Use the Laws of Exponents to Simplify Each Expression Using $x ^ { - 8 } x ^ { 6 }$

Multiple Choice

Use the laws of exponents to simplify each expression using positive exponents only. Assume all variables represent nonzero real numbers.
- $x ^ { - 8 } x ^ { 6 }$

A) $\frac { 1 } { x ^ { 2 } }$
B) $- \frac { 1 } { x ^ { 2 } }$
C) $- x ^ { 2 }$
D) $x ^ { 2 }$