Page 50 of Hellfire

As I waited for Steele to arrive, I shifted nervously on my feet, aware of the tension building between us. It was a mistake to agree to go with him, but Tank was too preoccupied with club business to accompany me. So, I found myself stuck with Steele and the uncertainty that came with him.

A wave of relief washed over me as I spotted Diamond across the yard. Perhaps she could join us and ease the awkwardness. I hurried over to her, hoping she would be interested in coming along.

“Diamond, what are you doing?” I called out.

She smiled. “Hey, Kat. Nothing much. What’s up?”

“Steele and I are headed into town. I need to buy some clothes of my own.” I pulled on the tightly fitted t-shirt. “Not that I don’t appreciate you letting me wear your clothes,” I added, not wanting to offend her.

She laughed. “I’d love to come along. I saw these super cute boots and I’ve been meaning to get a pair. Want to go to the mall?” she asked.

I nodded, relief loosening my tense shoulders.

As we waited, I leaned against the wall and took deep breaths to calm my nerves. Suddenly, Steele appeared with his trademark smirk, and my body tensed up.

“Hey there, sweets,” he drawled as he approached us. “I see you brought a friend along. Didn’t think you could handle being alone with me?”

Diamond rolled her eyes and linked arms with mine. “She doesn’t need you, Steele,” she quipped, her tone filled with amusement.

Steele chuckled darkly. “I can share, if she asks me nicely,” he added, his eyes lingering on Diamond for a second too long. I felt a pang of jealousy, wondering if he was attracted to her. Absentmindedly, I climbed into the SUV and settled into the leather.

As we made our way to the stores, I tried to shake off my unease and focus on finding some new clothes. I never liked the way the clothing hugged my curves.

I ran a hand along a beautiful dark green cardigan, eyeing it longingly.

“You should get it,” Steele murmured from behind me. Inhaling a sharp breath, I glanced over my shoulder.

His gray eyes intently focused on mine. I shook my head and continued browsing the plus size section. Why was it that all the clothes for heavy set women seemed to be made for a grandma? I eyed a pair of ‘mom’ jeans with a sigh.

How is anyone supposed to feel sexy in those?

“Hey, Katrina, how about this?”

Steele held up a neon pink tutu with a sly grin on his face. I rolled my eyes at his antics and rounded the next aisle. There he was again, wearing the pink tutu, and holding up a pair of hooker heels. A teasing smile appeared on his lips. He wiggled his eyebrows. I felt myself beginning to blush, but still I ignored him.

As we continued browsing the plus size section, Steele held up a funny hat with an enormous flower on it, grinning widely. “What about this?” he said, placing it on my head.

I let out a giggle at the ridiculousness of it and quickly took it off, handing it back to him.

“No way,” I said, still laughing.

He shrugged, placing the hat on his own head. How was it, even in a goofy ass hat and bright pink tutu, he still looked handsome?

Steele then held up a pair of comically oversized glasses with a fake nose and mustache attached. “These are perfect for you,” he said, grinning.

“No way.” I laughed. Steele shrugged and added the glasses to his ensemble. “You look ridiculous,” I said, pointing at his reflection in the mirror.

“I look like a movie star!” he exclaimed with mock offense, a hand on his chest.

Finally, I gave in and took the hat off his head and placed it on my own. He struck a pose in the mirror and encouraged me to do the same. With a deep breath, I followed his lead. I couldn’t stop the bubble of laughter at how ridiculous we both looked, especially when Steele put on a fedora and struck another pose.

“What do you think?” he asked, winking at me.

I shook my head, still chuckling. “You’re too much, Steele.”

Finally, after several minutes of teasing and trying on funny items, Steele held up the same green cardigan. “Try it on,” he encouraged, a cheeky grin on his face.

“Alright, alright, I’ll try it on,” I conceded, heading towards the fitting room with a smile on my face.

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