news that they’d cleansed the planet to make a new colony. That’s the polite way to say they took over the planet and killed anything that stood in their way. They were actually selling animals from that planet to the wealthy who wanted unique pets.” She shuddered. “But they weren’t really animals. I mean, they didn’t look like animals to me, regardless of what the government labeled them.”

“I don’t understand.”

She spaced her hands about two feet apart, one over the other. “They were about this big, and I think they were the residents of that planet. They were like mini winged bird people, with two arms and legs. They looked as if they understood what was being done to them, and it was clear they were terrified. They reacted like people do, clutching at each other when they were being shown off to sell. It broke my heart. They were cute though, so Earth Government figured they could make a profit off them. I can’t imagine some asshole race coming to our planet, then grabbing people and selling them off as pets.”

Deviant shared her anger. “Those poor aliens.”

“Yeah. That was how I felt too, especially when it came out shortly after that they didn’t survive in captivity. They probably died of broken hearts after being locked up in cages and separated from their families. I hope Earth Government never finds your planet. They’d steal your neighbors and try to make them into pets too. The rich could put them in large fish tanks or something. That’s so messed up.”

“We’d defend them.”

She reached out and took his hand. “I believe you would. You saved me.”

His features softened. “You saved me as well.”

His words surprised her. “From what? You’re the one who risked your life by smuggling me off the station. And even now, I know it’s going to cause you a bunch of trouble if other cyborgs find out you have me inside your room.”

“I was lonely. I’m not anymore. I have you.”

Heat blossomed inside her chest and she knew his words had created that pleasant sensation. Probably my heart melting, she deduced. He could be really sweet. “I’m so glad I worked up the courage to rush inside that brothel room. I was terrified to do it.”

“I regret pointing a weapon at you.”

“You didn’t fire it. That’s all that counts now.”

He reached out and ran his fingertips down the side of her arm. “I’m glad you came into that room as well. You turned one of my most humiliating moments into something life altering.”

“Why were you so embarrassed? Lots of men visit automated brothels. They’re very popular on Earth.”

“I wasn’t aware there was a shortage of women on that planet.”

“There isn’t.”

“Men choose to live alone?”

“It’s not a marriage breaker, legally, if a person pays for the use of a sex bot. A wife or husband could file for divorce if their spouse sleeps with another live person, but sex bots are considered more of a sexual aid than anything else. Bots can’t result in a pregnant or expose a person to any diseases. It’s a loophole a lot of couples use if they don’t enjoy having sex together anymore.”

He frowned. “Our males contracted into family units are forbidden to touch sex bots. The females would take offense and end the contract. It’s rare to get permission from a female to use an automated brothel. I’ve only known one cyborg whose female allows it. He is her fifth husband, so she rarely has time to spend with him. He has high status in our society and it was probably prearranged by them before signing their contract, since he also spends a lot of time in space. For the rest of us, using sex bots usually means we couldn’t obtain our own female.” He dropped his hand away from her and color darkened his cheeks. “It’s a source of shame to some.”

It was obvious to her that he spoke of himself. “You have a real woman now,” she gently reminded him.

He nodded. “And I don’t have to share you with other males.”

“Thank you for agreeing to my terms.”

“I must be honest, Venice. I would fight any male who attempted to touch you. I like that you belong to only me. We’re not contracted into a family unit but I promise you’ll be the only female I touch. No loopholes, Venice. I don’t want a sex bot.”

In that moment, she knew she was falling in love with him. “You’re the only one I