Read Online Explosive Alliance by Catherine Mann - Free Book Online Page A

glasses slipped off and broke when I held her over the nearest trash can, so I couldn't drive."
    "Sounds like a full day." He nodded to Bo. "Thanks for seeing them home safely."
    "No problem at all, dude. It gave me a chance to check out—"
    Paige's face blanched.
    "—some of the countryside." He subdued a smile. He might be reckless enough to razz her about her excellent back view, but he wasn't stupid enough to announce it to her brother. Especially when he needed to win this man over to his side, something he couldn't do with Prickly Paige around.
    Bo passed Kirstie, leaving Paige no alternative but to take the kid. "You probably want to put her down."
    "Bo—"
    "What?" He flashed his best earnest look her way. "I just want to talk to your brother about our discussion."
    "Fine, but I'll be right out in a few minutes. Don't wander off without me." Backing away, she met him gaze-for-gaze with a look that said she wasn't letting him steamroll her by joining forces with her brother.
    Damn. He liked her more by the second. And she really was easy on the eyes with all those soft curves he sure wouldn't mind explor—
    "Rokowsky," the behemoth rumbled.
    Crap. She hadn't been joking about the big guy's radar when it came to his sister and men. Bo jerked his gaze off the fine view of her striding past the kennels of yipping dogs. "Jansen."
    "My sister moves fast." He gestured toward Paige already charging around the clinic entrance toward the front porch. "I expect she'll have Kirstie down and settled in two minutes flat. So say your piece quick."
    Bo lounged against the quarter panel of the truck, keeping his body language laid-back. "Paige tells me you're in a tight financial spot with your cousin's bashed-up ankle keeping him out of the cockpit for a couple of weeks."
    "Prideful Paige told you?" Jansen shook his head. "I don't think so."
    Prideful Paige. Prickly Paige. Pretty Paige. Yeah, all three made her too interesting by half. "She told me some, and I read between the lines well."
    Jansen stayed silent. Waiting? A man of few words? The guy didn't give off any hints.
    Except...wait. He looked like Kirstie right before she'd blasted his boots.
    The guy had a weak stomach.
    Bingo. Achilles heel identified, Bo launched his attack. "I take it from your green tinge you didn't enjoy that landing much."
    Jansen swallowed hard without answering.
    "No need to be embarrassed. I saw the whole thing and shee-it. I'd have been tempted to grab an airsickness bag. Guy flared the nose up too soon. I figure he's either a rookie or only used to flying the big planes."
    "Rookie. Graduated a while back, but he's low on hours."
    Time to go for the pitch. "I have two weeks off and I'd like to help."
    "How come?"
    Straight up would work best with this guy. "Flying's easy for me. I enjoy it. You need a pilot. I have plenty of hours in smaller planes and I'm glad to show you my logbook."
    Time for more truth, well, except for the part about how the scent of Paige slathered in coconut oil twisted his libido inside out. "And, yeah, I met your sister back in Charleston. I'd like some reassurance that everything's okay for her now. No logical reason other than the fact that I can't leave a problem unresloved. Guy thing, I guess."
    Bo waited for the verdict, already planning a counterattack if Jansen said no. And waited. Good God, this dude took his time making up his mind.
    Finally Jansen swept off his hat, swiped his brow and settled the cap back in place again. "I'd be a fool not to consider it. Let's go for a spin in the Cessna and see if those hotshot wings on your flight suit are genuine."
    Yes! He could nail that landing with his eyes closed. Who'd have thought the behemoth would be easier to wrangle than his five-foot-four sister?
    Now that he and Jansen were on the same team, he would mention the man who'd been speaking to Kirstie, so Jansen could keep watch without further upsetting Paige. "A flight sounds perfect, and if we move fast we can