She turned and glanced at herself in the mirror and made sure she at least looked like she hadn’t just gotten fucked. Her side was starting to throb now that the adrenaline high was wearing off. Stepping away from the table and more toward the waiting area, she heard another loud bang on the door, and then the sound of Booshie calling out, “Cadeon, what the fuck? Open this goddamned door.”
Cadeon stopped and turned to glance at her with a confused look on his face. “He come with you?”
She shook her head and smoothed her hands over her T-shirt once more. Dammit, what is he doing here? Cadeon unlocked the door, and Booshie came bursting in.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, feeling her annoyance that her dad most likely sent him to keep an eye on her. Who knew how long he was sitting outside just waiting for her to come out.
Booshie stepped fully inside, looked around, and stopped when he caught sight of her. “Prez wanted me to come and check on you, since you didn’t answer your cell.”
She had grabbed her purse before walking toward the door, and when she reached in and grabbed her cell, she saw there were a few missed calls from her dad. Stella had heard it ring, but talking on the phone had been the least of her worries. “I was getting a tattoo. I wasn’t about to tell him to stop just so I could answer the phone.”
Booshie shrugged and looked from her to Cadeon then turned back toward her. “I thought I heard a scream.”
Stella’s face heated, and she looked away. Acting as though she had done so to get something in her purse, she closed her eyes and took a deep, calming breath. It wasn’t like Stella was afraid of anyone knowing what she and Cadeon had done, but she certainly didn’t want to have this “Yup, I just got fucked” look on her face and have Booshie beat Cadeon’s ass on principle alone. If this was more than a one-night occurrence, she wanted to be the one to talk to her dad and the guys about it.
But she honestly didn’t know if this had just been a quick screw, because right when they had been about to talk about what happened, Booshie started beating on the door like he was the police and had a warrant.
She turned back around and pasted on what she hoped looked like a genuine smile. “I’m fine. I was just getting ready to pay and head home. You must have heard something outside, or maybe a car stereo from one of those kids that ride around with the damn things turned up too loud. Or maybe it was those cats. Maybe they were fighting or got their tail stepped on. You know how many strays there are around here.” She shrugged and smiled wider. “I don’t know, but everything is good in here.” Oh God, she was rambling and making herself look guilty. She looked at Cadeon, saw the smug asshole smiling at her, and narrowed her eyes. When she looked at Booshie, it was to see him staring at her with this confused look on his face.
“You sure you’re okay? You been drinking?”
She shook her head and felt her face heat even further the longer Booshie clearly examined her.
“You sure? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this red in the face or go on and on about guys and their stereos or a cat getting its tail stepped on.”
“I’m good. I should probably get going.”
Booshie didn’t move, but he did cross his arms, causing his cut to stretch across his big body, and glared at her. He was stubborn, just as frustratingly stubborn as the rest of the MC, and that was one thing that annoyed her to no end. It was also clear he wasn’t buying her bullshit.
“Booshie, I am fine and can get home on my own. I live like ten minutes away.” Still, he didn’t move a muscle. After a minute, she sighed and let her arms fall to her sides. “Fine.”
She walked over to Cadeon, who was leaning against the counter and looking like he was far more amused by what was going on than she was. She tried to convey that she was sorry about this, but he didn’t reveal anything in his expression aside from continuing to grin at her.
“How much do I owe you?” This incredible evening had ended up being uncomfortable and awkward.
“Don’t worry about it.” He straightened away from the counter and crossed his arms in the same manner as Booshie had.
“I insist.” What was it with men and their stubbornness? For a second, he just stared at her and then narrowed his eyes.
“Stella, I said don’t worry about it.”
Maybe it was foolish for her to think, but if she didn’t pay for her tattoo, it almost seemed like this was some kind of prostitute one-night hookup, like she had paid for the ink by spreading her legs. She clenched her jaw and saw Cadeon mimic the act.
“What in the fuck is going on?” Booshie’s loud voice broke up the weirdness that had bounced between her and Cadeon.
She turned and looked at the burly biker. “Nothing. Let’s just go.” She reached into her purse, grabbed a couple hundred dollars, and set them on the counter beside Cadeon. Booshie had already turned and was heading toward the front door, but before she could leave, Cadeon grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him so his mouth was right by her ear.
“This isn’t over, baby. Not by a fucking long shot.”
She snapped her eyes toward Cadeon’s.
“But I can see you’re two seconds away from flippin’ the fuck out. When you’re ready, we will be talking about what we did and how I have no damn plans on just letting you walk away.” He let go of
