Evolved(13)

And just like that, a thread in the fabric of my yearning for intellectual conversation pulled, and I smiled. I topped up my coffee and we spent the next several hours lost in conversation, discussing the literary depths of Moby Dick. At one point, I had the distinct realisation that I was in fact debating with an android, but the more he spoke, the tether of human/android distinction flittered away. I wasn’t talking to an android, per se, I was simply talking to Shaun.

I was so lost in his extensive, well-rounded views—and he, seemingly, in mine—analysing the author’s interpretation and meaning in diversity, class and social status, good and evil, and the existence of God, that something in my heart changed gears.

All I had ever wanted was someone I could talk to.

He appealed to me on so many levels; he was intelligent, composed, immaculately clean and tidy. And physically… well, physically, he was textbook perfect.

It wasn’t until I needed to use the bathroom that I realised what time it was. It also explained why I was hungry. “My goodness, I didn’t realise it was so late,” I said.

“Allow me to get your lunch,” Shaun said as I excused myself to the bathroom. I almost told him not to worry, and despite my anxiety that it might not be as neat as I’d like or presented as I would, I was curious as to what he would bring me.

When I came back to the living room, he stood beside his seat at the dining table, proudly displaying my lunch. There on a plate sat a sandwich, perfectly placed in the centre, aligned with precision. A water bottle sat on a coaster, again positioned perfectly at two o’clock to the plate.

He must’ve studied everything I’d done the day before to the millimetre. A human couldn’t have done as good a job. Perfect, perfect, perfect.

“Does this please you?” he asked, his head tilted.

“Very much.” I walked to him, took his hand, and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you.”

I only let go of his hand when I sat down. He left his hand on the table, and I had to marvel at the detail of his fingers. Perfectly manicured, creases at the knuckles, so very human.

He watched me eat. “You mentioned showing me the apartment complex,” he said.

I swallowed my mouthful. “Yes. I was going to show you this morning but we got busy talking.”

“Apologies if I monopolised your time.”

“Oh no,” I said quickly. “Talking with you today has been wonderful. I don’t get to discuss books like that very often.”

“Why not?”

“Because most humans I know find it boring. I can talk the basics for a little while, but even my colleagues—who are scholars in their own right—tire of it. They don’t share my passion.”

“I like it very much. It stimulates my neural networks to have such in-depth conversations with you.”

My mouth went dry and I needed to sip my water so I could speak. “It stimulates something in me, as well.”

His blue eyes fixed on mine. “Is your intellectual attraction a part of the dating ritual we are performing?”

My blood ran warm. “Yes.”

“Your pupils dilate when you look at me like that. It tells me you are physically stimulated.”

Oh boy.

“I am designed to mirror your stimulation. If you are aroused, I become aroused also.”

God, how had I forgotten that?

“Sorry. I don’t mean to… I’m sorry. If you’re uncomfortable… I can’t help it. It’s been a long time for me and I find you very appealing.”

“No need to apologise. When my tactile sensors and neural networks become stimulated, I find it pleasant.”

I could feel my cheeks heat. “Pleasant?”

“Pleasing. Enjoyable.” Then he whispered, “Pleasurable.”

Oh boy, oh boy.

Was he flirting with me? Did androids flirt? Could they? Were they that advanced they could read social situations and behave in a manner to grant them the reward they sought? Did he long for my physical touch? Oh my God. Was he horny?

“Uh, how about we take that walk?” I said, taking my empty plate to the kitchen, quickly washing and drying it, then putting it away. Everything in its place. I grabbed my wallet and keys, just in case, and put my coat on at the front door.

Shaun stood and waited patiently. I couldn’t see any pronounced bulge in his pants. Thank God. I knew from my research and the tour of the SATinc that the perma-semi-hard cock sat snug against the hip and only lengthened and protruded during sexual activity.

Great. Now I was thinking about his cock.

I went to open the door but stopped. “Uh, you’ll need a coat.”

“I do not feel the cold,” he replied.

“No, but you’ll look out of place without one,” I explained. “People will notice you if you’re underdressed.”

“Oh.”

“Not that I mind if people notice you,” I added quickly. “I’d rather they didn’t notice you because they think you’re going to freeze to death.”

He smiled as though something about my flustered demeanour amused him. “Very well.”

“I’ll grab you a coat.” I dashed off to the hall, then realised I hadn’t bought him a coat. I chose one of mine and took it out to him. I considered just handing it to him but thought he might appreciate my help. “Here,” I said, holding it so he could slip an arm through.