"I'll arrange for everything you need," I told him. "Feel free to use anything in the room freely. Don't worry about the bill."
Leo raised a brow and chuckled. "Even those expensive chocolate bars and stuff in the minibar?"
"Especiallynot those," I teased. "Now come with me, please, if you would."
Leo followed as I led him through the lobby and towards the private employee elevators. I tapped my ID card to the electronic panel and the doors whooshed open. Inside the elevator were velvet-padded walls and a spotless mirror. I loved the way we looked standing next to each other. Leo's face flushed as he saw his own reflection.
"Fancy elevator," he said.
"Do you like it?" I asked.
"I love it. I'm not used to this level of luxuriousness." He laughed. "My idea of luxury is a nice $30 pillow from IKEA."
We exited the elevator and walked down the hall. It was half-open to the air, with the rooms on one side and a gorgeous view of the beach on the other.
"Oh, wow," Leo murmured.
He closed his eyes, taking in a breath of salty air. He had no idea how tempting he was. He looked so sweet that I wanted to run my fingers through his hair, but I refrained. Leo was human, and humans generally needed coaxing before they realized they had a fated mate. For some reason, they'd all deluded themselves into thinking fated mates didn't exist. I'd need to teach him, gently and slowly.
As we passed the half-open hall and entered another private elevator, Leo blinked in confusion. "Wait, the room's not on this floor? How many rooms are in this place?"
"Only one more," I said.
We reached it shortly. The elevator opened up to a deep red carpet that led to a pair of double doors. It was the only room on this floor. Leo followed me, tilting his head in a mix of awe and confusion.
"Uh, I don't think this is the room we booked," Leo said. "This looks way too fancy."
I smiled as I opened the doors and threw them wide open. "This is indeed the room."
Leo's jaw dropped. "Okay, thisdefinitelyisn't the right room."
It was our most exquisite, deluxe romantic suite. No expense was spared lifting this room to the height of luxury. The entire back wall was glass, allowing a perfect view of the ocean. Rose petals were scattered across the California king bed's silk sheets. A private pool glittered on the balcony. There was even a jacuzzi in the fully-upgraded, modern bathroom.
"Holy... crap," Leo murmured. "This place is bigger than my entire apartment."
"Do you like it?" I asked.
He nodded slowly before facing me with a flustered expression. "I-I can't accept this, this iswaytoo expensive for me. Seriously, I can probably only afford the worst place at the resort--not to imply that there arebadrooms here, but--"
I chuckled. "If you don't like it, I can show you a different room. But if it makes you happy, then please accept it as my gift to you."
He blushed furiously. "Are you sure? This is a love suite, right? Like for two people? It'd be wasteful for me to use it all by myself."
"Are you arguing with me, Leo?" I teased.
Leo crossed his arms, still blushing. "Yeah, kind of." He deflated as he took another wistful glance around the room, then finally sighed. "Itisbeautiful. And I don't know when I'll ever get another chance like this."
My dear fated mate didn't yet know what was in store for him.
Leo sighed. "Fine. I'll accept it. But only if you're really sure!"
I smiled, enjoying his firecracker personality. "I'm positive," I assured him.
"But--" Leo held up a finger defiantly. "I won't accept a gift this kind without something in return. Let me repay you somehow."
My brows raised. His statement surprised and amused me. "All right. What did you have in mind?"
Leo's finger fell as a realization crossed his mind. "Well, I'm a photographer, so I was gonna say I could take some photos for you, but I just remembered I left my camera back at Terry's place. So not only do I not have it with me, but it's probably gone forever..."
