The Virtual Man [The Virtual Reality 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Nikki Sinclaire Read Free Book Online Page A

betrayal. It is as if someone took a knife, sliced you open and gutted you of everything you believe in and hold dear. I will never trust another man for as long as I live.”
    “What about me? Do you trust me?”
    “You’re not a man. You are a virtual man, a program, with built-in artificial intelligence.”
    Was that hurt she saw on the handsome face before her? What incredible attention to detail!
    “Besides,” she continued, “who would you tell? Don’t they erase the passengers’ memory space from the main holographic computer after each flight?”
    “True, but I, ah, my programming is so much more than just artificial intelligence. I am designed to feel, sense, entertain and laugh. In a very real sense, I possess the sentient qualities that humans value. Unlike most holographic creations that are, in fact, just artificial intelligence, before I carry forth an action, I am able to not just analyze it, but to imagine it and feel it. Prior to waking you up this morning, I took into account my observations of you. You looked sad last night. A simple wake-up call would have sufficed, but you looked like someone who needed to begin her day by having her favorite breakfast in Paris, during, shall we say, a slower and more graceful time period of history. I can first imagine the emotions that my actions are likely to cause before I carry them out.”
    “One would think that humans, having had these sentient abilities for thousands of years, would pay them more heed,” Tiana conjectured.
    “Well, while I agree that history should mold the present and redeem the future, don’t forget that humans are not perfect. To err is human, right?”
    “To err might be human, but it takes a real jerk to not only throw away seven years of marriage, but to use the very sentient qualities you are talking about to return love with spite.”
    Tears welled up in her eyes.
    Reaching across the table, Derek wiped away a tear before it could scurry down her cheek and cupped her face in his hands.
    “Do you want to talk about it? I’m a good listener.”
    Okay, that proves it. A woman definitely programmed him.
    “No. Well, yes. I don’t know,” she replied, frustrated with herself and her mixed-up feelings.
    “If he hurt you, if he let you go, he’s definitely the galaxy’s biggest loser, that much is clear,” Derek said. “I’d love to hear your story and share your memories, that is, if you’re comfortable.”
    It couldn’t hurt could it? It was standard procedure to erase the user portion of computer memory storage after each trip, so it would be safer than telling a therapist, much cheaper and a heck of a lot easier the morning after than Rita’s primitive alcohol-laden solution. Maybe it would make her feel better to verbalize her pain.
    “Okay. I just went through a divorce after being put through seven years of mostly hell.”
    Derek reached out and straightened a red curl off her forehead. Tiana felt the pads of his fingertips lightly brush her skin. As his fingers continued moving the renegade curl back into place, time seemed to stand still. By the time she felt Derek’s fingers reach her scalp and lay the curl in place, she had classified the action as a caress, a singeing erotic caress. It felt like sexual energy shot out of his fingers and traveled through her sensitive skin all the way down to the all-of-a-sudden rather moist and hot center of her body.
    How does he keep doing that?
    “Tiana, you can’t summarize seven years of any relationship in a single sentence,” Derek said, holding one of her soft hands. “Please let me help you carry your burden. Talk to me.”
    Tiana stared into the man’s, err, hologram’s blue eyes and saw compassion and a very real desire to help. Saying she was very confused would have been an understatement.
    With his thumb, Derek gently stroked the back of her hand ,bringing down her walls of Jericho. Kindness shattered her last attempt at resistance.
    “Very well,