Alien Tango

open game.” He smiled a very wide smile. “Let me know if you want to have dinner some time.”
    Martini’s massive possessiveness started to have a little more clarity. “So, um, in the A-C world, is it against the rules for undeclared couples to play the field?”
    “Not really. Until you’ve declared or accepted someone’s declaration, it’s pretty common to date other people. We mate for life—you want to be sure you’re with the right person.”
    I’d taken some animal life sciences courses in school, and mating for life was one section I’d done very well in. Interestingly enough, while many creatures mated for life, most of them would still “date” outside of the mated pair. Only one kind of bird actually both mated for life and discouraged any form of philandering. It seemed I was dating a humanoid black vulture. Who’d have guessed it? Not me, obviously.
    “It’s kind of different for humans.”
    Michael pointedly looked at my left hand. “I see no ring—marriage, engagement, or promise.” He looked back at my face. “Seriously, be sure before you decide.” He smiled widely again. “Jeff’s not the only one with moves, trust me.”
    The realization that Gower’s younger brother was truly hitting on me with intent to score a grand slam was shocking. I found myself wondering if my perfume really lived up to its hype. I had had an active dating life, both before and after Brian, and I knew I’d dated more than Martini had. But I wasn’t used to being the “it” girl of any group. If I hadn’t been in love with Martini, this would have been a lot more exciting. Seeing as I was, however, the situation was awkward at best and relationship-threatening at worst.
    Martini clearly picked something up because he was next to me now, arm wrapped around me. “What are you two discussing?” he asked in a tone that indicated he already knew the answer.
    Michael gave him a grin, and I recognized the look on his face—it was a very male expression. I’d seen athletes give each other looks like this, right before a meet or a game, when they were ready to fight over something they both wanted, like a championship . . . or a girl.
    This made me much more nervous than any romantic stress between me, Martini, and Christopher ever had. I took a shot at defusing the situation. “Um, Michael, do you have any special A-C talent? Like, Jeff’s the best empath on Earth, and Christopher’s the best imageer. Do you have a talent?”
    He gave me a slow smile. “Not like that.” It was clear what he was insinuating. Martini had insinuated, well flat out said, the same when we’d met. But he’d been funny and charming. Michael was sexual and predatory.
    I could feel Martini move from angry and jealous to Raging Bull. “Keep your damned hands off her.” His voice was low and he was snarling.
    “Up to her, isn’t it?” Michael sounded amused and confident. Under some circumstances this could have been flattering and appealing. Under this one, it wasn’t. I realized I was huddling closer to Martini—because I was scared. I found myself thanking God there was a sturdy, locked door between the two of them.
    “Michael, cut the crap.” Reader was there, between Martini and Michael. He sounded mad and also disgusted. “You aren’t interested in her, you’re interested in screwing with Jeff and Christopher.”
    Michael’s eyes narrowed. “James, you have no idea what I’m interested in.”
    Reader barked a laugh. “I’ve watched you for years. You think you’re a playa, Mr. Smooth with the ladies. If you ever stopped to think about it, you can’t keep a girl because they all get sick of being your latest conquest, being shown off like this week’s bowling trophy. You don’t give a damn about any of them—if they’re hot and especially if someone else cares about them, then you’re interested.”
    Michael looked at me. “Make your own decisions. Just remember, you’re not committed, and it’s a smart girl who checks out her options before making a final decision.”
    “I’ll keep it in mind.” I managed to get this out without my voice shaking.
    Reader turned around. “We’re all caught up on the penguin theory. Let’s figure out how to get the entities out of the astronauts.” He looked at Martini. “Let it go, Jeff,” he said under his breath. “I can tell she’s not interested and I’m not empathic. Don’t let him get to you, it’s what he wants.”
    Martini gave