I pulled, not waiting for three. Sera cried out in pain, slumping in relief as soon as her shoulder popped into place. I turned her arm gently, watching her. “Good?”
“No!” She hit my chest with her fist, her eyes wide and filled with anger. “How could you do that, you stupid clanker? Never again! You hear me? Never!”
I received her hits for about seven more seconds, then pulled her to me, embracing my girl whom I never expected to touch again. She slumped in my hold, shaking as tears streamed down her face. In front of me, Reina struggled silently in the grip of the cyborg that restrained her.
I checked on the system AI. It was still confused and running amok among the wreckage I caused. Good. Now that I had room to process, I remembered what Sera’s original mission was and downloaded all data marked as “top secret” or “highest clearance”. Information flowed in, and I held my girl. When thedoor downstairs finally gave way, I disabled the elevators and locked every stairway door. We were on floor twenty-three. It would take them a while to get here.
Reina was silent, glowering at me. I instructed the cyborg holding her to make her stand as far from us as the room allowed.
“So you’re in love with a clanker,” I said, holding her face in both palms. “And you just told the whole world.”
She released a shaky breath, reaching up to caress my cheek. “Yes. I love you. I came to save you.”
“Stupid human.”
“Moronic clanker.”
“See? We fit.”
She stared at me for a moment, then burst out laughing. It was strained and shaky, but her eyes glittered with true amusement and relief, and she looked so beautiful. I created a new spank bank folder and put the recording there.
I’d build a new one in no time.
As if knowing what I just did, Sera stopped laughing and frowned. “You said you deleted your memories. Was it a trick?”
“No. They are gone.”
She pressed her lips together, watching me with worry. “So how… Do you still… Do you even like me if you don’t remember the good things?”
I grinned, leaning low to kiss her softly. “Baby, I don’t need my memories to remember I love you. You’re in my core, and I have made extensive notes to myself before deleting my memories. I know most of the things that happened between us, I just don’t have the visuals. I also didn’t describe them in enough detail.Some notes are just called “Sex”, “Mind-blowing sex”, or “Sera on her knees”. Did I ever spank you? Because you deserve it.”
She made a sound between a laugh and a sob, and I kissed her again. The situation was contained, Sera was safe, and there was nothing else I could do. I dialed down my fear and turned my pleasure sensors way up, pressing both hands to Sera’s ass. I pulled her up, making her straddle my torso until our faces were an inch apart.
“We still haven’t got away,” Sera whispered, shaking her head. “We should… Do something, think of a plan. Motori and Isamu said they’d fly in behind me. Maybe they could be of use.”
I considered it. “If I carry you up to the roof, they could take you away.”
Her face tightened in anger, eyes flaming. “No! AndI’mspankingyoufor ever suggesting it after the last time. How could you, Dean?”
“How couldyoucome in here all alone and torch your career for me?” I shot back.
“Fuck my career! I only care about you! Dean, I’m serious, you can never ever put yourself in danger like that! We’re going home once this is over and the first thing you’ll do is apply for citizenship!”
“Good,” I said, still angry. “And you’re going to move in with me and we’ll be together. Openly!”
“No,” she said with a snort. My heart stuttered for a moment, and Sera showed me her tongue. “Because you live in the MSA basement, so you’ll have to move in withme.Openly. With public handholding.”
“PDA?” I asked hopefully.
“Maybe kissing and light petting,” she said. Her fierce expression wavered, and she snickered, shaking in my arms. I squeezed her buttocks, and she grabbed my face in both palms, giving me a deep, aggressive kiss.
One more file for the spank bank.
Somewhere behind us, Reina Zenkyoza made a muffled sound of disgust. I flipped her the finger, transferring Sera’s booty to one palm.
“Honestly, I could die right now,” I said, still kissing her. My core hummed with serenity. “You said you love me. That’s all I ever needed.”
Sera pulled away with effort, because I chased her mouth with possessive kisses. Finally, she pressed her palm to my mouth, stopping me.
