Page 54 of Infected By Virus

RAE

Every time she heard a motorcycle, she peeked out the blinds. Santa leaning against his bike, smoking a cigarette across the street didn’t escape her notice.

She would take it up with Virus as soon as he arrived, and they were away from gooey-eyed Harmon. She’d practically melted into a puddle when they spotted Santa. Not because Harmon was enamored with him, but the notion of him. “It’s so romantic.” She’d declared.

Harmon was obsessed with her Hollywood version of the broody but protective biker. Rae didn’t point out that every fictional biker she’d ever watched was not just hot as fuck for his woman, he spread the love around.

Rae much preferred romance novel bikers. They didn’t cheat, and they didn’t run drugs that could end up in the hands of children. They had a tough exterior but were all squishy inside, but only for their woman. No one else.

Yeah, book biker beat TV bikers hands down. Especially the series that were set in Vegas. Those were her favorites.

“Okay, so how do I look?” She twirled for her friend as if she were wearing five-inch heels and the fuck-me dress she’d planned. Instead, she was in ripped jeans, boots, her favorite Fallin In Reverse tee, and a dupe of Dean’s jacket from season one of Supernatural.

“Like a perfect ol’ lady to me. I love it, but I thought the plan was to cook together here. You look like you’re dressed for a ride.”

“As I was strapping on my heels, I remembered we cooked together once when we first started dating and I was trying to impress him. I forgot the main ingredient in spaghetti.”

“The actual spaghetti?”

“Yep. So, he offered to drive me to the store to pick it up. On the way, we took a detour and happened upon the pond. It was so perfect; we ended up having sex in his old truck. We made it to the store like five seconds before they closed. We ended up sitting on the floor, eating spaghetti at the coffee table, Lady and the Tramp style. It was a perfect night.”

“So, your plan is to take him to the pond, bang him, and then come back here and slurp spaghetti. I gotta say I feel like I failed you as the sex sensei.”

“No. No sex, but I want to tap into that happy memory for us. I want us to get to know each other before we start having sex as our main form of communication. Been there, done that, didn’t work out.”

“First, the best way to tap into good memories is letting him tap it. Second, you two know each other better than anyone else I know. Third, you just banged him last night, so there’s that. Fourth, you are still not all in. You’re trying to hold back a bit of yourself because you’re afraid to get hurt again. Love is about risks, honey. Without the risk, you can’t fall all the way. And if you’re not careful, you’ll cause history to repeat itself by holding back.”

Rae stared at Harmon for what felt like a lifetime. In reality, it was mere seconds, she was sure.

“You’re right,” she breathed. Rae really thought she was all in. She wholeheartedly believed she wasn’t holding back but she was. If she wasn’t careful, she would push him away again.

She launched herself into Harmon’s arms. “You’re the best.”

“I know.”

“I love you so much.”

“Ditto girlie pop.” Harmon tried to end the hug. She played cocky but was uncomfortable with too much appreciation. “Now, go answer the door before he kicks it in.”

It had totally escaped Rae’s notice that someone was knocking. For a moment she jumped, thinking it might be Barker, but Santa wouldn’t have let that happen, plus she heard Virus call her name.

After disentangling from Harmon, she flung the door open and lost her breath. Virus stood there looking downright book boyfriend swoon-worthy. Black Henley under his cut. Jeans that hugged him like a second skin, scuffed boots, and a panty-melting smile on his face.

In his hand, he held a single dandelion that was missing some wisps.

Awkwardly, he spoke. “June told me before I left I had to pick a dandelion, the perfect dandelion, and tell you to make a wish. She guaranteed it was the way to any mom’s heart or, and I quote, unless they don’t have one, like Cinderella’s stepmom.”

Rae held back her laughter, Harmon not so much.

“So, you’re taking dating advice from children?”

“If it works, I’ll try it.” He gave her a crooked smile and raised his eyebrow in question. Rae reached for the less than perfect dandelion, closed her eyes and made a wish … and blew.

“What did you wish for?” Virus asked, and she was ready to tell him when Harmon interrupted.

“Well, we know it wasn’t dick, that’s for sure.”

“Harmon,” she scolded.

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