“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 her and gave her this self-assured cocky grin that should have pissed her off but instead made her pulse increase with desire.
She turned and quickly made her way out the front door. Well, she supposed that answered her question about what tonight had been about and if this was only a one-time hookup.9It had been two days since he had given Stella her tattoo, but he hadn’t spoken to her. He tried calling her the day after she left his shop, realizing he had not even told her the aftercare instructions for her ink. His mind had been pretty chaotic after he finally had her. His cock, although semi-hard right after he had come, had been like steel once more when he had gone to bed that night.
But she hadn’t called him back after he left a message, and he wasn’t about to stalk her ass like some kind of psychopath. Yet there was no denying he wanted her. And for whatever reason, he wanted Stella like he had never wanted another woman before. He thought maybe it was because she was off-limits, in a sense, and maybe that had been the initial reason.
Cadeon was used to getting what he wanted, when he wanted, but with Stella, it was more complicated. He couldn’t explain why he felt this need to be with her, but after he finally had her, he felt this deep, proprietary desire for her. He wanted to protect her, take care of her, and make sure no assholes messed with her or he’d break their bones.
“Yo, Cadeon,” Naggie called out.
He lifted his head from the stack of papers in front of him. She had a pair of black gloves on and was getting ready to do some nipple piercings. “What?” He leaned back in his chair, and the leather creaked.
“I asked if you could order some more twelve-gauge needles.” The girl behind her looked like Naggie’s twin with her pixie cut, slender frame, and numerous piercings.
“Yeah, I’ll put a requisition in.”
She nodded, but he didn’t miss the strange expression that covered her face. He lifted a brow and tipped his chin toward her client. She pursed her lips and turned around. Cadeon knew he had been acting weird the last couple days, but he hadn’t been able to help it. All he had thought about was Stella and that he wanted to see her again.