Page 34 of Power Pucking Play

"In your dreams, Brookes."

The waiter arrives, and we order. As he walks away, Lexi takes another sip of her wine. "So..."

"So?"

"You're really not going to tell me your angle here, De Luca?"

I lean back, spreading my arms. "No angle. Just thought you might want the real story instead of whatever gossip you've been digging up."

"The real story? What, are you secretly a rocket scientist by day, and a hockey player by night?"

"Nah, that's on Tuesdays. Mondays, I fight crime in a cape."

She rolls her eyes, but I catch the hint of a smile. "Seriously, Gio. Why the sudden openness?"

I shrug, trying to play it cool. "Maybe I'm tired of being the bad guy in my own highlight reel."

"Aw, you want me to paint you as a misunderstood hero? Should I bring a violin for the background music?"

"Hey, if the skate fits. But nah, just...the truth. No spin, no BS." I take a sip of my water, trying not to let the nerves show. "You've always been good at getting to the bottom of things. Figured it was about time someone told you the whole story. Think you can handle that, ace reporter?"

For the first time tonight, Lexi looks as if she believes me. Those stunning hazel eyes narrow in concentration, and for a second, I swear she's trying to see past the mask. "I suppose I can give it a shot," she says slowly.

"Good." I nod, raising a hand to signal the waiter for another round. "Then I say fuck it. Let's start from the beginning..."

Chapter 12

Lexi

I've interviewed CEOs, rock stars, and once, a guy who claimed he could communicate with houseplants. But nothing could have prepared me for dinner with Giovanni De Luca.

As we stroll through the misty Seattle night, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the man walking beside me. Where's the arrogant hothead I've been writing about for years? Where’s the player who's caused scandal after scandal?

This Gio is...different. Vulnerable, even.

"Earth to Brookes," Gio's voice cuts through my thoughts. "You still with me, or did I bore you into a coma back in the restaurant?"

I roll my eyes, but that flash of annoyance doesn't find me as usual. "Please. It'd take more than your life story to knock me out. Though I gotta say, I'm surprised you didn't charge me by the word."

He clutches his chest. "Damn. And here I thought we were bonding."

"Bonding? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?"

Gio chuckles, and the sound does something weird to my insides. Must be the creamy pasta.

"It's not every day I open up to a journalist," he admits, and there's a hint of vulnerability in his voice that makes me feel...something.

"Oh, so I should consider myself special?"

"Definitely." Gio flashes a grin that sets my heart racing for reasons unknown. It doesn't make sense. This man is the epitome of everything I shouldn't want. And yet...

"All right, ace reporter," he says, nudging my shoulder. "I've bared my soul. Your turn."

I snort. "What, you want my origin story now? Hate to break it to you, but there's not a whole lot to tell."

"Come on, Brookes. Quid pro quo. I showed you mine..."

"Fine." I gaze up at the Seattle evening sky as our footsteps take us down a surprisingly quiet street. "What do you want to know?"

---