by Cara Bristol
No job could replace the pulse-throbbing, heart-racing missions, but he hadn’t re-enlisted for the adrenalin rush. All across the galaxy, people met life-threatening situations like Illumina’s. Somebody had to fight for them. He could be that somebody—as long as he didn’t have a personal stake in the outcome. He never again wanted to confront a situation where the life of someone he loved was in jeopardy. “When are you heading back to HQ?” Dale asked.
“Day after tomorrow.” Carter chuckled. “If I don’t show up, Brock will dispatch a team to drag me in. He says if he has to spend one more day behind the console he’ll go batshit crazy.
“While you’re recruiting for your replacement on Deceptio, I’ll be searching for an assistant to manage the day-to-day stuff so I can get out in the field.” He twisted his mouth. “I’ll be the most knowledgeable but inexperienced rookie field agent Cy-Ops has ever had.”
“You’ll handle it. Your Intel background gives you a huge advantage. That’s more than any of us had when we started,” Dale said. “All you have to do is adapt to new and improved parts, which it appears like you’re doing.” He jerked his head at the running machine. “You looked good out there.”
“It’s amazing, really. I don’t feel that different as a cyborg. Maybe fitter and healthier and more rested.” He flexed his biomimetic arm. Synthetic arteries and veins delivered blood to and from regenerated skin and muscle, supported and strengthened by a titanium humerus, ulna, radius, carpus, metacarpus, and phalanges. “It still surprises me when I lift something that only a power-model droid can lift.”
“I know the feeling,” Illumina said, and stretched her composite wings to their full extension. With a slight motion she lifted up into the air and hovered then lowered herself to the ground. Her face glowed with happiness, framed by waist-skimming silvery hair. Under the influence of nanocytes, her hair had grown to its full length in record time. “I never thought I’d be able to fly again.” As if they’d always been a part of her, she fluttered her wings then folded them close to her body. The transition had been a breeze for her.
Harrowing for Dale, wondering throughout the process if it would work. There’d been so many hurdles to overcome. Could Cybermed docs design prosthetic wings like they did arms and legs? Did he dare raise Illumina’s hopes that she might fly again? And was she willing to become a cyborg to do it? If the wings were built and attached, would they work?
The answer to all four concerns turned out to be yes. Cybermedical engineers had fabricated the first ever biomimetic wings. They’d removed the leftover nubs that caused her so much pain then strengthened her spine before attaching super-strong but ultralight wings created from a composite material skeletal structure and thousands of small vanes resembling silvery feathers.
Her wings were not indistinguishable from real biological parts the way prosthetic arms and legs were, yet they suited her.
“I’ll never be able to repay you for what you’ve given me.” Her eyes glistened with tears as she glanced from Dale to Carter.
“You don’t owe me anything,” Carter said. But his signature and resources had made it happen.
Dale had feared she would reject the idea, so he’d brought her to the Cybermed installation to watch the process, to see Carter’s improvement and that of other men and women whose conversion to cybernetic organism had given them not just a new lease on life, but a reason to live. After Illumina had jumped on board, he’d worried that the cyberengineering docs wouldn’t be able to do it. They had leapt at the challenge and had transformed impossible into done-deal. Science had created a miracle.
Illumina had become the first cyborg Faria. She didn’t have the same kind of microprocessor the rest of them did—hell, as a computer sensate, she could out-program, out-hack any cyborg alive, but her computer chip allowed her brain to control her flight. Nanocytes enhanced her body’s ability to heal itself and granted her immunity to most known diseases.
If Carter could race against a cheetah, Illumina could probably outfly a peregrine falcon—and whip up a small tornado at the same time.
Carter had yet to see more than a liftoff. “Show him, babe.” Dale nudged her.
With the merest murmur of sound, she rose off the ground and hovered overhead, her radiant smile as wide as her wingspan. With a graceful flap, she climbed nearly to the roof before swooping in a dive and then soaring around the perimeter of the high-walled workout gym. Beauty in motion, she glided with the grace of angel. Laughter rang like chimes singing in the breeze of her wings. His heart swelled. He could watch her all day.
“Wow,” Carter said. “She’s something, isn’t she?”
“Yes, she is.” She had been something before she’d gotten wings again. It was her elation, her unfettered happiness that he loved to see.
She’d been offered an appointment to AOP ambassador, replacing Alonio, whose death had been reported as a tragic accident, but she’d turned it down when Carter invited her to work for Cyber Operations.
In truth, Carter probably wanted Illumina onboard even more than Dale or March. Brains counted more than brawn any day. Such a perfect spy she would be. The enemy would be too distracted by her beauty to realize she’d hacked into their computers and stolen their secrets. She might be the edge Cy-Ops needed to take down Lamis-Odg. She could literally fly circles round the best hacker alive, but no way would Dale allow her to venture into the field alone. She needed some muscle as backup. So they were partners. And lovers. That was the best part.
The air caressed his face as she landed beside them. Silver eyes sparkled. Her hair snapped and crackled.
“Cyberengineering outdid themselves,” Carter commented.
“Agreed,” Dale said.
She folded her wings and slipped her arm through the crook of his and hugged him. Soft breasts pillowed his arm. Heat rushed to his groin.
How soft she would be under him…yes, “next time” had come. Now they could do it in the “traditional” Terran way without risk of injury or pain. They also did it standing up while she fluttered her wings. And with her on top. Cowboy style, doggie style. Side by side. They were still exploring their many and varied options.
I don’t know why my flying turns you on. Amusement glinted in her eyes as she’d caught the drift of his thoughts.
Everything you do turns me on. His mouth twitched.
She blushed like a Faria. She turned silver.
Carter glanced between the two of them. “Oh geez. Get a room.”
“Good idea.” Dale winked at her.
Race you to it! Illumina lifted off and flew for the door.
“Catch you later,” he said to Carter and ran after her.
~ The end ~
Watch for Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance 4, to be released early summer 2016. To be notified of all new releases, subscribe to my author newsletter, http://eepurl.com/9aRJj.
Books by Cara Bristol
Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance series
Stranded with the Cyborg (Book 1)
Mated with the Cyborg (Book 2)
Captured by the Cyborg (Book 3)
Breeder series (Sci-fi romance)
Breeder (Book 1)
Terran (Book 2)
Warrior (Book 3)
Rod and Cane Society (spanking romance/bdsm light)
Unexpected Consequences
False Pretenses
Body Politics
Disciplinary Measures
Reasonable Doubts
Irresistible Attractions
Other Titles
Goddess’s Curse (Fantasy romance)
Long Shot (Corbin’s Bend Spanking Romance)
Longing (Paranormal)
Stolen Moments (Romantic Comedy)
Naughty Words for Nice Writers (Nonfiction/thesaurus)
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Cara Bristol has published more than twenty-five erotic romance titles, including contemporary and science fiction romance. No matter what the subgenre, one thin
g remains constant: her emphasis on character-driven seriously hot erotic stories with sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine. Cara has lived many places in the United States, but currently resides in Missouri with her husband. She has two grown stepkids. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading and traveling. To learn more about the author, visit her website at http://www.carabristol.com, friend her on Facebook, or sign up for her author newsletter.
Acknowledgements
I owe a huge, huge debt of gratitude to editor Kate Richards and copy editor Nanette Sipe who went above and beyond the call of duty in fast-tracking this manuscript. Jaycee of Sweet ’N Spicy outdid herself on this cover. I’d also like to thank Lisa Medley, my street team, and all my readers and fans.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Books by Cara Bristol
About the Author
Acknowledgements
