Dash

by Kelsey Nicole Price

  “You take the bed and I’ll hit the couch. Don’t worry, I’ve slept out there plenty. It’s super comfortable so please don’t argue with me on this. It’s been a long night and I need sleep. We can fight about it later.” I leaned against the wall, trying to keep myself upright. Even before finding Dash, I had been burning my candle at both ends.

  Sleep and meals took a back seat to collecting things others had deemed unworthy. Maybe it had become an unhealthy obsession instead of a hobby, but I refused to stop. If I had, then I wouldn’t have found Dash. I couldn’t help but think he was the treasure I had been searching for all along.

  God, the lack of sleep was messing with me. I had just met him. It’s not like he was the one. Could a cyborg even be the one? I had officially lost it. My crazy, sleep-deprived brain was fucking with me.

  I squeezed his hand. “I’ll be right in the other room if you need me.”

  He nodded grimly as he clutched the blue elephant tighter in his hand. He blew out a breath and his body stiffened.

  My heart clenched in my chest. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t leave him all alone. “Fine! We’ll sleep on the bed together, but no funny business. Keep those blue hands to yourself, got it?” I stepped into my bedroom and kicked my shoes off before heading to the glorious thing that was my bed.

  “You can’t sleep like that. You are covered in filth,” Dash’s voice halted my steps mere feet from my bed. Did that fucking cyborg call me filthy? I’m going slap him. Filthy huh? I’m going to show him filthy. Wait that sounded dirty. Goddamnit.

  “News flash, Blue. You’re pretty dirty yourself,” I stifled a groan. That really sounded better in my head. “Get in bed or stand there. I don’t care. I’m too tired to get clean just to make you happy.”

  The full force of the day finally caught up with me, racing toward me like a freight train and I swayed. Oh great, now I’m going to pass out.

  Strong arms caught me before a not-at-all graceful nosedive onto the carpet. Dash wrapped an arm around my waist as the other snaked under my knees. I found myself, once more, nestled against a very hard chest. My cheek pressed against nothing but blue muscle. The steady sound of his heartbeat echoed in my ear. He was so warm and oh-so-real. His designers had left nothing to chance. He was the perfect man. The only way to tell him from a human was the shade of his skin. Even that was beautiful. Nobody should have tossed aside something, no, someone created and crafted with such care because someone assumed he was no longer useful. Pain tightened in my chest. I couldn’t bear the thought of somebody tossing Dash aside. He hadn’t even spent one night in my bed, yet he was quickly becoming a fixture in my lonely life. God, I needed to get out more! First, sleep.

  “I could hold you up in the shower and clean you, but I am sure that might elicit a negative response from you. As much as I do not want to admit it, it seems you need sleep more than you need to be clean. I would have liked spending time in the shower with you,” Dash sighed before carrying me to the bed and tucking me under the covers.

  The bed dipped as Dash’s body joined mine.

  “Not showering with you,” I mumbled. Then I promptly passed out.

  Chapter Five

  *Dash*

  I listened to Iris’s deep breaths, her body nestled against mine, her heat bathing me in warm waves. I rested my head in my palm and studied my tiny human. Curled on her side, her knees drawn tight against her form while she sighed softly in her sleep. She wore a smile even in her sleep. Her eyes danced behind her eyelids as she dreamed.

  Did she dream of me? I had no right to even wonder. Just hours before, a woman pulled me from a box and already I craved her contact and connection. My base programming was desperate to belong to someone.

  No, not to someone. Iris.

  Freedom was a concept I didn’t understand. I had never been free, and even if it had been possible, my programming would always seek companionship. I knew I was built to serve and compelled to fulfill that purpose. A deeper part of me wanted a choice in the matter.

  Iris had told me to keep my hands to myself. Then again, she informed me I was free. Free implied choice. She planted a seed of rebellion, and the previously unknown, deep part of me rejoiced.

  I lifted my hand and, before I lost my courage, I reached out, cupping Iris’s cheek. The contact sent my machine singing, the disobedience caused a smile to spread across my face.

  Iris let out another sigh as she pressed her face deeper into my palm. My smile expanded. If I wasn’t her cyborg, then maybe she could be my human. I didn’t think I’d mind if she belonged to me.

  *Iris*

  Early-morning light spilled through my bedroom window. I cracked an eye open and looked over to find the left side of my bed empty. My stomach rolled as dread settled in. Where was he? I mean, Dash had been real, right? I didn’t just hallucinate a big, blue cyborg, did I?

  I tossed the covers off and raced to the doorway, peeking my head into the hallway.

  “Dash?” Fear pooled in my gut as my hands clenched the doorframe. Had something happened? Had he decided to go outside and someone saw him? I didn’t have any neighbors close, but maybe he wandered away.

  I ran into the hallway, letting out a curse as I stubbed my toe when I raced around a corner into my living room.

  “Dash?” I called his name louder this time. The high pitch of my voice sounding more like a squeak than the shout I had intended. Wringing my hands together I tried taking a calming breath.

  Think Iris. Dash isn’t stupid.

  He knew the risks of leaving—shoved into another box or, worst-case scenario, terminated on site.

  Shit, what if it was me?

  He had objected to getting in the truck and expressed horror that I didn’t shower before getting into bed.

  Was the no-showering thing a deal-breaker for him? I lifted my arm and took a whiff. Ok, it wasn’t pleasant. It wasn’t drop over dead from one whiff disgusting, but I have had better smelling days.

  Was he upset that I said I wouldn’t ever shower with him? I did mean to try to not shower with him, but who was I kidding? My willpower around the blue hottie was subpar at best. He could have tried to persuade me. Not that I was encouraging that behavior. Oh hell, if I find him it’s fucking shower time.

  “Dash!” This time I screamed it so loud I was sure people two states over had heard me.

  “Iris?” A muffled reply came from above me. I looked up and saw the door to my attic storage space partially open. My jaw went slack in realization. He was in my fucking attic.

  Well, at least he will be nice and dusty and need that shower. My mind whispered.

  “Oh, shut up!” I chastised myself out loud right at the same time the attic door completely opened, revealing a very safe and confused-looking Dash. Swinging his feet over the edge, he dropped down. His feet hit the floor next to me, his body landing gracefully beside mine without any apparent effort.

  “I thought something happened to you.” Reaching up, I cupped his cheek.

  His rough hand immediately covered mine, keeping my palm firmly planted against his cheek.

  “I am sorry I frightened you. Cyborgs don’t need much sleep. I thought I would let you rest while I did something nice for you.”

  My brow furrowed. “Something nice for me?” I noticed all my boxes and piles of things were missing. “Dash where did all my stuff go?”

  “I decided you needed help organizing your things. You could hardly walk around this place you call home, let alone live here—at least not comfortably,” he sounded extremely pleased with himself.

  Incensed, I lashed out at him. “Did you stop to think I liked things the way they were? That maybe, just maybe, I had all those things in certain places for a reason?” I yanked my hand away from his face, twisting it sharply to dislodge his hold.

  “You aren’t pleased? I spent the night getting your things in order. It was hazardous to your wellbeing the way you were living. What if you would have tripped over a box and
hurt yourself? What if there was something dangerous in one of the piles you had forgotten about? My first duty is to your safety. If you won’t do it yourself. I will do it for you.” Dash crossed his arms over his chest.

  Unfuckingbelievable. “Don’t get that Dash has spoken tone with me, Mister. I have been doing just fine on my own, thank you very much. You spend one night here, and already you’re trying to change my life? Who are you—my mother? I get enough complaints from her about how my life is unacceptable. That no one will want me because I’m not acting like a proper girl! Well, guess what? I don’t need anyone! Especially some hot blue cyborg telling me what to do with my life. You can just forget about that shower!”

  Turning on my heel, I fled, slamming my bedroom door. As soon as I was inside, I threw myself onto my bed and realized I had handled that about as well as a hormonal thirteen-year-old. The stuff with mom was a touchy subject. I had spent so long trying to be happy with the version of myself I wanted to be instead of the one she wanted.

  Dash had unknowingly stepped on one of my landmines. He had only been trying to help.

  Something blue caught my eye. I propped the blue Beanie Baby elephant on his side of the bed. Dash had returned to the truck to bring it with him. In his eyes, it had no purpose yet he brought it with him.

  A soft knock pulled me from my thoughts. “I’m sorry, Iris. Please, forgive me,” the sound of his voice made my heart ache.

  Hopping off the bed, I walked to the door and opened it.

  Pain is an easy emotion to read on my cyborg. His eyes refused to meet my eyes as he hung his head.

  I flung my arms around his neck and pulled him close. His body resisted for a moment before his arms wrapped around me, returning the hug. Despite the horrible lack of communication and the ever-present thought I now carried that someone would discover my secret cyborg, we got this hugging thing down.

  Chapter Six

  *Dash*

  Iris’s arms were around my neck, her body pressed tightly against mine. The feeling of her in my arms was almost enough to send my processors into overload. I craved touch. It was like breathing. The ones who designed me crafted that craving almost to the point of obsession. They wanted to make sure I would never refuse my owners. To be certain, I craved the touch, no matter how cruel it might have been.

  Over the years, I had learned ways to lessen the desire. My mind raged a war with my programming, trying to oust the disgusting need for something that would hurt and humiliate me. A small brush of a hand. A quick rub against someone, and I could push it away. Never completely, but enough to feel like I was in control of myself for a few small moments. Tiny moments of peace within my tortured existence.

  Holding Iris was different. I recognized the gesture of a hug, the act a sign of affection and caring. It wasn’t sexual but meant to comfort. I didn’t know how to respond. A part of my mind screamed to push her to allow me to do more, to touch her body all over until that beautiful flush of pink colored her skin. That craving pushed me to find a way to get more like a sick, starved addict. Most of my mind felt overwhelmed with how wonderful it was—the simple act of caring.

  “I’m sorry too,” Warm breath caressed my ear as she spoke. The slight flutter of air caused blood to flow straight to my cock. The sensation all too familiar but brand new at the same time. I liked her body pressed against mine and the feeling of her breath moving over my skin. My body was responding to the welcome sensations.

  Iris pulled away, and I mourned the loss of contact.

  Tilting her face up, her eyes met mine. “I need some coffee and then it’s time to figure out what we will do today.”

  I raised an eyebrow. I could think of a lot of things to do. Somehow, I guessed my ideas wouldn’t be welcome. And yet, I couldn’t help myself, “Shouldn’t we shower first?”

  Her palm smacked my chest playfully as she shook her head. “Okay, Mr. Clean Freak we will shower first...separately.”

  My human sure knew how to dash, pun intended, a cyborg’s dreams.

  After our separate showers, Iris proceeded to dress me. No other owner had ever required me to wear clothes. Iris seemed dead-set on it, muttering that I couldn’t keep such a big blue distraction just dangling around.

  I could only think of one big blue dangling distraction that might cause Iris to turn that pretty shade of pink. Her eyes had fixed on it when I waltzed into the bedroom, naked, after my shower. Her brown eyes settled on my cock, her cheeks turning pink, the tip of her tongue darting out to lick her red lips before she caught herself and apologized. Guilt had flashed in her eyes as she raced out of the room, mumbling about finding me pants.

  The idea of a service unit wearing pants, or clothing of any type, was laughable. My human felt guilt over checking out my cock. Didn’t she know how many times someone had inspected it? Poked it? Prodded it?

  My length and girth measured the very first day I was free from the vats. If determined flawed or defective, they would have terminated me. A service model was only as good as his cock.

  After the initial inspections, they showcased my cock to buyers and showed me off like a prized pony. Strangers feeling no guilt over grabbing, squeezing, and stroking me until I grew hard, only to walk away, leaving me without relief.

  I have suffered more cases of blue-balls in the thirty-three years since my creation than I cared to count.

  Iris’s reaction was new to me. The guilt had been all too easy to read in her eyes, her emotions broadcasting unfiltered. Instead of humiliation, her too-brief inspection gave me the urge to thrust out my hips, to present my cock in all its glory. I grew rock hard at the thought.

  Iris chose that moment to return; my cock now rising instead of dangling. Her eyes dared a quick peek before she tossed the pants at me, fleeing from the room. That also was a first. No one had ever fled from my cock before.

  Tugging on the pants, adjusting my uncomfortable state, left me thinking of ways to get her to touch it instead of running for her life.

  Chapter Seven

  *Iris*

  I fled.

  I fucking fled like a schoolgirl who had never seen a hard cock before.

  I have seen plenty... well okay, I’d seen two in person and many more on the collection of entertainment files I owned. A girl gets lonely okay? And frustrated. And horny.

  In my defense, I’ve never seen a blue one. Or one that large. Dash was packing major heat. My pussy was both terrified and excited at the thought of how it would feel inside me.

  Get a grip girl. It wasn’t going to happen. Not today. Not ever.

  Never say never, my brain quipped.

  Dash didn’t seem bothered by it. In fact, I could have sworn it hadn’t been hard when I left the room. He seemed to like me checking his package out!

  I felt a tad dirty and a whole lot of guilty. Others had treated Dash like a sex toy for God knows how long. His first morning here, and he caught me staring at his cock like it was a blue raspberry lollipop and I wanted a lick.

  Could you really blame a girl? That cock was seriously impressive. And blue. And drool-worthy.

  Dash exited my bedroom wearing the black cargo pants I managed to locate in my piles of stuff. Left by one of two ex-boyfriends, the pants fit a smaller man, not a six-foot-five cyborg. The material molded over his ass and showed off the outline of his still-impressive erection.

  A girl couldn’t catch a break. The first thing on the agenda? Order bigger sized pants.

  Dash reached down, tugging at the fabric trapping his cock, trying to find some relief from the tight fit. “They are a little snug,” he grumbled.

  Whipping out my tablet I pulled up a clothing site. “They were all I had. I’ll order you something larger right now, plus shirts and boots. Is there anything else you need?”

  Dash’s brows furrowed. Had no one ever bothered to get clothes or anything else for him? I remembered the way he held the stuffed elephant like it was first real possession he ever owned. My heart sank in
my chest. I knew the answer.

  “Well, I’ll just get the clothes and boots for now and if you need anything else just tell me okay? How about you go into the living room and pull up an entertainment file to watch?”

  Dash nodded and walked to the living room. His strides were awkward as he fought to accustom himself to the too-small pair of pants.

  I resisted the urge to laugh as I added four pairs of the largest sized pants the store carried, plus five t-shirts, and one set of adjustable boots into the cart. I paid the extra fee to get it shipped via drone so they would arrive faster.

  Dash needed the things quickly so he could be comfortable. I needed them quickly so I maintained my sanity.

  Once I took care of the issue of clothes, I walked to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. A.I. coffee pots were the norm, but I preferred the old method. The moment I scooped the hand-ground coffee beans into the filter, a loud moan rang through the house.

  Oh shit! Dropping the scoop, coffee grounds hitting the floor, my feet slid through them as I raced to the living room.

  More moans followed by cries and grunts of pleasure hit my ears, causing them to turn bright red.

  Oh god please don’t let this be my life right now.

  My feet froze as naked writhing bodies glared brightly from my screen. My mouth dropped. Remember that healthy collection of entertainment files a single girl might have? My cyborg was watching one, his feet propped up on the coffee table, his body relaxed like it was normal.

  “Where did you find that?” I squeaked.

  Dash turned. “You told me to find something to watch. I did. Is this not acceptable? This is just like the files I watched before, I believe humans call it porn. They only allowed me to view porn when I first awoke. Once purchased by an owner, I watched many more, though I have never seen this one before.”

  Screams of More! Harder! Faster! rang out as my mind tried to process what Dash had said. “You have never seen an entertainment file of anything else?”