Page 49 of Power Pucking Play

He laughs, the sound echoing across the water. "Come on, let me give you a tour."

As Gio shows me around the yacht, I can't help but feel like I'm in some sort of dream. This is so far from my usual Friday night routine of binge-watching Netflix and eating takeout. And yet, here I am, dressed to the nines and being shown around a luxury yacht by a ridiculously attractive man.

I have to remind myself that this is not a date. Not even close. We are merely two colleagues working on a story together.

But as Gio pours us glasses of champagne and we sit on the deck under the stars, talking about everything and nothing at all, it's hard to ignore the fluttering in my chest.

We clink glasses and take sips, enjoying the bubbles and view of the Chicago skyline before I finally turn to face him, suddenly serious. "Look, I appreciate the 'Indecent Proposal' vibes and all, but I have to ask, why are we really here, Gio?"

His smile softens. "I told you. I wanted us to have a chance to talk. Really talk. No distractions, no personas. Just...us. Like it was in Seattle."

And just like that, all my carefully prepared questions fly out the window. Because the way Gio's looking at me right now? It's making it really hard to remember why I'm supposed to be grilling him about his on-ice behavior.

We settle on the deck, a bottle of wine between us. The city lights twinkle in the distance, and for a moment, it feels like we're the only two people in the world.

"So," Gio says, filling my glass. "What's really going on, Lex? And don't give me that 'it's complicated' BS. I'm a big boy. I can handle it."

This is it. My chance to come clean about the pressure from my boss.

But as I open my mouth, the words stick in my throat.

"I just...I'm worried about the article," I say instead. It's not a lie, not really. Just not the whole truth. "What if I can't do you justice? What if I screw this up?"

Gio's quiet for a moment, swirling the wine in his glass. Then he looks up at me, his green eyes intense in the moonlight.

"Lexi, do you know why I agreed to this feature?"

I shake my head, not trusting myself to speak.

"Because it was you," he says simply. "Because even when you were tearing me apart in your articles, I could see how passionate you were, and how much you cared about getting to the truth. And I thought, if anyone's going to tell my story, I want it to be you."

My heart feels like it's going to beat out of my chest. "Gio, I..."

He sets down his glass, moving closer. "I trust you, Lex. More than I've trusted anyone in a long time. And I...I think I'm falling for you."

And just like that, all my reservations, all my fears, they just...melt away. Because Gio De Luca is looking at me like I'm the only thing in the world that matters, and suddenly, nothing else seems important.

Not the pressure from my boss, not the threat of losing my job.

Because Gio is all that matters, and I want to do him justice. In every sense of the word.

I don't know who moves first, but suddenly we're kissing. It's not like our previous kisses, fueled by tension and uncertainty.

This is slow, deep, full of promise. I run my hands through his hair, pulling him closer, wanting to be as close to him as possible. And he responds with equal fervor, his hands roaming over my body like he's memorizing every inch.

We break apart for air, foreheads pressed together as we both try to catch our breath.

"I want you," Gio whispers, and it's all the permission I need.

All I care about is this man in front of me who has revealed himself to be so much more than just a charming hothead. He's passionate and driven, and he makes me feel alive.

I take his hand and lead him inside the yacht. My raised eyebrows ask for the location of the bedroom without saying a word.

Gio grins, understanding my silent message. He takes my hand and leads me down the narrow hallway, past a few closed doors until we reach the end.

He pushes open the door to reveal a spacious bedroom, complete with a large bed covered in luxurious white linens.

I barely have a chance to take in the darkened, moonlit room before Gio's lips are on mine again, his hands already settling on my hips, pulling me closer.

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