Lucy stepped away from him with a blush. The smell of windswept bluffs and starlight filled his nostrils…and those things didn’t even have a smell.
“That’s good to hear. I have to say, I’m surprised you’re really even here at all. I didn’t know until just recently that your profession existed. I’m very grateful it does.”
“War hero Cyborgs that can take care of monster infestations?” Yeah, his profession existed alright. “Most would call themselves mercenaries but you went straight for the professionals. The Earthian Planetary Exploration Division has only just begun taking house calls.”
“Only recently?”
“You’d be the first, Lucy Larkswest. There must be something very special about you.”
She smiled up at him and indicated her hovercraft. “It must be my family’s money. Come, let’s head back to the mansion where we can talk more comfortably.”
Moss grabbed her wrist before she moved away. “Let me,” he said, a need to take control and protect suddenly coursing through him. He squeezed her again before moving toward the passenger seat and opening the door for her.
“I think not,” she hissed, heels tapping to catch up. “You’re my guest, and this is my hovercraft.”
“You don’t trust my driving skills?” he teased, enjoying the sight of her very pale skin growing hot with an ever-deepening blush. “I’m very good at driving.”
“And I am in charge,” she huffed, ignoring his chivalry and moving to the driver’s side.
He outpaced her and closed the door she’d just begun to open. “You can’t expect me to sit idly by while I watch a human drive a machine when a machine—like myself—can drive it better.”
“How dare you! Who do you think you are?” Lucy rounded on him and his throat constricted. There was less than a foot of space between them.
“The man you hired.”
“An asshole like every guy I’ve met, it seems.”
“I’m not just a guy, Ms. Larkswest. You didn’t call a plumber.” Moss leaned over her.
She slapped at his chest and pushed him away. “Whatever you are, I’m driving. I’ll have you know, arguing with me will you get you nowhere. Unlike most people, I don’t cow easily.”
“Very well.” He laughed and stepped out of her space. He needed the distance more than she did.
“Wait, what? Just like that?”
He shrugged. “Just like that.”
Lucy slammed the door when she got in. The momentary upset broke when the craft shot into the air at deafening speed. He casually dropped his hand to grip his seat.
“You can’t do that, you know,” she said, after a minute.
“Do what?”
“Make me uncomfortable.”
“Did I make you uncomfortable?” he asked.
She shook her head; her straight black hair with pink highlights moved enticingly over her shoulders. The pink caught the light, making it almost glow.
“I’ll have you know, this may be my first time in the presence of a Cyborg, and I do know that your kind are supposed to be honorable, albeit stubborn, that if you’re playing me to breach the terms of the contract—”
“Let me stop you right there. I don’t play. Cyborgs, in general, don’t play.”
“That’s not what I meant—”
“I will follow the letter of the law of our contract. You needed a glorified pool boy, and you’re willing to spend a fortune for one, which is why I’m here. I will admit, I didn’t expect a woman to be waiting for me when I landed, and I may not have accurately tempered my response, for such a scenario. For that, I do apologize.”
“You do?” She glanced at him.
