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That was probably true, except it wasn’t the potential occupations that made her perk up, even though she’d asked.

“Are a lot of these human women mated to Cadi men?”

“Yes.” Payim nodded.

“And how does that work?” She probed further.

“You wantallthe details?” His brows rose, a smile tickling his lips.

“No, not like that.” She swatted his arm, then grinned at the pervert.

“I know what you mean,” he chuckled. “It is the same as on your planet from what I understand. A couple live together, raise young, sharing their skills, resources, joys and sorrows.”

“Oh.” She nodded, feeling relieved.

“What did you think?” He arched one brow at her.

“I don’t know. You’re a completely different race.” She shrugged.

“There are some differences. I have these.” Payim bared his fangs.

“I noticed, and a tail.” She snorted as she stuck out her rear.

“Yes, but that has little to do with mating.” He shook his head, amusement twisting his lips as he eyed her butt.

“Oh really?” she flippantly asked, her cheeks heating, recalling their tryst and the creative use of his tail.

“That is a side benefit.” He wagged his brows. “What I meant is that a Cadi male releases a hormone that affects the female if it’s a true bond.”

“Oh. That is different.” Elena blinked, stunned by this tidbit.

Then he can’t merely decide to be with me just because he likes me.Her brow furrowed as a twinge of disappointment twisted her gut.

“Affects how?” She almost regretted asking.

A sly, almost predatory grin tipped Payim’s lips. “I could show you, if you’d like.”

She gaped at Payim as a shiver ran up her spine.

Payim quo Desero

Teasing Elena was so much fun. Her jaw would drop open in shock, her brow furrowing slightly, then her eyes crinkled up and he could imagine the gorgeous grin hidden behind her mask. He frowned at the ash peppering Elena’s dark hair. He wanted to brush it off, but the way the soot was falling it would be pointless. It was definitely raining down faster. It wasn’t merely his imagination. Payim looked around, taking stock of where they were. He’d been so enthralled by Elena and their discussion that he didn’t notice when the terrain changed, the geysers shifting to cracked, jet-black, rocky earth. His steps faltered as he realized they were crossing an old lava flow, his gaze shifting to the magma creeping from the small volcano.

“What?” Elena asked.

“I don’t like how close we are to those volcanoes. If one of the other small ones erupts…” He shook his head, disturbed by the thought.

“I know. That little one released the pressure, so I’m pretty sure we’re okay for today,” she attempted to reassure him.

“You shouldn’t have had to live like this,” he grumbled.

“So, we were talking about careers. What do you do when you aren’t saving worlds?” she asked, attempting to distract him.

“I think we were talking about mating,” he countered. If she truly wanted to distract him, that subject would do it.

“I think you were teasing me and discussing the act of mating, not the concept or whatever, you rotten devil.” She arched one brow at him.

“True,” he chuckled. “Can you blame me?”