Page 9 of Stella
My highly trained, very smart police dog pushes her head into Stella’s hand and she barely stifles a laugh.
“I guess that’s a yes.” I smirk.
When she smiles, her whole face lights up. “Such a good girl, aren’t you, baby?”
I know she’s not talking to me, clearly, but goddamn, when she says ‘baby’ my body comes even more alight. Then she looks up at Amanda as if just noticing her for the first time.
“Hey there.”
She smiles back and gives a nervous wave. “Hello.”
My dog whimpers when the attention is off her for a second, and after Stella says:
“Ooh, look at you, Calli-Sue, you’re just the sweetest girl in the world, aren’t you, aren’t you?” And gives her a final scruff under the ears, she stands. “So,Detective,what brings you over to this neck of the woods?”
Detective.
Holy fucking shit balls.
My eyes do not dip to that fruitful pout of hers; those lips that could send me to Heaven and back. They stay planted firmly on her eyes, because if I dip any lower, I’m gonna give myself away.
The boys still haven’t noticed my presence, if they had, they’d all be over here by now demanding what I’m doing. They don’t give a shit about my badge. It means nothing to them.
I clear my throat. “The bumper.”
“Oh,” Stella laughs. “Yes, you did say that. I’ll have to check with Tag?—”
Just as she says his name, I hear; “What the fuck are you doin’ here?”
And we’re off.
Tag, larger than life and possibly the scariest man I’ve ever seen aside from Stella’s dad, Harlem, starts toward us. His biceps are ridiculous, and he never gives me an inch. Harlem can at least be civil, but not Tag. He’s NOLA Rebels through and through. I admit, I stand a little taller, and I hear Calli give a low growl.
I command her to stand down, and she does, though she keeps her gaze on his.
“I’ve got it, T.” Stella rolls her eyes, and I stifle a laugh. “These good people are just after a quote for a smashed bumper, you got time to take a look?”
The big man’s eyes shift to her as he approaches, then back to me. “For real?”
I shrug. “This young woman needs assistance, and I told her you’re the best in the business.”
No smile.
“That you won’t rip her off.”
Not even an eyebrow raise.
“And that you’d give her the very best price.”
Now I get a nostril flare. This man. I swear to fucking God, he just sees a cop and wants to commit blue murder. Or is it just me? That makes me smile even wider.
Now his eyes narrow. “Why you smilin’?”
I do like winding him up just a little. “Pleasant day.” I shrug. “What’s not to smile about?”
Stella laughs. “I’ll grab you a coffee while Tag takes a look.”
“No, you won’t be grabbin’ him anythin’,” Tag starts, but Stella waves a hand.
