The Perfect Present

by Rochelle Alers

  “I won’t keep you out late. When you’re ready to go, I’ll drop you home. Promise.”

  Her cell phone chimed, and Maya took it out of her purse. She had three new text messages from Javonte, and cracked up when she read them. He’d left for vacation in the Cayman Islands after a season-ending injury, and even though Maya missed him, she loved having the house to herself. Finally, some peace and quiet. Tired of her brother’s massive entourage and his raucous, midweek parties, she’d made up her mind to move out in the New Year, and was busy house hunting with her friends.

  A picture of Javonte, buried neck-deep in sand, popped up on her cell phone, and Maya burst out laughing. He was her best friend, the person she trusted most, and she couldn’t have asked for a more loving or supportive brother.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Javonte.” Maya raised her cell in the air so Marc could see the picture, and shook her head. “He’s the biggest goofball ever, and his messages always make me crack up.”

  “Have you guys always been close?”

  “Yeah, Javonte really stepped up after our mom passed, and if not for his love and support, there’s no telling where I’d be. I was a headstrong teenager who was angry at the world, but Javonte never gave up on me. He was there for me, and I’ll always be grateful for everything he did, especially when my engagement ended.”

  “What happened with your ex?” Marc asked. “Why did you call off the wedding?”

  “I didn’t. He did—”

  The waitstaff arrived, carrying trays filled with appetizers, entrées, and drinks, and Maya broke off speaking. Thankful for the interruption, she picked up her fork and tasted her beef Wellington. Maya needed a moment to gather her thoughts, and hoped Marc wouldn’t press her for details about her broken engagement. No such luck.

  “Please don’t shut me out,” he said. “I want to know more about you, Maya.”

  Thirsty, she picked up her glass and sipped her eggnog. Flavored with rum, ginger, and nutmeg, it was the most delicious drink she’d ever tasted. Maya hated talking about her ex-fiancé, always got choked up when she did, but she honored Marc’s request and pushed the truth out of her mouth. “Landon got cold feet, but instead of manning up and telling me he didn’t want to get married, he was a no-show at our Christmas Eve wedding.”

  “Damn, Maya, that’s brutal.”

  “It was the most humiliating moment of my life, but thank God I survived.”

  “I can’t imagine what you must have gone through.”

  “Deep down, I knew Landon wasn’t the right man for me, but it didn’t lessen the pain of our breakup. I thought I was going to die of a broken heart, but my brother and my girlfriends stepped up and rallied around me. They contacted everyone so I wouldn’t have to, and Javonte entertained the out-of-town guests for the entire weekend.”

  “Did you ever get a chance to speak to your ex? To find out why he bailed?”

  Nodding, Maya wore a sad smile. “He called that afternoon, and I actually begged him to come back. Isn’t that pathetic? I told him I would do anything to make him happy—lose more weight, and quit my job so I could take better care of him—but Landon said I wasn’t the right woman for him. Apparently, I don’t know how to be submissive.”

  “That’s a damn lie. You’re the most subservient woman I know.”

  “Shush,” Maya quipped, trying hard not to laugh. “No one asked you!”

  Marc grinned. “You’re strong and feisty and opinionated, but that’s what I love most about you. You’re not afraid to speak your mind, and I always know where I stand with you.”

  Maya blinked, leaned forward eagerly in her chair. Her ears weren’t working. Were playing tricks on her. Deceiving her. Did Marc just use the word love in a sentence?

  “You move to the beat of your own drum, and that’s damn sexy.” Taking her hand in his, Marc winked, then kissed her palm. “I’m one very lucky man.”

  “You sure are,” Maya agreed. “And if you ever forget I’ll be sure to remind you!”

  * * *

  An hour after leaving Seven Lounge, Marc pulled into the three-car garage of his Barrington home, put his Range Rover in Park, and took off his seat belt. They’d eaten so much food, and danced to so many songs in the swank VIP lounge, he felt tired and sluggish. “We’re home,” he said, taking her hand in his.

  Glancing at Maya, he saw the troubled expression on her face, and wondered what was on her mind. During dinner, he’d planned to tell her he couldn’t be her date for the black-tie New Year’s Eve party, but after she’d confided in him about her broken engagement, he didn’t have the heart to disappoint her. Moved by her story, he’d considered opening up to her about his divorce, but got cold feet. He wanted to, but couldn’t bring himself to tell her the truth. Marc was worried that she’d judge him—or worse dump him—and he didn’t want to lose her. Not when they were closer than ever. A good woman was hard to find, and Maya was a great woman. The best. One in a million. Everyone said so—her brother, her girlfriends, her customers who filled her social media pages with compliments, praise, and good wishes, and even Tyson was smitten with her. He didn’t want to say or do anything to jeopardize their relationship.

  An idea formed in his mind, materialized as he intertwined his fingers with hers. Maybe he didn’t have to cancel their plans. He could go to the anniversary bash, shake hands and pose for pictures, then duck out when the exotic dancers started their routine. That way, he’d make his boss happy, spend time with his clients, and still see Maya. He’d meet her at the Peninsula Hotel before midnight, and they’d celebrate in style. Marc didn’t know what he was going to do about Alexis Ray, and wished she’d stop blowing up his cell phone, but he’d think of something. He had to, or he could lose everything he’d worked hard for.

  His cell phone buzzed in the center console, and Marc glanced down at it. It was Esmerelda, a woman he’d briefly dated over the summer, but he had zero desire to talk to the aspiring model; he let the call go to voicemail. “Ready to go in?”

  “No. Not yet. This is nice. I love sitting outside, staring at the stars.”

  Marc turned up the heat, then lowered the volume on the stereo system. Holding her hand, listening to the music on the radio, was a great stress reliever. All week, he’d been running around getting things ready for the anniversary bash, and thanks to his colleagues, he’d completed everything on his to-do list. He hadn’t told Maya about the event yet, and didn’t plan to. She wouldn’t understand why she couldn’t be his date, and he didn’t want to argue with her about it. “You still haven’t given me an answer about Javonte. What’s the verdict?”

  Maya nodded, but he saw the fear in her eyes, her unease, and kissed her cheek to comfort her. “You have nothing to worry about. I won’t leave your side. We’ll do it together.”

  “We agreed to wait until the New Year.”

  “I know, but I hate sneaking around behind Javonte’s back. I want us to date publicly, without fear of getting caught, and I think the longer we wait to tell him, the more upset he’ll be. If I was in his shoes, I’d want to know sooner rather than later.”

  “Okay, let’s do it. We’ll tell Javonte we’re dating when he returns from his trip.”

  “Maybe I should come by on Christmas Day. What are you guys doing to celebrate?”

  “Nothing. Javonte won’t be back from his trip until January third, and since my girlfriends will be busy with their families, I’m going to make myself a big breakfast and spend the rest of the day on the couch, watching my favorite movies.”

  “You can’t be alone on Christmas Day. That’s depressing.”

  “No, it’s not. It’s relaxing and peaceful. I did the exact same thing last year and—”

  “Last year you were nursing a broken heart, but this year you have me.”

  “How can I forget when you keep reminding me?” she teased, batting her eyelashes.

  “Don’t blame me. It’s not my fault I’m totally into you. Yo
u’re the one with the model good looks, the effervescent personality, and the outrageous laugh. I’m helpless to resist you.”

  Her smile turned to a laugh, and the sound of her girlish giggle made him chuckle, too.

  “My mom is hosting Christmas Day dinner at her house. We eat too much, drink too much, and exchange gifts, and a good time is had by all. Please say you’ll come.”

  “Marc, are you sure about this? Meeting your relatives is a huge step.”

  “I know, but I’m ready. You’re the only woman I’ve invited home since my divorce, so this is not only a big deal for me, but also my family.”

  “Did your mom and your ex get along?” Maya asked, turning in her seat to face him.

  A knot formed in his throat, and his stomach lurched. Where did that come from? Why was she asking about his ex-wife? Instinctively, he reached for the door handle, but Maya grabbed his forearm, preventing him from escaping the car.

  “Marc, talk to me . . .”

  I’d rather spend a year in solitary confinement, he thought, releasing a deep sigh.

  “I want to know more about your past relationships, starting with your marriage.”

  “My mom thought Brielle was a gold digger, and it turned out she was right.”

  “How long were you married?”

  Marc shrugged. “A while.”

  “What’s a while?”

  “Give or take three years.”

  “Was it an amicable divorce?” Maya tucked a leg under her bottom, as if she was sitting on a couch watching a movie. “Do you miss her? Would you take her back if she asked?”

  “No, no, and hell no.”

  The car was quiet, except for the sound of the radio, and hearing his favorite Christmas song, “Mary’s Boy Child” by Harry Belafonte, brought to mind happy memories of his dad. His father would have liked Maya. No doubt about it. Bright and bubbly, she was a ball of positive energy, and would have easily charmed his old man. She didn’t have an agenda, or any ulterior motives. Unlike his ex-wife, Maya cared about him as a person, not how much money he had in his bank account, and he admired how independent she was.

  “I confided in you about my broken engagement, even though I hate talking about it, and I wish you’d do the same about your divorce . . .”

  Hearing the hurt in her voice, Marc noticed the pained expression on her face. It bothered him that he’d upset her, and he realized if he didn’t open up to Maya about his past, he could lose her. Needing a moment to collect his thoughts, he pressed his eyes shut and searched his heart for the right words to say.

  “We’re supposed to be a couple, but how can we grow together if you won’t open up to me about your past relationships?”

  Marc winced. Ouch. Supposed to be a couple? We are! Hanging his head, he raked a hand through his hair. Mustering his courage, he spoke in a calm tone. “I met Brielle Williams my freshman year of university,” he said, with a sad smile. “After four years together, I popped the question, and we tied the knot in sunny Maui. Returning home, we both found jobs in our respective fields, then bought our dream house in Gold Coast.”

  “It sounds like you guys were living the American dream.”

  “We were, until Brielle got fired from the advertising firm she worked at. Instead of looking for another position, she’d spend hours on the Internet, blowing money on designer clothes and other crap she didn’t need. The more money I made, the more Brielle spent, and in three short months she’d raked up thousands of dollars in consumer debt.”

  “Is that why you guys broke up? Because of her out-of-control spending?”

  A bitter taste filled his mouth. “No, my dad had a stroke, and she wasn’t there for me when I needed her most. She was too busy shopping.”

  “People cope in different ways, Marc. There is no right or wrong way to grieve—”

  “Don’t make excuses for her,” he snapped, speaking through clenched teeth. His hands tightened around the steering wheel as he stared out into the dark winter night. “She was my wife. She should have been with me at the hospital, not at the mall with her stupid friends.”

  Silence engulfed the car, and tension filled the air, suffocating him. There was more to the story—a lot more—but Marc struggled, couldn’t get the words out. He didn’t know how to tell Maya about the mistakes he’d made in his marriage, so he kept his mouth shut.

  “Are you mad at me?”

  “No. Why would I be mad at you? You didn’t bail on me in my time of need, my ex did.”

  Maya moved in close and brushed her lips against his. One kiss. That’s all it took. One slow, tender kiss, and his mood changed. His scowl morphed into a smile, and his frustration melted away. Just like that. As she massaged his shoulders and made love to his mouth, turning him out with her tongue, his chest inflated with pride. Overflowed with happiness. Knowing she desired him as much as he desired her gave Marc an adrenaline rush. Made him feel ten feet tall. Maya had a way of making everything better, of proving that she was everything he could ever need or want in a woman, and when she ended the kiss and pulled out of his arms, his disappointment was so profound his heart ached.

  “Thanks for opening up to me about your past. I know it wasn’t easy.”

  “My divorce is a painful chapter of my life that I hate talking about, but I trust you and wanted to confide in you,” he said quietly. “You’re important to me, Maya. That’s why I want you to meet my family.”

  “The last time I met a guy’s family, he left me stranded at the altar.”

  “I’m not that guy, Maya. I’m not going to bail on you.”

  Her smile returned, exploded across her face, and happiness twinkled in her eyes.

  “Baby, this time will be different. I promise.” Reaching out, he caressed her cheek with his thumb, then slowly kissed the corner of her mouth. “If I thought, even for a minute, that we didn’t have what it takes to go the distance, I wouldn’t invite you to my mom’s house for dinner, but you’re the only one for me, Maya, so quit stalling and say you’ll be my date, or I’m taking your Christmas gift back to the store!”

  “You’re so romantic. How can I refuse?”

  Cupping her face in his hands, he stared deep into her eyes. “Meeting you at the Peninsula Hotel last month was a wonderful, unexpected gift,” he said, taken aback by his confession. This wasn’t him. Not by a long shot. In past relationships, he’d always struggled to share his feelings, but not tonight. He wanted Maya to know what was in his heart, and didn’t hold back. “Thanks for making me smile again, for making me laugh, and for reminding me what matters most this holiday season. Love.”

  Maya didn’t speak, stared at him as if she was seeing him for the first time. Her eyes watered and her nose twitched, as if she was on the verge of tears. “Compliments will get you everywhere,” she quipped, draping an arm around his neck. “If you want me to spend the night with you, just ask. You don’t have to sweet-talk me.”

  “I’m not. You mean the world to me, and I’ll always cherish you.”

  They kissed, feasting hungrily, desperately, on each other’s lips. The car warmed, the windows fogged up, and their moans and groans consumed the air. Unbuckling her seat belt, she climbed onto his lap and snuggled against him. “Baby, you taste so good,” she said, between kisses. “I want to make love to you so bad it’s all I can think about.”

  Her sultry voice tickled and teased his ear, and a grin filled his mouth. Maya was giving him an early Christmas present, and when she stroked his chest, Marc hoped she was going to be naughty, not nice. And, just when he thought the night couldn’t get any better, she licked the rim of his ear, and Marc knew all of his R-rated dreams were about to come true.

  Chapter 9

  Maya stood in Marc’s kitchen on Christmas Day, dicing vegetables for the spinach-mushroom omelet she was preparing for brunch. They were going to his mother’s house in the afternoon, but Maya was starving, and she wanted to eat something before they made the hour-long drive to Mrs. Cun
ningham’s Lincoln Park estate.

  Nestled in a suburban community, the attractive, four-bedroom home in Barrington had it all—high ceilings, decorative chandeliers, Ralph Lauren furniture, and gleaming marble floors. The kitchen was open to the living room, giving the main floor a warm and inviting feel. Sculptures and glass vases filled the space, candles perfumed the air with their floral scent, and the framed photographs prominently displayed along the bookshelves proved how much Marc loved his family, his clients, and his community.

  Picking up the cutting board from the granite countertop, Maya tossed the vegetables into the pan, added a pinch of salt, and cranked up the heat on the stove. The Bing Crosby classic “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” played on the radio, and Maya thought about her mother. Bitter memories consumed her mind, and pain stabbed her chest. Filled with an overwhelming sense of loss, she braced her hands against the breakfast bar to steady her quivering limbs.

  Maya dabbed at the corners of her eyes with the sleeve of her V-neck dress. Her mother was gone, but life was good. Better than it had ever been. She had Javonte, her girlfriends, her fashion line, and now Marc—the best boyfriend she’d ever had.

  Her gaze landed on the sapphire bangle on her left wrist, and the smile in her heart spread to her mouth. They’d agreed not to exchange Christmas gifts, choosing instead to make monetary donations to one another’s favorite Chicago charity, so when Maya woke up that morning and saw the red, glitzy gift bag on the side table, she’d gasped. Inside was a handwritten card, two tickets for Love Jones: The Musical, and the bangle. It was ridiculously expensive, and although Maya loved the unique, eye-catching design, she never would have dipped into her savings to buy it. Not when she had plans to move out in the New Year.

  Questions had consumed her mind. How did Marc know she wanted the bracelet? Who told him? Pressed for answers, he’d admitted to going shopping with Liberty at Water Tower Place days earlier. The words faith, hope, and love were inscribed on the bangle, and when Marc slid it onto her wrist she’d felt like the happiest woman alive. Overcome with emotion, she’d pulled him down on top of her and kissed him passionately on the lips. Tossing her negligee aside, she’d climbed onto his lap and ridden him until an orgasm exploded inside her body.