“You’ve never been, have you?” Damon asked with a willful smile. “Sydney to be precise.” “Are you serious?!” I beamed in my leather white chair. I jumped across the table and hugged him. He was cautious and made sure I was steady, he treated me like some precious parcel. “You have organized for us to go to Australia for two weeks?”
“I have.” He beamed brushing back my hair. “You are so beautiful Clover. You always have been but you seem to utterly glow now. I will have to beat off these Australian sexy cowboys by the sound of it,” he growled as he playfully nipped at my neck. I giggled at him excited for our destination with only a few hours before arrival.
“Get some rest,” he kissed me gently. “We only have a few hours left.” He extended out on his couch so it could comfortably fit the both of us. I laid my head against his chest and rested cozily. He grabbed the light blanket and threw it over me as I listened to the patter of his heart. We intertwined our fingers and admired our new rings. “Mrs. Brogradt,” he added with a smile as he kissed the top of my head.
“Certainly, Mr. Brogradt,” I added. Mrs. Brogardt, it was definitely something I was going to have to get used to. Clover Brogradt.
*
“Welcome,” the hotel receptionist said adequately, the limo driver who brought us here had been the same. My face had been glued to the window as we drove here. I looked at all the high-rise buildings, water, bridges even the development and buildings which were still being constructed. It was now night and the bright lights and traffic, which was comparatively less congested than Manhattan, shone brightly. It was odd, here in Australia the traffic and steering wheels were all on the wrong side of the road.
I was expecting to see kangaroos and koala bears everywhere, but hadn’t yet seen any. I had even heard of the infamous drop bear but after having coffee once with an Australian tourist in Manhattan, found out that the scary man eating bears were not real. The impression that kangaroos were violent and had children in their pouches and skipped them to school was also a lie. I hadn’t believed the last one, but with poisonous spiders and snakes everywhere I wasn’t entirely sure of what to expect.
The hotel which we were staying at was of finer class, for our honeymoon I imagined Damon didn’t consider anything less. A young gentleman came and collected our bags to take up to the room. I was tired but also hungry and I couldn’t wait any longer to start our adventure.
“Can we go to the room later and have a look now?” I asked. The marble white of the lobby with chandeliers and a restaurant and bar around the corner seemed very enticing, but I wanted to go for a walk and apparently we weren’t far from the harbor. I wanted to see as much as I could already. The receptionist smiled at us both.
“We can do whatever you like wifey,” Damon said dotingly. I smacked him on the chest and grabbed my clutch. He grabbed my hand and we walked out to the colder unsuspecting weather. It was much colder here in season but I didn’t hesitate to explore some more. It was already past nine, but I wanted to walk for at least an hour. It seemed far more peaceful and less busy here in comparison to Manhattan.
Sydney, which was known most for its opera house and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, was one of the most well-known cities of Australia. Damon shook off his black casual jacket and placed it over my shoulders. I slipped it on happily. It was freezing out here. I wrapped myself in it warmly and stopped to look over the water. Damon wrapped himself around me and rested his chin on my shoulder.
It was beautiful and the city lights reflected it stunningly. Entertainment boats were flashing with lights and further up I could see shops and restaurants. I admired it all beautifully inhaling a deep breath.
A man and a woman who stood not too far from us were talking. I smiled listening to their accent. It sounded so... cool. I rested into Damon further watching the boats slowly drift past. In the distance I saw lights on a bridge, which I imagined and hoped was the Sydney Harbour bridge but wasn’t quite sure.
“You’re shaking,” Damon said rubbing my arms up and down. It was true I was cold but didn’t want to go back inside. “Clover, you can’t get sick. How about we go back to the hotel and we will have a look tomorrow,” he said gently. I wanted to argue, my inner travel bug was going crazy at all the things I wanted to see. But I knew he was right, this hubby of mine.
“Only for now, but tomorrow is a full day of events and walking,” I said happily. The jetlag had started to set in as well. I was rather cold and tired.
“And who is to say I haven’t already started organizing things,” he said with a smile. He grabbed my hand and led me back towards the hotel. It was much cooler inside and suddenly my appetite had dropped away, I was so tired. We waited patiently in the elevator until we reached the top floor. Before the doors opened Damon asked me if I could hold the room key, when I did he swept me off my feet and held me in a bridal position.
“Are you serious?” I asked with laughter. The elevator doors opened and an elderly couple hesitated to walk in until we had walked out.
“This beautiful woman became my wife,” Damon said charismatically. I hid my face in my hands from embarrassment.
“How lovely,” the woman said in her sweet Australian accent.
“Make the most of your youthful days when you can,” the elderly man said. “It flashes before your very eyes.”
“Thank you for the advice,” Damon said with a smile as he walked me out and towards our room. He stood in front of our door number expectantly and waited for me to scan our card to enter. When I did I was gob smacked by the plush white carpet and wooden furniture. The curtains to the window were open and it overlooked the water. Right in front of us was definitely the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There was a kitchen on the left and a walk in wardrobe where I could see our suitcases. In front of us was the wooden dining table with two lime seats.
On the right was the king sized wooden bed which had a beautiful white cover set on it. On our right was the marble floored jet spa, sauna, basin, shower, and toilet.
Damon walked me across the room and gently placed me on the bed. My body was suddenly very alert as I felt my nipples peak painfully hard.
“I haven’t officially made you mine since we gave one another our vows,” he growled. He pushed my legs apart and kissed up my inner thigh. My body tingled with heat and anticipation.
“You have a lifetime to reassure our vows in this way,” I said with a smile as I closed my eyes enjoying the smell of him as he lifted my shirt and began to sweep kisses up my stomach.
“But I want you right now and a lifetime of claiming you as mine over and over again. I will never let you tire of me,” he said. I felt a jolt in my stomach and Damon jolted upright. He looked at me in shock. “Did I just?” He looked between me and my stomach and pressed his hand to the same spot. He waited generously for moments before the sensation happened again. “Is, can I, are they kicking?” he asked. His smile widened as he rested his head back on my stomach. “Clover I can feel them,” he said with enthusiasm.
“Welcome to my world,” I said sarcastically. “These are the little brats making me sick almost every day.” He continued to feel around happily now realizing the moment had passed.
He perched himself on his elbow beside me and looked at me with fondness.
“I really do love you,” he said pressing a kiss to my lips. My body still tingled with the same want and desire that it had moments ago. I grabbed the edge of his shirt and tugged him closer to me pressing a hard and passionate kiss to him.
“And I love you too. But right now my very dashing husband, I would like you to prove it,” I said with a mischievous smile. My heat pounded with my heart as he looked at me the way that only Damon could. My body melted under his intensity as he cupped my face and kissed me hard. Our bodies rubbed together all too familiar and excited for one another’s touch.
It had been a long journey for us and many lessons we had to learn. Our worlds opened to accommodate for not only each other but for overcom
ing our own insecurities and uncertainness. We had passion, love, loyalty, and partnership. In this world, Damon and I were perfect for each other and from then on since the day we had first met we proved that to one another, not only through words but actions. We now united in the bond of marriage and awaited the lessons to be learnt together as we built our family.
Love is never ending. It can be painful, difficult and enduring but it is always worth it. Damon Brogardt will always be worth it.
Epilogue
Two years have passed since the birth of Connor and Loki, our fraternal twins. So much had happened since then. I was now six months pregnant and expecting our little girl. She had also come as a surprise. When my mood swings kicked into overdrive again was when Damon first questioned.
I had become a bit of a hormonal creature while pregnant with the boys and I cried a lot. I don’t know how Damon stayed with me until the end of that pregnancy but he was still just as excited for it now.
Finally, Megan and Hayden had gotten hitched. Although they had their own issues to start off with, they finally caved in to one another. Hayden was still busy with Zilch Enterprises and had since left his writing for Be True magazine. He now focused on his own company and being the coach to Ethan and Christian’s soccer team. They now had a two-month old little girl, Tammie. Hayden had almost passed out at her birth due to not handling blood very well. It was very evident that Megan held the pants in their relationship, but I think Hayden challenged her the whole way as expected from their passionate love.
Damon and I had sold the old apartment to build our own home, which wasn’t too far from Michelle and Phillip’s. Although I thought Damon went a little extravagant with it, he only wanted the best for his family. That came with the white picket fence and Labrador as well.
Damon still managed Be True magazine but with the aid of his father who decided a year ago that he was getting bored with retirement and wanted to help the family business again. Since then, Michelle and I had branched out a new smaller edition from Be True magazine which was based on mothers and parenting.
I hadn’t missed my international travelling much or article writing because I now focused on something else I loved, and that was my children. I loved researching and offering to first time mothers advice. Sales were going well and we were bringing a profit to the business.
Cassidy was travelling the world still with the stranger that she had met on a remote island those three years ago. I had met him a few times now and was relieved to discover that he was a kind hearted person who was utterly smitten with her and treated her right. I often received postcards from her still.
My mother still lived in Ithaca. She down sized her home no longer needing the space when Megan and the boys moved out. We were worried at first that she would be lonely but she seems to have settled well and had begun her own side stall of baking goods at the local weekend markets. She was in the process of using the leftover money she had from selling the house to open her own bakery. Damon and I offered her money to invest and help, as did Megan and Hayden, but being the stubborn woman she was she refused.
Pudding was still fat but with a few more gray hairs since the arrival of Connor and Loki. But his traits hadn’t changed, if he was fed on time he wouldn’t destroy the furniture.
Our lives were as busy as ever at a speed that we knew how to balance, but we made sure to savor the days and moments. As an elderly couple once advised us, life rushes by far too quickly. As I watch my children grow, I can confirm that to be so true. I had spotted Damon’s first gray hair the other day, I have been waiting for it since I’ve already found a few myself. I started to worry that he would never age or deglamorize.
Even after all these years, he still looked at me as if it was the very first time we have fallen in love. Well, maybe when I wasn’t throwing a hormonal tantrum.
Family. Love. Life. Feel blessed to have it and never let it escape you. Be happy for what you have, and aim for what you feel like you should achieve. Life will only go the direction that you want it too, so don’t let the opportunities slip by.
P. S. Damon and I both now share the article writing for ‘Anonymous’. There was a time where he thought it was time to reveal himself, but with our own sense of pride in the article writing, we decided to maintain it together.
The irony that the writer I had once so admired, before finding out that their true identity was Damon; was now the person who I claimed to be and wrote on behalf of. The world is full of surprises and fate. Some things are always meant to be and others you are always supposed to reach out and grab no matter how hard you have to work for it.
I love my husband, my children, my family and my life. I am blessed and still utterly in love.
About The Author
'Kia is a Token, no, she is THE Token of Vampire & Paranormal books.' ~ 5 STAR Reviewer.
Prepare to join a completely different style of writing and worlds. The international Australian author has a unique style of writing- creating an emotional roller coaster and fast paced action. Her writing and presence in the literary world has been described as 'the new up and coming author to watch out for' and 'hauntingly beautiful'.
Kia grew up in the Darling Downs Region in Queensland, Australia. Graduating High School, she pursued a career in freelance journalism. In 2014, having always had a passion for writing fiction, she decided to follow her dream of becoming an accomplished author.
Kia intends to make her books globally known and is already creating a name for herself amongst social media, fans, readers and spectators.
During the weekdays Kia works at her Monday to Friday job in Logistics and Transport. She leaves her book worlds to the night and weekends, being well described as a driven young woman.
Kia has attended numerous guest speaking, convention signings, and signings including at Dymocks bookstores and Angus and Robinson. She is an animal lover and organises different events each mid year to donate towards the RSCPA in Australia.
Kia enjoys dancing, cooking, reading, painting, photography and spending time with her family and friends.
Now living in Brisbane, Australia, Kia has a can do attitude, a strong will and the touch of kindness that makes it hard not to fall in love with her. Announced 'The Best New Author of 2015' by AusRomToday, she has no intentions of stopping. Kia Carrington-Russell is definitely the new author to be looking out for.
Also Available
The Three Immortal Blades
Possession Of My Soul
Possession Of My Heart
Possession Of My Fate
Phantom Wolf Series
Phantom Wolf
Sia
Phantom Eye
Phantom King
Token Huntress Series
Token Huntress
Token Vampire
Token Wolf
The Shadow Minds Journal Series
My Escort Series
My Escort
My Exception
My Expectation
Taming Himself Series
Aroused
Taste
My Expectation (My Escort Series Book 3) Page 11