“Ah Susannah,” I say trying not to sound jealous. Although why I should when I have the gorgeous Tristan Freeman sitting next to me I don’t know!
“Problem?” Damn he’s razor sharp today!
“Nope.” I answer dryly.
He narrows his eyes at me. I stare blankly ahead. “Want to watch a film?” he asks. I think that’s a good idea my mouth can’t run away with me then.
“Sure, yeah...that sounds nice,” I answer glumly. Tristan flicks on the T.V. which instantly illuminates the large room.
“Just for the record,” he says staring ahead. “It doesn’t matter what road your parents travelled down Coral, we all have choice and free will. So please, try to free your mind and expand it to the possibility that there is a better, more enjoyable career out there for you. That’s all I’m saying on the matter.” Tristan dashes a scornful look at me then starts scrolling through the selection of films. Hmph!
My mouth sets into a hard line, I guess that told me!
CHAPTER SEVEN
I AM DREAMING I’M IN A BUSY, bussling place. Steam keeps rising around me, and someone is shouting my name. When I turn to see who it is, he shouts at me again.
“Coral, I need two beef wellies, three salmon, and one pork loin. Pronto.” I turn around again and realise I’m in a kitchen, a big professional kitchen. Everything is stainless steel, and there’s lots of chefs all wearing white uniforms. When I look down at myself, I see I’m in a white uniform too, why am I...?
“Coral?” I blink my eyes open and see Tristan gazing down at me. “Good morning sleepyhead.”
“Hi,” I croak, blinking around the room. Tristan is sitting on the bed fully dressed and he smells divine. I lean up on my elbows. “You’re up already?” I grumble.
“Yes, we have a big day today,” he tells me. It takes me a moment to ascertain what he means. Then it comes to me – The Car!
“Yes!” I beam, almost jumping out of bed.
“Stay where you are,” he tells me. Then hands me a big glass of what looks like my vegetable juice. “How did you’ – “Guessed. Try it. Tell me if I got it right.” I take a tentative sip – Perfect!
“Delicious,” I answer. “You should have one too, it’s good for you,” I add.
“Already have.” I narrow my eyes at him and drink the remaining juice. “Oh…I had a really weird dream?” I say staring blankly ahead trying to remember it.
“And?” He chuckles.
“I was in a chef’s uniform. I think I was running a restaurant?” I say
“Hmm, sounds like you’ve been thinking about what I said,” he says, his face looks smug.
“Well forget it, it’s very long hours, working weekends, I’d never get to see you,” I say sullenly.
“Hmm,” Tristan is not convinced. “Come on, get up baby, take a shower and meet me downstairs. I have a surprise for you.”
“Tristan,” I groan. “How am I supposed to keep up when you keep being the wonderful one who bears gifts all the time?” He smirks at me, then leans down and pecks me on the tip of my nose.
“It’s not a gift, now come on out of bed. The sun is shining and it’s our last day together, I want to make the most of it,” he tells me firmly.
“I have a good idea how to make the most of it,” I say seductively, pulling the quilt down to reveal my pert, toned breasts.
“Oh no you don’t, there’s plenty of time for that later, come on up!” I groan and fall back down onto the pillows. “Definitely not a morning person,” I hear him chortle as he walks away.
I stare up at the ceiling and try not to think too hard about the fact that Tristan will be gone all week, that this is our last day together. My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach, I have no idea how I’m going to handle it – Stop it Coral!
I nod in agreement and push the thought to the back of my mind.
GETTING UP OUT OF BED WAS FINE. Walking however was not. Muscles I didn’t even know I had are aching so badly it’s hard work trying to walk in a straight line. Damn, I thought I was fitter than this? Tristan looked fine when he walked away, which is quite frankly, rather annoying! But maybe my body will get used to it, and the muscles will repair quickly? I hope so I don’t want him thinking I’m a total flake!
Walking into the bathroom, I feel as though Tristan is in the room with me, his smell is everywhere, that delicious mind boggling scent of his, his shower gel and his aftershave, mixing into one and wafting around everywhere is making it hard to concentrate. Ok Coral get a grip!
Walking over to the sink, I pick up my toothbrush, squirt some toothpaste and start cleaning, but I can’t help thinking back to the dream and what Tristan asked. Do I really want to try out a different career? Is that something I really want to do, cooking – be a chef?
I always thought of it as a kind of hobby, not a career, but maybe Tristan’s right? Admittedly, there have been times when I’ve been bored out of my head at work, but that’s normally when it’s quiet, and Joyce has gone home early, and I’ve got no work to do!
Hmm, definitely something to keep thinking about!
AS I’M SHOWERING and getting nervous about driving Tristan’s Eighty Grand worth of sports car, I have a sudden thought – we haven’t discussed children? If Tristan and I really are the ones for each other (I think setting up home together, albeit Tristan’s home is a pretty big step) then surely things like marriage and kids should be discussed? I mean, I know we’ve kind of brushed over marriage – Just as I’m thinking that I get an image flash up in my mind’s eye.
I’m in a long ivory wedding dress and I’m walking towards Tristan, he looks so smart and handsome and he’s smiling his deep dimpled smile at me – Stop! I freeze mid-wash. Hold the phone, did that just happen? Whoa! That was weird!
I’m suddenly catapulted back in time to the dream that I had, and Tristan calling me Mrs Freeman! I shake my head, involuntarily getting shampoo in my eyes – Damn it!
I decide to leave the big thinking until I’m out the shower!
TWENTY MINUTES LATER, I am dressed, hair dried into mellow waves, spritzed with perfume and putting my make-up on at the bathroom mirror. I spot Tristan’s aftershave and pick it up to see which one it is – Millionaire by Paco Robane – Figures!
I put the bottle back down, and concentrate on the task at hand. Ok so where was I?
The dream, the dress, marriage! Am I denying it to myself? George said that I should believe it’s possible for me. I stare back at my reflection. “Is that what you want Coral, to marry Tristan?” I question aloud. A resounding yes echoes around my head.
Holy Crap! – I shake my head at that thought, it really is quite absurd, we have only known each other a couple of weeks and I’m thinking marriage? You need to slow yourself down girl and get a grip!
I suddenly feel deflated about it all, like I’ve taken the excitement out of the prospect that it could actually happen for me. I glare back at myself. “You know what, you wanna marry Tristan you go right ahead.” There that told me!
I shake my head at myself. What am I talking about? Putting down my eyeliner and reaching for my mascara, I decide to tackle the next big question – Kids. My heart slowly sinks. How do I tell him I can’t have them? That I'm unable to conceive? I feel sick just thinking about it.
Closing my eyes, and pulling my hand up to cover my mouth I take a deep breath and try to stop the nauseous feeling. Opening my eyes, I gaze back at myself. If it’s something Tristan really wants, then he should be with someone who can give him that, surely?
My stomach rolls...I hate the thought of him being with anyone else, but if I can’t give him what he wants…? I blow a deep breath out…this could be the end of us – Stop Coral, you’re worrying about the future again, just go downstairs and ask Tristan the question – Do you want kids?
I stare back at my bright wide, sparkling because of Tristan, coral blue eyes, and take a deep breath. “You can do this!” I nod at myself and make my way out of the bathroo
m. Picking up my shoulder bag from the bedroom, I wonder down the first flight of stairs. I decided to dress in my jeans, t-shirt and my Nike Air-Max trainers (just to see if he says anything) and because I want flats on to drive the car – I’m so excited and nervous!
Walking hesitantly into the kitchen the first thing I notice is the overpowering smell of Croissants and Chocolate – I feel myself light up inside, I really like those. The second thing is that Bruno Mars is singing in the background, Locked out of Heaven is playing, my head starts to bob as I sing along to the words.
Then I see Tristan sitting on one of the breakfast stools reading a newspaper. He’s dressed in his dark jeans, a light blue t-shirt which clings to him in all the right places and – Oh my God! As I look down I see he’s wearing the same trainers as me, except his are dark blue, mine are gun metal grey.
“Hey,” I skip over to him and kiss him on the lips, surprising him.
“Good morning. Mmm…you smell heavenly,” he says pulling me closer and kissing my neck. My pelvic muscles clench in the most delicious way, I instantly feel hot and moist down below.
“What perfume are you wearing?” he asks nibbling my earlobe.
I almost climax there and then. “Absolutely Irresistible,” I groan, my head falling back, my eyes closing involuntarily, my heart spiking, my breathing erratic.
“That you are,” Tristan murmurs against my neck, softly kissing and grazing his teeth down towards my shoulder.
“Um, Tristan…you shouldn’t really be doing that if you want to get out of here,” I murmur trying to sound as though I’m capable of a conversation.
“Really?” he questions still kissing my neck, my jaw. I grip his hair at the nape and pull his head back, then kiss him with all the pent up sexual energy I have felt since he denied me this morning.
“That,” I growl against his lips. “Is not fair, you deny me then tease me?”
“I was just kissing you,” he says all innocently with puppy dog eyes.
“Do you have any idea how that makes me feel?” I say sitting on the bar stool next to him.
“I think I have a pretty good idea,” he smirks.
“Oh really?” I challenge.
“Yes.” He replies smugly.
“Then how does it make me feel?” I question.
Tristan looks bashful for a moment then he turns his intense gaze on me. “Exactly the way I feel when you kiss me.”
“And how do I make you feel when I kiss you?” I ask arms crossed.
“Like I want you, instantly,” he says his face intense, his eyes dark. Oh wow!
“Ditto,” I breathe, uncrossing my arms. “So what’ll it be Mr Mogul, sex or car?”
“Both,” he says grinning cheekily at me. I shake my head at him and laugh. “Mr Mogul?” He questions – Crap! I can't believe I just said that out loud.
“Have you?” I ask trying to change the subject.
“Have I what?” he smiles.
“Had car sex?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“I was a teenager.”
“Oh,” I feel myself deflate a little.
“You?”
“No,” I whisper feeling shy again. He leans towards me, so he’s almost touching my lips, taking my breath away again, then he moves and brushes his lips across my ear.
“Maybe,” he whispers in a low husky voice, my body shudders all over. “We can do that today,” he adds. My heart is pounding. Car sex?
I swallow hard. “Yes,” I whisper. He moves again so he’s right in front of me, and runs a cool soft finger down my cheek.
“Whatever you want baby,” he says, seeing straight through me again. I stare down at my fingers. Why do I suddenly feel hot and flushed? “Hey?” Tristan slowly lifts my chin up so I have to look at him, I don’t know why I say it but I do.
“I love you,” I whisper. “So much…” I frown at myself. “Too much…” I add. Taking hold of his face, I kiss him, hard.
“Coral,” he mumbles, pulling away from me, and placing my hands on my lap. “You need to eat, and so do I, can we do that first?” he asks, smiling down at me.
I stare at the floor feeling utterly rejected. Then I think back to our conversations that have involved sex, and it hits me, he doesn’t want me like that. I think back to last night, we had sex on the sofa, halfway through the film just as I thought we would – but we didn’t when we went to bed, or this morning…?
“You…you don’t want me like that?” I whisper, frowning at the floor.
“Hey,” he tips my head up. “Yes, I do, always.”
“Prove it,” I breathe. In the next breath Tristan is up on his feet, has swung my bar stool round and pulled me into his arms, his mouth claiming mine, his one hand tugging in my hair, the other hand sliding up my leg, gripping my thigh, my backside. I kiss him back with all the passion I feel burning inside me, I grip his hair with my hands then wrap my legs around him.
His erection is firm and hard between my legs, making me want him all over again. Then taking me by surprise, he lifts me into his arms and carries me over to the sofa – Ok, got that wrong, he does want me!
Placing me down, so my back is lying on the sofa he sinks to his knees. He unties my trainers, throws them off, undoes the belt on my jeans, the button, and the zipper and pulls them off me. Then he takes hold of my knickers and yanks them to the side.
“You think I don’t want you?” he questions as his thumb starts circling my clitoris, his look full of hunger and want for me. “Do you?” He questions.
I can't concentrate, I can only feel as his thumb continues circling, fulfilling a need I feel deep within me. Then with his other hand, he deftly undoes his belt, his zipper and pulls down his jeans and boxers, freeing his erection – Holy fuck! – I moan in approval. Then he stops, pulls a condom out of his pocket, rips it open and puts it on.
“Lift up your legs,” he orders. I instantly do so, he grabs me by the hips and pulls me towards him, so I’m right on the edge of the sofa, his tip teasing my clitoris, his thumb still making circles. “You want this?” He growls.
“Yes,” I gasp. He slams into me. Whoa!
“Ahh…” I moan I feel so full, the feeling is exquisite. Then he really starts to move, pumping hard and fast, in and out. I watch with wide eyes as his erection pumps in and out of me, it’s so fucking hot, so sexy, god I love him!
“Tristan!” I gasp. I can already feel I’m building.
“You think I don’t want you?” he pants, pumping harder, faster. It’s all going so fast!
“No!” I shout.
“Because I do,” he grunts. “I’ll always want you. Can you feel me baby? Can you feel how much I want you?” he croaks, his cheeks flushing, his eyes dark chocolate – Holy fuck!
“Yes,” I cry out, my back arching, my head craning back. Jesus I’m so close!
“Give it to me,” he shouts. “Come with me baby.” I manage to look up at him, he’s right on the edge. “Now Coral!” he shouts and I let go, just as he does, my head spinning, my whole body tensing as my orgasm pulses through me, through every cell in my body.
Tristan collapses on top of me, his head on my chest and I float away to a far distance place. I feel so content, so happy. It’s pure ecstasy, a sea of sexual bliss.
“I’m sorry,” he croaks. I open my eyes and see Tristan has his chin propped up on my chest. He’s staring at me with wide, guilty eyes.
I frown back at him, and take his face in my hands. “What for?” I whisper.
“That was…I’m sorry,” he repeats and rests his forehead on my chest. I run my hands through his hair and chuckle, his head whips back up, his look is one of confusion.
“Tristan, that was hot,” I say, still breathing hard.
“Hot?” He questions.
“Yes,” I giggle. “Don’t you think so?”
“I just…” He trails off again, closes his eyes and places his forehead back on my chest.
“Tr
istan,” I pull his face up to look at me. “What’s wrong?”
He clenches his jaw and stares at me, his eyes still wide. “You don’t think I was rough with you?”
“What?” I choke. “No, Tristan, not rough, that was…” I stop trying to think of the right word to say. “Mind blowing,” I add staring back at him. Why is he acting like this?
I think about our lovemaking yesterday, after our bath and on the sofa, he was so sweet, so gentle with me. I don’t think he’s ever been like this, so…so rough? My face falls as it dawns on me why he’s being like this; he doesn’t want to be rough with me because he thinks it will trigger what it felt like being raped, how I felt then.
“I knew I shouldn’t have told you,” I choke out, trying to fight back the tears. He lifts his head again, but doesn’t say anything. “I’m right aren’t I? You don’t want to be like that with me because you think it will remind me of being raped?”
Horror dawns on his face, he knows I’ve worked it out. “Coral’ – “No, don’t Coral me,” I choke. “Tristan, that was nothing like…” I squeeze my eyes shut and grit my teeth, trying to reign in my temper. “Tristan,” I whisper and open my eyes. “That was nothing…nothing like that, you and I, we have passion and love on our side. Don’t you understand that?” He still doesn’t look convinced. I sigh inwardly. How can I make him understand?
“You can do that again, anytime you want, I thought it was really, really hot.” I pant.
“You did?” He questions quizzically. “I…I didn’t hurt you?”
“No!” I bawl running my hand through my hair. “Baby, isn’t sex supposed to be varied?” He closes his eyes and puts his head back on my chest. “Tristan, I love that you’re so sweet and gentle when you make love to me, you get right in there when you do, right into my soul. But that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a quick hard fuck too,” I say hoping to shock him. It has the desired effect, his heads snaps up and a very coy smile appears on his face.
“Coral Stevens, what language,” he softly scolds.
“Well, if you don’t cheer up, I’m going to flip you over, straddle you and fuck you all over again!” I say, teasing him.
CORAL - Fallen (A Romance Trilogy, Book 2) Page 11
