Nora and her both went out front, where Anna was already talking animatedly with Simon. Anna looked up and down at Simon in wonder, objectifying him in a similar way to how Max did originally. The only difference was that there was wonder and warmth in her gaze. “Shit. I would have never known.”
Simon chuckled and spun around for Anna. “It was intended for us to blend in completely. But here.” He pushed down the bandana around his neck to flash a bit of metal at Anna before hurriedly covering it back up.
Anna laughed, stamping her feet on the dirt-covered street. “Never would have known.” She checked the clock on the post outside the shop. “Okay, we need to talk about this more, but . . . come back soon, alright?”
Nora took the hint to leave, not wanting to run into Paul again, and started to walk to the hover. “Probably be a week or so with the atmosphere sweep tonight.”
“That’s alright. Yeah. Thanks again for that magazine.” Anna gave them hugs as they left, Simon included, and said in Nora’s ear when she got close, “I’m glad you have him regardless, Nora. It’s good you’re not alone out there.”
Simon turned his eyes to her. Nora squirmed under the intensity in his gaze. She loved the way he looked at her. As if she was something just as valuable as the magazine she gave to Anna. His attention made her heart pound fast in her chest.
Nora gave him a genuine grin back, matching his eyes with gentle ones of her own. “Me too.”
Chapter thirty-four
Simon
Theatmospheresweephadbegun.
Nora and Simon sat together in the night. Close. Through the kitchen window they watched the wind whip across the front of the house, blowing dust over everything. Strange lights flickered in the distance. Simon’s sensors were awash with connections outside as something was being deployed in the atmosphere from all the drones here from Mars.
They sat so close that Simon, emotions uncertain, took a risk and reached his arm over to pull Nora even closer. His body was tense.Please.He didn’t breathe for a moment, not that he needed to anyways, but that feature was programmed in for him to mimic humans. He had unconsciously been breathing lately to be more human for both Nora and Tilly.
Simon resumed breathing once Nora accepted his arm around her shoulders and scooted until her head was on his chest.Yes, Nora.He felt her heartbeat quicken.
That reaction, plus her compliance lying there, assured him his interest, and hers, was not mistaken. Even if they sat in silence, both processing this change. Simon let out a shaky breath as he stared out the window, flickering lights in the distance.
He sat, content, holding her and not speaking to confuse the moment until Nora frowned and moved her hand to where his artificial heart lay. “You have a heartbeat?”
His throat tightened. “Not in actuality. It is simulated for human comfort.”
“Did humans touch your chest often to notice?”
“You’d be surprised,” he said drily, remembering the past. “You are lying on me now and able to notice it.”
“Oh.” Nora moved to get up.
Simon held his arms in place, not wanting to break the moment. “I want you here. Please don’t go.” He added a second later, softer, “You are the first one on my chest I have wanted here.”
“That’s . . .” He felt heat coming from her and she fell silent as she stopped attempting to move off him. Nora adjusted herself deeper in his arms. He felt her heartbeat pick up again, a faster tempo than his simulated one.
It was quiet and Simon enjoyed the peace of just holding her. He closed his eyes.You’re fine, Nora.His arms tightened briefly.I’m fine.
Her tension was ebbing the longer he held her, and he felt her limbs slowly loosen. Until she spoke again. “Simon?”
“Hmm?” He inclined his head toward her and began rubbing her back. His fingers trailed along her spine and gently pressed in. Her inward gasp while he did so made him continue the motion.
“What are we doing, Simon?”
He let out a low chuckle. “I would think that is obvious, Nora.”
Nora didn’t respond, but he felt her heartbeat pick up even faster as he continued rubbing down her back.
She spoke, softly. “Can I ask you something? Personal?”
His hand stilled. “Like what?”
“Who did you serve before? Was it like this . . . like with us? Part of a family? “
