Read Online Beloved Monster by Karyn Gerrard - Free Book Online Page A

but to accept what these cousins told him, his recovery depended on their continued generosity.
    A carriage accident . Wouldn’t there have been a driver? If, as they said, he lay in a coma for days, would not someone--anyone--perhaps family, have inquired after him by now?
    Electro-therapy. He had nearly laughed at the explanation. Though he was well aware what a generator looked like, how he knew lay open to speculation. Regardless, judging from the burns on his body, they did shock him with electric current. And yet he did not feel any pain from the burns or with his fractured leg. The discolored shade of his skin worried him as he resembled some lurking dead creature from a penny dreadful novel. Yes, he could recall a few titles, not any memories of him reading them as such, but that the subject matter concerned lurid, serial stories with supernatural beings, murderers, and highwaymen.
    Dead. The thought froze him, his heart stuttered in his chest. No. Not possible. Absolutely ridiculous. And yet, Glenna had said, “He’s alive,” which could indicate that at one time--he wasn’t. Perhaps she meant he had awakened from the coma. Regardless, Luke pushed the insane thought from his muddled mind. Clenching his left hand to see if it functioned, the leather in the glove creaked with the effort. Seems the transplanted monstrosity was part of him, like it or not.
    Dead. So much for trying to thrust away these disturbing thoughts as they stubbornly pushed their way back into his consciousness. It made him wonder if he expired on the table and the jolts of electricity brought him back from death’s door. Or was he dead for a longer period of time? The pale gray shade of his skin indicated the latter. A low, rumbling groan of exasperation left his throat.
    Glenna stepped into the study. “Are you warm enough?”
    Giving her a sharp nod, he frowned as lingering anger boiled in his gut. She pulled a chair next to him and sat. Reaching for the bowl of stew, she said, “You haven’t eaten. It is probably difficult for you. Let me assist you.” She held the spoon with stew close to his mouth. How tempting to knock it away from him. Luke inhaled. The enticing odor of beef and onions assaulted his senses. But he could smell something else--lilac soap and crisp linens. Glenna. Her scent was far more enticing than the food. Banking his simmering anger, he opened his mouth and allowed her to feed him.
    Yes, food. The flavor exploded in his mouth and pure pleasure moved through him. It was if he tasted food for the first time. He grunted in response. Glenna gave him a charming smile and continued to feed him until the bowl was empty. His gaze never left her, and the last of his anger dissipated. Glenna’s fresh prettiness managed to divert his attention once again. Could he be taken with her, since there were no other females about or was it because she treated him with kindness and not abhorrence?
    Perhaps a little of both. But the main reason had to be her generous curves, sweet smile, and attractive face consumed his thoughts. He wanted her in the earthiest and basest way and the intense lust concerned him. Controlling those potent urges could prove to be difficult, since he did not seem much in control of anything at the moment, especially his emotions. At least being fed lent a certain intimacy to the proceedings. In spite of his growing desire for her, he needed answers. “Mmmeee. Dead.”
    Her smile disappeared, and she visibly paled. Biting her lower lip, Glenna gazed down into the empty bowl.
    “Was. I. Dead.” No stuttering this time, though it took a couple of seconds between each word to get them out.
    “Yes, Luke. You were in a coma. Then… You passed.”
    Something was not right. Could it be the cagey tone of her voice or the doubt taking root and growing deep inside him? “Mmmmirrrr.”
    “Luke, I do not think…”
    He clenched his right fist and slammed it against his thigh in frustration. “Mmmirrrr-or.