“Coral?” Tristan calls.
“In here,” I shout. I hear Tristan approach me, then he stops standing directly behind me and places his hands on my shoulders. I should freak out at this interaction. I don't like strangers touching me, especially men.
He chuckles lightly. “You like this bath?” he asks.
“Of course,” I snort and turn to look up at him. “Who wouldn’t, it’s huge. This whole place is huge...” I say throwing my hands up in the air.
Tristan gazes quizzically at me, I laugh and shake my head then walk out the en-suite, back into the bedroom, and drift off towards the bi-folding door. There’s a very wide balcony running along this level too. Not that I’ll be going out there, I’m not so good with heights.
I gaze out at the view, it’s just so stunning. I mean, I like boats and the sea, but all you can see up here is deep blue sparkly ocean. I feel I’m floating up in the air somehow?
“Do you like it?” Tristan asks pulling me from my musing.
I burst out laughing at his question; it seems such a silly one. How anyone can say they don’t like this house, is beyond me. Then I really start to laugh, so hard in-fact that my stomach starts to hurt. Tristan soon joins in; laughter is too infectious like that.
“What’s...so...f-funny?” he asks between gasps for air.
I finally stop laughing so hard, just a trickle of chuckles are escaping me. “Tristan, I think this place is magical.” I say mopping up the laughter tears that are streaming down my cheeks.
“Magical?” He says, his smile disappearing and a look of confusion spreading across his face.
“Yes,” I breathe. “To me this is magical, like a dream...” I smile my first bona fide smile at him. His eyes instantly widen just as his lips part and his breath hitches. I can tell he’s breathing heavier, the room suddenly charges, and yet again I cannot pull my gaze away from his eyes, there so...so?
I suddenly become very aware that we are alone...which send my heart into a mad frenzy. My hands and forehead instantly feel clammy...Ugh! I feel hot, agitated; unsure of what to do as we stare at one another. Then his mobile buzzes – saving me.
He looks down, breaking the connection, then he rolls his eyes in annoyance, clenches his jaw and pulls his mobile out of his trouser pocket. I think he’s cursing under his breath? He stabs his mobile forcefully with his forefinger, I think he’s annoyed with the interruption, and forces it back into his pocket.
“Sorry about that.” He says, walking over to me, as he reaches me, he silently holds out his hand for me to take it. I move forward, feeling a little apprehensive at how easy it’s becoming and place my hand in his.
“Do you like it?” I ask. “After all, it’s you who’s got to live here.” He smiles oddly at me and we start heading down the stairs. “Tristan?” I ask, wanting to know his answer.
“I...” He turns and looks up at me, stopping on the stairs. “I...I like it has a pool,” he answers soberly. “I like to swim.” He adds then tugs on my hand for me to follow him.
“Me too,” I smile, then frown – Something’s wrong with Tristan?
When we reach the first floor, we walk through the kitchen, and back into the entrance hall. I clock the agent, he’s beaming from ear to ear, no doubt hearing our previous fit of giggles. Then I think he’s probably smiling because he thinks he’s made a sale already, but with what Tristan just said...I don’t think he likes it that much, which I think is weird. How can anyone not like this place?
Following the agent, we make our way down the set of stairs that lead to the ground floor. I’m trying as hard as I can to listen to the agent, but I’m watching Tristan intently, he seems to have withdrawn into himself and I can't help wondering why. Maybe it was something I said? Maybe there’s something about this house that he doesn’t like? I’m not sure, but I don’t know him well enough to ask him either.
The agent continues. “Entertainment suite on the garden level with a heated indoor swimming pool which is equipped with swim against tide, cinema room, gym and bi-folding doors leading to the lawned and decked rear garden.....”
I decide I have to ask, it’s eating away at me what’s going through his mind. And even though he’s assured me I keep my job, I’m panicking I might have said something wrong and he’s changed his mind. It’s also made me realise that it’s going to take a very long time for me to get to know him as a boss, to trust him to be honest with me, so I don’t get suddenly sacked one day for going too far.
“Tristan,” I whisper and pull on his hand so he follows me out into the beautiful patio area. “Are you ok? You seem kind of...off?”
He looks down at me and I can see worry etched across his face. Shit!
“Is the company in trouble?” I blurt.
He frowns deeply at me. “No.”
“Are you upset about something? Have I upset you?” I ask my voice a slight tremble. “Is’ – “Coral, stop!” he bawls, making me flinch slightly. Then I see his shoulders relax a little. “It’s not you or anything you’ve done,” he adds, he seems very tense.
I look away from him, then I glare at the agent, he seems to be hovering, trying to eavesdrop. I guess he thinks we are having a fall out and he’s losing his sale.
“Do you want to see the gardens?” Tristan asks, his tone clipped; his eyes dark and heated.
I shrug. “Sure, why not.”
As we walk across the lawned area I look up at the back of the house, I can see what they’ve done with it now. From the back you can see all four levels, but from the front it just looks like two, it’s clever and I like it. The flooring of the alfresco dining area is a different tiling it’s got a lemony colour to it, it’s nice, but not as nice as indoors. The whole area is en-cased in a huge ceiling that juts right out, propped up by four gigantic pillars, but as I turn to Tristan to ask him what he thinks, I notice he looks miles away, which is making me feel nervous, anxious.
I bite down on my bottom lip, suddenly feeling lost and insecure. I don’t know this man at all, which is making me feel increasingly uncomfortable. I think I want to go home now.
“Want to look at the cinema room?” Tristan asks pulling me out of my musing. I shake my head, pull my hand out of his and cross my arms. I want to go home.
“Alright then. Lunch?” He asks.
I shake my head again.
“Coral, please, have lunch with me. The next viewing isn’t until 2pm.” I look at my watch and see it’s twenty to twelve, and I already feel hungry again. I always do when I’ve been drinking the night before. “Please,” he begs again, his eyes going lighter, the colour of milk chocolate.
My resolve falters. “Ok,” I squeak.
Tristan holds out his hand again, ready for me to accept or reject it and as I seem to feel safer that way, protected, I take it willingly. Then I think how strange it is that I’m allowing him to, and that I’m willingly doing this.
We head back towards the agent, as I look up, I see the agent smiling nervously at Tristan. We quickly reach him, Tristan seems to be in a hurry to leave.
“Mr Freeman.” He takes out a handkerchief and wipes away the sweat. I know it’s hot for England but Ew!
“I’ll be in touch,” Tristan simply says.
“O-of course Mr Freeman.” The agent looks crestfallen, he takes Tristan’s hand and shakes it, and before I have chance to move, he has grabbed my free hand and is shaking it.
I die a thousand deaths – his hand feels all hot and clammy, just like his hands used to when I was a child...an innocent fucking child; bile rises into my throat...Oh no! I think I'm going to be sick.
I yank my hand out the agent’s, turn away from him, and clamp my hand over my mouth. I close my eyes in an effort to stop the sickening, queasy feeling, then I hear Tristan walking the agent away from me.
I hear George in my head, ‘Anger is better than fear. Fear will hold you back make you feel small, anger will pull you out if it’
I decide to get angry for
a second or two, just until the fear washes over me. I clench my fists and imagine I’m sparring with Will, punching the bag as hard as I can; pouring all the rage and anger out of me.
“Coral?” I hear Tristan approach and open my eyes.
He reaches his hand up to touch my face. I take a cautious step back.
“Please...don’t touch me,” I beg. He immediately drops his hand, and frowns down at me with a confused, shocked look. “Just... give me a minute,” I whisper.
Tristan stares at me for the longest time; then he finally nods once. “Shall I wait for you upstairs?” he softly asks, yet he looks torn like he doesn’t want to leave me. I nod my head in approval. “Alright...” His lips set into a hard line and I watch him walk away from me. It takes me a good five minutes for me to compose myself.
Feeling ready, I dash up the stairs two at a time, and find Tristan waiting for me by the front door. He doesn’t offer his hand to me, which I’m thankful for, and by the time we reach the cool comfort of the car, I’m feeling more relaxed, and back in control...
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE MOMENT WE ARE BACK IN THE CAR, Tristan gently takes my hand in his, and stares down at our fingers, deep in thought.
“Are you alright?” He asks.
I nod in reply.
“Why didn’t you shake his hand?” He asks me.
“Sorry?” I ask meeting his dreamy eyes.
“The estate agent, you refused his hand when we met him then you shook it as we left.”
“No I didn’t,” I argue. “He grabbed hold of my hand before I could pull it away.” I correct him.
“So, if he hadn’t taken your hand you wouldn’t have shaken it?” He deciphers.
“No.” I sigh and look away from him. I feel like I already know what he’s going to ask.
“Why?” I knew it. I sigh heavily and close my eyes. Do I really want him to know?
“Some men are creepier than others.” I whisper. Shut up Coral!
“Am I creepy to you?” He asks.
My eyes dart open in astonishment. “No!” I gasp in shock. “Tristan, are you mad?” I swallow hard, still feeling amazed he asked me that. “Tristan you are the complete opposite of creepy. You’re kind, and sweet, and genuine and I...quite honestly, I’m finding it all rather odd how comfortable I am feeling in your presence. It’s quite unexpected...” I finally take a breath and exhale.
He continues to gaze at me as though he’s assessing that what I have said is true, that I’m not hiding anything. His lips twitch up momentarily and he nods once squeezing my hand.
“Satisfied?” I ask feeling frustrated that we are having this conversation. I’m going to have to be more careful around him; he seems to be extremely perceptive.
“I want to ask why?” He softly says, his thumb circling my hand.
“Why what?” I whisper.
“Why you’re the way you are?” I stare back at him in wide-eyed frozen silence, radiating stress. My shoulders start to work their way up to my ears, just as a cold sweat breaks out, I can feel the trembling start from deep within me, and my heart is thumping wildly echoing my anxiety. After what feels like eternity, I slowly shake my head at him, warning him not to go any further.
“Let’s eat,” he says taking note and changing the subject.
I feel my shoulders slump back down, my heart slowing back down to its regular beat. I lean back into the seat and try to relax.
“Where can we go that’s quiet and has good food?” Tristan asks in a monotone voice.
I know a few places, but they’re all on the Marina and I don’t want to take him there. Then it hits me, Gladys took me there for my 30th – It should be quiet this time of day.
“There’s the Smugglers Rest in Peacehaven,” I reluctantly suggest. “It shouldn’t be too overcrowded at this time on a Tuesday, the food’s great, it’s a nice place.”
“How long to get there?” he asks.
“Twenty minutes.” I state.
“Smugglers Rest it is then.” He says.
“Peacehaven?” Stuart asks.
Tristan nods silently then seems to convert back to his previous, silent brooding. I want to shout at him to stop being like this, he’s making me feel uncomfortable. But then I think if I was about to spend nearly two million pounds on a house I would be thinking very seriously about it too.
As the car pulls away I’m instantly drawn to the song that’s playing. I love music I have such a huge collection. “Stuart, can you turn it up please?” I ask sweetly hoping he’ll do so. Stuart looks to Tristan, who silently nods.
The car is suddenly filled with Labrinths Beneath your Beautiful. I feel Tristan gazing at me as I softly sing along, I should feel self-conscious about singing in front of him, but I think it’s beautiful and poignant, so I don’t let him stop me. When the song ends, Stuart turns the radio back down. I can still feel Tristan gazing at me, the silence seems to stretch between us, so I decide to ignore it and stare out of the window. We turn right onto Roedean Road and descend back down towards the Marina, bypassing it completely, we head east onto the A259 towards Peacehaven.
The silence continues...
***
“Coral, wake up darling.” I groan and push the hand away that’s trying to gently wake me. “We’re here,” a husky voice chuckles.
“Leave me alone Carlos.” I scrunch up my eyes and attempt to turn over in bed, only to jerk awake. There is no bed, and Tristan is hovering over me, grinning widely – Shit I fell asleep!
“Oh God, I’m so sorry!” I gasp. How embarrassing! “It was the car, the journey, so smooth and I just’ – Tristan holds up his hand, I stop talking. “No harm, no foul,” he smirks.
I quickly pull myself up from my slumped position and smile hesitantly at him. Then I watch him open the door, jump out effortlessly and make his way around the car. I look up at Stuart and bite my lip to hide my embarrassment. Then I wonder – If Stuart is driving us round all day, what’s he supposed to have for lunch? Tristan opens my door and as I’m unbuckling my seatbelt, I decide I’ll ask him anyway.
“Stuart did you want me to bring you something to eat?” He turns in his seat and I see his face for the first time, he’s got a captain America jaw-line, a crocked nose that looks like it’s been broken a few times, hazel eyes and short spiky blonde hair. He’s actually quite intimidating now I can see him properly. I certainly wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of him, he beams widely at me.
“That’s sweet Coral, but I’m fine thank you,” he says chuckling softly, then turns back in his seat. I shrug wondering what’s supposed to be so funny and accept Tristan’s hand helping me out of the car, when I look up at him I see he’s chuckling too.
“He’s right,” he says pulling me closer to him, taking my breath away because I think he’s about to kiss me; and the scariest part about it is that I think I want him to. “You are so very sweet,” he moves so quickly that I don’t see it coming and kisses the tip of my nose. Then, pulling away from me as quickly as he moved in, he takes hold of my hand. I walk with him into the Restaurant in a complete daze, my nose still tingling from his kiss.
As we walk up to the bar Tristan’s face lights up.
“What?” I chuckle squeezing his hand slightly.
“They have Timothy Taylor.” He beams.
“Who?” I ask none the wiser.
“It’s a beer,” he chuckles slightly. “My favourite,” he adds. Well what d’ya know, I definitely took him for a wine swisher.
“You drink beer?” I choke. “I definitely took you for a wino,” I blurt without thinking about it – Oops!
“A what?” he chuckles. I look away and bite my lip feeling embarrassed that I said that out loud. Tristan puts his forefinger under my chin and raises it so I have to make eye contact with him. “Don’t hang your head feeling guilty for being you Coral, I thought that was funny.” He lets go of my chin and I make myself blink so I stop staring at him. “Although I have no id
ea what it means, but I can pretty much guess,” he adds.
I smile weakly at him.
“What would you like to drink Coral?” Such a gentleman!
I shake my head feeling unsure. “Give me a minute,” I answer, wondering whether I should have coffee to wake me up, or water to rehydrate me.
“I like this place,” he says looking around him. It’s all cream walls, with wooden chairs and tables covered in white linen cloths and has an up-market feel about it. And the place is spotlessly clean, which is always impressive when you’re about to eat somewhere.
“Gladys bought me here for my 30th” I explain.
“Yeah...did you have a good time?” he asks sweetly.
“Yes, it was great and the food was really’ - Tristan suddenly moves closer to me, instantly silencing me and kisses me so softly on the cheek that I feel as though I’m about to pass out. All the bones in my body feel like they have liquefied. I have stopped breathing and my heart has stopped beating.
“What was that for?” I ask breathlessly, trying to tear my gaze away from him.
“Does there need to be a reason?” he replies.
I look away from him, it’s no good I’m going to have to give him the low-down, tell him I’m not good for him...tell him to find someone else.
Tristan orders his pint of beer. The barman pours it and hands it to him. “Here try this.” He holds his pint up in front me. I shake my head, it smells funny. “Have you ever tried it?” he questions.
“No.” I grumble crossing my arms defiantly. Knowing full well I don’t touch alcohol the day after a heavy night.
“Well how can you say you don’t like something, if you’ve never tried it?” he admonishes.
I sigh heavily. I’m too hung-over for the argument. I take the pint off him and tentatively take a sip – Uh-oh!
CORAL (A Romance Trilogy, Book 1) Page 14
