Touch Me In The Morning

by Wendi Felter

  Tonight she needed him to take her. Tonight the love exploding inside of her needed release. Her blood warmed as she saw his hungry eyes raking over her body, like a predator stalking its prey.

  He took a few steps forward, as dark and dangerous as she’d ever seen him. Should she be afraid of him? Maybe, but fear didn’t come. He gripped her shoulders, and then slid a hand into her hair. “Are you healed enough for this?” To her surprise, his voice didn’t match his demeanor. He sounded as soothing as a cup of hot cocoa. His hot breath bounced off her skin and coated her with prickling sensations.

  “You won’t hurt me.” Her insides felt like jelly.

  He nodded, then stepped back and appraised her with a frankness that both discomforted and flattered her. He’d only seen her pregnant. Now he mumbled incoherently and shook his head. She flushed. “I hope that meant something good,” she said, trying to lighten the mood.

  His eyes gleamed primitive and dark. “It’s good.” As his heated gaze trailed her, toe to hairline, he added, “I – sort of miss you pregnant. That has its own special beauty.”

  She shivered all over. Desire and love fought with one another, and then melted together. How she wanted to hold him forever. He couldn’t send her away…she need him in order to survive… “You say the nicest things, when you aren’t being an asshole.”

  He tried not to grin, but it broke through.

  In return, she formed a tight-lipped smile. If only she could convey the depth of her love to him…maybe he’d believe in her. Maybe he’d trust her not to leave him. On impulse, she grabbed his hand and brought it to her lips, kissing his roughened palm. His eyebrows shot up in surprise, as he circled an arm around her waist, pulling her close to him. With strong fingers he lifted her chin until her lips poised to meet his. “I say what I mean. I don’t know how t-to spin pretty lies.”

  “I know.”

  His smile faded and he lowered his head.

  He only brushed her lips at first, taunting her, then pressed his mouth firmly in place. His velvet tongue swept inside her, lazy, swirling strokes, as if he had all night. Her legs almost buckled under her, so she grabbed him around the neck to hold herself up. He bent over her, one arm around her waist, the other cradling her upper back. Her body started shaking as his tongue danced and played. Suddenly she lifted into his arms.

  She gasped into his mouth, her lips still plastered against his. He moaned in return and settled her on his chair, then climbed on top of her, never once breaking their kiss. The chair reclined and he pushed it back until it functioned as a narrow bed. As he deepened the eternal kiss, his body pressed against her with more force, searing her skin with the white heat of his flesh.

  She could feel his rigid erection pressed against her abdomen and her insides quivered. She almost laughed thinking of the fear that possessed her just a short time ago, but didn’t wish to disturb the delicious sensations from his clever mouth and tongue. The laughter died in her gut where a hot coal burned.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Damon finally realized had to breathe, so he lifted his head, finding himself eye level with the woman he cherished. As he rolled slightly to one side, he cupped a luscious breast while slicing his gaze down the rest of her. Except for puffiness in her belly, she didn’t look as if she’d recently given birth.

  Her curves were perfect and in all the right places. Gathering in a shaky breath, he set his mouth over her dark peaks, using his tongue and teeth to torture her. Her body tightened and trembled. His gentle assault against her skin intensified, and her reaction to his touch excited him beyond explanation.

  She slid her hand up the nape of his neck, trying to pull his head up for more kissing. He wouldn’t allow it.

  “Damon!” She groaned. “You’re such a tease.” She gasped and he grinned above her hardened bud.

  “Not t-teasing.” He chuckled at his lie, his adrenalin starting to crawl. He licked at her and she arched her back, pressing against his throbbing length. An onslaught of sensations threatened to rob him of all control. He needed a break or it would end too soon.

  He glanced up at her, his breath coming in ragged pants. When he saw her watching him, he aroused to new levels. “What are you looking at?” he asked, faking anger. Her heated eyes lit like two candles, glowing with naughty delight. He flashed a quick smile before settling his lips over her chest, exploring more of her body. He wanted to know every inch of her for memory. He needed to kiss and lick every part of her skin. Nothing would remain unscathed by him tonight.

  His pleasure leapt every time she made a contented sound or caressed his face or back or…God, she didn’t seem to care where she touched him anymore. Who was this woman who looked like Heaven? One of her hands seared the length of his back. The other…

  “Heaven.” The single word sounded hoarse, like a desperate cry yet he had to say her name. “Heaven!” he spoke it again, this time louder and with greater zeal.

  But Heaven couldn’t respond. She could barely breathe. Something about their earlier confrontation, her desolation that he’d send her away, the power of her love for him…all those factors made the restlessness and tension within her rage and roar. The pit of her belly shuddered, searching for something intangible. A pleasant tickle throbbed from her gut to the tip of every extremity, making her thrash. As his lips traveled down to her naval, she felt as if she were drowning in pure sensation. She hoped he felt her passion, and kept stroking his throbbing manhood, loving it as a part of him.

  How wonderful she felt in the strength of his arms, under the spell of his body, tongue, and lips.

  She found her own lips nibbling the lobe of his ear. “Damon.” His name rolled off her tongue in a long cry of agony. It started out loud then faded to a whimper.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, and then feathered a light kiss near the soft curls below. Kneeling on the floor since he didn’t fit the chair, he cared only about her comfort, not his. Her muscles tightened as he ran his fingers across her stomach, then her ribs. “Tell me, if you want me to stop,” he said. He needed to check. She’d let him do this once before, but the circumstances were awkward tonight. She knew he planned to send her away.

  In response, she slid her hand along his erection, and he lost his ability to think. His busy mouth continued to descend, and, as he buried his lips between her thighs, he felt her quivering. “I love all of you so much,” he said without thinking. He slid his fingers between her thighs and she whimpered. As she gasped and called his name again, he melted inside. She glided her hand along his erection once more and he trembled dangerously. He wondered if he could last long enough to make this experience stay with both of them for a lifetime. Gently, he removed her hand from his maleness and kissed her fingers.

  “Don’t touch me there anymore,” he said, glancing up at her startled face.

  “You don’t like me to do that?” Her expression was one of pure shock.

  “I do, Sweetheart. I like it t-too much.”

  She smiled at him and ran a light thumb across his ear. “Tell me what to do,” she said her voice a caress of wind and lilac. “It’s not like I’ve had a ton of experience.”

  “Do what you’re doing now.”

  He dropped his head, feeling slightly nervous. If he hurt her at all he’d never forgive himself. In the past, he’d never feared lovemaking in any way. Then, again, the others had been meaningless short affairs. As his hand ran over her pulsing nub, he felt her wetness. Taking a risk, he ducked between her thighs and tasted her…

  Heaven screamed.

  Quickly, he lifted his head. “Should I stop?”

  “Never!”

  He grinned and decided to take her advice, slipping two fingers inside her warm flesh. She screamed again, writhing and thrashing and begging for him. He felt her body rippling and shuddering. Good. He would tease her a little bit longer. Holding down her thighs, so she wouldn’t kick him, he lowered his head again and he heard her weep.

  Heaven
bit the heel of her hand. She needed to scream again and didn’t want to terrify Aiden or Kendra. Well, Aiden had probably figured it out, but Kendra…and what if she woke the babies… “Damon, this is crazy! They’ll hear us!” She whispered.

  “It’s a b-big house. Aiden will get me if – a…” he seemed unable to finish and swept his tongue across her pleasure area again. Her hand caught the scream as she tried to thrust her hips against the strong arms that held her down. She needed to move, needed to yell, needed…needed him…

  Suddenly, amidst the tirade of sensations that had overtaken her, she found him on top of her again, his lips commanding hers. She delved into his heated embrace, kissing him as deeply as possible, her hunger for him insatiable. She could feel his manhood pressing against her and she trembled from her aching for him. Moving her lips to the side, she whispered, “Damon, please. I want to be yours tonight. Now! Please!”

  “I’ll please.” He weighed his body over hers, pressing his heated flesh in a protective and possessive way. As his chest rubbed back and forth against her breasts and as his mouth glossed her neck, he set his knee between her legs. An anguished sound emitted from her throat as her arms wrapped around his powerful back. Her body arched against her will and spots of white lights flashed before her eyes.

  And then he slowly entered her, filling her with that missing piece, turning her body to putty, melting her bones to butter, lifting her to heights unknown…she belonged to him, he controlled her, he owned her. As the pleasure overwhelmed her body, she wrapped her legs around him and he plunged into her so deeply that their hips scraped. Somehow they had formed a rhythm and rocked in harmony. Progressing to hard thrusts, her pleasure drove her senseless. At the peak of her fulfillment, she grabbed onto him with all of her strength and watched his face through blurry, dazed eyes. He threw back his head, his lids sealed, his teeth clenched, his face red…

  She scathed him with fire. He flamed out of control, shuddering wildly as he exploded inside of her. Over and over again. He convulsed on top of her as he sought release. Damon finally collapsed over her, feeling her heavy breathing in his ear, as he knew she heard and felt his. Her arms cradled his back. His arms were pinned underneath her, one under her head, the other circling her waist. He turned his head and kissed her cheek. “I hope it was good,” he managed. “I hope.” He couldn’t say anything more.

  As he rested his forehead against the side of her face, he felt her fingers moving in his hair. “I never thought…” her hoarse voice trailed off.

  His body tensed. “Thought what?” He shut his eyes, afraid to hear.

  “I never knew anything could feel so unbelievable. You’re amazing.” She spoke between short gasps, then brushed kisses along the bridge of his nose and his shut eyes. “One more reason to love you. Like I needed any more.”

  Damon would never tell her, but his eyes welled with tears. Soon he heard her even breathing, and, right after that, he let himself join her in blackness.

  Rapping on the door woke them up.

  “Damon?” Aiden called. He tried to turn the knob. “Damon, I know what’s going on and I’d leave you alone, but Kendra is worried. She heard screaming and I had to make up some story…” His voice trailed off.

  With great reluctance, Damon peeled his body off Heaven’s and stood up. To his surprise, his knees almost collapsed. He tensed his muscles.

  “Is Kendra all right?”

  “We were playing Chinese Checkers, but she keeps asking about you. The babies are fussing, too.”

  “All right.”

  As he heard Aiden leave, he turned towards Heaven. Lord, what a sight for anyone’s eyes! Peeking through her long golden hair, pink flesh rose and fell with every breath she took. Stretched out, with her elbow on the arm of the chair, and her enticing body staring at him, she looked like a blond Cleopatra. He forced himself to breathe.

  As she looked toward him, he melted. His love transcended desire, a first for him. He loved her more than wanted her. This was why he couldn’t have her.

  With commendable effort, he turned away and found his jeans. As he slid into them, he felt her gaze, and guilt slapped his face. His fingers fumbled on the button and suddenly she stood before him, fastening the button herself. He wanted to reach out and grab her, but he let her go. She wandered around the room picking up her own clothing, then sliding into them while he looked on. Her graceful beauty hurt his eyes.

  As she smoothed down her sweater, she looked up and caught his eyes before he could look away. “You love me and the babies, Damon.” Her stare refused to waver.

  He sucked in a breath. “Yes.” He whispered the word, finally ripping his sight away from her.

  “We fit together. We belong together. In every way.” Her words picked up speed and volume as she spoke. “Why are you so determined not to be happy?”

  He stared at the ground, arms crossed. “I’m content. I was content when you came. I’ll be c-content after.” He hated the lies.

  “Content.” She spit out the word. “That’s no way to live. Besides, I don’t think you’ll forget about us and go back to contentment.”

  Her words tore at him.

  Standing before him again, taking his chin between her thumb and fingers, she made him face her. He hated looking into such bitter eyes when they belonged to the person he loved more than life itself.

  She showed no mercy. “You think little of me if you feel I’d leave you?”

  That fired him up. Did she live in some sort of plastic bubble? “Love doesn’t last, Heaven! The d-divorce rate is fifty percent.”

  “That means it lasts fifty percent of the time!”

  “The glass is half full,” he said, mimicking the cliché.

  “Yes!” She balled the fists at her sides. “Yes, damnit! Half the people stay together!”

  “Not always happily.” He didn’t want her to leave the room angry. This could be their last conversation alone. Ever. He desperately wanted her to understand. “We’ll always have our memories.”

  “Oh, memories are great when you’re lonely and want to snuggle up with the person in that memory.” Her sarcasm dripped. “And what about the babies? They have no memories and their biological father is a psychopath.” She paused continuing to spit angry words. “I still have to fight Gavin.”

  “No! You’ll be far away. And I’ll help you. My lawyer…”

  “I know you’ll help me that way.” She closed her eyes and sighed deeply. “I need more from you than your sense of duty, Damon.” Her eyes shot open and blazed at him. He could feel the daggers cutting him open.

  He loved her so much that he wanted to fall at her feet and beg forgiveness. Maybe he should take the risk. Certainly they belonged together. He knew that. She didn’t have to tell him.

  Another rap on the door shook the room. “Damon and Heaven, Angela is screaming and we can’t quiet her!”

  “All right, Aiden! I’m coming!” Heaven called at him this time, and Damon felt a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach.

  After they heard Aiden’s tread on the staircase, Heaven turned back to face him. She crossed her arms. “You heard. I have to go.”

  “I’m going with…”

  “Not just upstairs. I have to go.”

  Puzzled, not wanting to understand, he shook his head.

  “I’m leaving.” She tossed her hair in that sensual way of hers and his breath hitched. “However soon Mark can plan for our departure, I want to go. Tomorrow isn’t too soon. It’s too hard to stay here and love you, knowing you’ll destroy it in a few weeks. Please don’t drag out the agony.”

  She’d shocked him. He felt panicked by her declaration. He hadn’t readied himself to let go of her just yet. He reached out and gripped her forearm. “Give me three more d-days to think about it.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’ve had plenty of time. You obviously don’t trust me and that won’t change,” her voice caught and he saw her throat working hard. “There’s nothing I
can do anymore. I’ve given you all I have to offer and – I can’t stand it anymore.”

  Suddenly he felt an explosion inside of him and grabbed her hand, way too tightly, but he needed her to understand. Something welled up in his throat and made it hard to talk, but he had to force out the words. She stared at him with round eyes and didn’t move.

  “What now?” she finally asked, trying to pull from him.

  He gripped her more tightly and the last of his control slipped away. The shame, the hurt, the pain all came tumbling out and he spoke as the reel played in his head. “I – I – I was thirteen and came home from school. He had a gun to her head.” He almost lost it, so he swallowed hard a few times, watching her. He saw a tic in her jaw and she’d stopped struggling. “Aiden stood there watching, screaming.” He put a hand to his skull, wishing to block out the memory. “’Damon, do something! Damon, make him stop! He’ll kill Mom!’” He grabbed her shoulder, digging his fingers into her flesh.

  “I know this, Damon. You don’t need to go into it again…”

  “You don’t know!” He shouted. Maybe anger could stop him from – no, Damon Steele didn’t weep, not even as a child.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Heaven stood at attention. “What don’t I know, Damon? You told me you walked in on your father and saw him – and – and…” She clamped her lips together tight and he felt her body trembling.

  His eyes felt hot. No, that couldn’t happen. He swallowed a few more times, and then continued as he sank to his knees. It was too hard to stand and tell her. She followed him and tried to hug him, but he held her arms and forced her away from his. She’d know soon enough.

  “I rushed up to them and begged him to stop, but he wouldn’t – Aiden was hysterical, yelling at me to do something – Kendra was crying in her crib – Mom was – was – was…” Oh, crap, he had to keep that water where it belonged, out of sight, never where Heaven could see it – he coughed to hide the sob that bubbled to his throat, “She had this look on her face – a pleading look – and – and even though she never pro-protected me like I’d wanted – I loved her…” He felt his chest heaving; his breath spasmodic.