The Perfect Present

by Rochelle Alers

  “Just wanted to be sure. Go ahead and unlock the door.”

  She shook her head. “Good night, DeShawn.” Kayla opened the door and he headed back to his car. But he didn’t drive away until the door closed behind her.

  * * *

  Kayla felt as if she was floating on air as she took her jacket off and headed for her room.

  “I’m surprised you came home,” Nora said as she appeared in the hallway with a cup of tea in her hand.

  “Mom, what are you doing up?”

  “Waiting for you, and I couldn’t sleep. How was the movie?”

  Kayla smiled. “It was good.”

  “And all you did was watch the movie?”

  “Ma, come on.”

  “You and DeShawn have been dancing around your feelings for years. I’m just trying to figure out if y’all are finally going to get it right. I just want you to be happy.”

  “I get that. We talked about our feelings and we’re going to take things slow.”

  “So, you’re planning on sticking around?”

  “Well, going back to LA is not an option. I still can’t believe things ended like this.”

  “Are you sure you’re over Raul?”

  Kayla scoffed. “Totally. He never talked about the baby. Never. I needed him so much and he wasn’t there.”

  Nora drew Kayla into her arms. “I should’ve come out there.”

  “No. I-I didn’t want to be a burden to you. I thought that when you got married your husband took care of you. Like Dad always took care of you.”

  “Honey, he should’ve taken care of you, and if you needed me you should’ve told me. It’s never a burden to take care of either of my girls. But that fool should’ve helped you through the loss of the baby. That’s something that changes your whole life. Before Autumn was born, we lost a baby. Your Daddy was there for me through every painful moment. Kept you from seeing me crying all the time. That’s why I despise your ex. Hope he falls in the San Andreas Fault.”

  Kayla laughed through her tears. “Ma, I love you.”

  “Love you more. Now, go to bed.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” she said, then kissed her mom on the cheek.

  “Oh, I invited DeShawn over for Christmas Eve.”

  “I’m not surprised. Autumn said you would.”

  * * *

  Across town, DeShawn lay in bed staring at the ceiling, wishing Kayla was there with him. He imagined her naked body on top of his, straddling him as he sucked her caramel nipples. He could almost feel the grip of her thighs around him as she rode him like a prized steed. Ripples of desire made his body harden. DeShawn stroked his erection briefly, then bolted upward in the bed. He needed to get his hormones under control. He padded to the bathroom and took a cold shower. As the icy spray rained down on him, he couldn’t help but think about Kayla standing underneath the water with him, her body soaking wet. Shutting the water off, he realized that a cold shower was a myth when it came to quelling desire. He was hotter than ever.

  Drying off, he headed back to his bedroom and dressed in a pair of boxers and a cotton T-shirt. Sleep didn’t come easy for him because every time he closed his eyes, Kayla’s dimples haunted him.

  After a restless night, DeShawn was up at seven, tweaking the report that he and Kayla had worked on the night before. By seven forty-five, he’d sent copies to all of the board members.

  By the time he brewed his first cup of coffee, DeShawn’s phone was buzzing out of control. A few board members had emailed him, talking about how impressed they were with his report.

  Lucas Graham, the board chair, wanted a meeting and an explanation. Taylor even responded with a one-word text.

  Impressed.

  DeShawn sipped his coffee and grinned. “I’d like to see them fire me now.”

  Kayla woke up with DeShawn’s name on her lips. Part of her expected to find him beside her in bed, but the crumpled pillow reminded her that last night had been a delicious dream.

  “Mmm,” she moaned as she thought about the way DeShawn had buried his face between her thighs and sucked her wetness until she screamed his name.

  Kayla hoped that her mother hadn’t heard her passionate cries. She hopped out of bed and headed for the bathroom to take a quick shower. She needed to cool off before she met DeShawn for their run.

  She totally needed to remember that she was the one who said they needed to take it slow.

  After her shower and dressing in her workout gear, Kayla headed to the kitchen and decided to surprise her mom with breakfast. Kayla was halfway through mixing the batter for blueberry pancakes when Nora walked into the kitchen.

  “Umm, you’re up loud and early.”

  “Mom, I didn’t mean to wake you. Wanted to surprise you with breakfast in bed.”

  “Not with that noise,” Nora quipped. “The coffee sure smells good.”

  Kayla crossed over to the coffeemaker and fixed her mother a cup of java. Nora took a seat at the breakfast bar as Kayla handed her the cup.

  “Thanks, baby.”

  “Blueberry or cranberry?” Kayla asked.

  “Both.”

  “Thought you’d say that.”

  “So, I was thinking, what are you going to do for work, since you plan on staying in Charlotte?”

  “I don’t know. I want to look into doing some consulting work until the New Year. But I’d really love to get back into education.”

  “Then why don’t you talk to DeShawn and find out if he can point you in the right direction?”

  “No,” Kayla said as she dropped the batter on the griddle. “I don’t want to look like some sort of leech. And I—”

  “That man knows the scene around here, and he knows you. DeShawn wouldn’t mind trying to help you get on your feet.”

  “I’m not trying to be a project for anyone. If I’ve learned anything lately, it’s that I have to take care of myself and not depend on anyone to do it for me.”

  “That’s no way to live, sweetie. The right people come into your life for the right reasons, and I think that you’re back here to find those people again.”

  Kayla sighed as she flipped the pancakes. Her mother might be right, but she wasn’t going to test that theory. She was smart enough to find a job on her own. After the West Charlotte social, she was going to look into hiring a headhunter to find her some opportunities, and go from there.

  After the pancakes and bacon were done, Kayla made her mother a plate and then heated some maple syrup. “I should’ve called Autumn.”

  “You know that child doesn’t get up before noon.” Nora cut into her pancakes. “This is delicious.”

  “Thanks. Learned from the best.”

  Nora nodded. “Yes, your dad. He loved breakfast for dinner.”

  Kayla smiled at her mother, then poured herself a cup of coffee. “Ma, do you think you’ll ever fall in love again?”

  “I’m too old for that. But there was a time after your father was gone when I was open to it. But I was a lot younger. Like you. Kayla, don’t let your ex put you on a path to be lonely.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m going to wash these dishes and then DeShawn and I are going for a run.”

  “What you need to do is run into that man’s arms,” Nora muttered. Kayla pretended not to hear her mother as she started the dishwasher.

  Chapter 7

  DeShawn was about to head out when he saw Taylor walking up his driveway. “Shit,” he muttered as he opened the door.

  “DeShawn,” she said with a bright smile. “I was really impressed with the email you sent to the board. Where has that been all year?”

  “Is this something we can talk about later? I’m about to go for a run with a friend, and I can’t be late.”

  She folded her arms across her chest. “I’m here about business, nothing else.”

  DeShawn smirked. “Here’s the deal, Taylor. Our business can be handled through email, phone calls, and
the occasional text message.”

  Before Taylor could reply, Mrs. Grant opened her door and waved at DeShawn. “Did y’all enjoy the cake? Oh,” she said when she looked at Taylor. “You’re not Kara.”

  Taylor raised her right eyebrow. “Is that why you’re acting as if I broke some sort of rule by coming over here?”

  “No. And, Mrs. Grant, her name is Kayla. She loved the cake.”

  Taylor scoffed. “And she has bad taste.”

  Mrs. Grant glared at Taylor. “She was such a pleasure to meet. Unlike your present company.”

  DeShawn held back his laughter as Mrs. Grant slammed into her house.

  “So, you accused me of cheating because you’ve been doing that all along with this Kayla broad? Classy.”

  “Taylor, I never cheated on you, and what I do now is none of your concern.”

  “We’ll see about that.” She turned on her heels and stormed over to her car.

  Glancing down at his watch, DeShawn was pissed because he was going to be late. He’d planned to walk to the greenway, but now he was going to need to drive and probably speed to meet Kayla.

  * * *

  Stretching on the park bench, Kayla glanced at her watch and was about to pull her phone from her fanny pack and call DeShawn. Well, he never used to be late, she thought. But people do change.

  Kayla started jogging in place to warm up. She was going to give him another five minutes before she’d take her run alone. The most cynical part of her wanted to believe that was a sign showing her that she’d been right when she said she needed to depend on herself.

  “Kayla,” DeShawn said as he jogged over to her. “Sorry I’m late.” He pulled her into his arms and spun her around.

  “What’s this all about?”

  He kissed her cheek and smiled broadly at her. “I put those suggestions and fund-raising ideas in a report and sent it to the board.”

  “And?”

  “Now they want to work with me and get the ball rolling in the right direction. I can’t thank you enough. Actually, I can. I need you to help me out with this presentation.”

  “I don’t know about that.”

  “It’s what you do, and I might have space in my budget to hire you to work with us.”

  “I can’t work for you.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it’s just not—”

  “Kayla, you’re beyond qualified for this, and it wouldn’t hurt to have someone on my side at work.”

  “You make it sound like there is some kind of war going on at that school.”

  “Something like that. But, Kayla, you said you wanted to start over, and this is a prime opportunity for you to do that.” He lowered his hands to her hips. “Think about it.”

  “I will. Now, let’s go so that I can show you I’ve always been the fastest.” Kayla took off down the path and DeShawn struggled to keep up with her. Not that she was that much faster than him, but he just couldn’t take his eyes off her tantalizing backside as she ran. Hell, that was the only reason she’d ever been faster than him. He’d been watching her ass since high school, and, like a fine wine, it had gotten better and better.

  “What’s up, slowpoke?” Kayla looked over her shoulder and grinned at him.

  “Whatever. You cheated.”

  She slowed down and jogged in place. “How did I cheat?”

  DeShawn caught up to her and slapped her on her booty. “You put on those damn yoga pants.” Then he took off. Kayla doubled her stride and caught up with him.

  “Still the fastest,” she said as she passed him. After four miles, they were sweaty and tired. Kayla and DeShawn collapsed on a bench, breathing hard and sweating as if it was the middle of July.

  “You always did like to show off,” he said.

  “Everybody knew I was faster than you,” she breathed. “But since you could catch a ball, you were the special one.”

  “Who told Coach she didn’t give a damn about the Olympics because she had a brain?”

  Kayla pinched his forearm. “I couldn’t stand Coach Bean.”

  “I think that’s one thing everybody at West Charlotte knew.”

  Kayla rolled her eyes. “Have you seen that ass?”

  “Yeah, he’s on the board of the school.”

  She brought her hand to her mouth. “Really? Hopefully he’s not still trying to keep female athletes from living their dreams.”

  “He’s not, and believe it or not, he has changed. People do that sometimes,” he said with a wink.

  Kayla placed her hand on her hip. “Have you?”

  “Why would I change when I’ve always been perfect?”

  She gave him a shot to his side. “Whatever. I see that ego is just as big as it ever was.”

  DeShawn wiggled his eyebrows. “That’s not all that’s big.”

  She shook her head. “Let’s go. I want my smoothie.” Kayla took off running, and once again, her behind mesmerized DeShawn.

  When they reached the end of their run, DeShawn knew two things for sure: Kayla was faster than him and he wanted her more than he needed his next breath.

  “What?” she asked when she locked eyes with him.

  “Nothing.”

  She tilted her head to the side. “Shawn, I know you. What’s going on in that head of yours?”

  He closed the space between them and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’ve been wanting to do this all day.” DeShawn captured her lips in a hot kiss that made her knees weak. Pressing his body against hers, he wanted her to feel the effect that she had on his body.

  Kayla broke the kiss and stared deep into his eyes. “DeShawn.”

  “I want you. I can’t deny that.”

  “I-I want . . . We said we’d take it slow.”

  “I’m thinking we’ve gotten the slow thing down to a science. And waiting is overrated.”

  Before she could reply, he pressed his mouth against hers. Kayla’s body melted against him as they kissed again. His hands roamed her sweaty back, and she remembered how she used to fantasize about moments like this after track practice.

  Maybe he was right. They had taken things slow, waiting for ten years for something they both wanted. Pulling back from him, she smiled.

  “Let’s get out of here,” she moaned.

  “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. “Very.”

  “Did you drive or walk here? My car is in the parking lot, and I can drive us right to my house.”

  Kayla nodded. “I walked. Let’s go.”

  DeShawn had to stop himself from scooping her into his arms and sprinting to his car. He had to be cool for the moment. But when he looked over at her and saw Kayla nibble her bottom lip, being cool went out the window. He did lift her into his arms and took off toward the parking lot.

  “Really?” She laughed.

  “Don’t want to give you a chance to change your mind.”

  Once they reached his car, Kayla’s heart was pounding like a bass drum. What if she didn’t satisfy him? What if her dreams didn’t live up to the reality of them being together?

  The air between them sizzled with energy as he drove down the street about five miles over the speed limit to get home.

  “Getting pulled over and getting a ticket isn’t going to set the mood,” she said when she glanced at his speedometer.

  “Don’t worry,” he said, then put his turn signal on. “I got this. And we’re less than a mile away.”

  That mile seemed like it was more than an hour away as the anticipation built. She shivered, thinking about his hands all over her body. Ten years ago, she never would have thought this was possible. Because he was her friend and every other girl at the school wanted him. So many people had believed that she and DeShawn were in a relationship that most of the girls at school didn’t like her.

  Maybe the hate had been worth it, because here she was in his car, about to change everything. Was this reward worth the risk?

  DeShawn pulled into his driv
eway and placed the car in park. He hopped out of the car and crossed over to the passenger side to open the door for Kayla. He held her hand as he looked into her eyes.

  “Should we really be doing this?” Kayla’s lip quivered. The last thing she wanted was to lose another relationship. DeShawn’s friendship was important to her, and crossing this line would change everything.

  “Yes. Kayla, I know you said you want to take things slowly, and I’m all for that. But I’m not going to let you walk out of my life again without you knowing how I feel about you.” He stroked her cheek. “It’s not often that you get a second chance to make things right. I plan to make sure I get things right this time.”

  “DeShawn,” she whispered.

  He stroked her cheek again and captured her lips in a hot kiss. Kayla’s body heated like a July afternoon, and her desire pooled between her thighs.

  “We’d better go inside before Mrs. Grant comes out here.”

  Kayla nodded because she couldn’t deal with that sweet old lady today when she wanted to strip her clothes off and make love to DeShawn. He opened the door and they crossed the threshold.

  DeShawn pressed Kayla against the wall and slipped his hand between her thighs. She gasped as his thumb brushed against her clitoris. Her love-starved body ached with desire. Soft moans escaped her throat as he continued to stroke her.

  “You feel so good.” The heat from his breath sent tingles down her spine.

  “DeShawn.”

  He lifted her sports bra above her head and palmed her breasts, tweaking her nipples as she cried out in desire. “Oh my God.”

  DeShawn took Kayla into his arms. “I need to be inside you.”

  He padded to the bedroom as Kayla held on to him tightly. Her lips brushed across his neck.

  “Damn, girl,” he groaned. “Those lips are magical.”

  “You think so?”

  He laid her on the bed and pulled her pants off. DeShawn stared at her naked body. Perfection was too weak a word to describe this goddess. “You’re so beautiful.”

  She reached for the waistband of his sweatpants. “My turn to see you.”

  DeShawn stepped back and stripped out of his clothes. She sat up and ran her hand down his six-pack. He shivered as she reached for his erection. Kayla slowly stroked him and he tossed his head back in delight.