Page 180 of Should Our Stars Collide

“You’re infuriating,” Kieran informs him. Suddenly, the space between his brows creases with worry. “You…want this too, right?”

He’s not asking if Ash wantshim—that would be rather redundant. He is here, after all, despite his efforts to stay away. No, Kieran is just worried Ash might feel coerced into sleeping with him right now.

Ash huffs. He understands—and appreciates—why Kieran is double-checking, but the whole idea seems so freaking ridiculous to him.

He lowers himself fully on top of Kieran and gives him a slow, featherlight kiss. “Never wanted anything more. And it scares the shit out of me.”

The display of vulnerability was to put Kieran's mind at ease, but of course it made him all smug instead. The little brat.

“Stop looking so happy about it,” Ash grumbles.

Kieran laughs. “I didn’t think there was anything that scared you. Apart from magpies and cockroaches.” His teeth snap together, eyes going wide. “Uh…”

“Who told you that?” Ash asks, though the answer is obvious. “Gabe really needs to learn to keep his mouth shut.”

Kieran laughs nervously. “Y-yeah, you two should definitely have a chat. Now, where were we?” He walks his fingers across Ash’s chest and pops the top button of his shirt open.

Ash huffs, still so freaking puzzled by the easy confidence, but damn if he’s going to complain.

With a joint effort, they work his shirt open until he can pull it off. Kieran’s eyes instantly latch onto his tattoo. He traces the outline with his finger, stopping when he gets to the card. His mouth falls open, and then he laughs.

“Of course it’s the King of Swords.”

Ash is definitely missing something here, but before he can ask, Kieran says, “I don’t think this fits you.”

“The tattoo?”

“The card. The meaning of it. I mean, yeah, it doesnow,but I don’t think it’s who you really are.”

Ash tries not to let his confusion show in case Kieran takes it the wrong way. “And why’s that?”

“Well, it stands for control, logic, mind over emotions.” He seems to wait for confirmation, so Ash nods. “I think you identify with it because it’s the only thing you know and it makes you feel safe. But I don’t see you that way.”

“No?” His chest starts to get a little tight. “Because I remember you calling me a control freak.”

Kieran smiles sheepishly. “You are. But you’re not cold and emotionless. In fact, you’re an emotional mess. Kinda like me. You just hide it better.”

Ash can only stare at him.

“And you believe it’s your responsibility to be this steady, unshakable presence for others, without getting the same in return.”

“I had no idea you were into philosophy. Or astrology,” Ash says in a desperate attempt to cover up how deep Kieran’s little monologue hit.

“I’m into you,” Kieran points out. “And if you haven’t noticed, I tend to get obsessive over the things I’m into. So you should be ready to be taken apart.”

Ash swallows, liking the sound of it a little too much. “Metaphorically,or…?”

Kieran’s teeth flash dangerously. “Any way I can come up with.”

Yes, please.“I’m in.” Swooping down, Ash gives him the deep, filthy kiss Kieran’s been craving, not holding back this time.

Kieran accepts everything Ash gives him, each delicious sound he makes only spurring him on. He’s so fucking responsive, it’s insane no one has snatched him up yet. Though it’s not that insane—Kieran is distrustful and struggles to open up, but for some reason he trusts Ash.

Ash could get high on that knowledge alone.

He battles off Kieran’s T-shirt, accidentally ripping a seam in the process. Whatever, he’ll buy him a new one. He has more pressing matters to attend to.

Like the fact that Kieran is shirtless now, and his skin is clearly begging to be touched and marked. Ash has never been much of a nipple guy, but Kieran’s are so small and such a lovely shade of pink, his mouth fills with saliva at the mere sight.