Casanova In Training by Aliyah Burke Page A

trailed her. Four planes around the still burning and damaged one. One of her exhaust ducts still had flames streaming out. Even the heavy rains couldn’t douse them.
    It was another nail-biting moment for him as he watched her be led in by Puck to get lined up for her landing. At the last moment, Puck gave power and flew away, leaving Jaydee with a free and clear shot. There were flashing lights from emergency ground crews but she landed the plane with very little jarring. Hell, she probably did better than he had. After everyone had landed safely, he climbed down and they dashed through the continuing downpour to the building.
    He needed to see her for himself. Needed to ensure she was truly all right. He found the rest of the group hanging out near their CO’s office.
    “She in there?” he asked, astonished his voice didn’t tremble, like he still seemed to be doing on the inside.
    “Yes. Her and Keel,” Puck said, her hair dripping on her flight suit. “I…wow…I just never—”
    “Me either,” he said, cutting her off. His knees were a bit shaky, and, with more calm than he felt, he made his way over to a chair and sat in it. It was either that or collapse on the floor.
    The door opened and Keel emerged from the office. The man looked a bit rattled but there was a smile on his face. Gio got up and joined the conversation surrounding him, all the while keeping his gaze on the door, waiting for the moment when Jaydee would join them.
    When she finally exited the office, his heart caught in his throat. Lord knew all he wanted to do was gather her close and hold her. There was relief on her face and, although it appeared none of the others seemed to pick up on it, he could see the strain in her expression. However, just like everyone else, he offered his congratulations.
    They made their way to the locker room and his gaze lingered on her as she, Puck and Tessler headed into the women’s side. He showered quickly and kept his chatter with the others brief. Leaning against the wall in the hallway, he straightened when she walked out, bag over one shoulder, and helmet in a gloved hand. Her gaze neither moved to the left nor to the right. In fact, she strode right by him without seeming to notice he was there.
    He wanted to follow her outside but his name was called by another and, with a frustrated groan, he ignored the desire to go after her. Once he’d finished talking to Tinman, he made his way back to the door and pushed outside. Her bike was gone.

Chapter Six
     
     
     
    Jaydee sank to the floor of her shower and drew her knees up tight to her chest as the hot water fell around her. She wrapped her arms around them and rested her head against her legs. Her entire body shook—she’d managed to hold herself together through not only the incident but also the talk with Captain Fentress and her fellow pilots. All she’d wanted to do was come home and allow the cracks in her composure to splinter, then to rebuild them again.
    Her hair plastered to her head as she sat there. She lost track of time as she waited for the chills to stop. The sobs arrived before the shivers stopped, but she didn’t move. Only when the water began to cool did she push to her feet. Her limbs shook as she stepped free of the shower and reached for the towel. Her movements were stiff and slow as she dried off. She left the room and walked through the dark of her apartment, her old comfortable robe tied about her waist.
    Touching one of her flameless luminaries to turn it on, she used the gentle and flickering light to fill her teapot. As it heated, she gathered the items needed to fix her tea. The familiar motions helped to soothe her wayward nerves. Her hands still shook as she filled the infuser with three tablespoons of her loose-leaf tea. A blend of pure Chinese white tea, jasmine pearls, and rosebuds, it never failed to help her to find calmness and serenity. One of the men she had worked with at the lab had introduced her to