Chapter 731: THE REAL REASON HE WANTED TO MEET

WULFRIC wasn’t sure how to feel about the news. On one hand, he should be happy because Aster’s small role had clearly left a big impression on the public. But remembering how fans had paired Aster with that show’s lead, he couldn’t shake off a nagging discomfort.

He forced his voice to stay even as he asked, "Will you have many scenes with that crime boss character?"

Astrid raised his eyebrows, amused. Wulfric was talking as if Jordan himself were actually a criminal mastermind rather than just playing a character in a show. The best part? He could practically see Wulfric fighting back a pout.

He held back his laughter and answered, "Yes. That’s actually why I wanted to talk to you. To give you a heads-up."

Wulfric tilted his head in confusion. "A heads-up?"

"Jordan, the main lead of the show, and I will have an intimate kiss scene in the movie," Astrid said carefully while observing Wulfric’s reaction. "I wanted you to hear it from me first, so it doesn’t catch you off guard later when you watch the movie."

For a moment, Wulfric just stared at Aster, his brain refusing to process what the other had just said. His lips parted slightly as if he wanted to speak but couldn’t find the right response. Then, all at once, every word that Aster said registered in his brain. His body jerked forward, hands gripping the edge of the couch as he nearly shot to his feet. His fingers dug into the cushions, his entire posture rigid with protest.

The word "no" almost burst out of his mouth, but Wulfric caught himself just in time. Even if this was virtual reality, he had to take slow breaths to steady himself. Only when he was certain his voice wouldn’t sound petulant did he speak.

"How intimate are we talking?"

"Let’s just say tongues might be part of it."

The moment those words registered, Wulfric shot to his feet, his control snapping. "No!" The word exploded out of him before he could stop it, loud enough that his voice echoed through the tree house. "You can’t!"

Astrid blinked, staring at Wulfric. The other’s face had gone completely still, his golden eyes burning with an intensity that looked almost dangerous. His jaw was clenched so tight Astrid could see the muscle twitching on the avatar’s face, if that was even possible. For a heartbeat, he looked like a storm about to break.

"Wulf," Astrid said softly, giving his hand a gentle tug until Wulfric sat back down beside him. "You know this comes with the job. I’m still new to this industry. I can’t just refuse scenes unless they’d actually damage my image. And this... this isn’t that kind of scene I just refuse for no reason."

Wulfric stayed silent, his gaze fixed on the floor as his shoulders slumped slightly. He looked like he was wrestling with Astrid’s words, trying to force himself to accept them even if every part of him wanted to argue.

Astrid let out a helpless sigh. It seemed the moment had come to finally do what he’d actually come here for.

Wulfric knew he was being childish, but he couldn’t help it. He’d never been good at hiding his feelings. If something bothered him, it showed plainly on his face. That’s why he kept staring at the floor. How could he possibly be okay with Aster kissing someone else? And not some quick, harmless peck, but the kind that might involve tongues? No. Absolutely not.

Of course, he understood it was just acting. But knowing that didn’t make it any easier to accept. He’d thought he’d grown past this after the fan event mess. Apparently, he’d been wrong.

But what else could he do? He couldn’t just nod and smile. Not when his face would clearly show how much he hated the idea. So he kept his eyes fixed on the floor, saying nothing.

That’s why he froze in shock when Aster suddenly straddled his lap. His eyes widened comically as he stammered, "A-Aster? Wh-what are you—?"

"Shh..." Astrid pressed a finger to Wulfric’s lips. "I knew you’d sulk once you hear about the kiss scene. So, I thought, I should do something to ease your mind. What I will do next is the real reason I wanted to meet today."

Wulfric’s brain short-circuited completely. Aster’s weight on his lap, the words he said, everything scrambled his thoughts into static.

"W-what do you mean?"

Instead of answering, Astrid closed the distance between them. His lips pressing against Wulfric’s in a slow, deliberate kiss. Wulfric froze completely. If he thought his brain had short-circuited before, now it was outright melting. He couldn’t process a single thought. Was Aster really kissing him? Right now? His hands hovered awkwardly at Aster’s waist, unsure of what to do, his entire body locked in stunned disbelief.

The moment he felt that soft lick against his lips, the truth hit him. This was really happening. Every bit of self-control he’d been clinging to snapped at once. He stopped caring about how or why this was happening. The only thought left in his mind was that he needed to kiss Aster back right now or he might actually stop breathing.

Wulfric’s hands moved before he could think, one cupping the back of Aster’s neck, the other snaking around his waist to yank him flush against his chest. The sudden pull tore a gasp from Aster’s lips, and Wulfric seized the opening without hesitation. His tongue slid past Aster’s parted lips, claiming his mouth with a hunger that burned away every last shred of his sanity.

Astrid’s arms wound tightly around Wulfric’s shoulders, fingers tangling in his hair as the kiss deepened. Even though this was virtual reality, it still felt like every slide of their lips sent heat sparking through his veins. Wulfric’s tongue moved against his with a possessiveness that left no room for hesitation. The taste of him drove Astrid to press closer, his body arching into Wulfric’s without thought.

Somehow, between desperate breaths and the dizzying clash of lips, Wulfric guided them until Astrid’s back met the couch cushions. Astrid didn’t even notice the shift. He was too lost in the way Wulfric’s mouth moved against his, in the electric slide of tongues and the rough grip of hands on his hips.

The soft, helpless sounds spilling from Aster’s lips only fueled Wulfric’s hunger, his entire world shrinking to the feel of Aster’s body pressed against him, the way his breath hitched when Wulfric nipped at his lower lip, the trembling of his thighs where they bracketed Wulfric’s hips, the desperate clutch of his fingers digging into Wulfric’s shoulders like he might vanish if Aster let go. Every gasp, every shudder, every inch of skin beneath his hands became the only thing that mattered.

Wulfric started trailing slow and steady kisses down Aster’s neck. His lips moved from just below Aster’s jaw to the side of his throat, pressing soft kisses along the way. His hand slid under Aster’s shirt, fingers moving over the other’s skin. He touched lightly at first, then let his hand wander up, feeling the shape of Aster’s body.

He was so lost in the moment that he didn’t even hear the shrill alarm blaring overhead.

[WARNING: USER’S HEART RATE CRITICAL. FORCED LOGOUT INITIATED IN 3... 2... 1...]