Read His to Claim #2: Savage Kiss for Free Online Page A

gazed at Travis.
    Just being at the same table with him set her off balance. Despite his tough guy attire, he had a sensual aura about him, and she sensed the soul of an artist in him. She felt a strange desire to run her fingers through his sandy brown hair. As if reading her mind, he pushed a lock behind his ear, revealing three small hoop earrings.
    Why couldn’t she stop thinking about how sexy he was? Was she forming an addiction to rock musicians? Or with Travis, was the appeal that when he looked at her, he seemed to truly see her?
    He glanced up and caught her staring at him. A slow smile spread across his face.
    “So, darlin’, just how serious are you and Storm?”
    ***
    The limo pulled up outside the coffee shop where Melanie worked and Rafe got out. He’d tried texting her about twenty minutes ago, but she hadn’t responded yet, so he figured he’d stop by and ask her in person. She didn’t keep her cell with her while she was working, so that meant she probably hadn’t left for lunch yet.
    He stepped into the shop and saw the smiling Sue serving a customer, and another woman he didn’t recognize wiping a table by the window.
    “Oh, hi,” Sue said when she saw him. “Um … Melanie’s not here right now.”
    “That’s too bad. I was going to take her to lunch.”
    “I’ll let her know you stopped by.”
    “Excuse me.”
    Rafe turned to the other woman who now stood beside Sue behind the counter.
    He smiled. “Yes?”
    She examined his face. “Aren’t you in Savage Kiss, too?”
    Too
?
    “Yes, I am.”
    Her eyes lit up the same way he’d seen a thousand times before when a female fan recognized him. Which boosted his ego every time, but right now he wanted to know who else she’d seen from the band. And when.
    “I thought so. You’re Storm, the guitarist.” She smiled brightly. “You’re all really good, but you’re my favorite.”
    “Thank you very much.”
    If he had been wearing his jeans, he’d have smiled wickedly and called her baby, since the fans loved that so much, but in his suit it just felt … odd being recognized. No one had ever recognized him as Storm when he was in his suit before. Actually, no one in Philadelphia had ever recognized Storm from Savage Kiss. The band was becoming well-known now, so if he continued to play with them when they were in town, it would start to happen more often. That could become disruptive.
    “Have any of the other band members come in?” he asked.
    “Yes, the lead singer, Travis, came in about an hour ago. He took Melanie to lunch.”
    Somehow, Rafe maintained his calm smile without even a flinch.
    “Do you know where he took her?”
    He noticed Sue glance nervously at the other woman.
    “There’s a nice café on the corner two blocks east of here called Genaro’s. The staff often go there for meals. The other likely place is Freida’s Diner another block farther.”
    “Thanks.” He turned and headed to the door.
    Why had Travis taken Melanie to lunch? He fumed. As if he didn’t know. Fuck, he needed to tell Travis to lay off. That this woman was off-limits. But knowing Travis, that would only make him pursue her harder.
    Why the hell would Melanie agree to go with Travis after he’d told her Travis would steal her away in a minute? Of course, despite the incredible night of sex they’d shared, there was no promise of anything more. Certainly nothing that said they were exclusive.
    Once on the street, he started east, but his limo pulled up to the curb. The driver got out of the car to open the door.
    ***
    Melanie shifted in her chair as Travis stared at her with those unnerving blue-green eyes of his, waiting for her answer as to whether she was serious about Storm or not.
    “You’re hesitating.” He reached forward and took her hand, then stroked her wrist. “That makes me think maybe I do have a shot with you.”
    He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm, sending tremors through her.
    She knew she should