Being Green (Cyborg Sizzle Book 5) by Cynthia Sax Read Free Book Online

radiated from his big body. He wore his flight suit. She’d donned one of her ancient Earth dresses, the skirt fluttering against his legs.
    A butterfly floated by. They turned their heads in unison, tracking its flight. Shelby’s form folded into Green’s.
    “Expanding the garden is a good idea,” she conceded, taking a chance on the future. She’d only planted enough crops for one being. Shelby placed her hand on her cyborg’s chest. And there were two of them now.
    Perhaps they would have more beings to feed in the future. Green wanted offspring. She did also.
    She envisioned little cyborgs with his black hair, gray skin, brilliant blue eyes. They’d follow their daddy around the fields, imitating his warrior swagger, his proud stance, his serious expression.
    Her lips curled upward
    The cyborg ship whizzed over their heads, heading for the Earth Minor landing site, and a sense of foreboding swept over Shelby.
    Don’t overreact, she told herself. This could be a planned visit.
    “Were you expecting Zip and Barrel this planet rotation?” She gazed up at Green, willing him to say yes, to tell her that his friends wanted to share the mid-planet-rotation meal or they had new insights on Windy’s origins.
    This could be good news. Perhaps the males had found another one of Windy’s species. The plant would then be able to reproduce. They could fill a field with poppies.
    “No, I wasn’t expecting our friends.” Green squashed her hopes.
    Shit. Shit. Shit. Her trepidation increased. She dared to talk about the future and now those dreams would fall apart.
    “We’ll see what they desire,” her cyborg grasped her hand and walked toward the site, shortening his stride to match hers.
    Bees buzzed. Leaves rustled. Shelby couldn’t relax, fretting about the confrontation. This was the something bad she’d been waiting for. She squeezed Green’s fingers. She was certain about it.
    Barrel and Zip waited by their ship. In the past, Green’s friends greeted them with smiles. Laughter glinted constantly in the good-natured males’ artificial eyes. This planet rotation, their lips were flat and their faces reflected that careful blankness cyborgs had perfected.
    Shelby’s stomach twisted.
    “Green, Green’s Shelby,” Barrel, the leader of the group, spoke first. “Vector contacted us.”
    “He’s the captain of the Freedom,” Zip explained.
    “Green has told me about him.” She nodded.
    Vector, concerned about contagion, wouldn’t allow Windy on the Freedom or on the cyborg’s home planet. Green and his beloved plant had been forced to live on their small ship, orbiting in space. His friends had supported him, staying on the ship also.
    “He requires our help.” Barrel met Green’s gaze. “The K models, the cyborgs manufactured to replace us, have escaped the Humanoid Alliance.”
    “They’re young cyborgs.” Zip crossed his arms over his chest. “They confirmed that they removed their tracking devices but Vector worries that they might not have covered their trail. We’re closest to their current location. He wants us to meet with them, to ensure they’re not leading the humans straight to the Homeland.”
    His friends needed him. Shelby nibbled on her bottom lip. He’d leave Earth Minor, leave her, realize he had missed the companionship of other cyborgs and never return. She’d be alone. Again. But this time, she’d be heartbroken.
    “What are the odds that they’ll do that?” Green tilted his head to the side.
    “I calculated that risk as being low.” Zip eased one of her fears. Green wouldn’t be in danger. “They might be young, but even young cyborgs know when they’re being followed. The guidance system on the ship they’ve commandeered would have informed them of any nearby ships.”
    “Vector is being cautious.” Barrel’s lips twisted.
    “As he is with Windy.” Green dipped his head. “Which sector are they in?”
    They talked. Shelby pressed her lips together,