The red, orange and pink colors of the sunrise were in the clear sky of Las Vegas, as they left the big city behind them. A sense of pride had overwhelmed Bruce. He had taken Melissa with him and he could not stop smiling. Still, her prolonged silence, even fifteen minutes after they crossed the city limits worried him. More than that, she would not face him. On the contrary, she had folded her arms across her chest and kept gazing into the void. That was not the reaction he had been waiting for.

Frustrated, Bruce took his eyes off the road ahead and fixed his gaze on her, in an attempt to force her to finally look at him. Melissa took her yellow purse in her hands, unzipped it and put her hand into it. Five seconds later, she took her hand out of it and pulled the zipper down. When she did face him, her sight broke his heart. Tears were streaming down her face. Bruce knew that something terrible had occurred, but a moving car was not ideal for a conversation. The things that she might have to say to him could upset him and he was desperate to hear her voice again. So, he pulled over at a small, empty patch of land on the left side of the road. He got out of the car and leaned his back against it, folding his arms across his chest. Seconds later, Melissa exited the Camaro and joined him, as he gazed into the horizon.

“I thought you’d be happy to see me.” He complained, turning his head to the left to face her.

“I am.” She whispered. “It’s just that w…”

“What, Melissa?” He raised his tone, interrupting her. “It’s just that what?”

“Why did you come back, Bruce?” Melissa wondered in a thick voice.

“Don’t you know?” Bruce whispered, taking her right hand into his palms. He caressed her smooth skin, bending his head towards her, as a bitter smile spread across her face.

“Part of me wanted you to come back. God…” Her voice broke, as she squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head sideways. “I was dying to see you again. I’ve missed you so much.”

“I missed you too, baby.” Another soft whisper left his lips, as he buried his face in her hair, gently running his thumb across her wrist.

“But what are we going to do now? Hide?” She asked, as tears welled up in her eyes.

“I had to get you out of that place.” He said in his deep, manly tone. “What happened in there? I heard noise.”

“Well…” Melissa snorted. “I was planning on catching an early flight to L.A. I just bumped a vase on my way out.”

“Poor vase.” Bruce laughed. “You were coming to see me?”

“Yeah, just for the weekend. Which reminds me: I forgot my suitcase.” She said, smiling embarrassingly.

“Don’t worry about clothes. I’ll buy you some.” He grinned.

“Still…” Melissa sighed. “You could have gotten killed today. What you did was pretty reckless.”

“Look, I don’t need a lecture, ok?” Bruce grumbled. “I did what I had to do. And I’d do it all over again.”

“I’m sorry, but…”

“I know.” He interjected. “You don’t want me to get hurt. But, I don’t care. I don’t want to live alone anymore. I just want to be with the woman that…” He faltered. “Blew my mind. You, Melissa. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“You’re so sweet.” She whispered. “No one’s ever risked his life for me.”

A strong gust of wind blew from the north, tossing Melissa’s hair about. Bruce kept his mouth shut, looking deep into her eyes, as more powerful rushes blew clouds of sands in the air, whipping her hair back and forth. Sensing the chilly wind on his skin, he let go of her hand and wrapped his arms around her back. She put her hands on his chest, tilting her mouth upward to meet his. Their lips locked in a long, tender kiss. The warmth of her mouth filled his heart with joy. Ecstatic to have Melissa back in his arms, he savored the moment, as her hair tickled his neck. Her short sighs raised every hair on his body. She gently squeezed his hard muscles, as he laid one last kiss on her upper lip.

“What now, Mr. Biker?” She said, her voice low and filled with emotion.

“Have you ever been to Santa Monica?” He answered her question with a question.

“Yeah, why?”

“Then you’ve seen the pier.” Bruce concluded. “It’s beautiful; and if we hurry, it’ll be pretty quiet.”

“Take me away from here.” Melissa requested, giving him a broad, blissful smile.

“Santa Monica it is. The sun will be up by the time we get there. But I can’t imagine a more ideal place for the things I want to say to you, Melissa. You know a few of the reasons why I left the MC. Now, it’s time you knew the last one.”