Page 35 of Lost Prince

Warmth spreads through me, as well as guilt for forgetting how strange his life must feel. “It’s like you fell through the Looking Glass.”

“I was thinking more theTwilight Zone, but yes.” He guides me toward my car. “At least you remember how you got here."

I stop. Did Lazaro just make a joke? About his own amnesia, no less? I can't help it, I burst out laughing. Lazaro's lips curl into a rare smile and he winks.

"Did you just wink at me?"

He shrugs, but there's a playful air about him now. "Maybe. Don't tell anyone, though. I have a reputation to maintain."

His joke and unexpected playfulness wash away my nerves. Suddenly, I don't feel so out of place anymore. I'm just Diana, and he's just Lazaro, and we're going out together.

“We need to take Lola,” Lazaro says as he opens the passenger side door and guides me to get in.

"Oh, you want to drive?" I ask, fumbling in my purse for the keys.

He nods, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "That's the plan. Unless you don't trust me with her?"

I smile at hearing him use my car's name. "I trust you. Just be gentle with her, okay? She's not as young as she used to be."

Lazaro's lips curl into a smirk, his eyes darkening as they meet mine. "Do you have any doubt that I can be gentle?"

His words send a shiver straight to my pussy as memories of his touch flash through my mind. “No."

I get into the car, and Lazaro walks around to the driver's side. As we pull out of the driveway, I wonder where we're headed. He surprises me by turning into the drive-through of a retro burger joint.

"Hope you weren’t expecting something fancy.” He glances at me, and I think I see nerves in his expression.

“I didn’t know what to expect. I like surprises.”

“Good, because nothing tastes better after a long day than a greasy burger, fries, and a thick milkshake. I used to love it after a day in the garage," he says.

"I completely agree, although I’ve never worked in a garage. Still, I understand the appeal of comfort food after a hard day's work.”

As we wait in the line of cars to order, Lazaro turns to me. "Have you ever worked on cars?"

“Clearly not.” I gesture to Lola. “Not unless you count the soda incident that nearly ruined poor Lola.”

He laughs as he pulls up to the intercom and orders our meal.

"So, burgers are your guilty pleasure?" I ask as he pulls in behind the cars approaching the serving window.

"Can't resist a good burger. What about you? Got any food weaknesses?"

"Pizza. It's my absolute weakness. I could eat it every day if I let myself."

Lazaro's eyes light up with interest. "Pizza, huh? I'll have to remember that.” He taps the scar on his temple with his index finger.

For a moment, I'm taken aback. Is he… making a joke about his amnesia again? I study his face, unsure how to react.

Then, to my surprise, he cracks a grin. In the span of a few minutes he’s made jokes, and laughed and smiled. It transforms his entire face, making him look more carefree. And handsome. And sexy as hell.

"Did you just make another joke about your memory loss?"

He shrugs, but the grin remains. "Might as well find some humor in it, right?"

I'm enjoying his somewhat morbid sense of humor, these little glimpses of lightness beneath his usually intense, serious demeanor.

"I think I like this side of you.”