Page 96 of Sweet Omega
Luci eyes went wide. “I think that’s Ford. What now?”
“You should open it,” Ludiin muttered, bitterness curling his tongue. “You invited him, after all.”
“I can tell him to leave if you’d rather not…”
“It’s fine,” Ludiin interrupted him. “He’s already here. Turning him away now would feel…rude.”
“I’ll go let him in then,” Luci said softly, disappearing through the door, leaving behind a charged silence.
Hym pushed back his chair and joined Ludiin at the counter. He scooped more food onto his plate, though his eyes lingered on Ludiin with quiet concern. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice low.
“I’m fine,” Ludiin said. For a moment, Hym’s mouth parted as if to say something, but he stopped himself. A faint frown creased his face before he shook his head and drifted back to the table, settling in without another word.
Seconds later, Luci walked in, Ford trailing behind him.
The alpha’s grin widened when he saw him. “Hey,” he said, stopping in front of Ludiin.
Ludiin felt the weight of every gaze in the room on him, especially Tarymn’s. He risked a glance in that direction and instantly wished he hadn’t. Tarymn was at it again. Watching him. That same unflinching stare was settled on him.
Ludiin bristled, his shoulders tightening as irritation prickled through him. He’d had enough of that.
If he wanted to say something he should say it, Ludiin thought as that feeling of defiance returned. He grabbed Ford’s arm, and pulled him out of the room, his body buzzing with adrenaline and anger.
He didn’t stop until they reached the landing of his den.
Ford gave a low whistle as he looked around. “So, this is where the magic happens.”
“Uh… yes,” Ludiin said, rubbing his arms, trying to soothe the shiver crawling over his skin.
Ford turned to the workbench, eyeing the dismantled pleasuring bot with curiosity. “Is this your new project?”
“Yes,” Ludiin answered, suddenly aware of how personal his space was, how exposed he felt letting someone like Ford in.
A stranger.
Fuck. He’d done it again. Reacting without thinking. It was all Tarymn’s fault.
“What is it?” Ford asked, walking toward it with gleaming eyes.
Shit. Now, he was going to think I’m crazy.
“You can tell me,” Ford coaxed, flashing a grin. “I’m curious about everything you do.”
Ludiin hesitated, heart pounding. “It’s called the Alpha Experience, and…”
“Oh shit!” Ford interrupted, practically vibrating with excitement. “You’re making an alpha?”
“Not an alpha. It’s…”
“I never thought that was possible,” Ford laughed, slapping his own forehead. “What am I saying? You’ve made all kinds of amazing pleasuring bots. I’m sure you can build anything you want. You’re a genius.”
Ludiin’s cheeks flushed with heat, the rush of embarrassment creeping up to his ears. He’d never had anyone gush over him before, not like this. It felt weird.
“I’m kind of stuck, actually,” Ludiin blurted out, wanting him to stop. “There are a lot of things I don’t understand about alphas…”
“Use me.”
Ludiin blinked. “What?”
