Back then, Ash barely noticed her.
She was just his best friend's little sister—quiet, polite, the kind of girl who looked like she still wore innocence like skin.
Maybe she did.
Or maybe it was just her face that looked that way.
Either way, he didn't care.
Not then.
But now…
Now she's older. Bolder. Beautiful in a way that makes him anxious.
And suddenly, Ash is caring too much.
Because the way Celeste looks at him now—it's not innocent.
It's knowing.
Like she already sees the part of him that's ready to fall.
He's never been good at handling bold people. Especially not beautiful ones with wicked smiles and voices like silk wrapping around a knife.
Celeste didn't ask to be let in—she kicked the door open, laughed at the mess inside, and made herself at home.
And Ash, in all his quiet awkwardness, let her.
He let her lead, let her tease, let her touch him like no one ever had.
She tasted like heat and recklessness. Her kisses came with consequences.
But somehow, he still wanted more.
What he didn't expect was how fast everything would change.
Because somewhere between the stolen glances and tangled limbs, between the moans and the soft gasps in the dark… something real took root.
Something terrifying.
Something irreversible.
He wanted her.
Not just her body—but her presence. Her chaos. Her light.
And Celeste?
She had no intention of letting him go.
Not now. Not ever.