Page 35

Chapter thirty-five

Nora

Nora awoke the next morning, early, peaceful in Simon’s arms. She knew he had carried her and sat next to her while she dozed, but that was in the darkness of night. His arms were tight around her and her face rubbed into his chest. What? It was something else to be awake now in the daytime like this. Waking up being held? She heard Tilly out in the main room, singing along to a rerun of Princess Pearl and the Dastardly Three on the radio.

“Good morning,” Simon said in his measured tone, contracting his arms around her.

Nora sat, stunned a moment, and then startled. Oh. She moved to sit up and Simon let her. She felt awkward sitting next to him. All night? Her cheeks turned rosy. He’d held her, and she’d liked it, and now she felt embarrassed? Why was she not afraid to be this close to a man again? Maybe because he’s . . . well . . . Simon. Nora swallowed. Not completely unafraid though.

Her voice shook. “Did you hold me the whole night?”

“Yes.” He reached forward to push her hair out of her face, hooking it behind her ear, making her shudder at his touch.

“You didn’t have to.” She pushed the rest of her hair back nervously.

“I wanted to. I enjoyed it. Did you?” An eyebrow was raised.

Nora nodded and ducked her head, avoiding his gaze. “I don’t think I’ve ever been held before while I slept. The times I had to be with someone I had to leave right after.”

Simon gently tugged her back down until her cheek rested again against his simulated heartbeat. He bent his head forward until his lips met her hair and kissed softly, fingers trailing down her curls.

This feels . . . Her eyes darted side to side. “Simon. What is happening? With us?”

“Something wonderful,” he said gazing back into her eyes, hand cupping her chin. “Something I never thought possible for my kind at all.”

He leaned over and gently kissed her lips, a shadow of a touch. He looked and tasted human. Warm and firm. Slow and patient.

But Nora was aware enough to realize that it was different this time. This is Simon. Nora responded, surprising herself with her actions, her longing. She stared at him when she pulled back, stunned, finger pressed to her lips.

He leaned forward, slowly, and pulled down her hand from her face. He kissed her again, a bit firmer this time, and Nora’s lips returned his affection after a pause.

“Simon, I . . .” she said, searching his eyes.

Simon smiled a new smile rather than the usual patient one. One that held a touch of possession and fire in his gaze rather than the usual logic. He murmured into her skin as he kissed her neck, “I am sentient, Nora. And I want you.”

Nora’s breath hitched, hearing he wanted her back. “Is it wrong for us to want each other?”

“Why would it be?”

“I . . . don’t know.”

“We are both able to consent. That should be the only consideration.” He angled his head closer. “I will say it again. I want you. Do you want me?”

I do . . . “Yes, but . . .”

Simon didn’t give Nora a chance to elaborate, covering her mouth with his, causing her entire body to feel like it was on fire. Shivers ran down her spine.

Tilly came in then. Nora broke apart from Simon in a hurry at her whirlwind of energy. Oh Tilly . . . She breathed fast to collect her thoughts, both annoyed and relieved by the interruption.

Tilly took no notice of anything happening, jumping on the bed in between them and pointing outside excitedly. “The storm’s over outside. The Mars one. I think it’s okay to go out now, Mama.”

Nora leaned over to see outside as well, her heartbeat thundering. Her voice was a bit higher pitched than normal as she avoided Simon’s gaze. “The sky does look a bit brighter, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah!” Tilly trotted back out of the room, yelling over her shoulder, “I’m going to go check on the chickens, okay?”

“Okay . . .” Nora said softly after her.

When they were alone again, Nora avoided Simon's eyes.

Simon put a finger under her chin and tilted her head up to his, gazing into her eyes intently. “I will never hurt you, Nora. I promise.”

A swell of emotion made her swallow hard. “I know you wouldn’t, Simon.”

His tone pitched lower. “I cannot offer you everything a human male can. But I can give you all of myself. I want to take care of you and Tilly.”

Nora leaned towards him. “You say that as if being human is something to aspire to. I had human males. I don’t want them. I don’t want any sort of regular human man.” She rubbed her arms but then forced out, “But I do want you.”

There was leashed fire in Simon’s eyes as he leaned forward and kissed her again, stroking his arm down her side to reach for her breast. Her shirt and band underneath were in the way, so he reached down to the hem of her shirt, sticking his hand underneath and sliding it across her stomach.

Nora jolted underneath him at his touch, her body warming in a way it never did all the other times she was touched before. I don’t want to go outside. I want to stay right here and . . . But Tilly was out there, waiting for them.

She gave Simon a half grin. “You really are the ideal man, huh, like I said when I first saw you.”

Simon frowned at that. “I am not a man. But I’m happy as it is now as well.”

A wry smile twisted her lips. “Nah. Still the ideal man.”

He chuckled. “Alright, Nora. Then I'm happy you think so.” They both sat there and he let his hand explore, stroking up and down her side.

Until they heard Tilly call for help from outside a moment later. Nora startled as Simon removed his hand from underneath her shirt.

Simon moved to get up, “Let’s go help Tilly, and if you’re open to it, we can finish this later.”

Nora’s cheeks flamed again. “Well, when you put it that way! Ahh . . .” She let out a soft laugh and pulled on her hair nervously. “Okay, okay to later seeing what all that means.”

His eyes were hooded. “Yes, Nora.”

Nora refocused herself, tamping down on her emotions. She got up and put on her shoes. But she did reach for and hold his hand as they walked outside together. And Simon held it back, firm and steady.