Page 21 of His Omega Bear

I met his gaze steadily, my heart brimming with unspoken words he definitely wasn’t ready to hear.

I nodded, a warm smile spreading across my face. “It’s my pleasure. Baby Whisperer,” I replied softly, careful not to disturb the tranquil atmosphere of the room. Emilia let out a contented sigh in her sleep, her tiny fingers still gripping onto my shirt as if seeking reassurance.

Jaxson sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes as he glanced at the clock on the wall. “I must have dozed off,” he muttered, running a hand through his tousled hair before looking back at me. “I really appreciate you looking after her. It means a lot.”

As he stood up and stretched, I couldn’t help but admire the way his muscles flexed beneath his t-shirt as it rode up under his hoodie. He tugged it over his head and took my breath away when his happy trail came into view. If I didn’t look away, I’d be sporting wood.

“I should probably get her back to bed and get out of you hair,” I suggested gently even if I didn’t want to go.

Jaxson nodded, gratitude clear in his tired eyes as he watched me carefully cradle Emilia. There was a vulnerability in his tired eyes that tugged at my heartstrings.. As I made my way back upstairs to her room, I tried to think about how to get myself invited over the next day. I wanted to spend as much time with these two as I could.

Placing Emilia back in her crib, I lingered for a moment, watching her sleep peacefully. My heart swelled with emotion at the unexpected gift that she was. I knew I would love my mate wholeheartedly, but Emilia had already had my heart.

Heading back downstairs, I found Jaxson in the living room, looking slightly more awake than before. His eyes met mine, and there was a softness in his gaze that hadn’t been there earlier.

“I owe you,” Jaxson began, his voice tinged with sincerity. “It seems like the only time I get any sleep is when you’re around. I’m grateful. I swear there are moments where I feel completely lost and unsure of my abilities, but having you around makes it all easier.”

I couldn’t help but feel a swell of warmth at his words, the gratitude in his tired eyes pulling at my heartstrings. “It’s no trouble at all, Jaxson. Trust me. I enjoy spending time with Emilia,” I replied, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. I didn’t add the and you part, even though I really wanted to.

Jaxson let out a chuckle, the sound rich and deep, filling the room with an unexpected lightness. “Well, you’re welcome here any time then,” he said, his tone more relaxed than I had ever heard it.

The invitation hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken possibilities. My heart raced at the thought of being welcomed into their lives on a more permanent basis. Perhaps this was the opening I had been waiting for, a chance to show Jaxson how much I cared for both of them.

“I’d like that,” I replied softly, holding his gaze steadily. At that moment, there was a shift in the air. I could feel it, and I hoped to the Gods he could.

He broke our intense eye contact with a question. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Yes please,” I replied, “if you’re sure you don’t want to catch some more sleep.” I was willing to grasp anything that meant spending more time with him.

Jaxson stood up from his seat. “I’m awake now. I should take advantage of some adult conversation.”

I smiled as he crossed the room towards the small bar cart tucked in the corner. I watched as he poured us both a drink. He didn’t ask what I wanted, and I didn’t care what he gave me. It wasn’t about the drink. It was about being with him.

As he handed me my glass, our fingers brushed briefly, sending a jolt of electricity through me. Jaxson’s gaze lingered on mine, searching for something, perhaps reassurance or confirmation. I met his stare unwaveringly, my own emotions swirling beneath the surface.

We settled back into our seats, the comfortable intimacy of the room cocooning us in a warm embrace.

We were quiet for a moment, both of us staring at the TV that was muted.

“So, have you always lived here?” Jaxson’s voice had me turning to look at him.

I nodded. “Yes, except for my time at college in Philadelphia, I’ve always lived with my family. Do you think that’s weird?”

He tilted his head and shrugged. “Why would it matter? I was raised in Chicago, along with my sister. Even after our parents passed away, we stayed. We lived together actually… until recently, that is.”

His voice trailed off.

“I keep waiting for the day that I know without a doubt I made the right choice moving here,” he sighed, staring at the drink in his glass.

I wanted to tell him it was. He was right where he was meant to be, but maybe I just felt that way because he was my mate and it brought him to me.

Our gazes met and held and I could swear I saw a flicker of something more in Jaxson’s eyes. It felt like an acknowledgment of this thing between us.

A soft smile played on Jaxson’s lips, a mixture of gratitude and something deeper that sent a shiver down my spine. Without breaking eye contact, he placed his glass on the side table; the air crackling with tension.

“Rhys,” his voice was barely above a whisper, filled with unspoken words and emotions that hung heavy between us. “Really, thank you… for everything.” His hand reached out tentatively, as if seeking reassurance or maybe something more. Placing my own glass on the coffee table, I shifted to face him, our eyes locked on one another.

I didn’t hesitate as I closed the gap between us, my hand meeting his face in a tentative yet comforting sweep of my fingers. The touch sent another jolt of electricity through me, igniting a warmth in my chest that I couldn’t ignore.

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