Page 178 of Should Our Stars Collide

Kieran grins, and fuck, he’s beautiful. “Well? You said you thought you’d bump into me. Is there something you’d like to tell me?”

Ash should start calling him Bambi, because he has that doe-eyed look down to a T.

Okay, enough cutesy thoughts. He needs to focus. Kieran asked him a question, an important one.

Which means Ash needs a bit of distance.

He unwinds his arms and steps back, not without a protest, and takes Kieran’s hands into his. A sign he’s staying unless he’s asked to leave.

“Any change of mind?”

Kieran shakes his head, once, the action resolute. “Nope.”

Ash already suspected, but the answer still sends his pulse through the roof.

He squeezes Kieran’s hands, needing him toreally listen.

“Do you even know what you’re asking for? Do you even know what kind of person I am?”

Kieran, of all things, bites back a smile. As if there’s an inside joke Ash is not privy to.

“You’re arrogant, and infuriating, and pretty morally grey for someone who works in mental health care.” He lets their fingers intertwine. “You are the only person I can be myself around.”

Huh. Suddenly, all those comments about marriage make sense. Because this right here? This is the kind of shit that makes Ash want to drop to his knees and offer Kieran a ring, hell, the whole world. He could also do something else while on his knees…

“Hey, what’s with that smile?” Kieran eyes him distrustfully.

Ash hadn’t realized he’s been smiling, but now he laughs. “Just…you’re more disturbed than I thought.”And run head-first into red flags.

Kieran shrugs, not trying to deny it. “Birds of a feather flock together.”

Ash laughs again. “That’s true.” He gently untangles their hands to cradle Kieran’s face between his palms. Kieran’s eyelids flutter, and he pushes into the touch. “This is your last chance to back out,” Ash reminds him quietly, thumbs stroking his cheekbones. “Once you’re mine, that’s it. There’s no going back.”

Kieran’s shoulders sag with an exhale, as if a wave of relief just swept through him. He licks his lips, before stretching them in a wide smile. “I’m counting on that.”

“Aren’t you scared at all?” Ash doesn’t get it. How can Kieran feel so relaxed around him, knowing what is on the table if he gives Ash the green light.

“I used to be petrified. Not anymore.”

“Because of me?”

“Of what you make me feel.”

“What do I make you feel?”

Kieran huffs a laugh, somehow managing to sound annoyed at the same time.

“Every stupid little emotion under the sun.”

Removing one hand from Kieran’s face, Ash slides it lower to the centre of his chest, where, sure enough, his heart is hammering away like it’s trying to burst through his sternum.

“Well, right back at you.”

Kieran pushes forward until they’re flush, and Ash has no choice but to wrap his arms around him.

“What goes around, comes around,” he recites smugly.

“You’re really throwing all the proverbs around today.”