Hard Wired Trilogy DeAnna Pearce (if you give a mouse a cookie read aloud txt) 📖

“I wish it was that easy.” Ari felt responsible for Reed and her family, and worried how fighting with Niomi would affect them.

“It is, if you want it to be.”

Chapter 20

Ari was unable to avoid Reed all weekend. Sunday afternoon he came over with dessert—and not just any dessert, but a tower of dessert. The bottom contained a variety of small cupcakes, then it proceeded to climb like a pyramid.

“Do you really think we can eat all of that?” She couldn’t help the smile that crept up on her.

His brown eyes glimmered with delight as they barely peeked over the chocolate top. “I’m making it a personal goal to see it done. Hope you have an appetite?” He headed down to the kitchen.

She followed him, trying to remember why she didn’t want to see him this weekend. Oh, yeah. He’s happy here, and I don’t want to destroy his future… again. The reason got lost in other thoughts as she watched his backside.

He placed the massive tower of baked goods in the center of the table and scrounged around for utensils.

“Let me get some milk.” Ari headed to the drink dispenser.

“Good thinking, we’ll need something to help get it all down.”

She chuckled as she filled the glasses and sat down. He scooted closer and handed her a fork. His spicy scent greeted her, and she fought the urge to lay her head on his shoulder. Maybe she was a selfish creature deep down inside, wanting Reed. Maybe she didn’t have to leave. Staying here with him felt right.

“Do I have something on my face?” He rubbed his cheek. “Why are you staring at me? I swear, I only tried a bit of the frosting.”

She shook her head. “No. I’m just happy to see you.”

“Me too.” Leaning over, he placed a light kiss on her lips. He pulled back, a small rolled chocolate piece in his hand. “Now, you have some catching up to do.”

She bit down on the candy, her lips brushing against his finger. A warm feeling swirled inside, and she realized just how much she missed him. Not only did she miss his soft lips, but the way his personality could light up a room.

Starting at the top with a caramel chocolate, they worked their way down through the tower. At first with their forks, but when they found something good, they’d always share. Miniature pastries covered in a smooth frosting covered the tower in a variety of shapes but bright corresponding colors, like some type of party or circus.

When Ari picked up one square type cake, the top full of bright red frosting, she couldn’t resist temptation. Reed opened his mouth, so trusting. She pushed it into his nose instead.

“Oops.” Shrugging her shoulders, she donned her most innocent expression.

He wiped the frosting from his face, a mischievous flicker to his hazel eyes. “Oh, I’ll show you oops.”

And it was on. They destroyed the last of the tower, only random pieces ending up in their mouths and mostly by accident. Racing around the kitchen, they managed to have the dessert cover every surface.

Reed wrapped Ari in his arms from behind. “Surrender, and I’ll let you go.”

Ari hoped he’d never let go. She loved his strong arms and tight grip. But she couldn’t tell him that. “Only if you don’t make me eat any more sweets.”

“Make you?” He turned her in his arms. “And here I thought you enjoyed them.”

“I did, until my stomach felt like it would burst.” Raising on her tiptoes, she kissed the red frosting still on the tip of his nose. “I enjoyed you more.”

He held her tight. “Good.”

She leaned her head against his chest, ignoring the sticky sugar covering them. “It’s going to take forever to clean this.”

“Don’t you have a maid or a bot or something?” He wiped her hair and a blob of cake fell on to the ground.

“I’ll call out the bots, because I can’t make Jewels clean this mess. Not after she invited me to the party.” Against her desire, she pushed back and reached for a kitchen towel. Maybe if she got it all in the sink, it could wash down.

“How did that go?” He reached for the second towel. “Did a bunch of islanders hit on you?”

“I mostly danced with the women. It was fun.”

“Dancing, huh?” He grabbed her hand, twirled her around, and pulled her into his arms.

Close to him once more, the warmth in her chest grew. Arms wrapped around each other, they swayed to the silence. Their steps small but steady. Reed hummed something simple.

He paused only to ask, “What do you call your AI lately? I’ll pick out a nice tune.”

“I think it’s perfect like this.” Unfortunately, in the recesses of Ari’s mind, she knew perfect didn’t last.

Chapter 21

The following week returned to the normal drudgery of her job. Copying files for Niomi didn’t take much extra effort, and even Kari’s job slowed as the political season wound down for a break. Unfortunately, that left a lot of time for Ari to wonder if Kari’s petite body would now only be alive here, electronically, and to guess how long VisionTech’s reach really was.

They didn’t seem to be a bad company. Even the islanders didn’t complain too much, as VisionTech worked with them to preserve the island and gave islanders work. Vinh, Reed, and hundreds of others enjoyed their work, and it gave them an opportunity they may not get under their government. But did that negate what she was doing? Stealing people’s lives for insider trading and political privilege?

Trying to get out of her head, she met Antoine for lunch on Wednesday. Part of her hoped to see Hailey and get some answers about her meeting with Emil. That meeting had been occupying her thoughts constantly, but with no luck at answers. And with no contact, she didn’t know where to go next.

Instead of Hailey, she only saw Antoine, which made the guilt-ridden hole in her stomach only grow more. Was