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“No, Rexx is a machine,” Daisy said. “He doesn’t feel. He reacts to external stimuli.”

Wren smiled. “Eden’s got a point. He’s different around you. He’s always giving you things.”

“Yeah, tools and equipment! And he’s given me three guns. They’re hardly the gifts of romance. It’s an insult. He thinks I don’t know how to look after myself.”

“That’s as romantic as an alien like Rexx gets,” Eden said. “You should ask him out on a date. You could have a lot of fun with that big guy.”

Daisy shook her head. “He’s not for me. He’s too...”

“Attractive? Muscly? Capable of sweeping you off your feet and ravishing you all night long?” Eden laughed as Daisy thumped her.

“He’s probably all of those things, but... it’s Rexx. He’s not going to be the alien to sex me up.”

Eden stifled a laugh behind her hand. “Sex you up?”

Daisy blushed. “Yeah, you know. I want to get the tingles from my guy.”

“Rexx doesn’t make you tingle?” Wren said. “He scares the hell out of me, but even I can see he’s hot.”

“He makes me want to hit him more often than hump him,” Daisy said.

“It’s the Apexian way,” Eden said. “They’re alpha males. It’s in their genes to get protective when they see someone they think is weaker than them. That’s why we work well together. They’re in protection overload mode when they’re around us because they think we can’t protect ourselves.”

“Then they’re idiots,” Daisy said. “And I don’t date idiots. I need someone to keep up with me on an intellectual level. Rexx may be hot to trot and muscled as all hell, but he’s a fighting machine.”

“We all need a fighting machine on our side when the shit goes down,” Eden said.

“You shouldn’t be so hard on him.” Wren scanned the horizon, but it was all clear. So far, so good. “Apexians have to be skilled in all areas, not just fighting.”

“I didn’t mean Rexx was dumb, but I want to have conversations about books I’ve read and movies I’ve seen. And I want to talk to him about the new genetics theory I’ve read online.”

“Are you looking for a boyfriend or a best girlfriend?” Eden shook her head. “You need a guy who makes you weak at the knees and forget about that dull paper you read online and the tedious intellectual drama no one understands but everyone raves about. You want a guy who’ll drag you into bed and won’t let you out until you’re so saddle sore you can barely move.”

“Eden! We’re not all about that,” Daisy said.

“You were the one who said you wanted the tingles,” Wren said.

Daisy shook her head. “Yes, but—”

“But nothing. You should be after that. Otherwise, where’s the fun in the relationship? You need a guy to be a guy, not your best girlfriend in disguise,” Eden said.

“So what’s Blaze to you?” Wren glanced at Eden.

“What do you mean?” Eden looked away and checked a strap on her boot.

“You’ve worked together since the beginning of this project. There’s nothing between you two?”

“Blaze is a great guy, but it’s not like that between us.”

“You’re always flirting with him,” Daisy said.

Eden shrugged. “It passes the time. Besides, I flirt with you, sometimes. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“He’s got the sexiest purple eyes I’ve ever seen,” Daisy said. “And those lashes. I’d kill for them. He’s gorgeous and funny. And he’s thoughtful, too.”

“Yeah, you’re not describing my dream guy,” Eden said. “I want rough and primal.”

Wren chuckled. “You want a cave man?”