Page 138 of Lucky Mother Pucker

His smile widens. “Seriously?”

“It’s just wild. Here you are, this big, tough hockey player who can barely handle the tiniest bit of spice.”

I’m being a brat, but Leo seems to like it.

His head falls back as he chuckles. “You’re talking some serious shit.”

I laugh, feeling so giddy and happy in this moment. I love how we can joke around. I love that he likes it when I give him a hard time.

Our food arrives a few minutes later. I eat almost all of the appetizers and give Leo the rest.

When he takes a bite of the fried macaroni and cheese, he closes his eyes and hums. “Damn, that’s good.”

He inhales the rest along with the eggrolls I couldn’t finish.

He slides the dessert menu to me. “Order a slice of cheesecake.”

The low, bossy growl of his voice makes my tummy flip.

“I can’t decide between the s’mores cheesecake and the cherry cheesecake,” I say when the server comes back.

“They’re both delicious,” the server says.

“We’ll get both,” Leo says.

When the server walks off, I turn to Leo. “There’s no way I can eat two slices of cheesecake,” I say through a laugh.

“Take it home then. I want you to have exactly what you want today, Luce. You deserve two desserts.” He leans closer to me. “You deserve everything you want.”

My breath catches in my throat at his words. He is so generous and doting.

The server drops off two plates of cheesecake. I notice there’s extra whipped cream and candles on both slices.

“Happy birthday,” the server says with a smile before walking off.

I look at Leo again, smiling like an idiot.

“Make a wish,” he says.

I blow out both candles, silently wishing that I’ll remember this moment forever.

When I take a bite of the s’more cheesecake, I moan. “Oh my god.”

“I thought you only made those noises in bed with me,” Leo says.

I throw my napkin at him and offer him a bite. His eyelids flutter. “That’s really good.”

He grabs the fork and takes a bite. Then another one after that. I can’t help but grin wide, happy that he’s letting himself have dessert. He deserves this too.

When I can’t eat another bite, the server packs up what's left over from dessert along with the brown bread loaf.

Leo hands him his credit card to pay for the meal.

I touch his arm, and he looks at me.

“Thank you for this.” I swallow past the emotion bubbling up my throat. “This is the most fun I’ve had in a really long time,” I tell him.

He cups my cheek in his hand, gently stroking my skin with his thumb. “Thank you for letting me take you out.”