Holiday Temptation

by Donna Hill

  Traci dismissed her class, congratulated them on a successful semester, and wished them a wonderful holiday. She packed up her things, and her thoughts quickly shifted to the fact that she had yet to select a Christmas gift for Noah. What did you give a man who apparently had everything: talent, multiple businesses, clothes, a car, and a fabulous apartment? She had barely two weeks before Christmas to come up with something. She checked the time on her cell phone. The dean had asked that she stop by his office after she dismissed her class. She hoped that he made it quick, since she had shopping to do.

  She walked down the corridor and took the stairs to the ground floor, where the administration offices were located.

  “Hi, Stephanie,” she said to the office clerk. “Last day at last,” she said with a smile. “Plans for the holiday?”

  “I’m heading out of town to visit my folks in North Carolina. You?”

  “I’ll be here, but the time off will definitely do me good. Is the dean in? He wanted to see me.”

  “Yes, go right in. He’s expecting you.”

  “Thanks. Happy holidays.”

  “You too.”

  Traci walked toward the dean’s office and waved to several of the office staff members on her way. She knocked on the partially opened door.

  “Come in.”

  “Hello, Dean Hanson.”

  He pushed up from his seat and stood. “Traci, please have a seat.”

  Dean Hanson was always cheerful and outgoing, lighting up every space that he entered, but today there was a reserve about him that was a bit out of character.

  Traci hesitantly sat down.

  Dean Hanson resumed his seat. He folded his hands on top of the desk and looked directly at her. “I won’t beat around the bush. You have definitely been an asset to the college. I’ve gotten great feedback from some of your students.”

  Her heart began to pound and the room suddenly grew overly warm.

  He cleared his throat. “We’ve reviewed our funding for the spring semester and we had to make some hard decisions. Unfortunately, we have to cut the theater arts program.”

  What he was saying wouldn’t register. “Sir?”

  “I won’t be able to renew your contract for the spring, Traci. I’m very sorry. I know this comes at an awful time with the holidays and all, but it can’t be helped. We’ve had to let several of the adjuncts go.” He paused. “I’m sorry.” He opened a folder on his desk and pulled out a sheet of paper. “I’ve written you a recommendation letter, and with your skills I know that you will find something to showcase your talents.” He handed over the paper.

  Traci stared at it, but the words simply danced on the page. She lifted her chin and forced a smile. “I appreciate that, Dean Hanson.”

  He stood. The meeting and her career had come to an abrupt end.

  Traci managed to shake his hand, gather her things, and leave without falling apart. As she walked through the halls to the front door, the reality that it would be for the last time hit her, along with the cold blast of air when she stepped outside. What was she going to do? She did have money in her savings and her salary covered her living expenses, with little extra to spare. But how long could she live on her savings?

  She started walking to the train station, oblivious to the sights and sounds of the approaching holiday. Her train ride was a blur and she nearly missed her stop. When she got off the L train, she walked aimlessly, knowing that she wasn’t ready to face being alone in her apartment. She thought about going to the CoffeeMate and seeing Noah, but he would know immediately that something was wrong and she wasn’t ready to face him yet, either.

  When she looked up, she was in front of the Chadwick Theater. She stood on the opposite side of the street and was stunned to see men working on the building, hauling out worn chairs, tattered curtains, and old wood. She didn’t know whether she was happy that it was apparently going to open once more, or saddened by the notion that yet again someone was living his or her dream and hers continued to slip further away.

  * * *

  Traci sat in her chair by the window and looked out on the hustle and bustle below. She was going to have to find another job and quickly. Maybe she had enough to get her through January, but beyond that . . .

  Her cell phone buzzed and shimmied across the table. She got up to get it, saw that it was Noah calling, and let the call go to voice mail. She put the phone back down, only for it to ring again. This time it was Cara.

  “Hey,” Traci said.

  “Gee, don’t sound so enthused. What’s up? You should be thrilled with the last day of classes.”

  “My last day, period.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Traci went on to tell Cara about her meeting and the outcome.

  “Oh, T, I am so sorry. I don’t even know what to say, girl. You want me to come over later?”

  “No. I just want to be by myself for a bit. I have to think some things through.”

  “Did you tell Noah?”

  “No. I don’t want him feeling sorry for me and trying to come to my rescue. I need to figure this out on my own.”

  “T, I know your financial situation. I know you love teaching, but the pay ain’t great. Maybe you should really consider Noah’s offer to move in,” she hedged.

  “For all the wrong reasons, Cara. I don’t want my decision to be made because I’m desperate.”

  “When are you going to be honest with yourself?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The bottom line is you are still scared silly. You are terrified of getting close to anyone because of the asshole ex of yours. Not to mention mama dearest. But, T, Noah’s not like that and you know it. He loves you. He’s shown it. He’s proven it. You simply don’t want to accept it. But if you don’t, you’re going to lose a good man. And good men, men that are willing to stand up and be real men, are hard to come by. Don’t let the past stop your future.”

  “I am scared, Cara.” Tears slowly slid over her lashes. “When I’m with him, the joy I feel is inexplicable. I want it. I want it to last . . . but every time I think, ‘I can do this. . . ,’ the past flashes in front of me.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes. “I do love him,” she whispered. “But I’m so afraid that once I admit that to him, I’m vulnerable all over again.”

  “Sweetie, love is being vulnerable. Putting your heart and your spirit in the hands of someone else is all about vulnerability, about trust. That’s part of loving someone, trusting that they will treat your heart and your spirit with tenderness. You have a real chance to experience that with Noah, if you let him in.” She waited, and when she didn’t get a response, she said, “Well, that’s my lecture for today. I know you’ll make the right decision. Call me if you need me.”

  “Thanks. I will.” She disconnected the call and put the phone down on the table. I love him. She’d actually said the words out loud, and the admission was like a boulder being lifted off her chest. A glimmer of hope, something just out of reach, danced in front of her. Now she had to decide if she was going to grab it or not.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “You’re really quiet tonight. I thought you would be overjoyed that school is over. Now you can work on your play during the break,” Noah said as he put his feet up on the footstool and took a swallow of beer. “Everything okay?”

  Traci drew in a breath and slowly released it. “I . . . got let go today.”

  Noah sprang upright in his chair. “What?” The storm clouds brewed in his eyes. He was ready to take on whoever had done this.

  She nodded. “Yep. Budget cuts, I was told. So I don’t have a job after today.”

  He mumbled some expletives, then looked at her. “What do you want to do?”

  Her brows rose and fell. “I don’t know yet. That’s what I’ve been thinking about all day.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me first thing?”

  “It wouldn’t change anything.”

  “Hey, look, I’ve lost more j
obs than I’ve had. Maybe it’s one of those crazy blessings in disguise. The last time I lost a job, I promised myself it would never happen again. I would be my own boss. Now may be the time for you to chart your own course, you know.”

  “I suppose.”

  “Don’t suppose. Do it. What do you want to do more than anything? Your dream?”

  A shadow of a smile lifted her mouth. “Stage my play.”

  “Now you have the time to do that. To concentrate on getting it finished and producing it.”

  “You make it sound so easy. I still have to live,” she said half jokingly.

  “That’s what you have me for.”

  She stared at him.

  “We’re a team, baby. Me and you. Whatever you need, I got you.”

  Her throat tightened. She blinked back tears.

  “My offer is still open. Move in with me. Then your apartment and all the expenses that go with it will be off the table.”

  “I didn’t tell you it so that you can feel sorry for me. I’m not a charity case.”

  “Okay. I’m sure I can find a way for you to pay for your keep.” He grinned mischievously.

  She playfully rolled her eyes and twisted her lips in contemplation. “Okay,” she finally said. “But I’m going to have to break my lease, and that’s going to be an issue and—”

  “I’ll take care of it,” he said without hesitation.

  Noah got up and crossed over to where she was and sat on the arm of the chair. He played with the curls of her hair.

  “So you know I’m all about business,” he began.

  She glanced up at him with a wary eye.

  “And in business we always seal the deal.”

  She bit back a grin. “Oh, really.”

  “Yeah, so I was thinking, you know, we need to seal this deal of ours.”

  “And how do you propose we do that?”

  He took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “Come with me and let me show you.”

  * * *

  As promised, Noah took care of everything, from arranging for movers to pack up her stuff and bring it to his place, to paying off the five-month balance of her lease. He didn’t question; he didn’t hesitate; he didn’t blink. He just did what needed to be done, and all he kept telling her whenever she would begin to protest against his generosity was “We’re a team. I got you.”

  Day by day she began to believe. She allowed herself to be healed by his love for her. She looked forward to each morning and every night because she knew without a doubt that Noah would be there. She’d never before felt so complete and secure. This was how love was meant to be, what she’d been waiting for. It was hers. What could she ever hope to give him in return?

  * * *

  On Christmas Eve morning Noah and Traci finally decided to get a tree before they were all gone.

  “I haven’t had a tree since before college,” Noah said as he hauled the tree into the loft.

  “I can’t remember the last time I had a tree.” She shut the door behind them.

  Noah turned to her. “We’re starting a new tradition. Me and you.” He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Now, where should we put it?”

  “Right in front of the window.”

  “You got it.”

  They spent the rest of the afternoon decorating, talking, laughing, and listening to music. Then they began preparing their spread for Christmas dinner. It would just be the two of them, but because it was their first Christmas together, they were going all out. They had everything from fresh collard greens, string beans, sweet potatoes, rice and beans, honey ham, to turkey and homemade stuffing.

  Noah was a master in the kitchen and now she found out he could also bake. He prepared a cherry cheesecake for their dessert because she’d once told him that it was one of her favorites.

  By evening the loft was glimmering with Christmas tree lights, accompanied by the scent of evergreen and the tantalizing aroma of the meal to come.

  “I think after all of our hard work we deserve a hot bath and a drink.”

  “I totally agree,” Traci said, walking up to Noah and wrapping her arms around his waist. She looked up into his eyes and saw the love raining down on her. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “For what, baby?”

  “For everything. For being you, for letting me be me, and for showing me what love really is.” Her heart pounded. She caressed his cheek. “I don’t know what I could ever do in return.” She paused. “I love you, Noah. I love you.”

  For a brief instant he shut his eyes and then looked down at her and cupped her face in his hands. “You’ve just given me the greatest gift—your heart. And I promise you that I will cherish and protect it, and you, for as long as you’ll have me. You’ll never regret loving me, Traci. I’m going to make sure of that.”

  He covered her mouth with a searing kiss that stole her breath and unleashed her heart. She wanted to scream from the mountaintops, run through the snow-covered streets, and shout it out to the world. Her soul burst free and she gave to him, with every ounce of her being, the magnitude of her joy.

  They made love all through the night, slow and easy, hard and quick, then back again. Traci couldn’t tell him enough times of her love for him, so she tried to show him with each kiss, caress, roll of her hips, and whispers of his name. It was nearly 3 a.m., by the time they collapsed into an exhausted but satisfied sleep.

  Around six o’clock Traci’s eyes fluttered open. She peeked over her shoulder. Noah was sound asleep. Gently she eased herself out of his hold and tiptoed out of the bedroom. She wanted to get his present before he woke up.

  She eased open the hall closet, pushed aside the coats and one of her boxes that hid her present, and pulled out the large brown-paper wrapped gift. She was so excited to see his expression that she couldn’t wait until he woke up. Holding it in front of her naked body, she hurried back to the bedroom and stood on the side of the bed.

  “Noah . . . Noah.”

  “Hmmm,” he mumbled, but didn’t open his eyes.

  “Noah, wake up.”

  He blinked several times before he came fully awake and could focus on what was in front of him. He rubbed his eyes. “What time is it?”

  “Six-thirty.”

  “Merry Christmas,” she said with a big grin. She pushed the gift forward.

  Noah sat up in bed. His eyes lit up like a little kid when he realized what was going on. “What is it?”

  “Open it, open it.”

  He untied the string and then tore the paper away. His eyes widened. “Traci.” He looked at her, then back at the Basquiat print. “This is . . . baby . . .”

  “You like it?” She grinned with happiness.

  “Like it! Are you kidding? This is a collector’s piece. How in the world did you manage this?”

  “I have my ways, too.” Since she didn’t have the expense of her apartment, she’d used a chunk of her savings to purchase the artwork. But Noah would never have to know that. It was a major expense, but he was worth every dime.

  His eyes roamed across her nude body, then back at the painting. “I don’t know which is more beautiful—you or the painting,” he teased.

  Traci picked up a pillow and playfully tossed it at him. He grabbed it in midair and flung it aside. He took the print off his lap and gently placed it on the floor; then he reached up and unceremoniously pulled her down on top of him, much to her delight.

  “Knowing that you love me was my gift.” He cupped her cheek. “The print makes it even sweeter because I know you did it from the heart. That means more than you’ll ever know.” He swatted her behind. “Come on, you need clothes for my present. Get dressed.”

  * * *

  “Can’t you at least tell me where we’re going?”

  “Hmm, nope,” he teased, and turned the corner when the light changed. “Just relax. We’ll be there in a minute.”

  “Be where?” she innocently pressed.

  Noah laughe
d. “Ahh, you think you’re slick. I’m not giving up the intel.”

  Traci folded her arms and huffed, feigning annoyance. She glanced out of the passenger window and her head jerked back when she realized where they were.

  Noah pulled the Navigator to a stop and cut the engine. “Come on.”

  They got out and Noah took her hand. They crossed the street to stand in front of the Chadwick Theater.

  “Noah, what is going on?”

  He reached into his inside coat pocket and pulled out an envelope and handed it to her.

  “What is this?”

  “Open it.”

  She unsealed the envelope and unfolded the sheaf of documents. It was the deed to the Chadwick Theater and her name was listed as the owner, free and clear. She shook her head to clear it and read the first page again.

  Her hands shook. She looked at Noah, who was grinning with anticipation.

  “Noah?” Her heart was beating so fast she could barely breathe. “Is this . . . you did this?”

  “It’s yours, your very own theater. It’s not Broadway, but it’s a start.”

  She didn’t even try to hold back, but broke down in body-shaking tears. Noah gathered her in his arms and held her tight. “I hope those are happy tears.”

  Traci sniffed hard. “I . . . I don’t even have words. Noah, oh, my God.”

  “Wanna see inside?”

  “Yes, yes!”

  He took a set of keys out of his pocket and held them up. “You open up your theater,” he said softly.

  Traci took the keys with shaky fingers. After several tries she was finally able to unlock the door.

  Everything smelled brand-new, from the paint to the wood. Noah turned on the light to the lobby. It was small and cozy, with a glassed ticket booth. On either side of the lobby were restrooms, and behind the thick wooden doors was the theater. Traci was beside herself.

  She placed her hand on the knob and looked behind her at Noah, who gave her a smile and a nod of encouragement. She tugged in a breath and pulled the doors open. There it was, her dream spread out in front of her. The one-hundred-seat theater had been totally refurbished from the red velvet seating to the stage lighting and control booth. The curtain was already open to showcase the stage.