Discovery (Hybrid Book 1) by Emma Jaye

word. The drug he used had an unusually short recovery period, and she was able to push herself to a sitting position within a minute.
    “Sorry about that. I thought if I did it while you were distracted you’d be less nervous.” He smiled.
    Chesara muttered ‘Kackbad,’ and got up.
    He knew every one of her moods intimately, and had developed a strategy to deal with each of them. Sometimes firmness worked best, other times he needed to coddle, bribe or appeal to her incredible work ethic. Occasionally, he let her take her frustrations out on him. It was far safer for her to feel confident enough to punch him if she was annoyed than anyone else.
    It was a shame, but completely necessary, that she didn’t know him half as well as she thought she did. The truth about their relationship would devastate her; it wasn’t something he wanted to dwell on.
    “Are you ever going to tell me what a ‘Kackbad is?,’” he asked. He knew most of the swear words she used, but he’d always wondered about that one.
    Chesara grinned, “wouldn’t you like to know?”
    “Not sure I actually do, to be honest. It could scar me for life,” he replied with a smile, happy that they were back to the banter they’d always enjoyed. It was easier to ignore her exposed skin that way.
    Connor opened the door when the servant woman knocked and informed them that Lord Tenset was waiting downstairs for Lady Chesara and that the Ambassador had arranged a meal for Connor downstairs. He asked her to relay the message that they’d be down shortly.
    Chesara was just finishing lacing up the sandals. “You ready to rock and roll, Kittycat?”
    Using his pet name for her, helped to re-establish their relationship dynamic, which was completely platonic he reminded himself, somewhat frantically. If he said it enough times to himself, he was sure it would stay that way, because if it changed at all, he’d be replaced faster than the Apollo could travel through space. His was a unique and very prized position.
    “As I’ll ever be,” Chesara replied with determination. “If I’m lucky I’ll sort out the problem tonight if I can see the Lord and Lady alone, then we can be back on board tonight. I could do with about fifteen hours sleep and a decent meal after the day I’ve had. let’s do it Tonto.”
    She took a deep breath, put on her ‘professional’ face, and walked out the door.
    Connor smiled to himself as he shut the door behind them. No matter the isolated instances of pettiness, and the occasional sulk, Chesara always came up with the goods when it was ‘show time’. As he followed her to the stairs, he made a mental note to discover who or what ‘Tonto’ was, when he had a moment to himself.

CHAPTER 6
    I ntensely aware that Lord Tenset was watching from the entrance hall, Chesara paused at the top of the staircase. He’d changed into a green patterned waistcoat over a crisp white shirt with ruffles at the neck and wrist, and tight black trousers, and knee high, shiny black boots. He resembled a sophisticated socialite from eighteenth century Terra Prime, which was probably the level of technology this culture preferred.
    Her face heated slightly before she turned her attention to the stairs with trepidation. Negotiating the broad flight of stairs, would be a test in the unfamiliar footwear. Landing at the feet of her rather dashing escort in a heap, wasn’t part of the wealthy sophisticate tourist persona she was trying to portray. Taking a steadying breath, she started down, hoping he hadn’t noticed her hesitation.
    “Safely down, Lady Chesara. You look stunning,” he said with a genuine smile as he offered his arm.
    “Err, thank you Lord Tenset, you look quite dashing yourself,” she said politely, playing the role Connor had arranged. Inside, she thought this Tenset was rather a condescending idiot, even if he was pretty.
    “Can I just have a word about security?” Connor’s deep voice interrupted the gentle