When you enter the program and open your eyes, you’re not on the beach but in his room again. No surf breaking softly on the shore, no sand crushed into your skin, no warm sun beating down on you—the room around you is dark, and rain still beats against the window in a steady rhythm. You lie on your side naked, the covers cool against your skin as if you just crawled beneath them, and you can feel his knee pressed into your back. Maybe he doesn’t realize you’re here yet. Here, instead of the beach.
You hadn’t planned on this.
He’s awake.
You sense it in the darkness without even turning around—he’s watching you. You can feel his gaze on the back of your neck. Maybe you should just abort now and tell Vito this unit’s got a virus in it—it’s messing with your chit. You wanted to be on the
