Suburban Cyborg - Scifi Alien Invasion Romance

By Gloria Martin

Laura Blumenthal wasn't looking to fall in love at this time of her life. Between her job as a dog walker and taking night classes to get her dream career of owning and running a doggy daycare back on track, she doesn't need the additional complication of a boyfriend. However, she finally feels like fate has given her a break and things are going her way when a client of hers, Paul Bardon, asks her out on a date. This buds into a blissful relationship, more perfect that she could imagine, that is until he reveals to her that he is not the quiet accountant that he had made himself out to be. His revelation changes everything for the two of them as well as their relationship. Can Laura learn to accept that the man she loves still exists behind this machine? Can Paul reconcile his mission on Earth with his feelings for a human girl?

A Standalone Short Story with No Cliffhanger! 

• Language: English
• Publisher: American Science Fiction Romance Club
• Release date: Nov 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386035046

Book preview

Suburban Cyborg

Chapter 1

T he readings we are receiving from your other unit are sufficient. How has your oxygen filtration system been functioning, PAUL-3957? The voice from the handheld communicator was nasally and there was a humming background noise collected from interstellar feedback.

Function levels are normal. Optimal setting is at 115% oxygen intake.

Paul Bardon was sitting in the bedroom of his suburban home on Earth as he read the statistical information from the display imbedded in his left forearm to the small device in his right hand. The information was being sent to his commander 130 light years away on Beseda or, as it was known on this planet, Beta Ursae Minoris b. 

You’re doing an excellent job, PAUL-3957. We have new orders for you. Activate order Alpha-92-C65.

Yes sir.

The order directives showed up on his forearm display as his commander signed off. Paul stood up from the bed, sliding the communicator into the front pocket of his khakis, and smoothed out the crisp white sheets where his presence had disturbed them. He looked around the room to check that everything was clean and orderly as his military training had instilled in him. Everything was in its’ place, and just so, as the knock at the front door prompted him to leave the room.

LAURA BLUMENTHAL WAS busy scratching behind the ears of the three-year-old golden retriever and crooning such a good boy when the door before her opened up. Startled, she straightened blushing bright red. The handsome owner of the dog, Paul Bardon, towered over her wearing his usual khakis and a baby blue polo that was just a tad snug in the shoulders so that the fabric was pulled taut over his athletic frame. She always felt like she was underdressed when she was around him, wearing old concert t-shirts and leggings. Her long dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and a brightly colored woven purse slung across her shoulder held her car keys, dog treats, and poop baggies. After all, dog walking in suburban Kansas City was not a profession that one really had to dress up for.

Hi Mr. Bardon. I-I just finished walking Aspen. She motioned to the retriever who sat at perfect attention with his tail wagging lazily. He was perfectly well behaved, as always. He’s the best behaved dog in the entire neighborhood.

Thank you, Ms. Blumenthal, he answered in his standard courteous manner and she handed him the leash. As they traded off the nylon strap Laura’s hand brushed lightly against his long fingers and she felt a small jolt as if she had been shocked.

She retracted her hand quickly, her blush deepening. She felt his dark brown eyes assessing her while she kept her own eyes fixed firmly on his loafers and kneaded the woven strap of her little purse with her fingers. For the last six months, since the quiet accountant had moved into the neighborhood and Laura had begun walking his dog, she had been harboring a crush for Paul Bardon. He was not much older than her, in his mid thirties, and very attractive. He stood just over six foot with broad shoulders that tapered down to a