Snap Me Up, page 8
Snapper gave a single nod and Joshua stepped back. “Gina?”
Purple eyes flashed to him. “I’m not sure I’m… I need to go.”
She took off lightning quick, darting between tables, light on her feet as she moved between the patrons staring at her and out the door.
“Shit, Gina.” Joshua started to make chase and Snapper stopped him by extending his arm.
“I think it’s best you let her go.”
“I didn’t mean to embarrass her. Just figured she might enjoy dancing.”
Snapper huffed. “What you call dancing seemed to look a lot more like what you’d expect a dust honey to be in to.”
Joshua blushed. “I’d never. I’m going to go get a drink.”
He slinked off toward the bar, and Gaia gave Snapper a knowing look along with a wink. Snapper moved back to the bar and grabbed the two bowls of stew, right as Artie came up to him.
“I have us a table.” She was still all eager and gripped onto his forearm like magnetic.
“Artie, I’m going to take a rain check. Mind if I take this stew over to Gina? She’s a little embarrassed about what just happened.”
Artie sighed and leaned up, kissing Snapper on the cheek. “She probably wants a little time alone after that, but if you really think taking her some stew will work wonders…who am I to stop you?”
Snapper smiled at her. “Gaia, get this woman a drink and a fresh bowl on me.”
“Too good for this world, Snapper. You spoil me.”
“Every woman deserves to be spoiled,” he replied with wink.
And every person deserves to be treated with respect. Even the synthetic ones.
Chapter Nine
Gina burst through the door of her quarters then slumped up against it as the lock clicked into place.
There were a lot of emotions happening at once. Her body was hot, not in the arousal sense, but different. She wanted to hide, to forget how everyone’s eyes had been on her as Joshua had moved against her body.
Then Snapper… Oh Joseph’s balls.
Snapper had come to her rescue, or to further make her look like a fool. She’d have figured things out.
Though I didn’t really like the dancing.
Joshua’s efforts had made her feel more awkward than anything.
Is that what men like?
She’d have to ask Sampson. Because he would be the only one who wouldn’t laugh at her. This human thing was super tricky. She’d misread Snapper today already and he’d hurt her pretty good.
I’m a machine, not a person.
Joshua had proved that to a room full of people tonight. Though for now she looked like a grown woman who didn’t know how to act right around a man’s attention.
She slid to the floor and debated calling Sampson right now for advice or an emergency message to pick her up immediately. This human thing wasn’t working out.
A knock sounded on the door. “Gina? Are you in there?”
Snapper’s voice muffled through the wood was a surprise.
She hoped up on her feet, suddenly nervous all over again. Shaking her arms out she reached for the doorknob and opened the door a crack.
“Yes?”
“You left before you could get dinner.” He held up two bowls, the stew no longer steaming.
“I’m not really hungry.”
Questions raced. Why had he left Artie to come over here? Why try to ply her with stew? Was he worried? Did this mean he wanted to act on it? Why did her mind immediately go there?
“Well, it’s a peace offering from Joshua. I brought it over and honestly…this is an excuse for you to open the door, invite me in, and we can talk about what happened at the bar.”
She held on to the door tighter. “Why would I want to talk about the bar? Or Joshua? Or the dancing, that certainly didn’t look like any dancing I’ve seen before… I…” She opened the door all the way and stepped back with it. “Come in.”
He walked into the room, filling up the space with his presence. She’d made a note of this before when he’d followed her in here to tell her she shouldn’t walk around naked, opening up her door for anyone. She hadn’t missed the momentary heat in his eyes either.
Shutting the door behind him, she opted to not lock the bolt, because…well, she didn’t want to make him uncomfortable.
Thinking too much again.
Snapper stood in the middle of the room awkwardly, arms held aloft with a bowl in each hand.
“Oh, we need chairs.” She grabbed one from the little desk against the wall, and sat it beside him. “That’s for you. I’ll just sit over here.”
Then she reached up and took one of the bowls before plopping down on her bed.
Snapper took a seat and stirred his stew. “So, you said that wasn’t like the dancing you’ve seen before. Where did you see dancing?”
“Holo-vids. Plenty of old recordings and data from celebrations, parties, old Earth movies. Lots of dancing. I’ve seen a little of what Joshua did, but those were mating dances and…” She tucked her head down, staring into the bowl of stew.
“It’s okay to not want to mate with someone, or to let them know you don’t like something. Hell, you have no problem letting me know when you dislike something.”
Gina peeked up as Snapper took a big spoonful of stew and shoved it in his mouth.
“That’s different…was different. How do I explain?” She set the bowl down on her nightstand, the idea of the stew not appealing right now. “I suck at this, Snapper.”
“Well, even the best humans have trouble formulating their thoughts.”
Gina wanted to throw something at him. “Not what I mean. I suck at acting human. You said it earlier today—I’m arrogant and awkward. How do I fix this? I need you to help me.”
Snapper’s spoon clattered into his bowl, the hollow echo a clue his stew was gone. “Me? I’m not exactly a candidate for best human either. You’ve mentioned that to me as well. What makes you think I can help you?”
“You’ve got experience. Women like you. Jack, Drag, Hemi, they all like you too. There must be some tips you can impart. How do I show a man I’m attracted to him? How do I keep his interest so he doesn’t resort to dancing? How do I—”
“You have a lot of questions.”
She shrugged. “There’s lots I’ve never experienced, and I thought I was picking up some of it watching you with Artie and—”
“You watched me with Artie?” Snapper’s eyebrow rose with the question, his grip on the bowl tensing.
Joseph’s balls.
“Not that I’ve seen any of your private proclivities, but when you were at the bar with her. When she comes to talk to you. I can’t help but notice how people engage with you. She’s so familiar. Should I be that familiar too?”
Gina hopped off her bed and walked over to Snapper. The man still held onto that empty bowl like a lifeline, his gaze slowly trailing up her legs, her torso, her breasts. Her skin seemed to heat under his perusal, which…was that even possible?
“Gina.” Snapper’s tone was low, gruff. Then he cleared his throat. “Artie’s personality reflects the type of person she is. She enjoys touch.”
“Well, I won’t know if I enjoy it unless I do it.” She reached for Snapper’s shoulder, wanting to lay her hand gracefully against him. Drape it there like she’d seen Artie do, though she was taller than the other woman.
Except she ended up stumbling forward as Snapper launched out of his chair, pivoting to a standing position. She grabbed on to the now empty chair to steady herself and when she glanced at Snapper, he set the empty bowl next to her full one.
“I’m sorry. I make you uncomfortable.” She twisted around and sat in the now empty seat. “See, if I don’t act more human than exactly—”
“I was holding a bowl, Gina. Not sufficiently prepared for whatever you were going to unleash. Now stand up.”
She did as he asked, and he approached her.
“There are zones. Each person has them. Certain ones shouldn’t be touched without permission, and honestly, you should always touch only after someone alerts you that it will be okay.”
“How do I know for sure?”
He took a deep breath. “The best way is by asking, but sometimes body language can show this. You know all about that, I’m sure, from watching.”
His voice was like a sultry song, curling up inside her. Wrapping around her organs, and permeating them until her body hummed. Imagine what touching could do.
“Body language isn’t the same for everyone.”
“Gina, look at me.”
She focused away from his lips and on his eyes. They didn’t look the same, the eyelids at half-mast. “I’m watching.”
“See my gaze. That’s the gaze of someone who wants you to touch them. To initiate contact.”
She reached out and put a hand to his shoulder, relishing the tremor of the muscle beneath her touch. “Like this?”
“Yes…though this was supposed to be more about the hints. Not actually physical action.”
She started to pull her hand away and he reached up with his cybernetic one and stopped her.
“Too late now. Leave it there.”
Her hand on his shoulder. She took a couple of breaths. The tightness in her chest, was this anticipation? He darted his tongue out to lick his lips and she instinctively looked there next.
“Is that one too? A sign I should watch for?”
“It can be, but let’s focus on the other obvious one. After touch is initiated, you can tell if a person wants it to continue.”
Gina glanced downward, toward his cock.
Snapper chuckled. “I see you learned something, but that’s not what I mean.”
Heat flushed her skin. Embarrassment was the one emotion she was becoming too familiar with. “Sorry, I’ve heard too many conversations. Go ahead.”
“Notice how my shoulder is relaxed beneath your touch. This means I like it. I could even move in a little closer to you, lean toward the contact. If I tense up.” Snapper reacted to his words, the muscle beneath her hand locking up. “Then…”
“Back away and apologize.”
“Yes, that’s the easiest approach.” Snapper then removed her hand and she let him guide her away. “Now, the zones.”
He made a circular motion around his face and neck. “Never without permission.”
Then he repeated the motions with his groin area and buttocks.
“Those are the spots you should avoid in general without express consent. Similar areas for you, but also including your breasts.”
“Yes, that I get. But you’re forgetting the most important part.”
Snapper hunched his eyebrows, looking at her skeptically.
“The words, Snapper. Body parts, that’s easy. I get it now, and recall plenty of conversations about such things, but how do I convince them with my words?”
“Convince me of what?”
She sighed. “Closeness. That I like you, want to be near you, want to touch you.”
He grinned and took a step towards her. “Well, you just confessed everything. I think it’d be pretty easy to get me to bed after that. Men are very simple creatures, after all. Is that what you want?”
Her insides were mush against this growly, smiling Snapper whose voice had dropped low, and somehow made her want to clench her legs together. “Is this flirting?”
“Yes, do you like it?” He was so close that she could feel the heat emanating from his body. Like in the back room of the bar or when they were on top of the Barnabas roof.
“It’s strange, gives me a buzzy feeling in my head. Does this happen with everyone who flirts?”
“I honestly don’t know, but it’s a good question. My reaction isn’t so much a buzz, but a flutter.”
Gina let out a half-laugh, like it got caught in her throat. “A flutter? I never expected to hear that word from your mouth.”
“Oh, I bet I can say a lot of words you wouldn’t expect.”
She leaned in, let her hands brush against his arms. “Tell me one.”
“Come closer.”
Her hands went from skimming to gripping his forearms. She loved the flex of the muscle and the cool metal contrast between the pair.
He brought his head down next to hers, the hot breath from his mouth against her ear. “Your intake and exhaust manifolds may need servicing. Don’t forget to lube the pistons.”
She shuddered at the words, mechanics phrases that shouldn’t have been sexual in the least bit, but this was flirting. Arousal pooled between her legs, something entirely new… maybe she didn’t hate Snapper after all.
She gasped and released his arms, stepping backward.
“Too much?” He didn’t look the least bit uncomfortable, sliding a hand through his hair. Though the curls of his were going haywire, unlike usual when they were slicked back. She wanted to run her fingers through them, beg him to keep talking.
“I won’t act on it.”
She wanted him to.
“No, just fascinating. Simple words can be flirting. You make this seem easy.”
A tell-tale flush of red crept up his neck. “Well, I’ve had practice. How about this…next time you find someone you want to try this on, you let me know and we can work out a game plan.”
And here went the line being drawn again. No matter what she did, he wouldn’t cross it completely. So, whatever this was between them wasn’t enough. Wasn’t like what Sampson and Zasha had or even Toni and Emilio.
Maybe for the better, because her primary mission wasn’t to find love. No, it was to find her maker. Kissing and flirting weren’t getting her closer.
“Fake it until you make it” was what Zasha had always encouraged her to do, so she plastered on a smile just for Snapper. “Okay, you’ve got a deal.”
Chapter Ten
Snapper grabbed the rail bar and flung himself into the backseat of the hauler with Gina. “Jack, get us out of here,” he whispered harshly, trying his best to keep his voice low, even as the spotlights swept the area.
“Got it,” Jack replied, wrenching the wheel of the hauler and getting them moving as quickly as he could.
The plan had been solid, everything about their infiltration determined, then they’d almost gotten caught. Not just a simple, people suddenly coming to the bay. No, a full town alarm briefly going off, followed by spotlights almost hitting them.
Snapper’s gut twinge already told him this wasn’t coincidence. Nothing that happened really was—the question was who had spread the word they were there.
“Why the alarm?” Gina asked as soon as they reached the outskirts of Frog Lick.
“I think someone warned them.”
Jack scoffed. “No way in hell. Who would do that?”
Snapper could think of half a dozen people. People in Frog Lick not happy about Drag being named the leader of the town. Those who were originally part of the Smiths’ group and didn’t like the gang-town going in this new direction.
Gina cleared her throat. “There are several people who would not want the engine to be a success, including Petal.”
“Petal?” Jack laughed. “That’s Rune’s girlfriend. Rune is Drag’s brother. No way would she not want to see us succeed.”
Snapper had to agree there. Everyone who was part of their little group sought a future that wouldn’t involve struggling so much. The only way to get there was by winning the racing championship.
“Yes, but Petal herself voiced her unhappiness and loss of a loved one to NiteOx. Several others did, too. Any of them would be emotionally motivated to stop us.”
Damn… Gina could be called astute. That damn AI brain of her put together connections far faster than other mere humans. But something told him her path wasn’t the right one.
“We can’t jump to conclusions. Let’s keep moving forward, and, Jack?”
“Yeah, Snap?” He brought the hauler to a stop in front of the Frog Lick mechanics bay, and leaned back in his seat, laying his arm across the top of the front chair.
“Do a better job on reconnaissance for the next town. We can’t afford for the Nkosi gang-town to unleash those damn hyenas they keep.”
Jack gave a slow nod. “I’ll try, but I’ll be honest—I’m not exactly spy material.”
“Go on a trading run then. Something to keep up the fantasy.”
Gina tapped Snapper on the shoulder and he tried to ignore the zip of desire that passed through him at the idea of her index finger touching him. This was what he got for not relieving any sexual energy besides jerking off every morning to the reminder of how she’d looked a few days ago in her quarters.
“What is it, Gina?”
“Do they really have hyenas?”
He fought back the grin. Of course, this is the question she’d choose to ask.
“More like mutated canines. We call them hyenas because they look all weird,” Jack supplied. Then he eyed the two of them like they were interlopers for some grand plan he had, his gaze darting between them and the mechanics bay.
“Are you in a hurry?” Snapper asked as he stood up and hopped out of the hauler.
“I mean, I wouldn’t mind getting back.” He gave a little cough. “Feeling a bit tired lately, and won’t lie these late-night runs seem to be taking it out of me.”
Snapper wanted to pry more into Jack’s business. Tired wasn’t in their nature, not with the technology running through them, charging up their systems along with their cybernetic parts.
“Then we’ll get out of your hair.” Gina piled out and grabbed the part, lifting it like it was nothing, though an average human wouldn’t have been able to lift it.
Jack seemed not to notice, though Snapper moved quickly to Gina’s side. “Let me help you with that.” Snapper looked back at Jack who merely gave him a wink then drove off.
Snapper swore under his breath.
“What happened? Don’t worry, I can carry this.” Gina adjusted her hold on the engine chassis and that was when Snapper reached out his arms to support the top and the bottom.
“Yeah, but most people can’t.”
They were an awkward pair now as they moved toward the doors of the mechanics bay.
