Chapter Forty-three
Rayne
Rayne had just finished setting up his room for Mike’s surprise when he heard the two black SUVs pull away from the curb. He met Mike at the bottom of the stairs and was immediately pulled into a strong hug that alarmed him. Something was wrong. Mike was practically trembling as he buried his face in Rayne’s neck.
“That’s it, breathe.” Rayne lowered his voice, squeezing him back. He didn’t know what the problem was, but he knew Mike needed him in that moment.
Mike groaned, moving forward and pushing Rayne’s back into the hard banister.
“I’m right here,” he assured. Rayne didn’t know how long they held each other, but he didn’t release Mike until he’d stopped vibrating with negative energy and his breathing was back under control. He wanted to ask what happened with his mom, but he decided to wait for Mike to tell him when he was ready.
Mike reached up and released his hair from the elastic band and dug his blunt nails over his scalp. Rayne was vocal, showing his appreciation before Mike took his mouth in a desperate kiss. He gave Mike his tongue, tasting and bathing his lips as they both tried to devour each other. He fought the urge to wrap his legs around Mike’s waist, but he lost that battle. Mike pressed Rayne against the sturdy wood, squeezing his ass with the same intensity as he sucked on his throat. Rayne would have a passion mark if Mike didn’t stop soon, though it didn’t prevent him from tilting his head back farther to allow more access.
Rayne’s dick was hard and throbbing as he ground himself against Mike’s hard abs. His thoughts drifted to last night and the way Mike reacted to his touch, to his cock pressing against his ass, making Rayne moan even louder.
“Fuckin’ want you now.” Mike’s growl was possessive and frightening, a mix of emotions that made Rayne’s cock leak in his shorts.
They were halfway upstairs when someone knocked twice on the door before they opened it part-way and hollered inside.
“You inside, Mike, or in the back?” Manny yelled.
Rayne scrambled to put his legs down before Mike’s best friend came all the way inside.
“Motherfuckin’ perfect timing, Manny,” Mike cursed as he reluctantly released his grip on Rayne’s ass.
“You’re the one that woke me up and said get my ass over here now. Rayne raped the queen.”
“I did what?” Rayne blurted, glancing between Mike and Manny and another man who was dressed like a zookeeper in drab khaki pants and dusty hiking boots.
Mike pinched the bridge of his nose. “Manny. That’s not what I—”
“Mike!” Rayne raised his voice, and Mike looked like he wanted to disappear.
Manny pointed toward the patio doors. “I’m just gonna take Frank out back and show him the Kadupul.”
Mike was gritting his teeth at Manny as he walked by them, chuckling under his breath. “Somebody’s in trouble.”
“Asshole,” Mike muttered.
Rayne wasn’t going to let Mike put this on his friend. He tapped him hard on his shoulder to get his attention. “What in the hell are they talking about, rape?”
“Calm down.” Mike tried to reach for him, but Rayne roughly knocked his hands away.
Rayne scowled harder. “Explain, I said.” He saw a spark of titillation flare in Mike’s dark eyes at the tone of his voice as he took a determined step forward, but Rayne refused to back down.
“Are you… mad at me?” Mike narrowed his eyes as he pressed in closer, one side of his mouth tilting upward like he’d won some forbidden prize.
Rayne’s exasperation was fleeting with Mike standing so close to him and glaring down at him in a way that made coldness seep up his spine, but he still didn’t ease up. “I’m waiting.”
Mike pulled Rayne flush to his hard body but refused to bend to the distraction. “And if I don’t explain?” Mike teased sensually.
Rayne gripped Mike’s broad shoulders, unsure if he wanted to pull him closer or push him away. “What is Manny doing here?”
“Trying to save my queen.” Mike’s eyes were hooded and trained on Rayne’s mouth, his voice rough.
Rayne was done being toyed with as a low growl emanated from his chest.
Mike leaned in until his mouth was against Rayne’s ear. “The flower you left on the pillow for me this morning.”