Evolved(26)

“What do you think?” he asked me.

“I think it’s pluperfect.”

He grinned. “Then I shall have it.”

He began to take it off, but I put my hand on his sleeve. “Leave it on, you can wear it home.” I leaned in and whispered, “I can help you take it off when we get there.”

We went over to the counter where the sales lady took the tag and processed the purchase. It cost a small fortune but I didn’t care. He was happy and that was all that mattered. Shaun stood just to the side, smiling and subtly observing everything around him.

The sales lady handed me my receipt. “He really is incredible,” she said so only we could hear and leaning in like it was some sordid secret. “I’ve heard of the A-Class, but I’ve never seen one before. I hear they’re worth every credit.” She winked.

Mildly offended by her closeness and duly offended by her implied comment, I took the receipt. “He’s more than a financial transaction.”

I took Shaun’s hand and left the sales assistant gaping at the counter, and we walked out. I felt so much better being outside in the fresh air, away from strange humans, but it took a while for me to calm down. “Lloyd,” Shaun said. “What is the matter?”

I stopped walking and turned to him. “I don’t particularly like interacting with people I’m not familiar with, and I didn’t like what she implied.”

“The ‘worth every credit’ comment?”

I sighed. “You caught that?”

“Of course. What did she mean?”

“That you must be worth all the money you cost to buy.”

He processed that for a second. “I realise you must have paid credits for me when you designed me.”

I wanted to look away, but the least I owed him was to look him in the eye. “Yes.”

“Of course you did. I am fully aware of that.”

I stared at him for a second. “It doesn’t mean I own you,” I said, which wasn’t technically true, because I did own him. “I’m your custodian.”

“You are my custodian,” he said with a nod. “And my partner. Is that not what we agreed on earlier?”

I finally smiled. “Yes. You are my partner.”

“Good. Then let’s get home so you can help me out of this coat.” He grinned. “And everything else I am wearing. I believe that was what your innuendo you implied.”

I snorted. “I believe it was, yes.”

He took my hand and we started to walk. “I do like walking with you along the river. It is all rather lovely, but I think I would prefer to be at home.”

“I prefer to be at home too,” I admitted. “I normally do all my shopping online but thought you might like to venture out and experience it.”

“Oh yes, and I am grateful. And if you ever need me to purchase anything on your behalf, I am sure I observed the transaction well enough to replicate it.”

“When we get home, I can show you how to order whatever you need. It’s voice activated, so we can get you set up on my accounts.” I smiled at him. “But only if you promise not to buy a Lamborghini.”

He smiled. “I have no need for luxury vehicles. Though I cannot make any promises about phallic replications.”

I stopped walking and stared. My mouth fell open. “You wouldn’t!”

His smile became a grin. “I would like to think I have no need, yet you abstain from activating all my synthetic serotonin and dopamine sensors.”

My mouth was still open, so I shut it and tried to form an appropriate response. “I wasn’t aware that activating those sensors was necessary for you to retain optimum performance health.”

He looked upward, in what might have been an eye roll. “I may be fabricating slightly. However, as you suggested earlier, if we read my instruction manual together, you will see there are certain sensors in certain places that I would appreciate you activating.”

I pulled his hip against mine. “Did you just use blackmail so I will have sex with you?”

“Fabricating truths, blackmail,” he murmured. “Next is begging.”

Oh my God.

He wasn’t just teasing. He wasn’t being playful. He really wanted it. Like it was a need, and I was depriving him if I didn’t.

I grabbed his hand and led him home, faster than I might normally walk. He waved to the android in the lobby, who dutifully waved back, and in the lift, he smirked at me in the mirror.

Like he knew damn well he was about to get what he wanted.

Needed.

Oh boy.

As soon as we were inside, he put his key on the cabinet and stood, stock still, while I began to pace.

“Shaun, please tell me truthfully,” I started. “Have I neglected your needs?”

“You have taken very good care of me.”

I needed to reword my question. “Do you require anal penetration to maintain optimum health?”

“Possibly.”

Possibly? What did that even mean? “What do you mean possibly?”

“Optimum health can be achieved and maintained by stimulating sensors and neural pathways. Conversation and touch alone will be enough to maintain operating health. I assumed you knew this from your induction with regards to my maintenance.”