Page 29 of All I Want Is Love
Leo follows my gaze. “Obviously.”
I wrap my arm around his waist.
“Soren,” he says. My heart sinks at the tone of his voice. “I… I am not a cool guy.”
I feel a wave of relief hit me. He isn’t rejecting me! Then his words sink in. “I am not cool either.”
He blinks.
“Well, at heart, I am still the same science nerd, just with more silly jokes at hand.”
“I think that’s cool.”
“And I think you are cool.”
Leo smiles.
I move my hands up to his neck and bend down to meet his lips in a kiss. It’s been a while since I kissed somebody. I have almost forgotten how exciting it is to share a first kiss with someone you are just getting to know, yet see a future with. There is something about learning the texture and tastes of a new partner’s lips.
We draw apart for a short moment, just looking at each other. Leo tentatively licks over his bottom lip, making my insides twist in want. Fuck, he looks hot. Putting my hands into the back pockets of his pants, I tug him closer. Leo gasps, one hand clasping my shirt, the other placed on my shoulder. His hand moves upwards, brushing past my neck and playing with my hair. I capture his lips in a second kiss, this time much more urgent than the first. He seems to melt into it, softening his lips and parting them. It’s all the invitation I need. Pushing my tongue past his lips, I can finally explore more of him.
God, what’s gotten into me? I swore not to fall head over heels for anyone again, not so fast! But Leo is just too precious. I’d rather ignore my own insecurities.
“Seriously, boys! Do you know no respect?”
Leo startles and breaks our kiss, his whole body tensing in his fight or flight reaction. I don’t let him go anywhere, though, putting my arm around him and holding him close. My glasses have steamed up, so it takes a while for me to notice it’s Ben and Maisie.
“You are blocking the path!” Ben complains. “Other people might be waiting for their turn.”
“We can just walk past them,” Maisie blinks.
“No, we can’t,” Ben emphasizes.
I gaze at him, then at the mistletoe, before I grin. “I see. I definitely need to respect my elders more and not hog the mistletoe for myself!”
I wink at Ben, who looks flustered, before stirring Leo and Barkley away. “That’s the middle-aged couple from my Star Trek fan club,” I whisper towards him.
Leo’s tension fades. “Oh.” He tosses a secret gaze at them, watching how Ben and Maisie are standing under the mistletoe now, and Ben is stumbling over his own words. “I see.”
“No one judges you here,” I say.
“I am sure some will.”
“That’s true. But those who matter won’t,” I say. “We are an LGBTQIA+ friendly town. And I came out years ago, so did Robin. We also have another friend who is genderfluid and loves to cross-dress.”
“Is that true?” Leo asks.
“It is.”
“Why does it sound too good to be true?” he mutters. “Back in the city, I thought I had anonymity to do what I wanted to. And suddenly I didn’t, and everyone knew.”
“Is this why you left?” I ask softly.
“No, it was just an additional reason.”
I can see his hands tensing up again.
“You don’t need to tell me anything,” I say. “We can go at your pace.”
