Elephants and Ever-Afters [Dark Desires 5] (Siren Publishing Sensations)

by Suzy Shearer

  “No…no thank you,” she stammered, so close to tears.

  The elephant came into the room and looked down at Laura. For the first time she really looked at him, rather than just his lovely eyes. It made her catch her breath. The man was hot with a capital “H.” He was what she called “sexy ugly,” and she was immediately attracted to his looks. Extremely male, rough around the edges, but sensual. Very tall, at least six foot five, he had salt and pepper hair, neatly trimmed but long enough to run your fingers through. He also had a carefully groomed five o’clock shadow. Laura thought he was around her age, maybe a year or so older, but certainly not sixty. He simply oozed sex appeal.

  Those light brown eyes stared back at her. They were a honey colour, almost a light gold, with impossibly long lashes. He seemed to be taking assessment of her as she was with him. She noticed his eyes drop to her ringless fingers, then rake up her body and back to her face. It was all she could do to keep her composure. She was feeling decidedly warm from his intimate look. Somehow it felt as if they were the only people in the room.

  But it was his mouth that had Laura feeling all hot and bothered most. It was full and luscious. Tearing her eyes away from those lips, she glanced down his body. No rings for him either, not that that meant anything. He wore a dark gray suit that fitted him to perfection—this was no off-the-rack job. A light green silk tie and black leather shoes completed his ensemble.

  It was obvious he was muscular as his coat was open and she could see the buttons on his shirt tense as he raised one arm and pulled a silver card case from the inside coat pocket. Laura noticed what looked like a stainless steel Patek Philippe watch with a black leather band. He reeked of money, but somehow she got the impression he was not one of the idle rich—this man had earned his wealth. His large hands looked like those of a man who worked with them. They were a little rough and hard looking.

  Laura wondered if the rest of him matched the outside sexiness and she was about to divert her attention with a little mind erotica when the pain in her wrist brought her sharply back to reality.

  The man in front of her pulled out a business card and handed it to Laura. “I do apologise most sincerely. Please, contact me in relation to your medical expenses, miss. This is my private number. I really am very sorry for what happened.”

  “So you should be,” she muttered, then said louder and rather sharply, “Thank you. Next time make sure you open a door with a little care, rather than charging the way you did.”

  Laura could swear he blushed as he gave her a slight nod. Once more they stared each other in the eyes, drinking in each other, then he blinked and left the room. She dropped the card without reading it into a small pot plant on the table alongside her. She noticed Peter Bailey raise his eyebrows, but he didn’t mention it.

  As much as she would love to see more of the sexy elephant, she knew it would be a waste of time. A man like that would never be interested in a woman like her. He’d have young starlets fawning all over him, and he could have the pick of any young beautiful woman. He certainly wouldn’t be interested in a mid-fifties, plus-sized someone, nor would he share the same sexual desires she did. Peter Bailey’s voice broke through her thoughts.

  “Now, Miss Keell, I’m sorry, may I call you Laura?”

  Wearily, she said, “Of course, please do.”

  “In light of what has happened, perhaps we could put off our business to another day?”

  “If you don’t mind, Mr. Bailey, I’d really like to know what’s going on. I’ve travelled up from Canberra for the day, and really would prefer not to do it again if possible. I told my boss I’d definitely be back at work tomorrow.

  “Until I received your letter I had no idea my father was even alive, let alone that he knew about me. I’d always been told he’d died before I was born.” She gave him a smile. “Besides, I hope it will take my mind of the pain in my arm.”

  “I understand completely, Laura. So, we’ll discuss things while we wait for your medical attention.”

  Laura nodded her head in agreement. Peter Bailey cleared his throat, put on a pair of glasses, and pulled a fat folder toward him. Opening it, he drew out several papers and envelopes, two were quite large.

  “Your father was Stuart McClain. It is my understanding from what Mr. McClain told me, that your mother’s name was Elizabeth Regis. You were adopted at birth by Miss Judith Keell.”

  He looked at Laura over the top of his glasses and she nodded to indicate she knew as much.

  “Right. You were given up for adoption because Miss Regis’s family and his would not allow her and Stuart to marry, both were just sixteen. The two families insisted the child be adopted out and gave the two youngsters no say in the matter. In fact, Miss Regis’s family moved her quickly to Europe, and Mr. McClain lost all contact with her.”

  He shuffled through a few papers then spoke again. “Mr. McClain told me he never forgot about you, but didn’t want to infringe on your new life. However, he couldn’t put you from his mind and recently had a change of heart. He decided to find out what happened to you. He had never married and had no other children, nor any other living relatives. I believe he felt as he was getting older, he wanted to reach out to you, to leave his estate to the only family he had. By then he was a successful businessman, who held a partnership in a large accountancy firm.

  “He hired a private investigator to look into it for him, and after a long search he finally discovered who had adopted you. Then he was informed your adopted mother had recently died, and not wanting to upset your life at such a sad time, he watched you from afar.

  “He had been intending to meet you, but business matters intruded and he thought he had all the time in the world. He was in the process of selling his share of the business. He spoke with me just under two months ago and had his will drawn up, making you sole beneficiary. He told me he was going to make contact with you now that everything had been settled legally, but unfortunately just three days later he became very ill. He had smoked all his life and developed lung cancer. Unfortunately, it was diagnosed far too late and within a few weeks, despite drastic treatment, he was dead.”

  Laura gasped aloud, and he took his glasses off, looking at her with kind eyes. “I know he regretted giving you up and not searching for you earlier. It was his only regret in life. He was thankful to know you were alive, and was extremely pleased to be able to leave his estate to you, to know you would never have any financial concerns.”

  Laura could feel tears dripping down her cheeks. To think a few weeks ago she could have met the man who was her father, now he was gone and she felt suddenly empty. Peter Bailey stood, passed her a box of tissues, then picked up the four envelopes. He walked around to Laura and sat beside her on the settee.

  “This envelope is a letter from him,” he said softly, holding it out to her. She took it with a trembling hand. “He wrote it while in the hospital when he knew he would never be able to meet you.”

  Laura stared at the envelope in her hand, her only link with her father. She ran her finger over the writing. ‘Laura, from your father.’

  “These two envelopes contain the deeds to each property, and the keys and all the necessary information relating to them. This other envelope is for the bank. It authorises you to take over the accounts in his name.”

  Peter’s words slowly sank in and she stared at him in shock.

  “Properties? Bank?” Laura couldn’t think straight. “You mean he’s left me a house?”

  “Yes, Laura, actually two properties. He owned an apartment here in the city, as well as a house in the mountains. As I said, he was successful in his business endeavours and has left you a healthy bank balance of close to eight million dollars.”

  Laura felt the blood drain from her face as she looked at Peter. For a moment her head spun and she felt faint. Maybe she’d heard wrong.

  “E…eight mill…million?”

  He smiled kindly at her.

  “Yes, Laura, ei
ght million. He sold his business to his partners at the end, rather than force you to take over dealing with things. He felt it easier for you to have the cash rather than his share in the business.”

  Laura put her head in her right hand. She could feel her heart pounding. This was so surreal. She’d hope for maybe three or four thousand dollars. Maybe she was dreaming and soon she’d wake up. But if it was a dream, why on Earth did the pain in her wrist have to feel so real?

  Just then there was a knock at the door and Meredith appeared with two paramedics.

  “Ah, gentlemen. Your patient.”

  Chapter Two

  Peter stood to make way for the two men, and walked back around his desk. He pulled a couple of sheets from the folder, sat back down, and waited as one of the men examined Laura’s arm. It shocked her when he removed the ice pack. She’d thought it was broken by the terrible pain, but now her wrist looked like some gigantic blob and already was a delightful shade of purple and red. She fought back the moans of pain that gathered in her throat. She knew if she let one out then another and another would follow.

  “I’d say your wrist is broken, miss. Hopefully it’s just a simple break, and a few weeks in plaster will have you right again.”

  His fingers felt along her arm, the agony excruciating. The groan finally won out. Laura gave it its freedom as her eyes filled with tears of pain.

  The paramedic took a tube from the other man, and then gave it to her saying gently, “Take a few deep pulls on this and it will help with the pain, then I’ll have to straighten your arm and immobilise it.”

  Laura gratefully followed his direction. He slit her jacket from the wrist to the shoulder then across to the neckline. Next to be cut was the sleeve of her top. Laura had to look away as he painfully straightened the wrist and bandaged it. He put her arm into a sling and packed up his equipment.

  “Right, miss, let’s get you to hospital where they can X-ray this and put it into a proper cast.”

  He helped her stand while the other paramedic collected their gear. Peter Bailey stood also, and came around the desk to stand alongside Laura, helping as she got to her feet.

  “Laura, knowing you wish to get back to Canberra as soon as possible, can you just sign these couple of papers before you go please? It’s just to say you’ve been handed everything. Unless you want to come back tomorrow.”

  Feeling a little woozy from the medication, she mumbled, “No, I’ll do it now, please.”

  Nodding, she took the pen he held out to her. She signed her name several times on various papers as Peter told her what each one was for.

  “I’ll post out a copy of these rather than have you wait. The head office for the Bendigo Bank is located a few streets from here. It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Laura, although I wish it was under much better circumstances. Your father was a delightful man, who I would like to think was my friend.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Bailey. I appreciate your help.”

  “If there is anything you need, don’t hesitate to call. I’ll help all I can.”

  “I will, thanks.”

  Awkwardly, she shook hands. One paramedic had pushed a wheelchair-type seat forward and sat her down. Peter picked up her bag and the four envelopes, carefully placing them inside before seating it on her lap. She smiled her thanks as she was ushered out and down the lift to the waiting ambulance.

  Five hours later, she was back out on the street after being poked, prodded, X-rayed, and plastered. Thankfully, it was a clean break and would not need surgery. She would have to see her own doctor as there was a chance her arm would swell more. Regardless, she would need the plaster changed once the swelling went down in a few days, they’d only put a temporary cast on because of the size of her bloated arm. Her medical insurance covered the visit cost, and her own doctor would be able to check it for her. Seven to eight weeks in the cast, then she’d be right as rain.

  Clumsily, she pulled out her mobile phone and sighed. It was almost eight, she really didn’t feel like a four-hour trip on the train, then a bus ride in the dark. Not to mention, she had no idea if she actually would be able to catch a train back this late at night. It was September tomorrow, and she was feeling very cold and tired. Her jacket was unsalvageable. The cut had gone the length of the sleeve and across the shoulder, so she’d left it at the hospital. The sleeve on her warm top had been cut also, but at least she had something over her. The black pants she wore weren’t that thick, but at least she had ankle boots and socks on, keeping her feet warm. She pulled a scarf from her bag and managed to wrap it around her neck.

  On top of everything, she needed to go to the bank and present the paperwork Peter Bailey had given her. Better to stay in Sydney overnight and get everything sorted before going home. Walking slowly down the busy street, she wondered where she could find a hotel for the night. She would go to the bank first thing in the morning before catching the train. Tomorrow was Friday. If she didn’t get things sorted, she’d have to make another trip back to Sydney.

  Completely lost now she’d left the hospital, Laura flagged down a taxi cab.

  “Is there a hotel near the Bendigo Bank head office, do you know?”

  “There’s plenty in the same street. I’d say Travelodge would be the closest. It’s on the same street, almost opposite I think.”

  “Thanks. Could you take me there, please?”

  Laura sat back and ten minutes later was standing outside a large hotel. Entering into the warm foyer she hoped she could get a room rather than have to go back out onto the cold street. The pain medication was wearing off. She felt tired, cold, and mentally drained. Fortunately, there were several rooms available and Laura took one.

  As she walked to the elevator, she noticed a small gift shop open. She bought a travel pack with toothbrush, paste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner. Luckily there were also a few clothing items—very expensive, but at the moment Laura didn’t care.

  She bought a new beige long-sleeved top to replace the cut one, at least she’d look respectable at the bank tomorrow.

  After riding the lift to the seventh floor, she walked into her room. It was large and very clean. She threw her bag on the bed and sat down at its end.

  “What a fucking day!”

  With one hand out of commission, Laura somehow managed to get her boots and socks off. As she hadn’t eaten since this morning, she called room service to get a meal of roasted chicken and vegetables sent up, along with a pot of coffee and a warm apple compote with custard. While she waited, she pulled out the four envelopes from Peter Bailey.

  “Oh hell, how stupid am I? I could have stayed in the apartment I’ve just inherited. Damn, I’m just not thinking straight.”

  She opened the envelope, tipped the contents onto the bed and studied the address, but it left her in the dark. She had no idea of the city. Her home was in Canberra and this was Sydney. It just said the apartment number and the address of Barangaroo Avenue, Sydney. Tomorrow she’d ask at the reception desk for a map of the city and see if she could pinpoint the address. The other envelope had an address for a house in Kurmond, wherever that was.

  “Guess I’ll either sell them or rent them out or something. I certainly wouldn’t want to live here in Sydney CBD.”

  She rubbed a hand across her forehead. The day was crowding in on her, but then a knock on the door came. She pushed the papers to one side and opened the door, letting in the man with her meal. After thanking him and locking the door behind him, Laura settled at the small table to eat, then finally to read the letter her father had left her. After finishing her meal, at last she slit open the envelope she’d put off reading it until now.

  Dear Laura, she read.

  This is not how I wanted things to work out but…

  Chapter Three

  Tobias walked back into the reception area of Peter’s office complex. Julian was sitting on the edge of the receptionist’s desk flirting outrageously. For a man almost sixty, he always seemed to be
able to make any woman melt, but then he really was extremely good-looking with an outgoing, generous personality. He looked up as Tobias entered.

  “Got things settled with the lovely lady and Uncle Pete?”

  Tobias just growled at him and stormed out of the office. Julian followed and caught up to Tobias at the lifts.

  “Not taking the stairs?” he asked cheerfully.

  “Shut up, Julian.”

  It was obvious these two knew each other very well, as Julian laughed and said wisely, “Must be awkward.”

  There was silence for a minute or so, then Tobias looked over at his friend and questioned, “Okay, I’ll bite, what’s awkward?”

  Julian looked very serious as he answered, “Elephants climbing those stairs, very steep and narrow, especially for bull elephants.”

  Tobias took a deep breath, closed his eyes and shook his head. The lift arrived and the two men entered as Tobias tried hard not to laugh. He felt the corners of his eyes crinkle as he sucked on the inside of his mouth. Julian always had the knack of making him laugh. When they exited the lift two paramedics were entering the building.

  “Damn, I hope that arm of hers is okay.” Julian said seriously. “She’s a very attractive woman didn’t you think?” he then added casually.

  “I didn’t notice.”

  “Ha. That’d be a first, you not noticing a beautiful woman, Toby.”

  “In case you hadn’t noticed, she was too busy reaming me out for me to take note of her looks.”

  “Bet that turned you on big time.” Tobias made sure he didn’t react, so Julian added wistfully, “She had lovely brown eyes.”

  “They were light blue, more aqua actually.”

  “Ha! Thought you didn’t notice her?”

  Annoyed he’d given himself away, the two walked out onto the street and entered a dark saloon car parked nearby.

  “Back to the office, Frank, please.”

  “Certainly, Mr. Duncan.”

  “Shame you won’t see her again, just to check whether her eyes were blue or aqua,” Julian said.