Free His to Claim by Opal Carew

Melanie returned to the back with the bucket and mop
     she’d used to clean up the cream that had spilled all over the floor when a customer
     had accidentally knocked over a full jug. There were about six customers in line,
     but both Sue and Karen, the manager, were on bar, so everything was well in hand.
    “Hey, Melanie. There’s a hot guy here to see you.”
    Melanie glanced up at Sue, who’d popped her head in the doorway.
    “Storm’s here?” She smiled, despite her concern that Karen would be annoyed at her
     having a friend stop by to see her.
    “No, not Storm. This is a new incredibly sexy hunk.” Sue grinned. “Man, you’ve got
     to tell me where you’ve been hanging out, because I definitely want to get me one
     of those.”
    Melanie washed her hands, then hurried to the front, wondering who it might be.
    She glanced around as she stepped through the doorway.
    “Hi, Melanie.”
    She turned toward the vaguely familiar voice and was shocked to see Storm’s friend,
     Travis, stand up from one of the small round tables near the cash register. In his
     jeans and sleeveless T-shirt, his muscular arms and shoulders were on full display.
     He looked tough, but very sexy.
    Unlike Storm’s tattoo-laden arms, Travis had one snake tattoo encircling his bicep.
     His longish sandy hair was unkempt, in a stylish way, and his strong jaw was shadowed
     with whiskers.
    “Oh, hi. How are you doing?” Why in the world was Travis here?
    Storm’s words echoed through her head. Travis and I are good friends, but if he could steal you away, he would. It’s just
     a weird rivalry that started between us when we were on the road.
    His smile was boyish and wickedly sexy at the same time.
    “I wanted to know if you’d join me for lunch.”
    “Well, I’m not sure if—”
    “Oh, my God. You’re Travis, the lead singer of Savage Kiss.” A young woman who’d been
     sitting with two friends at a table a few feet away bolted to her feet and rushed
     over. “I saw your show last week. You were amazing.”
    Travis smiled. “Thanks, darlin’.”
    She thrust a menu at him. “Can I get your autograph?”
    “Oh, me, too,” one of her friends said. Both young women had joined her and they were
     crowding around him.
    He signed autographs for all three of them, and a few other people who came over.
    He turned to Melanie and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Please say you’ll join
     me and we can go somewhere quiet.”
    Sue walked over. “Hi, I’m Sue.” She grinned broadly as she held out her hand.
    Travis shook it. “Nice to meet you, Sue.”
    “Travis, that’s our supervisor over there. I happen to know she saw your concert on
     Thursday night and is a big fan. I’m sure she’d be thrilled if you go say hi, and
     I doubt she’d turn you down if you ask if Melanie can leave for lunch a little early.”
    “Thanks for the tip, Sue. I’ll be right back.”
    “What are you doing, Sue?” Melanie said as soon as Travis stepped away. “I’m seeing
     Storm.”
    “Listen, Mel, you have two sexy men pursing you.” She winked. “Keep your options open.”
    Travis strolled back to Melanie. “Ready?”
    “I … guess so.”
    *   *   *
    Melanie and Travis sat down at the table on the patio of Genaro’s, a little café a
     couple of blocks from the shop. The hostess handed them menus, and after a quick glance
     at the specials, Melanie closed hers.
    When the waitress came by, Melanie ordered the chicken-and-pineapple wrap with a salad
     and Travis asked for a beer and a burger.
    “I’m surprised you came to see me,” Melanie said.
    “Why?”
    She couldn’t help staring at his blue-green eyes, which sent waves of warmth through
     her every time he focused on her, which felt like all the time. It was as if she was
     all he could see.
    After years of working with Rafe and feeling invisible, it was a heady feeling. He
     continued to watch her with unabashed interest, as if he could peer into her soul
     and