one-word answer allowed him to breathe regularly again. “Good. I don’t want to give you up.”

“You wanted to start a family. You said so. Are you willing to put that off for a while?”

He slid his hands around her to keep her in his arms. “I do want a family. You can have children, can’t you?”

Her grasp on his shoulders tightened. “You want them with me?”

“My flaws will probably be passed to our offspring. Cyborgs are very aware of any variations in other cyborgs. Will that trouble you?”

More tears filled her eyes. “Our kids would be perfect if they looked just like you.”

She always made him feel good. The tightening sensation he felt inside his chest wasn’t pain, but joy. “Thank you.”

“You’re not flawed. You’re wonderful.” She leaned in closer, until her breasts pressed against his uniform. “I’d stay with you forever if you’d let me.”

“I’d encourage it.”

Her smile returned and he completely relaxed. His mother was wrong about Venice. She hadn’t even met her. No cyborg female could ever make him feel the way this Earther did. Of course, emotions weren’t something his mother approved of.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

He jerked away from his thoughts. “About what?”

“Your mom. I take it she wasn’t happy that you didn’t want to meet her friends?”

“She has expectations of me that I refuse to fulfill.”

“She wants grandkids? Did you tell her I can have babies? I can. Maybe that will make her happy.”

He didn’t want to spoil her mood but he couldn’t lie to her either. She was an honest individual who deserved honesty in return. “She wanted pure cyborg offspring produced by myself and a female.”

“Oh.”

“It’s not personal. You’re from Earth.”

“I guess I can’t blame her, considering the history with Earth Government. They did try to wipe out your entire race. I could meet her and she’d see I’m not anything like them.”

“No!” He regretted the outburst when she startled. The hurt look came next. He massaged her hips. “It’s not you, Venice. My mother isn’t pleasant at any time, to anyone. She would be cruel, and I never want to subject you to that.”

“I understand.”

“Even I don’t enjoy spending time with her,” he admitted. “She has a special talent for being insulting. I never want you to suffer her, Venice. It would anger me. I’ve had a lifetime to adjust to her behavior but you haven’t.”

Her expression cleared of pain. “That must have been rough growing up.”

“I want to protect you from her.”

“That bad, huh?”

“Worse. My father ended his contract with her today. They are no longer joined into a family unit.”

She blinked a few times, appearing surprised. “Why?”

“He stood up for my right to be with you. She demanded he take her side but he refused. He wants what is best for me. That is you.”

“And that caused them to file for divorce?”

“Their contract is already broken. They are no longer a family unit. My mother would have had it recorded by the time my father got home. She ordered him to take her side. He refused. It’s a breach of their contract for him to refuse her demands, and so she ended it with him.”

“Oh, Deviant. I’m so sorry.” Tears filled her eyes. “It sounds as if he did himself a favor though, if she’s that mean. Every woman should want her children to be happy.”

“My father implied the same.”

“He’s a wise man.” She closed her eyes and tucked her head against his neck. He liked the feel of her nestled there, and the way her warm breath tickled his skin. “I wish I could make all this better for you.”

She was with him, in his arms. “You do, Venice.” He smiled. “Just stay right where you are.”

“I can do that.”

He ran his hands over her lower back and massaged her ass. “I enjoy having you this close. You make me feel alive.”

“I’ll stay here as long as you allow it.”

“Forever then.”

She chuckled. “Perfect.”

He hesitated. “Venice?”

She lifted her head and peered at him. “What?”

“I’d like to join a family unit with you. It would be the equivalent of marriage. Would you agree?” He held his breath when she hesitated.

“On one condition.”

“Name it.”

“Promise you’ll never let me go, or ask me to end our contract. I don’t ever want to lose you.”

It was an easy request. He never wanted to be without Venice. “I give you my word of honor. I want the same promise from you.”

She released his shoulder and used a finger to make a cross