[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]"perhaps," she murmurs. her eyes are having difficulty focusing on his given the fact that that smirk is enticing and she's a sucker. she doesn't hide the way her gaze drops to trace it and then slowly rises back up.

"i just can't help but wonder if you'd prefer to be asking other questions," she tries to drawl it innocently but it comes out more suggestive than anything. fitting, honestly, but it's fine.

and then, he finally finishes his drink and the grin she wears is almost satisfied. not quite but getting there. and maybe for every single drink he finishes, she'll have five but it's fine. she's enjoying herself.

"what're you doing later?" definitely not innocent and definitely provocative. the cheshire cat smile only solidifies her intentions but she doesn't care. instead, she knocks the next drink back and looks expectant for whatever answer he gives.

Finley Black

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]professional this, professional that. if she rolled her eyes any harder, they'd be in the back of her skull.

she ignores the next drink as it comes. instead, focusing solely on him and the way he raises his glass, sips, and then returns the glass to speak instead. and while she should be respectful or whatever, it's never been a thing that goes in the same sentence as her.

"i mean," she begins, hand shifting to swirl the alcohol and ice around her glass. it distracts her for a moment, words failing and then coming back after silence lingers for too long. "i wouldn't mind seeing how unprofessional you can get." she doesn't add a wink for this one. no, instead she'll offer a pointed stare as if he knows what she's getting at.

intended or not, she's sinking her teeth into that one without hesitation. give the girl an inch and she'll try to take a mile.

"you," comes quickly as if she was already planning on saying that anyway. there's no shame on her face, only mischief.

Finley Black

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]confusion etches itself onto her features for a moment because really, the whole fake last name thing escaped her until now. alcohol and lies don't mix? sure, we'll go with that. she's not sure how others do it, really. like marcel. how does he remember which name to use? confusing.

"flattered but not taking the chance," she comments and while normally she'd pout or show some displeasure over being denied, there's no room for it. not right now, anyway. instead he shifts into the next topic, avoiding and avoiding and distracting her from prying into what she wants.

giada takes a sip of the drink in her hand, slower than usual. maybe it's because she's already feeling the previous ones or she simply doesn't want to show this man exactly how many she can knock out before it's too late. either way, she's slowing down enough to process the question.

"too many," she laughs and there's a moment of consideration crossing her features before she throws all of it out the window. she'll settle the drink down with a too loud clink and lean back into his personal bubble, lips spreading into a smirk.

"i could explain but it's easier to just show you."

Finley Black

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]she waits until he realizes he has nothing left in his glass before taking the opportunity presented. he agrees, somewhat surprisingly, and she's ready to move. the tapping of a heel against the floor reveals her need to get up, to get this show on the road. and naturally, she finishes off her own drink before rising from her seat.

there's only a small wobble, barely noticeable if one isn't paying attention to the way she moves. and while she wants to move faster, her body still aches and she's left to linger. her hand reaches for his to pull him toward the bathrooms.

"follow me," she whispers first, then smiles and tugs at his hand.

if he continues to hold her hand, she doesn't notice. instead, she's already guiding them toward the little hallway with the bathrooms. it's a little brighter here but not by much. enough light to show what she needs to, however.

her hands move to pull at her clothes until stitched wounds are put on display. there's still wrapping around her dominant hand, holding bones in place. and while she wants to say they look cute, they definitely don't. there's a little bit of blood around some of the stitches, not enough to be worrying but enough to stain.

"you should see the other guy," she tries to joke but the state of her body, with all the ripped skin stuck back together and the purple bruises, is not that funny of a matter.

Finley Black

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]the fuck that escapes him might have elicited a soft gasp from her but she chooses to ignore it. instead, she focuses on him and the way his eyes are on her. funny, she didn't know she needed to show off her battle scars to get his eyes on her.

"it's fine," she shrugs off the sympathy as best she can because really, she's probably been through worse. well, probably not but she's still kicking so that's enough for her.

her clothes are fixed back into place as he asks a question and her hands still. her eyes drift up from her body to his and she lets out a slightly bitter laugh. no one told him, huh? "the tyranitar did a bit of it."

there's a pause while she finishes placing clothes. and once she's satisfied does she give him more information, head tilting to watch his reaction. "mostly it was the guy and the knife he had. really did a number on me but it's fine." everything's fine. it only hurt a lot but oh well.

Finley Black

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]she brushes off the next apology as quickly as it comes. it's fine, she's fine, that's it. she'll try to offer him a smile, try to be reassuring, but it just looks funny on her features. as if she can't express anything other than playful or seductive. well, she tried. it's the thought that counts.

"it's fine," she retorts, a little more adamant this time. it's paired with the slight roll of her eyes before she's stepping toward him, smile shifting into a grin. "i'm a big girl, i can handle it."

oh, he thought the drinks were for what happened? honey no... she just likes to drink. a laugh escapes before she can stop it and she tries to hide it with running her good hand through her hair.

"something like that," she doesn't bother to correct him. last thing she needs is a reporter knowing she has a drinking problem. besides, who would she be if she turned down free drinks? she reaches for his hand again if only to lead them back to their spot at the bar. "next few, huh? such a gentleman." it's definitely teasing but the concept still stands. he's a gentleman, that much is fact.

the bartender isn't even remotely surprised when they return and she already signals for another.

Finley Black

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]a smirk turns sly when he settles back beside her. the recorder is clicked off and hidden away and she has a feeling this is where it gets good. there's little hesitation when she angles her body toward him, shifting a little closer. recorder off means play time, right?

"no, thank you," she murmurs, raising her glass to gently tap the edge of his. it's finished within moments and the empty glass returns to the counter. she laughs, settling her elbows onto the counter and propping her chin on the back of her hands. "you could take my time whenever you'd like, darling." any time, anywhere.

maybe she'll break him out of that professionalism. and maybe it'll be tonight or it'll require more work but that's a game she's more than willing to play.

she turns her attention to the bartender to ask for another but she keeps talking. if only because she's under the impression that if she doesn't entertain him, he might head off to work on that article and we can't have that, right? "you gonna stay and keep me company?" she wants confirmation anyway, though.

Finley Black