Page 24 of House of Payne

“It’s not uncommon,” she admits. “My father owns this place, and we’re the only ones here. Usually, we’re both here, but sometimes, I have to take over for a bit when he has something else to do.”

“Today, he…” She gets a worried, faraway look on her face and pauses. I suspect I won’t get the full story, though I’d like to know it. I wonder if it has anything to do with Carlisle’s visit. “He’s not feeling so well today, so he stayed home, and I’m here managing things.”

I shake my head. “Interesting.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Her defiant tone stirs something within me. Part of me wants to challenge her on it. See if she’d use such a tone on me if she knew who I was. “Despite how I might look, I’m usually not so clumsy. I’m more than capable of running the diner.”

“If you say so.” I smile. “In the world we live in, I can’t imagine you feel safe alone here.”

How can she, with people like me able to wander in?

It’s no wonder this place is going downhill.

Her face pales, and it seems like her mind flashes back to something unpleasant. I want to ask her about the memory, make her so scared that she realizes how dangerous I am. But that’s not why I’m here today.

“I can protect myself,” she retorts. “The real question is what are you doing in this danky old diner by yourself? You don’t quite fit in. Something about you is just…” she pauses and looks outside at my car.

It’s a good thing she noticed. I don’t want to come across as someone who might eat here.

I shrug and take a step away, as much for her peace of mind as mine. “I’ve heard a thing or two about this place.”

London raises an eyebrow. “Like what?”

“That’s for me to know.”

“You’re inmydiner.”

“Yourfather’sdiner, and should you continue to talk to me like that, I’ll…”

“You’ll what?!”

She looks up. London is the first person to challenge me in a long time. That would normally frustrate me, but right now, it’s exhilarating, especially since she doesn’t have a clue who I am.

If she did, she’d probably hate me.

Our eyes meet and something happens. There’s an undeniable charge in the air between us, and the way her eyes light up, I know she feels it, too. She shifts uncomfortably under the heat but doesn’t look away.

Neither can I.

I think of touching her all over. Grabbing her ass and her breasts, trailing my fingertips all over her soft skin, exploring every single inch of her.

I visualize pushing her up against the bar, holding her in place as she cries out in pain and pleasure. She gives into my whims and my control, and she loves it. I imagine railing her right on the counter, making her scream my name, and…

Get a fucking grip.

I can’t allow my mind to wander like that. The person I’m here to do business with isn’t even here right now, so I should just leave before I get wrapped up any further.

I know better than to act on my instincts with an innocent girl who wouldn’t be able to take anything I throw at her. She is young and naïve, and that’s not right for me. Physically, she’s just my type, but I need to leave her alone.

Because I can’t imagine getting involved with the diner owner’s daughter would end well.

Not when I’m trying to take the place over for my own personal gain.

Still, the thought of her on her knees is something I can’t get out of my mind. I imagine her looking up at me with those doe eyes, and…

Fuck.

If I stay here any longer, I don’t know if I can control myself.