Touch Me In The Morning Read online

  Chapter Three

  Damon stumbled down the stairs at eleven the next morning. His olive green v-neck tee shirt and white khakis clung to his still-damp skin. Bare feet sunk into the plush carpeting. He hadn’t had coffee yet and needed some badly. Late nights did that, but taking care of Heaven was worth it. He’d just skip his visits to the shelters today and relax. The doorbell chimed, interrupting his thoughts.

  Damn, who would come here now? He strode to the door. A deliveryman holding a vase of red roses stood on the porch. “You have the right address, pal?” he asked, not enjoying the bright sunlight in his eyes.

  “Your name Steele?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then I guess you got a secret admirer.” He wiggled his bushy eyebrows.

  Damon signed for the flowers and carried them to the dining room table. Did some woman from a shelter have a crush on him? He opened the envelope, scanned the words, and his blood ran cold.

  “Heaven, darling, we belong together and I’ll never let you go.”

  No signature.

  Damon crumbled the paper. Heaven’s ex had located her already. Shit! No point in scaring her. He headed towards the trash.

  “Red roses!” She wailed as she added, “Oh no!”

  Damon froze, Heaven’s terror filled voice chilling him. He turned to look at her at the foot of the stairs. Her eyes were huge, her slender body trembling, fingers covering her mouth. His stomach dropped. If only he could have shielded her from this cruelty. He braced himself as Heaven rushed up to him and reached for the vase. “No.” He pulled it out of her reach. “I’m going to throw them away.”

  “Gavin,” she whispered. “He found me.” With an agonized cry, her knees buckled and she fell onto a dining room chair.

  Avoiding his gaze she said, “I have to leave or he’ll get me and kill my baby.”

  Damon stepped towards her, and then halted. His hands itched to touch her so he put them behind his back.

  “He knew the roses would get to me,” she mumbled. “He gave me roses when he invited me to move in with him. This is a warning.”

  Damon had already made that assumption. “You’re safe here. D-don’t worry.”

  “And what about Kendra? You want to expose her to Gavin?”

  Damn, she had a point. That thought hadn’t entered his mind. She befuddled him so much; he’d almost forgotten his sister but he had confidence that his security system was impenetrable. “Don’t worry. I have a plan to keep you safe.”

  “So do I!” I’ll leave.” She stood, knocking the chair over in her haste.

  “What the hell?” He watched her as she bolted towards the stairs.

  Damon set the blasted vase on the table and it shattered. He left the mess and ran upstairs to Heaven’s room to find her throwing her meager belongings into her tiny suitcase. He took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. “What are you doing?”

  “What does it look like I’m doing?” She pulled a sweater off its hanger and threw it towards the suitcase lying open on the bed.

  Leaning against the wall, he watched her move back and forth between the closet and the bed. He hated to lose her but at least she’d be safe at the shelter. “I’ll drive you t-to the shelter.”

  She kept working. “No. Gavin knows about the shelter. I can’t go back there.”

  “So you have no plan? Do you think that’s rational?”

  “I’ll find somewhere.”

  “Where?”

  She placed a blouse into her suitcase.

  “Your suitcase won’t close,” he said.

  “Oh, yes, it will!” She glared at him. “I’ll make sure it does!”

  “Why are you d-doing this? I haven’t asked you to leave.”

  “I’m sure you’re willing to keep me here just to be nice.”

  “I never d-do anything just to be nice.”

  She exhaled sharply. “Then – out of a sense of duty. You can’t possibly want me here.” She tried to close the suitcase. When it wouldn’t shut, she sat on it and it still wouldn’t close.

  Damon watched her bounce on the stubborn suitcase and bit back a smile. Under other circumstances, he might have laughed aloud, but he couldn’t. “Stop,” he said. “I don’t want you to leave.”

  She ignored him, snapping the suitcase shut as her weight held the top and bottom together.

  “Heaven.”

  “Go away.”

  The fool woman would reject his offer of protection. Thoughts of his mother’s death popped into his head causing his blood to chill. Even though the circumstances were different, the end would be the same. He couldn’t stand back and watch a woman he cared for suffer at the hands of an abuser. He had to try harder.

  “Heaven.” He sat on the edge of her bed.

  “Go away, you complicate everything.”

  He tried to speak, but stammered uselessly on the first sound. He gently grabbed her arm to get her attention. A hard slap shocked him. After a heartbeat he let her go, staring into Heaven’s frightened eyes.

  “I – I’m sorry,” she said, and he saw her throat working hard. “Gavin used to grab me.” She shook her head. “I don’t normally hit people – I’m not excusing myself, but – I got scared.”

  He nodded, deciding there was nothing more he could do. He couldn’t make her stay. Rising, he noted that she wouldn’t meet his eyes and suddenly felt a helpless anger. “I wouldn’t hurt you but I guess you don’t trust me.”

  Heaven turned away and started folding clothing back into the suitcase.

  Damon shook his head. “Fine, go, if you want. I wash my hands of it. You’ll be playing right into Gavin’s hands. The bastard will kill you and shit, maybe you’re too stupid to live.” He turned and strode out of the room, aware that he’d said the worst possible thing, as usual.

  Guilt washed over him. He couldn’t leave things like this. “I’m sorry! At least think about where you’ll go!”

  With those words, he descended the staircase, a fist balled at his side. He marched into the dining room, where his confrontation with Heaven had started. He righted the fallen chair and plopped onto it, glowering. Heaven on the streets…alone…without protection…without him…with Gavin…it overtook him until he trembled all over. When he heard her coming down the stairs, he didn’t look, not wanting to see her walk out of his life. Her footsteps headed in his direction and his heartbeat sped up. Maybe…maybe… He looked up, careful to hide his feelings. She didn’t have her suitcase. A glimmer of hope bloomed inside him. “Yes?” he asked, in an impersonal way.

  Her beautiful ruby lips moved for a few seconds before any sound came out. “I was scared so I took it out on you. I’m sorry. Can we talk about this now?”

  “You’ll listen?” His calm voice pleased him because he didn’t feel calm; not at all.

  She nodded. “I can’t believe you’re not afraid for yourself and Kendra. It’s kind of you not to order me out, but…”

  “I’m not kind.”

  She lifted her eyes to the ceiling for a moment. “All right. You’re not. But for some reason you aren’t telling me to leave, and I have to know why before I can feel all right about staying. You must have fears, since Gavin knows I’m here.”

  “I’m not afraid. And I c-can make sure Kendra and you are safe.” He rested a firm gaze on hers. “I know abusers kill, but you’ll be protected by my security system as long as you stay inside. Just stay inside when I’m not home and you and Kendra will be fine.” He watched her, waiting for her response.

  Heaven finally looked away from him and said, “You must be masochistic.”

  “Maybe.” He rested his palm on the table beside her, allowing it to take his weight.

  She gasped, as he reached out to trap her chin in a gentle grasp, and gazed into his beautiful eyes.

  “If you g-go to an unknown place, pregnant and without a plan, my conscience will destroy me.”

  She flinched and pulled back but couldn’t look away. Did he mean it? He
wore no expression.

  “How did Gavin find you?”

  She tried to focus on the question and not his spicy scent. “Gavin works for a private investigator. He’s learned the tricks of the trade.”

  “He stalks you.”

  Heaven drew in a breath. “Yes, ever since he found me at the shelter. He probably has someone tracking me at all times.”

  Damon moved closer to her. “Wouldn’t it c-cost him a lot to hire private investigators?”

  Was she swaying into him? No… “His father gives him money whenever he asks. They almost lost him once – he’d spent time in a coma…”

  “Wow.” Damon shook his head.

  “Football injury. He’s never been the same, or so he told me. Doesn’t remember anything before the coma, including his parents.”

  Damon’s features hardened. “So he c-can afford to continue stalking you – with help.”

  She nodded.

  “Ever call the c-cops about this?”

  She laughed in a mirthless way. “Once from the shelter. Gavin told them I imagine things – that I’m mentally ill. It was my word against his. I think they believe him, not me.”

  Damon’s breath tickled her skin, sending prickles of awareness down her spine. Before she could think about her reaction to him, he moved away.

  “I have contacts all over the country – and C-Canada. I’ve helped Father Michael relocate other women running from abusive p-partners. I’ll find a place for you. May t-take time to get housing, work, and other things set up – but I’ll d-do it as fast as I can.”

  She noticed the blush on his face, and couldn’t believe her luck. “You help women escape?”

  His gaze shifted. “My mother n-never escaped. I feel obligated.”

  She wanted to reach out and hug his pain away, seeing past the tough veneer he showed the world. “Obligated? Sure. You never do anything because you’re a caring person.”

  “Exactly.” He didn’t look at her.

  Feeling a rush of gratitude towards this complicated, puzzling man, she placed her palm over his, which rested on the table. Her touch startled him, causing him to jump and finally meet her eyes.

  “This means so much to me.” She smiled at him.

  “Don’t take it personally, Heaven.” He slid his hand out from under hers. “I’m d-doing this for Father Michael.”

  Her grin didn’t wane. “Oh, yeah?” She liked to tease him making him go red. “Did Father Michael care about the other women you helped, too? You just do this for him?”

  “I’m not a nice man. D-don’t misjudge me. I have a strong sense of responsibility, but the heart went out of me long ago. Except for Kendra.”

  Why did he say such unkind things about himself? They were lies; she knew it.

  “When I’m not home, stay indoors,” he said gruffly. “I have security on the grounds, and the dog, too, but I’ll feel better if you d-don’t go out unless I’m home.”

  The pulse in her temple started thudding. Almost to herself she said, “Gavin has a gun. He used to hold it to my head.” Something guttural tore from Damon’s throat. Her gaze focused on the angry lines of his face.

  “I have a gun, too. I’ll t-teach you how to shoot.”

  She hated guns. But Gavin… “Yes! Teach me.”

  He nodded. “I’ll also show you where I keep my gun and b-bullets and t-take you to the shooting range.”

  Heaven MacKenzie didn’t shoot guns. Well, she hadn’t before. “Thanks.” Then, “Why keep a gun in such a well protected house?”

  His lips thinned. “As a child I was unprotected – never felt safe. Now I make sure anybody in m-my care is extra safe.”

  Poor Damon. How bad had his abuse been? “I’m sorry about…”

  “Don’t feel sorry for me!”

  “I’m not. I don’t.” She automatically placed her hands on his chest. “It’s just – I can’t imagine a child going through what I did.” Seeing his closed expression, she quickly changed the subject. “Will Kendra be all right staying inside when you’re not home?”

  He stepped back. “Kendra would rather stay inside than go out. I m-make her go out sometimes, but I’ll do that when I’m home. I wouldn’t allow you t-to stay here if I felt you endangered her, Heaven.”

  She believed it. She knew how much he loved his sister.

  “So d-do you promise not to run off?” He suddenly took a step forward.

  His closeness made her fall silent. Heaven stood there surprised, because he’d tried so hard to avoid her touch earlier.

  “You’re not to run off.” He demanded, touched her arm. “Promise me.”

  “Don’t order me around. Gavin always did that!”

  “Stop that. I think you know I’m nothing like Gavin.”

  His silky and low tone confused her. A minute ago, he’d pulled away from her comforting touch twice, now he was gripping her arm like he’d never let go. Her betraying body came alive in his grasp but she forced herself to say, “You may be nothing like Gavin, but you’re my boss. You spelled it out, and I’m not interested in anything else.” Yet, she leaned towards him wanting nothing more than for him to kiss her.

  He gently pushed her away. “Don’t tempt me, lady.”

  A warm feeling spread through her body, when she saw his bemused smile. She hadn’t felt such affection for a person in ages. In truth, he was tempting her. “Are you sure we can’t be friends?”

  He flashed his dimples showing white teeth as his smile widened. “I’m sure.” His eyes devoured her. “That would be dangerous.”

  The possibility that this living statue of a Greek God might find her beautiful was astounding. But as he removed his hands from her arms and back, she realized he thought the attraction a bad thing, and so did she. They stared into each other’s eyes, and then suddenly he withdrew and let her go. She took in a deep breath, her emotions in turmoil. She sensed they were about to cross a risky boundary, one she couldn’t take. She tried to think of the least sexy topic she could. She found one. “Do you have any books to read?”

  He gave her a surprised look, then shook his head and motioned towards a doorway. “My personal library contains over a th-thousand books.”

  She was sure the books couldn’t compete with Damon, but she thought she’d give them a shot. “Let me see them,” she said, knowing that a fire had begun to smolder within her that she wouldn’t easily be able to put out.

  Chapter Four

  Normally, Damon’s study provided a retreat from the world. He kept his books there, jammed against one wall of ceiling to floor shelves. Mysteries, sports biographies, and puzzles teased his mind and filled his empty life with excitement. Today, however, he couldn’t escape his thoughts.

  Heaven, beautiful Heaven, the woman who enchanted him and scared him. A woman of his dreams and fantasies who would reject him for his scars, his stammer, yet a woman he longed to be with, talk to, and touch. His desires terrified him. This could only lead to pain. Abruptly, he considered his reality. A poor boy dressed in rich man’s clothes, lived as a fraud in a beautiful home with sprawling grounds. He hadn’t earned his fortune and he felt uncomfortable in his skin. If not for his siblings, he may have donated his fortune to charity. No, he couldn’t disregard the wishes of his Uncle Max. He leaned his head back against the wings of his upholstered green chair.

  A dark fate had intervened in his life, leaving him a fortune he hadn’t earned. It started with Uncle Max, the only sane adult from his childhood. Max, his mother’s brother, had begged his sister to leave her abusive husband and urged Damon to call him anytime he needed help. Damon had never called. Who would take care of his mother if his kind Uncle Max took him away? Still, he’d loved his uncle for caring.

  After his mother’s death, Max had attempted to gain custody of all three Steele children. The Judge had refused, his steely voice talking about sexual orientation and low morals. Damon always knew Max had a nice friend, Jeff, who lived with him, but his uncle’s sexuality
had never bothered him. In the end, it mattered. His siblings went to foster care and he was sent to St. Vincent’s Boys Home, a psychiatric facility for troubled youth.

  St. Vincent’s had been good for Damon. He’d overcome much of the trauma of his mother’s death, been a top student, and had gone on to college. Max had visited him often, in both settings, sharing comforting words with a confused teenager. The news of Max’s unexpected death from meningitis had reached him in his campus dorm. Death seemed to surround him – first his mother, then Max – and he’d locked his room to weep.

  Damon recalled the unreal day at the lawyer’s office. The shock of learning he’d inherited a fortune could still jolt him. Nothing about Max had indicated his wealth. Also, he’d assumed that the bulk of the assets would go to Max’s lover, Jeff.

  “I told him to leave all his money to you kids,” Jeff said to a stunned Damon, after the reading of the will. “I have enough. The only thing I ask, and this is from Max, is that you use some of that inheritance to help abused women. Max wanted to save others from your mother’s fate.”

  As did Damon. At nineteen, he dropped out of college to fulfill Max’s wishes. A relentless force drove his destiny. His mother’s death walked with him, his guilt walked with him. He did all he could to help others like his mother, before their spirits were sabotaged and their souls dead.

  Damon’s staggering inheritance allowed him to make a difference and he tried to help others. And himself? The poor boy that knew no love co-existed with the seemingly successful, wealthy man who could appear detached and arrogant. Few knew him. Few ever would. He stared ahead of himself, unseeing, his thoughts forming pictures in his mind. His mother…Uncle Max…Heaven…why would Heaven want him? It was wrong of him to think about her that way. Father Michael trusted him…

  His cell phone rang. He grabbed his cell off the table beside him. As he checked the caller ID, he groaned. Aiden! He didn’t want to talk to his brother right then. The brother he loved so much seemed angry with him most of the time and it broke his heart. Aiden would be home from college later that week. That was soon enough.

  “Who called?”