Page 112 of Should Our Stars Collide

“Crash?”

“Can happen after a scene.”

Kieran gapes at him. “This was a scene?”

“Anything can be a scene. It doesn’t even need to involve hanky panky.”

“Please stop saying that. Hey,” he looks around. “Where’s the orange menace? She wasn’t watching us, was she?” Kieran’s definitely not into voyeurism. At least he didn’t get attacked.

“Probably sulking under the bed or something. My bad, I should’ve made sure she was tucked away. Alas, I got distracted.”

Kieran shoots him a look. “Are you saying it’s my fault?”

“I wouldn’t use thoseexactwords…”

“Fuck you.”

Ash laughs, then turns serious. “I need to take care of you, so after we’ve both showered, join me back here.”

“That’s not necessary. I feel just fine?—”

“I’m not asking,” Ash cuts in. “Youwillcome back here and youwilllet me take care of you. That’s non-negotiable.” His expression reminds Kieran of his Math teacher from third grade. It actually makes him gulp.

Kombucha. I can tell Ash to shove it with one word.

But does he have to? Ash is being a bossy little shit, but… being taken care of doesn’t sound like such a terrible predicament. Surely, Kieran can survive him being a clingy monkey for a bit.

“Fine.”

Ash pulls him against his chest and kisses his temple. “Good boy.”

On second thought, maybe he can’t.

25

Days later, Kieran’s still stuck on the inescapable fact that he let Ash get him off. Not just in ayeah, okay, do whatever, just do it quicklykind of way. In thefuck, I’m nervous, but I kinda not so secretly want this and holy shit, this feels good!kinda way.

And the part he’s even more stuck on? Things are not weird. They totally should be! Like, hellooo? Ash rubbed against him until they both came in their pants, fucking bit him like a rabid dog, and then—then!—he cuddled him! And Kieran let him!

They should be circling each other in awkward, tense silence. And what are they doing?

Having a chill day at the beach because the forecast promised the water would be 23 degrees and Ash got all excited about it. Kieran still thinks it was just a ploy to get him undressed. At least the bite mark has faded by now.

Anyways, he gets why Ash might not be awkward about it. In his mind, they have been doing the do for years. But how come Kieran’s not feeling weird about it either?

Maybe the lack of ceremony is what’s keeping him calm? There was no dramatic buildup—apart from that tense minute when he got hard from Ash rubbing his feet. There was no tearing off clothes in desperation like in those stupid movies. Ash purposefully kept their clothes on, correctly sensing Kieran needed some form of barrier between them. And it worked, in a way.

Because layers or not, he can vividly recall the weight of Ash’s body, the steadiness of his hands, the heat that rose through every piece of clothing like it wanted to brand him.

The strangest part wasn't the act itself, but how easily his body and mind had accepted it. Like it was inevitable.

Duh, this body is used to it. My mind, though? That shit needs to be studied.

So yeah, things are not weird. There’s just one tiny detail that won’t leave Kieran alone.

Ash didn’t kiss him. He all but fucked Kieran through his clothes, but lips-on-lips action? Zilch. Nada. Which is good, Kieran wasn’t ready. But he knows it’s bound to happen at some point, and, honestly, the anticipation is as nerve-wrecking as it is exhausting. He just wants to get it over with!

He’s been so desperate for a distraction he even started working again. It didn’t take long to figure out what projects his future self is working on, so he decided to ease himself in. Conclusion? Working from home and being his own boss is fucking great, but it comes withthe unfortunate disadvantage that everything takes way too long to complete since there’s no one checking on him. Except for the damn cat, who judges him constantly.