Teach Me Tonight

by Jacquelin Thomas

  Being this close to Micah made Tamara weak in the knees. She couldn’t remember when she’d felt this way in her thirty-two years. They danced to the next couple of songs. She couldn’t remember when she’d had a such a good time.

  “Did I tell you how beautiful you look?” Micah asked her.

  She smiled. “I believe you did. Thank you.”

  The DJ slowed down the music, prompting him to pull Tamara into his arms, holding her close as they moved to the sultry rhythm.

  When the music stopped, they reluctantly parted a few inches. It was time for Justice to perform so they returned to their seats.

  Leaving the dance floor, Micah asked, “Would you like something to drink?”

  “I’m fine,” she responded.

  Tamara was exhausted but didn’t want to leave before Justice finished performing. She could feel the heat of Micah’s gaze on her.

  “We can leave if you’re not feeling up to this,” he whispered in her ear. “I told Justice that I might have to leave early.”

  “I’ll be okay,” she assured him. “Micah, please stop worrying about me. The baby is fine. So am I.” Tamara hoped he didn’t hear the thread of irritation that was in her tone. She was tired, and his constant attempt to make sure all was well really got on her nerves.

  Micah must have gotten the hint, because he didn’t say anything else to her during the performance.

  Justice took his final bow shortly after ten o’clock. Tamara couldn’t take it anymore. “I’m ready,” she whispered in Micah’s ear. “I’m exhausted.”

  While Micah and Tamara were saying their goodbyes, Kevin walked onstage.

  “What’s going on?” she asked Micah.

  He looked as puzzled as she did. “I don’t know. Kevin never said anything to me…Wait a minute, he did mention something about a surprise for tonight. I think it has something to do with Chloe.”

  She gave him a knowing look. “We can’t leave yet. I want to see this.”

  Tamara’s eyes filled with tears at the unique and very romantic proposal from Kevin to Chloe Jackson.

  When Micah wiped away her tears, she told him, “You have to excuse me. It’s my hormones. They’re going crazy right now.”

  “Let’s get you home.”

  She nodded. “I’m so ready.”

  Tamara did not say a whole lot during the ride back to Micah’s house. She didn’t really know what to say, and Tamara didn’t really want to spoil the evening by bringing up something Micah might not be ready to discuss.

  However, she couldn’t delay this any further. Tamara was suddenly afraid that they were moving too fast, trying to force a relationship because of her pregnancy.

  She couldn’t fully give Micah her heart until she knew that what they were both feeling was real.

  Micah had his own surprise for Tamara waiting at the house.

  “You were quiet on the way here,” he began. “Tamara, I need you to talk to me, sweetheart. Tell me what’s wrong, please.”

  “I’m confused, I think,” she responded. “Micah, I know how I feel about you—there’s no confusion there.”

  “Okay, then what is the problem?” he asked.

  “I need to be absolutely sure of how you feel about me.” Tamara took a deep breath, then released it slowly. “Micah, I need to know if you’re with me because I’m having your baby or if this is something you really want. I know the sacrifices you would make for your child.”

  “I love you, Tamara,” he told her. “I love you with my whole heart. I wouldn’t tell you this if I didn’t mean it.” Micah raised his hands in resignation. “I don’t know what else to tell you.”

  Tamara’s eyes filled with tears. “This is a dream come true for me, Micah, but I have to be realistic. We love each other, but I just don’t see how this is going to work. I know you have this house here in Atlanta, but really, how often are you in town?”

  “That will change because we’re together,” he told her.

  “How? Are you planning to move here?”

  “I would,” Micah replied. “If my business wasn’t in Los Angeles.”

  Tamara twisted her hands nervously in her lap. “That’s what I thought.”

  “What about you moving to Los Angeles?” he questioned. “You can write anywhere.”

  Tamara wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She hadn’t really considered that option.

  “Well?” Micah prompted.

  “This seems to be moving really fast, don’t you think?” Tamara responded. She was feeling a bit overwhelmed. Less than a week ago, she’d discovered that she was pregnant; she and Micah weren’t speaking to each other and now he wanted her to consider packing up and moving to California.

  “Micah, we haven’t seen each other for ten years until a few months ago and now I’m carrying your child. Then you just asked me about moving to Los Angeles.”

  He frowned. “Are you having second thoughts about us?”

  Tamara shook her head. “I love you and I want to be with you, but I…I’m scared.”

  He pulled her into his arms. “Sweetheart, we don’t have to rush into anything. I don’t want you to feel like I’m pushing you into this.”

  “That’s not what I’m saying,” Tamara interjected. She placed her hands to her face. “Micah, I really need to clear my head. If you don’t mind, could you call me a cab? I think that I really need to go home tonight.”

  “You can take one of the cars,” he told her. “But you don’t really have to leave, sweetheart. If you want, I’ll sleep in one of the guest rooms.”

  “I think I need to go home. Micah, please don’t think that I don’t love you. Everything is just happening so fast, and my hormones are on overload. I just need some time alone. I hope you understand.”

  “I’m trying,” he confessed. “Call me when you get home.”

  “I will.” Tamara hugged him. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I don’t want to lose you, so I have no choice but to take your lead on this.”

  “I do love you, Micah. I just need to try and figure all this out.”

  Tamara kissed him before walking out of the door.

  It wasn’t until she was in the car that Tamara broke down into sobs. She wiped her face and drove away from the man she loved.

  “I really want this to work out,” she whispered. “Are we moving too fast? Lord, I really need You to help me out with this. Help me find the answers, please.”

  Chapter 16

  Micah clenched his fist in frustration and shook his head as he removed his jacket. Why can’t Tamara and I get this right? He never once doubted that they belonged together, and he refused to start now.

  The thought resonated in his head. They were in love and had been for years. So what was the problem?

  He removed his shirt before sinking down on the sofa to remove his shoes.

  Micah believed that Tamara loved him—he could see it in her eyes. However, he also saw that she was running scared, and he was powerless to stop her. She would have to find a way to deal with her fear. All he could do was love her and only if Tamara allowed him entry into her heart.

  He was about to head upstairs when he heard the garage door go up. Curious, Micah made his way toward the door leading outside.

  He cautiously reached for the handle and opened the door. Micah was surprised to find Tamara standing there.

  “I couldn’t figure out which key opened the door,” she said sheepishly.

  “I didn’t think you would be coming back here tonight.”

  Tamara followed him into the family room. “I know that you’re probably wondering if I’m losing my mind, but I’m not, Micah. It’s hormones,” she said with a nervous chuckle.

  Micah gave an understanding nod. He did not want to say anything until he had a sense of what was going through her mind right now.

  She paced back and forth. “I’m thinking much clearer now, and I know exactly what I want.”

  “And what is that?�
�� he inquired.

  “I want us, Micah. I want us and everything that means.” Chewing on her bottom lip, Tamara added, “That is if you haven’t changed your mind.”

  He pulled her into his arms, kissing her until she pleaded for him to stop. “There’s something else that I need to tell you.”

  “I don’t want to talk anymore,” Micah stated, shaking his head.

  “This won’t take long, and I know that you’ll want to hear this,” she promised.

  “Okay,” he said. “I’m listening.”

  “Micah, I’m not afraid anymore,” Tamara blurted. “I realized when I left here that there are only a couple of times I’ve truly felt safe in my life and that’s when I was with Grandmother and you. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you even if that means I have to make this move to Los Angeles.”

  Micah broke into a big grin. “Really?”

  She nodded.

  He took her hand and led her upstairs to the master bedroom where they planned to spend the rest of their evening.

  Micah held Tamara in his arms.

  “That was wonderful,” she murmured. “I love making love with you.”

  He smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  She laughed.

  Micah sat up and swung his feet out of bed. “I have a little surprise for you,” he announced. “I’d planned to give it to you earlier but then you ran out on me.”

  “I told you it was hormones.”

  He padded across the room to the huge walk-in closet. Micah reached in and pulled out a gift bag.

  Tamara set up in bed, pulling the covers up to cover her breasts. “What is this?” she asked when he sat down beside her.

  “Open it and see,” Micah responded.

  Tamara pulled a medium-size fluffy, white teddy bear out of the bag.

  “Micah, he’s so adorable,” she murmured. “I’ll have to put him away for the baby.” Stealing a peek over at him, she said, “I have to tell you that I’m a little disappointed. I thought this was a gift for me.”

  “Look closer.”

  She gave him a questioning look. “Huh?”

  “Take another look at the bear.”

  Tamara stared at the stuffed animal and then she saw it.

  Around the bear’s neck was a beautiful necklace—its design was very close to the one she lost in college.

  Tears formed in her eyes. “Micah…it looks like the one my grandmother gave me.”

  “I remember how upset you were when you lost it,” he responded. “You used to talk about passing it on to your son or daughter one day.”

  “Grandmother always made me feel loved and safe. When she died, that necklace was all I had of her. Of course, it wasn’t as expensive as this one, but it was like gold to me because it belonged to her. Her mother had given it to her on her wedding day. My mother eloped with my father, and when she married Lucas, she wore a Devane heirloom so Grandmother passed her necklace to me.”

  Tamara wiped away an escaping tear. “Thank you so much, Micah. I can’t put into words how much this gift means to me.” Her fingers lightly traced the locket. “This is so beautiful, and I’ll cherish it forever.”

  “I also have these for you.” Micah handed her a black velvet box.

  Inside was a pair of earrings and a bracelet that matched the necklace.

  “I know that necklace isn’t the original one that your grandmother gave you, but you still have your memories,” Micah said as he put them on her. “No one can ever take those away from you. I hope that we can make new memories to pass on to our children. I want you to feel just as loved and as safe as you felt when you were with your grandmother. I promise to protect you and our child with my life.”

  Tamara was choked up with emotion and couldn’t talk now. Any doubts that she had about them suddenly vanished.

  Micah kissed away her tears. “We are going to have a great life together.”

  Wiping her face with the back of her hand, Tamara nodded in agreement. “I have never been happier than I am right now.”

  “This is just the beginning, Tamara,” Micah stated, his voice filled with emotion. “If you’ll trust me with your love, I will make sure that you never regret it.”

  Chapter 17

  Sunday, October 18

  The next morning appeared much too soon for Tamara. She and Micah had been up late sealing their commitment to each other.

  He was up at 6:00 a.m. as usual but did not bother to wake her until 8:00 a.m., allowing her to get as much rest as she could before they had to leave for the reunion brunch.

  Micah leaned over her and whispered, “It’s time to get up, sweetheart.”

  “Nooo,” she moaned softly.

  Micah suspected that Tamara was not fully awake and gave her a gentle nudge. “C’mon. You know how long it takes for you to get ready.”

  “Then you shouldn’t keep me up so late,” Tamara grumbled.

  “I tried to get some sleep—you were the one with the insatiable appetite,” Micah teased. “You couldn’t get enough of me.”

  Tamara opened one eye and then the other. “I think that was the other way around.”

  He laughed. “Actually, it was both of us.”

  She crawled out of bed. “This weekend has really worn me out. It’s either because I’m pregnant or I’m getting old.”

  Micah eyed her naked body, loving her with his eyes. “You’re definitely not getting old, baby. Not from where I’m sitting.”

  Smiling, she stole a peek at him from over her shoulder. “You always seem to say the right things. That’s one of the reasons I love you.”

  “What are some of the other reasons?” he asked with a seductive grin.

  “Meet me in the shower,” she responded. “I’ll show you.”

  Afterward, Tamara slipped on a pair of blue jeans and a white tank top. She draped a Hollington College scarf around her neck. Tamara pulled her natural curls back into a ponytail.

  They left an hour later, driving across town to the campus for the annual brunch, an event geared toward the alumni and their families, regardless of graduation year. However, the class of ’99 had a designated section near the food tent.

  Large tents had been erected around the center lawn known as The Square. The caterer set up a large buffet of breakfast foods as well as sandwiches and Southern specialties.

  White tables and chairs were spread out around the grassy area. Some of the alumni brought their own blankets and searched for empty spaces to settle down.

  Micah and Tamara found a spot near Kevin and Chloe and sat down. She congratulated them on their engagement.

  Kevin smiled. “You two look real good together,” he told them.

  “We think so, too,” Micah stated. “It took me fourteen years, but I finally got the woman of my dreams.”

  Tamara could not keep from yawning.

  “I guess you were up late with a certain someone,” Kyra whispered in her ear. “All right, soror.”

  Tamara could feel her face heat up. “You need to quit, Kyra.”

  Micah brought her a plate piled with more food than she could handle.

  “Who did you make this for?” Tamara questioned.

  He leaned down, close enough for her ears only and said, “You’re eating for two so I figured you’d need—”

  “What?” Tamara interjected. “Twice the food?”

  “I’ll eat what you don’t,” he told her, grinning. “I know how much you like to enjoy your food.”

  “If I eat like this the entire pregnancy, I’ll be big as one of your houses.” Tamara smiled up at him. “You’re not going to be like this the entire time, are you?”

  “Like what?” Micah asked. “Protective and caring? Yeah, I am. I’m like this about the people I love.”

  She resisted the urge to kiss him.

  He was so good to her, and while all of this attention got on her nerves from time to time and irritated her to no end, she was not going to co
mplain. Tamara was looking forward to a future with Micah and their child.

  The homecoming parade would begin at the college stadium, wind around the small local streets and end at the center lawn.

  Tamara stood in front of Micah as they waited for the parade to start. She had always loved parades, even as a child.

  Several Atlanta high-school bands, local and university clubs would also be participating. Tamara had planned to help her sorority work on the float for the parade but her bouts of nausea prevented her from doing so.

  The parade began.

  Former homecoming queen, Beverly Clark, rode on the class of ’99 reunion float. Tamara cheered and waved as she passed by them.

  Micah and Tamara stayed to see the award-winning Hollington College Marching Lions perform as the parade ended.

  Micah had his arms around her with one hand resting on her belly. She leaned against him and reveled in the closeness.

  “How are you holding up?” he asked.

  “I’m okay,” she told him.

  Some of the others were going to a sports bar for drinks and fellowship, but she and Micah opted to head home. Tamara was near exhaustion although she tried to put on a brave front. She knew that Micah saw through the facade and that’s why he insisted on going back to the house.

  “Did I ever tell you what a great job you did on Justice?” he asked while walking across the parking lot to his car.

  Tamara shook her head. “Did you really like it?”

  “You are an amazing writer, sweetheart.”

  “Thank you. I love what I do, and I’m trying to learn everything I can because it’s my dream to own my own magazine one day.”

  Micah nodded his approval. “I can see that.”

  “I’d still like to do a feature on you for Luster,” Tamara stated. “But it’s totally up to you, Micah. If you’re not comfortable with the idea, then I won’t do it.”

  He gave her a big smile. “I trust you, sweetheart. We can do the article. Pitch it to Samantha, and see what she thinks.”