Free Super Nova by Jayne Rylon Page A

brushed a stray hair from her cheek—while they poured over his financial documents, he kept generally focused on the meat of the matter.
    The success of Hot Rods.
    By the time he’d moved from theoretical explanations of future product lines and services he’d like to expand then walked her through his detailed marketing plan, she couldn’t help but be impressed. The simultaneous thoroughness and boldness of his ideas turned her on even more than the ripple of his shoulder muscles as he drew a diagram on the whiteboard.
    He spoke her language. And she lapped up his enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit.
    When Alanso claimed his leftovers, she couldn’t believe how the hours had flown by. And when Eli stopped in to tell them it was quitting time, she had to check her watch twice to make sure he wasn’t fooling them for some unknown reason.
    It seemed practical jokes were a bit of a thing between the mechanics, according to Kaige’s random stories or interjections while they put their heads together and talked through the finer points of his course for the shop.
    Nola collected her jacket, which she’d shed sometime after one of their laughing fits had warmed her beyond comfort. At least she told herself that’s what had the temperature in the room spiking.
    “So we’ll see you again when?” Eli shifted his gaze between her and Kaige. He took in the scribble-covered board, seeming awed with their progress. “Tomorrow? Or do you have other clients?”
    The expectant look on Kaige’s face had her swallowing her instinctive denial. She’d almost told him she wouldn’t be coming back. But maybe she should check out her assumptions first. “Could I have a minute to talk to Kaige before we decide?”
    Eli’s brows rose, but he nodded slowly. “Of course. Actually, you don’t have to tell me what you work out between yourselves. I trust Kaige with anything to do with the shop. Hell, with my life. Whatever you two come up with is cool. Thanks so much for your input today. I can already tell it was worth it.”
    “It was a good call, Cobra.” Kaige ate some crow, judging from his scowl and the way he’d charged into Eli’s office yesterday morning. “Thanks.”
    “Anytime.” Eli winked. “Make the most of the opportunity, Super Nova.”
    “You know I will.” Kaige tossed him a mock salute. “Now get back to weddingland so I can put together a schedule with Nola.”
    Cobra whistled as he vanished. The cheery tune seemed to fade in the direction of Sally’s studio.

Chapter Four
    “So what did you want to say to me that you couldn’t spill in front of Cobra?” Kaige turned toward Nola, sitting on his hand to keep it from wandering down her arm or maybe to the cleavage she’d been innocently flashing him hints of in the V of her conservative blue blouse.
    How he’d like to rip that thing open, pop a button or two at least…
    Once she’d finally shrugged out of her jacket, he’d been able to distinguish the finer details of her shape, which was every bit as sultry as he’d imagined. The faint shadow of what looked like a lacey bra had his imagination running wild too.
    “You don’t actually need my help, do you?” Nola peered up at Kaige from beneath those thick, curled lashes he’d admired all afternoon.
    Working with her had been surprisingly easy. And rewarding. Finally, someone who understood his concepts and got fired up about the possibilities they represented. She’d made several great recommendations to strengthen his positions too. Her visionary way of thinking had a lot in common with his mentality, which the other guys sometimes considered a chore, eager to get in and use elbow grease to solve their problems.
    So his heart dropped when she said, “I should tell your boss that my initial assessment shows it’d be unwise for him to invest in my services. All he has to do is listen to you . Your ideas are great. Your plan is sound. You just need to execute it now. And you don’t