For a while, Linus watched the empty doorway, trying to digest everything that had just happened.
“So,” Storm said quietly. He pulled away from Linus and shifted uneasily on his feet.
“You’ve been living in my apartment?” Linus asked.
Storm winced. “I—I can leave, if it makes you uncomfortable.”
“That’s not what I said.”
Blue eyes flew up to meet his. “Then why do you look unhappy?”
“I can’t believe I didn’t notice! How long have you been living with me?”
“Four months. Closer to five,” Storm mumbled, his ears turning red. “Ever since I arrived in Meadowfall.”
“Fivemonths,” Linus said incredulously. “I’m horrified at myself.”
Storm cracked an uncertain smile. “Granted, I tried very hard to stay out of your way.”
“Where do you even—You probably own things. Clothes. Where do you put them?”
“Not many, but they’re in your closet and dresser. Just deeply buried.” Storm fidgeted. “I do your laundry at the same time I do mine.”
“You—” Linus sighed, a helpless smile tugging at his mouth. “Where do you sleep?”
“Under your bed.”
“Under my—” Linus imagined being a huge alpha in that tiny space, and cringed. “That’s horrible!”
“I can go—”
“No, you can share the bed with me.”
Storm’s eyes grew comically wide. “Are you serious?”
“I wouldn’t offer unless I was sure. There’s hardly any space down there. How do you not crack your nose on the bed all the time?”
“I almost always do,” Storm said dryly. “Sometimes I hit my forehead, or the side of my head.”
Linus shook his head in disbelief. “That’s torture.”
“I could’ve rented one of the other apartments, you know,” Storm said quietly. “But the ones next to you are all taken. I’m not willing to go further than that.”
That was kind of flattering. And now Linus had to wrap his mind around this alpha living in his space all the time.
Along with the fact that he had beenso oblivious.
Linus’ mouth moved on its own. “You can have some official space in my closet for your things. The dresser too. You don’t have to hide.”
Storm stared, his expression slowly changing from shock to awe. “Gods, Professor. That’s... really generous of you.”
How did such a simple offer trigger such a strong reaction? Linus’ chest squeezed. “You did stake your claim all over me. I figured it’s only fair that you—that you get to claim my bed.”
Storm rumbled, his eyes flashing. “I saw the way you looked at Olson’s belly.”
Linus froze. “H-how did I look at it?”
“Like you wanted a round belly for yourself.”
