Embrace the Desire by Spring Stevens Page A

it’s getting stronger.” He paused, his head tilting to the side, his nostrils flaring slightly. “There’s a storm brewing under your skin.”
    Chanta turned to the diner feeling her cheeks burn. “Let’s just go inside and grab a table.”
    “I would prefer to stay outside.” He looked over his shoulder, his black trench coat swirling around his legs. “These people your diner caters to are disgusting.”
    Chanta couldn’t resist teasing him. “Oh really. The big scary man afraid of the gothic folk?”
    Payne growled his disgust and grabbed the door handle. “After you, princess.”
    Chanta grinned and his eyes sparkled, or did they? It was a fleeting expression and perhaps she read it wrong. She took a step through the door when she caught his smell. It was a stunning odor—clean, fresh, almost like the smell on a snowy day. And there was something else, a faint musk. She took a few more steps and wondered if it was Stetson cologne. It was a good smell and she liked it a lot, more than she was presently willing to admit.
    Payne followed and pointed to the corner table. It was a safe distance from the other people in the diner and the shadows would hide his expressions if he were to let one slide to his face. And she really needed to see his expressions since she couldn’t read his emotions.
    “You hungry?”
    His answer was curt. “No.”
    “Well, I am. I’ll be back in a sec.”
    • • •
    Payne sat with his back to the wall as she went to the counter. He watched carefully how her expressions changed as she passed the tables. He knew she was trying to block the thoughts that were no doubt filling her mind. It took a lot of practice and by her expressions, she was not as good at it as she wanted to be. He chuckled as her mouth flew open when she passed the skinny man with black painted lips. He directed the man’s thoughts and a wry smile curled upon his lips.
    The man was watching Chanta’s rear and was wondering if she liked it doggie style. He had fantasized about her for months and would pull out his fingernails if she would let him lick her nipples. He would lay her over a chair arm and bang her until she went weak-kneed. She had a nice ass and he was sure she would taste like almonds.
    Chanta’s eyes were hard as steel as she ordered the cup of coffee, black. She followed the order with a large home fries and a grilled cheese. She grinned as she turned from the counter and retraced her steps past the skinny man. Payne almost burst out into laughter as she faked a fall and her coffee cup landed in the man’s lap.
    Payne choked his laughter down as she made sweet apologies and swiped at his chest with a napkin from the table. In her little charade, she purposely hit his plate and its contents spewed across his jacket. He cursed under his breath as Chanta slipped away and came to the table.
    “I am so clumsy sometimes. Poor guy, I hope it didn’t hurt much.”
    Payne nodded. “I’m sure he may have done something today that warranted a rude awakening.”
    Chanta’s lips pressed together hard. “Yes, I’m sure of it as well.”
    Payne fidgeted in his chair. He was not used to being around a woman, especially one he was taking a liking to. She was different from most humans. It was probably her empathic ability that made her seem different. He had no use for a woman in his life and he would have to block her out. He couldn’t afford to let her get close.
    “So. Where do you want to begin?”
    He looked at her quizzically. “Do you want to eat first?”
    “No, let’s get started. I’m anxious to know some things and Varick said you would answer any questions that I have.”
    He grunted. “So be it woman.”
    Chanta frowned at Payne. “My name is not woman. It’s Chanta.”
    Payne grunted again and ran his hand through his hair as she spoke again. “If you don’t mind me asking, why do you dress like that? Do you really like leather or do you like looking like a biker?”
    “I