Casanova In Training (31 page)

He rolled towards her, pressing her to him. “Where are you going?”

“I need to get up.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten since my early lunch.”

He brushed a kiss along her lips. The clock read eight, so he knew she must really be hungry. “Let’s go to dinner.”

She stared at him. He could see her assessing him. He held her gaze, allowing her to find whatever she sought.

After a bit, she blinked. “I don’t need to go out, I have food here.”

“Let me take you out.”

“I don’t have a car.”

“I saw the bike. Is it yours? Did you sell your Ninja?”

He stroked her bare skin, unable to refrain from touching her. She didn’t pull back. In fact, she placed a hand on his chest and caressed him. He’d learned Jaydee was very tactile with him. Something he didn’t mind at all.

“It belongs to Eugene.”

“Who’s Eugene?” he asked as politely as he could.

“One of Lexy’s brothers.”

He recalled the two large men who’d been with the women that night at the bar. A grunt left him—he didn’t trust himself to speak just yet. Jaydee wasn’t even looking at him—her focus was on the abstract pattern she was drawing on his chest.

“A good friend?” He winced after the question had slipped free. Could he sound any more pathetic? Whining about people she knew?

She shrugged. “I suppose. I’ve known him as long as I have Lexy. They’ve always been nice to me.”

“But you don’t consider him and his brother good friends?”

Jaydee tipped her head so their gazes could meet. “I consider Lexy and Ivan good friends. Eugene is Lexy’s brother. He’s sort of like mine as well.”

It gnawed at his gut to hear her say such a thing about Ivan but he nodded. There were times he forgot that Jaydee saw things differently from most people. But there was one thing he couldn’t ignore.

“You need to take the test, Jaydee.”

Reality. Jaydee stiffened slightly in Gio’s arms as he reiterated what she’d been trying to get up the courage to do. Hell, she’d taken the first step in actually purchasing the item. But that was as far as she’d got. Part of her wanted to fight with him about this, yet she kept her argument to herself. She wasn’t a fool and knew if it turned out that she
was
pregnant, then she needed to be seeing a doctor to ensure the best for the baby.

His callused fingers gripped her chin and held her there. “Don’t ignore me, Jaydee.”

“I’m not.”

“Then you’ll take the test.” She didn’t think he’d made it a question.

Dread welled up inside her all over again. A baby? Was she ready? The logical part of her brain told her there was no point in freaking out until all the facts were in evidence. That was what she latched on to and held close.

“Fine.”

Gio nodded and released her. She watched him roll away and vacate the bed. His expression was serious and, if she dared think on it a lot, possibly a bit nervous. There was nothing left to keep her from peeing on the stick and finding out what her future held. She reached for the robe she kept at the foot of her bed and slipped it on before she stood.

Her hands shook slightly as she tied the knot and picked up her scattered clothing from earlier. On silent feet, she made her way to the bedroom door only to pause when he called her name.

“What?”

She faced him and noticed he held the rectangular box out towards her. Another clench of her stomach muscles and she reached for it. She could read his need to say something in his expression, but she didn’t think she could handle it, so she pivoted and left.

She closed the bathroom door and almost locked it behind her. Shaking, she rested her hands on the counter supporting the sink. She stood up tall after several deep breaths later and stared at her reflection.

“Just do it,” she told herself.

She took an expedited shower and dressed in her clothing, ignoring her bladder. She put her hair up in a ponytail, picked up the box, and stared at it. This was it. All she had to do was pee on the stick and wait three minutes for the results to show in the little window. Easy. Right?

Apparently not, since she continued to stand there and stare at it. Hell, she hadn’t even opened the box yet. Setting it back down, she whirled for the door and opened it to find Gio leaning in the doorway to her bedroom, watching the bathroom.

“Well?” he asked, one brow lifted towards the top of his head.

She swallowed. “It says it’s best to do it in the morning.” One hand waved. “You know, first thing and all that.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Then let’s go to dinner.”

That was it? He wasn’t going to argue with her? He raked his gaze up and down her before pushing away and striding towards her. Her breath caught as she watched him move. Predatory. Powerful. He’d dressed in his jeans and T-shirt, no socks or shoes on but it in no way detracted from the image he presented.

“You thought I was going to argue.” Another statement.

“Yes.”

“If they say morning is the best, then morning it will be. Come on, we need to get some food in you.”

Not much later, they were out by the bike, fully dressed, and she took the helmet he handed her and buckled it on under her chin. Eugene had the turtleshell-style head protection. She sat on the seat and looked up at the man standing beside her, fastening his own helmet.

Without a word, she slid back so he could drive. He straddled the sleek black machine and she wrapped her arms around him, balancing her feet on the bike. Eyes closed, she allowed the masculine scent of Gio to flow over her. The motorcycle started with an easy rumble and she opened her eyes as he got them on the road.

Soon, they were out on the interstate, the warm wind blowing over her as they wove in and out of the traffic. Gio handled the bike like a pro and she found herself enjoying the ride. The throb of the powerful machine beneath her, Gio’s hard body before her, heck, what else could a woman want?

He drove for a while until he eventually pulled off on an exit and took them to a restaurant. After he parked, she released him and removed the helmet before swinging a leg over as she dismounted.

Gio didn’t say anything, just held his helmet in one hand as his other splayed along the small of her back while he guided her to the door. They were seated at a cosy booth in the back of the establishment. The sounds of classic rock filtered around them. She’d never been here before but, if the smells, which made her tummy rumble, were any indication of how the food was, she would be in good hands.

A chipper waitress came over to take their drink orders. After she’d left, Gio reached over the table and captured her hand in his. Instinctively, she began to pull back only to have him tighten his hold and shake his head slightly.

“Let me hold your hand, Jaydee.”

She felt a bit out of her element here. Public displays of affection were uncommon to her, aside from a Lexy hug. But she couldn’t deny it was extremely nice touching him. She’d spent numerous hours just allowing her fingers to explore his body—granted all of that was in private…but still. So, she relaxed and was rewarded with a warm smile.

They kept the chatter light and neutral as they ate their meals. She was right, the food was excellent. Gio waved off her refusal of dessert and ordered a piece of seven-layer chocolate cake for the two of them. It came with a coffee for him and hot water with lemon for her.

“Here.” Gio offered her a bite as she stirred the lemon into the steaming mug of water.

She shook her head in polite refusal. Gio sighed and scooted around the table to settle beside her on the brown vinyl booth seat.

“Open for me, Jaydee,” he whispered seductively.

He held a forkful of the cake before her mouth. Staring into his hazel eyes, she did as he’d ordered. A deep-throated groan slid from her as the cake melted against her tongue. Oh dear Lord that was good.

“Oh my,” she murmured after swallowing the bite. The cake had felt like silk in her mouth, smooth, satiny, and oh so moist.

Gio’s eyes darkened before he slanted his mouth over hers and kissed her until her toes curled. “You said it,” he stated. “That is some damn good cake. Chocolate tastes good from your lips, sweets.”

He offered her another piece and she shook her head, this time holding up the mug of tea in an attempt to dissuade him from feeding it to her. She watched him eat it and smile in contentment.

“Why don’t you eat dessert?” he asked, reaching across the table for his coffee and indulging in some.

“It wasn’t anything I had growing up. And I don’t eat a lot of sugar anyway. I prefer fresh fruit.” She gave a wry smile. “But that…that is some damn good cake.”

“And that’s why you drink water all the time as well?”

“I drink tea, too,” she mumbled a bit defensively.

His smile was accompanied by another forkful of cake poised at her lips. Automatically she opened and he slid in the bite.

“I know you do. Loose tea.”

She ducked her head and swallowed. That was how dessert went. He alternated forkfuls between them both. His large body remained on her side and one powerful thigh pressed intimately along hers. He asked her questions in between his forkfuls. They ate slowly, not in any rush to leave.

He slipped his credit card in the bill before she could say anything and, while they waited for the waitress to return for his signature, he laid an arm along the back of the seat and stared down at her. With his free hand, he caressed the side of her face.

“I love you, Jaydee,” he said.

That familiar bout of panic erupted in her and she shook her head. His gaze narrowed and she picked up on the tic in his jaw.

“Why does it bother you so much to hear me say that?”

“Can we talk about this later?”

He glanced around and shook his head. “No one is paying us any attention.”

Just then, the waitress reappeared and set down the black folder. “Have a nice night, y’all.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” he replied. The moment she’d walked off, he put his attention totally back upon her. “Now, answer me.”

She worried her lower lip as he opened the folder, signed, and returned his focus to her. “I don’t want you to feel obligated to say such a thing to me. And…it scares me to hear.” The admission took a lot from her but she refused to back down.

“One,” he said in a low timbre, “you should never think I’m obligated. And two, why does it scare you to hear me say I love you?”

His deep voice gave her goose bumps. He created such immense feelings within her. “I could grow used to hearing it and when you leave…” She trailed off, unable to actually finish the statement.

He swiped his thumb along her lower lip. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

Gio slid from the booth and held out his hand to her. She hesitated before she accepted his assistance, feeling this somehow was an offer for more than just help getting out of the booth. Like it symbolised something about their future. Could she take his help? Better question, would she?

With a deep breath, she placed her hand in his. He drew her smoothly to her feet and helped her on with the leather jacket she wore. Then they headed for the exit holding hands.

She held him tight around the waist on the ride back to her place. Gio made love to her and they eventually fell asleep, naked bodies entangled. When she woke, she was alone. The heavy curtains had been opened and the sunlight streamed in through the sheers, bathing the room in morning’s light. The bedroom door sat partially propped open and she could hear him singing off-key.

She swung her feet to the floor, then grabbed her robe, tied it, and padded up the hallway to the main part of her apartment. Gio stood in the kitchen dicing up fruit, clad in loose dark blue jeans and a grey sleeveless T-shirt. She could see his hair was a bit damp and she knew he’d showered.

“Mornin’, sweets.” He lifted his head and pinned her with that hazel gaze that never failed to make her belly clench with desire and need. “Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes. Did you take the test?”

Test. Test. Test. Cripes, did he sleep only to wake and immediately think about the test? It wasn’t as if a positive reading would change his life any.
Don’t be like that,
she reprimanded herself. His would change as well. Just not to the same extent as hers would.

Again with the downer attitude. Hell, she didn’t even know if she was or not. She didn’t feel any different. Perhaps she was just a bit late. He cleared his throat and she silently shook her head, pivoted around, and made her way back to the bedroom where she grabbed some clothes for the day.

She showered quickly, lotioned her body, and dressed in lounge pants and an old, comfy T-shirt. Then she brushed her teeth and put her hair up so it would be off her neck. Today was working at home day, no need to get overly dressed up. At the very last moment, she did what she had to and left the test to sit on the toilet tank before escaping to the front after washing her hands.

Gio never asked and she figured her expression gave enough away that he knew she’d gone through with it and actually peed on the stick. All he did was glance at his watch, briefly, and wave her towards the table.

She sat and he brought her a bowl of fruit and yogurt. “Eat.”

After picking up the spoon, she stared down at the grape, apple, and banana mixture that was covered by plain yogurt. “Thank you.” She continued counting down the one hundred-eighty seconds until she could go discover how altered her life would be.

Gio occupied a chair across from her. He had a bowl as well and two plates, each with half a bagel covered in cream cheese on it. He had just slid one plate over to her side when the doorbell rang.

She frowned. There shouldn’t be anyone coming to visit her. Lexy would just walk right on in, so it couldn’t be her. Setting her spoon down in the bowl, she got to her feet.

“Excuse me.” At the door, she drew it open. “Yes?” she asked only to freeze. Time seemed to slow to a crawl. Everything moved in über-slow motion.

Words wouldn’t come. Some things didn’t matter in situations like this. Yes, it had been some time, but, in recognising the woman who’d been oh so eager to get rid of her, time didn’t matter. She’d not seen her in person since she was seven, and only a photograph until the age of ten. It didn’t matter, none of it did. Jaydee knew the woman standing before her just as sure as she knew her own name.