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

world by any means, she’d never seen or heard of anyone else who did what she did. Created what she did. One other—a European artist who made tiny steampunk animals out of old watch parts—barely came close, so there was no harm in letting Kane know exactly what she had to offer.
    Especially if it helped her chances of getting into the exclusive summer show.
    “Good.” Kane stalked over to her. He reached out and took her hand. His fingers were warm, but lightly calloused, surprising for a wealthy playboy with a possible case of affluenza. “I think you might be the perfect person for the job.”
    A spot in The Mav? It was a dream come true, spoken from the dreamy lips of Kane Maverick himself.
    “You do?” She hated the breathy excitement that threaded her voice, but she couldn’t control it any more than she could stop the rush of warmth burning in her abdomen at the touch of his hand on hers.
    Kane’s fingers tightened as he pulled her toward the front of the garage. “Come with me. I need your help.”

Chapter Three

    “You’ve got to be kidding.” Annabelle’s ever-changing eyes darkened with what he thought might be anger. “You want me to what ?”
    Was she insulted by his request? Oh, she was mad all right, he just didn’t understand why.
    “I need you to repair my fender before my father gets wind of the damage.”
    “You’re crazy.” Her hand jerked out of his and she clenched fists on her hips. Kane ignored the warning catcalls and chuckles from the guys at the garage who were looking on with amusement. Any more interest from them, and Kane would have to spring for popcorn.
    “C’mon.” He gave her his million-dollar grin.
    “No.”
    Ouch. She hadn’t even paused before responding. He wasn’t sure why he cared what she thought or why he felt so insulted, but he did.
    “You wrecked your dad’s car. Man up and take some responsibility, sheesh.” Her expression was disgusted and…disappointed? But that made no sense.
    He fumbled for an explanation. “That’s exactly what I’m trying to do. You are a master craftsman. Anyone can tell just by looking at your work.”
    “There are any number of garages that could order you a part and fix this. You’ve got the wrong gal.” Her lips thinned, an angry slash in her pretty face.
    “That would take too much time. I can’t take the car home like this. My father will be furious and...” He stopped himself before he inflicted her with his angst—his fear that the fragile progress he’d made with Pops today would be destroyed. “Let’s just say we have a complicated relationship you probably don’t want to hear about.” He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Besides, I…trust you.”
    “Why? You just met me.”
    “Because.” He gestured to the salvage lot. “You’ve spent your life surrounded by classic cars. You obviously know your stuff. And…” He paused.
    “And I’m one of the few people your father hasn’t got under his thumb?”
    Damn. Could she see completely through him?
    “Maybe.” He shifted his shoulders uncomfortably.
    “You know that’s not exactly true. I need to be in the summer show at The Mav, Kane. My whole career hinges on not pissing off your father.”
    What did the summer show have to do with this? As far as he was concerned, her art ought to catch fire wherever she debuted it. “That makes two of us. I’m in charge of the selecting the pieces for the jury. Maybe you should be more concerned about helping me.” Wasn’t that how business deals worked? You scratch my back, and I’ll…
    “No. Way.” The words sounded like curses from her rosy lips. She seemed really miffed for someone he’d just offered a job. Unless she’d misunderstood his offer.
    “Wait a minute. You didn’t think I was coming by to offer you a spot in the show already did you?” He tried to remember exactly how he’d phrased his request.
    “Of course not,” she scoffed, her cheeks pink. “I mean,