Read Melody Anne's Billionaire Universe: One Sweet Summer (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Love by the Numbers Book 1) for Free Online

head. “This is what inspired you?”
    “Yeah.” If this was part of the interview process for the show, there was no reason not to be forthcoming. “The more I worked with the metal, the more I wanted to push…to see what I could do. I started piecing old parts together. Working with odd shapes and figuring out how to align the pieces for balance, but still get the movement of the figure.”
    Kane nodded. “You’ve definitely achieved that. Your work is great. I’d call it lyrical. And weather-proof.” True, being crafted from recycled-car parts had its benefits. Her work was built to last.
    “Thanks.” Okay, maybe he wasn’t a dumb hunk. He was actually pretty astute and thoughtful. His comments were a far different from earlier today when he’d called her pieces ‘nice’ and ‘interesting.’
    “You do this full time?” he asked.
    “Sorta. These past few years, it was almost all I worked on, until my dad passed away.”
    “Sorry for your loss,” Kane murmured. He shifted position as if he wanted to comfort her. She wasn’t sure, but she sidestepped him, just in case. She didn’t need anyone’s pity. She just needed a chance—something only the summer show at The Mav could do.
    “It’s okay. I mean, Fred and the guys have things under control. It gives me time to create and teach a few workshops at the community center.”
    “Teach?” Kane’s brows shot into his forehead. “As in…kids?”
    “Sure. Kids, adults, whoever. Even did a bridal shower once, if you can believe that.” She fiddled with the extra torch nozzles on the shop cart. “I’ve got a few sessions of summer art camps lined up at the community center. It’s a handful, but it pays the bills.”
    “And it keeps you in spare parts, no doubt.” He leaned in, close enough that she could smell the musk of his cologne over the acetone and motor oil in the garage.
    “The yard and my family do.” Wow, Kane Maverick was really, really good looking. The kind of looks that turned her knees to petroleum jelly. For a moment, she thought he might try to kiss her, but he wasn’t staring at her, exactly. More like…over the top of her left shoulder at Bo. “Just got a new shipment from Cali today, so if you don’t mind, I’d li—”
    He squinted. “Are those spark plugs?”
    “Yeah.” She stuffed away the surprising flare of disappointment that blossomed in her middle. “Milk glass. I liked the color, and the shape is the perfect visual texture for wool.”
    Now those eyes of his were fixed on her face. “Clever.”
    Her knees went gooey again. She propped herself on the edge of the platform, feeling her cheeks burn. Darn her fair skin! She never could hide a flush of embarrassment, shame or pleasure from her features. “Thanks.”
    Seemed like all she could do was thank him. Her tongue cleaved to the top of her mouth and she found herself both wondering if Kane would get bored and leave—and worrying that he wouldn’t.
    In fact, he was watching her with a bemused expression as if he knew exactly what she’d been imagining and why.
    Anna jammed her hands deep into the pockets of her overalls and retreated to her work bench. “So, now you’ve seen everything. Does that satisfy the qualifications for entering the show?”
    A shadow crossed over Kane’s features. “I wouldn’t say I’ve seen everything you had to offer. I haven’t seen you in action yet.”
    Action? She’d love to oblige him in all sorts of ways. But this was Kane Maverick. She couldn’t afford to get in over her head again. She cut the flames to her fantasy.
    He was toying with the strap of her protective mask, left discarded on the platform. “Exactly how good are you?”
    His words awoke a fluttering sensation in her middle. “I’d say I’m one of the best when it comes to automotive art.” That was an understatement. Her instructors at The Art Institute had nothing but praise.
    While she wasn’t one of the most established sculptors in the