“Is that all?” Kane chuckles
Heat rises under Rafael’s collar as he nods.
“I’ve been…changing my approach,” he continues as his hand slides to cup the back of Rafael’s neck. “My crew relied too heavily on me. I’m giving them a chance to prove themselves, to lead.”
Kane has free time, stepped away from the crew—and chose Rafael. No one’s chosen him before.
“But we barely know each other…” Rafael mutters.
This earns him a smirk. “That’s what ‘seeing more of each other’ is for.” Kane’s grip tightens. “But make no mistake, I don’t expect you to be ‘getting to know’ anyone else. I’m not a fan of sharing anything, and I’m not going to start with you.”
His words ease some of the tension in his chest, even the fear of Kane being with others. But more questions slip out. “Are you going to tell anyone? And would you come here, or…”
Tension settles in Kane’s jaw. “You’re not going to Shreveport. I’ll come here, to Midtown,” he declares. “As for the rest, what happens between us stays between us. I don’t share my personal life with anyone.”
Dating in secret…The idea twists something in Rafael’s gut. He’s never hidden a relationship before, and being with someone like Kane comes with risks. VitaCorp could fire him, evict Rafael from his apartment, potentially cost him his friends and family.
Yet with Kane standing here, those fears feel far away. For once, the voice in his head isn’t asking who he’s supposed to be for everyone else. It’s quiet enough that he can hear what he actually wants and choose it.
His shoulders loosen. “Okay.” He meets Kane’s gaze. “I want to get to know you…too.”
The hand at Rafael’s neck draws him forward. “Good.” Kane’s gaze sharpens, pupils growing wider. “Then let’s finish what we started the night you left.”
Heat surges through Rafael. Their lips hover inches apart for one breathless moment. Then Kane closes the distance.
A startled gasp rips from Rafael’s throat, but the sound quickly transforms into a moan as his worries melt away. When he responds, leaning into the embrace, a pleased rumble vibrates from Kane’s chest.
Pressing into his mouth, Kane deepens the kiss, tilting Rafael’s head while pressing them together. Rafael encircles his arms around Kane’s broad shoulders, fingers clutching at his jacket.
Around them, the world fades. No setting sun, kitchen console hum, or neon glow outside his window. All that remains is Kane’s warmth and the caress of lips.
This is what he was missing.
Not the comfort of Midtown or the routine of work and Terra’s meals. This real connection with Kane.
When Kane finally pulls back, their gazes meet. Rafael can’t restrain his grin.
“See?” A gleam enters Kane’s eyes. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Rafael laughs at the callback. “No,” he admits, more to himself than anyone. “Not bad at all.” With a chuckle, Kane leans in for another kiss, only to pause when Rafael’s stomach grumbles.
A burn spreads across his face. Kane’s laughter fills the space before he adds, “You know, I’d love to try your cooking again.”
That strange but welcome peace settles in Rafael’s chest again. Perhaps this could work between them after all.
20
Chapter 20 - Kane
Terra’s meat tastes the same no matter how Kane chews it. Spongy with an almost chemical-like flavor. The vegetables aren’t any better, and the soda’s gone flat.
Yet with Rafael beside him, lashes fanning his cheeks as he carefully cuts his food, every bite feels worth the agony.
Kane knew the risks before he came. Thanks to Coda, the jammer on his wristlink should fry any facial recognition, and his HOV bike’s loaded with the best trackers and scramblers to dodge corpo drones.
The alternative was letting Rafael come to him. But that’s not an option when any day could bring Natural Order’s next hit.
Still, nothing prepared him for this VitaCorp apartment. Beige chrome-lined walls, lifeless pristine appliances, flawless window screens, too-clean purified air. It’s mega corps at their finest with every surface wiped clean of when the government pretended to matter.