I Heart Robot Read Online Free

last longer.”
    “The numbers will come back anyway. The chip’s embedded in my CNS. No getting rid of that.”
    “True, but at least you’ll be unmarked for a few weeks between sessions,” Sal says.
    “It’ll hurt,” Kit adds.
    “As if that’s ever been a problem.” I shut him up with a look. “Pain is part of being human. How do you think all those composers wrote such awe-inspiring music?”
    “That’s different,” Kit grumbles.
    “Is it?”
    “This is Quinn’s chance at doing something better with his life,” Sal says.
    “Better? How is trying to fool the humans better than standing up for your own kind?”
    “And what? Violently demanding rights from a government that might never grant them?” My tone is bitter.
    “Go join the apes then.” Kit throws his hands in the air. He kicks Sal’s wall, denting the metal before striding away.
    “He cares about you,” Sal says with a soft smile.
    “Funny way of showing it.”
    “Don’t let him dampen this. This is your chance to show the humans that we aren’t just machines, that they gave us minds. We think, we feel, we dream, we create.”
    I nod as my tear ducts prickle with an automatic response to the emotion codes triggered in my processor.
    “So, are we going to get Max to grind it out?” Sal looks ferocious, all sharp angles with an aquiline nose halving her face. She’d look gentler with hair, but she says it irritates her when it falls over her bulbous forehead into her eyes.
    “I think I’ll take my chances and wear long sleeves.”
    “It’s your fuel-cell on the line.” She raises an eyebrow at me.
    “I’ll be careful.”
    “In that case,” Sal grabs my hand, “I do believe it’s time to celebrate.”

Tyri
     
     
    Glitch woofs a warning from her vantage point on the sofa, her dark eyes fixed on the front door. I open it before Rurik has a chance to press the buzzer.
    “Hey you.” He offers me a silly grin and a giant bouquet of purple-checkered daffodils.
    “This wasn’t necessary.” I bury my nose in the blooms. A single daffodil vibrates as tinkling music spills out of the petals. The flower sings to me in Rurik’s husky voice, asking me to forgive him for being such a jerk.
    “You’re not a jerk.”
    “You’re right, I’m a gangrenous nullhead and despicable boyfriend.” He smiles and his whole face lights up. If Rurik were a song, he’d be in D major, bright and easy going. His brown eyes peering into mine make me melt as I fold into his arms. I love the way he smells: a touch cinnamon and a touch lemon fresh. Being so close to him I can almost forget that he didn’t show up for the funeral and that he hung up on me.
    “Sorry about earlier.” Rurik tilts my face toward his and we kiss, a slow meeting of our lips. He tastes of peppermint gum, and I kiss him again. He jerks away, cursing as Glitch shoves herself between our legs and pees on his foot.
    “Glitch! Bad dog.” She gives me a baleful look and pads into the house, nonplussed by her actions.
    “Codes, I’m sorry.” I dash into the house. Dumping the flowers on the kitchen table, I grab a towel and head back to the door. Rurik stands barefoot, shaking off his sneakers.
    “Not like it’s the first time.” He chuckles and cleans his foot. Dropping the towel and shoes on the porch, he kisses me again and shuffles me into the hallway before closing the door behind us.
    “Your Mom home?”
    “Not yet.”
    “Excellent.” He drops his bag and shrugs out of his jacket before grabbing my hand and heading down the passage to my bedroom.
    “Greetings, Rurik. Would you like some refreshments?” Miles comes to my door as Rurik pushes me down onto the bed.
    “In twenty minutes,” Rurik says. “Coffee and hot chocolate.”
    “As you wish.” Miles leaves, flashing green.
    “My mom’ll be home any minute.” I gasp as Rurik nibbles my neck, and his hands slide beneath my shirt.
    “Baby, I can work with a minute.” He kisses me, ferocious this