “Ivan, I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t have to say anything right now. We’d make a good couple, Jaydee. Our children would be brilliant.”

Children. She resisted the urge to press her hand along her abdomen. The last time she had been with Gio, in the B-2, there’d been no use of protection. Could there be a possible child from that union? An unsettled flip in her stomach disturbed her. She wasn’t ready to be a mother. In the realm of maternal instincts, she had none.

“Just think on it, Jaydee. Really, think about it and let me know. It doesn’t matter where we end up.” He reached across the table and captured her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Think about it, okay?”

She released his hand and nodded. “I will.”

After they’d finished eating and had gone back to their apartment building, she gave him a hug.

“I’ll miss you, Ivan,” she murmured.

“And I you, Jaydee. Let me know what you decide.”

She nodded and headed inside. The place bustled with activity as the other residents prepared to head out for their day. She called out her farewells and made her way finally to the elevator and to the second floor.

Mrs Atag, her landlady, stood there, hands on her ample hips. She smiled when their eyes met.

“Good morning, Mrs Atag.”

“Morning, dearie.”

“I could have come by.”

“Nonsense. I was down here anyway. Shall we?”

With a nod, she opened the door and they stepped inside.

* * * *

That afternoon, when Jaydee left, she headed down to where her motorcycle sat. She would meet Lexy later on but, for right now, she had something to deliver.

On her bike, she gathered up her hair and slid the helmet on. Assured that her bag would sit right on her back, she started the engine and drove away. She took her time, not pushing hard.

The late afternoon was nice and relatively cool. Still, heat seemed to singe her body the closer she drew to her destination. Before the turn to his street, she paused and almost ran.

Almost. Girding herself, she gave it some gas and slowly went around the corner of his street and drove until his house appeared. His car sat in the drive and she pulled in before parking at an angle behind it.

She removed her helmet and raked her fingers through her unbound hair. Another sigh and she swung off, set her helmet on the seat, and walked up towards his front door. Once there, she knocked.

The door opened and she lost her breath. Gio stood there, his eyes a bit red, and she knew she’d just woken him. He had on a pair of jeans that hung low around his hips. They were zipped but not buttoned. That was all he wore. His hair had been recently cut—it was shorter than it had been the last time she’d seen him. And his jaw sat covered in shadowed growth, adding to his sexual allure.

He blinked a few times, almost as if unsure he saw her. “Jaydee?”

“I’m sorry to wake you, Gio.” She removed her pack and opened it. “I have some things to return to you.”

He reached for her but she stepped back, well aware of what would happen if she allowed him to touch her. All her clothing would be gone in barely any time and he would be deep inside her. Her skin burned at the temptation, her pulse quickened, and her body prepared.

Anger flashed in his hazel gaze, darkening it, but he didn’t pursue her. “Come inside.”

After a quick glance at her watch, she offered him a small nod. He retreated and she followed him into his home, doing her best to ignore the masculine scent that surrounded him. They’d had a long day—she knew the pilots had come in around two and had been running drills. “I won’t take up much of your time, I just wanted to give these back to you.”

He didn’t speak, just stared at her with raw hunger in his eyes. She couldn’t deny wanting him. Especially not standing here staring at his near-naked state. He crossed strong arms over that cut chest and waited for her to say something.

Ducking her head, she dug through the bag and withdrew the items he’d left over at her place. She held them out for him and he just stared at her. She worried her lower lip before placing the things on the straight-backed chair by the door.

There were so many things she wanted to say but she couldn’t bring any of them up past her lips. She tried for a smile and failed. “I…I should get going.”

He caught her before she could reach the door handle. His callused fingertips sent shock waves through her system and her knees trembled in remembrance. Remembrance of what he did to her and with her.

“Jaydee,” he said. The word, gravelled and rough, dragged along her skin, setting up goose bumps in its wake.

Ding-dong.

She glanced back at him, licking her lips. His gaze narrowed on the door as he shoved his free hand through his short, buzzed hair. She read his command in the look he gave her before releasing her and stepping around her to open the door.

“Giovanni!” the feminine cry reached her as he swung the door wide.

“Michelle.” There was definite recognition in his tone. As well as affection.

From where she stood, she could see the thin pale arms of this Michelle person wrap around his tanned body. Jaydee closed her eyes and reined in that unpleasant feeling of jealousy which that threatened to run roughshod over her. She’d had her chance with him. And she’d made her decision.

Gio carried her back and set her down once they were fully in the room. The woman drew away and glanced over to where she stood. A flash of warning lit her green eyes as they stared at one another.

“I didn’t know you had company, Giovanni,” Michelle said in a low voice. Her fingers stroked familiarly along his arm.

“Don’t mind me,” Jaydee said. “I was just on my way out.”

She stepped to the door and over the threshold only to pause and look back. Nothing in her life could have prepared her for the spear of hurt that jabbed her at what she saw. Gio stood there, one arm around Michelle, who had her hand resting familiarly against his chest, and a proprietary glint in her eyes.