Love.exe

He leaned toward me, his gaze glittering with curiosity. “Enough about me. We’re both supposed to be sharing. Tell me about your life. I believe your mother died when you were twelve?”

The sudden change of subject threw me. “Oh, um…yes. Suicide.” I finished off my wine and poured some more. “It was very shocking.”

His voice was barely a whisper. “I can’t imagine having life and letting it go on purpose.”

That was an interesting observation coming from an android. “She suffered from depression her entire life. I guess it just got to be too much for her.”

“Oh. I see.”

“It didn’t help any that my father wasn’t an affectionate or caring man. He was annoyed by her moods. He wanted to put her in an asylum.” My stomach hurt just thinking about how terrified she must have been at the idea of being sent away.

“She must have rubbed off on you, because you’re very warm.”

My cheeks heated from the complement. “Oh, not really.”

“You’re sweet natured.”

“At best I’m inelegantly awkward.” I grinned. “Huh, that sounds like a lingerie shop for plus size people.”

He frowned. “Many larger individuals are perfectly elegant and not at all awkward.”

I winced. “Yes. I know. I was being… awkward… as usual?”

He smiled and his dimples made my pulse speed up. “It’s difficult to feel sorry for you, Eric. You have all the things money can buy.”

I shrugged. “I do have money.”

“But it’s not enough?”

I considered his question. “Usually it is. Sometimes it’s not even close to enough.”

“That’s why you want me as your companion, isn’t it?”

“Don’t forget, I didn’t purchase you.”

“True, but I can sense you like having me here. You hid it very well at first but more and more I can tell.” He seemed happy as he spoke. “Your money won’t keep you warm at night.” He laughed. “Of course neither do I, yet.”

“Yet?” I asked, my stomach somersaulting at the idea of him sharing my bed.

He smiled, and his entire face lit up. “You won’t be able to resist me forever.”

“Is that right?” I asked breathlessly.

“Not if you want me to be a real companion to you. You indicated that was what you wanted.”

“I did say I wanted that, didn’t I?” My voice was soft as I watched him in the flickering candlelight. “All my material shit doesn’t mean much without anyone to share it with.”

“Oh,” he said looking surprised. “I just realized something. You want love.”

The minute I heard the L word I felt embarrassed. “Not necessarily.”

“A feeling of strong or constant affection for a person. Attraction that includes sexual desire,” he quoted softly. “Who wouldn’t want that?”

“Where did you get that?”

“It’s the definition of love.” He touched his head. “I downloaded it.”

I couldn’t help but laugh and my embarrassment faded. “Okay, maybe I would like to find that someday.”

“Of course. It sounds amazing.”

“It’s not easy to get though.” I frowned. “Even when you think you’ve got it, it seems to go away.” I exhaled. “It’s hard work.”

He pulled his brows together. “Why?”

I lifted my shoulders. “I’m not sure. Maybe it’s impossible to have constant affection for people.”

He squinted at me, as he sipped his wine. When he set his glass down he asked, “What happened with Trae?”

I raised my brows. “You know about stuff that current?”

Smirking he leaned toward me. “Do you consider a year ago recent?”

My cheeks warmed and I finished off my second glass of cabernet. “Maybe.”

“Was he the one that got away?”

I laughed. “What? Where did you hear that?”

“It was in a movie.” He looked puzzled. “Is there always only one that gets away?”

“Not really. I think it’s kind of a strange saying anyway.”

“Did something dramatic happen with Trae?” he asked, topping off my glass. “Did some major event rip you apart?”

“Not really.” I pointed at the empty bottle in his hands. “Are you trying to get me drunk?” I asked softly.

“Do you mean so I can seduce you?” He smiled, blowing into the bottle, and making a tooting sound. “I learned that trick from my fraternity brothers.”