Page 48 of Power Pucking Play

I sigh, sinking deeper into my couch. "It's nothing. Just...work stuff. You wouldn't understand."

"Try me," he says, his voice softer now. "Contrary to popular belief, I do have a brain under all this hair gel."

Despite myself, I laugh. "That's debatable. Look, it's complicated, okay? Maybe it's better if we just..."

"If we just what? Pretend this isn't happening? Go back to being adversaries?"

The hurt in his voice is like a knife to my gut. "Gio, that's not what I meant..."

"I know," he says, and I can practically hear him running a hand through his hair. "Look, I've got an idea. Why don't you let me pick you up? I know a place where we can talk. No cameras. No team. No distractions. Just us."

I should say no. I should stick to my plan and cancel. But the thought of seeing Gio, of being alone with him...

"Okay," I hear myself say. "But this better not be some ploy to get me alone and charm your way out of tough questions."

He chuckles, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "That's my backup plan, Brookes. See you in twenty."

As I hang up, I can't shake the feeling that I'm making a huge mistake. But then again, when it comes to Gio De Luca, when have I ever made smart choices?

True to his word, Gio shows up twenty minutes later in that sleek black car of his that screams, “I have more money than sense”. But I can't deny that it looks good on him.

He steps out, dressed in a black collared shirt and slacks. It matches the black dress I hastily threw on before leaving my apartment.We must look like a couple, I think with a pang of guilt.

"See something you like?" he teases as I approach the car.

I try to suppress the flutter in my stomach at his proximity. "Don't flatter yourself."

"Your chariot awaits, m'lady," he grins, holding the door open for me.

"Laying it on a bit thick, aren't we, De Luca?"

He shrugs, sliding in next to me. "What can I say? You bring out the cheesy romantic in me."

As we drive through the city, I try to focus on the questions I've prepared. The hard-hitting, no-nonsense queries that will get me the story I need.

But all I can think about is how good Gio smells. I am such a sucker for a fresh men's cologne. I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. This is not a date. This is strictly business.

"So, where exactly are we going?" I ask, desperate for a distraction.

Gio grins, that infuriatingly charming grin that makes my heart do backflips. "It's a surprise. Don't worry. I promise I'm not kidnapping you. Well, not unless you ask nicely."

"I'm not worried. I own pepper spray."

"Glad to know you're well-equipped for any situation," he chuckles.

We pull up to a private marina, the water glittering in the moonlight. The early April air is still chilly, but Gio offers me his jacket from the back seat. I try not to blush as I slip it on, enjoying the warmth and faint scent of his cologne.

Gio leads me down the dock to a beautiful yacht, lit up with soft lights, that I'm sure costs more than my entire life savings. He holds my hand as we step on board, the smoothness of his skin sending a shiver down my spine.

"Wow," I whisper, taking in the opulent interior of the yacht. "This is...unexpected."

"Impressed?" he asks, helping me aboard.

"It's all right." I shrug. "If you're into that whole 'obscenely wealthy' vibe."

"I wanted to impress you," he admits with a sheepish grin. "And maybe show off just a little bit."

I let a smile curl on my face. "Well, you've definitely succeeded."

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