Page 132 of We Are Just Us

“I need to finish this.”

“The board’s not going anywhere.” Kieran’s hands slid down Rory’s arms, finding his wrists. “Come on. Take a break. Shower with me.”

Rory hesitated. “Kieran…”

“You’re wound up. You need to clear your head.” Kieran’s voice dropped lower. “Let me help.”

Rory set the wax down. Turned his head, meeting Kieran’s eyes. “That’s not subtle.”

“I’m not trying to be subtle.”

Rory looked at him. His eyes were already giving in before his mouth caught up. “Fine.”

“Good.”

Kieran grabbed his hand and pulled him toward Rory’s house. He started the shower, adjusting the temperature while Rory waited, arms crossed, watching.

“You’re doing this,” Rory said.

“Yep.”

“In the middle of the day?”

“It’s almost noon. Perfectly respectable.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Kieran pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it aside. “Are you going to keep talking or are you going to get naked?”

Rory’s eyes tracked over him. Down. Then back up. He was already reaching for his waistband.

Kieran grinned. He kicked off his shoes, shoved his shorts and boxers down in one motion. Didn’t bother folding or organizing, clothes in a pile on the floor. When he looked up, Rory was peeling off his board shorts, still damp from the morning session.

Steam was already filling the bathroom by the time they stepped into the shower.

The water hit hot and perfect. Kieran tilted his head back, letting it run over his face, his shoulders. When he opened his eyes, Rory was watching him.

“What?” Kieran asked.

“Nothing.”

“Doesn’t look like nothing.”

Rory stepped closer, his hand coming up to trace the line of Kieran’s collarbone, then pressing flat against his chest. His fingers were trembling slightly.

“You said you wanted to help me relax,” Rory said, his voice dropping an octave, losing that stiff driveway posture entirely.

“I did.”

“Then stop talking,” Rory muttered, leaning in until their foreheads touched, his breath hot against Kieran’s mouth. “And actually do it.”

Kieran didn’t need to be told twice.

He pushed Rory back against the tile wall, the water cascading over both of them now. Kissed him hard, all teeth and urgency, hands already moving down Rory’s sides, gripping his hips.

They broke apart, breathing heavy. Kieran dropped to his knees.

“Jesus,” Rory muttered, head falling back against the tile.