Page 52 of Lucky Mother Pucker

But seeing him confront that creep tonight was…kind of hot.

He didn’t hesitate to confront that guy. He punished him for touching me without my consent. He crushed the guy’s hand until he apologized to me.

And then he dropped everything to stay the rest of my shift, just to make sure I was safe.

Tingles flash across my body. I’m hot all over now.

“You ready to go?” he asks.

I nod.

“Where did you park? I’ll walk you to your car.”

“At the end of the parking lot, by the streetlight.”

He walks ahead of me a couple of steps, glancing around, his gaze watchful.

I bite my lip. He’s like my handsome, lethal bodyguard.

Except he’s not. He’s not anything to you. He’s a new friend who’s just trying to help you out.

The heat inside of me simmers down. The rational part of my brain finally pipes up. I remind myself that this is just how he is. With everyone.

I think back to when he mentioned how he helped his sister when her car broke down. I remember when he mentioned that he inherited the house he lives in from his grandparents and doesn’t charge his teammates rent.

This is just how Leo is. He needs to help people. It’s something he learned from his parents and grandparents.

He’s just being a good guy. Just because he protected me doesn’t mean he likes me more than a friend. I’m sure he’d help a total stranger if he saw them getting harassed too.

Just like he helped you, a total stranger.

A tiny pang of disappointment flashes through me from that little reminder that I’m not special.

But then I think about that flirty exchange we had about hurricane shots…and that comment he made about liking it rough.

My brain instantly went someplace filthy. I imagine being the one sitting on the bar, Leo standing between my legs, and slapping my hand across his face…

I imagined how rough that dark stubble on his cheek would feel against my palm.

I imagined him looking at me with lust in his eyes…then grabbing my waist, pulling me against him, and kissing me, hard.

I shove the thought away. I’m reading too much into this.

I unlock my car door, and Leo opens it for me.

“Thanks,” I say, trying not to swoon at the gentlemanly move.

I start to get into the driver’s seat when he clears his throat. I look up at him.

“Hey, are you hungry?” he asks.

I smile. “Yeah.”

“There’s this twenty-four-hour sandwich place nearby. Wanna go?”

“Sure.”

Ten minutes later, we’re standing in line at the counter.