But why is he in Midtown? Has something happened? Is he here to take Rafael back?
“Rafael.” The familiar deep voice sends a shiver down his spine.
“Y…yes?” he answers automatically.
Kane crosses his arms. “If you’re alone…let me up.” His tone softens. “Please.”
Without thinking, Rafael swipes to grant Kane entry to the elevator. An alarm chimes, and a smile flickers across Kane’s lips before the hologram fades.
Rafael steps back from the door.
Kane is coming here—to his apartment. The gang leader from Shreveport. His stomach drops.
What if someone recognizes Kane? Or VitaCorp enforcer spots him in the hallway? Could him being here expose Rafael’s connection?
It’s not too late to reconsider. His fingers hover over the security panel, only for a knock to sound first.
Kane is on his doorstep.
He unlocks the door, and the metal panels slide open.
The man here at all is enough to make Rafael’s heart race, but a flutter stirs alongside, something he hasn’t felt since their goodbye.
“K-Kane, what are you—why are you—” Rafael glances down the hallway—thankfully empty—before catching his gaze. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” Kane’s brow arches. “Will you let me in?”
“Of course.” Rafael steps to the right, letting him inside.
The door seals behind them. A dozen questions race through his mind, but none make it to his mouth.
Silence lingers between them until Kane looks away and says, “Something’s burning…”
Horror floods through Rafael. He spins toward the kitchen. “Shit!” He rushes over and yanks the pan off the console’s burner. The food is surprisingly salvageable, but as he turns around, his heart stops.
Kane steps closer, visor lifted to reveal green eyes. “I came to make something clear.” His tone is calm, not threatening. “I’m interested in you, Rafael.”
Air catches in Rafael’s throat. He can’t meanthat. “I…I don’t think I’m the right person for this,” he mumbles, gaze falling to the counter.
Footsteps pull his focus up to Kane looming over him with a faint curve at his mouth. “You’re exactly who I’m looking for, Rafael. I’m interested in you…romantically.”
Did Rafael hear that right? Kane…is interested in him?
Their goodbye flashes through his mind. Kane, close enough for his breath to gust across his face, eyes on Rafael’s lips.
His heart stutters. Maybe it wasn’t just wishful thinking after all.
“And I think you feel the same.” Kane leans in farther. “Am I right?”
Rafael’s fingers twitch, unsure what to say. In the end, he dips his head. “Yes…”
A chrome hand reaches out to cup Rafael’s face. “Good.” Kane’s voice drops low, unlike anything Rafael’s heard before. “So…you’re open to seeing more of each other?”
“Yes.” The word escapes Rafael’s lips before he can think. “Wait. I…” How much should he say?
A crease deepens on Kane’s forehead, his thumb tracing Rafael’s cheek. “What’s wrong?”
Nothing would make Rafael happier than seeing where this could lead. But he can’t pretend that all the obstacles don’t exist. “How can we…how would this even work? Your crew’s in Shreveport, I’m here in Midtown. And the police, VitaCorp—what if they find out?”