Page 37

Chapter thirty-seven

Nora

Once Tilly was asleep, Nora’s emotions heightened again. Simon kept his interest alive the entirety of the day, touching her more than he had ever before. It both scared and excited her. She had sex so many times before, but that was . . .

She side-eyed Simon as he brought her a glass of water and sat next to her, listening to the evening radio programs on the understuffed sofa. They both sank further down with his added weight. It didn’t feel like this does now . There was a fluttering in her stomach. A yearning as she met his eyes, next to her. She never thought she might actually want to have sex again. Did she? Yes. A large part of it was how she felt with him. With Simon.

Her mind turned practical as she got up and adjusted the radio, turning to another evening show. How does . . . that even work for an android? She knew from repairing Simon that he had the proper anatomy, even if she hadn’t spent much time in that area inspecting further. He was just an impersonal machine to her then. Nora glanced at Simon again. Funny how fast that changed.

Simon didn’t seem to share her hesitancy. Maybe it was a product of not being truly human, but he was more decisive and forward than she was. Simon had made what he wanted clear earlier today and throughout the day with his lingering touches and possessive eyes. He was committed. This was a blessing, as Nora’s mind never seemed to turn off, and she second-guessed everything as a default.

Nora sat with the radio and idly turned the knobs, knowing they were both waiting until Tilly was in a deep sleep so they wouldn't be disturbed.

Simon didn’t waste words as he put the now-empty water cup on the table next to the sofa and came back again to sit next to her. Actually , he never seems to waste words.

He reached for her then, in the night, the soft sounds of a music channel from the radio coming in, fuzzy in the background due to static. Simon was insistent in his movements, pulling her close until she was practically on his lap, wrapped in his arms. The calmness and precision of his hands felt just as reassuring as she imagined. “Nora, do you want me to just hold you? You tell me.”

“Is that what you want?” The space between them felt charged. Electric.

His lips twitched. “Hmm. Yes and no. I want more with you, but only if you’re ready. I’ll hold you until you are.”

Her voice wavered. “And if that’s all I ever want?”

His lips pressed against the top of her head. “Then we are lucky my arms never get tired.”

Oh. Her heart fluttered at that as she settled in his arms. He held her then, his simulated heartbeat steady under her cheek, while Nora’s went wild in her chest.

They listened to the radio like that, softly playing music as Simon tapped out the beats on her arm. “This is a familiar song,” he whispered.

“The radio plays it a lot.”

“Hmm . . .” He kissed the top of her head.

They sat there listening as the radio changed through several songs. I want more too. Nora took a deep breath and spoke, voice shaking. “Simon? I want more but . . . just. Slow. I want this to be . . . different than before.”

Simon murmured into her hair. “There is no before, Nora. This is different. I’m not human like any who hurt you. I promise I will never hurt you. You can lead me.” He lowered his head to her neck, gently kissing. “You are beautiful, Nora. In every way.”

Lead him. Nora sighed. That actually worked. Her body relaxed at his words. Her heartbeat still pounded, but it was enough that she was able to lean into him and feel secure wrapped in his arms.

Simon stopped kissing her hair and pulled back to look her in the eyes, his usual cool logic replaced with something that made her burn from within. “We will make new memories of this . . . to replace the others. New memories of how it should be. New memories how to love. I need this as well, different memories.”

“Yeah . . . you’re right. I want that.” Nora leaned back in his arms. I’m ready . She felt a tightening in her stomach and was overly hot all over. She didn’t see Simon as different from her. Not anymore. He was alive, only the casing was different. I don’t want to be alone anymore. And she wasn’t. He pulled her close and she settled her head on his chest again, listening to his heartbeat.

She could forget it was a simulation.

Simon didn’t talk but angled her head up to his to claim her lips and moved her so she straddled his lap. After kissing her for a long moment, he ran his hands over her back as he embraced her against his chest, then reached over and turned off the radio before picking her up under her legs, carrying her around his waist to the bedroom. He turned around and locked the door, then settled them on the bed. “Tilly is breathing in a deep sleep now. We won’t be disturbed.”

Nora watched, a bit unsettled, but her body still responding, still feeling. “Are you even able to . . . ?”

Simon reached forward to cup her cheek. “Yes, you will see. You are the first woman I’ve touched willingly. But I’m no stranger to how the female human body works.”

“Oh.” She broke the tension and laughed. “That for damn sure wasn’t in the manual.”

He gently touched the dimple in her cheek. “It was in some. Just not in the initial start-up one you had.” Simon pressed his forehead to hers as he leaned her back on the bed. “Do you want to lead? What do you like?”

What I like? His question confused her as she squirmed. “I don’t know.”

“Hmm. I’ll lead then. You let me know if you want me to stop.” Simon took off the shirt and pants Nora made him, folding them expertly at the edge of the bed, along with his silicone jumpsuit. Then he made quick work of taking off her shirt before he slid into bed behind her, cupping one of her breasts in his hand.

He held her like that, just stroking down her side. “We were designed to be as human as possible. I didn’t understand why our creators would give us urges and desires; it seemed a waste when we just had to obey. Almost a mockery. But I’m grateful now. Maybe this was what was meant, overall.”

Simon leaned forward, over her, and kissed down her side, then took his hand, dragging it down her front before leaning forward to kiss her stomach and the stretch marks that still crossed her body from carrying Tilly.

Nora trembled but arched up, her body heated from where his fingers trailed. He stroked around her breast, her nipples, just as delicately as she imagined so many times before. The brush of his hands sent currents throughout her entire body.

She reached for him, running her hands over his chest, and received a gleam that flashed over his eyes in return. Then they gentled, back to just being her Simon again.

“Oh, Nora,” Simon said, nudging her back until she lay there. “I was programmed on how to do this best of all. I just never cared to do it properly before, like I do now.” He leaned over and kissed her while his hand traveled low, slow enough for his intent to be known. An eyebrow arched in question.

Nora opened her legs for him, feeling his hand travel down, until he could slip a finger inside her opening. He slowly explored it, learning her depth and her size, as if committing her private anatomy to memory. Her body squirmed from the pressure as she felt his fingers inside of her. He was gentle. So much more gentle than any that came before.

Simon continued to talk, his voice calm even while Nora twitched. “There is a difference even here, where I see your reaction and I care.” He flicked his finger inside of her. The pressure eased up. He started to withdraw his finger, but Nora whimpered and closed her eyes. It feels so good. . .

He pulled back then, cupping her chin. She opened her eyes to see him staring intently at her. “I want this to be different for you, Nora.” His hands rubbed the bottom of her chin. “Do you want to stop? I can hold you instead.”

Nora shook her head. “It’s already different, Simon. It’s okay.”

“Alright. I want to be inside of you, but tell me to stop and I will. We will learn from each other as we go.” He continued flicking, his finger slightly vibrating until he reached her clit at the top with one and kept his other hand inside.

Simon moved slowly, watching her, until she felt a fire stoked within. He ran his fingers up and down from her clit to her entrance.

Then he spoke, his gaze fiery. “I can feel the pressure. Let go, Nora. You are ready.” He pressed in harder on her clit, his finger beginning to slightly vibrate.

“Oh.” She startled back, then let out a breathy laugh. “That’s . . .”

“Yes, I take it this got suppressed as well?” He laughed low in his throat.

“Must have. That feels . . .” Her laughter quickly stopped as he pressed in harder, until she felt the waves of her orgasm clenching around his other hand still deep within her.

Simon hummed, stroking around her entrance. “I love the sounds you make. You are perfect, Nora.”

Nora was reeling, panting, but looked forward, curious. She knew he had a cock from fixing him. But now it stood upward, as if reaching for her. She touched him, marveling at the texture.

He chuckled at her reaction, deep in tone. “Yes. It functions. Why do you think we needed so much lubricant?”

Nora snorted, giving him a side-eye. “Simon. . .”

Simon smirked suggestively. “Part of the reason.”

“Does it feel the same? Inside?” She felt a flash of hunger, low in her core.

In response, Simon put his hand on her shoulder, nudging her back. His voice dropped to a teasing purr. “You tell me. Are you ready?”

Nora’s lips parted, her body angling upward. “Yes.”

Simon lifted himself over her thighs and gently opened them before positioning himself at her entrance. He held her knees as he thrust forward, filling her completely. Nora let out a gasp at the suddenness.

“There we go.” He used his fingers again on her, vibrating over her clit, and Nora could not help but whimper. Simon didn’t wait for an answer as he began to thrust inside of her.

Nora felt his attention as he read her signs, reacting to her body as it trembled and his fingers vibrated stimulate her further. Every touch and slide of his fingers was intentional and measured.

Simon. She squirmed from the sensations. “How does it feel? It’s different. It feels right?”

Simon stilled and his face became contemplative. “It was designed this way. But beyond that, it’s better when there’s the right feelings involved. Are you alright?”

“Yes.” Nora gave a throaty chuckle. “More than alright.”

Simon’s smile turned predatory. “Good. You’re perfect, Nora. Nature got you exactly right as well. We will keep it simple, this time.”

He thrust inside of her, perfectly timed. There were no awkward movements or body shifts; he was completely dialed into her anatomy. “I can usually hold out indefinitely . . . but . . .”

He wet his lips and his eyes took on a fixed gaze so possessive that it made her squirm. She saw the pupil contract in his right, undamaged eye, and an overflowing of liquid hit her insides. Her body shuddered, trembling in his arms.

His eyes closed and she felt his usually smooth movements become ragged. He bent over, spent, and kissed her hair. “That will need to be for next time.”

Nora loved seeing him lose control. Under his hands, she felt wild as well. Her heartbeat galloped and Simon held his hand to her chest, in between her breasts as if to feel.

He stayed inside of her, softening and seeming reluctant to leave, as he gazed down with his green eyes almost glowing in the darkness. “You are mine, Nora. I waited there all those years just for you.”

He slid out and got up, back a moment later with a towel that he put under her, wiping her clean.

Nora felt both touched and uncomfortable with his level of care. She moved her hands to help but he put his on her chest and scooped her in close.

“You’re trembling, Nora.” Simon put the towel aside and pulled her into his arms. He pressed his head onto the top of hers. “Relax now. It is just us.”

Nora swallowed and put her head over his simulated heartbeat. She breathed deep as hers slowed to match its steady rhythm.