Page 10 of The Cyborg Way (Cyborgs on Mars #9)

CHAPTER TEN

W aking up on Mars was different when she woke up in Levi’s arms, Ellie decided as the sky outside the dome began to lighten. She wasn’t alone, and she certainly wasn’t cold. His big body radiated a comforting warmth, and she nestled closer.

How am I going to go back to waking up by myself?

The future loomed before her, suddenly cold and empty, and she had the oddest desire to cry.

She’d told him she wouldn’t regret their time together, and she didn’t—she wouldn’t have traded it for anything—but she hadn’t realized how difficult it would be to watch him ride away.

Would he return in another two weeks? And would he spend the night with her again?

If those biweekly visits were the only time she could spend with him, she would take them, but it would be a long two weeks between each one.

Was that how her mother had felt, she wondered suddenly.

Had she loved Ellie’s father enough to settle for their limited arrangement?

And yet she’d been willing to leave him behind and journey to Mars.

If she had been in a similar position, she didn’t think she would have been able to leave Levi.

The thought made her hug his arm tighter against her. His breathing was still slow and even but she didn’t think he was truly asleep. Based on what she had read, the cyborg rest state was not the same as human sleep.

“I know you’re awake, little bird,” his deep voice rumbled against her, proving her assumption.

“No, I’m not,” she protested, quickly closing her eyes, and felt the vibration of his laugh.

He rolled her to her back and leaned over her, his big body a warm, comforting weight as he studied her face.

“How are you this morning?”

“I’m wonderful. How are you?”

He tilted his head as he considered the question, reminding her suddenly of Henry, and she bit back a smile.

“Happy,” he said at last. “And very satisfied.”

Despite his words, she could feel the thick ridge of his erection against her stomach. She started to arch against him, then winced as previously unused muscles protested. A shadow immediately crossed his face.

“I’m just a little stiff,” she said quickly, before he started feeling guilty again. “Nothing a hot shower won’t cure.”

“An excellent idea.”

He picked her up and started to carry her into the small bathroom, but she directed him into the garden dome instead. He looked around and nodded approvingly as he placed her beneath the shower head.

“Your plants are thriving.”

“I enjoy working with them. More than with the chickens, although they’re very useful. I thought I might add a greenhouse in the spring.”

“You’re full of plans,” he murmured as he turned on the water and stepped under the shower with her.

Plans that she hoped would include him, but she didn’t quite have the courage to ask.

Instead, she let herself enjoy the moment and the feel of his hands as he washed her slowly, thoroughly, and not entirely innocently.

His careful strokes between her legs left her shuddering with pleasure, but despite his obvious erection, he simply finished washing her.

When he was done, he reached for the faucet, but she held out her hand for the soap instead.

“My turn—and don’t tell me I don’t have to.”

His lips quirked and he obediently handed over the soap.

She started with his arms, admiring the way the hard muscles flexed beneath her touch, then ran her hands back over his shoulders as she moved behind him.

The metal spine that laddered down his back formed a harsh contrast to the strong muscles surrounding it, and she found herself tracing it gently with a soapy finger. He immediately stiffened.

“You don’t need to touch me there.”

“Why not? It’s part of you as well.”

“A nonhuman part.”

She sighed and stepped closer, sliding her hands around to his stomach as her breasts rubbed against his back.

“I know you’re no longer strictly flesh and blood, but you are still human, still a man.” Her hands slipped lower to glide along that big, ever-ready cock. “And as we discussed last night, the changes you’ve gone through have some definite advantages.”

He groaned, thrusting into her hands.

“Perhaps you have a point.”

“I know I do.” She pressed a kiss against his metal spine. “I lo—I enjoy every part of you.”

His body tensed and she wondered if he’d realized what she’d almost said. She deliberately squeezed his cock, hoping to distract him. She succeeded.

He spun around and lifted her into his arms before sliding her down over that thick, wet cock.

Her body fought to adjust to the still overwhelming fullness, and he reached between them, supporting her easily with one arm as he stroked her clit.

The slight burn transformed into pleasure, and she rocked eagerly against him.

“It seems a shame not to take advantage of those differences,” he said solemnly, but his face had relaxed.

“I agree. Now move.”

He laughed and obeyed, but instead of the almost frantic movements of the previous night, he kept the pace slow and gentle.

The hot water poured over them as he rocked her easily back and forth on his cock until she finally tumbled over into a long, sweet climax.

He followed her, the warmth of his seed mingling with the warmth of the water when he finally lifted her free.

“It’s a good thing I have unlimited hot water,” she murmured.

He returned her smile, tugging her closer.

“Indeed, since I’m going to have to start washing you all over again.”

She laughed and shivered and went happily into his arms.

A good deal of additional water was sent to her filters before he finally turned off the shower, wrapped her in a towel, and carried her back into the living area. Henry chirped disapprovingly when he glided over to land next to her and realized she was still wet.

“He doesn’t like water,” she told Levi.

“I’ll keep that in mind in case I need to discourage him.”

She and Henry both gave him an indignant look.

“You wouldn’t.”

“No, I wouldn’t, little bird, but it’s fun to tease you.”

He looked almost shocked at his own words, and her heart ached. How long had it been since he’d had any fun?

He’d carried her over to the bench next to the RTG, and now he started drying her as he gave Henry a thoughtful look.

“I spoke to Addie when I returned the scanner. She thinks that if there is any life present on Mars, it would be deep underground, or concealed in one of the caves.”

“That’s what I said.”

She gave him a triumphant grin, and he flicked her nose with a teasing finger before continuing to dry her with slow, soothing strokes.

“I thought perhaps I would do some exploring today and see if there are any caves nearby—or any more Henrys.”

Her heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t going to rush off?

“I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. Could I come with you?” she asked eagerly. She didn’t want to miss any time with him. “We could even have a picnic.”

“A picnic?” He shook his head, but he was smiling. “I would be happy for you to join me, as long as you don’t mind riding on Blaze with me.”

“I’d love to—that is, the two of us won’t be too much for him, will we?”

“I doubt he’ll even notice the difference.”

“In that case, I just have to feed the chickens and check the filters first.”

“I’ll take care of that while you get dressed.”

He gave her one last pat with the towel and rose to his feet, dropping a quick kiss on her lips before pulling on his own clothes and heading back through the garden dome to the chicken habitat.

Her eyes suddenly threatened to fill with tears.

After a year of doing everything on her own, having him take over her chores, even for a morning, was a wonderful gift.

“I’m being silly,” she told Henry. “I can’t get used to this.”

He tilted his head, and chirped a response, and she smiled.

“I suspect that means to let future chickens hatch themselves.”

She dried her eyes and hurried off to dress and put together the promised picnic. By the time Levi finished the chores, she was ready to go.

Instead of her usual coveralls, she had pulled on a pair of faded jeans that hugged her curves and a soft blue sweater the same shade as her eyes. From the look on his face, he approved, but he simply helped her into her thermal coat, then frowned as Henry glided over to perch on her shoulder.

“You are bringing him along?”

“Why not? He might recognize something.”

She bit her lip as it occurred to her that if he did, he might choose to return to his previous home.

I can’t keep him if he doesn’t want to stay.

Just like she couldn’t keep Levi. But they were both here now, and she decided to focus on that. Levi sighed but didn’t raise any additional objections as she put on her facemask and they left the dome.

Blaze was grazing—absorbing micronutrients from the soil—by the base of the rocks, but he immediately came to join them. He butted his head against her and she stroked his nose, suddenly filled with guilt.

“I didn’t think about poor Blaze alone out here all night. I have some extra building materials. Maybe I could make him a shelter?—”

She stopped abruptly, blushing as she realized she was assuming that the horse—and Levi—would spend the night with her again. But he only smiled as he lifted her and Henry easily onto the horse.

“I promise you he doesn’t need a shelter,” he said, as he swung up behind her. “But if it will make you happy, we can build a shelter.”

“It would,” she assured him. Both the shelter and the fact that he would be returning.

Henry suddenly scampered down from her shoulder and up the horse’s neck, perching between his ears like a miniature lookout.

Blaze’s ears twitched, but he didn’t seem to mind, responding easily when Levi urged him forward.

Levi’s arms curved around her waist, and she settled happily back against him as they set off on their journey.