Faron glowered at the camera bot that followed him into the restaurant. He swatted it away with the back of his hand. This was not appropriate as part of his mating plans with Kendra. Although Tolongs were scrutinized when they approached a female and demonstrated their prowess and strength, it was never recorded by a piece of machinery.

Faron was willing to mate with Kendra, but he did not want the process recorded.

He slowed as he considered his options. There was still time to leave. He had agreed to nothing. He stilled as he saw Kendra staring at him. She looked delicious. Her lips were glossy, and her mouth parted as she gaped at him. She must have liked what she saw.

Faron ran a hand down his smooth chest and smiled to himself. Perhaps she could see there was some value to him. He’d pumped his muscles with vigorous exercise before leaving for this date in order to be as impressive as possible when they met. He was still not certain why he wanted this human to find him appealing but had worked to exhaustion to ensure everything was appropriately displayed.

As he reached the table, Kendra grabbed his hand. “What are you wearing? Or rather, what aren’t you wearing?”

Faron swiped his broad thumb across the back of her knuckles, enjoying their contact. “A Tolong mating outfit.”

“A mating outfit! Do you think that’s what we’re here to do?” Her gaze shifted to the camera bot that hovered by the table.

“Not in front of this camera.” He swatted it away again. “That is not suitable.”

“I agree. Sit down. Use the napkin to cover yourself. Use mine, as well.” She flung a flimsy piece of white fabric at him.

Faron sat, noticing how Kendra kept hold of his hand. It was a sweet gesture, one he had not experienced before with a female. “Why are the cameras here?”

“It’s what my boss wants,” Kendra said. “Apparently, the public liked what they saw when we met on our date.”

“I do not like being observed.”

“Same here.”

Faron turned in his seat. “Remove yourself, or I will destroy you.”

The bot hovered for a few seconds as if considering its options before backing away several feet.

“Is that better for you?” he asked Kendra.

“It’s better. They don’t need to be so in our faces.”

“Not if we are to solidify our bond.”

She tilted her head. “I guess you could say that’s what this dinner is about. We have a chance to get to know each other. That’s what new couples do. Not that I’m saying we’re a couple, but you understand what this is all about?”

“I do. You invited me because you desire me.”

Kendra’s head jerked back. “No! I mean, you’re a good-looking guy, but I don’t know you.”

“You’ve admitted you find my physical form pleasing. That is enough for now.”

Her gaze ran over his chest and her cheeks flushed. “I have to ask, why are you almost naked?”

“To show you I am a capable mate.”

Kendra swallowed loudly and tore her gaze from his exposed skin. “It’s a bit soon to be talking about that.”

He nodded. “I appreciate that you have made an effort to look pleasing for me tonight, although that gloss on your lips will easily smudge. I have simply done the same for you. Made the most of my pleasing traits.”

Kendra ran her hands over her hair before clasping them in her lap. “I, erm, well, I see that. A ‘thank you’ seems wrong, somehow. This is supposed to be a date. People normally wear clothes on dates.”

“We do not date on my planet, but I understand your sentiment. It is a way to assess the suitability of a future mate.”

Kendra huffed out a breath. “You don’t need to make it sound so clinical but, essentially, yes. That’s the whole idea of dating. We find out if we’re compatible and have similar interests. We also learn about future aspirations. For example, I might see my future living on another planet with a dozen children. You might want to stay on Prodigy and not have any children. If that’s the case, then there’s no point in continuing to see each other.”

“My family demands many offspring. My brother was just bragging that he has made his mate pregnant with quads.”

“Holy cow! Four babies in one womb. Your women must be something else.”

“They are sturdy and excellent breeders. My brother and his mate are also well-matched genetically. There is significant diversity between them, which means a strong chance of successful multiple births.”

“Women occasionally carry more than one child on Earth, but it’s tricky and risky to both the babies and the mother to be.”

“It is because you take little care of who you choose to father your children.”

Kendra’s eyes tightened for a second before she shrugged. “You could have a point. I’ve made a few inappropriate matches in my time. I wasn’t always thinking with a level head or a sober one. Maybe the way you do it on Tenkcet isn’t such a bad thing. At least you know what you’re getting into and won’t have any surprises.”

“That is correct.” Faron’s appreciation for Kendra grew. She could see the logic in the way they did things on his planet. She was not always led by her emotional state. That was promising.

“However, that way of doing things does exclude a small thing called love.”

Faron shook his head. “Love is weakness.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Love can be amazing, but I know what you mean. It can lead to stupid decisions based on how you’re feeling. I’ve not always had my head screwed on right when it came to finding love with others.”

“You have had inappropriate lovers?”

“No! Well, one or two. But I was young and learning how this whole love business works. Are you telling me you’ve never dated someone and regretted it?”

“I’ve already said we do not date. Our matches are made for us.”

Kendra pursed her lips. “You get no say in who will be your partner for the rest of your life?”

“That is correct.”

“What if you don’t like each other?”

Faron shrugged. “We will be an appropriate match. Love does not come into the equation.”

“So, you spend the rest of your life with someone who might make your skin crawl?”

Faron grunted. “They will not do that if they are my genetic equal or even my better. Some Tolongs are advantageously matched. You are privileged to join with someone genetically superior to you. You would not question whether you like them. That would be foolish.”

Kendra let out a sigh. “Love makes fools of us all.”

“I do not understand your meaning. Why pursue something that makes you dumb?”

Kendra chuckled as she picked up the menu and studied it. “That’s an excellent question. I’ve asked myself that several times. Love is best avoided.”

“It has no place in my life.” Faron scanned the menu and selected a shared platter of grilled meats. “I will order our food.”

“Will you now? And what are we to eat?”

“Something with plenty of protein and a good dose of fats. Your skin looks a little sallow, and you need more muscle.” Faron gestured the server over and placed their order.

“Wow! You sure know how to sweet talk a girl. Sallow skin and saggy muscles. Be still my beating heart.”

“I eat plenty of fat and protein, and you do not see me looking sallow or saggy.” Faron flexed a bicep.

Kendra pressed her lips together as her gaze flicked across his bare chest. “I can see every inch of the impressive muscle on you. It’s quite a display you’ve put on for me.”

Faron’s chest expanded. “Do you approve?”

“It’s a bit much for a second date. A shirt might have been nice. Less distracting.”

“Pointless clothing. Why hide what I have? You will see it eventually when I join you, unless you prefer to mate with your clothes on.”

Kendra focused on the menu. “Let’s not get into that again. We should start by finding out more about each other before we discuss whether we have sex with the lights on or off.”

“I prefer on.”

“You would,” she muttered.

“You prefer I hide what I have under garments and darkness? You might be disappointed when I stripped.”

Kendra glanced at him. “I had a pretty good idea of what was going on under your jumpsuit without this display.”

“You have been thinking about me naked?”

“No! Jeez, enough of the sex talk.” The flush on her cheeks suggested she had been doing just that. Faron felt pleased Kendra had been thinking about him in that way.

“The mating prospects are the most important aspect of this evening. I will display for you. If things go further, there is also a dance.”

Kendra choked out a laugh. “You’re displaying for me? What are you, a peacock?”

He shook his head. “What is that?”

“A beautiful, showy bird who carries around a ridiculously pointless set of feathers that he flashes at any female who takes his eye. The gaudier the tail and the bigger and more flamboyant it is, the more females he gets.”

Faron shrugged. “That is an appropriate analogy. It is more than my muscles you should consider, but they give a good indication of how physically fit I am and how capable I will be when I take you.”

Kendra sighed. “Let’s dodge that whole mess and go back a few steps. You mentioned a dance? Have you got a good set of moves?”

“Naturally. The dance shows flexibility and form.”

Kendra licked her lips. “What do you wear when you do this dance?”

“There is a dance thong. If you prefer, I can be naked.”

She sucked in a breath. “You’ll let everything flap around in the breeze during this dance?”

“You need to see what I have on offer.”

“I’m not sure I want to see your cock and balls dancing for me. That’s not something any woman needs to see.”

“Every Tolong woman would expect to see it. If I begin my dance in a thong, I remove it at the end. If I had been with a Tolong female, she would have already inspected my assets before pursuing this date.”

“How would she do that?”

“Put her hand inside my thong and feel around. She might stimulate me to see how quickly I gain an erection and assess it to see how long I maintain hardness. You may do so if you desire it.”

Kendra fanned her face with her hands. “No, that’s not happening. I will not be stuffing my hand into your thong and checking out your package at any time during this date. I can see you have an impressive device tucked in there. But you might think about going up a size the next time you buy one of those fancy thongs. You’re hiding nothing.”

“Every part of my body functions perfectly.” Faron glanced at his cybernetic arm. “I am a capable male.”

Kendra blew out a long, slow breath. “Do you have a timetable of when you display for me? I need to make sure I’m free.”

“If we take things further, it occurs over seven nights. That is standard practice. I have flexibility and am willing to adapt to your frailties as a human. I see from the flush on your skin and the way your pupils dilate that you are overwhelmed by my closeness. We may extend the process if you are not capable of undertaking it in such a short space of time. But I will not wait long. I prefer to complete everything inside of seven nights.”

“You’re right. My frail human body won’t withstand this,” Kendra said. “You are too much for me.”

Faron smiled. Humans were such weak, emotionally driven creatures. He’d never seen the appeal before, but sitting opposite Kendra and seeing the desire in her eyes and the way her attention drifted to the leather trapping his semi-hard cock in place, he could believe there was a place for her in his bed. He would be intrigued to see how she behaved when they were naked together.

There was even a chance she could learn to become more logical. At this moment, her emotions were ruling her thoughts, but humans did have the ability to be logical when they tried.

A flicker of warmth ran through Faron’s chest. This was a chance for him, a chance to be intimate with someone after such a long time of being alone. He had never considered any women other than Tolong females. But Kendra was here and obviously desiring his naked form. He would pursue the opportunity and see where it took him.

Kendra leaned across the table and beckoned him closer with a finger.

He arched an eyebrow and leaned toward her. “What is it you need my little human?”

“You need to rethink your courtship schedule. I don’t think we’ll be mating in seven days.”

“You wish to do it sooner?”

A laugh shot out, and her warm breath tickled across his cheek. “No! I don’t want to do this at all.”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

Kendra glanced at the camera bot. “I need to be honest before this goes too far. My boss ordered me to come here tonight. After our first dinner date, the public warmed to us as a couple. Diadora is always on the lookout for great publicity for My Single Alien. She thought it would be good if we met again and played nice with each other.”

“Played nice. So, you do not desire me?” The heat in Faron’s chest faded. He’d made an error. Kendra did not want him.

Kendra shrugged. “I’m sure some woman will find you amazing. Somewhere out there is your perfect mate. She will be genetically magnificent, bear you dozens of offspring, and you’ll be fabulously content together. But it’s not me. I can’t do any of those things. I’m in this mess because I want to keep my job and make sure my mean boss doesn’t shout at me.”

Faron leaned back in his seat and scowled at her. Was she being truthful or was his artificial limb disgusting her? He’d heard humans were flexible with whom they mated with and weren’t so disenchanted by difference in their mates. Perhaps she saw his lack because of his cybernetic arm and considered him not good enough for her.

“I am sorry,” Kendra said. “I meant no offense. Someone will find you lovely. They will worship your every step.”

He sighed. Kendra was a mass of contradictions. One second, she was drooling over his muscles; the next, she said she didn’t want to be here. What should he believe? Could he have done something to repel her? Something he’d said or done that made her say these things?

Faron wasn’t prepared to give up. He desired her, and she wanted him. He slid from his seat and dropped to one knee, grabbing Kendra’s hand as he did so.

Kendra gave a startled yelp as he pulled her to the edge of her seat. He bowed his head and pressed his lips to the back of her knuckles. “I pledge to rectify my error.”

She gasped and tugged against his tight grip. “What are you doing? Get up.”

He glanced up into her wide eyes. “I am rectifying the failing on my part. It is the only reason for your babbling.”

“Babbling! I’m not babbling. I’m trying to get you to understand this situation.”

Faron bowed his head and pressed his lips to her skin again. “Forgive me.”