Page 49 of Should Our Stars Collide

Stepping in, he slams the door shut.

11

Ash plops down on the bed, listening to the shower run. The disgust on Kieran’s face stung, he’s not gonna lie. He’s been on the receiving end of many of Kieran’s expressions, ranging from indignation, to annoyance, to outright rage.

Kieran hadn’t been very pleased when Ash first started pursuing him two years ago, flirting shamelessly and making it no secret how Ash really felt about him. But underneath all the anger and resistance, Ash was able to feel how flattered Kieran had been. A part of him had always been desperate to be desired and accepted despite his less than charming personality traits (except Ash has always found them very charming). So, he’s used to Kieran looking at him with a vast variety of emotions.

But he’s never looked at him with disgust. Or betrayal.

Yeah, that one hurt a lot.

Why hadn’t Kieran told him this would happen? Okay, he probably worried he’d mess up the timelines or something—Ash blames theStar Trekmarathon they indulged in together—but he could’ve hinted. Prepared Ash a little. Not for his sake, but for Kieran’s—this Kieran’s, the version of him from two years ago that has no idea what it’s like to be loved unconditionally, accepted wholeheartedly.

Kieran might’ve had his reasons for not telling Ash, but why did he have sex with him last night? He should’ve been more considerate ofhis past self. Instead, he’d all but pounced on Ash the minute they got back to the room from a night swim. Now that Ash thinks about it, there had been something desperate about Kieran last night, a sense of urgency that Ash attributed to simply being a little buzzed and relaxed from the vacation.

It all makes sense now.

Of course, if he’d used his ability, he could’ve foreseen this happening. But he and Kieran have a deal: no mind reading unless Kieran gives him permission, or unless he starts spiraling and needs Ash to calm him down. Just like moments ago. And even if Ash broke that deal—not a chance—it would be useless. After Ash and Gabe taught him the basics, Kieran’s become very skilled at blocking out any intrusion to his mind. Not because he needed to be protected from them, but to help him feel more in control.

So when Ash had a look at his thoughts this morning and found no barrier, no resistance, he’d known something wasn’t right. Not to mention Kieran’s thoughts had been pure chaos, most of them referring to the night two years ago. The last thing Kieran remembers.

What a mess.

And on top of that, Zeke is apparently a witch. And doesn’t know it. Great.

It might be better if he doesn’t find out. Ash has always been of the opinion that people should understand themselves, learn as much as they can about who they are, and not just when it comes to supernatural things. He’s a therapist, for crying out loud. But Zeke? Yeah, he’s a bit worried that if Zeke finds out, he’ll be selling love potions on Ebay, then end up in jail for poisoning people. That’s the best-case scenario. The worst-case scenario? He’ll start messing with Ouija boards.

“Holy shit!”

Springing to his feet, Ash barges into the bathroom without knocking.

“Kieran? Are you okay?” He sounded pretty freaked out, but Ash finds him standing in front of the mirror, a towel wrapped around hiships and a look of disbelief on his face while water drips from his body and hair onto the tiles.

Ironically, Ash’s mouth goes dry. No matter how many times he sees Kieran naked, or almost naked, it never fails to steal his breath away.

Okay, focus!

“What is this?” Kieran demands.

Focus, I said.Swallowing several times, Ash looks for something, anything, out of place. “This?”

“I’m ripped!” Kieran points at his abs, then flexes his elbow to show off his toned bicep. “What— How?”

Ash bites back a grin. “Shockingly, through exercise.”

“Impossible.” Kieran shakes his head. “We don’t do that.”

“We?”

“Me, and my lack of desire to put myself through unnecessary pain.”

“You’d be surprised how amenable you can be when properly motivated,” Ash mutters, but Kieran hears it anyway.

“The fuck are you talking about? And stop smiling like that. I hate it.”

“I know.” God, this man is adorable and he doesn’t have a clue.

“Dick,” Kieran huffs. His expression suddenly changes, a flash of hurt passing over his features. “Youmake me exercise, don’t you? You were ashamed of my skinny ass and manipulated me into feeling insecure, didn’t you?”