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Stella smiled when she heard the scuffle of Avery’s Converse on the wooden floor hurry up behind her. Avery’s shuffle increased as they got to the door. Stella stood to the side for Avery to open it. When she did, the wind blew Stella’s hair to the side.
“Why, thank you,” Stella said, walking out and turning towards the hotel she’d booked while cashing out.
She smiled when Avery took her hand. Stella didn’t know the neighborhood well, but even if they got lost, she didn’t mind with Avery on her arm.
Stella thought back to her string of bad luck. Only her best friends, Amy and Ethan, had given her any sanity through the months as she’d continued auditioning. It now felt like luck that she’d had a hosting audition down the road earlier that evening. The fact she found a beautiful masc woman in an LA watering hole was a good sign, but it was a downright miracle that she was single.
“Where should we go?” Avery asked as they walked along the balmy summer night. “Do you live around here?” She pulled Stella closer.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I already booked a hotel nearby,” Stella sheepishly confessed. “I guess I should have asked if you live around here. I live about an hour away if traffic is clear, but I shouldn’t be driving now.”
Avery chuckled. “My apartment is somewhat close, but a hotel would be nice. Lead the way.” They continued down the sidewalk. “Are you okay with walking? I’d break my ankle if I tried to move in those heels. I can give you a piggyback if you’re having trouble with the shoes.” Avery’s smile shouldn’t have created a stampede of butterflies within Stella, but it did. There was something about the quiet, unassuming ones. She could never stay away from them.
“I’ve been walking in heels since before I could crawl, so I don’t think I’ll have a problem.” Stella wanted to play the damsel, maybe ham it up for Avery to swoop in and help, but it wasn’t in her nature. No, her mama had raised a strong, capable woman who wouldn’t dumb down or play weak for anybody. Any prospective partner would have to be willing to date a woman who couldn’t pretend to be anyone other than herself. “You’re unapologetically you,” her nana had once said about her.
“What brought you to California?” Stella asked, wanting to know more.
“My mom,” Avery replied, but didn’t expand on her answer.
Stella didn’t push her, just enjoyed the warm floral breeze and the solid presence at her arm. She had a knack for knowing when to dig for more information. It’s what made her a good interviewer. And Avery was practically screaming, please don’t ask me. She wouldn’t, even though she wanted to get to know her better. She didn’t want to ruin the night. Stella knew she made the right choice when she felt Avery relax back into her.
“How about you? I think you said something about interviewing people, right? Are you a reporter?” Avery asked, curiosity tinging her tone.
Stella took in the lamppost flooding the small area of the sidewalk and stopped under it. “I’ve always enjoyed the limelight. My teachers had to punish me nearly weekly because I’d try to crack up Kendra Sue, who was notoriously shy. When I finally made her laugh—from a fart joke, no less, go figure—it unlocked something in me. I was hooked. It got so bad my nana came down to school one day, and I was holding a panel of my fellow classmates during lunch. Nana sat in the shadows watching the show I was putting on, getting the other kids to laugh. Not at each other, I always put an end to that, but just finding inspiration in our daily lives. Nana turned right around without saying anything.” Pausing the story, she closed her eyes and tilted her head back, knowing it looked like she was washing in the light.
“What happened next?” The whispered question broke her reverie. Avery had stepped aside, out of the halo, leaving Stella alone in her glow.
“I got a talking to later that day. Nana told me I had a gift and needed to share it with the world. I was meant to put people at ease and talk about their days. After I finished school, she sent me on the plane from Oklahoma, saying I best not come back until I’ve got my own show.” Stella stepped out of the light, wanting to hide the glisten of tears she felt stinging her eyes. “I’m hitting my ten-year mark since leaving home, and all I have to show for it is a few entries on my Wikipedia page.” Stella usually saved her bemoaning sessions for Amy, but it was easy to talk to Avery.
Avery stepped up to her, wrapping her arms around her shoulders and pulling her in tight. Since Avery was shorter, her cheek rested nicely on Stella’s breast.
“I don’t know much about show business, but they’re missing out if they continue looking past you. You’re the whole package.” Avery stepped back but didn’t let go of her arms.
Stella was lost in Avery’s warm brown eyes. “A few years ago, I would have agreed with you, but the executives keep pointing out how unseemly it is to have a bigger girl on TV.” Stella waved her hands in the air, showing the universal curvy figure that matched her look.
Avery’s eyes widened, and she stepped back, observing her for the first time. It would have made Stella squirm uncomfortably if Avery’s eyes weren’t so hungry-looking. “Nope, I’m not buying that excuse either. You’re gorgeous, and the executives would be lucky to have you.”
Before Stella could respond, Avery stepped toward her and walked them backward until they were under the light again. Stella groaned when her back gently grazed against the pole, but Avery’s mouth quickly swallowed any further sound.
The kiss wasn’t soft by any means, which was precisely how Stella liked it. Her hands slid up Avery’s shoulders, grasping a handful of short hair at the nape of her neck. Her body was on fire as Avery’s hands worked around her hips to land on her ass. All within the glow of the light.
Stella moaned, unable to believe she was letting go this far in public. A car drove by and honked, breaking them apart, both panting like they’d just run a mile. Stella enjoyed the dazed look of lust flashing in Avery’s eyes.
“Is that the hotel you booked?” Avery indicated with her head, her voice husky and tinged with need.
“Indeed it is.” Stella nipped at her neck before stepping away and receiving Avery’s arm again.
“How much is my half for tonight?” Avery asked as they walked up to the small hotel. “I can send you money to your preferred app.” They waited while the automatic doors opened with a whoosh. Stella walked in first, feeling Avery’s eyes on her as her hips swayed—another reason she loved wearing heels.
“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’ve got it.” Stella waved her manicured hand. It wasn’t that she was spoiled, but her parents still provided most of her spending cash.
Stella walked up to the counter. The receptionist jolted awake when Stella thudded her elbows on the marble surface. “I’m Stella Sullivan, here to pick up my room key.”
The woman perked up at the sight of Avery as she worked on finding the reservations. To Stella’s delight, Avery wrapped her arm around her waist and pulled her close. The woman glanced between them before sighing and asking for a driver's license.
She gladly handed it over, trying not to tap her shoe impatiently on the gleaming floor. Avery’s hand was caressing her side. If Avery intended to keep her motor running while they waited, it worked like a charm.
Avery leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Just think, in a few moments, I will be devouring you, Stella.”
