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

by Suzy Shearer

  Each time she felt him tense or his muscles tighten, she would stop then wait until his body relaxed before starting again. Over and over she tormented him until he shouted in exasperation.

  “Laura! Stop teasing for God’s sake.”

  “Naughty boy. Now I’ll have to make you wait longer.”

  His groan of dismay as she lowered her head again made her chuckle. His cock jerked in her mouth in response to the vibration in her throat. She began massaging his balls, rubbing, caressing as she sucked harder. She relaxed her muscles, trying to take as much of his length into her throat. Tobias was now almost whimpering as Laura began using her tongue at the same time. He tensed and this time she kept up her ministrations.

  “Umph!”

  His loud grunt rang around the room as she tasted his salty thick cum in the back of her throat. Laura sucked hard, drinking the last of his juices before releasing his cock with a loud ‘plop’. She removed the blindfold then untied his wrists before kneeling alongside him. He’d flung a hand across his face as he wheezed, trying to gather air back into his lungs.

  “Happy birthday, Toby,” she sang wickedly.

  “You are an evil woman sometimes,” he managed to gasp.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Laura had driven into Penrith in the afternoon to wander through the shops. She needed some new hiking boots now that she and Tobias had been wandering through the property with the dogs. She wouldn’t be expecting Tobias home until around six, so he had time to plan carefully. She’d rung him on his mobile around four-thirty to say she’d finally found the boots she liked and ask if there was anything he needed while she was out. Asking her to pick up their favourite fresh bread, he hung up and checked on the dining table once again. He planned everything down to the smallest detail. The table was set with beautiful plates and silverware. Crystal glasses sparkled in the light and several candles were ready to be lit. Two small posies of sweet peas filled with room with their fragrance.

  Going back into the kitchen, he checked on dinner. He’d made their favourite pumpkin soup, then had a Moroccan lamb tajine to follow. His dessert-making wasn’t that good, so he’d bought a lemon tart from a local pâtisserie. Around five-twenty, Tobias heard the garage door open and the two dogs go crazy, so he walked down the hall to help Laura carry things in.

  Getting out of the car and giving him a quick kiss before saying hello to the dogs, Laura gathered her purchases. She handed over a few bags to Tobias and shut the car door, then went up the hall to the kitchen. After dumping her bags on the counter, she turned to Tobias and kissed him properly.

  “I didn’t expect you home this early. What do I smell? It smells delicious.”

  “Thought I’d come home early and make you dinner.”

  “Mm. No wonder I love you.”

  She snuggled against him and Tobias, and wondered if she could hear how fast his heart was beating. Kissing the top of her head, he went to the fridge and poured her a glass of Moscato. They sat in the family room and Laura showed him her new hiking boots as well as a new blouse she’d found.

  At six-thirty he told her dinner was ready and ushered her into the dining room.

  “Oh wow, Toby, this is beautiful! What did I do to earn this?”

  “You make me happy, what more can I say?”

  Somehow, he made it through dinner, although he caught Laura looking at him strangely a few times, especially when she spoke and he didn’t answer because he’d been practising his speech in his head. Finally, she pushed back from the table and looked over at him.

  “I can’t eat another thing, Toby. That was absolutely delicious.”

  “We’ll have dessert later tonight. Come and sit in the living room and put your feet up.”

  “That I can do.”

  They walked into the living room and Laura sat down on one of the long settees. Tobias looked down at her and winked.

  “I’ll just clear the table, won’t be long. Want another glass of wine?”

  “Thanks, but not at the moment, hun.”

  Tobias quickly cleared up the table and the kitchen then went into the living room. Laura had put her feet on one of the ottomans and smiled at him when he walked in. He wasn’t sure how he was going to do this, all his rehearsing had flown out the window.

  “You look unsettled, Toby, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  He wandered around the room then came back to kneel in front of her.

  “Damn it! I had this all planned out and now my mind has gone blank.”

  She gave him a quizzical look.

  “Laura, sweetheart. Fuck!” he exclaimed.

  She gave a giggle then tried to look serious. Tobias took a deep breath and took her hands in his.

  “Laura, I love you. I think I’ve loved you from that first day when you told me I was a bull elephant. These past twelve months have been the happiest in my entire life, well maybe not the first month when I thought I’d never see you again.

  “Anyway. Oh, shit this is not how I wanted this to go.’

  He looked at her and saw she was trying to stifle a laugh. How on Earth had he made such a mess of this?

  “Damn it. Laura, will you marry me?”

  He saw her eyes fill with tears as she nodded her head and pulled him to her.

  “Yes,” she sobbed. “Yes, I’ll marry you. I love you so much.”

  “Oh Laura. I had this all planned, I stuffed it up,” he lamented.

  “No, never. You’re my bull elephant, Tembo, and l love you more than life itself.”

  Somehow he managed to sit alongside her and gather her in his arms. He kissed her like a drowning man, she was all that stood between life and death. When they broke apart, for a moment he couldn’t breathe. Laura clung to him and he realised she was feeling as overwhelmed as he was. She sobbed quietly.

  “Don’t cry, my dearest.”

  “I’m sorry, I’m just so happy. I never expected this although I did wonder what was going on.”

  “Yeah well I was kind of nervous. I was frightened you’d say no.”

  She took his face between her hands and shook her head.

  “Never. I want to be with you for the rest of our lives, you’re all I ever want in life.”

  “And you are all I want. I never in my wildest dreams imagined I find someone like you, someone I could love for ever. You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”

  They sat cuddled up on the couch until Stinky came in and jumped up alongside them then lived up to his name.

  “Oh! Stinky! Get out, you smelly dog,” Tobias screamed at him.

  Unfortunately, the damage was done and Laura burst into laughter. Tobias quickly joined her as Stinky began jumping off and on the settee. Tobias stood and pulled Laura to her feet.

  “Come on let’s go eat dessert.”

  “Mm, maybe I should make you eat it off my tummy.”

  “Ooh now that sounds like a good plan.”

  Once more they were interrupted, this time Conall wandered in to ask if they had a spare light bulb as the one in his bathroom had just died. Tobias rummaged in one of the laundry cupboards and found a replacement. When he came back into the kitchen Laura was pouring out a glass of wine for Conall as well as one for herself and Tobias. She gave Tobias a glass and took hers.

  Tobias looked down at the glass in his hand then grinned at his father.

  “Well, Dad. I’m going to make an honest woman of Laura, she’s agreed to marry me.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful. I’m…damn.” Conall’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m so very happy for you both.”

  He shook hands with Tobias then hugged him tight. He turned to Laura.

  “Laura, I can’t tell you how much you mean to me. You’ve opened your heart and your home to me. I love you and I’m so glad I can officially call you my daughter.”

  Laura started crying again as he hugged her, holding her tight.

  “Thank you, Conall, Dad. Since you’ve come to l
ive here I’ve come to think of you as my dad. I love you, too.”

  Tobias wrapped his long arms around the two of them, both were crying softly and he thanked the gods that not only did Laura love him but she’d welcomed his father as if he were her own. Now this wonderful woman would officially be his.

  His father pushed away and wiped his eyes. He took a sip of wine then offered his congratulations.

  “So when’s the wedding?”

  Laura shrugged and looked to Tobias.

  “Beats me. If I have my way it would be this weekend.”

  “Er, I think we may have to wait a little longer than that. It’s September now, what about the first weekend in December?” Laura asked.

  “Okay, that’s not far away,” Tobias conceded. “But first we have to buy you a ring.”

  “We do?”

  “Yep, I want everyone to know you’re mine,” he answered smugly.

  The smile she gave him made him weak at the knees, she could turn his brain to mush with a look.

  The next day Tobias insisted on driving into Sydney to a very exclusive jeweller. After pushing the admittance button, they were ushered into an ultra-quiet plush showroom. Laura sat on the edge of her seat as Tobias and Monsieur Garron, the owner, discussed diamonds and settings. Tobias held her hand and could feel her shaking, he knew he may have a fight on his hands when she realised what he had in mind. On the drive in he’d asked her if she had any preference and she told him she’d leave it in his hands. Now she’d discover what that idea of his would cost, but he was ready for any argument.

  Monsieur Garron showed them both some designs and Tobias settled on two. He asked Laura which of the two she preferred or would she like something different.

  “I like these both, Toby, although I think I prefer this one.”

  She pointed to the one he really liked, too. The centre stone was an emerald cut diamond with a flawless radiant cut diamond either side of a plain platinum band.

  “So do I.” He looked at monsieur Garron. “We both like this but I would like a blue diamond as the centre stone. How many carats is this central one?”

  “Around 4.7 to 5 carats.”

  “Can you find a blue the same size?”

  “One moment. May I offer you both a coffee, tea, wine?”

  “Coffee please for us both.”

  He left them and Laura whispered nervously. “Toby, aren’t blue diamonds expensive?” she asked with a quiver in her voice.

  “Laura. My darling, I want a beautiful blue diamond to match your gorgeous eyes.”

  “Stop avoiding the question.”

  “It’s only money I keep telling you.”

  “Damn you,” she hissed quietly as the owner came back. He held a tray covered with black velvet. He was followed by a male staff member regally bearing a tray with a coffee pot, two fine porcelain cups, and a cut glass milk jug and sugar bowl. Monsieur Garron waited until Tobias and Laura had been served with their coffee before speaking.

  “I have two blue diamonds available, Mr. Duncan. If neither of these are to your liking I can source others.”

  With a dramatic flourish, he removed the velvet and showed them the tray where two beautiful diamonds nestled. The light caught them and they seemed to beam their radiant glow across the room. Laura caught her breath as Tobias noticed one was darker and greener than the other while the other was the perfect shade of aqua blue that he wanted.

  “I want the lighter stone, it’s the colour I hoped for.”

  Monsieur Garron nodded, then said with a quite serious voice, “I must inform you that its clarity is very, very slightly included, it does not detract from the stone at all, and in fact it is almost impossible to see even under a microscope. Fortunately, it is an S1, a higher clarity gauge, but VVS in a diamond of this rare colour does not affect the value at all. It is two hundred and eighty thousand.”

  “That’s fine with us.”

  “And the other stones? Would you like to select them yourself, Mr. Duncan?”

  “I’m sure you will find perfect stones to match, monsieur. How long will it take to make it?”

  “I can have it ready for you by Friday of next week, if that would suit?”

  “Perfect.” Tobias turned to Laura. “Are you happy with this stone?”

  She appeared tongue-tied and only nodded her head, seemingly bewildered by the cost of the diamond. He just hoped she wouldn’t ask what the final ring would cost when they added in the other two diamonds and the platinum setting.

  “Then we have reached an agreement. Thank you, Monsieur Garron.”

  They shook hands then Tobias opened his wallet and handed over his black card. He hoped the monsieur would get the idea and not mention the figure, he didn’t want Laura to know the final cost.

  “Use this account.”

  Monsieur Garron stood, took the card in both hands, and gave a little bow over it He picked up the tray and left the room. Tobias looked at Laura, who still seemed in a daze. Concerned he asked, “Are you okay?”

  She nodded then finally spoke. “I’m not even going to ask how much it is, Toby. I’m not silly enough to think it’s only a couple of hundred for the other two diamonds and the setting.” She looked up at him warning, “But make sure you have it insured before I put it on my finger. I’m going to be nervous enough without thinking there’s none on it.”

  He gave her a quick hug.

  “Don’t worry, sweetie, I’ll make sure it is. Actually, I might as well get the wedding rings made here, too, makes sense.”

  “Oh yes, what’s another few hundred thousand in the scheme of things,” she suggested still sounding rather bemused.

  They finished their coffee just as Monsieur Garron returned. He gave Tobias his card back and asked for his signature. He then put a copy of the receipt in an envelope and handed it to Tobias.

  “Your receipt. Would you like me to have the ring delivered to you rather than you having to come back into the city?”

  “Thanks, yes that would be preferable. I will e-mail you my insurance company details so you can arrange cover for it.”

  “Excellent, Mr. Duncan. The certification for the ring and diamonds will be delivered at the same time. Now let me measure your beautiful fiancée’s finger.”

  “Laura and I have just spoken and decided we would also like wedding rings to match the design. I’ll leave it to you to make something suitable. Plain for me, but something flattering for Laura.”

  “Of course. In that case, if I can just get some measurements from you both.”

  Laura held out her hand and the jeweller slid various ring-sized metal circles onto her finger until he was satisfied. He then did the same with Tobias.

  “Did you want these the same time as the engagement ring?”

  “No, we don’t need them until December.”

  “In that case, I’ll have the engagement ring delivered to you next week, and the wedding bands a couple of weeks later, if that suits?”

  “Certainly.”

  “Would you like stones in Miss Laura’s ring?”

  Tobias looked at Laura, who gave a tiny shrug.

  “I think we’ll leave that to your good taste. I’m sure you will design something that is both flattering and stylish.”

  “Thank you.” He acknowledge the compliment with a slight tilt of his head. “I have a few smaller blues in the same shade, perhaps something channel-set with blue and white diamonds to match.”

  “That would be lovely.”

  “I’ll have my designer work on a few suggestions. I’ll contact you with sketches of a few designs so you can choose at your leisure.”

  “Yes, we’d appreciate that, Monsieur.”

  The three stood with the owner shaking their hands and thanking them for their patronage. Walking back toward the car park where Tobias had left his car, Laura seemed rather quiet and he was worried she would tell him she couldn’t accept such an expensive ring. They passed a small bistro.

 
; “Would you like something to eat, sweetheart?”

  “Mm. Um…yes, please.”

  Once seated and food ordered, Tobias reached for her hand across the small table.

  “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

  “Nothing really. I’m just trying to get my head around the fact I’ll be walking around with hundreds of thousands of dollars on my finger.” She looked at him and gave a silly grin. “I know I have to get used to having money, you’d think after a year I would be, but at times I still think I’m dreaming.”

  “I can understand that. I went through the same thing in the beginning.”

  “I’ve been thinking. I’d like to give more to a charity or some research. I have a lot of money but I can’t get used to it.”

  “That’s commendable. I give to a few myself. I’ve set up a learning program for indigenous children in the Northern Territory as well as about half a dozen charities that I give large sums to each year.”

  “Will you help me find something? I’d like to give to research for lung cancer, maybe in my father’s name.”

  “That would be perfect. We can talk to my accountant or yours and let them find something suitable.”

  She squeezed his hand.

  “I’m glad you don’t think I’m crazy for wanting to give some away.”

  “Heaven’s no! Like I said, I give away each year, probably around four to eight million, depending on how much I’ve made that year. I know it’s a tax lurk, but at the same time I know I’m giving something that has a genuine use.”

  “You really are very rich, aren’t you?” Laura asked with a giggle.

  “Yep. Very.”

  “It makes my twelve million or so look like pocket money.”

  Tobias couldn’t help his roar of laughter. “You do know I’m going to get your name put onto my accounts, don’t you?”

  “No! Don’t even think about it, Toby,” she retorted angrily.

  “Come off it, Laura, it’s not like you need it, but it just makes sense. I’ve already talked to Uncle Peter about it, you’re in my will.”