Page 22 of Should Our Stars Collide

And what a sight that was.

A picture-perfect definition of: hate to see you go, love to watch you leave. From the cute, small butt and goofy looking bowlegs, to his fiery temper, the man is a wet dream come to life. And the way his gaze, full of righteous indignation, pierced through Ash… Fuck, Ash almost came right there and then. In his pants. Like a freaking teenager.

Hedoesfeel like a teenager. Every time their paths cross, something unravels inside him; a playful, mischievous side that has no regard for consequences or propriety. Gabe has called him a loose cannon on more than one occasion, but he has no idea. Ash might joke, and poke, and tease, and provoke, but there’s a reservation to it. There’s a limit. There’scontrol.Even if everything else goes up in flames, control is the one thing he always has.

Or used to.

There’s a slight chance his control may be biting the dust where Kieran is involved. That’s…dangerous. Though clearly not dangerous enough to discourage Ash from finding out just how far he can push it before something gives.

Initially, he thought that if he got to dive deeper into Kieran’s mind instead of just scraping the surface, the mystery would be solved andhis interest would fade.

Boy, was he wrong. Just getting a taste of the further depths of Kieran’s psyche has made him positively addicted. There’s so much buried in there, a whole maze of secrets and desires Ash could spend ages bringing to light.

As it is, he’ll satisfy himself by revealing one particular desire. One particular secret.

His glass, filled with yellow liquid and decorated with a little umbrella, is pushed towards him. “Struck out, huh?”

Ash forces his gaze towards the bartender. “With?”

The bartender nods in the general direction of the exit. “The angry bird that just stormed out of here. You should try someone who’s not as uptight.” A smirk tugs at his lips. They’re nice lips, full and framed with dark stubble covering a sharp jaw.

Kieran’s jaw is not sharp. It’s soft and round, adding to his already youthful appearance. His lips are thin, his mouth remarkably small for someone so loud and with the vocabulary of a sailor. Kissing him would probably taste of bitterness and rage.

Or maybe it would be unexpectedly sweet. Like Piña Coladas.

Fuck. Ash really,reallywants to find out.

His thoughts must be playing out on his face, because the bartender’s transforms with surprise. “Ah. You’re into that.”

Playing with the straw, Ash gives a deep, wistful sigh. “I so, so am.”

The bartender’s expression is stuck somewhere between amused and disappointed. “I take it you have no interest in easygoing, then? In which case, you should know I have superior acting skills. I can play hard to get. I’m Aaron, by the way.”

Sipping his drink, Ash considers it. He takes Aaron in; his sculpted shoulders and broad chest that’s basically bursting through the tight-fitted black shirt. His undeniably attractive face with big, bright eyes, fanned with thick lashes and filled with undisguised lust, just like the thoughts behind them. Ash sees them play out like a movie—a short, X-rated,verydescriptive movie featuring all the things Aaron would love Ash to do to him.

Normally, Ash would be happy to oblige. This is what he’s good at. He’d wait until Aaron finished his shift, so he could take him home and fuck his brains out. He would knowexactlywhat to do to make him lose his mind, because Aaron’s mind is an open book, free for Ash to read. He’d hit all the right notes and make him scream, before putting his pants back on and heading home. It would be quick, and wild, and easy.

How unsatisfying.

“I’m afraid it wouldn’t work on me.”

“No?”

Ash offers him a secretive smile. “I’mverygood at reading people.”

Pursing his lips, Aaron gives him a blatant once-over. “Such a shame.”

Standing up, Ash reaches for his wallet and retrieves enough notes to include a generous tip. “You might have more luck with the blondie over there who’s been eating you up with his eyes since he sat down.” He nudges his chin towards said guy sitting several seats down and nursing some multicolored drink.

Aaron’s gaze follows, his brows shooting up as he assesses the man. He’s nearly the polar opposite of Ash, as far as looks are concerned. A good head shorter than him, with a heart-shaped, soft face and several piercings in his ear. And he’s staring at Aaron like he wants to climb him like a tree.

“Hmm, come to Mama,” Aaron purrs, pushing himself up and running his fingers through his hair.

Ash laughs, throwing the bills on the counter. “Have a good night.”

“Oh, I think I will.” Aaron snatches up the money without looking at it or Ash, already heading towards the blondie.

Ash smiles to himself, shaking his head as he leaves the bar. At least someone will have fun tonight. Must be nice to be so easy to please, he can’t even begin to imagine. And it’s not just Aaron—now that Ash has set his eyes on a certain someone, anyone else will just feel like a cheap substitute.