When Good Toys Go Bad

by Cairo, Debbie

“You know I don’t, but they could be, and probably are, listening to every word we say.”

  “Well, if they are, then they already know.” He threw his arms up. “No use in pretending.”

  “Kai, you need to take this seriously.” My voice caught. “They could shut you down and use your parts to make a mining drone.”

  “I had no idea you cared so much.” He pulled me into his arms.

  “You know I do,” I responded almost defiantly, rubbing the tears from my eyes.

  “If it will put your mind at ease…”

  He walked over to the transport, slid the door open, stepped inside and a few seconds later stepped back out, closing the door behind him.

  Using the exact tone and cadence as the first time he walked through the door of the transport, he stated his canned greeting. “I am the Kai 2500. I am skilled in all manner of domestic activities. How may I be of service?”

  A laugh escaped me. He hadn’t said those words in almost a year. It seemed silly now to try and think of him as anything less than his own man. I played along, partly because it was the prudent thing to do and partly because this might be fun.

  “Do those domestic activities include the art of lovemaking?”

  “That is my main function. I am proficient in multiple techniques. If you could be specific as to what type of pleasure you require, I will endeavor to make it happen.”

  “Let’s start with you slowly undressing. I want to see what I’m paying for. Then we can move on to your multiple techniques.”

  “Would you like me to unclothe here?”

  “No. I think we should move to the bedroom.”

  He closed the gap between us with two quick strides and scooped me into his arms. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his neck. He carried me into the bedroom, placing me on the bed so gently I didn’t even crinkle the covers.

  Kai pulled the T-shirt over his head in a slow, deliberate manner. I saw every individual hair fall as it was released from the grip of fabric. I’m not sure what the designers used for inspiration when they created him. Whatever they used, I was impressed—and grateful. His skin, the color of honey, was five shades darker than anyone I had ever seen. The sight of a naked body without female breasts still looked strange, though his muscular chest, defined abs and V-shaped muscle disappearing into his jeans not only made me wet, but made my heart beat like native drums in anticipation. Button by excruciating button, he opened his jeans, revealing the only cock I had ever seen up close and personal. I was not sure if it measured up to some historic standard of beauty, but I found it aesthetically pleasing. I remembered the tingles and pleasure of having his manhood inside me. My mouth watered at the memory. I licked my lips, which made Kai smile.

  “Enjoying the show, are you?”

  I nodded, twirling my index finger, a signal for him to turn around. He obeyed. I left my perch on the bed and walked up behind him. His skin was smooth under my hands, as soft as any woman’s. I wondered if the designers got that right. Everything else was spot on. His flesh was indistinguishable from a human’s—the tanned color, the warmth, the sinew reacting to my touch, even the veins pulsing to the rhythm of an artificial heart.

  Needing flesh-to-flesh contact, I pulled my shirt off and put my arms around him, pressing my generous breasts into his muscled back. He reacted by moving my hands down to his cock, which grew even larger under my touch. His head fell back and he let out a hushed moan. I didn’t know if his reactions were programmed or real. I didn’t care. Every deep moan from his lips, every hot breath on my neck, even the palpable beating of the pump in his chest served to fuel my desire.

  I let my hands fall. Kai turned around. He locked his lips on mine, the perfect amount of pressure, the perfect amount of tongue, simply toe-curling perfection. My legs started to give way as the muscles holding them straight turned gelatinous. Kai scooped me up effortlessly, without relinquishing control of my mouth, and placed me back on the bed. His strong hands worked their way down my body, expertly getting rid of any fabric in their path.

  Closing my eyes, I let the sensations wash over me as his tongue took its luxurious time exploring my neck, breasts and belly before arriving at more sensitive areas. To my surprise and dismay, he skipped over what I had thought must be his destination. He moved insufferably slowly down my legs, even stopping to enjoy a nibble on my toes. If his intention was to tease me into a frenzy, he succeeded with honors.

  “Bastard!” I groaned in a hoarse, breathless voice. My frustration only served to amuse him. His lips, now on the arch of my foot, curved into a smirk.

  His exploration moved upward again, still slow and methodical.

  “You’re not serious!” I exclaimed as he overshot his target again. “Whoever programmed you is a sadist!”

  He laughed into my stomach, “Can’t use the programming as an excuse—this is all me.”

  “Then you’re a sadist.” Pushing on his shoulders, I guided him downward. He followed my direction without protest, but stopped, hovering low over my crotch. The warmth of his breath heated my already sensitive flesh. Damn bastard was still teasing me!

  I opened my mouth to order him to get on with it. Before I had a chance, he buried his face between my legs. I lost my words. A strange noise between a moan and a scream leaked out. His mouth called all the blood from my extremities like a magnet. Everything pooled by his magical tongue, making me dizzy with competing sensations.

  Kai continued to suck and lick until he brought me to the edge of orgasm then—he stopped. He moved up the bed and lay down on his side next to me, propped up on his elbow, resting his head on his hand. With his other hand, he reached between my legs and resumed the exquisite assault on my senses, this time while staring into my eyes. No one who ever looked into those green eyes and saw the desire, tenderness and love they held could possibly claim androids had no souls.

  His lips fastened over mine as the orgasm overtook me. The climax didn’t sate me. On the contrary, the need to feel him inside me intensified. I pushed him onto his back and climbed on top of him. The first few times we had sex it had been painful. Now I got so wet, I took his full size without a problem.

  The sensation of riding him was remarkable. He was powerful underneath me, yet I remained in charge. Usually his reactions were fairly predictable. This time was different. His cock grew inside of me, or maybe that was an illusion. The moans were coming from somewhere deep inside him when he came. His eyes widened in a look of surprise.

  “I’ve never experienced anything like that before. My body reacted on its own.”

  “Welcome to my world.” I rolled off of him.

  Kai turned on his side. He pulled me into a spooning position and held me tighter than ever before.

  “I love you,” he whispered into my ear.

  I shifted in his arms and put a finger over his lips. “Don’t say that, even if you mean it. It’s too dangerous. We both know how we feel. We don’t need to put it into words.”

  Kai nodded and kissed my finger. Although he didn’t sleep, I dozed off in his arms.

  “Oh god, I’m sorry.”

  I sprang awake. Light streamed from the window. Brynn stood in the doorway, dressed in a stunning gray suit, her hair pulled back in a high ponytail. The green hair was now gone, in favor of work-appropriate blonde.

  Her gaze swept up and down our post-coital nakedness A pink hue saturated her cheeks as she stared a little too long at his groin. Catching herself, she looked away.

  Kai bounded from the bed in all his glory and thrust a hand out to Brynn, whose blush had migrated to her now bright-red ears. “I’m Kai. Nice to meet you.”

  Brynn stuck her hand out in Kai’s direction, her gaze firmly planted on the wall to her left.

  “It’s okay to look,” I said, pulling the blanket over my own nakedness. “They didn’t program him for modesty. You don’t mind, do you, Kai?”

  He looked back at me. A mischievous grin formed on his lips. “Not at all.�
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  Brynn wrung her hands and shifted from foot to foot before finally turning to face Kai. Her entire face crimson, she looked like she had just run a marathon.

  “I don’t understand the embarrassment,” I said. “You don’t even think of him as a real person.”

  “It’s not him, stupid. It’s you watching me.”

  “Oh, sorry,” I said, throwing the blanket over my head. “All clear.”

  It was silent for a few seconds. I was about to emerge from my quilted cocoon when Brynn asked, “May I?”

  “May you what?” I demanded from under my blanket.

  “Touch my penis, and, yes, you can,” Kai answered me and Brynn respectively.

  “Don’t I get a say?” I emerged to find Brynn holding Kai’s penis.

  “Does it bother you?” Brynn asked, distracted by the piece of flesh in her hand. “It’s much softer than I thought,” she said, more to herself than anyone else.

  “Not at all.” I crawled off the bed and stood behind Kai. I reached around him and placed my hands over Brynn’s, which were still cradling Kai’s manhood. I guided Brynn’s hands so that they encircled the flesh. Kai’s penis sprang from semi-flaccid to fully erect.

  Brynn pulled her hands away, “What was that?”

  “That’s supposed to happen,” I responded, biting back a laugh. “It means he’s excited.

  Kai nodded his agreement, and I guided her hand back over his cock.

  “May I?” Kai mimicked Brynn’s earlier request.

  “May you what?” Brynn asked.

  “He wants to touch you,” I answered before Kai had a chance.

  Brynn tentatively nodded her head.

  Kai reached up and cradled Brynn’s cheek in his hand. He drew her in and kissed her. The sight of them kissing made my own passions rise. I stroked Brynn’s hair and then Kai’s.

  He broke the embrace. His features soft and his eyes hooded with desire, he gazed into Brynn’s eyes and then mine.

  “He loves you,” Brynn whispered. “I can see it in his eyes.”

  “I do,” Kai whispered back, reaching around Brynn to grasp my hand.

  “How do you feel about him?” I asked.

  “Well, I’m no longer afraid he’s going to hurt you, if that’s what you mean.”

  I put my lips so closed to her neck, I could see her pulse. “I meant, are you attracted to him?”

  Brynn nodded her head. I kissed her neck. My gaze fixed on Kai to see his reaction to our intimacy. His expression didn’t change, but Brynn made a little sound of surprise as his cock grew in her hand.

  Kai’s smile disappeared and his playful smile curved downward into a frown. “I’m sorry, ladies.” His voice broke the spell. “They’ve initiated my return protocol.”

  “Wait.” Brynn held her hand out to stop Kai from getting up. “I wasn’t going to tell you this. I was afraid for Darra.” Brynn pulled herself from our mutual embrace and took my hand. “After seeing you together, I can’t let them split you up. You can’t go back. They’ve recalled all the Kai units in the North American Territories. They’re to be reengineered.”

  I grabbed the robe from the foot of the bed. “I need to get you out of here. How do we override your return protocol?”

  “They didn’t program me with that information.”

  “You don’t have to terminate the protocol,” Brynn spoke up. “They won’t consider him missing for several hours. What you need to do is find his tracking chip and disable it.”

  “How?”

  “You need to hack The Consortium computer and get his schematics.”

  “How do you propose I do that? It’s the most secure system on the planet, and I have no reason to be accessing files from the bioengineering department. You’re an engineer. Why don’t you get the schematics?”

  “I’m a structural engineer—big difference. Besides, I need to make other arrangements.” She planted a maternal kiss on my forehead.

  “Kai, it was…” she paused, “…an education.”

  “Why are you helping us?” I called after her.

  “Because I love you, and you’re right, he’s a lot more than an appliance.” Her voice trailed off, and I heard the front door whoosh closed.

  “It’s too dangerous, Darra.” Kai confronted me when I stepped out of the shower. “I’d rather end up a mine bot than see you in a rehabilitation colony because of me.”

  “I won’t get caught.”

  I walked into the living room and put my credit stick back into the transport.

  “I’ve paid for another day. You’re safe for now.”

  Dressing in my own version of the gray skirt-suit the other lemmings wore, I got ready for work. Kai argued with me the entire time. He tried to get me to change my mind, to do the safe thing—the respectable thing. What I didn’t tell him was that I couldn’t live without him. I’d die in a rehabilitation colony before I let them destroy him.

  “I love you,” I whispered in his ear before kissing those perfect lips, which were like a drug to me.

  “No one’s listening, Darra, and I love you too.”

  I put a finger over his lips to silence his declarations.

  Pulling up a map of the colony on the main display, I told him the plan. “If you haven’t heard from me by noon, meet me here.” I handed him a frequency modulator. “It won’t take them long to match the harmonics, but this should give you enough time to get to the caves without them tracking you.”

  Kai’s gaze followed my finger. He nodded his understanding. “Your wish is my command.”

  Chapter Three

  Everything at work was as it should be. The low-intelligence workers busily cleaned the frosted-glass walls and the marble floors until the surfaces reflected off each other, creating an odd 3-D effect. The butch security guard greeted everyone with her patented half grunt, half smile. I had to give her credit though. She carried her impeccable black uniform with a regal authority.

  I nearly tripped over a low-I as I made my way to the scanner. She uttered a quick apology and scrambled away like a crab, continuing her duties on another section of the floor. The scanner made its usual humming sound when I placed my hand on the pad. The light turned green and the glass door slid open.

  The place buzzed with activity. The clippity-clip of hundreds of high heels hitting the marble surface caused a continual symphony. I remembered pictures of the old days when women wore clothes of different styles and colors. Today they all wore the same gray suits, the skirts varying lengths and proportions adjusted to fit the women wearing them. Same white shirt, same black, gray or tan pumps and same mesh hose. Even the furniture sat colorless and boring—gray chairs, silver desks, only the occasional personal item sitting on top. In fact, the only color in the place came from the occasional splash of blue or green hair. The lack of color or imagination usually didn’t affect me, but for some reason today it made me sad.

  “Thank you, Ms. Gentry.” I heard Brynn’s voice over the din.

  I was surprised to see her. The last thing she had told me was she was going to make “other arrangements” today. I thought she meant staying away from the office. Brynn saw me and raised her index finger, signaling me to wait for her.

  Turning her back to the security camera she whispered, “Susan Camus is out today. Her office is Engineering Section C, Room 501. You should be able to get whatever you need from there.” She handed me a contact lens case. ”This should fool the retinal scanners.”

  “And you?”

  “I got what I need here. Now, poor me, I have a horrible stomachache. I really think I’ll have to go home for the day.” She winked.

  “You still haven’t told me what you’re doing.”

  Brynn put a finger to her lips to silence me, pointing at the camera behind her.

  I nodded, and she kissed me on the cheek. “I’m having so much fun,” she whispered and headed toward the door, the clippity-clip of her heels blending into the din.

  I touched t
he red light, and the electronic voice sang, “Door locked.” I held my breath and stared into the retinal reader with the eye covered with the contact. I let out the breath when I heard the click of the lock as it opened. Unfortunately, the maintenance workers were slow replacing the equipment. There was no retinal identification scanner on her computer. I would need to figure out Susie’s password to get into the engineering schematics for the androids. I knew enough about her to know her password would be something having to do with flowers. F-L-O-W-E-R-S. Access denied. Damn, this wasn’t going to be easy. T-U-L-I-P-S. Access denied. If it wasn’t her obsession with botany, what was it? Then it came to me. The name of her girlfriend no one was supposed to know about. I typed in the name. R-A-I-N-E and the home screen for the Robotics and AI Department materialized.

  “Good morning, Ms. Camus,” the computer purred in a sexy female voice. “How may I assist you?”

  “Please bring up the schematics of the Kai 2600 android, specifically the location of its GPS chip.”

  Big red letters, CLASSIFIED, filled the computer screen. “I’m sorry, Ms. Camus. All information on the Kai android is classified while under investigation. May I assist you in some other way?” The voice droned from the small speaker attached to the computer screen.

  “What investigation?” I asked.

  “The viability of the Kai project both morally and monetarily, and the disposition of the existing Kais.”

  Bile rose from my stomach and burned my throat. “What are the disposition options?”

  “That information is classified. May I assist in some other way?”

  “Yes. You can jump into a pit of magma.”

  “I’m sorry. That is beyond my program’s capabilities. May I assist in some other way?”

  The screen went dark.

  “You are logged on and active at multiple locations. I’m sorry. You will be detained until we determine which location is being operated by the actual Susan Camus. Please be comfortable. The authorities will arrive shortly.”

  I poked at the lock pad to no avail.