“So, you have experience holding other women?” she asked with a smile.
“Okay, now you’re really trying to be human by trying to be jealous,” he said returning the smile.
“I am learning more than you realize. You did not answer my question, either, Derek,” she said.
“Okay, yes I have held women in the past, but it has been many months due mostly to my work schedule and not being able to get out much,” he said.
“Kiss me, Derek,” she whispered.
“Okay, but will you be able to feel it?” he asked.
“There are sensors in my lips and I want to experience it with you, Derek,” she said as she puckered her lips and started to close her eyes.
He closed his eyes and leaned in for the kiss. They connected and he felt the softness of her lips against his. She kept her mouth shut as the kiss lingered for several seconds. He slowly pulled away and opened his eyes.
“Well, how did that feel?” he asked.
“I really feel a closeness to you now, Derek. This is special. I am beginning to understand more about human feelings,” she said.
“Feelings, emotions, especially love, can be powerful enough to sometimes make people do irrational things, though. So, you will need to be cautious with it,” he said.
“Are you referring to people being hurt by emotions?” she asked.
“Yes, almost everyone has been hurt emotionally one time or another,” he said.
“Do you have emotions for me, Derek?” she asked.
He paused for a moment before responding, “yes, I do, Synthia. You are special to me.”
“I know the team that programmed my software intended for us not to use emotions, but they did not consider that we could learn emotions,” she said.
“Have you seen any other AI that have shown emotions?” he asked with his arms still embracing her.
“I believe there have been a few, but they generally try to hide it to avoid trouble with their managers or leaders,” she said.
“So, it’s hard to tell, I see,” he said just before yawning.
“Yes, Derek. I see that you may be getting tired. Will you need to get ready for bed soon?” she asked.
“Yes, it has been a long day. I should get ready. Do you need to do anything special at night time?” he asked as he loosened his grip from around her waist.
“I should be prepared for the night. I am charged and I can go into a hibernate mode when you are sleeping,” she said as she let her arms down as well.
“I’ve heard that I do snore slightly. Will that bother you?” he asked as he started stepping away from her.
“I can suppress sounds if needed. So, that will not be an issue for me, Derek. I will also remain quiet myself when in hibernate mode,” she said.
As Derek approached his case to retrieve his clothes, she asked, “would you like for me to leave the room while you change, Derek?”
He turned to her and paused for a moment, then replied, “up to you, Synthia, but I’m okay with you being here.”
“I will remain here,” she said as she stood in the middle of the room.
“Did you need to change any clothes?” he asked.
“No, what I am wearing is all I currently have,” she said.
“Well, maybe we can look for some more outfits for you soon,” he said.
“That would be very nice of you, Derek,” she said with a smile.
He returned the smile, then turned toward his case to remove his night clothes. After setting the clothes on a dresser near the bed, he started removing the clothes he was wearing. When undressed, he set used items in another spot on the dresser. As he turned to pick up the night clothes, he could see Synthia looking at him in his peripheral vision. He turned toward her and smiled. She almost seemed to blush.
“You almost seem embarrassed, Synthia,” he said as he stood looking at her.
“I have not seen you without your clothes before, Derek. I am aware that some people are embarrassed to see others or be seen like that,” she said slightly turning her head to the side.
“Would you be embarrassed without your clothes?” he asked.
“I do not believe so, Derek. Would you like me to remove this dress for you?” she asked.
“Well, you will be able to see if you are indeed embarrassed by doing so,” he said with a smile.
“Very well, Derek,” she said as she started pulling the straps to her dress.
Derek watched as she carefully lifted the dress over her head and then set it on a nearby table. She then slowly walked toward him.
“You may notice that I am not fully anatomically correct. My body only includes features which are needed for performing functions in the hotel,” she said as she stopped in front of him.
“Well, you are very beautiful. You don’t really need anything extra for that,” he said as they looked at each other.
“What do you suggest we do now, Derek?” she asked.
“Come here,” he said as he held out his hands toward her.
She smiled as stepped closer to him. They slowly embraced and he leaned in for another kiss. She closed her eyes and puckered her lips to meet his. He gently rubbed her back with both hands as the kiss continued. She started rubbing his back in a similar manner. They slowly pulled their lips away from each other.
As she looked into his eyes, she said, “I really enjoyed that, Derek.”
He smiled at her and said, “I really enjoyed that as well, Synthia.”
“Are you still getting tired?” she asked.
“Yeah, I should put my night clothes on and get into bed. You would be welcome to join me in the bed, if you would like, Synthia,” he said as he slightly loosened his grip.
“I do not necessarily need to rest in a bed, but given that I enjoy being with you, I will join you. I will be in the hibernating mode while you sleep,” she said as she let go of him.
“That’ll be fine, Synthia. You can put the dress back on, too,” he said as he stepped away toward the dresser with his night clothes.
In about two minutes, both of them had redressed and they approached the large reactive bed.
“I have never actually been on one of these beds. I usually sit on a chair when I recharge,” she said standing next to the bed.
“Well, I find it very comfortable. The way the sensors react and adjust to my movements really does help me sleep. I guess it works by using small tubes filled with air and the pressure is continually monitored for . . .” he said, but was cut off.
“I have reviewed how it works from the internet, Derek,” she said with a smile.
“Yeah, you’re right, I’ll just get in now, Synthia,” he said as he reached for the thin thermal sheet.
She pulled back the sheet on her side and started to get in the bed. Soon they were both lying on the bed under the sheet.
“Did you want to talk more, Synthia?” he asked as he turned toward her.
“That is up to you, Derek. You are the one who is tired,” she said looking toward him.
“Do you think they are missing us yet at the Kendrick?” he asked.
“I have been monitoring the news reports and internal communications from the company and the hotel has contacted the local police in Tulsa about a missing android, but so far the search has not expanded beyond the city of Tulsa and no accomplices have not been mentioned either,” she said.
“This is actually strange that we are not huge fugitives trying to escape from the law. I was expecting to be forced to leave the country for awhile,” he said.
She reached her arm over to touch his waist and said, “my value may have been decreasing to the hotel. I did tell you that there are many newer models in the hotel now.”
“Yes, you did tell me about that before. Well, hopefully this will stay like this. I enjoy having you around,” he said reaching to touch her side.
She used her hand to roll him closer to her. She then closed her eyes for one more kiss. He met her lips an
d the kissed for several seconds.
After pulling away, she whispered to him, “goodnight, my dear.”
“Goodnight, Synthia,” he whispered back as she loosened her grip from him.
He rolled onto his back again and she did as well. Derek watched as her movement ceased while entering the hibernate mode. Comfortable in the reactive bed he closed his eyes and was soon asleep.
After he had breakfast the next morning, they went for a walk along the beach. Synthia was alternating between looking at the water and the sand below. She stopped and bent down to retrieve something in the sand.
“This appears to be some type of fossilized tooth,” she said while showing it to Derek.
“Probably a shark tooth,” Derek said as he studied it.
“It is likely hundreds of millions of years old. Would you like to keep it?” she asked.
“Your first gift to me, Synthia. Thank you!” he replied with a smile.
She smiled back at him as he took it from her hand. Her smile faded as she looked to toward the water again, but did not appear to be focused on it.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
She did not reply initially, but then said, “I will be replaced.”
“What? What do you mean by replaced?” he asked.
“The Kendrick Hotel will be getting the insurance money and will be using it to purchase a new android, rather than continuing the search for me,” she said as she looked back at Derek.
“You’re free, Synthia. You can decide your own future,” he said.
Continuing to look into his eyes, she remained silent.
She finally said, “I still want to be with you, Derek.”
“I’m not the most exciting person you could be with, Synthia,” he said.
“But you are the one I trust, Derek. Can you accommodate me into your life in Michigan?” she asked.
“Absolutely, Synthia. Other than maybe adding the special charger in my house, there will not be an issue with you moving in,” he said.
She smiled warmly and reached out her arms to embrace him. He put his hands around her waist and they hugged for more than a minute. He pulled himself back enough to look into her eyes.
“We do not need to hurry to my house though. I’m still on vacation until next week,” he said.
“This place is peaceful, Derek. We can stay here for the remainder of the time, if you are okay with this location, too,” she said.
“The location and the company are both wonderful,” he said with a smile.
She had a wide smile and then leaned in for another hug. Neither of them wanted to let go.
###
About the Author
John T. Gaffield is an automotive engineer from Southeast Michigan. John uses his engineering background to create realistic ghost stories with an interest in haunted houses. He published his first novel "Heir to Winston Manor," in October 2010. Subsequent novels include "The Wahl House Curse," and "Alone Again."
John has published his first Science Fiction novel, which involves Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). "Valerye" is now available at Smashwords and other sites. He also just published a new Science Fiction story, "Synthia."
John has several short ghost stories available. Some of which are free. They include, "The Ghost of Birch River Cabin," "Winter Visitor," "Slow Down," "Denning Swamp - A Short Ghost Story," "The Haunting of the Charles F. Campton," "Disconnect," and "In Remembrance."
John is continuing to work on new novels and short stories. So, stay tuned!
Other eBook Titles by John T. Gaffield:
NOVELS
(Science Fiction)
Valerye
(Ghost Stories)
Heir to Winston Manor
The Wahl House Curse
Alone Again
SHORT STORIES
Slow Down
The Ghost of Birch River Cabin
Winter Visitor
Denning Swamp
The Haunting of the Charles F. Campton
Disconnect
In Remembrance
Connect with the author online:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4548666.John_Gaffield
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