Chapter 11: He Cooks Better Than Me

Carley

I'm in the kitchen setting out all the items Jase requested for him to cook since I took a shower and got ready for morning classes before he did. He is going to cook breakfast when he is done.

I can't remember the last time I fell asleep so quickly. Jase's heartbeat is a much better sleeping aid than anything else I've tried.

"Okay, sweetheart, I'm going to help you learn how to make breakfast burritos this morning," Jase stays pressing his body close to mine.

Hand over hand, he has me mixing ingredients and cooking meat and eggs in a frying pan. He is a very hands-on instructor, which my body more than appreciates. The man is even showing me how to make tortillas from scratch.

Storm walks in the backdoor from outside to see Jase and me spreading the dough. The tortilla dough. Get your mind out of the gutter.

"Did he stay the night?" Storm asks gruffly. He sits at the kitchen table watching us closely. Instead of wearing a pearl snap shirt and straw cowboy hat like he was yesterday, today he is an in a t-shirt, baseball cap, and driving moccasins.

"He is standing right here," Jase grumbles. "Yes, I did stay the night. Thanks for asking. In the past I would sleep over at least once a week," Jase replies with a smirk on his handsome face.

'Jase is trying to start a fight with Storm.'

He is telling the truth, but he would stay in the loft or Carson's room. Sometimes we would all grab blankets sleeping together on the living room floor. Carson would put me beside him and the guys on the other side. It didn't work because Ransom would snuggle up next to me in the middle of the night.

Storm's scowl deepens further as Jase says, "Trust me, cowboy, you would have heard us if we did anything other than sleep last night."

'Oh, my stars! Seriously Jase?!'

I blush then smack Jase as hard as I can on the rear with my wooden spoon in hand. 'Ouch! That hurt! What is his ass made, steel?'

"Lay off him Star-Bear," I chide shaking the weapon I assaulted him with while he grins at me like a love-struck buffoon.

"Yeah. Yeah. Sure, sweetheart. It's not my fault he needs to un-wedge that stick up his ass," Jase says blandly then smack my rear.

I yelp at the brief sting of Jase's hand. Before Storm can defend my honor or just fight Jase for the stick crack, I smack Jase again with the spoon, this time on his chest. That hurt my hand as well.

I swear this man isn't human anymore. 'He must be a cyborg.'

"So what are we having for breakfast?" Arson asks striding through the backdoor to sit at the kitchen table. He props his booted feet up on the edge of the table and leans back in his chair back. He completely makes himself at home as if he hasn't spent any time away from my home.

"Breakfast burritos, bro," Jase replies flipping one of his large handmade tortillas.

Storm's eyes narrow on Arson. 'His face going to get in scowl if he keeps this up.'

Arson is unaffected by the murderous intent pouring off of Storm in waves.

'He doesn't like my Air-Bear.'

"Jase always cooks for me," Arson says in explanation for why he is here. I didn't need the explanation because I already knew this. Even in the past, the only meals Arson would get are the ones Jase or my mom would cook for him. "He wasn't home this morning so I figured he would be here."

"Amy!" Lidia shouts in alarm so I turn around to panic in her eyes.

Mom comes rushing in while I place food and drinks in front of Arson and Storm. She breathes a sigh of relief and then laughs. "Oh Lidia, relax. It's just two of Carley's friends." She ushers Lidia to the table.

Mom's eyes narrow on Arson as she sits down. "Arson Skaggs, those better not be your dirty boots on my table, boy," she chides him as if he were still an unruly child. Her unruly child that she did partially raise.

He immediately removes his feet, wiping the table down with a napkin before apologizing to my mom. "Sorry, Mrs. Channing I forgot the rules," he says standing up to take the plates from me and setting them down.

Once we get started eating conversation starts back up.

"Jase, honey, this food is delicious!" Mom praises him. "I know you did most of the work since Carley still burns toast," she teases.

"Mom!" I admonish, but she just laughs. She is correct. I'm that horrible of a cook. If it weren't for Jase this meal probably would not have been edible.

"It's okay, sweetheart. Air can't even use the microwave," Jase teases taking a jab at Arson to make me feel better.

"It's true," Arson says with a shrug of his large shoulders. "He does the cooking for a reason."

"Toss me another tortilla, babe," Arson says to me with a clap of his hands, gesturing he is ready to catch.

I do throw the tortilla at him. However, it doesn't make it into his hands. It smacks him right in the face! Everyone at the table is trying their best not to laugh as the tortilla flops onto his plate. Arson just glares at the piece of food as it personally offended him.

After a moment of us laughing uncontrollably, mom finally clears her throat to change the subject. "So, how is college going?" Mom asks knowing I ran into them yesterday on campus.

Jase takes a drink of his coffee before answering. "I'm on track towards my forensic science degree," he says with a charming smile.

I kick Arson under the table to get him to stop eating and answer my mom's question. He starts choking on his orange juice, but answers, " I'm getting my degree in automotive technology and business management." He rubs the back of his neck as if uncertain or nervous.

Why would this man who oozes confidence be uncertain or nervous about his future? I look at him closely in his all-black clothing with his chocolate hair shorn close to his head at the sides with it back with it longer on top, combed back to secure it away from his eyes.

"We will clean up for you Mrs. Channing," Jase says sweeping his wavy auburn locks away from his face. " I'm sure ladies need to get to work."

He looks at Lidia, dawning striking his green eyes. "I'm sorry ma'am. Where are our manners?!" He holds a hand out to her, introducing himself.

Lidia takes his hand, and he gives her a light squeeze. "I'm Lidia Benson and Storm is my only son," she says with her eyes darting suspiciously between Jase and Arson.

Arson smiles at Lidia flirtatiously, extending his hand out to her as well. "You already know my name," he says, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Benson."

"Hold up! Where did my grumpy grease monkey go? Who is this flirtatious man?! I want my grumpy back.'

Lidia takes his hand, and he brings her hand to his supple lips, kissing it briefly. Meanwhile, Lidia just stares at his hand and up his tattooed arm.

"This a lot of tattoos for someone so young," Lidia breathes.

Arson smiles, not taking offense to her words. "I'm Lachlan's walking talking billboard. All of my work was done by him. He's a perfectionist when it comes to his art, so I don't mind letting him practice on me. He works in a tattoo shop in town, so he is going to school for a business degree to run his personal shop," Arson replies with a wink and a grin.

Lidia's face says she is surprised at his words, but I'm not one bit. Arson will do anything within his power to help those he cares about.

Mom nudges Lidia's shoulder to get her attention. "Come on. We need to get to work. You don't want to be late on your first day. Do you, Lidia?"

Lidia shakes her head no and then stands. They say their goodbyes and then leave.