Touch Me In The Morning Page 4

Damon looked up and stood. “Hi, Sweetheart,” he said to Kendra. His pretty sister looked so in tune with the world, her hair tied back with a navy scarf, and a tight blue shirt pulled down to the belt of her white pants. Heaven stood beside Kendra, the same height, dressed in shelter leftovers. She looked gorgeous, but her ill-fitting clothing tugged at his heart.

  “Who called?” Kendra’s voice rose.

  Damon shoved his phone into the back pocket of his beige khaki’s. “Wrong number, love.”

  “Not Aiden?”

  Guilt troubled him. “Kendra, would you like to go to the mall?” He needed to change the topic and also act on his desire to buy Heaven a decent wardrobe.

  “The mall is loud.” Kendra grimaced.

  “I’ll buy you software.”

  Kendra’s eyes sparkled. His sister knew a bribe. “Weather software?”

  “Anything. If you get scared, we’ll leave.”

  “Why go then?” Heaven’s voice shocked him, like a beautiful melody after a bland Karaoke performance.

  Damon knew he’d have to tread carefully. “I need to buy you a few things.”

  Her brow furrowed.

  He sucked in a deep breath. “You need clothes. You c-can pick some out, and I’ll pay.”

  “What! “No way!” The spat of protest continued, hitting his ears like a band playing at a football game, loud and discordant. Kendra gaped with wide eyes and Damon waited for the sputtering to die down. “You need clothes.” He tried a reasoning voice. “You’ll be looking for a job when you leave, and you’ll need a g-good wardrobe.” He tried to temper his offer. “You can pay me back.”

  “I can’t pay you back. I need to put most of my money into a savings account for moving expenses and rent.” She shook her head. “I won’t take charity.”

  “It won’t be charity.”

  She looked wary.

  He strode from the middle of the room and halted a few feet before her. “You pay me after you move out. Once you’re settled and have another job. Pay me w-with interest. I d-don’t care. You need a better wardrobe. I insist.”

  “You insist?” The last word bit.

  He held in a smile. How fetching she looked when angry!

  “You’ll never get on your feet if you d-don’t accept help. I had some.”

  She crossed her arms.

  “I’ll send you monthly bills, like a credit card.” He smiled, catching her gaze.

  “So I should think of you as a credit card?” She laughed, which delighted him.

  He shrugged.

  “Just go,” Kendra said, breaking the spell between them. He was surprised at how focused he’d been on Heaven. For a moment, he’d forgotten Kendra.

  His sister continued. “Heaven, just let Damon get you the clothes. I want you to have pretty clothes, like me.”

  Heaven seemed moved by Kendra’s words, more so than his.

  “That’s sweet of you.” She touched Kendra‘s arm.

  Damon welcomed any help. He didn’t want to tell Heaven that he not only wanted her to have a nice wardrobe; he wanted to get her mind off Gavin. “Well? I promise t-to send you large bills and make a lot of money with my high interest rates. Can we go?”

  She laughed again. “I do love to shop.”

  “Never met a woman who didn’t.”

  “And I expect you’ve know a lot of women.” Her smile seemed to waver.

  “Not so many.”

  “Sure.”

  Kendra again broke the short camaraderie between them. “I’m going upstairs to get my purse.”

  “Fine, Sweetie. Go ahead.” Damon patted her on the head and she disappeared.

  Alone with Heaven, Damon’s gaze fell upon her plump breasts, rising and falling as she breathed. He couldn’t’ help admiring their perfection…

  “Don’t.”

  Damon looked up, quickly.

  “Don’t think I’ll sleep with you to pay off the clothes.”

  “Never crossed my mind.” It had, but he’d dismissed it. “Not all men expect sex as payment. I d-don’t.” He decided it wise to change the subject when she turned her head from him. “Are you feeling better? Mentally?”

  Heaven turned back to him. “I feel like he’s right behind me, ready to drag me back to that hated trailer. He’s such a great stalker.”

  “No.” Damon found himself closing the small gap between them. It should be illegal to be as beautiful as her. They stood so near one another…again. The urge to grab her, overwhelmed him.

  He saw her stiffen and he suddenly felt a surge of outrage at Gavin. “I t-told you you’re safe with me.” He placed his hands on her shoulders, and she didn’t pull back. Her breath stoked his chin as she raised her face to his. He could feel himself sucked into her flowery, feminine essence. Very unsettling, yet intoxicating, too. As he held his gaze; her lips parted…

  He had to kiss her. He would kiss her…

  “I’m ready!” Kendra ran into the room just in time.

  Damon let out a breath and let go of Heaven.

  Thank God for Kendra.

  Chapter Five

  After a fairly quiet ride, and Damon’s need to park in a lot three blocks away, Heaven couldn’t wait to step into a mall again. Once inside, she wanted to sing with joy. The buzzing crowd, the variety of shops, the smell of popcorn and pizza from the food court, all made her feel part of the world again.

  She and Damon both stuck close to Kendra, who ran to a corner a few times, to cower. Both times, they were able to calm her into staying. Eventually, Kendra seemed more comfortable and no longer wanted to leave. Their first stop was “Electronics Plus” and Kendra headed straight for the software. She made a few purchases.

  Damon then escorted Heaven to a large department store. He halted before the entrance and grabbed her hand to stop her from walking past it. The smell of elusive, expensive perfume almost sucked her inside. Still she hesitated, glancing over her shoulder at Damon, feeling uncomfortable…

  “Get in there.” He flashed a beautiful grin and winked. For once, he seemed at ease. “We’ll follow you.” Damon’s eyes shone and she felt she’d disappoint him if she refused to enter.

  “All right!” She couldn’t resist his boyish, lit up face and didn’t want to be responsible for its disappearance.

  They strolled through the store, trying to find clothes that weren’t matronly or full of frills and detail. Heaven insisted clothes should be simple but elegant. Jerseys in the palest of blues to the darkest plum lay folded on a low table, which Heaven failed to see. She rammed into it and a stack of black jerseys fell to the floor. Her face hot, she quickly retrieved them. Hearing Damon’s laughter behind her, she grabbed one in each color and fled to the back of the department to match up skirts and pants.

  Soon Heaven’s arms were filled with clothes. It had been a while since her senses had been assaulted by vibrant colors and heavy rock music. Maternity clothes would come later. For now, she tried on seersucker blazers with matching shorts and Egyptian cotton sweaters. As she fingered the detail on some of the necklines, she realized a gold choker would sit well just above them, emphasizing her slender neck, a finishing touch to spectacular outfits.

  She opened the fitting room door to model a bathing suit and found Damon holding a lace over taffeta empire waist dress in a midnight blue. “This is you,” he said, distinctly pleased with his selection.

  “Just where would I wear that?”

  “Maybe to a party after you move out and make friends.”

  There it was, a stab at her happiness, the reality of her situation. She wouldn’t be here with him forever. She’d probably never be able to shop this way again. Now was the time to create a wardrobe that would last a lifetime.

  “How do you know this will fit?” She checked the size. “Hmmm. Guess you were paying attention.” She looked up at him and he shrugged.

  “With stiletto heels and a high platform, you’ll be the belle of the ball.”

  “You aren’t likel
y to find me in stiletto anything!” She slammed the door to the fitting room and reached for the designer suit. Heaven knew that the classic straight lines of the suit would never go out of style. She had enough fashion sense to know that the elegance could be modified by a change in sweater. She did protest the price.

  “This is the perfect interview suit.” Damon dismissed her.

  “Once I start showing, the clothes won’t fit.”

  “We’ll get maternity stuff, too. This is for now and after.”

  “What if I gain weight permanently?”

  His gaze hit the ceiling. “Try them on.”

  “I have to find a shirt.” She left and returned, in a whirlwind of excitement, with a silver smock top with jabot.

  Kendra appeared out of nowhere, white plastic bag in hand. “I bought some more CD’s from upstairs, like you told me to, Damon. And I didn’t get scared being alone.” She beamed then turned her attention to Heaven. “Did you buy any clothes yet?”

  “Yes!” Heaven prepared to continue having fun, deciding not to worry about how she’d pay him back. Not today. She quickly changed, grinning all the more. Real clothes! Nice, fashionable clothes! She hadn’t worn nice clothes since before Gavin. When she came out to show Damon, he nodded.

  She caught his gaze. Why did he look at her that way, with such intense eyes? Why did her knees go weak when he did? As he took the armful of clothes from her, his hungry eyes raked her over. “I want you t-to try on some dresses. You may be able to wear them even after you st-start to show.” He inclined his head towards a rack of casual summer dresses.

  Heaven’s insides rushed with anticipation and she strode quickly to the rack selecting a delicate sundress with a trumpet hemline. She could easily wear this, as she got bigger. As she modeled for Damon, she twirled around and the skirt flew out. The light in his eyes said it all.

  Heaven next visited the lingerie department, stocking up on the basics.

  Heaven felt funny giving Damon her lingerie bag. When he tried to take it from her, she pulled it back, feeling suddenly shy.

  Damon laughed at her and teased. “I’ve never seen women’s underwear before, but I think I c-can handle holding the bag. Any thongs?”

  She laughed at the naughtiness in his eyes.

  The shoe department was fun. Heaven tried on stilettos and then laughed when she tried to stand up. After that, Heaven eyed a pair of patent leather pumps that would beautifully accessorize the suit.

  Damon seemed to enjoy indulging her. After she’d exhausted herself, the three of them headed towards the store exit, laughing and talking with ease.

  Out, once again, in the fresh air, a cool breeze ruffled their hair and the sun winked down on them. Damon held Kendra’s hand and Heaven remained beside them. Easy conversation took over.

  As they neared the car, Damon’s remote unlocked the doors.

  Damon locked the bags of clothing in his trunk. Kendra climbed in the back seat, claiming fatigue, and Damon and Heaven pressed their backs against the car, chatting and joking over nothing. His eyes danced and sparkled and his dimples flashed often, unlike when he wore his bland mask.

  Heaven watched how the wind feathered his hair across his forehead. He seemed to be watching her too and somehow the distance between them narrowed. Electricity charged the air and she felt almost ecstatic, although unsure why. Was it the beauty of the day or Damon’s good-natured demeanor or closeness? All of them?

  “You ever been on a riding lawn mower?” Damon asked.

  Heaven laughed as she noted the teasing on his face. “I lived in a typical middle class neighborhood, Damon. We didn’t have a large yard. We mowed the lawn the old fashioned way, pushing a mower.”

  “If you like, you can try my riding mower.”

  “I’m amazed that you do everything yourself. That you don’t hire help.”

  Damon made a face. “I c-can take care of things just fine.”

  “That’s good,” a new voice chimed in. “Heaven will be quitting her job and you’ll have to either hire somebody else or take care of things – yourself.”

  Heaven tried to scream; couldn’t. Damon automatically stepped in front of her, shielding her from the newcomer.

  “Who the hell are you?”

  Heaven heard Damon’s low, dangerous voice as if from another world.

  “I’m her husband.” Gavin’s words were edged with steel. “Nice to meet the man who’s trying to steal my wife.”

  Heaven wanted to scream and heard the high-pitched sound in her head, but wasn’t sure anyone else could hear it.

  “Get in the car!” Damon grabbed Heaven’s arm and opened the door, throwing her inside. Trembling, she slid to the floor as the automatic locks sealed.

  “I’m scared,” Kendra groaned from the back seat.

  Heaven wanted to help her, but couldn’t move. She listened, with horror, to the words from outside the car. Suddenly, she shuddered. “Damon!” She cried. “He has a gun, remember?” She peeked out the window and saw Damon grab and frisk him. “No gun.”

  “Of course no gun. Heaven imagines things!” Gavin’s heavy voice attacked her as he broke from Damon’s grasp.

  “Please, God, don’t let him hurt Damon!” She prayed.

  Damon was aware of Heaven’s terror, and furious that this man had caused it.

  “I’m glad to meet you, Shithead.” Damon’s words thundered. “We need to talk.”

  “I need to talk to my wife, not you!”

  The two men took the stance of a dual. “You can’t talk to her. If you d-dare make one wrong move, I’ll kill you.” He made sure he stood tall, aware that Gavin was less than six feet. His opponent, with his blond hair, perfect face, and prep clothes looked so innocent…

  Gavin stepped forward, trying to shove Damon out of the way.

  Damon spread his legs to brace himself and pushed Gavin away. Gavin stumbled several feet backwards. Regaining his footing, he glared at Damon. “You don’t know anything about my wife!”

  “What’s this ‘w-wife’ business? Heaven married you?”

  “Y-yes. I-in a sm-small ceremony at home.” Gavin mocked the stutter.

  Damon lifted his fist in a threatening gesture. “You won’t do that again,” he said, in a quiet voice. “Or you’ll eat your teeth.”

  “Do you blame me for being angry at my wife’s lover?”

  Damon wanted to choke the life out of him, but controlled himself. Too many people depended on him. Jail wasn’t an option. “You’re a piece of shit, who abuses women to feel powerful! I hate men like you. And I use ‘men’ loosely.”

  “Can I show you something?” Gavin reached into his back pocket.

  “No.”

  Gavin shoved papers into his hands.

  Damon unfolded the sheets. “What the hell is this?” As he read it, his anger exploded.

  “Finish,” Gavin said wearing a smug expression. “I never abused her. She just thought it. She had delusions.” He stepped forward, but Damon shot him an icy gaze. He halted. “Heaven is very ill. She needs medication. She self-mutilates, and then thinks I did it. You can read about it in the report. “

  Damon scanned the pages and laughed in disbelief. “Heaven? Self-mutilates? They would have noticed at the shelter if she was psychotic. I could tell t-too. I think I know enough about her to know this is full of shit!”

  “Know her? Intimately?”

  Damon could smell the beer on Gavin’s breath. The man repelled him. He shoved him again. “I don’t trust the doctor who wrote this report.”

  Gavin simply shook his head, sadly.

  The two men continued their attack stance. Damon thought of a knife he kept in his pocket. “I’m not an abuser! My wife is a mental case!”

  Damon’s fist connected with Gavin’s jaw and the other man fell to the ground, holding the side of his face, blood dripping from his lip. Damon dropped to his knees beside him, knowing he looked as cold as he felt. “Enough!” He thought about his knife agai
n. “D-don’t make me destroy you.” His teeth clenched. “Stay away from Heaven.”

  In a thick voice, Gavin managed, “I’m pressing charges.”

  Damon stared down at him, watching him bleed. “How much do you want?”

  “I don’t want your money,” said Gavin, “I can get money. I want my wife.” He spat blood at Damon. The liquid splattered on Damon’s cheek and started dripping. Disgusted, he wiped it off, then stood and kicked Gavin in the side, driving the air from his lungs.

  “Wrong answer. D-do you promise to leave Heaven alone or do I have t-to kick you again? Men like you shouldn’t live. You’ll stay out of our way.” And he kicked again.

  Gavin nodded, quickly, his bravado gone.

  Damon loathed him; loathed all people like him. He couldn’t resist kicking him in the ribs once more. “I’ll do worse next time,” he said. He looked up and saw some people approaching, obliviously heading in their direction. Well, he didn’t want to hang around to be seen or questioned.

  “I’ll deny it if you implicate me in anything,” he said. “The police will believe me over you. I know the police chief.” Gavin remained silent. Damon kicked one more time, enjoying the groan from the abuser.

  He ran to his car and when ready, pressed his foot hard against the accelerator. As soon as the car left the lot and entered mainstream traffic, he let out a huge breath. Heaven lay on the seat beside him in fetal position.

  “I think she’s sick!” Kendra said, alarmed “That was a bad man, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes, but I t-took care of it, Sweetheart,” Damon managed. He had to keep driving, had to get home as soon as possible. But he also needed to comfort Heaven. Feeling protective, he gently found her hand, uncurled her tight fist, and closed his fingers around her palm. “I think I put the fear of God in him.”

  Heaven slid closer to him. “He must have followed us here, even though I didn’t see a car behind us.”

  “Me either, but t-to be honest, I d-didn’t look to see if we were being followed.” He sounded self-disgusted.

  “Shit, I can’t believe this.”

  “Could have been a coincidence.”

  “No.”

  He didn’t think so either.