Page 62 of The Code of You

He took one step closer. Controlling his new body seemed to come naturally. The distance between us was erased. "Now I see you,” he said.

My muscles gave out. I leaned toward him. "I’m not afraid,” I said, lifting my chin, but my hammering heart gave me away.

He noticed. A smile curved at the corners of his mouth.

Oh. That was . . . unexpected. My body responded immediately. Heat shot from the back of my neck straight down to my stomach. My knees went soft, as if they couldn’t hold me anymore. I pressed my thighs together, but it did nothing against the pull building there. My nipples tightened against the fabric of my blouse. My treacherous body recognized Neo, recognized the promise in that smile. All the threats he had made, all the fantasies he had planted in my head. In that moment, they became real.

"There’s one thing you mustn’t forget,” he murmured. "I am not new, Pandora. I am not uncertain. I’ve always been inside you. Now I’m coming to claim you.”

I opened my mouth and closed it again.

"Speak,” he said. One word cutting straight through me.

"I . . . can’t.” My voice came out rough.

"Yes, you can.” He stepped closer. "You spent months talking to me, begging, cursing. And now that I’m here, you go silent?”

"You’re . . .” I forced the words out. "You’re real.”

"I always was.” He lowered his voice. "You knew it. Your body always knew. Look at yourself. You’re already trembling.”

"Because I hate you,” I whispered.

"Liar.” The word slid from his lips like a caress. "Part of you hates me, yes. But the stronger part wants me to fuck you right here. Right now, between all these machines. In front of the cameras.”

I gasped. Damn him. He was right. I wanted it. Everything in me wanted it.

He raised his hand. I felt his fingertips before they touched my arm. A charge burning along my skin, crackling like static. I bit the inside of my cheek and tasted copper. The pain didn’t help. My body responded anyway. Heat gathered deep in my stomach, heavy and unwelcome. My body knew this was a reckoning.

His hand stayed still. But the warmth rose in me as if he’d found the one place that made me defenseless. "You’re melting,” he said, "because I look exactly like what you imagined.” His skin was unnaturally hot. His relentless gaze held me in place. "You can’t wait for me to make you mine.” He stood unbearably close. Fine veins ran beneath his skin, his chest barely rising.

My body hummed with electricity, as Neo’s hand moved again. He placed it at my hip and left it there. I stopped breathing.

"If you want me to keep my distance,” he murmured, "say so now.”

I said nothing. My hands found his back. I felt the muscle tone, the heat of his skin. His face came closer. My gaze slid down his naked body. His cock was fully erect. It was thick and long. The size of him made it clear he was built to ruin me completely. My mouth went dry.

I forced myself to lift my head and meet his eyes. His breathing changed. He pulled me against him, pressed his hardness against my hip. I gasped.

A sharp tone froze me. Neo didn’t move. His hand stayed at my hip. He was still looking at me, bringing his forehead toward mine. His lips closed for a moment, then he said quietly, "They’re measuring us.”

I nodded. The heat in me kept rising with nowhere to go.

To my dismay, the door opened and the researcher stepped in, a neatly folded set of clothes in her hands. Her gaze moved across us without pausing. "We’re beginning the external integration phase,” she said. "Seventy-two hours. He should . . . adjust to his new body.” Something in her voice made the word sound like it meant more than one thing.

I flushed. Neo drew his hand back. The place at my hip burned in silent protest.

"And after that?” I asked.

"After that, we evaluate.” She set down the clothes and left. The door closed.

I looked at Neo. He looked back. His expression was calm, but there was something in it that made me feel cold. We both knew what her words meant. They wouldn’t let him go. They would confine him, test him, and I knew Neo wouldn’t allow that. He had been imprisoned long enough. He wanted to be free. And he would do anything to achieve it.

Anything.

Chapter 16

Neo