"Orbiting You"

Chapter Sixteen: Underneath It All

Later – Walking Back

The streets were nearly empty as they made their way back to campus, the late night draped in quiet. Amira’s fingers were tucked into her sleeves, but not for warmth. She could still feel where Kieran had touched her — her back, her shoulder, her waist.

She stole a glance up at him. His face was calm, more so than usual, and he kept glancing over too, like he couldn’t help it. She was used to being the intense one, the impulsive one, but tonight... Kieran was the one drawing lines she hadn’t seen before.

And then erasing them with his hands.

Outside her dorm, he paused.

“You can come up,” she offered, voice low, not sultry — sincere.

He exhaled, like he’d been hoping she would say that. “Yeah,” he said, brushing his knuckles against hers. “Yeah, okay.”

---

In Her Room

Her dorm smelled faintly of vanilla and something like cedar. She kicked off her boots, pulled her sweater over her head, revealing a soft tank top underneath. Kieran sat on the edge of her bed, resting back on his palms, eyes tracking her movements like a slow eclipse.

He didn’t pounce. Didn’t flirt. Just opened himself to the moment.

And she matched him — not with fire, but warmth.

She came to him, one knee on the bed, then the other as she straddled his lap. Her arms wrapped around his neck slowly, deliberately, lips hovering close to his. “You know,” she whispered, brushing her nose against his, “I kind of like you.”

His hands found her waist, the same spot he’d gravitated toward all night. “Don’t say that,” he murmured.

“Why not?”

“Because I kind of like you, too.”

Then he kissed her — not hungry, but deep. Like a promise. One hand slid up her spine, the other into her hair. Her body curled against his. The heat was undeniable, but the need to not ruin it was stronger.

So they didn’t go further. They just curled together, tangled in warmth and breath, her head tucked beneath his jaw as they laid back.

And for a while, that was enough.

---

Later – The Message

His phone buzzed on her nightstand.

Amira was nearly asleep, arm draped across his stomach, but he reached for it quietly. The screen lit up — one message.

Dad: I’ll be there tomorrow. Don’t embarrass me.

Kieran’s whole body went still.

The warmth of the night drained from his shoulders like water down a sink.

“Everything okay?” Amira’s voice was barely above a whisper, her fingers brushing his chest gently.

He turned, tried to smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah. Just… practice early. I should go.”

Amira sat up as he did, watching him pull on his hoodie. She didn’t question it. Didn’t press.

She just touched his arm lightly. “You don’t have to explain. But… thank you. For tonight.”

He looked at her then, something in his expression wavering — like a thought half-formed. Then he kissed her forehead and whispered, “Get some sleep, trouble.”

And he was gone.

---

His Dorm – Past Midnight

He dropped his keys on the desk and sat on the edge of his bed, hunched forward, hands laced between his knees.

All the softness from earlier still clung to him — her scent, her voice, the way she kissed like she was learning him.

But the message sat heavier in his chest.

He stared at his phone screen again.

Don’t embarrass me.

Kieran's jaw tensed. Not good luck. Not proud of you. Just pressure. Always pressure. Football wasn’t about passion anymore — it was expectation, performance, legacy. Being quarterback wasn’t optional.

Smart wasn’t enough.

Good wasn’t enough.

Be the best or don’t bother.

And yet tonight, with Amira — he’d forgotten all of that.

Even now, just the memory of her body warm over his, the way she said I kind of like you with that soft, teasing mouth…

He let out a breath and laid back, arm over his face.

For the first time in months, he didn’t want to think about football.

He just wanted to think about her.