Beloved Monster (18 page)

He shook off her grip. “To protect yourselves more like. What were your words? ‘I wasn’t supposed to thrive.’ But I am, and have become quite a hindrance to you both.” His intense gaze held her still. “I am aware I am hard to explain; I agreed to stay hidden for that very reason. But surely you must see I deserve to know all of it. The entire truth. Especially about my past.”

Glenna nodded as the tears broke through and spilled down her cheeks. “Yes, you deserve to know the truth. Tomorrow. I…I…”
Blast.
She started to sob. Damn, she hated crying like this, had only done it a couple of times in her life. It tore her to pieces to lie to Luke, and knowing the deceit may have killed any emotion he had for her shredded her heart. With a shaky gasp, she buried her face in her hands, ashamed and miserable.

Moments later, she was pulled into his embrace. Luke tucked her head under his chin and stroked her hair. “Hush, love. Please, do not weep. I cannot bear it.”

Most men could not bear a woman’s tears, at least the ones with a compassionate heart. There were plenty of women who used them for nefarious purposes. She did not employ them as a device to elicit Luke’s empathy, not at all. They were real. Encircling her arms about his slim waist, she sniffled into his bare chest. “I am so very sorry.”

“You do promise to tell me everything tomorrow? Both you and Reed?” She nodded, and he hugged her tighter. “God, it killed me not to come to you last night and tonight. Forgive my stubborn and abstemious nature. Apparently I also have a temper. I shall strive to control it better in future.”

Luke comforted her until she gained control of her emotions again. She’d never shown this vulnerable side of herself to any man, not even Ravenswood. But Luke was a different story, and a different man altogether. Gripping her chin lightly, he tilted her face up to look at him. “Your tears are mine. Always.” He laid gentle kisses on her tear-stained cheeks, then stepped back. “Dance with me.”

She couldn’t have heard him right. Did he say dance? “W…What?”

“Dancing is the best way to forget one’s troubles. How and why I think that, I cannot guess. But let us try to banish everything except you and me here--together. Also, I want to see if I am even able to dance. I know, let us attempt a waltz. Have you done it before?” He didn’t wait for her answer and continued. “Imagine we are in a large ballroom. Along the perimeter of the room are numerous floor-length candelabras, all lit and casting magical illumination throughout the area.” Luke turned in a circle, his arms outstretched as he spoke. “You are wearing a gold gown of the finest silk, off the shoulders and cut low enough to show off your impressive
décolletage
. The shimmering shade of the gown enhances your beautiful hair and eyes to perfection.”

Glenna glanced down at her shabby robe and laughed. “And what are you wearing?”

He winked playfully. “Oh, expertly tailored evening wear consisting of black tail coat, a high-collar silk shirt, white, of course, a silver and black vest with a sterling silver pocket watch and chain. To finish the look, a black silk ascot with a diamond stick pin. And trousers, and black lace-up leather boots, highly polished within an inch of their lives,” he said, a teasing smile curling about his perfect lips.

Glenna slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles. She could picture him in the outfit he described. She sobered. In fact, she’d seen it hanging on a nail at the vicar’s, ready to be sold to the consignment shop in London. He had described every part correctly. Dear God. Was his memory slowly returning and he not even aware of it? With a quick bite of her lip, she tamped down her worries, deciding instead to play along with the ballroom fantasy. Giving Luke a curtsy, she said, “How nice to see you here this evening, Mr. Luke.”

He bowed slightly and held out his right hand. “Will you honor me with your hand for this dance?”

Glenna slipped her hand in his. “There is no music, sir.”

“Ah. A mere formality.” Luke placed his hand at her waist and pulled her closer. “The waltz is smooth, graceful, delicate, and if done right, sensual. Notice the palm of my hand resting ever so lightly at your waist with the barest of contact. You do the same. Rest your right hand lightly on my shoulder.”

Glenna did and he pulled her even closer, staring down into her eyes. His multi-colored gaze was alive with all manner of emotions, so many she could not tell them apart. “I believe you have done this before,” she murmured.

“You may be right. Now, give me your left hand.” He clasped it and the leather of the glove caressed her skin. “If we were actually in a ballroom at this moment, we would have to keep a discreet distance. Our hips should not touch. Even the folds of your gown should not find their way between my legs as we dance. How scandalous. How delicious.” Glenna smiled at his teasing tone. His gaze softened even more. “How beautiful you look, like a fairy-tale princess. In your hair, which is fashionably styled by the way, gold leaves are woven throughout your silken locks. How they shimmer in the candlelight.” Glenna’s eyes grew moist at his narrative. Oh, she loved him with all her heart. “You are wearing pearl tear-drop earrings and a matching pearl necklace, as luminescent in this light as your glorious skin,” he whispered in her ear. “Perhaps they are a gift from me. ‘You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire you.’ Excuse my forwardness for quoting a bit of Mr. Darcy.”

“You are even better than Mr. Darcy,” Glenna replied breathlessly.

Luke laid a gentle kiss on her neck. “Ah, my sweet. Kind as always. Now, what to dance to? Something easy to hum. So I believe that will leave out Chopin’s “Grande Valse Brillante in E- flat Major”
,
too complicated and the beat far too fast.” Luke nuzzled her neck. “There is always Strauss. “The Blue Danube” perhaps? No, doesn’t quite fit. How about the “Vienna Waltz” instead? That’s the ticket. Now, hold on, my dear.” In an astounding display of confidence and athleticism, Luke had her twirling about the room at a breakneck speed. “Ta-ta-dum, ta-ta-dum, ta-da-dum, ta-da-dum, ta-da-dum,” he hummed the waltz to perfection, not missing a beat.

Good thing there was plenty of space for his elaborate moves. Luke literally glided across the floor, and she followed his lead. Glenna closed her eyes, imagining them as Luke had described. Immaculately and fashionably dressed at a ball held by a rich aristocrat, everyone standing and watching them dance, remarking on how well they looked together.
How well-matched. And there are whispers of an engagement.
They are the handsomest couple in the room. Look how much in love they are. You can see it clearly when they gaze into each others’ eyes.

Then reality crashed in on her imaginative, enchanted fantasy. Luke would never again live his previous life as an aristocrat. Never again attend a ball. A deep-boned sadness settled in her soul. Even though it was not proper, she laid her head against his shoulder and in return he pulled her closer while still expertly rotating her about as they flew across the floor. The air around them crackled with magic. Glenna never wanted this to end.

But it did. Luke let go of her hand and smiled at her. “It seems I know what I am about. Well done by both of us, I must say.”

Glenna could barely catch her breath, the room still spun slightly. At last she met his gaze, and his look turned desirous. In a swift movement, he captured her lips in a kiss so scorching Glenna thought they would both ignite. He plunged his tongue deep, sweeping her mouth in a devastating exploration. She met it with equal enthusiasm. Oh, this man could kiss and say more with it than mere words.

“I want you, Glenna. I
need
to be inside you.”

Oh,
yes
. At twenty-six years of age, the time had long passed for reputations, proper codes of behavior, and propriety. What was she saving herself for? Why not indulge in a night of passion? More than anything, she wanted the memory. It may be all she would ever have. She reached between them and grasped his erection through his trousers, causing him to groan.
Take what I want. Yes. For once, be bold.

“I want this, Luke.” She squeezed tight, causing a low, rumbling noise to escape him. “Inside me.” This…very male part of you.”

He pulled her close, his beautifully-shaped mouth close to her ear. “Call it what it is, my sweet. Say the word. You said it before. Say it again. Do it.”

A naughty thrill ran along her spine. She brushed her lips ever so slightly across his. “Your cock, I want it inside me.”

Glenna shocked herself at her earthy commands, but before she could say anything further, Luke scooped her up in his arms as if she weighed nothing at all and marched toward the study. He kicked the door shut with his boot. Lowering her slowly, their bodies rubbed together creating sparks. Noir, at some point during their heated exchange, then the waltz, moved into the study. He lifted his head briefly from his curled up position before the fire, then lowered it and fell back to sleep, completely uninterested in the intensity of emotions whirling about in the room.

Luke stepped back, toed off his boots, and lowered his trousers before kicking them aside. He stood before her nude, except for the leather glove on his left hand, muscled, sculpted, and beautiful in his masculinity. The light gray cast to his skin merely added to the attractiveness. Why, she was not sure. Perhaps because it was Luke. He could be a dark shade of purple for all she cared. All the burns from the night he’d been brought back to the living had completely disappeared. Nearly every injury from his carriage accident healed. Even the scars on his face shrunk to thin, white lines, far less noticeable than they were initially. However, though he did not look like other men and wore the scars of his previous life, she found him enticing. Utterly desirable. Regardless of how society may judge him, he was well worth loving. And oh, how she loved him. The overwhelming emotions flooded her heart. She loved him completely and with every fiber of her being.
My Luke. My love.

Glenna’s mouth watered at the sight of him. Luke narrowed his eyes, giving her a sensual look that sizzled her skin. She pushed the robe off her shoulders and let it drop to the floor, then pulled the lightweight nightgown over her head and tossed it aside. She had never stood before a man completely naked, and as a result, felt entirely self-conscious. Without thinking, she tried to cover her breasts.

“Don’t. Do not cover yourself. Let me savor.” His heated gaze lingered at her breasts. Although she was not plump, she had ample enough curves, and he was glad she possessed them. Luke stepped forward, and his hands clasped her waist. “Beautiful. Stunning. Lush. I ache to taste you. But first, I cannot wait, Glenna.” He shifted his right hand from her waist to in between her legs. “Wet and ready as I knew you would be. I will do my best not to hurt you.” He backed her up a few steps, kissing her as he did. Lowering her to the sofa, she was silently pleased it was wide enough to accommodate them.

“I know you will not hurt me. I trust you, Luke. Will you remove the glove?”

He clenched his left fist, and the leather pulled taut across his knuckles. “No. You do not want this scarred, calloused flesh on yours. Though it is part of me and functions to an extent, it has not healed. It stays on.”

Instead, Luke explored her body with his right hand, lingering at her breast, cupping it, and pinching the nipple until it peaked. His tongue flicked across the erect nub until she writhed and moaned. As he licked and sucked, his right hand continued its journey downward until it reached her damp curls. Without being asked, she spread her legs, giving him the access he wanted. Luke was thorough, taking his time, caressing every part of her body before settling his hand between her thighs.

There had been many nights she’d lain in the dark and explored the most private part of her. In time, she learned she could bring herself pleasure and often did. But it did not come close to the ardent emotions Luke stirred in her. Suddenly he inserted a finger, then two, and finally a third, stretching her as his thumb brushed by the little nub of nerves. Moving at a quick pace, he continued to suck on her nipple while rubbing and thrusting his fingers. Glenna’s insides twisted as she writhed under his expert ministering. The intensity built, as if she climbed steep stairs to unknown bliss. At last, she cried out with her release. Luke captured her lips to muffle her moans.

“Ah, so passionate. Even though we are a few floors below the others, we must try and stay as silent as we can.” Luke gave her a quirky grin. “Did you like that? Did you enjoy me bringing you to your release?”

“Yes. I did, very much,” she answered breathlessly.

Propped by his left arm, he clasped his erection with his right hand and nestled it at her opening. “This may hurt, but only for a moment. Are you sure, Glenna? There is no going back once I breach your maidenhead. I truly do not want to hurt you.”

She cupped his cheek, her thumb brushing across his scars. “I am absolutely certain. You will not hurt me. I know it.”

Luke rubbed his cheek against her palm, then with one thrust entered her, causing her to gasp and arch her back. Yes, a pinch, a jolt of not pain exactly, but of awareness. How he filled her. Stretched her. Heavens, it felt
glorious.

* * * *

Luke stayed completely still. Closing his eyes, he let her warmth encase him as her inner muscles clutched him in an intimate embrace.
Etching this memory.
Yes, he would gladly take this moment in time and hold it forever in his recollections. He was her first and greatly humbled by the honor. How he longed to be the only lover she would ever know. The strange thing is, he had the distinct feeling somewhere in his past he acquired a vast knowledge on all things sexual, but here with Glenna, it felt like the first time for him. As if all that came before did not matter and held no meaning. But this--with Glenna--meant everything.

With a decided concentration, he slowly withdrew until the head of his shaft became visible, then plunged back in. Glenna moaned with each thrust. He cupped her rear, tilting her upward so when he leaned forward he would stimulate her as he made love. How he knew this remained a mystery. Again, it proved he had done this many times before.