“Well for starters, I never saw what the other women mentioned. I can only tell you what happened to me…or to us…however you view it,” Seetha said.
King nodded and swallowed, glad to hear her defend him. Oddly, it made him relax more. “Good chicken salad. Simulated or real?”
Seetha snorted. “If a man who owns his own restaurant can’t tell, I’m for sure not saying. Eat it. It’s healthy and filling. That’s all you need to know.”
King grinned at her bossiness. “I bet you gave AI Unit G356 a hard time every day.”
“You mean, Rodney? Of course I did. He chased me down every time I ran away and then would lock me in leg chains to keep me from running. I called that metal head every filthy name I could think of, and I did it every time I saw him. I think maintaining a rebellious attitude is one of the reasons I’m in fairly good mental shape now. I found a way to vent out my frustration, even though it didn’t do me much good.”
“Just before the war ended, I was captured and tortured for two weeks. The cybernetics mitigated the worst of the physical pain I endured, but fighting not to let them reduce me to mental instability was the hard part. They made me watch them dismantle a soldier…not one of my team…but they ripped off his enhancements and let him bleed to death while he suffered. I hated not being able to do a damn thing to stop them. After I was restored, nightmares about what they did to that soldier in front of me returned briefly. I’ve learned to gather up those things, label them as data, and file them away somewhere in my brain they can be ignored. It’s actually a positive use of my cybernetic chips.”
Seetha put down her sandwich. It was just not going to be possible to eat with any real attention to the food. “How did you escape?”
King shrugged. “Peyton came after me. It was the only time he disobeyed orders. He set me free and together we took care of them to make sure they didn’t capture anyone else.”
Seetha blinked. She shouldn’t pry any deeper, but she had to know. “Like you took care of Rodney?”
King sighed. “It suddenly occurs to me this is not great table conversation for our lunch.”
“But we’re not normal people just having a simple lunch. We’re both survivors of being tortured. Now tell me what happened, King—the truth please,” Seetha ordered.
“Peyton didn’t bring his gun with him. We had to improvise.”
Seetha nodded and picked up her sandwich. She took a determined bite to show him she didn’t care…and she didn’t.
“And after surviving all that hell, you got put into the Cyber Husband program.”
“Yes,” King said, nodding once.
“Fucking Norton—they’re manipulating bastards,” Seetha said sharply. “I can’t believe I agreed to work there.”
“What were you thinking? Get out of it. Who hired you?” King demanded.
“Dr. Winters—your buddy—and I already gave her my word.”
King was dumbstruck. Why would Doc do that?
“What are you going to be doing?” he asked.
Seetha finished the last bite and leaned back in her chair. “Calibrating cybernetic enhancements on the soldiers after their restoration. She doesn’t care how much I hate the company. For all she knows, I could be coming there to blow the place all to hell and back. I’m not sure it would bother her if I did, other than take away her lab.”
King snorted. “It wouldn’t bother her. You’re in good company with Doc. She once intended to do that very thing. Peyton is the reason she didn’t. Now she’s using Norton to undo the Cyber Soldiers. She’s averaging one or two a day, but we don’t even have them all gathered up yet. It’s going to take at least two years to get them all done—after we locate them.”
Seetha frowned and folded her napkin. “I suppose William 874 was restored.”
King shook his head. “Not yet, but he’s in the queue.”
Seetha sighed. “He always made me nervous, but I don’t know why. With my luck, he’ll be one of the ones I have to work on.”
“I don’t like the idea of you being at Norton every day, Seetha.”
Her eyebrows arched up as high as they would go. “That’s quite an unsolicited opinion there, Kingston. As the good Dr. Winters pointed out, having Norton and the UCN listed in my employer file will make my next job more lucrative.”
King finished his food and pushed his plate away. “They can’t be trusted. And they monitor everything that goes on in the facility. Kyra’s not under any illusions. They’re watching her every move.”
“That doesn’t bother me. I’m used to being watched 24/7. And I’m sure all the restored soldiers are a challenge in one way or another. Who wouldn’t be in their situation?”
“Cyborgs are tolerated, but freed ones are not approved of in current society. We are the current version of the glamorous other that is both admired and feared.”
Seetha laughed. “Now that kind of speech sounds exactly like the you I remember. You always talked very poetically for someone who chose a career as a soldier.”
King looked away, trying not to be uncomfortable. “I was studying to be a literature teacher. My parents were both killed in a pod crash. Money wasn’t a problem, but my head was, and my grades bombed. At the end of that semester, I dropped out of college and joined the military. I guess you could say I went looking for another family and made my own. When Peyton and Marcus volunteered for the enhancements, I didn’t think twice about getting them myself. I still don’t regret that decision…even after all that’s happened.”
Seetha nodded. “Regret never changes the past anyway. Why are you here, King? Is it just because I’m a mystery to your cyborg side?”
“Why does a man need a reason to have a pleasant lunch with a beautiful woman?”
“A man doesn’t…but you do. You’re supposed to be mad at me for buying you. That would be normal. Anything else is suspect.”
“Hard to be mad at a woman you want to kiss every time you see her,” King said, smiling as she dropped her lifted chin and sighed.
“Yes, but when I kiss you, I’ll be kissing a man I kissed every day for seven years. Who will you be kissing? To you, I’m still a stranger…even if you keep trying to convince me you remember.”
King stood and sent a half dozen hummingbirds scattering. He smiled as they zoomed by his head to get away. He grinned and wondered if Seetha would be scattering next. Walking around the small table, he held out a hand. He grinned harder at her resigned sigh as she took it. He pulled her from the chair and into his arms. Her shiver turned him into a rock wall and it felt good to tug her pliant body up against him. She was tall, but not as tall today as she had been last night in her heels.
He lifted her face to his with one hand and stared into her worried gaze. “I will be kissing a woman I want to kiss. That’s really all I’m clear on at this time.”
Seetha nodded against his palm. “Fair enough,” she said, straining to meet him when his mouth descended to hers.
Today she was conscious of his arousal again, and it relieved her on about a thousand levels to know King could want her without any prompting.Their kiss spun out in the midday sunshine. Their mouths explored each other’s. She felt herself lifted by her hips and pulled tight against his straining erection.
She wrestled her mouth free. “I want to relieve that for you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.”
King shook against her. Capitulation was not something he’d counted on gaining so easily. “I have to go back to work. Will you come there later?”
“After last night, I don’t know if I’m brave enough to come back to the restaurant.”
King snorted. “You were enjoying yourself. What did you do wrong?”
“I climbed you like a tree in front of your customers. I even embarrassed Franco,” Seetha exclaimed.
Laughter bubbled up and out of him. He bent to kiss her neck. He wanted her climbing on him again—as soon as he could arrange it. “Embarrass yourself again tonigh
t, and I’ll take you home with me afterwards.” Her shiver sent him running hands down the back of her to soothe her.
“King, I don’t look like I used to look. If you do remember, I’m going to fall way short of the woman I was,” Seetha declared.
“Okay—I don’t remember. See how well this is working out? Maybe my forgetfulness is a good thing.”
Seetha shook her head. “Maybe it is for you. I’m not sure I will ever feel the same.”
King swooped to her mouth, his tongue doing what he wanted to do with a more demanding appendage. Her body straining against his was more exciting than the first day he opened the restaurant. He groaned in her ear as his mouth left hers and traveled over her face. He was tempted to dip a hand inside those tight leggings she wore and send her keening. The possibility of Annalise potentially catching them was the only reason he didn’t indulge.
“Wear something short and easy to get out of,” King ordered, keeping hold of her while she shivered again. “And heels. I want you taller…at least when we start. I’ll take them off later.”
Seetha pushed slowly away, her hands reluctantly pressing against his chest. She felt drugged…drunk…not to mention on the verge of another crying bout. She searched his face, but saw only lust in his gaze on her. It was enough. She’d just have to be satisfied with it or cut him loose…and that wasn’t happening again voluntarily.
“Mother will be thrilled beyond belief when I ask for yet another damn shopping trip. This is the third one since I’ve returned. She’s beside herself.”
King laughed and reached out to take Seetha’s hand. “I liked what you wore last night. Just wear that again.”
Seetha snorted. “A Harrington show up in the same public place wearing the same thing twice? No, thank you. I would be disowned.”
King grinned and tightened his fingers on hers. He turned when they stopped at the door. “I think I like you, Seetha Harrington.”
Seetha felt tears gathering, but she blinked them away. Her former husband just said he liked her. Was her life so pathetic that she’d settle for so little after having so much? She blinked and saw his quizzical gaze studying her reaction.
“I guess that’s a good thing because I like you too,” she said sharply. “And I make it a rule to only have wild monkey sex with men I like, so you’re in luck. I’ll be there around nine. I’ll wait in the bar until you close.”
“No flirting with my bartender this time.”
“No promises…but I’ll try to behave.”
King laughed, kissed her hard on the mouth once more, and then she watched him jog down her sidewalk to a new airjet parked at the curb. It looked too small for him, but somehow he folded his gigantic body into it. She watched it lift and zoom away from the curb, zigging and zagging through the streets just like a hummingbird fleeing her mother’s backyard.
The irony of watching him leave hit just as his vehicle disappeared from her sight. It released a waterfall of tears as she closed the door.
Chapter 12
It made her smile when Franco’s gaze dropped from her short blue dress to her legs the moment she came through the door. She arched one eyebrow high as his gaze remained on her while he sent off a couple with a junior host to be seated. His nod to her and his knowing grin both made her want to giggle.
“Welcome, Ms. Harrington. I see you’re back a second time with no reservation. Are you planning to wait in the bar again for another two hours?”
“Yes, I am waiting in the bar, but I promise you won’t need to call for a getaway pod this time. I’ll be leaving with your boss at the end of the evening. King and I have a date…a real one this time.”
She laughed when Franco made a face and sighed.
“Then I shall feel sorry such nice legs will be crammed into that tiny airjet Mr. West purchased. Those beautiful legs should have all the room they need to move around freely.”
“Why Franco, that sounds like serious flirting…and almost wicked.”
She was delighted when Franco smiled wickedly again to assure her it was meant exactly that way. His maleness made her laugh. Her mother would be pleased she was feeling so female in the dress they had chosen together.
“Though it pains me to confess, I’m just sucking up to the boss’s girlfriend,” Franco teased. “But my elegant ass kissing doesn’t make it less true about your legs. You should never hide those in pants.”
“Well, hail to the Goddess for the best compliment I’ve heard in years. Now I truly need a drink. Lead the way to the bar, good sir,” Seetha mock demanded, motioning in the bar’s direction.
A grinning Franco strolled alongside her and deposited her on the same stool she had used before. Only this time, her dress inched up a smidgen past the decent zone when she climbed on her perch. She tugged at the hem, but finally gave up and tucked her legs sideways for discretion.
Greg, King’s attractive bartender, greeted her, and offered her the same drink she’d enjoyed before. She smiled and answered in the affirmative, but asked for some snacks to soak up some of it. She wasn’t going to let herself get inebriated again.
“Pardon me. Is the stool next to you available, Ms. Harrington?”
Seetha turned and saw the man she’d met the night before. “Hello, Dan Masterson. King’s still straight I’m afraid. I’m sure you probably figured that out by our floor show last evening.”
She heard him laughing as he climbed up on the stool. “Yes, I did. Damn my luck…” he said dramatically.
The bartender brought her drink and some pretzels lightly coated in a green salt. She picked one up and bit, shocked to find it spicy and hot, instead of just salty. She gulped her drink, downing half of it to put out the fire.
“Water please,” she called loudly, smiling at the bartender who put a glass in front of her almost instantly. She downed the water and sighed. “I should have known. King loves his damn wasabi.”
“Sounds like you know him well…oh right. You were married to him once.”
Seetha nodded. “Yes…I was. But he doesn’t remember me.” Appalled at what she’d just revealed to someone still mostly a stranger, Seetha chastised herself internally and popped another blazing hot, wasabi-coated pretzel in her mouth to shut herself up.
“His loss,” Dan said firmly. “I don’t know how he could have forgotten you.”
Seetha shrugged, shook her head, and sipped more water as she thought of a plausible lie.
“King had a relapse from a head injury he got during his military service. After he recovered from it, his memories of our relationship were gone—forgotten like an amnesia victim’s. It was one of the reasons we didn’t last the first time around. I guess we’re shooting for a do-over. Ever have one of those, Mr. Masterson?”
By the time she’d finished spilling her guts, she was nearly sweating.
Dan nodded and sipped his own drink. “Do-over? Oh yes. Many times. None have taken.”
When the heat finally receded from her throat, Seetha breathed deeply. “Wow, those pretzels make me a little afraid of the food. How often did you say you come in here?”
Dan looked around and shrugged. “Nearly every night in the last few weeks. I’m working on a project. The atmosphere of this place helps me figure things out…and the food is amazing.”
Seetha sighed and shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. I didn’t stick around long enough to eat anything last evening.”
“Oh? Well, that’s a shame. It’s always amazing. Tonight the special is a protein stir fry served with a mixed salad. It sounds like something off a fast food menu somewhere, but it’s probably one of the best things coming out of the kitchen. I feel like a king after I’ve eaten it.”
“High praise indeed,” Seetha declared, remembering quite well the dish Dan Masterson was describing. “His grandmother owned a diner. He worked there when he was a child and she was the one who taught him to cook. She died from the Mageda Plague during one of his summers with her. It was a wonder King didn’t get it
too.”
“Nasty stuff. Worse than cancer. Now we know all that pollution from the twentieth really did a number on our food and water sources. Such irresponsibility would be severely punished these days.”
Seetha lifted her drink and sipped. “My mother is a Conservation Campaigner. I grew up being careful with resources. I think for my generation and beyond, genuinely conserving resources is just a normal way of life.”
Dan’s arrogant look swung to meet her defensive one. She didn’t like people insulting her family, even through stereotypes.
“Your family remains one of the wealthiest in this urban area, Ms. Harrington. Money can buy decadence. It seems like the natural order for it to do so.”
“My parents never used their wealth to harm a single person, or this planet. My brother is a conservation engineer. His wife works on improving solar power harnessing. My sister and her family volunteer at local recycling events. At least our branch of the family holds such things dear. I can’t speak for everyone named Harrington.”
Dan squirmed in his chair. “Now I’ve offended you. I’m terribly sorry. How did we ever get to talking about such a gloomy subject?”
Seetha started to say she wasn’t sure why they were talking at all, but politeness stilled her tongue. She decided to make him squirm for a while. “So Mr. Masterson…Dan…did my background check out when you ran me for the Norton job?”
“Oh, yes. You’re clear to start your job on Monday. Your email about it should arrive shortly. I’d also like to say I’m sorry for what you endured at the work camp. I know it’s indiscreet of me to mention it directly to you after merely reading your personnel file…but seeing you now…no one would ever believe you were there. You seem to have survived the trauma quite well.”
She heard Dan laugh at his own statement, his gaze on his drink now and not her. Even having scored a shot back to him, Seetha narrowed her own gaze. Her inner alarms went off louder than ever. She was going to have to ask Kyra Winters about Dan Masterson’s role at Norton. The man put her on guard.
Kingston 691 Page 12