Page 38 of Sweet Omega
“Everything going well today?” Tarymn asked, his eyes scanning the space with casual interest. Ludiin nodded quickly, watching him with his lungs pulled tight like he’d forgotten how to breathe.
“You should decorate,” Tarymn said, strolling over to one of the workbenches and leaning against it like he had no plans of leaving anytime soon. “Make the space your own.”
“I will,” Ludiin said, spinning around to take in the room, it was easier than meeting Tarymn’s eyes. “I want a nice couch…right there.” He pointed to a blank stretch of wall that practically begged to be turned into a cozy nook.
“Done.”
Ludiin blinked and twisted around to face him. “What?”
Tarymn’s eyes glinted faintly, a half-smile playing at the corner of his lips. “Go on,” he said.
“I…” Ludiin’s words faltered.
“Pitra told me you still haven’t given him the list of things you need. He sent me up here to come and get it.” Tarymn leaned back slightly, arms folding over his chest in an easy, almost careless gesture. “He’d be disappointed if I went back empty-handed.”
“I was…”
“Never going to give it to him.”
Ludiin’s eyes widened. “How did you…”
“It’s been two weeks,” Tarymn said smoothly. “Whatever hang-ups you’re nursing, let them go. Make your requests while I’m still in a generous mood.”
Ludiin’s lips twitched, a spark of defiance breaking through his hesitation. “Okay… but you’re going to regret that. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he said as he dug in one of the boxes and pulled out his e-reader. He tapped it awake and started adding to a list. A verylongone. Half the items were things he didn’t really need, just things he wanted, and thought would be fun to have.
He muttered them aloud as he typed, his voice drifting around the room. Realizing what he was doing, Ludiin stilled and glanced toward Tarymn.
But the alpha didn’t seem to mind. He just stood there, arms folded across his chest, eyes following his movements. He was paying attention. Really watching him. No shock, or judgement in his eyes.
Warmth unfurled in Ludiin's chest, startling in its intensity.
“You don’t have to stay,” he said. “I can just give the list to Pitra when I’m finished.”
“I’m taking a break from work,” Tarymn replied, lifting his chin as if to say geton with it.
So Ludiin did.
Thirty minutes later, the list was nearly complete, and Tarymn was still there—now sitting on a sealed box, back against the wall, arms resting on his knees, head tilted back. His eyes were closed, and he looked… peaceful. Like he hadn’t sat still in weeks and was finally allowing himself to breathe.
Ludiin watched him in silence, his gaze tracing the faint furrow between his brows Whatever thoughts weighed on him, they looked heavy, pressing down on his shoulders.
“Is your work stressful?” Ludiin asked softly, the words slipping out before he could stop them. He slapped a hand over his mouth as Tarymn cracked one eye open and looked at him.
“I mean… you look tired,” Ludiin added quickly.
Tarymn didn’t answer right away. He just stared at him, as if weighing his question. “It depends on what’s happening at the time,” he said eventually, his tone unreadable.
Ludiin frowned, curiosity pulling at him, but he pressed his lips together, unwilling to bother him further.
Tarymn stood and walked toward him with slow, measured steps. The air shifted, becoming thicker, charged. Time itself seemed to stall, stretching the moment out until Ludiin became achingly aware of every heartbeat, every inch of space between them.
He told himself to move, to take a step back, but his body refused to listen. He was rooted in place, breath caught, heart thudding hard against his ribs.
“Don’t frown. You’ll get wrinkles,” Tarymn murmured, brushing his fingers gently over Ludiin’s brow.
Heat rippled down from the light touch, cascading across his cheeks, trickling over his neck, pooling like fire behind his ears. His earlobes tingled.
Earlobes?He didn’t even know that was possible.
