Page 14 of The Cyborg Way
He pushed that thought aside as well, despite the surge of longing, still considering GenCon. If they could find a way to give humans the same ability to survive as the cyborgs—without causing them to lose their rights—the number of willing settlers would increase exponentially. Unfortunately, he just didn’t have the scientific background to know if it were possible.
“If you don’t object, I would like to share the results with Sam’s wife, Addie.”
“Why?”
“She’s a scientist—and before you ask, yes, she does work with GenCon but she functions independently. She and Sam have both had… negative experiences with them, and I don’t believe she would ever betray your secret.”
She frowned, stroking Henry’s small back, then nodded.
“I suppose that’s all right. Maybe she can help figure out where he came from, and if he’s okay living here with me.”
How could he not be?He couldn’t imagine a more desirable existence, but he kept his thoughts to himself.
“Very well. I’ll return the scanner to her now.”
Despite his words, he didn’t move, still looking down at her. The neck of her robe had parted when he slid his hand beneath it and the shadowy valley of her cleavage was an almost unbearable temptation. His cock jerked, pressing so tightly against his pants that it felt as if it would force its way free.
“I have to go,” he said abruptly and turned for the door.
She immediately put her hand on his arm, the delicate touch impossible to resist.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “Thank you for listening to me and for not betraying Henry.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Are you going to come back—I mean, is it going to be two weeks before I see you again?”
“I…”
He knew he should say yes, but the words didn’t want to come out.
“I just thought that if you weren’t busy, maybe you could come back for supper tonight?”
She gave him a hopeful look from those big blue eyes, but he hardened his heart and opened his mouth to refuse.
“I could,” he said instead, and she beamed up at him.
“That’s wonderful. Just come back whenever you’re finished with your work.”
He was undoubtedly a fool, but that didn’t stop him from grinning triumphantly as he left.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Ellie shook her head as she watched Levi mount Blaze in one smooth motion, muscles rippling. She could hardly wait until tonight—to share a meal with him, and perhaps more. Why did he find it so hard to believe that she was genuinely attracted to him? More attracted than she’d ever been to anyone else and for much more than just that big, powerful body.
She suspected that part of it was his protective nature. Ever since that first time he’d shown up and helped her assemble the dome, she’d known that he was looking out for her. Even between his visits, she’d caught sight of him on the ridge behind her claim. Her mother had wrapped her in a similar blanket of protection, although Levi was more willing to let her act independently.
She also couldn’t imagine him lying to her—he was far too direct. As much as she loved her mother, and even though she thought she understood why her mother might have chosen to keep secrets from her, the sense of betrayal hadn’t disappeared completely. She didn’t believe Levi would ever betray her.
Pushing aside thoughts of the past, she watched him ride away.
“We’re having company for dinner,” she told Henry. “Won’t that be nice?”
He gave a noncommittal chirp, and she laughed. He had gotten used to having her full attention.
Deciding to take a break from outside chores for the day, she focused on her habitat, cleaning and polishing her admittedly minimal environment until it shone. She even tidied the bed and made it neatly, trying not to think too hard about why she was doing that.
She set a mushroom stew simmering on the small stove, then made a salad with fresh greens and two precious tomatoes. There was very little she could do about her own appearance, but she took another shower then smoothed lotion over every inch of her skin, doing her best to ignore the arousal already simmering through her body. She left her hair down, simply tying it back with a blue ribbon, and put on her one dress.
