Chapter 1 #2
Pulling up to the curb was a biker on a massive jet black motorcycle with a purr as smooth as silk. His helmet covered his face, but I didn’t need to see what he looked like to recognize him.
There was only one biker in this world who called me honeybee because of my energy. The only man in the world I had ever fallen in love with.
Dean “Titan” Ellison, my dad’s best friend.
But he was twice my age, and I was just a silly girl with a silly crush. Maybe that’s why I flirted with all those other boys—attempting to forget Dean. Desperately seeking someone else to make me feel the same way he did.
Climbing off his bike, Dean removed his helmet and spread his arms wide.
“Get over here and give me a hug already. Or did you outgrow that while I was gone?”
My heart swelled. God, I missed him so much. It felt amazing to hear his voice again, to see the gleam in his gray eyes.
Hurrying as fast as I dared on the snowy sidewalk, I ran into Dean’s waiting arms. He laughed, squeezing me so tightly that my toes left the ground. The scent of his insulated leather jacket filled my lungs when I breathed him in.
“Fucking hell, honeybee. It’s good to see you.”
I buried my face in Dean’s neck as I did a quick mental calculation in my head. How long had it been? Three years? No, closer to five by now.
He used to be part of the local motorcycle club, The Reckless Order. He even held an officer’s position for a while as Vice President.
And then he got restless, itchy. Life in a small town was too small for him. He wanted something better, something fresh and new.
So, he hit the road and left it all behind. Including me. And Dad.
At last, I reluctantly pulled away from Dean’s embrace and looked up at him.
“What are you doing back in town? I didn’t know you were coming. Does Dad know you’re here? How long are you staying?”
Dean chuckled and placed the weight of his large hands on my shoulders with a squeeze. My heart leaped into my throat at his touch.
“Whoa, whoa, hold your horses, honeybee. Take a breath and let me get a word in edgewise.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, sliding my arms around his bicep. Huddling close, I could fool myself into believing I was simply cold, seeking his warmth. But deep down, I knew I wanted to hold on tight and never let him go.
“I’m just excited, that’s all,” I replied apologetically. “If I’d known you were coming, I would have put together a surprise welcome home party.”
Dean grumbled.
“Which is exactly why I didn’t say anything. I hate surprises. And parties.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Some things never change. You’re still the same ol’ Grumpy Gus.”
He broke away to hold me at arm’s length, looking me up and down. A blush warmed my cheeks at his attention.
“Well, I can’t say the same for you. I swear you’ve grown three or four inches. And with that pretty face, rumor has it that you’re breaking hearts all across town.”
My blush burned even hotter and I glanced away with a flustered little laugh.
What the hell was wrong with me? Was I actually tongue-tied? That never happened before.
Dean looped an arm around my shoulders, tucking me into his side. Even through the thick layer of his insulated riding jacket, I could feel the firm muscles of his torso.
My lower belly clenched tight. I would never forget the first time I saw Dean without a shirt, tattoo ink spanning across his chest. The muscles in his back flexed as he bent over his bike in the heat of a Colorado summer.
His hands had been streaked with grease, and a thin sheen of sweat slicked his skin.
At sixteen years old, that moment had been an awakening for me. I tried to fight the yearning pit in my stomach, knowing it was wrong. Knowing Dean was so much older than me, while I was still a minor.
So, I did everything I could to forget him. I scoured the boys my age for a distraction. But none of them could measure up.
Then I got an answer to my prayers in the worst possible way. Dean left town. And I bawled my eyes out every night for a week, sick with a broken heart.
“You still haven’t answered my question,” I pointed out, grasping desperately at a change in the conversation that I could cling to.
“Which one?” Dean replied. “You asked about six questions in the span of two seconds.”
I jabbed him in the ribs with my elbow. He let out a puff of air with a grunt and a breathless laugh.
“How long are you staying?” I repeated. “Please tell me you’re going to be around for Christmas.”
Dean hedged with a groan.
“Fuck, I forgot about Christmas. You know I don’t do all that festive holiday shit, honeybee.”
“Come on. Don’t be a grinch.”
I stuck out my lower lip in an exaggerated pout. Dean swore softly under his breath and scrubbed his gloved hand over his mouth.
“Ruby,” he warned.
I pouted harder and grabbed his free hand in both of mine.
“Please,” I begged. “Dad would love to have you.”
And I can’t bear to watch you leave for a second time, I thought. Not before the holidays, when it’s supposed to be the happiest time of the year.
Dean sighed.
“I was only planning to stay for a day or two. Not a whole week.”
“Plans are meant to be changed,” I countered.
He huffed a laugh.
“You drive a hard bargain, honeybee.”
I beamed up at him.
“Would it help if I threw in fresh baked cookies and homemade cocoa to sweeten the deal?”
“Damn it, Ruby,” Dean growled with a sparkle in his eye.
A thrill of victory zipped up my spine.
“Say it. You have to say it.”
He heaved a sigh.
“Fine. I’ll stay for Christmas.”
I cheered and rose up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. Dean hooked an arm around my waist, crushing me against his chest. I grinned into his shoulder and closed my eyes, snuggling into his embrace for a brief, wonderful moment.
This was going to be the best Christmas ever.