Cybernetics. That opened a whole lot of questions in her mind. What isn’t real on him? God…is his dick synthetic? Is he like a sex bot? She’d never paid for one to service her body, but she knew many women did. They had male units available to rent on Earth.
She wasn’t even sure if he’d enjoy sex the way humans did.
Go for it, a little voice in her mind urged. Four years, it reminded her. Four long, lonely years.
Sky couldn’t miss the way Mick’s cheeks pinkened and her brown eyes darkened as she peered at him. Her fingers dropped the berry back into the bowl and she stilled.
“Are you well?” Concern made him worry. The berries weren’t an Earth fruit. Perhaps she was having an adverse effect from Garden’s food. “Mick?”
She shook her head but then nodded. “I’m fine.”
“Are you certain? I could call a medic.”
“No. I’m good.” She placed the bowl back on the tray.
“You’re full?”
She took a deep breath and her shoulders tensed. “We need to talk.”
“We are.”
Her cheeks pinkened more. “Um, I don’t even know how to say this.”
“Just say it,” he urged, still concerned. “Are you feeling sick, Mick? Are you nauseous? I should have considered your dietary restrictions before introducing you to fresh food again. You’ve probably lived on dried rations or the paste supplements. You mentioned the pills.”
“It’s not the food Sky. I’m fine. I have a cast-iron stomach.”
He understood what that term meant, grateful at that moment to know so many Earth sayings. Her digestive system wasn’t prone to being sensitive.
She adjusted on the bed to face him more, her hands gripping the bottom edge of his borrowed shirt, pulling it down to hold it in place and cover her pussy. He noticed her pale, soft-looking thighs a little too much and forced his gaze up. Her eyes were so expressive. He liked that. Though, at the moment, she seemed uncertain and a little afraid.
“Just talk to me, Mick. We are friends. You may say anything. There’s no reason to be afraid. I’d never hurt you.”
“I believe you.”
No deception or hesitation on her part was detected. “Good.”
Her gaze lowered to his chest. “Um…you’re interested in sex, right?”
His heart rate increased. “I am.” He wasn’t going to deny it.
She glanced up, held his gaze, then dropped it back to his chest. “Okay.”
He winced inwardly. She wasn’t comfortable with him wanting her. “It’s not required, Mick. I didn’t save you for that reason. I am attracted to you, but I’d never force the issue or want you to feel pressed into agreement.”
“I meant okay as in…we can do that. I’m just a little, um, worried.”
“I wouldn’t hurt you.”
She licked her lips. “I just have some questions first, I guess.”
“Ask me anything.” Sky’s dick stirred without him even activating his sex drive. She was going to allow him to touch her. He wished she seemed more eager, but he was happy to work on that.
Her cheeks remained too pink—and he suddenly understood.
“There’s no reason to be embarrassed or shy.”
She smiled, and his dick hardened more. She took his breath away. Mick wasn’t beautiful in what humans considered the “classical sense” but she was still the most attractive woman he’d ever met. Even the amusement that sparked in her eyes aroused him.
“I’m afraid to ask because I don’t want you to think I’m an idiot or possibly insult you. I just don’t know anything about cyborgs.”
It was hard for him to think beyond the fact that she’d allow him to touch her. He wanted to—badly. He pushed that desire back, though, and tried to assess any concerns she may have.
“Are you afraid I’ll get you pregnant?”
Her mouth parted, utterly stunned.
“That wasn’t one of your questions?”
“No, but it should have been.” She relaxed and gave a small laugh. “That’s a good one to ask, right? An unplanned pregnancy would be bad.”
“Most cyborgs require shots to activate their sperm in order to do that.”
Her shock was apparent yet again. “You can have kids?”
“Yes. Cyborgs breed.”
“Wow.” She paused. “Do you have any children?”
Sky got control of his features to prevent giving away his emotions. “I’m not in a family unit. That’s what we call marriage. I’m single, Mick. I live alone. I’m not dating anyone.”
He avoided answering her direct question. The last thing he wanted to do was explain breeding pacts, and how he’d donated his genetic material but didn’t have access to the resulting children. She’d be horrified, perhaps even disgusted by the laws that had been implemented because some males were sterile. It was imperative that cyborgs thrive. That meant ensuring there were future generations.
Mick swiped her forehead with her hand, grinning. “I don’t want to go to bed with you, and then find out I helped you cheat on someone.”
She dropped her hand to her lap again, not gripping the shirt this time…not hiding her body from him anymore. He longed to reach over and touch her. Just the idea of placing his fingertips on her inner thigh and inching them higher was torment.
“I’m free to pursue a serious relationship with you.” He didn’t want to scare her off by immediately offering to join a family unit. He wasn’t required to sleep with cyborg females, since his DNA was considered overused. It meant he could promise monogamy, hoping that would be enough if their relationship progressed the way he wanted.
She seemed surprised by his statement.
“I’m still Sky,” he gently reminded her. “I’m the same person you’ve been talking to. I’m just a cyborg instead of a freighter captain.”
“Okay. That brings us to the thing I’m avoiding.” Her cheeks turned pink again. “Physically, um…how is this going to work?”
Amusement flashed through him, and he stopped monitoring his expressions when he allowed the grin to stretch across his face. “It would work. What are your concerns?”
She looked adorable with her cheeks that color, and the way her gaze continually lowered to his chest. Shyness in a female was new to him—and he liked it. Cyborg females were very direct and blunt. That wasn’t always a good thing to his way of thinking, remembering the ones he’d known intimately.
“I don’t know.”
“You do. Speak freely, Mick.” He wanted to hear her say it. He wasn’t sure if his size concerned her or if it was his coloring.
Her tongue darted out to lick her lips and she glanced up, held his gaze briefly, then dropped hers again. “Is everything on you real? I mean, can you feel touch? Enjoy it?”
Sky tried not to laugh, he truly did, but couldn’t hold back. “I’m flesh and blood, Mick.”
He reached out slowly and put his finger under her chin, gently pushing it up. She didn’t jerk away from his touch. Her gaze lifted to his. They stared at each other for long seconds.
“You’re not like a sex bot? I mean, I know you’re a person, but physically, are you like them? I mean, your body? I get that your mind is yours.”
“I was created inside a laboratory.” His humor faded. Would she reject him? “We’re grown like clones with enhanced genetics. My bone density is stronger than yours. I heal faster.” He paused, debating on what to tell her. “We also have added cybernetics. I have implants inside my brain that can control my emotions, turn off pain sensors to parts of my body, and I can control certain body functions.” He raised his other hand, showing it to her. “I lost four fingers in a lab accident. I saved the life of a friend. They appear real, but they are flesh grown over robotics.”
She reached out with both hands and touched his fingers.
He wanted to groan. Her fingers were soft and hesitant. He wished she were exploring another part of his body.
“I woul
d never have known unless you told me.” She pinched the tip of one.
He laughed. “Ouch!”
She stared up at him, surprised.
“I have full feeling in them. They attached the nerves to the new flesh that grew where the original fingers were severed.” He pulled out of her lax hold. “My implants that control emotions and pain are off. I don’t like turning them on. I enjoy living life to the fullest. That means allowing all my senses to run free.”
“You can turn off your emotions?”
“If I wanted to. I don’t.”
“That’s got to be kind of neat.” Mick reached up and gripped a data chip locket around her neck.
“What is that?”
She lifted it and glanced down. “A lot of good memories are stored on this.” She released it and took a deep breath. “Let’s do this.”
Excitement gripped him. “This?” Please be talking about sex. He didn’t want to push her too fast, but he wanted Mick badly.
“Sex. It’s been a while, and I’m not sure how good I’m going to be at this anymore, but I’m willing.”
She isn’t truly ready yet.
A cold wash of disappointment filled Sky. Maybe Mick didn’t want him, but she felt obligated to share her body. He’d saved her life, and she had to feel grateful, despite not finding herself in the best circumstance, being locked inside his quarters. Other cyborgs hadn’t exactly welcomed her with open arms.
He stood and paced.
“What’s wrong?”
He paused, debating on how to answer. Her brown eyes were lovely, he could stare into them all day, but was accepting her willingness to allow him to take her body enough to make the pleasure he was sure he’d experience worth it? It would have been ideal if she felt the same strong attraction to him that he did to her.
Earthers were different from cyborgs. He knew that about them more than most. Mick wasn’t emotionally invested in him yet, but he wanted her to be.
The decision was made. His stiff dick protested but he refused to allow it to screw up his chances of keeping her long term. His gaze swept down her body. He wanted every inch of her, and not just for a quick tumble on his mattress. Mick was a keeper, and he intended to do just that.
“I think we should get to know each other better first.”
Her mouth dropped open and disbelief widened her eyes. “But I said yes.”
Her reaction amused him. She’s so damn cute. “I appreciate that, but you don’t really want me, Mick. Not the way I want you.” He grinned. “At least not yet.”
He just had to figure out how to make that change.
Chapter Five
Sky was a mystery to Mick. She’d given him permission to have sex with her but he’d refused—because sex wasn’t enough. That stumped her.
He’d gone to the door pad to make a private call, at least she’d assumed so, and a guard had come to take him away. He’d promised to return within a few hours.
Now she wondered where he’d gone while she paced the small quarters.
The door chimed and she paused, staring at it. “Yes?”
It opened—and fear gripped her when a black-haired cyborg in uniform frowned at her from the hallway. “Hello. I am Teg. We weren’t formally introduced before.”
“Mick.” She wasn’t about to offer him her hand, not sure if he’d give it back. Those rumors about cyborgs stealing body parts had to come from somewhere, and he did look kind of mean around the eyes. “Where is Sky?”
“He’s been arguing with some of the council.” He leaned against the open doorway, watching her with cold blue eyes. “He is attempting to stall them from having the Bridden return to our home planet. We were on a mission that your rescue has cut short.”
“Am I allowed to ask why?”
“Why would he stall, you mean?” He smiled, but it wasn’t friendly. “To give him more time with you.”
Mick wondered if that were true, and found she liked that reason, if it were. “Why would you have to cut your mission short because of me?”
“I’ve been sent here to question you by our council. They believe you’re a threat to us.”
She laughed—then quickly sobered, realizing he meant it. “For real? How am I dangerous to you? Hello. I’m a woman who came aboard your shuttle without a weapon. You guys saved my ass. Why would I want to do anything bad to cyborgs?”
“You’re from Earth.”
“I can’t deny that. I am.”
He said nothing, staring at her with a blank expression.
“You’re also twice my size. I’d probably break my hand if I tried to punch you. Which I wouldn’t do,” she added quickly. “I’m not a threat.”
“You work for Earth Government and could be their spy.”
“I’m a miner. Do you know what my status is with Earth Government? I don’t even register on their radar. I’m nobody. I only got the job on Velion One because I have breasts. There were only three other women applicants, but I had experience they didn’t since I’m a third-generation miner. Bingo. I was the winner.” She paused. “Or loser. It depends on how you see it. That job really sucked.”
“Third generation?”
“My grandparents and parents were miners, too.”
“You still work for Earth Government.”
“Every person on the Earth falls under that category now, and so do the ones who leave the planet to do jobs associated with anything EG has its fingers in. And since they’re assholes, that means pretty much everything. They are bullies.”
“So you’re saying you’re a civilian?”
“Yes.”
He scowled. “How do we know you’re not a soldier?”
She couldn’t help it. She laughed again. “Look at me. I’m not exactly in shape. I sit at a control panel all day.” She lifted her arm and flexed her arm. “See the lack of muscle? The heaviest thing I lift are the ten-pound boots I had to wear to walk across the surface between the control center and my living quarters. The ground can be a hundred and sixty degrees in the shade during the day. Regular work boots would get damaged. I also had to cover my mouth or use a breather when it was that hot, so I don’t mess up my throat and lungs. Breathing the hot air can cause medical emergencies. I was alone on the planet, which meant I’d have died if I passed out,” she explained, babbling now.
“Regardless, you are still from Earth.”
Mick frowned, slowly realizing exactly how serious a situation she might be in. “So are you. Do you love Earth Government?”
He scowled. “No.”
“Neither do I. They killed my parents.”
“Explain.”
“They were miners. The pay was shit, and they were making them work beyond the hours specified in the contract to meet quotas. They weren’t giving anyone bonus credits or even extra rations for the added hours and days they were forced to work. So, there was a strike.” She hated the memories that surfaced of that time.
“They rebelled?”
“It was peaceful, but they refused to return to work until they either got more credits or an increase in rations. The hours were harsh but the miners were willing to do it. Earth Government doesn’t negotiate. The miners were ordered to start up their rigs or die. My father didn’t think they’d follow through, but he sent all the kids and elderly to the back lines, myself included. He was one of the representatives for the miners. Earth Government needed our experience and skills. At least…that was my father’s argument.” Pain squeezed her heart. “He was one of the first ones to die, along with my mother. The military took out six rigs in the blink of an eye to prove a point. I was an orphan after that, and sent to Earth at the age of sixteen. It was hell there.”
He frowned. “How so?”
“I had no family to take me in. They stuck me in a group home with other kids like me. We had to work to pay for a sleeping space and food. I was small for my size, since I was born on the moon and grew up in artificial gravity. It can stunt you a little bit. So
I was forced to clean out underground drains, because I fit. Can you imagine how terrifying it is to be strapped to a cable and lowered a hundred feet underground with just a helmet light and a saw? They worked me in ten-hour shifts, seven days a week. I’d be bone tired from hacking at anything that could cause a backup when it rained, then I’d have to do five hours of schoolwork and chores.
“I got out of there when I hit eighteen to take a job on Mars. I ran a digger pod. It was dangerous, but it beat living on Earth. Most of the other girls from my group home ended up working in brothels. I’d rather have taken my chances being trapped in a digger pod if the engines failed. They don’t waste the time to retrieve you. You’re just written off and left to die.”
“Digger pod?”
She jabbed her thumb toward the cleansing unit. “It’s about that size on the inside, only round and with a seat. Think big jaws with drills inside. They dig into the surface to break apart anything that could damage building equipment when they start a project. It’s almost impossible to detect solid masses under the surface until they send in digger pods. The teeth on those chew up rock and mineral deposits, spitting it out behind the rig as you go. You’re literally moving underground, buried. The engines can die from mechanical failure, or you can hit something like a buried asteroid that blows up. They just leave you there if it happens. It’s not cost effective to waste time by sending other digger pods into the area to hunt for and try to rescue you.”
“It sounds hazardous.”
“It is. Eventually, they’ll send out the barge and yank them out if they’re able, but normally months can go by before that happens.”
“The barge?”
“It’s a cargo ship with a huge super-magnet on the bottom. It travels low over the surface of where they think digger pods were lost, and if they aren’t embedded too deeply into the soil, it will pull them out. Nobody has ever been found alive. The engines die and so does life support. You might make it twenty-four hours max, if you’re real good at regulating your breathing. As I said though, they only send out the barge about twice a year when they’re running out of spare parts or are hopeful they can salvage the engines. The life loss doesn’t factor into it. There’s always fresh bodies willing to fill those seats.”
Falling for Sky (Cyborg Seduction Book 11) Page 6