to be fully protected is if we are as close together as possible. Since you've already rejected being beneath me, this is the only other option."
"You couldn't have just asked?"
"This was more expedient."
Cali didn't reply; she just used her lower body to work the blanket more snugly around their legs while he used his arms to tuck it around their bodies. Within moments their combined body heat began to drive off the chill beneath the blanket. She'd just started to enjoy the feeling when something brushed against her face.
"What the ruk?!" she demanded and would have sat up, but his arm held her in place.
"Calm down. It's just me covering up my head. It will keep us warmer. Gods! Earthans are skittish creatures."
"I'm not skittish," she denied, trying to get comfortable against his unyielding body. "I just didn't know what you were doing."
"Well, now you do, so just settle down. There's nothing for us to do now but wait for the recovery team to get here." He grunted when one of her knees connected with a thigh as she finally settled. "Are you comfortable yet?"
"Not really, but it will have to do."
"Many a female would enjoy finding themselves in this position with me."
"Seriously?" Her sarcasm would have to do since she knew he couldn't see her expression. "I find it hard to believe that any female would enjoy being stuffed into a survival shelter with an overgrown, egotistical Apre, after crash landing in an escape pod on some unknown planet."
"I was referring to being in my arms."
"I know exactly what you were referring to, but I'm sorry, no sane female would go that far just to be in your arms. No one's that good."
"You'll never find out. Unless, of course, you've changed your mind."
"I haven't, but if it's your theory that I should jump at every chance I have to have sex because I'm not going to live long, then shouldn't you be a great deal more selective?"
"What?" While she couldn't see his expression, she could hear the shock in his voice. "Why?"
"Well, with your long life span," she made sure to draw out the word, "the Gods only know how many of the females you've had sex with you might run into again in the future."
"If she interests me, why would that be a problem?"
"What if she's found a partner or mate? I assume you don't pursue committed females." She felt him shrug his shoulders.
"It's not my concern if the female is committed. It's hers. If she is and doesn't wish to stray, all she need do is state that fact."
"I see. How generous of you."
"There is no reason for me not to express my interest in a female that has caught my attention."
"As so many do," she muttered. "Well, I guess you at least have some standards."
"I have the highest of standards," he argued.
"We’ll just have to agree to disagree on that," she told him, then settled down to wait for the recovery ship.
Jamis was silent for several minutes, but she swore she could hear his mind working. She supposed she shouldn't have been so judgmental of his lifestyle. After all, he was Apre. They were all arrogant, used to being sought after, and were supposed to be really good in bed. That he left it up to the female to decide was unusual for his species. Typically, a refusal only made them more determined in their pursuit.
She also knew that once he or Taarig, his second, engaged with a female on base, either separately or together, they didn't pursue any other female until she left. That, too, for an Apre, was unusual. Exclusivity was rare.
"So explain to me, as we have nothing else to do," he finally said, "how the standards for your species differs from mine."
"Oh, I'm not saying my standards are the same as everyone else's. Just as yours aren't the same for every Apre, but being sexually attracted to a person doesn't mean I'm going to have sex with them. There are other factors."
"Such as?"
"Well, I have to like the person first, which usually involves having a conversation with them. Several usually, at different times."
"Why?"
"Why? Because it's been my experience that the first face someone shows you isn't always their real one; they only show what they want you to see to get what they want. It's harder to deceive if there are multiple, nonsexual encounters."
"That’s quite cynical for one such as you."
"One such as me?"
"Yes, you have so little time to learn such