Inked by Jenika Snow

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 can answer the phone.”
    Booshie shrugged and looked from her to Cadeon, and
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 had happened Booshie had 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 side. “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 hook-up, 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 of hundred dollars, and set them on the counter beside Cadeon.
Booshie had already turned and was