Page 2 of A Winter Crush
His eyes are a deep, rich brown.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Sariah.” His voice was deep and grumbly and sent tingles down Ori’s spine. Then the potter turned his focus back on his work.
Sariah dropped her hand from her stomach and rolled her eyes. “Don’t work too late, Wareth.”
Wareth. His name is Wareth.
She walked towards the back door by the windows, towards Ori. Ori stepped back amongst the trees. Sariah didn’t see Ori as she opened the door and passed by, not even glancing in his direction. He blended in with the trees quite well.
Ori watched Sariah go. Could she and Wareth be together? Probably not, since Wareth wouldn’t see her until tomorrow. It seemed more likely that they just worked together. Ori turned his gaze back to the potter.
Wareth’s attention was once again completely on the wheel. He placed his foot on the disk and kicked backwards, moving the wheel as his hands wrapped around the clay.
I wonder how old he is.
He was significantly older than Ori. The lines around his eyes and flecks of grey in his hair and beard gave Ori that impression. Maybe twenty years older? He’d never been interested in anyone significantly older than himself. His past lovers had all been around the same age. He wondered if being with someone so much older than himself would be different. Perhaps the man would be more experienced, more masterful.
Ori had never been with a human. To be honest, he’d never had the time to focus on lovers. Instead, he’d been busy looking after his younger brother. But his brother didn’t need him as much anymore.
Ori continued to watch Wareth as he made rounded vessels, one after the other, barely pausing between them. He wondered what it would be like to be the focus of Wareth’s attention.
It must feel like you are the centre of the world.
Ori imagined Wareth gazing at him, eyes intent as he touched him, held him, stroked him. Ori swallowed, and heat pooled in his gut.
He let out a breath, feeling somewhat uneasy. He’d never felt like this before, so fascinated with someone so quickly. It was completely out of character. He was responsible and steady, even prudish by oread standards. And here he was enraptured by a human at first sight.
I should leave. I should go home to my brother and aunties, forget all about Wareth. This fascination doesn’t mean anything. I just like how he looks. That’s all.
Still, his feet wouldn’t move.
Perhaps he could just say hello. He could introduce himself. They could talk a little, and he could learn a little about this man who so fascinated him. Maybe they could become friends. Ori wrung his hands. Or maybe something more…
What harm could it do? He just wanted to speak to the man and see him up close. And if they had nothing in common, then Ori would get over this strange obsession.
He stepped forward, one foot after the other, until he stood right by the window. Wareth didn’t notice him, just stayed focused on the sloppy clay. Ori walked towards the door and opened it. Wareth didn’t glance his way.
He stepped inside, clasping his hands together. “Hello.”
Wareth paused, looking up and staring straight at him, brown eyes going wide.
“Hello,” Ori repeated.
For several seconds, Wareth just stared at him, mouth slightly ajar. Ori debated whether he should say hello again. But that seemed excessive.
Wareth closed his mouth and swallowed, Adam’s apple bobbing.
Finally, Wareth spoke. “You need something?” His voice was deep and rough, gravelly as if he didn’t use it often.
“Um… Maybe,” Ori said, voice only just above a whisper. Stepping forward, he gave his most winning smile.
But Wareth leaned back as Ori approached, as if terrified. No one had ever looked at Ori with so much fear. Ori knew that he wasn’t intimidating, being so slender and short. Wareth probably weighed twice as much as him. Ori’s smile dropped. Silence followed. Ori didn’t know what to do next. The man seemed so uncomfortable with his presence.
“Sorry,” Ori said. “I didn’t mean to disturb you. I just saw you working and thought I’d say hello. So, uh…hello.”
The man nodded but otherwise didn’t respond; he just stared at Ori.
Ori fidgeted. “I’ll, uh, I’ll let you get back to your work.” For a second, he didn’t move, giving Wareth the chance to say something.
