Page 67 of Should Our Stars Collide

“Being with you is my objection.”

And because Kieran is right—Ashisa pervert, and possibly skirting a morally grey area—he conjures up an image, ascene, then creates a connection between his and Kieran’s minds and sends it through.

It's not something he made up. It’s a memory, a most cherished one, of their first anniversary when Kieran told himI love youfor the first time. He didn’t say it like that, of course. In true Kieran fashion, there was a lot of babbling, a few insults thrown in, before he blushed like a tomato and mumbled: “Why I had to fall in love with such an arrogant ass, I’ll never know.”

That’s not what Ash is showing him now—Kieran’s definitely not ready for love confessions.

No, Ash shows him what happened after. When he stripped Kieran bare and pounced on him like a man possessed. When he pinned Kieran under him and kissed him slow and deep and needy, then fucked him the exact same way. When Kieran moaned and cried so hard he lost his voice, clinging onto Ash like he would die if he didn’t hold on.

Kieran makes a sound between a squeal and a gasp, eyes like saucers. He shakes his head violently, as if to banish the scene from his mind.

Stifling a laugh, Ash leans in. “I don’t think I believe you.”

“I don’t give a shit what you believe,” Kieran retorts, out of breath like he’s run a marathon. He squirms in the cramped seat, suspiciously tilting his hips away.

Damn, this is way too much fun to stop. But Ash really should, before he gives Kieran a stroke.

“The turbulence is over,” he casually informs him.

Puzzled, Kieran just stares at him for a moment, as if Ash spoke in Finnish instead. He looks around, then down at their joined hands, before letting go. Slow, unhurried, not like a person who’s trying to get away as fast as possible.

“How are you feeling?”

“Your distraction techniques are questionable,” Kieran mutters, but he doesn’t sound upset. More embarrassed than anything.

“So I’ve heard.” It’s Ash’s turn to be nervous. He twirls his thumbs, staring at Kieran’s profile a little too intently, before Kieran barks out an annoyed, “What?”

“When we arrive…will you come home with me? It’s a two-bedroom apartment,” he rushes to add before Kieran can refuse. “You don’t have to be holed up in the same room with me. But I’d really like it if you stayed.”

“So you can keep an eye on me?”

The fact the answer is not an outright ‘no’ is already a success.

The fact that Kieran still sees Ash as some manipulative monster, not so much.

“So I can be with you. I always want to be by your side.”

Kieran’s lips part, but no sound comes out. He just stares at Ash as if he just shared the secret to conquering the universe (something Ash is actively working on, by the way). The moment stretches, making Ash hold his breath.

Running his tongue over his slightly trembling lips, Kieran says, “Fine.”

Ash exhales, a weight dropping off his shoulders. “Thank you.”

“I’m not doing it for you,” Kieran informs him, crossing his arms over his chest. “The alternatives suck. I don’t wanna be around Gabe and Ellis when they’re disgusting together, and I definitely don’t wanna stay with Mr. and Mr. Winters.”

Ash nods obediently. “Understandable.”

“After we get home—I mean, after wearrive,” Kieran corrects. “I want you to spill the beans. About everything. This whole—” he gestures between them, “thing between us. It’s not normal. Whatever dynamic this is, isn’t normal.”

“Of course not. Neither of us is normal.”

Kieran rolls his eyes, but there’s a faint smile playing on his lips.

“I can’t wait to return to my time. This has aged me ten years, I swear.”

“Technically, it’s only two ye—I’ll shut up,” Ash amends quickly at Kieran’s glare. Better not undo all his hard work now.

“Wise decision.”