Chapter 3 What the Fuck Is Catherine Winters? #3
“Aunt Darla, Lucius will never find out. This is between Shane and me. I’m not going back to him, and I need you to stop bringing this up. Don’t interfere in our affairs. I don’t want Shane to hear any of this.”
“I’m only saying it because I care about you,” Darla replied, trying to make her understand.
But Stella had already picked up her water bottle. Without saying anything more, she turned and walked away, leaving Darla behind.
That night, Stella lay awake, restless thoughts keeping her from sleep. She tossed and turned beneath the covers until, unable to bear it any longer, she pushed them aside and quietly slipped out of the house.
She drove straight to her best friend’s home. After entering the security code, she stepped inside and called Ana.
“I’m in the living room. Should I come up to your bedroom, or are you two naked?”
A burst of shuffling sounded from the other end of the line, followed by Ana’s breathless voice.
“Come upstairs. We’re decent now.”
There was a brief pause before Ana giggled.
Stella rolled her eyes as she climbed the stairs. When she reached the bedroom, she knocked on the door.
“Don’t be indecent. I don’t want to walk in on anything. I’m coming inside.”
Before she could finish, the door opened.
Ana’s husband, Mason, stood there. He was tall and imposing, with broad shoulders, deep brown hair falling casually over his forehead, and a sharp jaw softened by a trace of stubble. His piercing eyes settled on Stella, immediately making her tense.
He had always been intimidating, and there was something about his presence that made her instinctively wary. But Stella wasn’t about to let that stop her. She simply pushed past him and walked straight into the bedroom.
“I’m here. Did you miss me?” she called out.
Ana laughed from the bed. Her small, sweet face lit up with an innocent smile, her long hair spilling around her shoulders as she looked toward Stella with her warm, kind eyes.
“I saw you just this morning, Stella, but yes, I missed you.”
Stella didn’t bother answering. She walked straight to the bed and climbed in beside her.
Ana turned toward her, surprise written across her face. “What’s going on? Why are you here this late?”
“Nothing. I just couldn’t sleep.” Stella pulled the covers over herself. “I want to sleep with you tonight.”
Ana immediately looked toward her husband.
“Why are you sleeping here? You came all the way from your house just to sleep in our room with my wife?” Mason crossed his arms over his chest, his expression one of pure disbelief.
Ana gave him a pleading look. “Can you sleep in the guest room tonight, please?”
Mason’s expression hardened. “I don’t want to sleep in the guest room. I want to sleep with you.”
Stella remained exactly where she was. She slipped both arms behind her head and settled more comfortably against the pillows, making it clear she had no intention of moving.
“Not happening. I’m sleeping here, so you’ll have to take the guest room, Mr. Nightingale.” She paused, then added with complete seriousness, “You need to understand that every few months, your wife is going to be mine for one night.”
Mason clenched his jaw, clearly struggling with his irritation.
“Fine. How about I stay awake until you start feeling sleepy?” he proposed. “Once you’re drowsy enough, you can go to the guest room, and I can sleep beside Ana?”
Stella immediately sat upright and folded her legs beneath her.
“Absolutely not. Are you serious? I’m asking for one night. We haven’t had a sleepover in months, and now you won’t even let me sleep beside her for one night?”
She crossed her arms. “I’m sleeping with Ana tonight. There’s no compromise.”
Mason dragged a hand through his hair and released a frustrated breath. He glanced at Ana, silently hoping she would intervene, but she only watched them with an amused expression.
He finally turned toward the door.
He stopped and looked back.
“Just one night. Tonight only. And after this, you’re not allowed to sleep here for the next six months.”
He stared at her.
Stella stared right back, her expression challenging him to make her agree if he dares.
Mason had no choice but to take another frustrated breath and turn away. If he kept arguing with Stella, he knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep anywhere in the house that night.
“Jesus Christ.” Stella shook her head as she watched him leave.
“Ana, your husband is still just as stubborn and clingy as ever. I can’t believe you two have been married for so many years, and he still acts as though you’re going to run away if he leaves you alone for an hour.
It’s like having a CCTV camera following you twenty-four-seven. ”
Ana laughed at her words. “It’s fine. I don’t mind it. I like that he loves me. I like having his attention.”
She smiled before glancing at Stella.
“Are you sure you’re not going to sleep in the guest room tonight?” Stella’s head snapped toward her, and she immediately sat upright, her face filled with disbelief.
“Oh my God! Can’t you two stay away from each other for one goddamn night?!”