The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 842: FIRST REAL KISS

ASTRID’S mouth curved into a soft smile and warmth filled his chest. He tightened his arms around Wulfric’s back, pressing himself closer. He could feel the solid press of hard muscle against him, the familiar strength of Wulfric’s frame wrapped around him like a shield. It felt good being held like this. It’s as if Wulfric was trying to pour every bit of how much he had missed him into the embrace. Astrid let out a quiet breath and buried his face in the crook of Wulfric’s neck.

"I missed you too," he said softly.

Wulfric nearly groaned when Aster tightened his hold and pressed himself closer. He bit it back, barely. But there was one thing he couldn’t control. A certain appendage between his legs had started to harden, reacting to the warmth and softness of Aster’s body against his. Aster smelled too good and felt too good pressed up against him, and his body was responding in a way that was hard to ignore.

Astrid felt it. The unmistakable hardness pressing against his stomach. He was not naive enough to mistake it for something else, like a very long gun. Heat rushed to his face so fast he was surprised steam didn’t start coming out of his ears. But beneath the embarrassment, he also felt amused and a little flattered. He couldn’t believe a simple hug had gotten this kind of reaction out of Wulfric.

"Wulf, you’re poking me," Astrid said in a light, teasing tone, yet he made no effort to step back.

"I know," Wulfric said, his voice rough as he dragged his nose along the side of Aster’s neck. "You just have this effect on me. I can’t help it."

Astrid chuckled. "Well, at least you won’t get logged out this time."

Despite the very obvious problem straining against his pants, Wulfric still managed to laugh. "Maybe we should make the most of this, then."

Astrid raised an eyebrow. "What do you have in mind?"

"Can I kiss you?" Wulfric asked. His voice was direct and without hesitation.

Astrid paused and blinked at the question, then let out another small laugh. "I suppose you can."

Wulfric took that as a go signal. He let go of his hold on Aster and cupped his face, tilting it up. Then he leaned in and kissed him. The moment their lips met, he felt a jolt go through him. Aster’s mouth was soft and warm, and the taste of him made Wulfric’s head spin. He pushed his tongue inside without thinking, and Aster let him, his hands gripping the front of Wulfric’s jacket like he needed something to hold onto.

Wulfric pulled him closer, one hand sliding down to the small of his back, pressing their bodies together. The hardness between his legs only grew more insistent, and he shifted, grinding against Aster. The friction sent a spike of heat through him. He kissed him deeper, tongue sliding against Aster’s, and he felt the small sound Aster made vibrate against his mouth. That sound. He wanted more of it. He kept kissing him, lost in the feel of him, in the taste of him, and he didn’t want to stop.

But he knew he had to stop. If he didn’t, he might end up pushing Aster against the door and having his way with him right there. And if he kept going, he was definitely going to come in his pants like some inexperienced virgin. Which he was, by the way. But still. It’s a matter of principle. So he forced himself to pull back, using every bit of willpower he had.

"That was—" he started, his voice still rough. "That was way better than when we did it in VirtualNet."

Astrid tried to catch his breath, which turned out to be harder than expected after a kiss like that. It was completely different from when they had kissed in VirtualNet. There, it had been real enough, but it still lacked something. The heat. The hunger. The way Wulfric kissed him now had felt like he was being devoured whole. And he definitely hadn’t felt his own body responding the way it was now, a certain part of him standing at attention. It was a good thing Wulfric had pulled away when he did, or they might have ended up grinding against each other right there in the hallway.

"Well, I certainly hope so," he managed to say, his voice light and playful despite the lingering heat in his cheeks.

Wulfric pressed his forehead against Astrid’s, still breathing a little unevenly. "I think I need a cold shower."

Astrid laughed softly. He could say the same for himself, not that he would admit it out loud. He pushed Wulfric back gently. "Go to your penthouse and take one. Then come back down. I’ll have breakfast ready for you."

Wulfric wanted to argue, but he really did need that shower. There was no way his body was going to calm down on its own anytime soon. He let go of Aster with a reluctant sigh. "Okay. I’ll do that."

"Would a chicken sandwich be okay?" Astrid asked.

"I’ll be fine with anything you make," Wulfric said, and before he could stop himself, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Aster’s cheek. "I’ll see you in a minute."

Then he was out of the door.

Astrid still had a huge smile on his face as he went back to his kitchen. He added more vegetables to the salad, then pulled out two chicken breasts from the fridge. He seasoned them with salt and pepper and placed them in a hot pan with a bit of oil. While they cooked, he sliced a fresh loaf of bread and set out lettuce, tomato, and a light spread of mayonnaise. Once the chicken was done, he let it rest for a minute before slicing it and layering it between the bread with the vegetables. He cut both sandwiches in half and set them on plates alongside the salad.

Then, subconsciously, he touched his lips, realizing he and Wulfric had just shared their first real kiss.