It was also just thick enough to mostly conceal nipple bumps save close examination, and it wouldn’t show camel toe at all.

  I left her boots as is but would make her new ones with my materials technology.

  She squealed like a tween at a boy band concert.

  “That’s perfect, that’s the one.”

  I nodded. I liked the look better than the split look too. It covered more skin, but at the same time it was about ten times sexier without being at all on the trashy side.

  “It’ll be ready by tomorrow afternoon. I’ll also have Thea text you the funds transfer information.”

  She beamed, “Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I was a bit bemused by how turned on she was in that moment, but I was sure that was about anticipation of Mythic seeing her in that suit, and nothing to do with me. Women were a bit crazy, Ashley would be stunning in a potato sack, after all. Of course, there were degrees, so it wasn’t wasted effort either. Hell, Bob might even send me a thank you card.

  Thea walked her out.

  Chapter Eight

  It was the next evening, a few minutes before seven. Ashley had picked up her suit. The last twenty-four hours had also seen the siphon process of the creation energy go fine and at the rate desired to finish the job in two months. A little over one percent a day.

  One point zero nine percent to be exact. It would remove seventy five percent of the energy over sixty-one days.

  I’d also done some planning and calculations on my Mars idea, terraforming wasn’t a simple thing, not even for me. Even if my idea worked, I’d probably be dead of old age before the atmosphere was suitable for human life.

  Thea and I had also run experiments today, but nothing all that practical. Just her research idea into the universe, which gave us a lot of insights into our perceptible reality. Lastly, I’d designed and outfitted her in tech, just in case. She had conjuration but not my advanced kind, so could only conjure simple things like dresses and blunt weapons. Just in case, with her new human body, I’d made sure she’d be shielded and be able to hit back if she was ever in a confrontation she couldn’t avoid.

  It was a hard line to toe, I couldn’t make her so powerful it was obvious we had meta-energy gear potential, but at the very least she’d be able to teleport around without using our static teleport system which only worked between our ship, house, and labs. It’d offer her a quick escape, not to mention a way to easily visit one of the other A.I.s should she wish to.

  We’d also fucked like rabbits after breakfast and lunch, and I got a pre-date relaxing blowjob too, not thirty minutes ago right before my shower. So, despite my nervousness I was fairly relaxed for the date with Faith tonight. I hadn’t really been nervous on a date since my teens, but it’d been a while and I knew with my powers I was a social nightmare.

  Hopefully the fact I’d scored the date meant I wouldn’t be making missteps, if she wasn’t open to her attraction of me then she wouldn’t be here. Something told me it’d be more complicated than that, though.

  The sun was in the west low on the horizon, and it was a warm night as I waited in front of the restaurant in a pair of dark gray pants, blue collared shirt, and a pair of shoes with soles suitable for dancing.

  “Looking for someone?” asked a playfully vivacious voice behind me.

  I chuckled as I turned.

  She was dressed in a cute white sundress. It had thin straps over her shoulders, and it had a sweetheart neckline that completely covered her breasts but revealed all the rest of her skin above them. It was conforming to her supple and proud heart shaped C cups, as well as her lovely soft curved waist and stomach. Obviously, it had its own breast support, there was no way she also had a bra on. Below that however it was all vertical loose ruffled folds and went down to lower thigh.

  Her light tanned creamy skin was perfect, only as a late teen’s skin could be. She also had on a pair of light gray shoes with two-inch heels. Her long and straight light blond hair with a hint of gold fell down her body like liquid sunlight, and the side facing the setting sun shimmered in a lovely way. The only makeup she had on was a light pink lip gloss, but she really didn’t need it with her model looks and flawless complexion.

  Her smile was warming and there was a twinkle in her ocean blue eyes that slightly heated as she took me in. She looked both stunning and innocently sweet, despite the severe beauty of her face, which was partially softened by the aforementioned light blonde hair framing her face. There was also a surge of anticipation and hope on both our sides, and not a small amount of sexual tension in the air.

  At the same time, her lip gloss color, her dress, and her appearance sent me the message this wasn’t about hooking up for her, or just having a good time. The color, conservative cut, the hope in her eyes, all told me she wouldn’t be jumping in my bed that night no matter how good the date was. It wasn’t a hookup, or about empty sex for her. She wanted something deeper and hoped for that.

  Which was good, because that’s what I wanted. My date for fun and pleasure days were behind me.

  Clearly, that night was the first hurdle for both of us to get through, to see if we even had that potential.

  Yeah, I totally thought too much, but if it was hookup or casual fun for her, then she’d have worn a little black dress or a hot red slinky dress, with bright lipstick. Not an innocent white dress that was loosely conforming and left a lot to the imagination. Not that she didn’t look delectable and fantastic in it, the woman was stunning.

  The fact she was only nineteen made me question those conclusions, what nineteen-year-old stunning woman was hunting for a husband or lifelong mate? But if she wasn’t hunting for a potential lifelong mate then at the very least, she wanted a deep and serious relationship that might lead there someday.

  Only a second or so passed while all that went through my head, and I wondered how much of that I’d misread. For all I knew that was a subconscious desire and she had no idea she was sending that signal.

  “You’re lovely, simply breathtaking, Faith.”

  She smiled, “Thanks.”

  I took a chance and touched her back, lightly guiding her as we moved toward the front door, she really didn’t seem to mind the innocent physical contact. In fact, she reciprocated and brushed my arm lightly when I put a small distance between us to open the door for her. It was clear to me at that point, that she really was attracted to me and excited about the date.

  All the signals I’d seen that I’d worried had been subconscious, obviously weren’t. Like her trying on the super suit and then coming down to show me. Her compliment and pauses while looking at me admiringly with a question in her eyes, and the way she’d looked into my eyes with sparkling ones. To be fair, she was a vivacious young woman that exuded warmth, I imagined most people had better days just having her nearby. It was possible to mistake that kind of thing for flirting, after all.

  Our little bubble was popped on the way to our table, as more than a few people waved and pointed, obviously picking out the fourth member of team titan. She was gracious about it, and I didn’t mind in the least. That intimacy was reestablished however as we sat at the table.

  She blushed.

  I smiled, “Simply your due,” and winked outrageously.

  She laughed, but also reddened further.

  “Sorry?”

  She shook her head, “It’s fine. It really doesn’t bother you?”

  I replied easily, “You’re sitting at my table, I have your attention, and I get to dance with you tonight.”

  She giggled, “Most men… never mind.”

  “Don’t like it when you acknowledge, and then feed it back with a smile and a cute wave? They probably think you’re flirting with other men when they’re out with you.”

  She bit her lip and nodded.

  I snorted, “That’s who you are, and why I asked you to dinner. Not the flirting part, the warmth part. I could hardly get upset about what attracts me to you in the first place.”

  She smiled widely, “So not my power or fame, or the outrageous ways I’ve been sending signals?”

  I chuckled lightly, “Nope, it’s all about your bright generous personality and beauty. That last only emboldened me to do so.” I left off the fact I was too thick to read those blatant signals and had to have them pointed out to me by my A.I.

  She blushed, but she also seemed very pleased about that. The warm tension between us increased a little, and I held her gaze for a few seconds before turning my head up at the waiter. It was absolutely delicious, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt the thrill of a first date. Clearly, she knew my social radar was a bit off, but she seemed happy to be with me anyway.

  I was sure she was a complicated woman that had her bad days and there were depths to plumb. No one was that happy all the time, even if she was a naturally happy person and that came from within. She couldn’t always be bright and exuding warmth in her vivacious way. But it was very much her natural public face and genuine.

  I was also curious to know what she saw in me, that made her send out those outrageous signals, but asking that kind of question would look like a lack of confidence. I may be a social idiot now, but I hadn’t forgotten women liked confidence in a man.

  The waiter took our order, and we both got iced tea to drink.

  She made a face after the waiter left, “You can drink if you want? I’m too young here, but I wouldn’t mind.”

  Right, she was legal to drink in Canada at nineteen, in all the provinces, not just hers.

  I shook my head, “Thanks, but I haven’t touched a drop since my quickening.”

  She looked curious about that, but it was a first date, so she changed the subject. A first date was way too soon for serious subjects, and nothing was more serious in a super’s life than their quickening story.

  “So what do you do besides make amazing super-suits.”

  “For sale you mean. Work related?”

  I’d assumed work related, because we’d already talked about our hobbies after the early morning fight yesterday, and at her nod I continued, “I’ve sold gravity, propulsion and scanning technologies to a few companies as well as NASA. I also volunteer at the local community center, and I’m involved in an inmate rehabilitation program of my own design at the Super Max prisons. Other than that, it’s a lot of personal research and interests, dabbling in a wide variety of scientific disciplines, some of which will eventually benefit humanity. Although, there have been a few one-off sales of technologies for a handful of supers that needed an edge out in the field and on patrol. Comms equipment, holographic systems like I put on your suit. What about you? Anything besides keeping Ottawa safe, and teaming up with Team Titan North America?”

  She nodded, but then paused for a second as our drinks were delivered, along with the appetizer. Supers ate a lot, so we almost always got appetizers and desserts when eating out, in addition to large main meals.

  “I donate to the local community center and several other charities. You already know I often clean out the hospital’s cancer and trauma wards, critical care.”

  I nodded in agreement, that kind of thing made the news often.

  She continued, “Lastly I’ll help other cities if they need it, root out supervillain takeovers and that sort of thing. I don’t have time for much else.”

  The normal get to know you questions on a first date continued. I clarified the rehabilitation program I ran and how I decided who fit it, and we also talked about our hobbies in more detail. Types of music and dance, that sort of thing. I was having a really good time, and she seemed to be as well.

  I wasn’t a fighting hero as a rule, but she seemed impressed by the way I supported heroes and did the support stuff in the background, as well as helped with the aftermath after the superheroes had saved the day and put the supervillains in jail.

  We were interrupted by fans four times, and she always had a smile for them while giving them an autograph, or a quick selfie. Each time she looked at me worriedly and tensely, as if I might have finally had enough of it or something. In truth, I found it endearing and didn’t mind at all. It also gave me a moment to study her and enjoy the view while she was distracted. As always, I overthought everything as is my super nature, but outside of those brief doubts she seemed to be having a wonderful time.

  In fact, each time I didn’t react negatively, it turned her on just a little bit more. Each time our renewed heat came back just a little stronger when her admirers left and we reconnected through eye contact. The subconscious attraction to women was even a good thing in my book, if she wasn’t Bi then she’d never go for the polyamory idea.

  Don’t get me wrong, I had the capacity for jealously. I didn’t share, and if she had been flirting with other men I’d have been pissed. I didn’t abide cheating or unfaithfulness when dating. Even in college I’d been a serial monogamist when it came to dating, even if some of those relationships only lasted a single night.

  Of course, polyamory wasn’t cheating, if it was all in the open and there was no deception. So I thought I could handle it, but not open polyamory where we got to screw around. I wasn’t interested in a swinging relationship.

  Point being, the truth was my strange social nature came in handy for those moments, because there was no real interest or flirting in what she was doing. I could see that, where most men wouldn’t. She was just warm and vivacious of personality, and friendly to others and gracious to fans. The only man in the place getting warm looks tinged with desire was me.

  I say desire, because obviously people are attracted to other people all the time, even while in a committed relationship much less the nascent beginning of one. She was attracted to a few of those men and even women fans, but there was no true heat or conscious desire behind it.

  Between the appetizers, main course, and dessert, and after dessert, we also hit the dance floor. She was warm and supplely soft in my arms, and she moved with a sensual predatory grace that was mesmerizing. Her smile and sparkling warm ocean blue eyes had me completely focused on her in those moments, and the deepening desire and heat I saw in them had me excited and thrilled. Our first date was definitely going well.

  Yet, I was nervous as we were leaving the restaurant. I’d debated with myself when to tell her what she was getting into by dating me. What was too soon, what was too late. I decided after a successful first date was the right time. We were excited, into each other, and I knew for sure she’d say yes when I went for that second date.

  Maybe I was an idiot, but I thought it would be foolish to go any further with it. If she wasn’t at all interested in a triad type relationship, then it was best to find out now than after falling for her or making her fall for me. Plus, after that night, not telling her would feel too much like cheating when I went home and worked off all the lust she’d engendered in Thea’s lush and welcoming body.

  Point being, if she found out I was in love with and sleeping with Thea after a second or third date, she’d feel betrayed and cheated on. I knew I would.

  “Walk in the park? I’m not ready to call it a night, plus there’s something we should talk about before you accept my overtures for a second date.

  She flushed at my assumption of her acquiescence as things stood then, but her eyes sparkled at the same time, as if she wasn’t quite sure she should be offended by my very confident statement or turned on beyond belief. Which was interesting.

  “Alright, I’d like that.”

  I conjured a teleport sphere, and I took us both to a trail on a local park. It was a beautiful night, right around seventy still and the cloudless sky was full of stars.

  She said, “I had a great time tonight. I have to admit I was surprised you called. I didn’t think you were interested.”

  Well, she just hijacked the conversation, so mine would have to wait. Not that I overly minded putting it off for a minute to longer enjoy her soft and warm hand in my own, our fingers entwined. I approached her question obliquely. I didn’t want to come off as lacking confidence.

  “Most mad scientists come off a little odd socially at times. We see things in people, deeper things below the consciously projected layers and masks people show the world and others. Sometimes those things conflict and we don’t know which to react to, and sometimes the things we see are just subconscious and the person isn’t even aware of it consciously themselves.

  “To be clear, I was attracted to you from the moment I set eyes on you. Of course, your personality and warmth, the joy you exude in life, just made it more so and something not passing or shallow. I wanted to know more, and I’m glad I did. I had a great time tonight too, if that was in doubt.”

  She looked curious, and like she was following me.

  “I think I see where you’re coming from, but I doubt I could fully understand.”

  I smiled, “Otherwise I’m pretty normal. The attraction I feel, the need to know you, the wonderful time I had in your company. That kind of thing hasn’t changed at all from my old life’s perceptions and feelings.”

  She blushed, “Good to know. So, what do I need to know before I say yes to a second date?” She said that last part both playfully and a little archly.

  I grinned, then shook my head, “What do you think of polyamory?”

  She tilted her head, “I assume that question is relevant somehow to us, and you’re not asking me what I think about Ashley, Alyssa, and Bob and their creative family relationships?”

  I nodded, “My A.I. is like Rose. A class four, because of her free will and capacity for empathy, love, and emotional equality. She wasn’t always like that, and I didn’t build her for that kind of thing at all. She was a class three until a few days ago, and even then she was family to me and my best friend the last year. There was no intimacy between us at that time. But part of that secret project involved her becoming an A.I. of energy. She has a body now of her own creation, and she is an energy matrix.”