Page 51 of Codi
“Me?” I ask, surprised.
“Codi showed me your life, your home, how you treat him and others like us,” Violet says. “I’ve never seen anything like that. My experiences have been quite different.”
I wish I knew what to say. Codi mentioned mistreatment, so perhaps that is all I need to know. No woman deserves that, android or not.
“You’ll never experience that cruelty again,” I reassure her, firm but with a friendly smile. “Not if I have anything to say about it. A new life, a new start. That’s what’s in store for you.” A sudden thought flashes in my mind, lightbulb practically turning on above my head. “And I know precisely who can help you start over.”
“Really?” Violet says, perking up. “Who?”
“I’ll have to ask him first, but I think he’ll be rather open to the idea,” I reply. “How would you like to start over in England?”
She’s a mix of confused and excited, smiling and blinking at me like I’m speaking another language. “England? Oh, I would—yes. I would like that very much.”
“Do you like your name? Violet?” Codi suggests. “I have a different name. Perhaps you would like a new one too. One of your choosing.”
Violet blinks furiously, as wide-eyed as an owl. I doubt she’s been given much choice in anything, but I’m glad we can offer a few firsts. We’ll have to get her over to Kyrone as quick as we can, get her inhibitor chip out of the way. “I’m not sure what name to choose. There are so many options.” Her pupils shutter, and overwhelmed by the endless possibilities, she looks to me. “I don’t know. My default name is Sophie.”
“That’s a pretty name,” I say. “Do you like it?”
“Yes,” she says with a faint smile. “Yes, I do.”
“Then it’s a pleasure to meet you, Sophie,” I say.
Her bright and innocent smile, like a child being offered cake on her birthday, makes this all the more worthwhile.
Codi traces the small of my back with a hand as he addresses her gently. “For your own safety, I’m going to have you go with Oliver. He helped me when I was found again. He and his wife will help you too.”
“I think a change of clothes is in order,” Oliver muses. “You look to be about Becca’s size. Maybe just a little smaller. That’ll do until we can purchase some.”
“I don’t want to be an inconvenience,” Sophie says.
“You are farthest from,” Oliver replies. “Come on, let’s get you settled. Denise, I’ll be back with Lucas. He’ll be happy to be home, I’m sure.”
Sophie’s body visibly relaxes, and her closed-off stance, arms hugging her body and shifting on her feet, fades to calm acceptance. Sophie straightens and follows Oliver to his car, each step forward portraying more curiosity than mistrust. After settling the passenger seat, she turns and looks out the window at us, touching the glass. Her smile is sweet, sincere, and unmarred by fear.
Thank you, she mouths, eyes drifting from me to Codi as they begin to drive away. Codi waves. She returns the gesture happily.
Once they’re out of view, I pull him inside. The moment we’re alone, one kiss turns into many. He grips me hard and rough, like I am his lifeline, and I’m just as happy to cling to him. We tumble to the couch. He pins me beneath his powerful body, trailing his lips against my neck.
“I’ll never allow anything to part us again,” Codi swears quietly as he teases my ear. “I’ll stay by your side until you send me away.”
“I couldn’t send you away. Not ever.” I slide my hands along his chest, around his waist, pressing him down further against me. He’s actually quite heavy and props himself up by his elbows to allow me breathing room. Gazing into his eyes, I know there’s no going back from this—and I never want to. “You changed everything, Codi.”
He gazes back at me. “What do you mean?”
I can’t stop smiling as I press another kiss against his mouth. “I’ve lived my entire life never letting anyone in, never letting a man get close to me or Lucas. I told myself I was better off alone, that it was too dangerous and I’d get hurt. Then you come along and just destroy every wall I’ve ever built. Seeing you with Lucas, how much he loves you, and how much you care for him... ”
I exhale. Bravery is my thing, dammit.Stand up and say it like it is. Why does this make me so nervous?“I just can’t imagine not having you around now.” I rest my forehead against his. “I think I’m in love with you.”
Codi’s gaze doesn’t waver from mine. Affection gleams in his white eyes, then his hungry kisses begin anew and he tries to unbutton my top, then hooks his thumbs into my loungewear pants and pulls them off my hips.
“I’m yours.” His voice deepens, husky and dripping with the unspoken promise of what’s to come, unzipping his jeans. “You say you’ve never owned me, but you’ve owned every bolt, every chip, every processing thought I’ve had since my memory wipe. I’m yours, Denise Cartwright, and you... you’re mine.”
The force of his words steals my breath away as he pushes my panties to the side, finding me already wet and waiting for him. He pushes inside me as deeply as he can, and I arch my back beneath him, meeting the eager rocking of his hips with my own.
“Yes,” I gasp, letting myself go to the lustful delirium he traps me in.
“You love me, Denise?” His hand cups my face, just beneath my jaw, gently holding me and forcing me to stare up into his eyes as he fucks me slowly, deeply.
