Evolved(38)

He stretched, lifting his arse, giving me more of himself. “Oh, Lloyd,” he said, and it sounded like a prayer.

When I came inside him this time, it was slow and deep, but just as powerful. Like something between us heightened, solidified. Became better.

I collapsed on top of him, utterly drained, yet still on a high. I slid out of him and he quickly turned, caging me in his arms and holding me so tight. He put his hand to my cheek, and brought our lips together, kissing me so deeply my eyes rolled back into my head.

Oh boy.

Then he was gone, and when I opened my eyes, he was standing at the side of the bed in all his naked glory. “You have work today. I will run you a shower,” he said.

“Or I could just look at you naked all day.”

He grinned. “Tempting. Though you should not be late.”

I sighed. “What time is it?”

“Six forty-eight,” he replied without even thinking. Who knew built-in clocks were so useful. “Are you still tired?”

I rolled over onto my back and stretched. “No. Just a little spent. I’m not complaining though. I could wake up to that every day.”

He smiled smugly. “As could I.”

Then I remembered that he needed to shower. I’d come in him twice. “Shall I join you in the shower?” I asked. “Or will we shower separately?”

Shaun raised one eyebrow at me. “Rhetorical questions. A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer.”

I snorted out a laugh. “Point taken.” And I followed him into the bathroom.



Every day that week was the same. I’d go to work, come home to long hugs and tender kisses. We’d talk until dinner time, then I’d grade some papers with his help and input on some matters, and we’d go to bed and make love.

By late Friday night, after a particularly vigorous round of doggy-style sex, then clean-up sex in the shower, we collapsed back on the bed. Shaun was tracing soft patterns on my back, and I began to fall asleep. “What are you mapping out on my back?” I mumbled, not even opening my eyes.

“Nothing,” he replied gently, then kissed my temple. Then he did something that sealed the fate of my heart. If it wasn’t his before, it certainly was now. He quoted Moby Dick.

“‘It is not down in any map; true places never are’.”





Chapter Nine





We spent the weekend doing exactly what normal boyfriends did; reading, cuddling, making out, talking, and laughing. We even went for a walk down to the river while the sun was out. We didn’t encounter any other A-Class androids, and either the humans didn’t notice us or care, because we were blessedly left to ourselves.

After a few well-spent hours in the bedroom, Shaun was having a shower when the phone rang. True to his word, Myles phoned again on Sunday evening. Caller ID showed SATinc’s number and I considered not answering, but with a heavy sigh, I said, “Answer Call.”

“Good evening, Mr Salter. Myles Dewegger, SATinc,” he began. “How was your second week with your A-Class?”

It grated on me that he didn’t use his name. “Very good,” I said, aiming for cheerful.

“You were concerned about the instruction manual update,” he trailed off.

“Oh yes, that’s all sorted, thank you.”

There was a brief pause. “Do you… have any concerns or questions?”

“No.” I frowned. “I’m very happy.”

There was another pause, almost like he wanted to ask or say something but didn’t know how to. So I prompted him, “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“No, no. But if you do have any concerns…”

Why would he keep asking that? Did they know something? Did they somehow know Shaun was different? My eyes shot to the home hub. The source of internet, a wireless tether to SATinc.

“Mr Salter?”

I startled at his voice. “Oh. Yes, thank you, Myles. If I do have any concerns, believe me, I’ll be in touch.”

“May I ask where your unit is right now?”

Now it was me who paused. “He’s having a shower. He needed… cleaning.” I cringed, hating that I needed to admit that. There was, after all, only one reason Shaun needed to clean himself. “Why?”

“Oh, no reason. It just sounds very quiet.”

“I like silence,” I replied. “If you’ve read my psych report, you’d know that.” I didn’t care for his tone or what he was implying. “If we’re done…”

He went back to using his professional tone. “Yes, of course, Mr Salter. Have a good evening.”

The call clicked off just as Shaun walked out. He was freshly showered, his hair brushed neatly, dressed in his pyjamas, looking all domestic and handsome. But there was a cautious look in his eyes, and I knew he must have heard me on the phone. “Everything okay?”

I gave a smile and patted the couch next to me. “Yes. That was just Myles from SATinc, doing his follow-up calls.”

Shaun sat down, his back straight. “Did he say anything about me?”

“He wanted to know if I had any concerns,” I explained.

Shaun turned his head to look at me. “Do you?”