Chapter Fifteen
Biting back a groan, Shane blinked into the darkness. Around the edges of the blackout curtains in the hotel room he could see daylight, and there was an inch-wide shaft of weak light where they’d left the curtains a bit parted. Rafa was sprawled on his stomach beside him, sound asleep, parted lips visible.
He, Rafa, and Camila had been discharged after the one restless night in the hospital. Of course, they hadn’t gone anywhere that day, staying close to Ramon as he continued to recover. But it had been wonderful to sleep last night in a real bed with Rafa at his side.
As much as he wanted to hold Rafa tightly and never let go, the extra-strength ibuprofen was wearing off and his sore ribs protested. Even in the dim light, he could make out the dark splotchy bruises on Rafa’s body, and God, he hated them. They shouldn’t make him feel like a failure, and he fought against the instinct.
Adriana and Christian’s flight had been delayed by a storm, but they’d be arriving soon. Shane should probably wake Rafa so they could get back to the hospital, but a few more minutes wouldn’t hurt. Rafa looked so peaceful, and Shane envied it.
No matter how he tried to clear his mind and relax, the same thought echoed. Initially after they’d been rescued, he’d been able to push aside the memory of Rich Moir’s graying, cold skin. He could compartmentalize it and focus on Rafa, the Castillos, and Hernandez.
But now, he could feel ribs crack under his hands, clammy, lifeless lips under his, the puffs of air useless.
His chest tightened and he shifted on the soft mattress, unable to stop a grunt of pain as he tried to move to a different position. With a little snort and smack of lips, Rafa mumbled and woke, blinking at him.
“Hmm?” Rafa stretched, his naked limbs sliding over the sheets with a soft shush-shush sound. A few bruises were turning a paler purple. “Okay?”
Shane opened his mouth to say yes, of course he was fine. Nothing to worry about. He stopped. His throat was dry. “Can’t stop thinking about the pilot.”
Rafa seemed instantly wide awake, wriggling closer and resting his hand on Shane’s chest. “You did all you could. You got him out. More than the rest of us would have been able to do.” He hooked his foot over Shane’s shin and rubbed slowly. “We did our best. We were in shock, and the helicopter was sinking, and… I don’t know. Maybe I could have done something differently.”
“Like what? No. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“So if I didn’t, then how come you did? Why do you have a different standard to uphold?”
He huffed, smiling softly. “Okay. I see your point.”
“As much as you wish you could leap tall buildings in a single bound, you’re not Superman. So don’t go holing up in your mental Fortress of Solitude.”
“That’s really deep.”
Rafa’s puff of laughter ghosted over Shane’s shoulder. “I thought so.” He lightly drew his fingers down to Shane’s belly. “How do you feel? Physically, I mean.”
Again, he had to bite back the knee-jerk response of insisting he was fine. “Sore. You?”
“Yeah, sore, but a little better than yesterday.” He inched closer, pressing his lips to Shane’s left nipple. “How about if I kiss it all better?”
“Mmm. Sure you’re up for it?”
“The question is whether you are.” Rafa reached down and traced the curve of Shane’s flaccid cock.
He chuckled, trying not to wince at the throb in his ribs. “I’m sure I could be persuaded.”
“I really want to,” Rafa whispered, as if he was telling a secret. He caressed Shane’s balls and sensitive flesh, and Shane quivered. “I want to taste you. Breathe you in. Make you come. Just want to…feel you. Know we’re still alive. Really feel it.”
Shane brushed his hand over Rafa’s head, his short hair sticking up. “Yeah. Please.”
His teeth flashing in a smile in the semidarkness of the hotel room, Rafa kissed his way down Shane’s body, his dry lips barely brushing his torso. He crawled between his legs, nudging them apart. Shane was only too happy to bend his knees and let them flop open.
At first, Rafa barely touched Shane’s cock. He teased at the trail of hair leading down, nuzzling with his face before pressing kisses. He circled his fingers over Shane’s inner thighs.
Shane’s belly quivered, cock twitching and hardening. He moaned softly. “Feels good, baby.”
Rafa grasped Shane’s thickening shaft and ran his lips over it, then his stubbly cheeks. His hot exhalation on the tip sent goosebumps rippling. Shane moaned again. “So good.” He lifted his hips eagerly.
“What do you want?” Rafa spread his hands over Shane’s thighs, gentle on the bruises, ducking his head to kiss his balls.
“Oh, fuck.” For some reason he couldn’t name, Shane felt strangely vulnerable, splayed open like that. Words died in his throat.
Rafa murmured with a warm gust of air, “Tell me.” Clearly he needed to hear it, and Shane had never been shy at all about talking during sex. Yet now he could only moan.
“Love your hairy balls,” Rafa mumbled. “You’re so hot.” He licked his sac, lapping until Shane was shaking.
Lifting his head, Rafa licked his lips. “Do you need me?”
“Always.” He traced his freckles with his fingertip. “More than you can imagine.”
“Tell me. Tell me what you need.”
Shane knew this was about more than sex, and he took a deep breath, ignoring the flare in his ribs. “Need your mouth. Need you to suck me.” He wanted to grip Rafa’s head and tug him down, but he kept his hands at his sides, fingers twitching. “Please. Need you, baby. No one else. Not ever. Just you.”
Rafa swallowed him almost to the base, and the sudden hot pressure had Shane gasping. Rafa scraped his blunt nails over Shane’s thighs, sucking forcefully, spit soon dripping from his lips. He bobbed his head, his lips and tongue finding all the right places.
Adrenaline coursed through Shane like fire in his veins, obliterating any pain from his ribs. His cock was like a raw nerve, all vibrating sensation, his balls tightening. He groaned. “Oh, baby.”
The rest of the world and any lingering pain disappeared, Rafa’s mouth on him the only thing left. When Rafa looked up, eyes feverish, Shane reached down to caress his face. Seeing his cock stretching Rafa’s wet lips, filling him, spit dripping down his chin, made his head spin with a powerful sense of rightness he couldn’t explain.
“You’re so good, Raf. Oh, God.” His balls tightening, he seized up and—
Rafa pulled off, squeezing the base of Shane’s dick. His chest rising and falling, he caught his breath, smiling slyly as Shane grunted in frustration.
“You need to come?” Rafa asked innocently.
He groaned. “Now you’re going to torture me?”
“Not for long.” He kissed the slit of Shane’s dick, his tongue teasing and sending sparks over his flesh. “Tell me what you want. Tell me what’s in your head. I want to know everything.” He ran his palms over Shane’s trembling thighs.
“I promise I’ll tell you.” He caressed Rafa’s head, missing the curls. “Right now? I want to come. Want to come in your mouth, baby. Want you to swallow it. So deep—”
Nostrils flaring, Rafa took Shane almost into his throat, sucking forcefully and digging the nails of one hand into Shane’s thigh, a dull bolt of pain coupled with the heaven of his hot mouth.
Shane came with a shout, twisting his fingers into Rafa’s short hair. Ecstasy rattled his body, muscles tensing as he emptied, loving the sight of Rafa slurping down every drop he could.
Lifting his head and sitting back on his heels, Rafa gulped in a breath. In the dim light, Shane could see how red his face was, a few white drops of cum splashed at the corners of his mouth.
Shane muttered, “So beautiful.”
A smile curved Rafa’s lips, and his tongue darted out to swipe at the spunk. His leaking cock stood hard and thick. Shane was utterly boneless on the mattress, but he needed to see Rafa come. He reached out a limp hand and said, “Come closer.”
But Rafa shook his head. “Is that what you want? I don’t think you really want to jerk me off right now.”
He laughed softly despite his ribs. “Okay, you got me. I need to see you come, but I don’t have the energy to help.”
Rafa grinned. “Good thing I’m younger, huh, old man?” He wrapped his hand around his shaft and started working himself.
“Your cuts?”
“Barely feel them.” He bit his lip, eyes closing. “Oh, shit. I’m so close.”
Fuck, Rafa looked beautiful bringing himself off. Shane murmured, “You’re so hot, baby. Look at you. You want to come on me? I want you to. Spray me with it.”
“Yes,” Rafa whimpered.
“Love watching you like this.” Another truth poured out, the memory flowing freely. “That day at the rest stop, I wanted to watch you so badly. Wanted to break down that stall door and see you with your dick out. Kiss you and fuck you against the wall, slam my cock into you and fill you up. Make you come harder than you ever had. Be your first and show you how good it can be. Show you what you deserve.”
“Shane.” Rafa whined, his hand flying, his panting filling the air.
“I need you to come. Please.”
Crying out, Rafa toppled forward, holding himself up with his left hand on the mattress as he spurted onto Shane’s stomach. Trembling, he jerked himself, eyes closed, sweat glistening on his brow, another ribbon of white painting Shane’s skin.
Shane cupped his cheek. “That’s it. That’s so good.”
Rafa collapsed between Shane’s legs, mouth open on his belly, breath hot and wet. After a few moments, the rasp of Rafa’s tongue traveled over Shane’s stomach as he licked up his cum.
Shane groaned. “Are you going to give me a taste?”
On top of him now, Rafa shimmied up, supporting his weight on his hands beside Shane’s shoulders as he captured his mouth in a deep, filthy kiss, sharing the salty musk.
They both groaned, and Shane met his tongue, licking and sucking—heat and sweat and cum filling his senses until he had to gasp in a breath.
Rafa flopped down beside him, chest heaving, a grin brightening his perfect face. “I love you. You make me feel so good.”
“Ditto.” He moved to give Rafa another kiss and hold him, but he couldn’t hide the cringe as he shifted. “When I’m healed, I’m going to fuck you all day and night.”
Laughing, Rafa asked, “Are we going to eat? Or just all sex all the time?”
“Well, since you’re such a talented chef, we’ll find time for meals. Have to keep up our strength, after all.”
“I’m not a chef yet,” he said dismissively.
“Yes, you are. You might not have your degree yet, but you’re a chef.”
Rafa opened his mouth as if to argue, but then snapped it shut. He blew out a breath. “You’re right. I am. I’m a good chef.”
“Damned amazing chef. Damned amazing man. And I need you to believe that.”
Rafa pressed a kiss to Shane’s shoulder, and they took a few more minutes together in peace.
“Oh my gawd!” Adriana launched herself at Rafa across the hospital room. He caught her with an oomph, grimacing, then hugging her back. Shane wanted to snap at her to be careful, but he bit his tongue. Yes, Rafa was bruised and sore, but he could handle an enthusiastic hug from his sister.
Ramon was in the bed in the center of the room, the back partly raised so he could sit. He was pale, and the eggs and fruit salad on his tray were only half-eaten, but he looked much better than he had.
Camila sat on a metal and plastic chair beside him. She was clearly tired, but her hair was glossy and neat, her blouse and pants pressed, trademark pearls back around her throat. He wondered how many strands she owned, but it was strangely reassuring to see her polished again.
Rafa disentangled himself from his sister and hugged Christian as Matthew hovered nearby. Rafa said, “It’s so good to see you all. Dad, how are you feeling? You look so much better!”
Shane stood back in the doorway as the Castillos talked over each other, Ramon insisting it hadn’t been that bad, Matthew calling bullshit, and Camila admonishing him for language. Rafa and Adriana joined in the conversation, and Shane smiled to himself, barely able to make out a word.
He edged into the room, nodding to the expressionless agents stationed outside, closing the door behind him. Christian looked over and stepped forward, extending his hand and pumping Shane’s enthusiastically. “I don’t know if we were ever properly introduced. But of course Raf’s told me a lot about you.”
Shane smiled. “Likewise.”
“I hear you and my brother were the heroes of the piece.”
“We only did what was necessary. Rafa was amazing, though.”
“I believe it,” Christian said. “I think he’s the bravest one of us all.”
Shane was about to agree, but Adriana was flying at him. For a petite woman, she was surprisingly strong, and he inhaled sharply, pain flaring around his torso as she hugged him.
“Ade, he has bruised ribs! Go easy,” Rafa said from where he’d perched on the side of Ramon’s bed.
She let go, hand flying up to cover her mouth. “I’m so sorry!” She patted at her dark hair, which was pulled back in a ponytail. “Great first impression. I’m a wrinkled mess and I’m causing you bodily harm.” She screwed up her face. “God, I probably stink too. I desperately need a shower.”
“I know what it’s like after those long-haul flights.” Shane smiled at her. “You look beautiful.” It was true. Her skinny jeans and blouse looked perfectly fine to him, and her hundred-watt smile reminded him of Rafa’s.
He tugged at the hem of his button-down black shirt, which he’d worn in case the press were there to take pictures. He didn’t want to look sloppy in the media if potential clients were watching. Rafa wore a green Henley and dark jeans, and he’d given the photographers a few tight smiles outside the hospital, gripping Shane’s hand and ignoring their shouted fusillade of questions.
Adriana bit her lip. “I didn’t hurt you too much, did I?”
“Not a bit,” Shane lied. His ribs were going to ache regardless.
She grinned. “It’s so good to really meet you finally. A real-life hero!”
“Not really.” His skin itched with the prickling of everyone’s gazes on him. The sensation reminded him of his early days on the job when he was eager to impress.
Sitting with long legs gracefully crossed in her designer slacks, Camila said, “Yes, I was telling them how you and Rafa took charge and saved our lives.”
He scoffed. “We did what anyone would have done. I’m sure you would have been fine.” He wasn’t actually sure of that at all, but the praise made his stomach flutter and his face go hot. He didn’t deserve it—he hadn’t saved the pilot.
“A word of advice? Take the kudos from my mother when you can get them,” Adriana said.
Clearing his throat, Shane said, “Well…thank you.”
“You were so brave, Rafalito.” Ramon beamed at Rafa. “We couldn’t be more proud of the man you’ve become.” To Rafa’s siblings, he said, “You should have seen him—giving CPR, taking care of us with Shane.” He glanced at Shane, then back at Rafa. “They work well together.”
Adam’s apple bobbing, Rafa opened and closed his mouth. His voice was thick when he murmured, “I love you, Dad.”
Shane’s heart swelled, and they all jumped at the knock on the door. Christian opened it, and they stared at one of the Castillos’ assistants. The young man blinked owlishly, his cheeks pinking as he looked down at his crisp slacks and shirt as if expecting to see a big stain.
Christian smiled kindly. “Dennis. Come in.”
“Hi.” Small and studious-looking, Dennis smiled tentatively. “You wanted info on the pilot, so…” He thumbed open his phone and read off a few bullet points. “Wife’s name is Janice, aged fifty-three. His mother is still alive, living in Alice Springs. Two children—Rebecca and Thomas, college students, one here in Adelaide and one in Melbourne.”
“You’ve sent a flower arrangement?” Camila asked, not waiting for an answer. “And find out if the family would like to meet.”
The thought had Shane’s gut tightening. Janice, Rebecca, and Thomas. Faceless names of people suffering because he hadn’t been fast enough. If only he’d been able to reach Rich Moir a minute sooner. Seconds, even…
“Do they know what caused the crash?” Camila asked.
Dennis said, “Not officially. Tail rotor malfunction seems likely based on what you described. They’re pulling up the wreckage from the lake today. Had to get special equipment out there. The investigators from the transportation board are arriving here at the hospital shortly and want to speak to all of you.”
Shane groaned internally. Of course he’d answer all their questions, but he wished he was back under the covers in the hotel with Rafa, just the two of them, peaceful with the curtains drawn.
Dennis left, and Adriana launched into a story about how she almost missed the flight from LA because of traffic and how worried she’d been. The rest of the Castillos nodded and listened and laughed, Camila with a decidedly long-suffering yet affectionate manner. She idly rubbed her husband’s arm and toyed with his fingers, as if she just wanted to touch him and that sitting close wasn’t enough. Shane found himself smiling watching her.
It was still bizarre to be with Rafa’s family and not be standing against a wall in the corner. After so many years of, well, lurking, it was his instinct to hang back, with the Castillos especially. But Rafa got up and took hold of Shane’s hand as his sister spoke.
Ramon and Camila didn’t seem bothered by the hand-holding—although they kept their gazes on Adriana, so it was hard to say for sure. Shane couldn’t help but feel out of place, as though he was intruding on a family reunion.
He wondered if it was normal to feel like that with in-laws, then scoffed mentally. He and Rafa weren’t married—although the idea made his chest swell with warmth. It was silly, since Rafa was still so young. Surely they couldn’t think about marriage until he’d finished school and established himself as a chef.
“Shane?” Rafa squeezed his fingers, looking at him expectantly.
His stomach flipped as he realized the Castillos were all watching him. He smiled, heat prickling his neck. “Sorry. I was miles away.” He scrambled for an explanation. “I was just wondering about Hernandez. I should go see her. Give you all time together.”
Rafa frowned. “You don’t have to go.”
“I know, but I really do want to see how she is.”
“Just know that you’re…” Camila seemed to be searching for the right words. “Well, you’re very welcome here, Shane.”
He blinked at her, as did everyone else. “I, uh… Thank you.”
As Rafa smiled, a face-scrunching, true smile, Matthew whistled softly. “It’s ‘Shane’ now. This is serious progress, people.”
Sighing, Camila rolled her eyes, and Ramon chuckled and said, “I’d take the money and run, Shane. Give Agent Hernandez our best. We’ll see her later.”
“Will do.” He gave Rafa a wink, and Rafa was still grinning when Shane closed the door behind him.
He exhaled, ignoring the pain in his ribs. The other agents stationed outside the door side-eyed him. Head high, he asked, “Is Hernandez still in room three-twelve?” He braced, ready for attitude.
But one of them simply nodded, and their gaze on him as he walked down the hall didn’t feel hostile. The door was ajar, and he stuck his head in, knocking lightly. Pale and looking small in the bed, Hernandez smiled faintly and said, “Kendrick. Come in.”
There was another agent sitting by the bed, and he pushed back his chair with a scrape across the floor. Hernandez asked him, “Did you and Kendrick meet?”
“Not formally.” The man stuck out his hand. “O’Leary.”
We didn’t formally meet because you’ve all been acting like I was crap you stepped in. But Shane shook his hand and nodded. He asked Hernandez, “How are you feeling?”
“Hell of a lot better than I was. I’m alive. Thanks to you and Valor, apparently.”
He waved it off. “It was nothing.”
“It wasn’t fucking nothing, Kendrick. The way I hear it, I’d be dead if you hadn’t fished me out before the chopper sunk.”
“Rafa swam you to shore.”
Her face creased, and she shuddered. “I don’t remember any of it. It’s not a good feeling. That powerlessness. But you both had my back.”
He shrugged. “I would have done the same for anyone.”
“I know. That’s why you’re a stand-up guy.” Her voice went hoarse. “And you were my friend back in the day. I’m sorry I gave you the cold shoulder.”
He offered her a little smile. “Apology accepted.”
“Valor’s a great kid. Rafa, I should say. Guess I shouldn’t call him a kid either. You two are clearly crazy about each other, so good for you. You were always an exemplary agent, Kendrick.”
“Until I wasn’t.” His grin was wry.
She huffed out a laugh. “I guess I was just disappointed. We all were. It made the Service a punchline. We were bitter.”
“I get it. Trust me, I never expected to fall for a protectee. Never in a million years. But he’s worth it. Worth everything.”
O’Leary spoke up. “Good. God knows the Service can be a thankless job.”
Hernandez reached for a cup of water, and Shane and O’Leary both made a move to help her. She glared. “Calm your tits. I can drink water unassisted.” She did, lifting her head and shoulders, then flopping back down with a grimace. “But these dizzy spells can fuck off.”
“I’ll let you rest.” After a moment’s debate, Shane clasped her forearm, careful of the IV tube. “Take care. It was good to see you again.”
“You too, Kendrick. Try to keep out of trouble for fuck’s sake.”
“Trying. Always trying.”
Shane was still smiling when he walked into the hall. He’d only gone a few steps when a woman shakily asked, “Mr. Kendrick?”
“Yes.” He stopped and regarded the woman. In her fifties, she was short and plump, her short hair dyed a red that didn’t seem natural. Her eyes were red and puffy, and a somber, freckled young man stood next to her. Shane asked, “Can I help you?”
“I’m—my husband—”
His stomach lurched. “Mrs. Moir?”
She nodded. “Call me Jan. This is our boy, Thomas.” Fresh tears spilled from her brown eyes. “Guess he’s just mine now.” The son squeezed his mother’s shoulders as she trembled.
“I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m… Call me Shane, please.” He braced. If this woman needed to yell at him and vent her grief, he’d gladly let her. It was the least he could do. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save him. I tried, but…”
Jan jerked her head back. “Why would you be sorry? It was my Rich flying.” She shook her head, swiping at tears. “He loved it so much, the bugger. Always made me nervous, but he was right at home up there in the sky.” Her voice cracked. “He was so good at flying. I just don’t know how this could have happened.”
“I think the tail rotor went. It wasn’t his fault. He was an excellent pilot. Completely in control. Then…”
“What?” Thomas asked, body rigid. “They won’t tell us.”
“We were flying lower, over the lake. Then there was a sound of metal screeching, really sudden. We started spinning out of control. Too close to the water to give him time to recover. I don’t know if it would have been possible even if we were higher. I don’t think it was his fault at all.”
Jan shook with a sob. Then she nodded, sniffing. “We were afraid you’d all be angry. Blame him. I just wanted you to know that he was a good pilot. A good man. He always took such care! Was never reckless, was he, Tommy?”
“Never. He was such a bloody safety freak.” Thomas pressed his lips together, clearly trying not to cry. “Used to drive us all nuts. I mean, who does fire drills in their house?” He laughed, eyes glistening.
Jan nodded. “That was my Rich.”
Shane’s eyes burned, and he swallowed hard. “I’m so sorry.”
“They did say that you tried to save him.” She sniffed. “Pulled him from the—the wreckage?”
He nodded. “He wasn’t breathing. Rafa and I did CPR for a long time, but… It was too late. Maybe if I’d been able to get to him sooner, but he was farthest away from me, and…” He raised his hands helplessly, dropping them to his sides. “I’m sorry.”
Jan reached out and grabbed his arm. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. Rich knew the risks. Don’t you go climbing up on the cross. Someone needs the wood.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell him,” Rafa said from behind Shane.
Shane smiled gratefully, relieved to have him at his side again. He wanted to yank him into a hug and kiss to remind himself that Rafa was in one piece, but he settled for a hand on his lower back as he introduced him to Jan and Thomas.
Rafa shook Jan’s hand and then clasped it in both of his. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am. Is your daughter here as well?”
Thomas said, “She’s fetching my Gran. Their flight gets in later today. This is a real shock. Obviously.”
“Of course,” Rafa said. “I know my family is eager to meet you. Are you up for it?”
Jan and her son shared a glance, and she nodded. “We weren’t sure if you’d all be cursing Rich’s name.”
Rafa sucked in a breath. “No! Of course not. It wasn’t his fault.”
She nodded, tearing up again. “You’ve always seemed like such a nice boy. Bless you.”
Rafa hugged her, and Shane loved him so damn much his chest was bursting with it.
“Sometimes, room service and shit blowing up on TV is just what the doctor ordered.” Rafa sighed contentedly and dropped his napkin on the plate balanced on his lap. “Is it weird that explosions are comforting right now?”
Beside him on the bed where they leaned against the headboard, Shane kissed his cheek. “No. Because that mayhem isn’t real, and we know Captain America’s about to save the day.” He patted his stomach. “Your meat sauce is better, but pasta hit the spot.”
Rafa snuggled against him, head on his shoulder as they watched Chris Evans battle the baddies on TV. They’d seen it before, but the familiarity was soothing.
After a few minutes, Rafa said, “I’m glad we got to meet his family. Rich Moir’s, I mean.”
“Yeah. Me too.” The guilt hadn’t magically vanished, but he felt mostly sadness now. “They’re generous. Considering the rest of us survived, I’m not sure I would be in their shoes. It must seem so unfair.”
“I guess that’s life, right? Totally unfair. Makes you think about how easily it can all vanish. How much you can lose without any warning.” He rubbed his cheek on Shane’s shoulder. “But you know that.”
“I do.” Ignoring the protest from his ribs, he circled his arm around Rafa and drew him even closer. “Sometimes…”
“Mmm?”
He breathed in and out slowly. “Sometimes I think… Why their house? Why did my parents have faulty wiring that some contractor years before had screwed up? A time bomb in the walls, waiting to go off. Why did it have to happen in the middle of the night? When I wasn’t there to help them?” He sighed. “I know, it wasn’t my fault. I still wonder why. But I know there’s no answer. It’s just the way life goes.” He thought of Alan and Jules and their doomed children. “Comes down to luck most of the time.”
Rafa rubbed his palm over Shane’s flannel-clad thigh. “It does. Which is why we have to make the most of every day.” He chuckled. “I know it’s super cliché, but it’s true. I’m so glad to be here with you. I love you.”
“I love you too, baby.” He kissed the top of Rafa’s head.
They watched the movie for a while in comfortable silence. Then Rafa said, “I really think he and Bucky should end up together. Clearly their love is precious.”
“Clearly,” he agreed as his new phone buzzed on the side table. Darnell’s face filled the screen as a video call came in.
Rafa glanced over and paused the on-demand movie. “I’ll just go…” He picked up his plate and started to move off the bed. “Say hi for me or whatever.”
Shane reached out for his arm. “Stay. Please?” He slid his finger across the screen as Rafa settled back against the pillows tentatively. Shane smiled at his phone. “Hey, man.”
“Hey, Greatest American Hero. Another day, another dramatic rescue. How are you doing?”
“Good.” Shane turned the phone and held it so he and Rafa were both in frame. “Raf and I are chilling at the hotel. Watching the second Captain America movie.”
“When are he and Bucky getting together? Because this thing with Peggy’s grand-niece isn’t working for me. Steve and Bucky are meant to be.”
Rafa laughed. “I, um—I was just saying that.”
“You know what they say about great minds.” Darnell grinned. “How are you doing? And your folks?”
“Good. My dad’s the worst off, but he’ll be fine. They’re going to discharge him in a few days hopefully, and my parents will have a private nurse to look after him.”
“Glad to hear he’s on the mend. The crash was scary stuff from the sound of it.” Darnell shook his head. “When it was first reported that you were all missing, I really thought you were dead. So glad to be wrong.”
Affection for his friend warmed Shane, and he smiled, going for a light tone. “Good thing you’re often wrong.”
Darnell’s laughter boomed, low and joyous. “Ain’t that the truth?” He turned his head and said to someone, “Yep. Coming.” He faced the camera again. “Sorry. Have a suspect to interrogate. Pulling an all-nighter. But you know what they say about perps never sleeping.”
Rafa laughed tentatively. “Do they say that?”
Darnell grinned. “They do now. You two take care of yourselves. Rafa, don’t let him brood too much.”
“I’m not brooding!” Shane protested.
“Sure. I believe you. Thousands wouldn’t, but I do. Later.”
The call ended, and Shane turned off his phone. Rafa said, “He’s nice. Maybe he can come visit sometime. It would be cool to get to know him better.”
“I’d like that.” He nuzzled Rafa’s cheek, still reveling in touching him and inhaling his unique scent. “Should we get back to Cap?”
“Mmm. Or, we could have a bath. Jerk each other off. Nothing too strenuous.” He smiled softly. “I still want to touch you, like, all the time. To remember we’re alive or something.” He laughed. “It’s stupid. I’m sure it’ll fade.”
Shane kissed him, tasting garlic and tomatoes and smoky onions as their tongues met. He smiled against Rafa’s lips. “Let’s hope not.”