Insecurity and a Bottle of Merlot by Bria Marche Read Free Book Online Page A

channel surfing at PBS which was broadcasting a segment about shutting down fisheries to protect the tuna population. This should do it for me, she thought, as she sipped her tea. Within thirty minutes she was back in bed.
    The annoying alarm set for eight o’clock blasted in Vic’s ears. She reached up to ride the snooze button, peeking through her slits of barely open eyes, and saw it was nine o’clock. “Son of a bitch,” she shrieked, as she jumped out of bed. “I should have been up an hour ago. Max is going to be here at ten.”
    Vic tossed a cup of water into the microwave and grabbed the instant coffee from the pantry. Shit, when was the last time I used this? She looked at the expiration date on the jar. It read: Expires 6-14-09. Damn it! What the hell? Stale coffee isn’t going to kill me. Reminder to self—clean out the pantry sometime soon. Vic didn’t have much time, so she had to improvise with her looks. We’ll be on his motorcycle anyway. No reason to worry about my hair. I’ll have helmet head all day the way it is. She showered and spritzed on Chanel. Glossing her unruly, long, dark hair into a sleek braid would be her only saving grace. Thank God it’s a motorcycle date. There’s no time to fart around with my hair anyway. Vic applied a small amount of makeup, slipped on a pair of tight jeans, a tank top and her moto boots. She checked herself in the mirror as she guzzled down the lukewarm coffee and ate two Double Stuff Oreo cookies.
    The deep throttling sound of the Harley was unmistakable as it pulled into Vic’s driveway. Her heart pounded and her palms were sweaty. Oh my God, knock it off, and take a deep breath. If Max reaches for my hand and feels how sweaty it is, he’s going to be so grossed out. He knocked on the door. Vic did another quick look in the mirror. Okay… I’m cool, and I look awesome. She took a deep breath, pulled the confident persona out of the closet, and opened the front door.
    “Hey, hot stuff,” Max said, with a smile that spread across his entire face. “Are you ready to make my day?”
    “Max, you’re crazy.” He actually looks happy to see me. “ Today is going to be a blast.”
    “You seem different.”
    “Oh shit… I’m sorry. I woke up late and didn’t have a lot of time to get dolled up.”
    “No, I didn’t mean it in a bad way. It’s a compliment. I really like that subtle style. I’m a small town guy. I mean, you were drop dead gorgeous at the wedding, don’t get me wrong. But today, you’re even more beautiful.”
    Vic felt her face heat up. The blush had to be evident to Max.
    “I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I only wanted to say you look really nice.”
    “Thanks, Max. You’re not too bad yourself,” she responded, back to true form. Vic had that fun loving cockiness everyone knew, and loved about her.
    “That’s my girl. Let’s go have a great motorcycle ride.”
    Vic finally let her guard down and smiled. Max just might be the real deal after all. “Hell yeah. I’m not wearing these boots for nothing when it’s 80 degrees outside. I even borrowed a leather biker jacket too,” she laughed.
    “Alright, gorgeous, let’s go. Here, put on this helmet. We don’t want anything happening to that beautiful head of yours.” Max caught Vic off guard when he leaned in and kissed her fully on the lips. It was the last thing she expected, but she wrapped her arms around his neck and responded eagerly.
    “Let’s go before we change our minds and stay here,” she said, taken aback, but very turned on.
    “You got it, mama. Rhinebeck, here we come.”
    The ride to Rhinebeck took an hour and a half. Max drove his Harley through small towns and winding roads along the Hudson River on Route 9. The weather was perfect, with a cloudless blue sky, and light breeze. They weaved in and out of the shadows of large trees along the route.
    Vic wrapped her arms tightly around Max’s strong, muscular back. She inhaled the woodsy, spicy