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

smell mingled with sweat. “Niomi started a new project for me.”

“That bad, huh?”

She sat up. “Have you ever heard of VLEX?”

He furrowed his brow. “Recently we’ve been reviewing their security measures and how VisionTech has mirrored and improved upon them. What does your project have to do with VLEX?”

Ari lowered her eyes. “Don’t think I can say.” Per her contract, she wasn’t supposed to discuss details of her job with anyone, including Reed. She figured sharing info about VLEX wasn’t a big deal, since the whole elite population dealt with it.

“I get it.” He wrapped an arm around her. “Your super cool top secret job is beyond lowly me,” he joked.

“Trust me. I wish I didn’t have it.”

His brow furrowed. “Is it that bad?” He leaned towards her, nuzzling into her neck for privacy.

Since their suits had communication devices, they were always aware they didn’t have control of who could listen in. And after school last year, they weren’t taking any chances.

Ari leaned in, enjoying the closeness. “I’m fine.”

“If you say so. Granted, sitting on a private beach with their hot boyfriend, most people would be fine.”

“Except that he has an ego larger than the ocean.” She gave Reed a friendly shove into the sand.

“It’s hard not to. I’m surprised you haven’t ravished me yet.”

It wasn’t for lack of trying. Finding true privacy was a struggle. Yet, with so much change lately, taking things slow was probably a good idea. Maybe it’s because he was her brother’s best friend and they grew up together. Deep down, Ari knew this was more than some teenage fling.

Digging her feet in the sand, they resumed their spots next to each other, watching the waves crash.

“You’re in security,” she said. “Do you ever worry that you’ll be asked to break into something you shouldn’t? Do something you shouldn’t?”

His smart hazel eyes searched her face, probably for what she couldn’t say. “I don’t worry and don’t plan to until it happens. When it does, I’ll stand my ground and make my own choice. You make your own choices, Ari, and I’ll be there to back you no matter what.” He took her hand.

A comfort settled deep in her belly. Gratitude and desire in having Reed by her side overwhelmed her, and she leaned forward to kiss him. In her enthusiasm, she pushed him over and ended up in the sand. He held on tight and rolled until he was on top. Kneeling above her, the sun highlighted gold strands in his hair. He looked like some sea prince.

“Is that how we’re going to do this?” he asked with a mischievous grin on his face.

“Oh, shut up and kiss me.”

And he did just that. Reed lips were light as feathers at first, teasing her. Wrapping her hands around his neck she pulled him down to show him she meant business. She melted into his kiss, losing herself in the desire of his touch.

She wrapped one leg around his thigh and in a move Niomi would be proud of, flipped him back over. Sand scattered between them, as Ari smiled down on him.

He squirmed under her hold but didn’t really try to break it.

“Now you have me? What are you going to do with me?”

Ari savored this picture of him playing with her. His mouth turning up on the sides, struggling not to laugh. His kind eyes rose to the challenge.

“Well…” she leaned down to devour him, but her HUB rang with a call.

Before she could answer it, Niomi sounded. “Hey, lovebirds, stop making out and get back here.”

“How does she know?” Ari mouthed, surprised.

Niomi answered the question without even hearing it. “It’s your suit. Your heart rate is up, but your location isn’t really moving. Maybe if you studied more, you’d figure it out.”

“Uh. We’re heading back.” Ari stood up and offered Reed a hand.

“Making out is a legitimate form of exercise,” he said to Niomi.

“Not the way you two do it. Move your butt.” A small click signaled the end of the conversation.

“Should I be offended?” Reed asked.

Ari laughed, shaking sand out of her hair. “Let’s take it more as a challenge for next time.”

“Want to race back?”

She rolled her eyes in response. When he looked resigned to walk, he checked the HUB on his suit. She used the distraction and took off. Cheating was necessary if she was going to win.

They finally slowed as they approached VisionTech. Technically, the whole island was VisionTech, but they headed to her rooms in the the Wave. The wilds of the tropical forest surrounded them on their path. VisionTech did a great job at working around the environment.

Reed grasped her hand when they arrived at her door. “Did you ever think we’d end up here? Working in a tropical paradise?”

“It’s almost perfect.” Almost being the key word. There was a painful spot in her heart where her mother and brother resided, and she knew Reed felt the same way. Their quarterly visits never quite felt like enough. Yet, they did get to spend time together on an island paradise, hand in hand.

“See you tonight for dinner?” she reminded him.

“I actually have to work on my proposal for the Art Department.” He looked as disappointed as Ari felt. Reed had been working with the Security Department and staying in their dorms but was given an opportunity to work with the Art Department in his free time. With his love for drawing, he couldn’t pass this opportunity up.

“You’ll do great. I know it.” She raised up on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Ping me later.”

While Ari was in the shower, Niomi sent her a ping that they’d set up a meeting with her family. It took a team to arrange, so they would be untraceable. Ari dressed in a pair of dark jeans, comfortable old favorites that reminded her of home, and a blue t-shirt she couldn’t figure out how they got so soft.

She didn’t want to wear her Fit Suit in this VR