“They are an evolutionary response to ensure survival, maintain genetic diversity, and regulate social harmony.”
Social harmony? There wasn’t much of that happening here, alone in the woods.
“Interesting…” she said, trying to imagine Apodis as the alpha male.
He certainly seemed intelligent… and protective, she supposed. He’d taken a stranger into his home because she’d been injured, had carried her through the woods and tended to her sprained ankle. Honestly, he was more her type than those hyper-masculine assholes anyway, soft-spoken and kind.
And very, very handsome.
“What is so annoying about your coworkers that you had to escape them in the middle of the night?”
Gemini chuckled at the change of subject, raking a hand through her messy—but clean—hair. How much to tell him?
“Well, they hooked up as soon as we landed on Thitis 4X. And they’re… not subtle about it.”
“Hooked up?”
Oh, that confused look on his face was too cute, making butterflies flutter in her stomach. Butterflies she desperately tried to ignore as she explained the Earth lingo.
“They’re having sex. In the tent right next to mine.Every night.”
Apodis’ eyes widened, and he nodded slowly.
“Oh. I see.”
She laughed again, biting her lip and rolling onto her back.
“It’s fine. I shouldn’t have wandered off like I did. But I guess I can try to find my way back tomorrow.”
Going back to camp was the absolute last thing she wanted to do, especially after making a fool of herself by getting lost and injured. And the thought of never seeing Apodis again may have made her chest heavy, a peculiar feeling for someone who was a total stranger.
“Yes, of course,” Apodis said, though his voice was low. Was he sad too? “I can help you get back tomorrow if that is your wish. But you really need to rest your ankle.”
Shit. Hopefully she’d be healthy in time to see the vitellus bloom, the thought of missing the very thing she had come here for souring her stomach. One of the others could technically collect the spores for her, but it washerproject, and she wanted to see it through.
“Thank you. For all your help. I don’t know what I would have done if you and Zenith hadn’t been there.”
“I’m sure you would have been fine,” Apodis said, turning onto his back as well and focusing his gaze on the ceiling.
Yeah, she wasn’t so certain about that, but she kept quiet.
Apodis clapped, and the lights were extinguished, the room darkening in an instant. Anticipationcrept through her nerves, as if she expected him to pounce on her or something. Like shewantedhim to pounce on her. She held her breath, but as the seconds ticked by, she realized he really was keeping his tentacles to himself, and the thought was only a tiny bit disappointing.
“Goodnight, Gemini,” Apodis’ voice rang out through the darkness, and an unbidden smile beamed from her face.
“Goodnight, Apodis.”
CHAPTER 4
APODIS
Torture.Pure and utter torture.
When Apodis awoke, it had taken him a moment to remember there was someone in his bed. And not just any someone, but a female who smelled like heaven and was curled up against his chest like she belonged there.
But she’d be leaving today, and then everything would be back to normal in his perfectly boring life.
Gemini nuzzled her cheek against his neck, filling his nose with her floral scent.
