Page 22 of All In

“I’m asking.”

“That’s very considerate of you.”

“When I’m not rescuing damsels, I do try to be well-mannered.”

“Yes,” she says. “You can kiss me goodnight.”

So with the two of us standing in the hotel lobby at the end of a day neither of us planned, I kiss her.

I cup her cheek and lean in, brushing my lips against hers. Just a whisper of a kiss. Once, twice and then I pull her closer and deepen the kiss. Our tongues touch and I groan into her mouth. I want to put my hands on her plump ass and pick her up. Brace her against me. Press her against a wall and devour her mouth.

One of her hands is around the back of my neck, the other against my chest, fingers digging into my shirt.

I force myself to pull back, resting my forehead on hers.

“I don’t want to stop kissing you, but I also don’t want to maul you in the hotel lobby. You deserve more than that.”

I feel her smile. “I don’t really want you to stop kissing me.”

When we finally pull back, she’s smiling in a way that makes my heart thump loudly. This woman is truly special. Everything inside me is screaming at me to recognize that. To not let this moment pass.

The elevator doors open and we step inside. We’re alone so I take the opportunity to ask her a question.

“Breakfast?” I suggest.

Her brows raise a little. “Okay, but fair warning, I’m an early riser. And I like to get there before the floor gets too packed.”

I point at myself. “I grew up on a ranch, remember. Early mornings are my thing. So I’ll be there.”

“You better be. I have a reputation to maintain as someone who does not get stood up by conspirators.”

“I would never.” I tuck a strand of hair back from her face, mostly because I want an excuse to touch her again before we go to our separate rooms. “For what it’s worth—I didn’t come to this con expecting to meet anyone. I had a checklist. Panels, the showcase, the prop auction, three days of being completely myself surrounded by people who get it.” I tick off each item on a finger, then pause. I want to choose my next words carefully, because they matter. “But even if I had planned for it. If I’d mused and considered and come up with the perfect someone to meet… I don’t think I could’ve imagined you. You exceed any expectations I could conjure.”

She doesn’t say anything for a second, just looks at me with an expression I can’t fully read, something bright and a little overwhelmed behind it. The elevator dings, stopping on her floor.

“That was a really unfair thing to say to me right before bed,” she says finally, voice slightly unsteady.

I smile. “I’m not going to apologize.”

“You shouldn’t.” She leans up and gives me a brief, chaste kiss. “Goodnight, Leo.”

“Goodnight, Juniper.”

Up in my room, I get exactly as far as taking off my shoes before my phone buzzes.

Henry: How’s the nerd Olympics

Me: Going well. Won gold in several events.

Oliver: Did you find your people?

Me: Several thousand of them. It’s been a good day.

Henry added Payton to the conversation.

Payton: Why am I being added? What’s happening?

Henry: Leo’s at his convention. Checking in.