The Perfect Present

by Rochelle Alers

  Noah had just finished brushing his teeth when his cell phone chimed, indicating he had a text. The message he’d been waiting for finally came through. His cancelled flight was rescheduled to take off at 11:48. It was 7:22, and he had to pack and get to O’Hare by nine-thirty. He walked into the bedroom and opened the armoire to get a set of underwear.

  “Why are you up so early?”

  He held his hands in front of his groin as he half turned to see Sierra sitting up in bed. “I just got a text from the airline that I have an eleven o’clock flight.”

  She scrambled off the bed. “I’ll drive you to the airport.”

  Noah shook his head. “No, babe. I’ll call a taxi.”

  “That’s okay. I don’t mind driving you. As soon as I shower and get dressed we’ll be on our way.”

  He knew it was pointless to argue with her. “Okay.”

  * * *

  Sierra maneuvered into the long line leading to departures. She wanted to cry but knew Noah would probably believe she was being melodramatic, and that wasn’t the lasting impression she wanted to leave him with. “It looks as if everybody is trying to get out of town.”

  “Yep.”

  She gave him a sidelong glance under the sunglasses perched on the bridge of her nose. The weather had cleared, the skies were blue, and the temperatures were predicted to top out in the low forties. Noah was dressed as he’d been the first time he walked down the aisle of the aircraft to sit beside her. He was now Captain Crawford.

  “Maybe I should give you my number so if you’re ever in my neck of the woods, we can get together over dinner and drinks.”

  “You don’t have to give me your number, because I can get it on my own.”

  She blinked once. “How?”

  He smiled. “Remember I’m assigned to intelligence.”

  She returned his smile. “I suppose that makes you a spy.”

  “I guess you can say that. Tell your brothers that I’m sorry I wasn’t able to compete in the Christmas Day cook-off, but maybe one of these days when I’m in the neighborhood I’ll take them up on their challenge.”

  “They’re going to miss you.”

  Noah placed a hand on her knee. “What about you? Will you also miss me?”

  “I’m missing you now. I must confess you’re the best pretend boyfriend I’ve ever had.”

  “How many have you had?”

  “Only one.”

  Noah’s fingers tightened on the skinny jeans covering her knee. “Same here. I must admit it was fun. But not so much fun that I’d want to do it again, because once you tell one lie then you have to tell another to cover that one. After a while you just run out of lies, or you can’t keep them straight.”

  “I think we did all right. Not quite an award-winning performance, but close.”

  “I happen to think we were spectacular. The sweethearts and darlings rolled off your tongue like silk.”

  Sierra stared out the windshield. “Maybe it was because that’s what I felt at the time I said it.”

  Noah went completely still. “Are you saying it wasn’t all an act?”

  Her eyelids fluttered wildly. “Do you want a lie or the truth?”

  “The truth, of course!”

  “I didn’t want you to be my pretend boyfriend. I wanted what we had to be for real.”

  “Why didn’t you say something?”

  She frowned. “And have you believe that I was a horny, desperate woman willing to sleep with a man she’d known a couple of days? You don’t know how many times I wanted to beg you to kiss me, and when you did last night, under the mistletoe, I knew I wanted more than a kiss. I wanted you to make love to me, but when we got into bed together and nothing happened and I thought you hadn’t found me physically—”

  “Stop it, Sierra! Did you feel how my body reacted to you when we were dancing? And when I woke up this morning I was so hard that I was forced to take a cold shower. That’s something I have not done in almost twenty years. And I wanted to curse the hell out of you because you turned me on and there was nothing I could do about it.”

  “You can curse me later because you’re here.” She leaned over and pulled the lever to open the hatch to the SUV.

  Sierra looked up into the rearview mirror, watching Noah as he got out of the car and removed the duffel from the cargo area. It had been her intention to drop him off and drive back to the house, but she just couldn’t sit there and watch him walk into the terminal and disappear out of her life. Unbuckling her seat belt, she got out and came around to the sidewalk as Noah waited to check his bag at curbside check-in.

  Tears filled her eyes and overflowed as she tried smiling. First she was standing alone there, and then she found herself in his arms, his mouth capturing hers in a marauding kiss that sucked the air from her lungs.

  “I love you,” she whispered when she finally broke the kiss.

  Noah stared at her as if she had taken leave of her senses. “I love you, too.” He winked at her. “I’ll be in touch.”

  Sierra nodded, then turned and went back to the vehicle she had left idling at the curb. She shifted into gear and pulled out into traffic leading to the airport exit. An emotion she had never experienced filled her as she struggled not to cry. It wasn’t sadness or disappointment, but a soaring happiness that made her feel as if she could walk on air.

  She drove back to the house where she had grown up and experienced so many happy memories. This Christmas was one she would remember for a very long time. She had met a stranger on the plane, invited him to share the holiday with her family, unaware he would change her forever. Sierra hadn’t lied when she told Noah she loved him, because she did. It wasn’t an all-encompassing love where she couldn’t live without him, but a love that was easygoing and without the angst she’d had in past relationships.

  Her mother was in the kitchen sipping coffee when she walked in. “I had to take Noah to the airport,” she explained when Evelyn gave her a questioning look.

  “I really like him.”

  “I do, too.”

  “Like him enough to marry him if he asked you?”

  A smile parted Sierra’s lips. “Yes.”

  Evelyn ran her fingers through her short silver curls. “Good.” She held out her arms. “Come and give your mama a kiss.”

  Sierra did not hesitate when she walked into her mother’s embrace, as she had as a little girl. Then her mother didn’t have to ask for a kiss, because Sierra loved hugging her. She loved her mother’s protective embrace, the smell of her perfume, and knew nothing could hurt her as long as her mother held her. She was still in her mother’s arms when her father entered the kitchen.

  “He’s gone, isn’t he?” Philip asked perceptively.

  She turned and smiled at her father. “Yes. He finally got a flight out.”

  Philip nodded. “I really like that young man. I hope we’ll get to see him again.”

  “I’m certain you will, Daddy.”

  * * *

  Sierra sat back and studied her face in the vanity mirror. She hadn’t lost her skill when it came to applying makeup. She was going to a New Year’s Eve party for the first time in years. One of the teachers at her school had decided to host a small gathering at her house because no one wanted to go to a club or restaurant.

  Her return flight to San Diego was without incident, and when she deplaned, the heat had hit her like someone had opened the door to a blast furnace, because she was wearing too many clothes. She hadn’t bothered to unpack as she fell into bed and went to sleep.

  She had just slipped into her dress for the party when the intercom rang. Walking on bare feet to the door, she picked up the receiver. “Yes?”

  “I have a delivery for an S. Nelson.”

  Her brow furrowed. She wasn’t expecting a delivery. “Who’s it from?”

  “Captain America.”

  She clapped a hand over her mouth. Noah had disguised his voice. “I’m buzzing you in.”

 
Sierra waited until she saw his face through the security eye before she unlocked and opened the door. She barely had time to catch her breath when she found herself in his arms, his mouth on hers. He lifted her effortlessly off her feet and carried her through the entryway and into her living/dining area.

  Her hands cradled his clean-shaven jaw as she held him as if he was her lifeline. “Noah,” she moaned between kisses. He finally set her on her feet, but continued to hold her. A tailored, dark blue suit, crisp white shirt, and gray silk tie had replaced the fatigues, and there was something about him that made him even more attractive than she remembered.

  “How did you find me?”

  “A good spy can always find his target.” His eyes moved slowly over her face. “You look incredible. Are you going somewhere?”

  “Yes. I’m invited to a friend’s house for a small celebration. I was told I could bring a plus-one.”

  Noah angled his head. “I was hoping to take my girlfriend out to a little bistro not far from here, and then come back and bring in the year that will start a new tradition for us.” He reached into the breast pocket of his jacket. “I have a belated Christmas present I’d like to give you.”

  Sierra took the silver-wrapped square box from him and sat down on the pale suede-covered love seat. “You really didn’t have to give me anything.”

  Noah dropped down next to her, stretched out his legs and crossed his feet at the ankles. “It’s a little token of my appreciation for you putting me up during the layover.”

  She removed the tape and paper to reveal a velvet box. Sierra knew without removing the top it contained a piece of jewelry. A slight gasp escaped her when she saw a delicate gold bracelet with a diamond heart clasp. It wasn’t the bracelet that shocked her but the SEAL Trident.

  “You’re a SEAL.”

  Noah nodded. He took the bracelet and fastened it around her left wrist. “You’re the first woman I’ve told that I’m a SEAL, and hopefully you’ll be the last, because I want you to give me a chance to prove I’m worthy enough to celebrate next Christmas and all the Christmases to come with our blended families.”

  Sierra knew Noah was offering her an indirect proposal of marriage. “You’ll have that chance.”

  “And to be fair, I’ll allow you an out. You’ll have a year to come to terms with whether you’re willing to become the wife of a Special Operations soldier. I may be away for extended periods of time, and when I have to leave for a mission, I can’t tell you where I’m going or what I’m ordered to do.”

  Leaning into him, Sierra rested her head on his shoulder. “Do I have to remind you that every Nelson woman, beginning with Nana, has been a military wife? I’m certain I can pass the test.”

  He closed his eyes, smiling. “You have a lot of wonderful women as role models.”

  “I’m ready to go out with you and start our own New Year’s Eve tradition.”

  “What about your friend?”

  “I’ll tell her something came up and I couldn’t make it.”

  * * *

  Noah had risked everything—including his pride—to return to California to a woman he hadn’t known a week, to share next Christmas and all the Christmases of their lives together as husband and wife, parents and grandparents, and hopefully great-grandparents.

  The Christmas Lesson

  CHERIS HODGES

  Prologue

  Prom Night—Ten Years Ago

  Kayla Matthews wasn’t going to let being stood up for the prom stop her from showing off the black and gold dress she and her mother spent three weeks finding.

  And, Kayla wasn’t looking forward to spending Saturday night at home listening to her little sister whining about why she couldn’t go to the prom. Like, duh, she was only in the eighth grade. Autumn always wanted to do everything that Kayla did, despite their age difference. Their sibling rivalry was starting to get on Kayla’s nerves and her mother’s as well. For the most part, she just let Autumn have her way because when Kayla walked across the stage at West Charlotte High School, she was out of there.

  Though she would miss DeShawn Carter, her best friend, more than anything—including The Chicken Coop, a staple in Charlotte dining. Thinking of DeShawn made her happy and sad at the same time. She wished that he’d seen her as more than just one of the guys. Maybe that had been why she’d decided to come to the prom, so that she and DeShawn could spend some time together. Who was she kidding? Tonight DeShawn was going to be focused on finally getting Daphne Marshall to give him some booty. She rolled her eyes as she thought about Daphne the sex fiend.

  The rumor was that there wasn’t an athlete that she wouldn’t bed and DeShawn was on her list, and he had the nerve to go to the prom with her. Sighing, Kayla decided to have fun in spite of everything.

  Walking into the ballroom at the Omni Hotel in uptown Charlotte, Kayla put a smile on her face as she heard her favorite song blaring from the speakers. Davida Martin waved her over to the table where she was sitting.

  “Glad you made it,” she said.

  “I started to stay home, but look at this dress.” Kayla twirled and showed off her form-fitting dress with the flared skirt.

  “It’s about time you started dressing like a girl,” Davida said. “I saw your boy dancing with—”

  “Don’t tell me,” Kayla said as she rolled her eyes and sat down.

  “She looks like one of those BET dancers, but I’ll give it up to DeShawn. In that tux, he looks like a black James Bond.” Davida nodded to her left and Kayla saw DeShawn coming their way.

  “Hey, Kayla,” he said, then sat down beside her. “I have to say, you’re looking good.”

  “Thanks, and who knew you owned something other than basketball shorts and T-shirts.”

  “Mmm, and you have legs—pretty nice ones, I might add.” He gave her a lascivious glance and Kayla shivered. Was he really looking at her like that? Maybe tonight would be the night that she . . . Davida kicked her underneath the table.

  Kayla turned to her and furrowed her brows.

  “I thought he was sick?”

  Kayla locked eyes with her should’ve-been prom date, Ramon Clarkston. He had his arms wrapped around Pia Marvin, the only person in the world that Kayla actually hated. And there she was with Kayla’s prom date. Bitch. Pia glanced in her direction and smirked, as she held on tighter to Ramon’s arm.

  “Don’t even worry about her,” Davida whispered. “And she looks like a tramp.”

  “And obviously, that’s what he wants. I never liked that guy,” DeShawn said, focusing his gaze on Kayla.

  She turned her back to the door and focused on DeShawn. What was that look he was giving her? “Shawn, where is your date?”

  He shrugged. “Last time I saw her, she was heading outside to smoke.”

  “Or suck a—”

  “Davida!” Kayla exclaimed. “Don’t do that.”

  DeShawn laughed. “I knew what I was getting into when I decided to come here with her. She tried to grab my junk and I turned her down. She called me a few names and I realized that I should’ve come here alone.”

  Or asked me, Kayla thought as she smiled at DeShawn.

  “What?” he asked, noting his friend’s stare.

  Kayla rose to her feet. “Let’s dance.” He took her hand and they headed for the dance floor. Davida smiled.

  “That’s what y’all should’ve done from the start,” she muttered.

  * * *

  As soon as DeShawn and Kayla made it to the dance floor, a slow jam started playing. “We can sit down if you want,” he said, though he wanted to wrap his arms around her.

  “No, it’s cool.”

  DeShawn opened his arms to her. As they danced, he buried his nose in her hair. She smelled good, as usual. Strawberries and roses.

  His hand slipped from her back to her booty. He tensed for a second to see if she was going to flinch. She didn’t. Good Lord, she felt good.

  DeShawn had been feeling different about K
ayla for months, but they had been best friends since freshman year. Kayla was the girl who knew about football and basketball, she was the girl who didn’t do drama, and the one who should’ve been his girlfriend.

  “If you don’t move your hand, my knee will meet your family jewels,” she whispered.

  “Sorry.” He rested his hands on the small of her back.

  “That’s all right, this time.” She leaned her head on his shoulder and DeShawn felt his body tense.

  The song ended and DeShawn didn’t want to let her go. Instead, they stood in the middle of the dance floor. So many things ran through his mind, but DeShawn didn’t say a word. This was his best friend, the girl he could talk to about anything. The girl who was driving him crazy in this black and gold dress.

  “Shawn, what’s wrong with you?” Her voice broke into his thoughts as he stared at her.

  “Nothing, I just . . . Damn, you look amazing.”

  She smiled. “I’m starting to feel like you think I look like crap every other day of the week.”

  “Not at all,” he said. “You always look good, but tonight . . .”

  “Look at this shit,” Ramon snapped as he approached DeShawn and Kayla.

  DeShawn narrowed his eyes at Ramon. He’d never liked this dude, who thought he was going to be the next Kanye West, and when Kayla told him that he was going to be her prom date, he was pissed. And then he stood her up. Now, he was standing here with an attitude.

  “I thought you were sick,” Kayla snapped.

  “And you said this nigga was just your friend. I knew you were a lying bitch.”

  DeShawn saw red and clocked Ramon in the jaw. Screams and shouts of “Fight, fight, fight!” filled the room. DeShawn kicked Ramon in the shin, causing him to fall to the floor. Kayla tried to grab DeShawn, and when he turned to look at her, Ramon gained the upper hand, pushing Shawn in his chest, forcing him backward. As the crowd gathered and security rushed toward the fight, Davida grabbed Kayla. “Let’s get out of here.”