Page 18 of Human Reform
The small shower in my upgraded suite beckoned, and I stepped under the warm spray, letting the water cascade over my skin.As steam filled the small space, my thoughts wandered to Daxon—his intense ice-blue eyes, the firm press of his lips against mine, and the strength in his broad shoulders.I imagined those large hands sliding over my wet skin, his fingers tracing paths down my body.
“God,” I whispered, my hand drifting downward of its own accord.
I closed my eyes, picturing Daxon’s tall frame pressed against mine, his weight pinning me against the shower wall.My fingers worked their magic as I conjured the fantasy of his mouth trailing down my neck and across my collarbone.The tension built within me, spiraling tighter until it shattered in a wave of pleasure that left me gasping against the shower wall.
After regaining my composure, I shut off the water and wrapped myself in a towel, feeling both satiated and hungry for more.The fantasy had been delicious, but it only intensified my desire for the real thing.Would Daxon’s actual touch measure up to my imagination?The thought sent another rush of heat spiraling through me.
“Focus, Alora,” I muttered to myself as I put on my white lace bra and panties followed by my fitted white T-shirt and beige tactical pants.
As I braided my hair with practiced fingers, I reminded myself of my promise to help fix the glitches in the cyborgs’ programming.Their condition was my responsibility as my code was causing their suffering.Watching that teenage boy yesterday, seeing the horror on his face when he realized what he’d done during his outburst… I couldn’t walk away from that.
Through my window, I could see the colony coming alive with the morning light.The twin suns cast elongated shadows through the jungle canopy onto the stone pathways between buildings.People—humans and cyborgs alike—moved purposefully through the small city that had been carved from the wilderness.
I touched my bracelet, a habit when I felt unsettled.“What would you think of all this, Tim?”I whispered.My brother had always seen the best in everyone—even cyborgs.He’d probably tell me this was where I was meant to be all along.
A knock at my door sent my heart leaping into my throat.Was it Daxon?Had he been thinking about me as much as I’d been thinking about him?
“Coming!”I called, quickly examining my reflection in the small mirror.My cheeks were flushed with lingering arousal, and my eyes looked brighter than they had in years.
When the door opened, I stood with more eagerness than I’d intended, only to find Olivia standing there with a knowing smile.
“Morning,” she said, handing me a steaming mug.“Thought you might need this before your big day of code diving.”
I accepted the drink, inhaling its rich, earthy aroma—similar to coffee but with subtle floral notes.
“Thanks,” I said, trying to mask my disappointment.“Is Daxon… around?”
Her smile widened.“He’s waiting for you in the security center.And judging by how early he got there this morning, he’s just as eager to see you as you are to see him.”
Heat rushed to my face.“Is it that obvious?”
“Let’s just say I recognize the symptoms a little too well.”Olivia laughed.“Come on.I’ll walk you over.”
I followed Olivia through the colony, clutching the steaming mug in my hands.The morning air was thick with humidity, carrying the sweet scent of exotic flowers and the earthy aroma of the surrounding jungle.As we walked, my heart fluttered with anticipation at the thought of seeing Daxon again.My lips still remembered the pressure of his against them, and the memory sent a pulse of heat through my body once more.
“So, this security center,” I said, trying to distract myself.“It’s basically the nerve center of the colony?”
Olivia nodded, sidestepping a puddle on the stone pathway.“It’s where they monitor everything from perimeter defense to internal systems.The building itself is partially embedded in that rock face ahead.”
I spotted the structure—sleek silver and black composite materials merged with the natural stone of a small cliff.The architectural integration was beautiful.Planet Alpha’s buildings seemed to grow from the environment rather than imposing upon it.
“Were you this nervous when you first started working with Aeon?”I asked, my voice dropping lower.
Olivia laughed, the sound bright in the morning air.“Worse.I dropped an entire tray of medical instruments when he stood close to me.”Her eyes sparkled with amusement.“You’ll be fine.Just breathe.”
We reached the security center doors, and Olivia gave my arm a reassuring squeeze.“I need to get to the medical bay.You’ve got this.Just be yourself.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I muttered, but I squared my shoulders and nodded.
I stepped through the doors into a bright space humming with technology.Curved workstations lined the walls, their displays casting a blue glow over their operators.The morning sunlight streamed through reinforced windows, creating geometric patterns on the polished floor.
And there he was.
Daxon sat at a central workstation, his broad shoulders and straight posture immediately drawing my attention.He was speaking to a lean woman I hadn’t met, but the moment I entered, his head turned toward me as if pulled by a magnet.
Our eyes met across the room, and everything else—the bustle of the security team, the beeping equipment, even my own breathing—seemed to fade away.His ice-blue eyes lit up, and the corner of his mouth quirked in what might have been the beginning of a smile.
He stood immediately, his impressive height and build commanding the space.With a brief word to his colleague, he crossed the room to me with long, purposeful strides.
