by Suzy Shearer
Laura dropped her head into one hand, she rubbed her forehead and sighed then looked over at him.
“What about Melanie? Your grandchildren?”
“They’re all well provided for. Melanie finally accepted a settlement about ten years back, and she’s left something in my will and as for the two grandchildren—they’re well looked after as well. I keep telling you it’s only money. Which reminds me, where do you want to go for our honeymoon?”
She just stared at him mouth agape.
“Honeymoon?”
“Of course. Isn’t there somewhere you’ve always wanted to go but never have?”
She shook her head and looked a little bewildered at his abrupt change of subject.
“I don’t know, fly over the Antarctic, see whales. Beats me.”
Tobias could only smile at her, she delighted him every single moment of the day. There wasn’t a desire to own millions, she didn’t crave all the status symbols. To her money was a necessary evil, she appreciated the fact she now had it but even so she wanted to share her wealth. He loved her more and more each day.
“In that case, we shall fly over the Antarctic and go follow whales.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Guess what?”
“You don’t want me to answer that, do you?”
Tobias laid a glossy brochure on the kitchen counter in front of Laura.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“I’ve booked our honeymoon—we’re going to the Antarctic!”
“What?”
Laura looked at Tobias, awestruck. She let her mouth drop open then looked down at the brochure before looking at the smug man in front of her.
“Yep.” He picked up the brochure and opened it to the first page. Reading he said, “As it says in the brochure we’re off on the ultimate Antarctic experience, the phenomenal wildlife of the sub-Antarctic islands of the Falklands and South Georgia to the pristine beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula.”
Laura couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She finally took the brochure from him and began thumbing through it. Yes, exactly as Tobias had said—they were off to the Antarctic. Her heart began racing as she looked at each page filled with beautiful photographs.
“Lots of whales, penguins, seals, dolphins, orcas, and birds. We fly to Ushuaia in Argentina on December twenty-ninth, then we board the Polar Pioneer for twenty days cruising.”
“You mean it? You really mean it?” she asked excitedly.
He came around the counter and pulled her tight to him. Laura breathed in the familiar masculine scent and looked up at him, her eyes wide.
“Happy, my sweetheart?”
“Over the moon.” She grinned, childlike in her happiness.
“We’ll need to go shopping for warm gear, stuff suitable for the Antarctic. The cruise line provides wellington boots, but we need layers of stuff. Oh, and I’ve sent off our passports for Visas.”
Laura could feel her excitement building. To see whales and the Antarctic in one hit! She wanted to pinch herself in case she was still in bed dreaming.
“I can’t quite believe it.”
He grinned down at her and said, “I spoke with my travel agent on Monday and she’s done all the work.”
Laura pulled his head down and kissed him. What seemed like ten minutes or maybe ten hours later, they parted and Tobias took her hand and dragged her into the family room, pushing her down onto one of the couches. He lifted a small box out of his pocket.
Laura felt her heart stop for a second or two as he opened the box and for the first time she saw her beautiful engagement ring. Tears trickled down her cheek as he placed it on her finger. She held her hand out. The ring was heavy, but not unduly so, and sparkling—it glinted and gleamed in the light. No other words for it, it was breathtaking.
“Oh Toby, it’s…” She sniffled back her tears. “It’s beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you my darling, darling Laura.”
She leaned forward and kissed him again.
Neither she nor Tobias were very religious, but both hoped they could be married in a chapel. At Kurrajong Heights was a beautiful little church—St David’s build in 1867. It belonged to the Uniting Church and when they approached the minister, he welcomed them wholeheartedly and told them he would be pleased to marry them. Luckily, they had December nineteenth free so the date was booked. After speaking with the minister for half an hour, then looking around the church they left, after Tobias quietly dropped a substantial cheque into the offerings box.
All that remained was to organise somewhere for the reception and, of course, her dress.
Laura discovered a reception place not far from the house—Loxley on Bellbird Hill about a six minute drive from their home. They rode over to look at it. As well as the reception room. There was accommodation so they booked the entire place from the Friday night till the Sunday. It would mean guests like Julian’s parents wouldn’t have to travel after the wedding. Tobias also had Uncle Peter and his wife, as well as his Aunt in England who would come.
For Laura’s fifty-sixth birthday, Tobias gave her a stunning pair of blue diamond stud earrings. He’d apparently got the same jeweller who made her engagement ring to make them. Overwhelmed by his generosity and the thought he’d put into his gift, she was surprised when he’d given them to her the day before her birthday then told her to pack.
He whisked her away for a week. They flew to Cairns by private charter the next morning then took a helicopter to Bedarra Island in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef. There were only nine private villas scattered on the island and Tobias had rented the most isolated villa, with breathtaking views, right on its own beach. It was on East Bedarra and far away from anything with its own private stunning swimming cove and tidal rock pool.
The villa blended the indoors with the outdoors. There was an enormous deck area with covered outdoor lounges, enormous daybed and an outdoor shower, not to mention their own motorised dingy for travelling around and between the nearby islands if they wished. Because of its isolation they would have to cook for themselves, but there was a gourmet chef’s kitchen filled with every conceivable delight to eat and drink.
They had a private concierge who was available 24/7. Laura couldn’t actually recall seeing him except when they first met, he was so discrete. She only knew when he’d been by the freshly-made bed with crisp, clean sheets or something exciting in the refrigerator. He even suggested fishing spots when Tobias asked.
There was fishing gear, kayaks, and snorkelling gear for their use. A few times they had a gourmet hamper delivered and had a picnic on the beach. One day they took their motorised dingy out to one of the neighbouring islands where they swam naked and ate their fill. The villa was so private that clothes were an option and very soon Laura insisted Tobias shed his.
“Just imagine if we were shipwrecked on this island,” Tobias said lazily as he lay beside Laura. They’d just swum naked in the warm waters and were now relaxing under the shade of the rain forest trees on comfortable recliner lounges.
“Mm, yes, I’ll have you to get me coconuts and catch my fish. Of course, if I were already living on here you wouldn’t know if the natives were friendly or dangerous.”
He laughed and sat up.
“That’s very true, and what would the answer be?”
Laura pulled the ties from her two braids and got to her feet.
“Well, first I’d have to find out if you were dangerous.”
“Makes sense,” he answered seriously.
She stood over him taking one hand and hooking the tie over the arm of the chair then his wrist, then she did the same to the other. She forced Tobias to lie back. It was obvious from his physical reaction that he enjoyed this new game. Standing in front of him she used her legs to spread his.
“I’d have to keep you under control until I knew if I’d be safe or not.”
“How will you know?”
“No talking!”
/> She sucked a finger then ran it along his washboard abs. Passing his navel, she settled so close to his rising cock that Tobias heaved a sigh, his eyes on her face, mouth slightly open. Laura straddled his body, moving along until she was around his stomach. Leaning forward, her hands now on his shoulders she stopped with her face centimetres from his. Slowly she closed the distance and took his bottom lip gently between her teeth. After tugging it softly, she released it then licked it.
“Tasty.”
Lowering herself onto his waist, Laura used her hips to rock back and forth.
“Mm, what could I use to satisfy this itch?”
She lifted herself again and shuffled back a few paces until his cock was directly under her pussy. Very slowly she lowered herself onto his shaft. It felt so good as it slid between the folds and into her hot, wet channel.
Laura rode Tobias’s cock, delighting in how it made her feel. Lost in the sensation of feeling its hardness, Laura moved back and forth, her muscles gripping it firmly. At times she would stand on tippy-toe, the head of it just nestled at the entrance, then she would plunge down, taking it deep inside her. If she leaned forward, she could grind her clit against Tobias’s pelvis. She experimented, moving this way and that till that niggle, that tiny tingle heralded the start of an orgasm. Laura increased her speed, her clit almost hurting as it jabbed against bone, her boobs bouncing heavily up and down.
There, there it was!
She pounded down hard on that glorious cock and almost lost her balance as her climax snagged tight. Letting out a cry of delight, she allowed her body to fall onto Tobias’s masculine chest. She lay there catching her breath, listening to his heart pounding against his chest, feeling his dick still held tight inside her.
Pushing her body backward she began to move back and forth, as Tobias lifted and dropped his hips in time with her moves. She realised how hard it must be with his hands tied, but she was too caught up to pull off the ties. Instead she sat up again and fucked him as hard and fast as she could.
She had him whimpering softly before he began to growl and grunt. Surprisingly it excited her more and she could feel another orgasm building. Tobias was jerking his hips faster now, trying to push his cock deep inside Laura. His grunts punctuating each thrust until he barked out her name.
Laura felt his hot cum spurt inside her, filling her as her muscles shuddered and grabbed his dick. She allowed her body to milk it with each contraction until the spasms finally died away and Tobias’s cock slip from its sheath. Exhausted, she lay panting until she had enough strength to stand and untie Tobias’s hands. Then she settled alongside him, his arms around her, her head nestled against him.
“Anything else my highness wishes?”
“Your highness is very satisfied. She may just keep this man.”
He laughed then kissed her fervently.
The rain forest offered walks or they went snorkelling on the reef, paddling in kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. Laura couldn’t believe such luxury existed, their every whim was catered to. It would be hard to go back to the real world after living in sheer luxury and indulgence for the week.
She remarked that if Tobias wasn’t careful she’d expect this type of living all the time as they flew home the following Saturday.
Chapter Thirty
Laura drove extremely slow, rain like a heavy sheet of dark grey paper filling her view meant she could barely see the road ahead. If it kept up this way she’d definitely pull over. It had been raining steadily for the past week and had eased off this morning but this afternoon it was as if the heavens had opened and shed every drop of water they held.
She thought it must be the first taste of summer. October always heralded the start of the thunderstorm season. She’d been down to Wetherill Park hoping to buy her bridal gown, but Laura had thought it best to come home early after receiving a severe weather alert issued for the Richmond-Windsor area. The warning said the river was rising rapidly and would soon be impassable. Unfortunately, now Laura was in the middle of the major thunderstorm.
A huge clap of thunder heralded even heavier rain. Prudently Laura pulled over to wait until it lessened a little before attempting to go any further. She was on Kurrajong Road and only needed to cross the North Richmond Bridge before driving another ten minutes home, but at the moment it was just impossible to see the road at all. It was just far too dangerous to try to drive.
She parked on the side of the road with the thunder sounding as if it were directly above her, her car shaking with every ear-splitting boom. She jumped as another flash of lightning angrily split the sky.
Tobias had rung her earlier to say the river was rising and it would be better for her to come home now, she told him she was already on her way having just past Windsor Downs.
Laura tried to look through the windscreen but it was as if someone was pouring bucket after bucket of water over the car. She knew there was a car who had also pulled over in front of her, although she could barely make out their rear lights. When she looked in the rear-view mirror she could see faintly blurred headlights of other cars doing the same.
Another flash of lightning, this time a little too close and Laura shivered.
More torrential rain.
More deafening thunder.
Laura picked up her phone, just about to call Tobias and tell him where she was, when lightning struck alongside her. It hit an enormous gum tree just to the front of the car. She heard a colossal explosion but before she had a chance to move, most of the tree fell across the bonnet and roof.
She could only scream as the weight of the tree smashed the windscreen, pushing ragged limbs and glass inside the car. Lifting her arms, Laura’s last sight was of a large, thick bough with sharp, torn edges rapidly heading straight for her.
* * * *
Tobias was worried. He knew Laura was a careful driver and the car reliable and safe, but this was crazy weather. It had been raining heavily for a few days and now there was a huge storm building up. He’d left the office early because of the rain and hoped she’d make it home before the thunderstorm broke, but when he looked down into the valley, it looked as if it had already hit. He wondered where she was, last call she’d told him she was on her way. He hoped she’d managed to get over the bridge before the storm. Picking up his phone he dialled her mobile but it kept ringing. That was odd. Maybe the storm was playing havoc with the cell towers and reception.
He waited ten minutes then tried again. Still no answer. Another ten minutes and he tried again. His phone beeped. A warning text to say the bridge was now closed. Shit! Where was she?
He began pacing, the dogs sensing his concern huddled nearby. Conall came back inside. He and Toby had been sharing a coffee when Conall had gone to check the windows were shut in the guest house where he lived.
“Laura not home?”
“No and I can’t get her on the phone. Last time I spoke with her she was about twenty-five minutes away, but that was almost fifty minutes ago. Frankly I’m worried, Dad. The bridge is closed which means she’ll have to go around to Penrith and up the mountains, then come in through Bell. It will take hours in this weather.”
“She’s a smart woman, Toby. She’ll know what to do.”
“Yes, but I don’t understand why she won’t ring or answer the phone.”
He tried again, on and off for the next few minutes—each time with the same result. Then finally he heard it being answered.
Relieved he shouted, “Laura at last! Where are you?”
“Hello. This is Sergeant Clements, police rescue squad. Who am I speaking with?”
He felt sick to his stomach as he cried desperately, “Oh God! Laura! Is Laura alright?”
“Sir. Please may I ask who you are?”
Tobias took a gasp and said, “Tobias Duncan. I’m Laura Keell’s fiancé. Please why are you answering her phone? What’s happened? Is she alright?”
“Mr. Duncan, there’s been an accident.”
�
��No!” Tobias screamed.
The officer reeled off the car make and registration plus a description of Laura and asked Tobias to confirm it was her.
“Yes, yes, she was coming home from Wetherill Park. Please, is she okay?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Duncan. Her car has been crushed by a fallen tree, she is trapped inside and we’re still working to get her free.”
“Fuck! Oh no, no! Please, she’s alive, isn’t she?” he begged.
“Yes, at the moment. We have paramedics working on her but she has been severely injured.”
Tobias was frantic, he couldn’t get to her because of the bridge being out. He would have to drive up to Bell then down the mountains along the Great Western Highway, even in fine weather it would take two hours. He realised the officer was still speaking.
“I’m sorry what did you say?”
“Once we have her out of the vehicle she’ll be transported to either Nepean or Westmead hospital.”
“How will I know?”
“If you give me your number we’ll contact you. Are you able to give us her details?”
“Yes, yes I can.”
“Right. Her name, age and address.”
Tobias gave the officer the information needed then hung up. He told his father all he knew before dropping into the nearest chair, his father alongside him. It had felt as if his stomach had dropped when he heard the news and now it seemed as if it had settled somewhere around the region of his knees. He felt physically ill as he looked at his father.
“Toby, it might be wise to start now. By the time they get her out then drive to hospital, you could be at least half way there regardless of which hospital they decide to take her to.”
“You’re right, Dad. I just can’t think properly.”
Standing, he took the stairs two at a time and picked up his wallet. Back downstairs he hugged his father.
“I’ll ring as soon as I hear anything.”
“I’ll keep my phone on me, drive carefully.” He looked at his son, “She’ll be okay, Toby, she’s strong, she’s a fighter.”