"You'll look amazing no matter what."
He glanced up at me from beneath his dark lashes and smiled like he truly wanted to believe it.
* * *
After dinner,I led Leo back to his room. It didn't feel right to part ways at the restaurant like he was some kind of cheap date. I wanted him to know I cared.
"Hey, Maverick?" Leo said when we were alone in the elevator.
"Yes, Leo."
"Thanks for dinner. The view, the food... all of it was amazing. It was one of those experiences I'll never forget."
His words warmed my heart. I met his gaze in the mirrors and found him blushing.
"You're welcome," I said. "Any time you'd like to have dinner, don't hesitate to let me know."
Leo ran a hand through his hair. "I dunno how much I can impose on your kindness. And I probably shouldn't stay too long on the island, considering I can't pay for anything..."
I broke my eyes away from his in the mirror and turned my body to face him in reality. His eyes shone as he gazed up at me. I was so close to him that I heard his heart racing even without the help of my heightened shifter senses.
"What did I say, Leo? It's all on the house, remember? I don't want you to worry about anything."
Leo swallowed. "But..."
I couldn't help myself. I wanted to touch him, and I also wanted him to abandon this silly line of thought. So I pressed the tip of my finger to his lips. They were soft and warm and everything I ever wanted.
Leo froze, staring up at me. I felt the heat radiating off his flushed cheeks.
He seemed to stop breathing as his breath caught in his throat. He stared up, unblinking, his glimmering eyes like pools of liquid chocolate. There was fire in them, blazing and hot.
I knew then that he felt it, even if he didn't know what it was. That connection between a pair of fated mates; the invisible, invincible string that held us together.
Without realizing it, I leaned closer to Leo. He didn't pull away. Our faces were inches apart, so close that I felt the soft touch of his breath on my skin.
If I only lowered myself slightly...
Ding!
The elevator doors opened to reveal Leo's deluxe room floor.
I stood straight up. My heart was racing and my pants felt tighter than usual.
"Ah," I said, my voice thick. "Well, here we are. I won't keep you."
Leo blinked, like he'd been briefly abducted by a UFO only to be placed back down on earth a moment later. "Uh... Oh. Right."
He shuffled out of the elevator, but his feet moved sluggishly. As difficult as it was, I stayed behind, clutching the steel handlebar in the elevator in an attempt not to launch myself at Leo and claim him.
"Goodnight, Leo," I said.
Leo looked over his shoulder, his face flushed pinker than the sunset. "Night, Maverick." He bit his lip and hesitated, clearly wanting to say more. Just as the elevator doors were shutting, he called out, "Will I see you tomorrow?"
The doors closed.
Alone now, I let out a breathless laugh. Leo didn't get to hear my reply, which was a resoundingyes, so I'd just have to show him in person.
5
