Susan took it all in, her heart pounding slightly as she moved to drop her bag on the table. When she turned back, Leo was still by the door, watching her with an intensity that sent a thrill up her spine. He hadn't moved, nor had he said a word, but his gaze was full of something unspoken, a magnetic pull that made her want to close the distance between them. The silence was becoming too much to bear. Someone had to say something, but for a moment, they just stood and stared at each other.
She took a few steps forward. She couldn't tell what it was, but she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame, and slowly the urge to fight her attraction to him was dying.
Her voice was softer than she intended when she finally broke the silence. "So… are you just going to go home and leave me here? All alone?"
Leo gave a small chuckle, "Is that an invitation?" he teased,
"Leo…"
Damn, even the way she said his name was a turn on. He shook his head and tried to control his thoughts. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, subtle but warm, a rare expression for him.
"No," he replied, voice low and smooth, "I'll spend the night here too. In the room across the hall."
"Oh," Susan murmured, caught off guard by the mix of relief and disappointment that flooded through her. She looked down, fingers fidgeting with the edge of her gown, searching for something to say. Was he feeling it too? This maddening, magnetic tension that had been building between them all night?
When she looked back up, his gaze hadn't shifted. He was still watching her with that unreadable expression, as though waiting, or maybe just savoring the moment. What was she to do in a situation like this? People usually kissed after a date, but she didn't even know what this was. She wanted to kiss him, she could at least admit that to herself, but there was no way in hell she was going to tell him that.
A gentle sigh escaped her as she finally managed a small smile. "In that case... good night, Leo." she said instead.
For a fleeting second, she thought she saw his expression falter, like he'd been hoping she might say something more. But the look vanished as quickly as it had come, replaced by his usual calm, confident demeanor.
He nodded, lingering just a moment longer. "Good night, Suzy." There was a pause, then he added, "And you can have the cut you asked for. Ten percent,"
And with that, he turned, closing the door softly behind him, leaving her alone in the quiet of the room. The echo of his presence lingered in the air, the warmth of his hand on her back imprinted in her mind. She sank down onto the edge of the bed, wondering how she'd ever manage to sleep now, knowing he was just across the hall, separated only by a few walls.
___________
Susan woke up early, stretching luxuriously as sunlight filtered softly through the drapes. She'd worried she wouldn't be able to sleep, her mind racing with thoughts of Leo just a room away, but she'd drifted off the moment her head hit the pillow. The bed was exceptionally comfortable, and her tiredness from last night's late, magical evening had pulled her into a deep, uninterrupted slumber.
As she dressed, she wondered if it'd be alright to check in on Leo before she left. Memories from their impromptu date surfaced: the quiet intensity in his eyes, the unexpected lightness of his laughter, the way he'd made her feel almost… seen. He'd been a perfect gentleman, surprising her more than she was willing to admit, and she wondered if perhaps, beneath his guarded exterior, Leo was different from the man she'd first met at her brother's house. She couldn't deny that she'd enjoyed their date, and he'd actually kept his hands to himself this time. Susan was grateful for that, because she wasn't sure she'd have been able to say no if he'd made a move.
When she was ready, she looked at the door, hesitating. The idea of leaving without saying goodbye felt oddly disappointing. After a small internal debate, she found herself stepping out of her room, lingering for a moment before turning to face his. The decision felt weightier than it should. Her heart pounded just a little as she raised her hand, feeling the smooth wood beneath her knuckles.
Taking a steadying breath, she gently knocked on Leo's door.
After a few seconds, the door opened, revealing Leo in a casual state she hadn't seen before. His hair was tousled, as if he'd just woken up, and he was dressed in a fitted black T-shirt and dark gray lounge pants. The simplicity of his appearance made him seem almost approachable, yet he still radiated that familiar intensity that seemed to tug at her no matter how hard she tried to resist.
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes as he looked at her, but it quickly transformed into a slow, appreciative smile. "Morning, Suzy," he greeted, his voice rougher than usual, touched with sleep.
"Good morning," she replied, feeling warmth creep up her neck. She hadn't expected him to look so… relaxed. She could barely reconcile this side of Leo with the crime boss she knew. For a moment, words eluded her, but she steadied herself. "I was on my way out and I just wanted to say thank you. For last night. I had a… really nice time."
Leo's smile deepened, a rare softness entering his gaze as he leaned against the doorframe, folding his arms in a casual stance. "So did I," he replied, his voice gentler than she'd ever heard it. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."
She nodded, feeling her heart beat faster. Something in his expression made it hard to look away. "I guess I was just surprised, that's all," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "It's hard to believe that you—"
She stopped herself, unsure if she should finish that thought. But Leo's eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smirk on his lips. "That I'm not as much of a monster as you thought?"
A small, almost embarrassed laugh escaped her. "Something like that I guess," she said. "You were... different. And you actually…"
He lifted a brow, "Actually what?" he pressed.
"... kept your hands to yourself." The words slipped out before she could stop them, and she instantly regretted her boldness. But Leo only chuckled.
"Oh, you noticed that?" he teased, his gaze warm but piercing. "Trust me, Suzy, it took a lot of self-control."