Taming the lion

chapter 6

Gaping in awe as we drove through the large double gates and onto the paved road (this place was huge) looking to my right, I could see a few elephants grazing in the distance, and I could make out the head of a giraffe just peeking above the tall acacia trees that seemed to line the drive and stretched for miles.

"Quite a place, huh," I said to Brax as he pulled the car to a stop in front of what could only be described as the main manor. It was a three-story, Tudor-style building with a full wraparound veranda that enclosed the house. There were identical smaller buildings set further down the drive, as well as an impressive tennis court just across from where we had parked the car. The whole area was covered in turf and looked expensive.

Ethan was standing at the top of the stairs and opened the small gate to let us in.

"Morning, beautiful," he said, taking my hand in his and kissing it.

I blushed and quickly retrieved my hand. "G-Good morning, Ethan." I stuttered.

"Yeah, morning." Brax piped up from behind me.

Ethan nodded in his direction then directed his gaze back to me. "Shall we?" he gestured to the door  it was opened before I could reply. "Trudy will get you drinks," he said, gesturing to the lady who had opened the door.

"Coffee would be wonderful, thanks." I smiled at her.

"Same for me, thanks, thanks." Brax echoed.

When the coffee arrived, we had just sat down in what I assumed was Ethan's office. It, too, was impressive. We sat in 2 lounge chairs opposite the large hardwood deck which dominated the room. The chairs were made of some kind of animal hide, and a large bearskin lay on the floor; trophies in the form of animal heads lined the walls.

"I killed them all myself," Ethan said, noticing me checking out his collection.

"They're magnificent, even the rug."

"When we're finished here, I can give you a full tour if you like. There are a lot more magnificent things to see." catching the smoldering look in his eye, I felt myself blush, and a tremor ran through as I pondered his innuendo. About to utter an appropriate reply, the words were stuck in my throat as I caught a disapproving look from Brax. He was right. We were here for business. My pleasure, I thought to myself, would come later. God, what was wrong with me? I hastily took a sip of my coffee and, gaining my focus, met Ethan's eyes.

"So, there was some business to discuss, Mr. Black. I believe you mentioned an intention to surrender some animals. Brax stated steering the conversation to the reason we had come.

i let Brax handle the conversation as I tried to get a  handle on my raging hormones calming a little I focused my attention on what was being said

Ethan was prepared to donate animals to us on a semi-regular basis, starting with the first delivery tomorrow, which included three elephants, a young bull, which had lost a tusk and was no longer a worthy trophy, and a mother and calf. they were of no interest to Ethan's clients as the mother was slightly lame and provided no sport at all. To be honest, I was disgusted by Ethan's business, but at least he seemed to care for the animals. People paid him to hunt.

"well that's settled then," Ethan said rising from his chair behind his mahogany desk and moving to stand behind me his arm brushes my upper back and the chairback simultaneously

"So, how about that tour now?

"Sorry, mate. Lots to do." Brax interrupted before I could respond.