Discovery (Hybrid Book 1) by Emma Jaye Page B

be.
    His slightly raised eyebrows showed he hadn’t fallen for the act, plus she could feel that annoying blush warming her face again. This would have been a great deal easier if it had been his stuffy Uncle escorting her, but it wouldn’t have been half as much fun.
    A driver dressed in green and silver livery opened the door, and Tenset offered his hand to help her into the carriage. Chesara hoped her climb into the carriage had been adequately graceful. As she settled herself, she tried to cover at least some of her thighs with strips of cloth Connor had laughing referred to as a skirt.
    “You seem particularly close to your security officer,” Tenset said as he climbed in beside her. He was definitely fishing about her private life. She wasn’t familiar with this flirting game, but was quite sure that if she professed undying love for Connor at this point, it’d stop Tenset in his tracks. So she told him the truth.
    “We’ve known each other for years. He’s my shadow. A rather serious, occasionally cranky, supersized shadow, and he’s also my best friend.”
    Her escort smiled at the admission, and she felt a shiver travel up her body. Had she just given him the green light to try something? She’d never been this alone and this close to someone who might want to have a less than professional relationship with her. And at that moment, she didn’t know whether she was pleased that Connor wasn’t here, or that she wished he was.
    Following his eyes, she noticed that her thighs were entirely exposed, including the patterns on the outside of her leg. Nervously, she moved the strips of fabric to hide what he had already seen.
    “You look fine. Try not to fiddle with it. You shouldn’t be hiding such intriguing body art anyway. It’s very attractive. We don’t see that sort of thing here on our little backwater world very often.”
    She shrugged, trying for nonchalance as she went into the cover story she’d used before. “It seemed like a good idea at the time. It’s all the rage on Dephos Four, but I’m not so sure it was designed to go with a dress like this.”
    The carriage jerked slightly as the driver encouraged the horses into a trot.
    “If I didn’t know better I’d bet that dress was designed specifically for you. I’ll have trouble keeping the other men away from you tonight.” He smiled and shifted a little closer to her. “Your scent is very attractive, what is it?”
    Her personal space was definitely being invaded, but she didn’t know whether she should be offended, or flattered, but it actually felt rather nice.
    The only men she met were either patients, scientists/tutors or classmates she’d grown up with at the centre, those on formal diplomatic missions (rather like ambassador Tamas), ship’s crewmen, and of course, Connor. This man was nothing like any of them.
    There had been a little flirting with her classmates at the centre, but none of the crass, over eager boys had interested her a tenth as much as the man who was now sitting beside her.
    Unfortunately, Tenset was probably used to far more experienced and sophisticated women than her. So rather than admitting that she wasn’t wearing any scent, she decided this was an excellent opportunity to extend her ‘knowledgeable tourist’ persona.
    “It’s from the anhildis flower of Delphos. The Delpines are extremely sophisticated in many forms of art. So far, I definitely prefer Kalzirians. The Delphines had their noses so far in the air I don’t suppose they’d even notice if they trod in something horrible.”
    Her hand went to her mouth as she realised what she’d just said. Way to go on the sophistication front Chesara she told herself.
    Tenset’s lips twitched, and he reached out a hand and stroked her fingers gently. “Well hopefully I’ll be able to influence your decision a little more than some of the other party guests. Some of my fellow countrymen can be rather stuffy, but some of us can be surprisingly