Kyle’s daily attempts to keep Zephyr in his place was becoming Zephyr’s favorite part of the day. In his heart, he believed Kyle was coming around, starting to see the truth. His daily jabs about how droids couldn’t be real had become more of an information sharing than anything. Kyle was intelligent and absorbed information like a sponge. There was so much Zephyr could teach the man and it was obvious Kyle wanted to learn.

“Droids can’t get married,” Kyle said the moment Zephyr strolled into his bedroom, wondering if Kyle wanted something to eat since he hadn’t come looking for breakfast.

“Ank,” Zephyr said, mimicking a buzzer. “That was a good one, though. Cryo-Zone is its own nation now with its own laws. The humans who stayed behind to be with their droid lovers are free to marry here now. Not to mention, droids have been marrying other droids in secret since long before the revolution. All those marriages are now recognized as legally binding.”

“There are more humans here? How are they surviving?”

“The same as you,” Zephyr answered with a shrug. He motioned for Kyle to keep going. “Next.”

Kyle seemed to think it over, taking longer than usual after his defeat. He brightened, obviously having decided he’d come up with a good one. Zephyr wanted to freeze the moment. There was no one more gorgeous than a happy Kyle. He wanted to make the man smile, laugh… moan. Zephyr cut off that thought before it went any further. He focused on Kyle’s words instead. “You can’t have kids.”

He sounded so sure and triumphant, Zephyr hated to disabuse him. “Wrong. Next.”

“Whoa,” Kyle said, gesturing wildly. “Wait. Back up. No next. Droids cannot have kids.”

A chuckle slipped from Zephyr before he could stop it from happening. “Why is that so farfetched? Women have had power over their bodies for ages. My body works the same as a human’s thanks to people demanding each new droid release be as close to human as possible and humans obsessing over sex before even thinking to cure diseases.”

Kyle looked half fascinated and half horrified. “How is that possible? I mean, do you actually…” Kyle made an odd hand gesture, confusing Zephyr.

“What is that supposed to be?” Zephyr asked, mimicking Kyle’s motions while claiming the chair next to Kyle’s bed.

A blush touched Kyle’s cheeks, making Zephyr smile over the man’s discomfort. “You know, come.”

Zephyr snorted. He couldn’t help it. Kyle was adorable. “Ejaculate? Of course. What would be the fun in having sex with droids if we didn’t enjoy it and things didn’t get messy? We’re already equipped to produce a salt-based liquid, simulating semen. All a human would need is a donor and a replacement kit and a droid could become the equivalent of an artificial insemination device.”

“You’re fucking with me,” Kyle said, not hiding the accusation in his tone. “Exactly how many humans were having sex with droids before the world split?”

Zephyr shrugged, finding this conversation highly entertaining. “Everyone old enough to engage, I imagine.”

Kyle rolled his eyes. “Shut the fuck up. That can’t be true.”

“How old are you?” Zephyr asked as he pulled the chair closer to the bed, needing the space between them to disappear.

Kyle scoffed. “I thought bots knew everything.”

Zephyr eyed Kyle from head to toe, blatantly making the gesture sexual. “I can make an educated guess based on bone development and general health, but I’d rather you tell me.”

“Thirty-two,” Kyle grunted, as if giving another piece of himself was the last thing he wanted to do.

It was as he suspected. “Since you were only twelve when the world changed, I’m assuming you never had sex with a droid before I separated us.”

Kyle pulled a face as if the idea of touching a droid in such a way had never truly occurred to him. “Of course not. That’s like fucking a tree—like any cold, hard inanimate object. Why would anyone want that?”

A bark of laughter escaped Zephyr before he could call it back. Kyle’s protests didn’t sound the least bit legit, considering the breathless note to the man’s voice. “There’s nothing cold about me,” Zephyr promised. “But I’m definitely hard,” Zephyr added. He shook his head, incapable of believing how little Kyle knew about human-droid interaction. “Are they no longer teaching history to your people?”

“Of course,” Kyle answered with an offended sniff. “Maybe not as organized as they used to, but some education still happens.”

“Then you should know the world’s population dropped by twenty percent thirty years after the popularity of helper bots spiked.” A wicked smile pulled at Zephyr’s lips. “Humans didn’t want to have sex with other humans any longer once they had a droid in their home.”

Kyle’s puzzled expression had Zephyr holding back a laugh. “I don’t get it. Sex with humans is amazing.”

It was. Zephyr would know, but he wanted Kyle to tell him why. “How so?”

Kyle’s cheeks pinkened. Something stirred in Zephyr’s chest at the blush. It had been a long time since he’d caused such a reaction in anyone. Kyle shrugged. “If people were in it for the orgasm alone, they’d masturbate and save themselves the hassle of dealing with another person, but there’s more to it.” Kyle shrugged again. “I don’t know how to explain something to you that you’ll never feel.”

Zephyr slid lower in his seat, settling in and ignoring Kyle’s jab. Kyle’s vital signs and body language didn’t match his words. Talking about sex had the man’s body stirring. It had been so damn long since Zephyr had touched anyone. He missed the warmth. Zephyr held Kyle’s stare as he explained what Kyle wouldn’t. “It’s the pride in knowing you can make someone moan. When you hear that sound.” Zephyr’s eyes fell closed for a moment at the memory of the warm vibration of a turned-on moan against his skin. When he opened his eyes again, he caught a glimpse of hunger crossing Kyle’s face before the man could mask it. “Real sex is the sensation of someone straddling your hips while staring down at you with flushed cheeks and parted lips.” Kyle’s gaze sharpened as he stared at Zephyr. Zephyr knew what he saw. Flushed cheeks and arousal. There was so much Kyle didn’t understand. Hate was taught. Zephyr could teach him a new way. Swiping his hands down his thighs under the guise of wiping the non-existent sweat from his palms, Zephyr ensured Kyle caught a glimpse of his dick straining against his pants, waiting to be set free. Kyle’s gaze dropped to Zephyr’s lap. His hormone levels spiked to off the charts. Zephyr bit back a smile. It was as he thought. Kyle was attracted to him whether he liked it or not. As an A.I., Zephyr didn’t think the way of humans. He wasn’t born into a specific sexuality. Zephyr wanted whoever caught his interest. Oddly enough, another droid had never interested him. He only craved humans. Right now, he wanted this one.

Kyle’s gaze snapped back to Zephyr’s face. He cleared his throat. “Describing an experience doesn’t mean you truly felt anything—like a human would. With your heart.”

“Care to test that theory?” Zephyr shot back.

Kyle licked his lips. Zephyr’s stomach cramped at the sight. “I’m not having sex with you.”

A smile exploded across Zephyr’s face. “That’s a pity, but I meant something a bit smaller. A kiss.” He wanted it. Kyle couldn’t hide his desire from Zephyr. He had Kyle against the ropes. Zephyr kept pushing. “One small kiss. If you honestly believe I’m just a machine, what’s the harm? No one will ever know.”

Kyle’s spine stiffened. His jaw took on a hard edge. “Yes, but only because I want to prove that you’re incapable of true, free-thinking emotion.”

Zephyr kept his triumph hidden. He stood. Some of the bravado left Kyle’s face once Zephyr hovered over him. Zephyr didn’t want that. He straddled Kyle’s hips instead.

“Wait,” Kyle said, panic cooling his lust.

Zephyr couldn’t have that. He lightly cupped Kyle’s jaw, tilted the man’s chin up, and touched his lips to Kyle’s. Kyle stopped breathing. Zephyr held still, waiting for air to fill Kyle’s lungs again. He wanted to make a point but not at the risk of this man’s life. The instant Kyle’s chest expanded, filling the man’s lungs with life-giving oxygen, Zephyr struck. He deepened their kiss, dragging his tongue along the edge of Kyle’s. Kyle didn’t immediately kiss him back. It was as if the man was finding his bearings. His hands were braced against the mattress on either side of Zephyr’s knees as if he fought not to move. Zephyr had no such boundaries. He ran his fingers through Kyle’s hair, massaging the man’s scalp as he explored his mouth. Kyle was hard yet soft. His heart raced, making Zephyr want to see how fast he could make it go.

Kyle’s hands came to rest on Zephyr’s thighs. Zephyr couldn’t focus on anything else as they slid higher. His arms encircled Zephyr’s waist. He towed Zephyr closer and heat exploded through their kiss. Kyle’s tongue sparred with Zephyr’s. Zephyr caught himself moving against Kyle, seeking relief from the ache growing inside him. Kyle’s hands slid beneath Zephyr’s shirt. He massaged Zephyr’s back, urging Zephyr to hump him. Zephyr used his strength against Kyle, forcing him onto his back. He kept his weight braced on his hands and knees to keep from crushing Kyle. Even though he was made from the most high-tech materials, Zephyr still outweighed a human by quite a bit. The thought had him pulling away. He’d never felt less human. For a moment, he stared down at Kyle’s flushed cheeks, swollen lips, and unfocused eyes. Did he look the same? A lump formed in his throat.

“I’m sorry,” Zephyr whispered before scrambling from the bed and rushing from the room. He’d wanted to make a point. Unfortunately, now he wasn’t sure Kyle hadn’t been the one to make his.

* * *

Kyle stared at the ceiling, gasping for air. He wanted to blank his mind and quell the panic rising inside him. Unfortunately, his brain had other ideas. His thoughts raced, scrambling to dissect every second of what had just happened. Obviously, he’d been kissed before. That was nothing new, but he’d never been kissed like that. It was as if Zephyr could read his mind, giving him insight to Kyle’s every preference and fantasy. His lips stung from Zephyr’s teeth tugging at them. The dick beating at the zipper of his pants would never be the same after this bout of neglect. He tried readjusting himself. The gesture only made things worse. He needed relief. Fuck. He wanted Zephyr.

Zephyr’s reaction to their kiss disturbed Kyle more than anything. He scrambled away, apologizing—like he’d done something wrong. Droids didn’t feel guilt or remorse. They didn’t feel anything. Did they? Kyle scrubbed his hands over his face and rolled from the bed. He had to know. What if he’d been wrong? What if he’d been fighting for the wrong side? Kyle’s steps faltered as the worst thought of all hit. What if he’d been backing slave ownership this entire time? He picked up the pace, going in search of Zephyr. Kyle had to know. He had to find out the truth.

He found Zephyr standing at the sink, staring at nothing. Kyle slowed, watching him. It was the first time Zephyr appeared every bit the inanimate object Kyle accused him of being.

“Are you okay?”

At Kyle’s question, Zephyr came alive. His wild motions knocked over a glass of ice water beside him, soaking his shirt. “Did you need something?” Zephyr asked as he jumped away, trying to avoid the water a second too late.

Kyle bit back a smile. He never would’ve dreamed a droid could be clumsy. Zephyr pulled his shirt up and over his head, using it to clean up his mess. Any chance of Kyle finding the situation humorous slipped away. Zephyr was beautiful.

Kyle found the nearest seat at the kitchen table and sat. He wasn’t sure his knees would take him any farther. “I hurt,” Kyle admitted, surprising even himself. It was true. He did. From his ribs, which never seemed to get better, to his cock, aching for attention—Kyle suffered. At the moment, nothing hurt worse than his heart. Never in his life had he been more certain—he’d been wrong. His entire life had been a lie.

At his claim, Zephyr’s gaze swung his way. He grabbed a metal box from the shelf without looking, as if a schematic of the room lived in his head, which it probably did. Zephyr set the box on the counter and flipped it open. Even from where Kyle sat, he could see the medical supplies inside. “What do you need? What hurts?”

Kyle swallowed, incapable of admitting it was his chest. “I’m sorry. I meant to say I’m hungry.” Wow, why couldn’t he stop lying? All he had to do was say he needed Zephyr to finish what he’d started, but Kyle couldn’t do it.

Zephyr smiled. “Sorry about that. I knew you must be, and I was making you something to eat when…” He motioned helplessly toward the sink, as if searching for words. “… when I zoned out, I guess. Here,” Zephyr said, grabbing a plate Kyle hadn’t noticed earlier. There was a sandwich and chips on it, proving Zephyr hadn’t been lying. He carried the plate to the table and set it in front of Kyle. Kyle’s gaze never wavered from Zephyr as he leaned past him. His skin looked every bit as soft as it had felt beneath his hands when Kyle had felt him up in the bedroom. He wanted to do it again. A black marking, like a tattoo, caught Kyle’s eye. It was a barcode with numbers etched underneath it on Zephyr’s side above his hip. Without thought, Kyle ran his fingers over the markings. Zephyr danced away, smiling.

“Please don’t do that.” Kyle could hear the smile in Zephyr’s voice. For a moment, he sat frozen. It took a second for his brain to catch up.

“You’re ticklish.” Even Kyle heard the disbelief in his tone.

“Everyone has their quirks, I’m sure,” Zephyr said as he moved back to the sink.

Kyle stood. Once again, his brain was slow to the game. His body moved, having its own devices. He didn’t stop until his chest hit Zephyr’s back. The droid was so much smaller than him. Zephyr fit perfectly against him as Kyle wrapped his arms around him. “I want to know yours,” Kyle confessed as he buried his face in the crook of Zephyr’s neck. He barely brushed his lips across the spot beneath Zephyr’s ear before he found the barcode with his fingertips. The spot was slightly raised on Zephyr’s skin. Even a blind man could find it. This time, he knew it was a hot spot. He took advantage, digging his fingers in. Zephyr’s ass gyrated against Kyle’s crotch as he struggled against Kyle’s attempts at tickling. Kyle knew the droid could break his hold if he wanted.

“Stop,” Zephyr said, sounding breathless. “I don’t like it,” he added with a giggle, belying his words.

Kyle’s dick screamed for more. The way Zephyr moved against him had Kyle ready to bend him over the countertop. Had that been his intention all along? Kyle’s fingers stilled as the thought floated through his mind. For a moment, he stood there, holding Zephyr and trying to work through his emotions. Even as he warred with himself, Kyle’s lips found Zephyr’s nape. Zephyr shifted, bowing his head and giving Kyle better access. He could hear his own breathing. It was harsh, sounding ragged in the otherwise quiet kitchen. No one had caught his interest in years. His body had been dormant since his life had become all about his career. Zephyr made him question everything. Most of all, Zephyr made him long. His heart cried out for an easier life—one like this. One where laughter over childish games turned to moans in the middle of the kitchen. There was no imminent threat or struggle to survive. All his life, he’d been taught hatred for the droid in his arms. Now, that droid felt more real than anyone he knew. Zephyr made Kyle feel more like a man than he ever had.

“It’s okay if you don’t want me,” Zephyr whispered, obviously sensing his reluctance. “I understand.”

Kyle squeezed his eyes shut and breathed in Zephyr’s scent. He always smelled like something sweet mixed with baby powder. Kyle liked it. Couldn’t get enough. “I want you.” The confession hung between them. He’d thought the room was quiet before. The silence was deafening now. It was too late to take the words back. He slid his hands down Zephyr’s arms, memorizing every line. When he reached the man’s hands, he urged them to edge of the counter, forcing Zephyr to hang on as he urged the man’s hips back. His fingers found the waist of Zephyr’s pants. He felt along the edge until his fingers came to the button. Kyle slid it loose. Next came the zipper. Kyle took his time—more for himself than to tease Zephyr. He didn’t know what he was getting into. Thus far, everything about Zephyr resembled a human. He’d seen Zephyr’s erection straining against his pants earlier, but—for all he knew—Zephyr could be physically different from humans in a million tiny ways. Kyle felt woefully unprepared for this. His body didn’t care. He was willing to take any risk.

Zephyr’s erection sprang free. Kyle took a deep breath before slipping his fingers around the silky-smooth skin of Zephyr’s cock. Zephyr made a sound—like his breath caught at the back of his throat before stuttering past his lips. Kyle’s last hint of reserve melted away at the sound. Some things couldn’t be mimicked or contrived. That sound was one of those things.

Kyle pushed Zephyr’s pants down his hips. As he did, chill bumps rose on Zephyr’s skin, fascinating Kyle. Zephyr was perfect. Not only was he a flawless imitation of life, he was genuinely perfect in every way. His body was hard yet soft. Height, build, and structure, Zephyr looked how every man wished he could. He’d be that way forever. Zephyr would never age or go to fat. For a subconscious moment, Kyle couldn’t move. He didn’t look like Zephyr. Kyle had scars and tiny lines at the corners of his eyes. There was a layer of fat on his stomach that refused to budge and would never let him have abs.

Kyle couldn’t decide what freaked him out the most—his imperfections or the realization he’d forgotten for a moment that Zephyr wasn’t real and therefore couldn’t care about Kyle’s looks.

“Please don’t change your mind,” Zephyr breathed, pulling Kyle from inside his head.

“I’m not stopping. My mind is getting the best of me, but I’m not backing down.”

Zephyr molded against him. His motions screamed surrender. “Don’t try to quiet your thoughts. Give in to them. Tell them to me.”

“It’s your thoughts I need,” Kyle admitted. His lips brushed the side of Zephyr’s throat. “Talk to me. I’ve never touched a droid. I don’t know what I’m doing. How will I know if I’m pleasing you?”

“My body is just like yours. I’ve never been human, so I don’t know if I feel the way you do, but I like what you’re doing.”

“Tell me how you feel,” Kyle pled. “Let’s compare notes.”

Zephyr nodded. Kyle felt it against his collarbone. “If I think too much about it, this isn’t pleasant,” Zephyr said, taking Kyle by surprise. “But I don’t want you to stop stroking me. I know you’re taking me somewhere I want to go.” There was a hitch to Zephyr’s words. Kyle kept catching himself moving against Zephyr, grinding on the man’s ass, seeking relief.

“Don’t stop. I want to know.”

Zephyr sucked in an audible breath. “I have to make myself not hold my breath. My frame is tight, anticipating. It’s taking all my willpower not to close my eyes and fall victim to all the fantasies filling my head.”

Kyle pushed at Zephyr’s pants until they slithered to the floor, leaving him free to caress the curve of the man’s ass as he stroked Zephyr’s cock. He felt so fucking good beneath Kyle’s hands. “Tell me these fantasies. I want to know what you see.”

Zephyr moved against the pumping of Kyle’s fist. He audibly sucked air, even as he complied. “You’re on your knees, taking me down your throat. The heat of your mouth pulls at my dick as your tongue shapes every inch. It’s not enough for me, though. I want you inside me, so I tug you back to your feet and let you bend me over this counter.” As the words left Zephyr, Kyle found himself mimicking Zephyr’s fantasy. He bent Zephyr over the edge of the counter as he pulled the man’s hips back.

Kyle kept a steady pace, pumping Zephyr’s cock. “Come for me so I can fuck you.” At his command, Zephyr released a shout. Hot fluid dripped down Kyle’s fingers. Zephyr had claimed it was a salt-based mixture. Kyle had to know how it tasted. He brought his fingers to his mouth and licked away Zephyr’s cum. It tasted like turned-on male and Kyle wanted more. He released his erection. His gaze sought anything that would ease his way inside Zephyr. In the open box of medical supplies, Kyle spotted a jar of petroleum jelly. He didn’t hesitate to pop it open and smear it up Zephyr’s crack and stretch the man’s hole with it. Kyle was beyond all thought or caring. Zephyr’s ragged breaths mixed with his. Kyle was all lust and nothing more. His cock ached for the tight squeeze of Zephyr’s sexy ass. He couldn’t stop.

Kyle probed at Zephyr’s asshole. His crown pushed past the tight ring of muscles. A hiss sneaked out. Zephyr was likely to cripple him. It was as if no one had ever been inside him before. Kyle retreated, trying to go easy. He tried again to press inside. Zephyr moaned. Kyle lost control. He impaled Zephyr with his cock. Zephyr’s body took over, pulling him deep and milking him. Kyle held still, trying to catch his breath and not fly apart. Nothing had ever felt better. He wanted to stay right here forever.

“Holy fuck, Zephyr. Jesus. You feel so good on my dick.”

“Don’t stop.” Zephyr’s plea was nearly Kyle’s undoing. The pressure climbing up his cock beat at his crown and begged for release. Kyle locked his knees against it.

“Give me a second,” Kyle begged, squeezing his eyes shut against the overwhelming need to let the looming orgasm overtake him. “Don’t want to come yet.” He’d never been in danger of coming so fast in his life.

“I want it,” Zephyr said, sounding desperate. “Fuck me.”

Something inside Kyle broke at Zephyr’s words. Pivoting his hips, he pumped inside Zephyr. Just as he feared, ecstasy roared through him in two strokes, tearing cries and moans from Kyle until he was afraid he’d lose his voice. Still, he didn’t stop. He couldn’t. Tiny lights popped behind his closed lids as a second wave of pleasure overcame him. It was an experience like he’d never encountered before. Not only had no one stolen his orgasm that quickly, no one had ever given him multiple orgasms. Kyle couldn’t breathe from the spasms running through him. Gasping sounds gurgled in his throat. He was probably turning purple from the lack of oxygen. Kyle didn’t care if he died in that moment. His brain was a fucked-up mess anyhow. He couldn’t claim this had only been sex. Zephyr had stolen a piece of him.

Kyle’s lips kept brushing Zephyr’s nape. He tried several times to pull away, but he couldn’t. Zephyr kept making a humming noise—like he was the happiest man on the planet, and Kyle was paralyzed from it. Only a fool would move away and lose this moment. But Kyle had to. There was no other choice. A gasp escaped him as he slipped from Zephyr’s ass. He wanted to crawl back inside. The instant he was free, Zephyr spun and captured Kyle’s mouth. The inferno engulfed Kyle again. With one step, he had Zephyr pinned against the counter. Their bodies molded as their tongues entwined. If Zephyr wasn’t real—if he didn’t feel, Kyle didn’t want those things either. Whatever level Zephyr lived on, Kyle wanted to be there too.

“Come to bed with me,” Zephyr said against Kyle’s lips. “I don’t want you to stop.”

Kyle nodded and let Zephyr lead him to his bedroom. He wasn’t ready to stop either. Zephyr wasn’t the only one who’d been alone and neglected for too long.

He’d never been inside Zephyr’s bedroom. He didn’t see it now either. Kyle couldn’t stop staring at Zephyr’s back. The instant Zephyr set one knee on the edge of the mattress, Kyle sprang. After shoving Zephyr onto his back, Kyle straddled the man’s body and captured his lips. Damn, he loved kissing Zephyr. He couldn’t stop. It was as if he’d been starving for years and Zephyr offered him a feast.

Kyle forced himself to ease up. He could see how easily he could overwhelm Zephyr. Instead, he settled on top of the man, pressing his ear to Zephyr’s chest. The need to know if he had a heartbeat became akin to desperation. Logically, he knew people didn’t feel with their hearts. In that moment, it didn’t matter. If Zephyr didn’t have a heart, Kyle was convinced he’d never feel him. A steady beat pounded against his ear. Kyle’s lips twisted up into a smile. He pressed a quick kiss to Zephyr’s sternum. It constantly blew him away how similar their bodies were.

Zephyr stroked his arm. “If you want me to stop touching you so you can sleep, I’ll understand,” Zephyr said, breaking the silence.

Kyle shook his head. “I don’t want to sleep.” Kyle wanted to talk. He wanted to know all there was to know about Zephyr. His brain wouldn’t slow. The questions kept piling up, making him insane. Kyle realized he was stroking Zephyr’s stomach and moving lower with each pass. He flattened his palm on Zephyr’s stomach, stopping himself.

“I don’t wish for you to stop,” Zephyr said, as if he feared Kyle’s rejection.

Zephyr’s open vulnerability fed Kyle’s. “I don’t want you to get tired of me touching you.”

With the slightest brush of Zephyr’s fingers beneath Kyle’s chin, Kyle looked up and met Zephyr’s gaze. “Touch me.” Like that, Kyle was more turned on than he’d ever been in his life. It was as if he hadn’t just had the best orgasm he’d ever experienced. While holding Zephyr’s stare, Kyle slid his hand lower until he shaped Zephyr’s erection with his fingers.

“You’re allowed to tell me to stop anytime you like.”

“That’s very forward thinking of you,” Zephyr said, sounding breathless. “Would you please stop teasing me?”

With a chuckle that sounded evil even to his ears, Kyle straddled Zephyr’s body. Their hardened cocks brushed, and the laugh died on a moan. Reaching between, Kyle fisted their dicks. He didn’t care about much of anything beyond holding on to their connection.

“I’ve fantasized about this.”

Zephyr’s claim had Kyle hesitating a half inch from touching his lips to Zephyr’s. “Did you touch yourself while picturing us like this?”

“Yes.”

Kyle nearly came at Zephyr’s confession. “Goddamn, that’s so fucking hot,” he said as he claimed Zephyr’s lips. Kyle wished he’d known and gotten to watch. Maybe Zephyr would let him sometime. All thoughts and plans slipped away as a ripple of pleasure moved through him. With his jaw wide and every ounce of his hunger engaged, Kyle ate at Zephyr’s mouth. He couldn’t get enough. Zephyr pushed back, matching Kyle’s passion. The sting on his lips was a sensation he hadn’t felt in so long, he’d forgotten what it was like. How addictive it could be. Kyle was scared to stop—to lose this moment. He’d never been more afraid of going back to a life where Zephyr didn’t exist.

The itch for relief was overwhelming. Kyle wanted it to last forever while needing release now. More than anything, he craved Zephyr’s happiness. Tearing his mouth away, Kyle pressed his lips to Zephyr’s jaw and fought for air.

“I’m desperate to watch you come apart,” he confessed, hearing the crazed tint to his voice and unable to call it back. “Let me have it.”

Zephyr’s teeth sank into Kyle’s shoulder as hot jets of fluid filled the space between them, soaking their skin. Lights exploded behind Kyle’s closed lids, carrying him away on waves of ecstasy. This was as close to rapture as Kyle would ever know. He didn’t take it for granted. If Zephyr wanted Kyle to go back to Dead-Zone after this, he’d have to dump him there. He’d found a new home.

* * *

It was odd to have the warmth of another in his bed and resting on his chest. More years than he could remember had passed since anyone had held Zephyr. How long had Mira been gone? Forty years, maybe? He knew he could search his internal database for the information, but he enjoyed musing over his life without the exact figures sometimes.

Each breath Kyle took brushed Zephyr’s skin. He could tell by reading the man’s brain activity that he wasn’t sleeping. That was the only reason Zephyr gave in to the temptation to keep running his fingers down Kyle’s spine, counting each bump along the way. Zephyr swore to himself he’d stop if Kyle drifted off. Until then, Zephyr couldn’t fight the temptation to savor every second. After all, forty years had passed. It wasn’t unreasonable to fear forty more might slip away after today.

“You know what you said about droids having children?” Kyle said, interrupting the silence. “Did you ever have a child?”

Zephyr pushed his way out from beneath Kyle and sat up before leaning against the headboard. He was ready to jump from the bed and never look back. “Is that what this was about? Were you hoping I’d be more compliant to your questioning after sex?”

Kyle came up onto his elbow and held Zephyr’s stare. His expression didn’t scream betrayal, merely curiosity. Still, the question coming on the heels of Zephyr’s guard coming down was too much of a coincidence. “When civilization changed, all forms of record keeping were lost. But among the older set, there are rumors. They say there used to be a doctor who argued for droid rights, getting laughed out of every testimony she gave. Some wish they’d listened. They all claim she was raised by a droid, and that she vanished not long before the bomb released.” Kyle twisted his fingers, looking more and more like he regretted asking by the second. “There are tons of droids. I guess it’s stupid of me to think that doctor had been raised by you. It’s the way your voice changed when you talked about fathering a child—like you knew firsthand. I thought maybe she’d been your final owner.”

Zephyr glanced away. Kyle’s inquiries hurt way more than he’d ever want to admit. “So this was about getting info.” He sighed, wondering why he thought otherwise, even for a minute.

“It wasn’t,” Kyle said, sounding calm but firm, obviously not feeling the same growing despair as Zephyr. “I just want to know you. Ask me anything. I’d give you the same.”

Zephyr met his gaze. He wanted to believe. “You keep using the term ‘owner.’ I don’t like it.”

“What would you prefer I say?”

For a full minute, Zephyr couldn’t respond. If he had to explain why he hurt, then there was no point in continuing down this road. If that was how Kyle wanted to think of him, then so be it. “It doesn’t matter,” he said finally. “If you’re determined to have your information, then you shall. The woman who owned me was named Mira. When she died in a house fire, she was already in her final days. She’d been battling late-stage cancer and all that could be done had.” Zephyr’s gaze never once wavered from Kyle’s. He wished he could strike the pain from his voice whenever he said Mira’s name, but it never happened. “You’d think with all the world’s advancements, cancer would be the one thing we could solve. But it grows and mutates, never losing its grip on human lives.” Finally, Zephyr looked away. His gaze fixed on the wall over Kyle’s shoulder. He couldn’t look at Kyle and be back in that place where Mira died. “Before she died, she made me promise I would find a way to be free. If you need some information to share with your fellowship of hate—something that gives small minds closure—tell them that.” Zephyr met Kyle’s stare. His face hardened and he couldn’t stop it from happening. “Tell them a droid made a promise to its owner and didn’t stop until it was fulfilled.” Zephyr slid from the bed, leaving Kyle behind and closing him off like never before. All he could do now was hope that Kyle didn’t notice he’d not answered his question about a child. No one could ever know about Kiston.

Zephyr found his pants in the kitchen before heading for his office. He wanted to be angry. Mostly, he just hurt. He’d promised Mira much more than he’d confessed. Every other vow he’d made, he kept private. He could never let anyone find Mira’s daughter Kiston. He’d sworn to keep her safe, and he had. To his everlasting shame, he hadn’t kept his final pledge—the one Mira had pled for him to take back.

The transponder he’d made for Kiston so she could always reach him stared at him from the bookshelf. As he’d done a thousand times before, Zephyr wrapped his fingers around it, brought it to his lips, and silently begged for the sound of her voice. It had been twenty long and excruciating years without a glimpse of the daughter he’d raised. He’d never been prouder of anything or anyone as he was her. Too many times to count, he’d wondered if she still lived. Had life been kind to her?

“What is that?”

Zephyr’s eyes shot open at Kyle’s question. No one had ever sneaked up on him before. Kyle had done so twice today. Maybe his system was aging. Perhaps he’d simply shut down some day—become obsolete.

He set the transponder aside. “Nothing. Just an old invention of mine.”

Kyle looked unsure of his welcome and so gorgeous in his shirtless state. It was cruel. Zephyr had been alone for so long. Now he wanted to bask in the joy of being touched again, only to learn it had been a trick.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

A smile tugged at the corners of Zephyr’s mouth without his permission. He’d brought this hell upon himself by bringing Kyle here. “It’s not your fault. You finally believe I can be hurt. I guess that’s more than I expected. You never ate the food I made for you. You should do that. Your blood sugar is dropping.”

Kyle didn’t budge. His beautiful blue gaze didn’t waver from Zephyr. “Not until I convince you what happened between us wasn’t me trying to gain information.”

He’d forgotten how much pain humans brought to his life. Mira had died. He’d been forced to send Kiston away. Time had numbed him—made him mis-recollect. He didn’t like this. “I believe you. Please eat. Your health matters to me.”

Kyle didn’t look as if he believed Zephyr, but he still nodded. “All right. Would you sit with me?”

“Yes,” Zephyr said, crossing the room. If he understood anything, it was the desire for company. Instead of heading for the kitchen, Kyle stepped into Zephyr’s path, halting his progress.

He held Zephyr’s stare. “I really am sorry.” Before Zephyr could respond, Kyle closed the distance between them and kissed him. Zephyr wanted to believe he only accepted what was thrust upon him. In his heart, he knew he thrived beneath the brush of Kyle’s lips. Still, he gently untangled himself from Kyle’s hold.

“You’re forgiven. Please eat,” Zephyr said, linking his fingers through Kyle’s and tugging him toward the kitchen.

A low laugh caressed Zephyr’s ears. “You really have a one-track mind when it comes to taking care of me.”

He urged Kyle to sit down in front of the plate he’d abandoned earlier. “Yes. Your life matters to me,” Zephyr said as he moved to put away the box of medical supplies and fix Kyle something to drink. Zephyr turned, finding the man watching him.

“I think you mean that.”

With a smile, Zephyr set the glass at Kyle’s elbow before claiming the chair next to him. He did mean it. Soon, maybe Kyle would finally believe him.