“How do you know that?”
She leans behind me, and her fingers trace the outline of my patch. “It’s written right here.”
Her wet hair falls against my cheek, and I capture a strand and twist it around my fingers. Her gaze shifts to my hand, and her mouth pops open in surprise.
“I’m sorry I startled you, Stella.”
My eyes dart to her full lips, just inches from mine, and I’ve never wanted to kiss anyone so bad. Stella’s chest heaves up and down, and I think she might feel this connection too.
There’s a tiny cough from the corner as the baby finishes it’s feed.
I release Stella’s hair, and she takes a step back from me. But our eyes remain locked.
“I’ve put butterfly stitches across the cut. It’s not deep, but you’ll probably bruise.” She bites her bottom lip. “I’m so sorry I did that to you.”
It’s not convenient having a banging headache and a bleeding head, but I got to meet Stella, so it might even be worth it.
“Don’t worry. I’ll live. What we need to sort out is where I can get another room.”
Stella shakes her head. “Oh no, I can’t kick you out after doing this to you. You stay here, and I’ll find another room.”
We both know there are no other rooms going in town, and if the hotel’s fucked up, then the only sleeping space left will be in the field of tents, which is mostly the rowdy singles. There’s no way I’m letting this beauty camp down in that nest of vipers.
“I’m not letting you give up your room. I’ll find somewhere.”
A few minutes later, I’ve rounded up April who made all the bookings, and we’re in the line to speak to reception.
The middle-aged woman behind the desk looks flustered, and I don’t blame her. The lobby is filled with angry bikers. It looks like ours wasn’t the only mix up.
When we get to the line and explain the situation, she’s remorseful but resolute. There are no more rooms.
Stella finds us at reception, and before I can stop her, she hands her key card over to the woman. “He can have the room.”
I take her hand to stop her, and a shot of electricity fires up my forearm. Our eyes lock, and her mouth pops open in surprise.
She’s the first to recover, and I wonder if it’s an effect of the injury making me jumpy.
“It’s okay,” she says. “There’s space in Cleo’s room. I’ll bed down with them.”
“I can’t kick you out of your room.”
“It’s not kicking me out, Will. I don’t get much time with my sister. My stuff’s already moved.”
She glances over at the doorway where Cleo is waiting with the baby tucked into her leather jacket.
“Think of it as compensation for beating you up.”
She smiles at me, and I can’t resist her infectious grin, but it’s not right taking her room. “I’ll find a tent to sleep in.”
Stella laughs, and it’s a deep throaty laugh. “I can’t imagine you camping out in the field.”
I open my mouth to protest. When I was in the military, I slept rough all the time. But maybe I’ve gotten soft in my old age as a civilian.
“It’s already done. I’ve moved my stuff, my key’s handed in. I promise I won’t bother you again.”
She turns to leave and I watch her walk towards the door, hoping very much that she does bother me again.
I notice she’s not wearing a leather jacket. She doesn’t have an old lady patch, which means Stella isn’t attached to anyone.
