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

“Hey, Ari, wait up.”

Ari turned to find Reed jogging down the sidewalk after her. He looked handsome in dark jeans and a button-down shirt. He chased away any other thoughts and worries. The butterflies in her stomach were solely because of him. Why did he always have to look so good?

Reed slowed and walked next to Ari. “Thanks for waiting. I thought I would have to sprint all the way down the street.”

Ari smiled and focused on the spot ahead of her.

“What are you doing here? Walking alone at night around here isn’t safe.”

“I was sick of gaming.” Remembering the events with Garrett soured her mood, and worry replaced the butterflies.

He nudged her with his shoulder. “I wanted to see how you’ve been doing with your computer. Has it been giving you any more problems?”

Her stomach tightened as they crossed the street, heading towards the condo. “Having it report my every move isn’t enough?”

Once on the other side, he grabbed her hand and pulled her to a stop, facing him. She regretted her snippy tone. Reed didn’t deserve it.

His gaze bore straight through her defenses to the fear she’d been struggling to keep at bay. Averting her eyes, she realized they were in the more residential area with more condos and hotels than clubs.

“Ari.” He waited for her to meet his eyes.

Once her emotions were firmly in check, she lifted her gaze. It made her want to crumble all over again. Not because of her fears this time, but because of the way he not only looked at her, but saw through her.

His brow furrowed in concern. “What’s going on? Did something happen?”

She shook her head, not ready to voice what happened yet. “It’s just stress. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

One eyebrow lifted. “Really?”

She hated to lie to him. “Don’t worry.” Lies of omission don’t count, she told herself.

“If you say so.” His gaze traveled down the street to the tall hotel built with a light smooth sandstone-type material that glimmered in the night sky. He then glanced down to her bare feet. “I can’t help a bad game, but if you can stand wearing shoes for a bit longer, I may be able to come up with something to improve your night.”

She was game, especially if it took her mind off things for a bit. She slipped on the torturous shoes. They made her a couple inches taller and closer to Reed’s face. Reed smiled, the lopsided one that she had always loved. Heat spread through her face as they closed the distance between them. She wondered for a moment how he saw her. As a little sister he had to take care of, or something else?

“Come on, let’s go.” Reed broke the silence and led her to a sleek high-end hotel. The door man, dressed in a crimson suit, gave the pair a questioning look, but Reed strode in with confidence. A large fountain stood in the middle of the lobby with a statue of some man, barely dressed. They passed a noisy bar, and Reed turned to the elevators instead. Inside, one wall scrolled through pictures of the hotel and the different amenities it offered. An older couple boarded the elevator with them, but soon got off on the third floor which appeared to be lined with 3D games and virtuals. The doors finally shut, and they continued upward.

“Do you have a key to where you’re staying?” he asked.

“Yeah, right here.” Ari pulled out the electronic guest key card that Tessa had given her earlier.

Reed pulled out his interface from his back pocket and went to work.

“What are you doing?” Ari asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

“Getting us a master key. Thought we could check this place out.”

Ari gave a short laugh until she realized he was serious. “Really? You can do that?”

“One of the perks of going to school for security is I know how to build it and break it.”

“Yeah, but are you supposed to? Won’t they notice you in the system?”

“Nah. I’m not doing anything that would set off an alarm. They might notice a room key, but hopefully not this.” He swiped the card with an attachment on his HUB.

“How did you get a card reader?” Ari asked, a bit astonished.

Reed looked up and smiled, his lips remaining sealed.

They continued until they reached the top, fifty floors up. They exited the elevator and passed many rooms until they arrived at a door marked ‘Roof Access’. Reed used the card to open the door, and they emerged into the dark night once again.

This wasn’t like the virtual she was in with Garrett where the roof was decorated like another floor. This roof was empty except for large mechanical units. It didn’t have drinks and a pool but, looking up, Ari found a whole other world. Fifty floors provided a better view. Stars littered the sky with a beauty only nature could give.

“Wow.” Ari turned taking in the night sky.

“Come on.” Reed pulled her to the edge of the roof facing the busy street. He sat on the edge, his legs carelessly swinging down.

She paused for a moment, peering over the side. They were up really high. She had enough phobias and was glad a fear of heights wasn’t one of them. She climbed onto the wide edge, next to Reed. From up there, the buildings flashed in a variety of colors, like glow sticks on end. People the size of ants swarmed below them.

“A miniature world with neon lights,” Ari said.

“There’s supposed to be fireworks soon.”

She scanned the horizon, amazed by the never-ending trail of lights. “Cool.” She hadn’t seen fireworks since her days at the summer carnival with her family, back when she had a father. She shoved those thoughts aside, not letting herself miss him.

Reed suddenly shook her shoulders. A scream erupted from her mouth as she clung to the edge, and Reed laughed as if it was the funniest thing he’d ever seen.

Once she’d