Chapter 22 - Rafael
“And these are real blueberries?” Rafael stares into the box on his counter, mouth agape. “And actual sugar—not synthetic?”
“All natural,” Kane says from near the kitchen console. “Same with the eggs.” He moves through the small space, tapping the console to unfold its mixer arm and switch the oven unit on. Rafael should probably find him intrusive. Who just walks in and takes over someone else’s kitchen?
Yet a smile tugs at his lips.
Kane glances over his shoulder. “Bring those here.”
Snapping out of his daze, Rafael gathers the ingredients and sets them on the counter.
By the time he returns, Kane’s already measured the flour, poured the sugar, and tipped both into the bowl.
When he adds the blueberries and swipes the controls, the console switches on, mixing the batter in perfect circles.
His stomach twists.
A chrome arm slips around his waist. He shifts his focus up to find Kane watching him, brows furrowed.
“What’s wrong?”
Warmth moves through Rafael. Even when focused on baking, Kane sees him.
“Nothing, really.” He leans against Kane, savoring the rare chance to feel him without armor or a jacket. The man wears only a sweater now, visor pushed up on his head. “It’s just…I wish we didn’t have to use anything from Terra’s at all. Sorry…”
This earns him a snort. “Don’t be sorry,” Kane remarks. “I wanted to bake something for you. I don’t mind using some Terra’s.”
Rafael can’t help but smile. “Still, you went through all this trouble…”
“It’s—” The kitchen console beeps behind them. Kane turns around and swipes over the controls. As the machine moves the batter into a pan, he meets Rafael’s gaze again. “It’s no trouble. Okay? And if I didn’t have everything I needed, that’s on me, not you.”
Once again, the man always shoulders all his concerns. “Okay,” Rafael agrees.
Kane’s hip settles against the counter. “But I have to admit. I prefer my setup back at home,” he chuckles. “No offense. But nothing beats those old 2100s consoles. Terra’s had to actually care about quality then.”
Old 2100s kitchen consoles? Like the one in his quarters at Shreveport?
Does Kane mean—
“Wait…” Rafael blinks at him. “Was that apartment I was staying in—was that yours?”
Kane nods.
“Really? That’s—why? I mean…why did you let me stay there?”
Silvered fingers brush through his curls. “I was more concerned about your safety than I was about you snooping through my stuff,” Kane explains.
His heart skips a beat. Even back then, Kane was looking out for him. “Wasn’t I putting you out, though? You couldn’t make anything at home.”
A bitter laugh escapes Kane. “Like I said before—haven’t baked, let alone cooked, in years.” He steps closer, a smirk curving his mouth. “Until now.”
Heat creeps up Rafael’s neck. “W…why now?”
“You know why…” Kane whispers, fingers brushing the side of his face.
Rafael goes completely still. No one’s ever cooked for him before—only reheated pre-fab meals, and those were on rare occasions. Words tangle in his throat, but he somehow manages, “Thank you.”
Kane’s smile widens. Rafael shuts his eyes on instinct as his heart hammers.
The console’s beep shatters the moment.
With a sigh, Kane spins away. He pulls open the oven door, and a billow of heat and the scent of blueberries rolls over him. Rafael inhales deeply, trying to memorize the smell as Kane takes out the tray, perfectly cooled by the console’s vents.
“They look amazing!” He reaches for one from the counter when Kane twists to face him.
“Here.” Kane holds out a steaming muffin. “Take a bite. Tell me if I’ve still got it.”
He extends a hand, but the treat is pulled out of reach. “You don’t taste with your hands,” Kane tuts.
A flush rises to Rafael’s cheeks. He leans in and parts his lips. Kane puts the muffin between them with a smirk.
The flavor bursts across his tongue. Perfectly sweet and tart with only the faintest hint of Terra’s tang. Better than anything Rafael could ever make. Probably better than anything he’s ever had.
When he gets enough air to swallow, Rafael gives a thumbs-up and says, “You definitely haven’t lost your touch.”
Kane chuckles. “Good to know…” He lifts what’s left of the muffin toward him again. “But one more bite—to be sure.”
Heat floods Rafael’s face as he leans forward for another taste. This time, his tongue grazes Kane’s chrome finger, smooth and cool against the warmth.
“Still good?” Kane’s voice drops deeper now.
All Rafael can offer is a nod.
This draws another laugh from Kane, who grabs another from the tin, this time for himself. “Maybe next time I’ll bring over some real produce,” he suggests. “We can cook something together. Your choice.”
Rafael’s grin widens. “Yes, of course! That sounds great.” But despite his words, his shoulders tense.
Would it always be just the two of them, tucked away in his apartment? But what if he wants more?
Lost in thought, he barely notices Kane’s frown until the man speaks. “What’s wrong?”
Rafael’s fingers tighten around the muffin. Should he admit it? Say what he’s really thinking and risk ruining the mood? Kane’s already risking enough by coming here at all. Asking for more would be selfish.
“Nothing!” he says.
A hand finds his waist, drawing him closer until he’s fully pressed against Kane’s. When Rafael looks up, green eyes search his face.
“If we’re going to keep seeing each other,” Kane starts, tone stern yet gentle. “Honesty is nonnegotiable. I need to know what’s going on, to anticipate and plan for anything that might hurt you—or us. Remember?”
Rafael’s chest tightens. “I don’t want to upset you. I don’t want to ruin this…” What are they? Boyfriends? Are they dating or in a relationship?
Warmth softens Kane’s expression. “Nothing you say is going to ruin this. I don’t need protection from the truth. I need to know what’s on your mind.”
“I—” Rafael swallows. “I want to go on a normal date too. Somewhere outside, with you…I just don’t know if that’s possible.”
Kane leans back. “That’s it?” He almost laughs. “That’s not a problem. I’ll figure something out—take you somewhere proper. But I’m drawing the line at Shreveport. It’s too dangerous right now. But don’t worry about this, okay? That’s my responsibility.” He tilts his head. “Deal?”
He nods. “Deal.”
“Good.” Kane leans in, stopping with their foreheads only inches apart. “You know, I’ve been thinking about the last time I was here…about what could’ve happened—if we weren’t interrupted.”
Heat shudders through Rafael. For three days, he’s replayed that kiss in his mind, wondering what could’ve been. His fingers curl into the fabric of Kane’s jacket. “Me too,” he whispers.
Kane’s mouth lifts at the corner. One arm tightens around Rafael’s waist while the other slips behind his thigh, and suddenly Rafael’s feet leave the ground. His legs lock at Kane’s waist as a rush of arousal washes over him.
Their eyes meet, both grinning.
The grip under Rafael’s thighs secures as Kane carries him toward the living room through a doorway from the kitchen.
When they reach the couch, he’s lowered gently onto his back.
Kane settles one knee beside his, reaching for his coat with a smirk.
When the jacket hits the floor, Rafael falls speechless.
Light from the window screen glints off Kane’s arms, the metal stark against his pale skin. Even the wires at his throat glow as they disappear beneath his collarbone. Stamina stims, maybe pain inhibitors. And there, resting against his sternum, is a purple pendant Rafael’s never noticed before.
A leg slots between his, the other bracketing his thigh, and Rafael’s attention flicks to a shadow looming over him.
“You’re beautiful, you know that?” Kane’s voice is rough as he leans in, a hand braced next to Rafael’s head.
“I thought so when we first met. It was a risk—I know. But you know what truly got me? Despite Echo bleeding out, you didn’t flinch.
Showed more spine than half my crew.” His breath gusts against Rafael’s lips.
“And then you were kind. Too kind—caring about people you didn’t know.
Treated my crew like they mattered. I don’t see that much from your world. ”
Rafeal’s pulse hammers in his throat.
“I thought you were handsome too,” he manages.
“Despite you being…intimidating.” Rafael shakes his head, pushing the memory away.
They’ve come a long way since then. “But you were fair. Considerate. The way you protected your crew—I knew you were different. And strong. Handsome. I couldn’t stop thinking about you. ”
Lips press against his before he can say more. Rafael surrenders, mouth parting. Their kiss deepens as cool fingers slip beneath his sweater. Kane’s touch slides up over his stomach, skimming the center of his chest.
A gasp catches in Rafael’s throat. His body presses forward, desperate for more.
Except Kane pulls back. Their gazes find each other. Even through the haze, Rafael understands what he’s asking. He gives a quick, certain nod.
Kane grins. He reclines enough for Rafael to raise his arms, then grabs the edge of the sweater, slipping it off.
As he hungrily takes in Rafael’s newly exposed skin, a chrome finger drifts down between his pecs. “Gorgeous,” Kane murmurs.
Rafael can’t resist a quiet moan.
“Love that sound.” Kane’s thumb and forefinger pinch his nipple, rolling the sensitive skin.
Rafael tips his head back, and wet lips press against the side of his neck. Eyes falling closed, he turns to grant Kane better access and settles an arm over his shoulders.
This seems to be all the invitation Kane needs. His hand leaves the sensitive nub, moving down Rafael’s torso, each caress igniting sparks of pleasure. When Kane delves deeper, past his trousers and into his boxers, he lets out a gasp.
Yet this is where the man pauses, inches from where Rafael wants him to. He tilts his hips in a plea, but Kane only laughs.
“Something you want?” His voice comes low against Rafael’s ear.
Lost under all the heat, Rafael can only nod.
Kane’s teeth graze his jaw. “Then say the word.”
“Please.” The word slips out broken and desperate. “Please, Kane. Touch me.”
A chuckle vibrates against his neck. “Anything you want, sweetheart.”
Sweetheart.
The nickname barely registers as cool metal slides around his cock. Rafael gasps, lost for words as the grip of Kane’s hand strips away every thought.
“There you are,” Kane murmurs. His fingers slide along his shaft and up against the swell of the cockhead. Rafael arches into the touch, craving more pressure, more speed. Yet the slow, torturous pace continues. He inhales sharp, grip slipping from Kane’s hair.
Beneath him, the cushions shift with Kane’s movement before warm air gusts across his skin. Soft lips follow, pressing kisses along Rafael’s collarbone before securing on his nipple. His thoughts spiral, overwhelmed by all the sensations—Kane’s hand, his mouth, the goosebumps across his skin.
Whatever control he has left unravels when Kane switches to the opposite nipple, swirling around the peak.
Another groan escapes Rafael as his hips buck automatically.
Thankfully, Kane finally gives in, increasing the pace and tightening his grip.
Rafael’s mind short-circuits under the rush of pleasure, bucking wildly to match the speed while Kane devours his chest.
He barely registers that Kane has pulled back until there’s a shift of weight near his head. His eyes flutter open, and Kane’s gaze locks with his, a smug grin on his lips. “Look at you,” he purrs. “So perfect, giving yourself to me.”
An incoherent whine is the best Rafael can offer, wincing when he feels precome dribbling from the head of his cock.
But when he finally rises above the haze of lust, guilt starts to creep in, and his hand darts out to brush against the strain in Kane’s pants.
Strong fingers stop Rafael before he can reach the zipper, clasping his wrist.
“Want to see what you do to me?” Kane teases.
He releases Rafael to clasp the zipper, and in a few quick tugs, his cock is free from his pants.
Rafael inhales sharply at the sight, watching chrome digits close over the thick length.
“This—this is what you do to me.” Kane leans down, repositioning his body until their lengths press together.
The skin on skin draws a loud groan from Rafael, but the second he thinks he can’t take more, Kane encloses both cocks with his entire hand. Under the new wave of pleasure, his hand finds an anchor in Kane’s shoulder, over where the flesh meets chrome.
A groan rumbles from Kane in response, grip tightening as he strokes them together at a relentless pace.
Almost instantly, Rafael is reduced to a quivering mess. His vision blurs at the edges as his body surrenders to the rhythm. The world narrows to the frantic beat of his heart and the sound of their uneven breaths.
Kane’s low voice in his ear cuts through the fog. “Come for me, sweetheart. Let go.”
“Kane,” Rafael rasps.
He comes with a gasp, hot release dripping all over Kane’s fingers. But the man keeps up the momentum, squeezing every last drop from Rafael. Only when Rafael whimpers from the overstimulation does Kane finally release him and settle upright.
Limbs completely slack, Rafael collapses into the cushions. The ceiling swims while he tries to catch his breath. Once his world finally steadies, his gaze drifts up to Kane.
The man’s usual control is gone. His face is flushed, pendant dangling from his neck, and lashes fanned against pale cheeks. He strokes himself with fervor, his gaze sweeping from Rafael’s face to the mess on his chest.
When Kane finally comes, a guttural sound tears from his throat. “Fuck!” His release splashes between them, and Rafael watches the come drip to mix with his own, unable to look away.
For a long moment, Kane is frozen above him, his body shaking with the raw aftershock of the release.
Shared ragged breaths fill the room. Above him, Kane still hovers, auburn hair damp and clinging to his forehead.
One last exhale, and he lets his weight go, sinking down onto Rafael.
His arms come around Kane without hesitation, pulling him close.
Kane’s answer is a satisfied hum and a press of lips to his neck.
For a moment, there’s only warmth and the tangle of their bodies.
Then a sharp beep slices through the air.
His eyes snap open. He peers over Kane’s shoulder toward the kitchen.
On the counter, the visor’s lenses blink red. Rafael’s smile fades.
They could only ignore the real world for so long.