Page 31 of Lucky Mother Pucker

My mouth falls open. “Seriously? Your guys had my car for an hour.”

The guy scratches his bald head and shrugs. “I don’t set the prices, doll.”

I roll my eyes and turn to Leo. “I’m sorry,” I say, a wave of embarrassment pummeling my insides. “I’ll pay you back.”

“It’s fine.” His tone is easy, totally unbothered. He hands over his credit card to the guy. He runs it, then hands it back.

“You can wait in here or out in front. I’ll have it out to you in a few minutes.” The guy leaves through the back door.

I turn to Leo. “In or out?”

“Out. I need air. This place smells like stale smoke.”

I follow him back outside. We stand outside and wait for the guy to bring my car around. Leo shoves his hands in his jacket pockets and looks down at the ground.

“I really will pay you back,” I say.

He looks at me, pinning me with that mahogany gaze. “Don’t.”

I shiver at the command in his voice. It’s bossy…but also soft and low.

He clears his throat and rolls his shoulder, wincing slightly.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

He nods. “Fine. Just a little stiff from playing tonight.”

“You had a game?”

He nods.

“Did you win?”

He nods again.

“Congrats.”

His mouth tilts up in a soft smile. “Thanks.”

“Sorry you had to spend the night of your win wasting hundreds of dollars on a girl you barely know.”

“Lucy.”

His voice hits that low, rough register that makes me shiver again.

He pins me with his rich coffee-hued gaze. “Don’t say that. I’m exactly where I want to be.”

My skin tingles, and my breath catches.

“Are you gonna call Wally?”

I frown, confused. “What?”

“You mentioned Wally earlier when your car got towed. He’s your friend or family member, right? You said you have to go get him. Now that you’re about to get your car back, you should be able to go to him.”

“Oh…” I trail off, my chest tightening.

Tears prick my eyes, but I blink them away. “I can’t.”