Beloved Monster (19 page)

Deep, even strokes. The sounds and scents of sex. Yes, he recognized it, but the act held no memory. Why not create a new one--one worth remembering? He moved in and out of her; slow at first, then faster, until beads of sweat rolled down his face from his exertions. Glenna met every thrust, and wrapped her legs around him, holding him tight and deep.
Yes, faster.
Though he perspired, he did not feel fatigued. Luke recalled his words to Reed. “Stamina beyond human endurance.” He had the distinct feeling he could go like this for hours. However, this was Glenna’s first time, and he must hold back the reins as it were. Keep control. Or at least make an effort to keep control.

Countless minutes passed, he did not know how many. Ecstasy had a way of slowing time so one could savor the experience. Every pull, moan, and plunder increased his arousal. With a cry, her nails dug into his back as she writhed beneath him. Glenna spoke his name, over and over in a husky whisper until she climaxed--and hard. With one last push, he groaned through his gritted teeth as he poured into her all that he was, body and soul. Colors burst behind his closed lids, swirling at a fast speed. Minutes passed, he did not want to pull out of her as he was still semi-erect. A few rolls of his hips and he could go again. But Glenna must be sore.

Luke opened his eyes and caught her gaze. Her face was flushed, and she gave him a heartbreaking smile of pure sated joy. It struck him that he should have withdrawn before reaching his climax. There was no way of knowing if he could make a child as Reed had not tested him yet.
Mindless idiot.
He pulled out, then gently stroked her swollen folds. “Are you all right? Did I hurt you?”

“No. I am fine, Luke. More than fine. I quite enjoyed it.”

Pushing her upright, he slipped under her and held her close. “Thank you, Glenna. You have given me a precious gift. A memory I will cherish.”

She tunneled her fingers through his chest hair. “We can create more memories.”

He couldn’t help but smile. “Rest for a while first. I need to recover as do you.”

Glenna glanced downward. “It doesn’t look as if you need recuperation. In fact, you are still hard.”

“Pay no heed to it if you can.” Though it was difficult to ignore on his part. How he ached and throbbed. His heart pounded in his chest at a rapid beat. Having her naked body wrapped around his gave him such a soothing but intense warmth he did not want it to end. After several minutes of calming silence, he asked, “Tell me, how did you wind up here with your cousin?” Perhaps conversation would calm his desire and distract him from further lustful thoughts.

Glenna sighed softly. “I was a late child. My father was near the age of fifty when I was born, and my mother was forty-five. Papa used to say I was a miracle baby. I had a wonderful childhood and did not lack love or attention. Though we were not rich, papa had a solid middle-class career as a solicitor. We lived in a lovely little place in Camden Town. Not long after I turned twenty-one, papa became ill and quickly wasted away in front of us. Mother and I nursed him for weeks to no avail. The doctor claimed he died of cancer of the lungs.” She dashed away a lone tear from her cheek.

“Mother followed that winter. They said it was pneumonia, but I believe she died of a broken heart. Suddenly, I found myself alone for the first time in my life. My heart had been broken into bits as I adored both my parents. There was money, but not much, perhaps enough to rent a few rooms and live frugally for the rest of my days. Then, out of the blue, a letter arrived from Reed. We had not seen each other or been in contact since we were children. His own parents had long passed, and he generously offered to share his home. I came here three years ago and have never regretted it.” Glenna glanced up at him and smiled. “Reed allowed me the run of his household, gave me much needed responsibility, and a reason to live. I have made friends here, a new life. I am grateful for his kindness and friendship. He is not a bad man, Luke.”

Would she be willing to give it all up to come with him to a strange place and an unknown future? Yes, he wanted her to leave with him, for tonight they’d shared something wonderful: A searing physical connection that merely enhanced the potent bond of their souls. Suddenly, he no longer cared about his previous life.
What if I don’t like the person I was?
He had a chance here to start a new one with the woman he loved. Yes, he loved her. She filled every crevice, dark or not, of his heart and new soul. No matter what Reed and Glenna told him tomorrow about his past, he was only interested in the future. One with Glenna. He would not mention any of this tonight. “Perhaps not, but what he did to me was beyond cruel. I was dead. I should have been kept that way.”

“But I am glad he did not ‘keep you that way.’ You have a fresh chance at life, Luke. Yes, you look different from other men, but to me, you are beautiful.” She laid a gentle kiss at his throat. “I am sorry I wept earlier in such a manner. I’m not a woman given to quick tears. The only other time I cried as such is when my parents died. Yet I seem to have been on the verge of tears or worse many times with you. I do not like lying; I abhor it. Tomorrow I promise Reed and I will both tell you everything.” He opened his mouth to speak, to tell her he didn’t give a hang for the past, but she laid two fingers on his lips to silence him. “And I want you to listen closely and know it is true. Regardless of what you hear tomorrow; I love you, Luke, with all of my heart. I love you most desperately. I understand you want to leave and perhaps when all is revealed, it will be for the best. But when you do--take me with you. Please.”

He was stunned. Love? How was such a wonderful thing even possible? How could she look at him, his scarred, strange self, and love him? Humbled. Grateful. Moved. All these things and more.
My God.
She returned his love. “You are making a hasty decision. Aligning with me? You will regret it.”

“I will never regret loving you, Luke. Never.” She sat upright and straddled her knees on either side of him.

They were both balanced on the sofa. As long as they did not thrash about too much, they would not fall off. He looked up at Glenna and myriad emotions filled him. Such a courageous and passionate woman. She rubbed against his hard prick invitingly. More. Oh, how he wanted more. He wanted her heat and her love, for always. Luke reached between them and clasped his cock tight, holding it still. “Mount me, ride me. Do it, love.”

Glenna slowly lowered herself on him, taking him deep. With a soft gasp, she met his gaze. By God, she did love him. He could see it as she hid nothing. Rocking her hips forward, her eyes widened at the change in position and the deeper penetration. Laying her hands flat on his chest, she began a rhythm that made his heart soar in pure, unadulterated bliss. He placed his right hand on her waist and lifted his hips to thrust upward while she moved back and forth.
There. Perfect.
Faster she rocked, lost in her own pleasure. Glenna’s breathing grew ragged and with a sharp cry, she came. In response he thrust harder. When she gazed at him, her eyes bright with love, he let himself go and spilled inside her, gasping as his climax tore through him. “I love you, Glenna. You are my life, the air I breathe, my dearest heart, my living soul.”

Glenna had left him around four in the morning. During the night, they made love twice more, and still he hadn’t been completely sated. The most fervent encounter found them in front of the fire. Noir had long since abandoned his post, meowing to be let out into the laboratory area to eat and use the box of sand Luke set up for him.

They began with Glenna on her hands and knees and him behind, thrusting like a mad man, but then they slowed things down and wound up in each other’s embrace laid out on the rug. Their lovemaking alternated between wild abandon and tender caresses. But what astounded him was Glenna kept up with his fevered pace. She let herself go and embraced the passionate, lustful woman within. What a discovery. They probably roused the whole house as they soon forgot to stay quiet.

Luke managed two hours of sleep after her departure. He waited in the cellar until he heard the maid and cook leave for Sunday services. He took the stairs two at time, then entered the parlor. Glenna greeted him with a loving smile. Reed was nowhere to be seen.

“Reed is taking a bath and will join us shortly,” she explained. How beautiful she looked this morning, like a woman well and truly loved.

Luke strode toward her and pulled her into his embrace. “Are you feeling all right? Are you sore? I must have worn you out.” His kissed her cheek. “You look radiant, nonetheless.”

Glenna wrapped her arms around him and laid her head against his chest. “Happily worn out. And not sore as such, but, how can I say this”--she glanced up at him and whispered--“it is if you are still inside me, as if we are still joined.”

Hell. His body responded, and she had to have felt his reaction hardening against her. How tempting it would be to scoop her up, take her to her room, and make love to her again until the sun set. “We are joined. We are one.” Luke cupped her face, staring down into her golden-brown eyes, reveling in the love he saw there. He kissed her long and deep.

When they at last broke apart, Glenna smoothed her green morning gown, then clasped her flushed cheeks. “My, you do know how to rattle a woman. But I must begin preparing breakfast or lunch, whatever it is. I have worked up quite an appetite. You will be all right here until Reed comes downstairs?”

“Yes, my love. Prepare food. I could eat several rashers of bacon all on my own.”

Glenna laughed softly as she departed. Standing at the parlor window, Luke looked out at the perfect autumn day, and the sun’s bright rays fell across his face. To an extent he actually felt the warmth, and it was glorious, but much seemed glorious since his awakening…no, rebirth. Luke found himself nodding at the word rebirth with all the wonders and mysteries such a word and event held. And now that he had Glenna’s love, all was right with the world.

While Glenna puttered about downstairs in the kitchen preparing the food, this would be the perfect opportunity to try out his experiment. That way when they told him the truth at last, he would have some idea of what may lie ahead in his future. He had to know how people would react to his appearance as it would factor in the decisions he must make. The village was not far, a few minutes at most, as he traversed the path many times on his nightly sojourns.

With the decision made, Luke headed to the cellar, grabbed the greatcoat, and slipped it on. Wrapping the scarf around his head, he pulled it across the bottom part of his face and tossed it over his shoulder. While putting on the glasses, he quietly ascended the stairs. He opened the front door and stepped outside. Birdsong immediately filled his hearing, and he reveled in the pleasant sound. The sun was bright, the day splendid. A carpet of red and gold leaves covered the ground. He would return before the cousins even knew he was gone. Then they would share a hearty meal, and he would finally be told everything about his past.

With long, sure strides, he headed toward the village. Surely he would run into someone considering the fine weather. As he crested the small hill, he did observe people gathered in the community center. A few merchants sold foodstuffs and other items from carts. A young couple perambulated along the wooden walkway in their Sunday best. To his right was a fair-sized brook. A small lad tried to float a toy boat without much success. Luke glanced around. A young lady in a uniform and lace cap with a shawl draped over her shoulders stood talking to a young man who seemed to be making her blush. Was she this boy’s nurse or governess? She was preoccupied with her suitor and did not keep a close eye on her charge.

“Hello, sir? Can you help me?”

Luke started. The lad was talking to him. The child stared at him and did not flinch or run screaming in horror. Dare he chance it? Luke pulled down the scarf to reveal his visage. The boy cocked his head from one side to the other, as if trying to make sense out of the strange-looking figure before him. Luke removed the glasses and stuck them into his pocket. Still the child did not react. “Help, please? My boat.” The boy was more interested in his toy than Luke’s appearance. This was a hopeful beginning to the experiment. If a young child was not frightened, perhaps not all was lost.

Luke crouched down next to him. “It seems to be sinking.” Stretching forward, Luke pulled the half-sunken wooden ship from the water. “Your boat is heavy. What do you have in there, master…”

“Jeffrey. Jeffrey Twington.” He smiled broadly. “I have cargo.”

Luke shook the toy boat and smiled in return. “My name is Luke. Jeffrey, you have rocks in your vessel; no wonder it was sinking. Rocks are too heavy, my lad.”

The smile disappeared. “Oh. But my ship needs cargo.”

“Quite right, I agree. Let us chose something not as weighty.” Luke removed the rocks and instead grabbed a few nearby leaves. “Let’s roll up these leaves, pretend they are bolts of the finest silk and you are the captain bringing this excellent treasure up the Thames to London.”

Jeffrey clapped enthusiastically. “Oh, yes.” They both rolled the red leaves and placed them on the boat, and Luke handed it to the boy.

“You are the captain, set sail.”

Jeffrey carefully placed the toy boat on the water. It bobbed and weaved, then a slight gust of wind caught the sail and it moved forward with nary a ripple. “It worked!” Jeffrey threw himself into Luke’s arms. “Thank you, Mister Luke.”

Luke froze. Then reassuring warmth crawled through him, so achingly tender a few tears formed in his eyes. A connection like with Glenna, only different, and perhaps not as intense. Why this boy? He hugged him back. Jeffrey was not afraid of him. Not at all. Perhaps he wasn’t a monster, maybe….

A shrill shriek cut through his hopeful thoughts. The nurse, in obvious hysterics, pointed at him accusingly. “Let him go! Help someone! Help!”

The young man she’d conversed with ran toward them. The scream frightened Jeffrey, and he held on tighter to Luke. “You must let me go, lad.” Luke managed to untangle the boy’s arms from around his neck, but as he tried to stand, Jeffrey threw himself back into his arms.
Damn.