Terminal Lust Read Online Free PDF Page A

time.”
    “We’ll see when she awakes. It may not ease at all.” Guilt washed over him as the taste of her blood lingered in his tingling mouth.
     
    ***
     
    For the first time in a long time, Ambrosia didn’t awake paralyzed or fearful, she didn’t feel cold, and she wasn’t in pain. Was she dead? Was she astral projecting—she didn’t remember trying this time.
    The silky material pulled up to her chin was soft and luxurious. She stretched her stiff neck side to side then extended her arms over her head before she opened her eyes.
    “You’re awake.” A deep voice reverberated, sending shimmers of bliss through her body.
    “Desmond?”
    “Yes, I’m here.” She blinked, amazed to find him standing in front of a vivid aquatic display that filled the wall…all the walls…and the ceiling. “Are we under water?” Tossing the sheets away, Ambrosia went to his side and stared in amazed enchantment at the active display of marine life. “Has this been here all along?”
    “Yes, but you were too sick to notice. I knew right away that was a bad sign.” Desmond remained at the window, his profile like a stone statue.
    “Ah—my stomach.” She grimaced at the stabbing pains and leaned over, gripping her abdomen. “What happened?”
    “You—you were ill. You’re feeling better, I trust?” His voice seemed filled with unhappiness; maybe guilt? But why ?
    “Now that you mention it, I feel wonderful. I could run a marathon. I’m so hungry, so thirsty…. I haven’t had an appetite for weeks.” Amazed, she patted down her chest and legs, reveling in the surge of strength and wellness that streamed through her veins.
    “I guess that medicine—”Ambrosia paused, scanning her memory. “I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t see—”A lingering copper-like flavor surprised her. “Did I eat something? I have a strange taste in my mouth.”
    “You—drank something.” He held his hand over his wrist—bandaged—had it been injured before?
    “Did I do something to hurt you? Did I have a seizure and bite you?” Her cheeks burned with humiliation at the thought. But the fresh, white gauze appeared brand new…what other explanation could there be. In her extremity, any kind of physical reaction was possible.
    He continued to view their watery surroundings, but barked a short laugh at her comment. “Not exactly.”
    “Hold on, Desmond, everything is still fuzzy, can you please tell me what happened? Are you angry with me or something? Why won’t you look at me?” She gripped his arm and his sleeve tore like paper.
    “Oh—I’m sorry.” Confusion grew as she looked at her hand. What she remembered as her sunken-in skin and boney fingers looked plump and healthy now.
    “What the hell?” She patted her body down again, pausing at round, shapely breasts. She bolted to the bathroom, flicked on the light switch, and glared into the mirror in shock.
    “What happened to me? I—was dying.” She caressed her supple skin and examined her curvy figure and thick, long locks of strawberry blonde hair. Ambrosia stepped even closer to investigate the brilliance of her emerald eyes, that seemed to almost glow. “I’m gorgeous?” Had she looked like this before she got ill? She didn’t think she had. No…she knew she hadn’t. She’d been okay, maybe even pretty, but the creature who stared at her from the mirror was nothing short of stunning. “How…?”
    “You were dying, Ambrosia.” He stepped behind her, his reflection next to hers.
    “And?”
    “I—saved you.”
    “How? The doctors said there was no hope. I am—was going to die in a matter of days. And you say that’s changed? That you saved me ?”
    “After finally finding you, I couldn’t bear the thought of letting you die. I didn’t want to lose you again.” His image shrugged, the gesture echoed by the broad chest pressed against her back.
    “How?” she hissed.
    “I didn’t get the chance to tell you everything about me before—can