Touch Me In The Morning Read online

  “I’d like that very much.” Kendra seemed to make Damon come alive.

  “Kendra doesn’t t-take to everybody so we’ll have to see if she likes you.” Damon led Heaven out of the kitchen and up the staircase.

  As they mounted the steps, side by side, Heaven found she was very aware of his imposing presence towering over her. At five foot seven, rarely did anyone dwarf her. To redirect her focus, she said, “People with autism often have areas of intense interest, don’t they?”

  He nodded.

  “Does Kendra?”

  “Yep!” They reached the hallway and Damon halted unexpectedly.

  Heaven turned towards him. “The last woman who helped me with Kendra had some background with autism.” He peered down at her, his frown exposing his dimples. “I hope you’re a quick study.”

  Heaven knew he was nervous about hiring her. “Why didn’t you get somebody with all the right credentials?”

  “I’ve tried hiring many people. If Kendra doesn’t like the person, she shuts down. I d-didn’t mean to sound sharp.” He shook his head. “I hope she likes you.”

  Heaven hoped so, too. She offered him a smile. “I’ve always been bright and gentle.”

  Damon – wonder of wonders – almost smiled back. Then he kept walking and Heaven had to take two steps to keep up. His legs were long, and he didn’t seem to care if he strode ahead of her.

  “Here we are.” He rapped his knuckles on the door. “Kendra?”

  No response.

  “Sometimes she’s so b-busy on the computer, she doesn’t hear me.” He turned the knob slowly, and pushed the door.

  Kendra watched her computer screen studiously, not greeting the intruders.

  Heaven admired her from across the room. Kendra was a tall, slender beauty that closely resembled her brother. Heaven glanced around the frilly room from the white canopy bed, to the white lace drapes. Kendra with her dark hair and sun-kissed skin reminded Heaven of a princess wrapped in a cloud.

  “Kendra?” Damon strode to the desk and placed a gentle hand on his sister’s shoulder.

  His tenderness towards Kendra touched Heaven deep inside. She could see the love radiating in his eyes.

  “Kendra, Heaven’s here to meet you.”

  “Wait, Damon.” Kendra didn’t show any curiosity about the newcomer, but tugged on his muscled forearm, pulling him closer. “Look at the site I found! This is all about how a tornado forms.”

  Heaven watched as Damon broke into a dimpled grin leaning in closer. “Kendra, I believe you know everything about t-tornadoes.”

  “I can always learn more.”

  Damon seemed like a different person around his sister. Heaven smiled as Kendra’s face puckered in concentration. Deciding to break the ice between herself and the young woman, she asked, “So are you just interested in tornadoes, Kendra, or all aspects of the weather?”

  The question grabbed through Kendra’s shell and she straightened before offering her a shy glance. “I love the weather!” She turned her face back towards the computer screen. “Do you want me to show you how a tornado forms?” Kendra sounded excited.

  “Please!”

  Damon glanced over at her, obviously pleased, and said, “Come t-take my place. I have to go downstairs, make a few more business calls.”

  Kendra talked nonstop about tornadoes, once Heaven took a seat beside her. Damon eventually seemed comfortable enough to leave, winking at Heaven as he left. His formidable presence lingered behind him, causing Heaven’s head to spin.

  Focus on Kendra, she scolded herself.

  Kendra typed on the keyboard, changing sites and pointing out areas of interest. She amazed Heaven with her knowledge of the weather and soon Heaven immersed herself in the topic. It surprised her when Kendra changed the topic midstream and said, “Do you want to be Damon’s girlfriend?”

  “No, I’m here to be your friend.”

  “I don’t have friends.” She didn’t sound upset. “I like ice cream better than friends. Especially butterscotch. You’re kind of the color of butterscotch ice cream.”

  Heaven didn’t know how to respond so she said nothing.

  “You pregnant?”

  “I am.”

  “Then you can never be Damon’s girlfriend. He doesn’t want any kids.”

  Questions formed in her mind, but she squelched them.

  “We have a lot of money. Aiden said we inherited it.” Kendra obviously was repeating facts without embellishment.

  Heaven didn’t know quite how to respond. “Did you?”

  Kendra nodded. “I don’t want to talk anymore.”

  “That’s fine.” Heaven wondered about the nuggets of information she’d received from Kendra, but didn’t push it.

  Kendra eventually spoke again, showing Heaven more weather sites. Heaven leaned in toward the computer screen to see. Kendra’s enthusiasm regarding the weather enamored Heaven, who listened with more than polite interest.

  Suddenly, Heaven felt a magnetic force pulling her eyes towards the doorway, something intangible yet compelling.

  Damon lounged against the archway, arms crossed, one foot kicked lazily in front of the other. “I see you t-two are getting along.”

  “Yes,” Heaven said, willing her heart to steady its rhythm. He gave her a devastating smile that almost knocked her off her chair. Heaven caught her breath before continuing. “Kendra is teaching me about the weather.”

  “I hate to interrupt.” He sounded pleased. “Heaven, a policewoman is here to take you for your fingerprints.”

  “She came here?” Heaven blinked. “Don’t you have to drive me there?”

  Damon shrugged. “The police chief and I work together at times. He does me little favors. I’ll stay with Kendra. You go.”

  Heaven wondered how they worked together, but didn’t ask. “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” she said to Kendra.

  Once back at Damon’s residence, the policewoman called ahead to advise that Heaven was returning. Before she allowed Heaven to leave the car, they waited for Damon to open the door.

  “Since you came from the shelter,” the policewoman explained haughtily, “Damon doesn’t want you walking outside alone at all. Sometimes – the man you’re running from…”

  Heaven nodded, impressed by his concern.

  Once Damon opened the door, she slid out of the patrol car and trudged towards the house. He stepped aside to let her in. Passing him, she felt that odd tingle again. Why did he do that to her?

  As they walked through the house, Damon grinned at her, a wide smile that reached his eyes and lit them like two candles. “I managed to c-contact two of your references, and they both spoke well of you. You’re closer to g-getting the job.”

  Heaven grinned back at him, an easy thing to do. They accidentally brushed against one another and she could feel the muscles and hairs of his forearms. Sparks grazed her skin.

  “Are we going back to Kendra’s room?” she asked, as they reached the staircase.

  “No, I’m going t-to show you your room.”

  Relief engulfed her. She wouldn’t have to go back to the crowded shelter. She could stay here until her baby girl’s birth. Tears pulled at her eyes, but she blinked them back.

  At the top of the stairs, Damon broke into her thoughts. Turning a doorknob, he said, “If you don’t like the décor, I’ll be happy t-to change it for you.”

  Heaven found herself wondering why he’d never wanted children as she stepped past him entering her new room. She looked around, shocked by the enormity and beauty. The bed had a canopy, like Kendra’s. White walls contrasted with thick blue carpeting. A desk with a state of the art computer stood on the opposite side of the room. The windows were opened a little and blue lace curtains blew gently towards her carrying the scent of newly mown grass and flowers. “It’s great, Damon.”

  “Glad you like it. I’ll bring your suitcase upstairs and you c-can unpack.” He turned to leave.

  Heaven stare
d after him. Just the way he moved; confident, graceful, and manly, made her insides turn to mush. What was her problem? It couldn’t be normal to feel so many sensations and such heat from a stranger. She tried to put it out of her mind and adjust to the room she’d own for several months. Weariness overtook her and she sat on the bed, sinking into its softness. Kicking off her shoes, she stretched across the thick, fresh smelling quilt and shut her eyes. She’d just rest until Damon arrived with her suitcase.

  When Damon returned, he found her slender form sprawled over the bed. Putting her suitcase down, he stopped to gaze down at her. He’d spotted her as trouble the minute he’d opened the front door. Damn, but she intoxicated him! She resembled a golden angel, with her crown of long, dark waves fanning around her delicate, oval-shaped face. Her hands were tucked under her chin as if praying. He smelled a lilac scent as he inhaled sharply. He could barely swallow. Something about her…

  He gently covered her with a fleece blanket, and then straightened, staring down at her once more. He needed to leave. In fact, while she worked for him, he needed to keep a healthy distance. He forced himself to leave the room, quietly shutting the door behind him. With a heavy heart, Damon trudged down the stairs, thinking about what to do with his evening. Since he couldn’t leave Heaven alone with Kendra yet, he’d let her sleep and amuse Kendra himself.

  Hours passed and Heaven continued to sleep.

  Darkness arrived. Damon ordered pizzas, while he and Kendra watched movies. Damon often spent evenings at home with Kendra watching movie marathons. Seldom did he hang out at bars or with friends. Kendra came first.

  “It’s going to rain in the movie,” Kendra piped up. “Look at the clouds, Damon.”

  He reached for a slice of pizza. “Can’t stop thinking about the weather, Ken?” he teased as he handed her a slice, too.

  A loud scream pierced the air.

  Kendra dropped her pizza to the floor. “That’s Heaven! Somebody’s hurting her!”

  Damon was already on his feet. Gavin couldn’t have gotten past the security system to get to her; still, Damon’s heart was in his throat. “Wait down here. Nobody is hurting her! Nobody could get past our security system!”

  Kendra ran after him as he reached the staircase. “No, Kendra!” he called over his shoulder as he ran up the stairs. “Watch the movie, I-I’ll take care of this!”

  He left Kendra on the staircase and bolted towards Heaven’s room just as she let out another scream, louder and more horrifying than the last. Damon leaped over three steps to reach the hallway and ran to Heaven’s room. Just as she let out another anguished cry, he shoved open the door.

  As the eerie shriek filled the room, Damon flew to Heaven’s bedside. Moonlight winked through the parted drapes shedding beams of light on the young woman as she thrashed wildly.

  “Gavin, no!” Get off of me! You’re hurting me! Please!”

  Her wail chilled him to the bone. He took her hand and squeezed it, acutely aware of how fragile it felt in his own. “Wake up, Heaven, you’re having a nightmare.” Damn, what was he supposed to do? He’d taken care of his mother after being beaten by his father; had comforted Kendra when she was frightened, but he’d known them. He had no idea how to soothe this stranger.

  “Gavin?”

  Again, that piercing shriek. He leaned forward and tried to shake her awake. “No! It’s Damon!”

  Her eyes shot open, sightless; devoid of comprehension. “Gavin, I’ll be good! I’ll do what you want! Put the gun down!”

  “N-nobody will hurt you. You can sleep peacefully b-because nobody can get into this house.” It was impossible for Damon to breathe or move. Damn night terror, mind numbing fears that took over. He’d had them too at one time. She continued to look terrified. Damon lowered himself to the edge of the bed, his heart racing. What to do now? He’d pretend she was Kendra since comforting his sister was so natural. “It’s Damon. Gavin will never get t-to you on my watch, Babe. I’m good at taking care of people.” He waited breathlessly for results.

  She relaxed, slowing her breathing. She spoke without opening her eyes. “Not Gavin?”

  “No, dear. Gavin is far away.”

  Her fingers curled around his palm. “Damon?”

  “Yes,” he said, massaging her arm.

  “Stay.”

  He grabbed her computer chair and rolled it to her bedside. Sitting down, he took her hand again. A fleeting smile flickered across her face causing a wave of protectiveness inside him. Nobody would harm her. Gavin would have to go through him first.

  In time, the shift in her breathing told Damon she slept. As much as he wished to stay longer, he knew he had to leave before she awakened. He reached out to stroke her soft cheek. Forcing himself to rise, he gave her a final glance, and then turned towards the door.

  “Don’t go!”

  He whirled around. She was still asleep; her head thrashing back and forth, a moan erupted from deep within her throat. He settled back on the edge of her bed. “I won’t go yet. I’m here, Sweetie. D-don’t be afraid.” He lifted her delicate hand between his palms and she stilled like magic. He found himself bringing her hand to his cheek. Once she calmed again, he’d sneak out and she’d be none the wiser. Until then, he felt warmed being near her, although he didn’t want to think about why.

  The night wore on, yet he remained. He rubbed his eyes and stifled a yawn. Every time he’d tried to leave, Heaven grew restless.

  Three o’clock arrived and he’d almost fallen asleep twice, only to jerk awake just before pitching atop of her. Although the stirrings of guilt assailed him, he touched her cheek and mumbled, “Good-night, Sweetheart. I have t-to go.” He ran his hand down her arm, and then stood on leaden legs, eyes fixed upon her. When she didn’t call out for him this time, he headed toward the door.

  “What the hell are you doing in my room?”

  Damon stilled.

  “What are you doing here?” Heaven’s voice shook with terror. “Did you do something to me while I slept? Is that it?”

  He turned towards her. She was sitting, the blanket pulled up to her chin. His throat closed and words wouldn’t emerge.

  “Tell me! Tell me, you bastard!”

  He flinched, trying to swallow the rock that blocked his speech.

  The door flew open, flooding light into the room and he turned in that direction. Kendra!

  “You woke me, Heaven. What’s wrong?” The young girl stood in the doorway, her eyes wide.

  “I – I found your brother in my room!” The voice tight and high. “I think he wants to hurt me! Get help, Kendra! Please!”

  Damon put an arm around Kendra’s shoulders. The lump had dissolved a little. “No, love, she’s just scared.”

  “And I shouldn’t be? There’s a man in my room while I’m sleeping!”

  “Afraid of Damon?” Kendra sounded incredulous. She took several steps towards Heaven. “We heard you screaming in your sleep so he came here to make you feel better like he always does for me when I have a nightmare. Damon would never hurt you. That’s silly.”

  Damon watched Heaven. Her blank stare slowly registered comprehension. “I did have a nightmare. Several. I’m sorry I woke you, Kendra.”

  “That’s all right. Have Damon make you hot chocolate. That helps me. I’m going back to bed now.”

  Damon gave his sister a fierce hug before she left the room. He found himself alone with Heaven. His eyes locked with hers.

  Heaven looked away first. “Why did you really come here?”

  Damon’s muscles tightened. “Kendra told you.”

  “I screamed in my sleep?”

  He could see her cheeks coloring. “Like a banshee,” he said with a grin then sobered. “About Gavin.”

  “Damn, I hate that! At the shelter, the women told me I screamed, too. Annoyed the hell out of them. You didn’t touch me? You swear?”

  He lifted his hand as if swearing on a Bible. “I held your hand b-because that seemed to soothe you
. Beyond that, nothing else.” Mentioning that he’d touched her face would give her the wrong idea.

  She spoke into the blanket still clasped to her chin. “You came here – just to be nice?”

  He felt his face growing hot. Caught being soft! “I – I didn’t feel right leaving you alone with dreams of Gavin, so I stayed – since you seemed to have quieted down – and I was half asleep.” He inhaled deeply.

  “I’m sorry I acted like an ass. Staying with me was very kind of you.” She flashed him a smile that lit her face and seemed to caress his.

  He couldn’t let her associate words like “kind” with him. Too dangerous and misleading. “Don’t t-take it personally” His voice reverted to clipped and polite. “I promised Father Michael I’d take care of you.”

  “I see.” Her smile faltered. “Well, I’m fine now. Go to sleep. You look exhausted.”

  He swallowed hard, unable to move. Her cobalt gaze burned into him. For some reason, he wished he could go to her and crush her to his chest, but that could never happen. Stepping into the hall, he managed a hoarse, “Good night.” Then he closed the door behind him. He strode towards his room, his tread heavy and his heart racing.

  “Damon?”

  He was shocked to hear her soft voice directly behind him. How had she managed to sneak up on him? He turned towards her, hoping his face looked void of expression. “You need something else from me?”

  She flew at him, throwing her arms around his neck. “Nobody has been this concerned about me in ages, and I don’t care if you only did it out of a sense of duty.”

  Damon braced himself as her hot breath tickled his chin. Unable to react quickly, he froze as she planted a brief firm kiss on his lips. Just as quickly, she released him and fled back to her room. He heard her door slam and stared after her, shocked and aroused. His blood rushed hot flames to his groin. Why had she kissed him? A more disturbing question was how such brief contact could affect him so strongly.

  He entered his room, and then leaned his back against the door, trying to catch his breath. He no longer felt tired, yet he needed sleep to block Heaven, and the wicked sensations he felt all because of one chaste kiss.