“Kane, it’s past eight already!” The words burst from him as a distant siren wails. “Don’t you have to get back—”
Cool fingers press against Rafael’s lips.
“It’s fine.” Kane pulls back and grabs a cupcake. “The lieutenants are handling things tonight. Natural Order’s tied up with one of their monthly ceremonies.” He peels away the wrapper. “Streets should be quiet. As much as they ever are.”
How can Kane be so sure? Part of Rafael wants to push, to ask what happens if something goes wrong. But he bites it back. Kane’s never led him astray before. And he doesn’t want to ruin their night.
“Alright.” His gaze follows Kane, who lifts the cupcake to his lips. Rafael barely lets him chew before the words spill out. “So? How does it taste?”
A grin splits Kane’s face. His voice drops. “Delicious.”
Rafael reaches for his own cupcake. A hand clamps down on his wrist. He meets Kane’s gaze.
The playful glint in those green eyes has vanished, replaced by something dark. Rafael’s breath catches.
“Wait,” Kane murmurs. He releases Rafael’s wrist but inches the cupcake toward his mouth. “Open up.”
26
Chapter 26 - Rafael
Heat rushes to Rafael’s face. He leans forward, lips brushing Kane’s fingers while he takes a bite. The cupcake is sweet and soft, but the taste barely registers. His racing pulse drowns everything else out.
Kane dips a finger into the icing, eyes locked on him as he lifts it, frosting glinting under the rooftop lights.
“Now, a lick,” he murmurs, voice low and husky.
Rafael moves in without thinking, tongue tracing the sweetness from the cool metal until every trace is gone. When he sits back, a quiet hum slips out.
The smirk on Kane’s lips sharpens. “Tastes better like this, doesn’t it?”
He can only nod, Rafael’s core burning too hot for words.
Focus never leaving him, Kane sets the cupcake down and reaches for the zipper on Rafael’s shirt. A shiver runs through Rafael at the sound of metal against fabric. “Maybe I can get a taste of you, too. Somewhere else entirely.” He tugs the zipper down slowly.
“But Kane,” he breathes as the zipper parts with a hiss, “what if someone sees us? A drone could fly over at any moment.”
A sly glint flashes in Kane’s eyes. “Didn’t I tell you not to worry? I came prepared.” With a final tug, he leaves Rafael’s shirt undone two-thirds of the way, then twists away.
Rafael blinks as Kane rummages through the picnic basket behind them. A moment later, he pulls out a small pouch no bigger than his palm. One press of a button on the side, and the fabric unfolds, forming a floorless dome that shimmers faintly in the air. Rafael’s mouth drops open, but Kane isn’t finished. He flicks across his wristlink, and the dome’s edges dissolve, leaving only the faintest outline.
Above them, the sky is visible now, almost as if the tent isn’t even there.
“Whoa.” He tilts his head. “Is this the same tech Echo uses? Like on your license plate?”
When Kane doesn’t answer, Rafael glances down, only to discover the man has moved closer.
“Let’s not talk about the tech. Or Echo,” Kane murmurs, crawling forward. “Just enjoy it.”
Instinct drives Rafael back until his spine meets the blanket. Kane crawls over him until his knees bracket Rafael’s thighs, hands planted on either side of his head.
The cage of chrome is welcome and inviting, but Rafael’s mind can’t settle. “What about—does this shield us from everything?”
A nod is all Kane offers before he yanks Rafael’s sweater open. A rush of heat flares through Rafael. Kane smirks and shifts his stance, snatching something out of sight.
When Kane returns, his hand is braced against the ground while the other lifts, two fingers coated in icing. Rafael’s pulsestutters. The sticky touch lands on his chest, sliding between his nipples before trailing lower. By the time Kane reaches his stomach, a jolt fires through Rafael’s groin. His eyes snap upward.
Heavy-lidded green eyes meet his. “Can’t wait to taste every bit of you,” Kane breathes before tracing the icing with his tongue. Rafael clutches at his shoulders as Kane’s mouth works downward. Deft fingers find the clasp of his trousers and rip them open. One hard yank, and the fabric slides down his legs. Rafael kicks them aside.