Page 36 of Cheshire

“Um, how do I warm them?” I asked.

“Grab a skillet, set the heat to low, then place one on it. Let it sit for thirty to sixty seconds, flip it for another thirty seconds, then move on to the next one. It shouldn’t stick. If it does, then you’re leaving them on too long. They won’t still be hot when the boys come in to eat, but they’ll still be tasty.”

I did as Jo said, and as I warmed the tortillas, I watched her slice chicken breasts into small strips. She pulled out one bottle of seasoning, and I kept waiting for her to grab more. Didn’t recipes usually call for several?

She eyed me. “I haven’t told the guys, but I only use seasonings that either have no sodium or are low in sodium. I even have a salt substitute. This particular blend is just warm enough to have a good flavor without being too hot.”

Once she had the chicken cooking, she alternated between stirring the chicken around the skillet and slicing bell pepper and onion. I wondered why she was doing it that way, when I realized she still had chicken strips to cook. She shifted the cooked ones into a serving bowl, then started cooking the next batch.

Jo pulled out a covered skillet and put a little oil in it, then turned on the burner. Once I heard the oil sizzling, she dropped in the peppers and onions, stirring them at regular intervals. The second batch of chicken went into the serving bowl, and she turned down the heat on the peppers and onions before covering them.

“One last batch of chicken and then we can eat,” she said. “Want to go tell everyone? Looks like you’ve finished the tortillas. You can place the plate on the table.”

I set them in the center of the table and went into the main room, then drew in a breath and yelled as loud as I could, “Dinner is almost done!”

March chuckled from where he’d been sitting a few feet away, but I heard booted steps coming down the hall. At least it seemed they might have all heard me. I went back to help Jo finish up, and once we sat down to eat and I had my first bite, I stared at Jo in awe. The meal was simple, yet so incredibly good.

“Sometimes I make cilantro lime rice and black beans to go with it,” Jo said. “But not always. There are times simpler is better.”

“You did good,” Hatter said. “They came out perfect.”

Jo winked at me. “Eliza warmed the tortillas for me and set the table.”

“Maybe I can help more next time, since I know what to do now.”

Jo nodded. “Sounds good. I should have done the prep earlier, but…”

If she’d tried to come to the kitchen earlier, she would have seen me drawing with Rabbit. I had a feeling that instead of letting us know she was there, she would have backed off and given us space.

Meals with the club really did feel like a family affair. I wondered what the holidays would be like.

Chapter Thirteen

Cheshire

After dinner, everyone tended to scatter to their rooms or linger in the common area. Since Eliza had been alone for so long, I was taking a gamble on her not wanting to feel isolated right now. If I didn’t see her, then I’d know she was in her room, and I’d give her space. But I was eager to spend time with her. She’d already gotten under my skin. All it took was a smile from her, and I would do anything she asked of me.

The dim light in the far corner of the Underland MC clubhouse cast long shadows across the leather couch. I’d found Eliza in this quiet corner.

“Cheshire,” she whispered.

I took a step, my boots thudding against the floor. The world narrowed to just us, the noise fading into nothing. Her gaze held me captive, a siren’s call I couldn’t resist. My heart had been pounding out a rhythm that screamed her name.

“Eliza,” I said. Just saying her name made me happy.

She had been close enough that I could see the rise and fall of her chest, quick and uneven. I reached out, slowly, deliberately. My fingertips grazed her cheek, brushing a rebellious strand of hair behind her ear.

“Cheshire,” she murmured again, briefly closing her eyes and leaning into my touch.

“Shhh.” My hand lingered on her face, my thumb stroking her skin. Couldn’t help it. Every time I looked into her eyes, I felt so lost. Powerless.

I breathed her in, and I could smell the soap she used to wash up. If it were quiet in here, I wondered if I’d be able to hear her heartbeat. I wanted her, more than I’d ever wanted anything.

“Eliza, I won’t deny what I feel for you. I want you. I think you feel the same, but… I’m worried I’ll move too fast. I don’t want to overwhelm you.”

“Cheshire.” She paused. “No… Charlie. When I’m with you, I feel like I’m on fire. My heart races, and it feels like something is buzzing under my skin. Anticipation, or maybe… I don’t know. I don’t have a label for it.”

Damn if her words didn’t hit me like a freight train. I’d already told her she was mine, but hearing the words made it all seem new. It amazed me I could make her feel that way. From the first moment I’d taken her to my room, I’d worried I was merely someone to sate her curiosity. Even after unofficially claiming her, some part of me had wondered if she really understood and accepted what it meant. She was so damn innocent, but now I wondered if I could hope for something real, a passion that could burn brighter than all the stars in the sky.

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