Adam 483: Man or Machine? by Ruth D. Kerce Page A

Tyree.
    If she didn’t want to go to jail for harboring a cybertronic, she’d have to do as he said or he’d tell the authorities that she’d known all along. They’d believe him, especially if he produced a computerized copy of this little sex act here. Cyborg-hunting and conviction of those who illegally harbored them was big business. Bounties had been set high.
    He knew what he needed to do. And it was the perfect plan.

* * * * *
    Lying on her bunk, Tyree stirred against Adam’s chest. She yawned and glanced up at him. He stared at the ceiling, not looking happy. It couldn’t have been the sex. She hoped. A streak of insecurity raced through her. She tugged on his chest hair. “Hey, don’t you sleep?”
    He looked down. “Not much tonight.” He tightened his arms around her body.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing.”
    “You’re frowning. Was it something I did? Or didn’t do?”
    He relaxed, and a smile tugged at his lips. “No. Of course not.” He rubbed her back. “I’m picking up some heightened electrical activity and I can’t pinpoint it. It’s communication-oriented. My internal sensors are picking it up.”
    “Hmm.” Tyree rolled away from him. She punched on the intercom. “Corporal Pratt, are we transmitting?”
    “No, Captain,” came the immediate response. “Is there a problem?”
    “No. Just checking.” She turned back to Adam. “It’s not ship-to-ship.”
    “Don’t worry about it. I’ll figure out the source.” He smiled and gathered her into his arms. “How do you feel?”
    “Sore, but good.” She snuggled against him, completely satisfied. He was the best lover she’d ever had. He seemed to know and understand all her desires. “Adam, how much of you is cybertronic?”
    He was quiet for so long she thought he wasn’t going to answer. She didn’t like the idea of secrets between them.
    When he finally did answer, his voice lowered to a near whisper. “Part of my brain.”
    She gasped, and her stomach clenched. No! Anything but that.
    “Don’t worry. I won’t go berserk. I have an implant control. It’s experimental, but effective.”
    She relaxed, though tendrils of concern still clung to her. She intended to find out everything about him on record, as soon as possible. He could get her access to the classified documents. “What else?”
    “My hands.”
    “Hands. Yes, I knew that, from when I sliced you. So you can’t really feel me then?” Disappointment flowed through her. His talented fingers weren’t flesh and blood. At least she knew she hadn’t hurt him with the knife.
    “Skin sensors transmit impulses to my brain. It’s not the same as real hands but it’s fairly close.”
    “Anything else?”
    “My legs from the knees down. And pieces of my spine to help support my frame.”
    “How did the accident happen? I’d really like to know.”
    “My original training was in engineering and computerized circuits. I got caught in an explosion on Jenway, while repairing an experimental weapon.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “Your brother saved me. But it was getting too dangerous for me to continue working at the Station. I was just going to jump in a ship and take off. Hiding never set well with me. I couldn’t live as a recluse on Jenway, without going stir-crazy. But before I left, your brother asked me to board your vessel instead to help protect you. I owed him, so I agreed.”
    “And what? You figured keeping me sexually satisfied would guarantee your safety? If you could make me come hard enough, then I wouldn’t turn you in, once I learned what you were?” She couldn’t keep the edge from her voice.
    “It’s more than that. You know it, Tyree.”
    “Do I?”
    “You can trust me. I don’t fuck women as a bribe for keeping my secret.” He caressed her back, then sucked his finger into his mouth. He lowered his hands to massage her butt, lightly teasing her asshole with his lubricated finger.
    She squirmed.
    “Stay still.” He penetrated