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

by Suzy Shearer

  “I’m so looking forward to it, it’s our honeymoon. Toby and I are getting married on December nineteenth.”

  “Congratulations.”

  When the doctor left, Tobias showed Laura the clothes Melanie had packed for her—a loose dress similar to an over-sized shirt, it fastened with buttons down the front.

  “Mel said this would be easy for you to get on and off and it shouldn’t be tight anywhere.”

  “Oh, that’s perfect.”

  “I didn’t think when I packed your other stuff, thank goodness Mel was here.”

  Wednesday couldn’t come quick enough for Laura. She was managing the crutches a lot easier now, although it did hurt her right arm. The physiotherapist had told her she would be okay without them by the end of the week, but to be aware that with the amount of stitches in her leg and foot she would have trouble walking properly. He suggested she use them as she tired.

  The need for further surgery was eliminated, the leg was healing well. At this stage he didn’t think she would need more physiotherapy once she left, but she was given exercises to do several times a day. He gave her information on the Deep Tissue Therapy. When she asked about swimming, he assured her it would certainly help with her mobility once the stitches were removed.

  One of her doctors came in with David and examined her again. Nodding his approval, he told her she would be given some extra waterproof dressings to use at home, as well as the antibiotics and pain killers.

  “We’re going to put proper dressings on your stomach wound now. I’ll write up a script for more pain relief. You don’t have to use them but it would be wise to have them on hand for the first couple of weeks.”

  “Thanks.”

  Laura endured having the dressings put in place and being checked all over.

  Conall and Tobias arrived and carted all her belongings down to the car then came back. Tobias had a very large basket filled with fruit, chocolates, biscuits, cheeses, plus little pots of jams and honey. He placed it on her wheeled table.

  “I got this for the staff, to say thank you.”

  Laura kissed him as the porter helped her out of the bed and into a wheelchair. David came back in with her discharge papers, the script, tablets, and dressings.

  “Pop into your local doctor in the next day or so, then again next Wednesday to get the stitches out. This is your paperwork for him or her.”

  “Thanks, David.”

  “You’re most welcome, Laura.”

  Tobias pointed to the hamper.

  “This is for you and the staff. We really appreciate all you did for Laura.”

  “Oh wow, thanks that’s really special. Rest assured we’ll make short work of it. Thank you so much.”

  She shook hands with David and then Tobias, and Conall thanked him once again. David picked up the heavy basket pretending to groan and stagger as he walked out to the nurse’s bay. Laura thanked the staff that had cared for her then waved goodbye as she was whisked down the elevator then out to the entrance by the porter. Tobias had raced ahead and driven the car to the doorway. He and Conall thanked the porter then arranged Laura in the car.

  By the time they reached home, Laura felt as if she been hit by a train, she ached in every part of her body from sitting up in the car. When Tobias opened her car door she just sat there for a moment before trying to swing her legs around.

  She realised she didn’t have the strength to do it, so Tobias solved it by picking her up and carrying her inside. She lay her head against him, her eyes filling with tears. He settled her on the long settee with the chaise end in the family room, both her legs up. She kissed his cheek in thanks, knowing full well she was incapable of using the crutches and getting inside.

  “Back in a moment.”

  He left her and she could hear him and Conall bringing things in from the car, that made her wonder about her car. She hadn’t seen it in the garage. Conall came in and kissed her cheek.

  “Okay, sweetie?”

  “I think so, Dad. I’m so glad to be home. Where are the dogs?”

  “Still outside, we thought it better to wait until you were settled before we let them in. Toby will keep them on a leash until they’re satisfied you’re okay and settle down.”

  “Oh, makes sense.”

  Five minutes later Tobias came in with Cally on her lead, she was the calmer of the two but she still went crazy when she saw Laura. Just as well Tobias held her tight as she was desperate to get to her. Tobias allowed her to get close enough so that Laura could pat her. Cally sniffed her all over then gave her a doggy kiss on the hand.

  “Dad, just hold her lead while I get Stinky,” he told his father.

  Tobias passed over the leash then left the room. To say Stinky went crazy would be a grave error—he went nuts!

  Whining, barking, trying to jump onto Laura’s lap, it took all of Tobias’s strength to hold him. Finally, after ten minutes he settled down enough to allow Laura to pat him. By fifteen minutes both dogs were off leads and settled down on the floor close to Laura.

  “Wow, what a reception.”

  “They missed you. Want a cuppa?”

  “Tea, please.”

  Tobias gave her a peck on the cheek and asked his father if he wanted tea or coffee then left the room. Ten minutes later he was back with drinks all round.

  “It feels so good to be home. Toby, how’s my car? I didn’t see it in the garage. Are they still repairing it?”

  “Your car? Fuck.” Laura saw his expression change to one of panic and worry. “It’s gone, sweetheart.”

  “Gone? As in wrecked?”

  She realised she’d been unrealistic in expecting it to be repairable. She could hear the distressed emotion in his voice as he explained, “It…I saw it, Laura. I saw it at the tow yard.”

  He gave a gasp and Laura could see he was on the edge of tears again.

  Quickly, she said, “Don’t worry, forget it.”

  “Dad will agree. My God, Laura, I have no idea how you managed to survive. The whole front of the car, the roof, the…shit.” He drew a ragged breath and shook his head.

  Conall looked over at Laura and said quietly, “We saw the photos, someone at the scene took them for the police. They had to cut you out. It was an enormous tree and it looked as if most of it was either on top of or inside the car. The front of your car looked flattened as if someone had hit it with a huge hammer. Toby and I went to get your stuff from it. To this day I have no idea how they managed to get you out, hell I wouldn’t believe anyone could have survived when I saw the pictures.”

  Laura held Tobias’s hand tightly. He was visibly upset, his face pale and she wished she hadn’t asked about her car.

  “I’m sorry I should have realised.”

  Tobias got up and left the room. She heard him blow his nose, and then a few moments later he was back. Sighing heavily, he sat beside her and put an arm over her shoulders.

  “Gino and Adam said they’d be over later. I told them to pick up something for lunch. Jules and Rachel send their love. Jules is getting things organised in the office so I don’t have to go in. They’ll be here tomorrow, he’ll drop off work for me. Alice sends her love, too, she’s going to pop in on Monday and get me organised to her satisfaction. Mel and Darren will pop in over the weekend.” He drew a breath and cocked his head. “Who else? Oh yes, Uncle Pete sends his love and so do Julian’s parents.”

  “I’ll be okay, hon, you can go to work if you want. I’ve got Dad.”

  Conall gave a snort and said, “As if he will, you realise you’ll probably want to cancel the wedding by the time you’re better.”

  “He won’t be that bad, will you, dearest?”

  “Of course not. By the way, I’ve booked an appointment for you to see the doctor tomorrow.”

  “Thank you,” Laura said and winked at Conall.

  Gino and Adam turned up around one with Thai takeaway and a bunch of flowers. Around three a florist delivery van arrived, signalling the sta
rt of a convoy of flower deliveries. Laura thought there must be no flowers left in Sydney. There were bunches from Peter and Maeve, Julian’s parents, Alice Lewis—Tobias’s PA. The new cronies Conall had made friends with sent a bunch as well as a bunch from the office.

  “Want us to set up a stand out the front and sell these? We could make you a few bucks,” Gino asked as he carried in the last bunch and set them on the edge of one of the kitchen benches.

  By seven-thirty Laura was exhausted and Tobias insisted on carrying her upstairs and putting her to bed. She said goodnight to Gino, Adam, and Conall, and meekly allowed Tobias to take charge. Truth be told she doubted she could handle the stairs or keep her eyes open any longer. Tobias gave her the medications she’d been sent home with and kissed her before going back downstairs. Laura fell asleep in a few minutes.

  The following week Laura recalled Conall’s words because Tobias was driving her crazy. If she had a car—and been able to drive, she would have escaped for a day, instead she tried to bite her tongue and accept his tender ministrations. He drove up to Pie in the Sky one morning and brought her, Conall, and himself a huge selection of fudges. Most mornings he’d drive down to the bakery to get fresh croissants or hot bread fresh from the oven.

  When he drove her to the doctors to have her countless stitches and staples removed, he insisted on coming into the consulting room with her so he could ask the doctor what she could and couldn’t do.

  To Laura it felt as if she was being tortured. The removal of the stitches and staples seemed to take hours and at times she was crying.

  Tobias appeared rather disappointed when the doctor told him that as long as Laura took things carefully there wasn’t any restrictions at all on her. She carefully checked the wound on Laura’s stomach, palpating it gently.

  “Does it hurt much still, Laura?”

  “Not as much as it did. It still tender especially round the centre, and if I stretch or cough too much.”

  “That’s to be expected. I read through the surgery notes and you were an amazingly lucky woman. Very few people would have survived what you did.”

  “So I’ve been told. I’m rather glad I was unconscious for a lot of the time. Is there anything I can do about this scarring? I mean my whole abdomen looks like a quilt gone wrong, not to mention all the cuts on the rest of my body.”

  “Some aloe vera will help with the healing process, it will also lessen the scar tissue, but I’m afraid you will still have to bear many of the scars of your ordeal.”

  “Can I rub the aloe on all of Laura’s injuries?” Tobias wondered.

  “Certainly, it will help them all. Have you had any problems with food, Laura?”

  “No. Tobias has been watching what I eat. Felt bloated for the first week but nothing now. Can I start getting back to normal food?”

  “I don’t see why not, maybe increase the intake of dairy, fats and the like slowly. Make sure you eat plenty of fibre. How’s the leg feel, Laura?”

  “Feels okay, it was really tense, but now the stitches are out it actually doesn’t feel as tight although it is a bit stiff and numb in places. I haven’t used the crutches much these past few days unless it gets sore or I feel tired.”

  “Just watch, we don’t want you racing up and down stairs yet, there’s a chance you may split that long cut so give it a few more days. The nerve damage could take up the three months to heal in the leg, in fact in the abdomen as well. In all probability you will have some numb areas. You may find your leg getting sore, just learn to listen to your body so you don’t overdo things.”

  “I will. Can I use the pool now?”

  “Yes, but the same thing applies, like I said don’t overdo things. A few gentle laps that’s all to start with. Do you have a spa?”

  “There’s the Jacuzzi in the pool and I have a spa bathtub.”

  “Good, they will help with your muscle stiffness. Is the pool fresh or salt?”

  “Salt.”

  “Better for your wounds. Anything else you need to ask?”

  “Tobias has arranged for some Soft Tissue Release therapy. A lady is coming next week to do it and to teach him.”

  “That’s a very good idea. It will help with the pain and healing.”

  “Good. I can’t think of anything. Thanks.”

  “I’ll see you next week to check on things. In the meantime, take care. You are one lucky person.”

  When they left the surgery, Tobias drove to the local chemist and bought two large tubes of aloe vera. Laura held back a groan thinking she knew what was going to happen once they reached home. She was right. They hadn’t got in the door when Tobias ordered her to strip so he could rub the stuff everywhere.

  Gradually, Laura got her full mobility and strength back, although she did notice her ankle and leg tended to get rather sore after too much exercise. The Soft Tissue Release massages did help, but they also hurt over the tender new skin on her leg.

  Her body still looked as if she been thrown into a blender. She got upset and teary one day a few weeks after having her stitches removed. Conall had gone out with his new friends for the day and Laura was sitting outside on one of the wide chaise lounges relaxing.

  In truth, she’d been trying to avoid thinking about the accident and its effects. Whenever she thought about it, she’d quickly wipe it from her mind. Laura knew at some point she’d have to face the accident but instead pretended it was nothing.

  But trying to pretend she hadn’t almost lost her life, that her heart had stopped beating several times suddenly rammed into her mind. Tobias had been working in his office and came outside to find her in tears and distraught.

  “I’ll understand if you want to leave me, Toby,” she sobbed frantically.

  “What on Earth are you talking about?”

  “Look.”

  She spread her arms wide, she was wearing a two piece and all her scars were on display.

  “What?”

  “My body. I’m fat, I’m covered in scars, I look horrible.”

  Her sobs got louder as he sat down then pulled her onto his lap.

  “Stop being so silly!” he said angrily. “First off. You are not fat, never let me hear you say that again. You know how much your curves turn me on. I love them, so no more about that. As for the scars, so what?

  “Heavens, woman, do you think I’m that shallow that I would let a few marks on your body make me love you less?”

  She clung to him, realising just how silly she was.

  Full of remorse, she whispered, “I’m sorry.”

  “What’s this about, sweetheart? This isn’t about your scars, is it?” he asked her, suddenly sounding alarmed. He held her as she burst into a fresh round of sobs.

  “I died!” she wailed, her mind finally accepting the truth of the accident. He let her cry herself out then she finally looked up at him and gave him a watery smile.

  “I’m sorry. Guess it’s all finally hit me. I’ve…” She gave an enormous sigh. “I’ve tried not to think about what happened but today…I guess it just came crashing down.”

  “Oh, my baby.” His voice was so loving, so tender as he cuddled her gently. “Hush. I love you. It’s all over, you’re alive. You’re safe and healthy. Please don’t cry anymore.”

  She still had a few tears and let them flow down her cheeks, nestled safe in Tobias’s arms. At last she could put the past behind her, determine to never let it overwhelm her again. He kept stroking her, murmuring how much he loved her.

  Naturally, it got Laura all hot and bothered.

  “Toby, I need you to strip off and fuck me.”

  “No. No, Laura, your body hasn’t healed. It’s too soon.”

  “Tobias Duncan, am I in charge in the bedroom?”

  “Yes, but...”

  “No buts. If it hurts I don’t care. I…I need to feel alive. I need you to make love to me.”

  He looked down into her face.

  “Promise me, promise if it hurts we stop.”


  “Toby, I know parts of me are going to hurt but as long as the pain is bearable I don’t want to stop. Please?”

  “You know I can’t refuse you anything, but if we do this we do it in the bedroom where it’s more comfortable.”

  She grinned up at him and kissed him. Tobias actually carried her inside and upstairs, setting her on the bed like a piece of fragile glass.

  “Get me the flogger and take those bloody clothes off!”

  Tobias complied and returned, giving her the flogger. She demanded he remove her costume then scooted to the edge of the bed.

  “Bend over and hold your ankles.”

  When he bent over, Laura sighed happily. She was sure she’d never tire of looking at him. She picked up the flogger and swung it. It landed with a swish against the skin of his arse and she smiled when he groaned.

  Knowing how much he loved it when she reddened his arse, Laura plied the flogger over both cheeks and the tops of his legs knowing occasionally it struck his balls. She soon had him moaning in delight so she ordered him to stand and face her.

  “Such a good boy to take his punishment, now I’ll give you a nice reward.”

  Laura pulled open the bedside table drawer and pulled out a rabbit vibrator, a condom, and some gel.

  “You know how much I love it when you fuck my arse, so today you can use this to fuck my pussy while you take my butt.”

  Tobias looked a little worried, but then he smiled. He took some of the pillows and put them underneath her bottom, allowing her legs to dangle over the edge of the bed.

  “Feel how wet I am, Toby. Feel me.”

  He ran a finger up and down her slit and Laura closed her eyes in delight when he pinched her clit between two fingers. She felt him lift one leg and place her foot on the bed then the other. It pulled slightly on the skin of her bad leg, but Laura was determined to get all she desired.

  She opened her eyes as he rolled on a condom then began rubbing lube on her rosette. Slowly he pressed a finger against it and she felt that pain-burn as it slowly entered her.

  “Ah yes, that’s what I like.”