Teaching Him(3)

“When can our lessons begin?”

She almost spit out the remaining wine. This was all happening too fast.

“Technically, the sooner the better,” she blurted. “The peace talks are in a month, and we need you ready for fieldwork in two weeks for the arrival of the emissaries.”

David touched her chin, lifting her gaze to his. “Where do we begin?”

Oh, God. He’s going to kiss me again. The wine was starting to affect her, but the scientist in her wasn’t ready. Hell, the woman in her wasn’t ready. She’d never been one to jump into bed, and after all, they did have to do things right if he was going to succeed.

She cleared her throat. “You’ll need to learn to seduce me, David. Before I can teach you about making love, you must start at the beginning. Learn what you can about me, and find a way to make me want you.” She pulled her gaze from his.

I’m not chickening out. It’s the proper way to do things. She bit her lip, wondering who she was kidding. She was freaking out, and judging by the android’s gaze, he knew it, too.

His hand slid over hers and squeezed gently. He brought her fingers to his mouth and kissed the tips. His lips were hot on her skin. “It will be my pleasure.”

She shivered and stood up, yanking her hand away. “I should probably be going.”

“Please,” he stood, running a hand through his hair. “Let me make you dinner tomorrow.”

He smiled again, and Alex sighed. Why did I have to give him dimples?

“I didn’t know you cooked.”

“For you, I’ll learn.”

Alex cocked an eyebrow and smiled despite herself. “You’re learning fast already.”

“Meet me in my quarters. Is 20:00 alright?” David never used his quarters, preferring to sleep near the science equipment. Alex supposed the lab was the closest thing to “home” the android had.

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

***

“Shit.”

Alex stood in front of the mirror in her quarters, staring bullets at the fourth dress she’d tried on. No matter what she chose, everything seemed too stiff, too formal. Frumpy. After all, she only brought dresses for military dinners and presentations, not dates with someone tall, dark, and gorgeous. She pulled on her woolen hemline.

I shouldn’t care. This is just a stupid mission, not a real date. She bit her lip and pushed her hair back.

“Double shit.”

She needed a new dress, and she needed it now.

***

There was only one clothing shop on the entire station, owned by her friend and confidante, Elsbeta. She’d run into Elsy her first day on the station, arguing with her senior officer about which cufflinks would go with his formal blues.

Alex smiled at the memory. Elsy had jabbed the Commander in the chest with an elegant blue finger and shouted “If you want to look like a dockside whore, then by all means wear the diamonds. But don’t come crawling back to me when you get laughed out of the dinner party. They aren’t a status symbol—they’re a nightmare!” The look on the Commander’s face had been priceless. They’d been friends ever since.

“Elsy.” Alex entered the small shop off the main corridor. The tall woman was bent over her display, her long, white hair flowing in waves down her back, contrasting her smooth azure skin. She turned in one graceful motion. Her eyes lit up.

“Alex! What a surprise. I never see you anymore, since you insist on wearing nothing but those hideous lab coats they give you.” She embraced her friend, laughing. “What can I do for you? Did you spill acid on another set of slacks?”

Alex blushed. “Actually, Elsy, I need a favor. I, um, well… I have a date tonight.” Elsy’s eyebrows shot up, her silver eyes sparkling.

“Shut up! Don’t say another word to me. This is a new event in the life of Alex Daniels, and I need a moment to take it all in.” She dramatically covered her brow with her arm in a fake swoon.

“I know. It’s shocking, but it’s true.” Alex rolled her eyes. “Please, I know it’s short notice. Do you have anything, well… sexy?”

Elsy looked at her long and hard, her gaze passing over Alex’s ample breasts, slim waist, the soft swell of her hips. Alex fidgeted under her scrutiny.

“You are beautiful, Alex, and you need a garment that displays your assets. I have no idea why you insist on covering that magnificent body up.” She moved closer, and opened the top two buttons of Alex’s shirt, exposing her cleavage. “Mm. Such lovely curves need fabric to hug them, not envelop them.”

Alex could smell her perfume—spicy, with a hint of vanilla. She swallowed hard.