I wasn’t sure. But as Leo handed me the bag of snacks she’d apparently been holding onto for the duration of that mad ride, I decided I didn’t need to know everything to know that this was right.
Her eyes flicking between us, Spencer smirked. “Why don’t you two head in? I’ve got some stuff to check on out here, but I’ll be inside in a little bit.”
Leo tilted her head with a frown. “How is your bike already acting up again? I serviced it a week ago.”
But as Spence gave my shoulder a squeeze, I cleared my throat and looked at Leo. “Actually, I’m getting kind of cold, and I don’t want to run into Dom alone. Would you mind walking me to my room?”
Hearing a lady in need, Leo stood at attention like the loyal golden retriever she was. Although there was something innocent and naive about a golden retriever, and the Major was anything but.More like a hellhound.
Holding out an arm to me, she escorted me down the gravel path from the carriage house to the mansion. I shot a quick glance over my shoulder at Spencer, who gave me two thumbs up and moutheduse protectionbefore disappearing to pretend to work on her bike.
A snort slipped from my throat, causing Leo to look down at me with a furrowed brow. “Everything alright, Princess?”
“Yeah,” I murmured, gripping her arm tighter. “I just can’t believe how crazy that drive was.”
She smirked. “Yeah, next time you should probably ride with me if you want to avoid whiplash.”
“No kidding,” I laughed.
The conversation paused as she opened the door for me, closing it quietly behind us as we passed through the main foyer. But just being next to her as we crept up the steps was enough to make my chest hum.
Once I’d ripped off the seal on my sexuality with Spencer, it became nearly impossible to deny that I was developing major feelings for the Major. And as she laced her fingers with mine, leading me up the stairs, I got the sense that she was onto me.
Opening my bedroom door for me, Leo waved me in. “This is you, Princess.”
“Thanks,” I smiled, turning to face her as I stepped into the doorway. Our hands were still linked, but I didn’t plan on letting go until she did. “After the day I had, I really needed tonight. Thanks for being so steady.”
Leo smiled down at me, those golden flecks in her eyes sparkling in the moonlight. “Of course. You know I’d do anything for you…”
The sentence hung in the air, heavy with intensity I wasn’t sure she’d meant to voice. Startled by her words, she cleared her throat and moved to step away. “Goodnight, Kiera.”
But before she could let go of my hand, I squeezed hers harder, pulling her back in.
She furrowed her brow, confused until my lips pressed to hers. There was a softness to the kiss, and as I felt her melt into me, it was like electricity shooting straight through my veins.
Despite being more reserved than the kiss I’d shared with Spencer, it stirred the same butterflies at the pit of my stomach and answered everything I needed to know.I don’t know if I’m gay, but I’m certainly not straight.
My body craved hers. But before I could make my living situation any more complicated, I pulled away with a smile. “Goodnight, Leo.”
I closed the door quickly, not trusting myself to sleep alone if I gave her a chance to say one more charming word to me.
Pressing my back to the door, I could hear that she stood there for a long moment before drifting down the hall, footsteps more urgent than usual. I rubbed a hand over my lips in awe. If that was what a peck from Leo felt like, what would it feel like to give her all of me?
I wanted to know desperately. More than I’d ever wanted something before.
And the depth of that need scared me. Had it been a mistake, kissing Leo? I still needed to confess what Spencer and I had been keeping from her. And once I lifted the cork on these feelings, would I be able to keep my heart in check?
74
LEO
My jaw wason the floor as the door closed in my face. Less of a slam and more a gentle drifting, the click of the knob felt definitive.
Forehead wrinkled, my hand reached out for the dark metal handle.
Push it open.The darker part of my brain begged for more. Just a peck wasn’t enough. If my captive was going to kiss me, she’d have to give me more than that.
And a part of me wanted to take it. To kick down that door with the heel of my boots and grab her. Pull her into my arms and not let her leave my grasp. Not until I was finished.
