"It's okay, but mine is better," Leo teased. "Thanks, Maverick."
I smiled. "The pleasure is all mine."
The amazing scent of buttered meat and grilled fish filled the air as the server approached with our entrees. Leo's face lit up at the plate in front of him.
"Wow," he said. "Everything looks incredible."
Despite the mouth-watering smells of our food, Leo's scent was still my favorite. I wanted him so badly, but I would bide my time. He must still be sore from his break-up and I didn't want to force him into anything. Besides, humans weren't like shifters. They were taught since birth that the innate pull of fated mates was only a fairy tale. They thought it didn't apply to them.
How wrong they were.
I'd teach Leo in time. For now, I let him enjoy his meal.
"So, Leo," I said as I ran the knife through my filet mignon. "Tell me about yourself."
He looked surprised to be the topic of conversation. He swallowed a piece of fish and put down his fork. "Well, I'm a photographer. I'm twenty-seven. I'm obviously an omega." He chuckled, then blushed after he said that. "Um, what else... I'm apparently not very good at picking romantic partners." He tried to laugh that off too but it sounded forced.
"It's not your fault for picking an asshole," I said. "Excuse my language."
Leo shrugged. "Maybe, but I could've done a better job seeing the signs, you know? And now I'm out a camera. And most of my stuff that's at Terry's place," he mumbled.
My gryphon and I both bristled at the sound of that man's name. I stabbed my fork into my piece of meat a little harder than necessary.
"I'll arrange to have your things picked up," I said with a smile. "Or, if there isn't anything of particular sentimental value, I can purchase new items for you."
Leo's eyes widened. "Maverick, really, I can't let you do that." He laughed. "I know this is a five-star hotel but that's way above and beyond in hospitality."
I put down my utensils and looked him in the eye. "This isn't about the hotel. I'm offering because Iwantto, Leo."
"But... why?"
I desperately wanted to tell him the truth—that we were fated mates, destined to be together, and that I would do anything for him—but I didn't want to scare him off.
"Because I like you," I said honestly. "Is that good enough?"
Leo's cheeks turned pink again. "Oh."
Neither of us spoke or picked at our food. I cursed myself for making things awkward. But just as I was brainstorming ways to salvage the conversation, Leo spoke up.
"What about you?" he asked, still wearing a shy grin. "It's only fair that I get to know about you, too."
The tension in my body eased. Of course my mate was kind enough to reciprocate.
"Well, I run the hotel and resort, as you already know," I said. "I'm an alpha. Fifty years old."
Leo sputtered and nearly spilled his fruity cocktail. "Wait, what? You're joking."
"Not at all."
"You arenotfifty years old, Maverick. You look way younger than that."
I couldn't stop grinning. Humans were always baffled when shifters admitted their true ages, which is why we tended to fudge the truth. But I wasn't going to lie to my fated mate. If he wanted to know me, he would knowallof me.
Eventually. One step at a time.
"It's true," I said with a shrug. "Good genes, I suppose."
Leo chuckled, playing with the paper umbrella as he looked me over. "Damn. I hope I look like you when I'm fifty."
