Page 38 of Cheshire

She smiled with a fearless spark in her gaze. Eliza took my hand and pulled me through the hallways of the clubhouse. The thump of bass from the bar area faded behind us.

“Your room,” she whispered, a devilish promise.

I let her lead, relinquishing control. We reached the door. My sanctuary. Our escape.

“Inside.” My command was ragged, desperate. Maybe I wasn’t as good at giving up control as I’d thought.

The lock clicked behind us, sealing away the world. Just Eliza and me. Nothing else mattered.

I gripped her waist, pulling Eliza to me with a force that left no question about my need. Her body was soft against mine, fitting like she’s been made for this, for me.

“Cheshire…” Her voice was a breathy whisper, but I didn’t let her finish.

“Shh.” I silenced her with a kiss that stole our breaths, rough and all-consuming. It was like an out-of-control wildfire, the kind of kiss that branded your soul. I was lost in the taste of her, the feel of her.

Clothes became trivial barriers. I fumbled with the hem of her shirt, desperate to feel her skin against mine. Then -- a knock. Sharp, insistent. Reality came crashing back.

“Damn it.” I closed my eyes, trying to reel in my emotions.

Eliza’s eyes mirrored my frustration, her chest heaving against mine. Our moment, teetering on the edge of being lost, was now gone. We were silent, listening as footsteps retreated from the door.

“Cheshire?” Her voice was questioning, her gaze searching my face for what came next.

I leaned in and pressed my forehead to hers. Close enough to share breath, to feel her every exhale. “I don’t know, doll,” I admitted. “I get the feeling it’s important and I need to go see what they need. But you and me? If we can ever just… be… then we’ll pick up where we left off.”

I kissed her once more and left the room. Why did it feel like fate was trying to kick me in the balls? As much as I wanted Eliza, she always seemed to be just slightly out of reach. Maybe I shouldn’t have let her go the last time I had her in my bed.

* * *

Eliza

I watched Cheshire walk away, leaving me alone with my heart fluttering and my hands shaking. I sank onto his bed, his scent drifting up from his blankets. I felt entirely too aware of him. Pressing a hand to my mouth, I wished I could hold onto the sensation of him kissing me. Worry ate at me. What if he went after my father and didn’t come back? What if we missed our chance of being together?

I heard footsteps outside the door and glanced up, hoping it was Cheshire. Instead, Jo stood in the doorway. She gave me a sad smile and sighed.

“Looks like my night wasn’t the only one ruined. March had an idea of how to handle things with your father and the others. Think the club is meeting to discuss it.”

“Then I guess the night is over…” I flopped back on Cheshire’s bed. “I’m starting to think I’m going to die a virgin.”

Jo snorted and laughed. “I don’t think that’s going to happen. As swollen as your lips are, Cheshire definitely wants you. The timing is just off.”

“How do you do it?” I asked, glancing her way again. “The waiting and not knowing, the interruptions…”

Jo shrugged a shoulder. “What the club is doing is important. Not only for your safety, but for this town as well. I just try to keep that in mind. I’m not saying I don’t get frustrated. I do. Doesn’t change the fact the Underland MC is fighting a battle they need to win if this town has a chance of surviving.”

I nodded, understanding what she was saying. I knew it, deep down, but it didn’t change the fact it felt like Cheshire was constantly being snatched away from me.

“It sucks, but hang in there,” Jo said. “I promise things will get better. Once they take down your father, the mayor, and his righthand man, Robert Lewis, things will improve around here.”

“You mean until another disaster strikes?” I asked.

“Maybe. Hard to say what will happen in the future. The question is whether you’re ready to stay by his side and fight alongside him or give up and move on with your life elsewhere. Because if you stay in Warren, Cheshire will never let you go. I’ve seen the way he watches you. The man may as well have already tattooed his name on you.”

I pressed a hand to my chest. “I think he did, right here over my heart.”

Jo threw her head back and laughed. “Don’t tell him that. He may actually put his name there. Out of all of them, I think Cheshire is probably the craziest.”

“I’m scared, Jo.” I sat up and joined her at the doorway. We left Cheshire’s room and stood in the hallway. “I’m terrified something will happen to him. I’ve never been so happy before. What if this is all a dream and I wake up back in hell?”

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