Oz
Surprisingly, cyborgs made excellent snuggle partners. With their metal frames, you might think that it would be like snuggling with a rock. And while there was not much give, Viper was warm and solid behind me, making me feel safe for the first time in a long time.
It doesn’t hurt that he is a deadly killing machine on legs, either. I had read about all his exploits after I had hacked the Global Allegiance for Poe. Not that he killed mindlessly. All the people he had taken out had been those that had kept him prisoner and had hurt him and the other cyborgs.
He had led the rebellion with Reaper, hacking the Global Allegiance systems, buying Reaper time to get the rest of the cyborgs to safety.
Viper was a cyborg after my own heart. I had never hurt anyone on purpose, but fuck with those I care about? Then all bets were off. I almost wished some remained alive so I could wipe them from the face of the earth to avenge my man.
Wait, Viper was my man?His arms were wrapped around me, holding me close and yep…I was hooked. Viper was my man…my cyborg. And I’ll fight anyone who said differently.
I ran my fingertips over his arm, a tender brush against his skin, loving the feel of him. His hold tightened. I smiled.
“Did you enjoy your nap?” His deep voice rumbled from above me, and my heart gave a flutter.
I tapped his arm and he loosened his hold with a grumble of unhappiness.Just wait, big guy. I think you’ll like what I have planned.
Twisting in his arms, I pushed my palm against his chest, and he rolled onto his back, allowing me to climb over him and straddle his frame. I perched myself above his waistband, my legs stretching wide to hug his thighs.
I stared down at him, playfulness rising up. “This work for you?”
He gulped. “Yes.”
“Close your eyes.”
He did it without any hesitation, his eyes sliding shut. He had no clue what I intended to do, but the trust he gave me left me awe struck.
“At any time, you can tell me to stop. I mean it, Viper. Nod if you understand.”
His head bobbed up and down.
“Can I touch you?” Consent was key. He had been touched without his permission enough times in his life.
He gave another nod then swallowed hard.
I swept my fingers over his face, tracing the sharp lines of his cheeks, the hard jut of his jaw, and down his perfect nose.
The tips of my fingers ghosted over his eyelids, first one then the other, before mapping the shape of his plum-colored lips. I kept the brush of my fingertips light, a slow and careful touch designed to let him get used to my hands.
“Beautiful,” I whispered, and his eyes snapped open.
“Cyborgs aren’t beautiful.”
“I disagree. And I am pretty sure the other girls here who have one would disagree, too.” I tapped a finger to my chin. “How about perfect? Or stunning? Or gorgeous? Sexy? Any of those work, too.”
He tried not to smile. “I believe we will have to agree to disagree, my Oz.”
My heart stuttered inside my chest. “My Oz?”
His cheeks darkened to the shade of an eggplant. “Not okay?”
I shook my head, a lump forming in my throat. “Totally okay, Viper,” I rasped, my breath catching.
Leaning down, I sealed my lips to his, claiming his mouth in a searing kiss. His lips parted and I slipped my tongue inside the warm cavern of his mouth, tasting him. If I’d thought he smelled divine, he tasted even better.
Sweet and spicy, he was like a mug of decadent Mexican hot chocolate. I couldn’t get enough.Would he taste like this everywhere?Suddenly I needed to find out. Pulling back, I peppered his face with kisses and yep…his skin had the same flavor.Had Dr. Shaw flavored her cyborgs? What for?Screw it, who cared?
“Fuck, do you know you taste delicious?” I kissed a path down his neck, the skin under my lips twitching when he let out a laugh.