Rowan was sweating while on an exercise bike in the human section's main gym. The space was enormous and he had it all to himself. To pass the time he watched some ancient films from the twentieth century on the monitor in front of his bike. His phone rang and when he saw who it was he put it on the bike's console. A small hologram of Paige's avatar showed brightly in the dim gym.
"Hey Paige, how's it going?" Rowan asked. Paige had now been calling him directly instead of talking with him over the network. When Carmen was around, he would take the conversation to another room. Carmen said it was fine, but he could feel her eyes on him while he walked away to take the call.
The girl bent over and scrutinized what he was doing. "I noticed some energy deviations in the human section so I thought there was an intruder. It turns out you're exercising. I don't remember you ever doing that before."
"Yeah well, I was given some feedback at work and I figured it would be good for me to get some workouts while I eat more produce from the gardens," he said. "I know you can't see what I look like because of the avatar I'm using, but I need to do this."
"What type of work do you do that needs you to look good? Do you work as a bartender? Or maybe a salesman?"
"No nothing like that. You know I don't like to talk about my job."
"They shouldn't judge you by your appearance Rowan. They should know you're a hard worker and a good person." She smiled as she spoke, but it felt like he was getting told off.
"That's very kind of you Paige, but in this particular case I'm customer facing. How I look will affect how much the company makes."
"Why the importance of appearance now? This never was a problem you brought up before."
"Well it goes back to that equipment breakdown. Now that it's out of commission, I have to interact with the clientele a bit more. It's only a temporary assignment, but I really should watch my health. I want to live to a ripe old age and live on a sandy beach, Paige. I can't do that if I'm falling apart by fifty. Anyway, enough about me, how has your day gone?"
"Oh, well things are a bit two steps forward one step back. I found that I wasn't able to add any transfer shuttles from the command section to the human section. That was a bummer, but I was able to concoct a fallback plan. It's a little risky but I'm going stir crazy up here and I really wanted to see you face to face." Paige's avatar twisted her foot inward while she fiddled with her thumbs.
"Paige, what are you planning?" he asked. "I don't want you to get hurt, especially because of me. I'm not worth it."
"Yes you are!" she said. She covered her mouth for a second before continuing. "I mean all I see are the other guys up here, and they're no fun at all. We've spent so much time online. I don't think it's enough for me anymore."
Rowan opened his mouth for a few seconds and then said, "I really think I'd be a disappointment to you Paige. Coming to see me on a regular shuttle flight is cool, but I don't know what scheme you're devising to get here. I want you to be safe. If you got hurt, I'd never forgive myself."
Her face grew dark as she frowned, "You're dating someone aren't you."
"What?! No!" Rowan scratched his head trying to understand why he lied so quickly. "What makes you say that?"
"While the CCTV cameras aren't working through most of the station, there are a couple that still work. I see you entering the human section with a cat girl, Rowan. I also see that the thermal readings of your apartment building have more than doubled, and you're consuming four times as much water in your apartment. You must be doing a lot of exercise at home as well." She kicked out her leg and folded her arms and frowned. Rowan surmised she was waiting for an answer.
"Hah, well," Rowan said nervously. "That's all part of the new situation at my job. I'm getting a little training for my work. Look, you're making me feel uncomfortable, Paige. I don't see how I'm doing anything wrong. I don't want to seem like a jerk, but I can have more than one friend. I'm sure you have lots of friends up in the command section right?"
"Don't change the subject. What is she to you?"
"It's none of…" Rowan said, stopping himself. He raised his hand. "Paige, she's someone from work who's helping me get through this rough patch at work."
"Fine, I can handle a rival. Just be sure to get some clothing out of storage for me when I come."
"Paige!"
"Goodbye Rowan. I'm coming to get you." Her avatar faded.
"Fuck!" The young man's yell filled the gymnasium.
…
The water conserving showerhead felt like thousands of needles were bouncing off Rowan's skin. The workout had felt better than he had expected and having full access to the entire set of weight machines was a much better experience than when he tried to get in shape back on Earth.
He turned off the shower and then scrubbed his body over with a rag and liquid soap. Rinsing the lather out of his eyes he opened them to see a nude Carmen standing in the shower with him.
Rowan almost slipped and said, "What the heck Carmen! You scared the crap out of me."
"That was so much fun!" the cyborg said. "That sound you make when you're startled is so cute."
"You already had your shower, why are you back in here? I mean, it's great that you're here but…"
"But nothing Rowan. I wanted to see my man and he was in the shower. Do I need a better reason than that?" She inch forward and looked down. "I love how you get so excited by just seeing me naked." She reached out and took his tube steak into her hand and stroked it. "Talk to me Rowan, what did you think about today?"
"I didn't realize how intense the scenes were. On most days, I'm only alerted when there's a problem." He let out a grunt as Carmen continued to stroke him. "It hurt to see you being fucked."
Carmen cupped his cheek and kissed him. Pulling away she said, "That's going to be the hardest part Rowan, experiencing betrayal every day. That's the reason why I have to stay here Rowan. You need to know that what goes on in that room is a performance, but what we have after is something more."
She's only a robot… she's not real… she could never love you.
Rowan said, "But you like it. You like them when they stuff all your holes and have me watch you."
Carmen got some soap and lathered up her inner thighs. She took his pecker and placed it under her crotch. She grabbed him by the ass and pushed forward. The slippery thighs rubbed his dick that made him moan. The top side of his shaft sawed back and forth between her wet pussy lips.
"Rowan, do you love pizza?"
"What?" It took him a little while to answer but he said, "Of course I do. Solar slice pizza is the main reason for my big gut."
"Do you love pizza like you would love a girlfriend? Would you marry a pizza?"
"No, one is a meaningful relationship, the other just tastes good."
"That's how I view my work. While I enjoy my work, I'm not in love with any client, no matter how many times they visit. They just give money for a good time, how could I fall in love with anyone who comes to me like that? You on the other hand have shown me and the girls great care. That's why I wanted to come and live with you, I wanted to show you the same care you showed me."
"Th…thank you Carmen." He started to massage her ass, his fingers pulling her cheeks apart before kneading her soft flesh. He started to thrust between her legs.
"Your brain may tell you we're not real girls Rowan. But I can tell from your heartbeat and your speech patterns that your heart is telling you something else. No matter what your lips say, I know you're starting to care for me. That's why it hurts to see me like that at work. But I'm going to be by your side every night to show you that you're the most important thing in my world. I may enjoy the work, but I desire to be with you. The Carmen at work isn't the real one, Rowan. The real Carmen is looking into your eyes right now. If you're strong for me, I can show you what you mean to me every night."
"Carmen!" The man pumped furiously as his dick spewed cum against the shower stall behind Carmen when his glans poked its head through her slick thighs. His nuts felt like heaven as they mashed into her soapy crotch.
The pair french kissed and their hands explored each other's bodies. Carmen pulled away from him and then rinsed the soap off his body with the shower handle. She then got on her knees and started to lick his cock affectionately.
"Carmen, I have to talk to you about Paige. My friend in the control section of the station."
"Yes, what about her?" she said while cradling his balls.
"I don't know how, but I think she's going to come to the general section some time soon. It's not like we have a long distance relationship, but right now she's acting jealous about you. If she comes, things may get complicated."
Carmen opened her mouth wide and took Rowan's pecker to the hilt three times before pulling away and looking up. "You don't have anything to worry about from me Rowan. I know you have a big heart. I'm sure things are going to get crazy at work, I've already shared my memories with the other girls, so they may want a piece of you to. It's only fair Rowan. If you're fair, you don't have anything to worry about from us."
"Thank you Carmen, for everything." Rowan finally relaxed for the first time that day as Carmen's head bobbed up and down on him in the shower.