“Maybe…” Tristan answers. My heart instantly flutters.
Lily giggles. “Have you kissed Aunty Coral?”
Tristan laughs. “No, but I’m hoping to,” he whispers.
Lily’s eyes nearly pop out of her head. “You’re handsome, like Daddy,” she says, putting her tiny hand on his cheek.
“Why thank you,” he croons.
“Are you going to marry Aunty Coral?” she asks all innocently.
Tristan sniggers again. “Maybe…” He whispers. What?
“I want to get married when I grow up,” she says.
“Well, maybe I should wait for you,” Tristan teases. Lily throws her head back giggling in delight. “No,” she squeals. “You’re too old for me.” Ha! That told him smug bastard!
“Oh, my lady, you wound me,” he says, clutching his heart.
“Aunty Coral hasn’t had a boyfriend before,” she says – Ok, time for the kid to go!
“She hasn’t?” Tristan questions, Lily shakes her head at him. But I’m saved from the conversation going any further by Debs walking into the room with a thunderous look on her face. She stops in front of me with her hands on her hips.
“There you are Lily. Your friends are looking for you.”
“Ok Mommy.” Debs lifts her off the sofa, she waves at me. “Bye Aunty Coral.” I wave back - it’s a very drunken sloppy wave.
“Henjoy your birfday, I hope you lick my preshent.” I say.
“I will, bye Tristan, I really hope you kiss Aunty Coral better.” With that she chuckles and runs off at full speed. I’m about to turn to Tristan to bollock him for mocking me, but Debs pipes up.
“It took five adults and six rolls of kitchen paper to get rid of all the blood,” she says. “Jesus Coral, you gave me the fright of my life!” She says scooping her long blonde hair up into a pony-tail. Evidently, our little spat earlier is forgotten?
“Cuase of Lily,” I say knowing I’m right.
“No!” she barks. “You! I knew Lily would be fine, kids are always bashing themselves. They’re over it in seconds,” she huffs and plonks herself next to me - my nose throbs painfully at me again. “How the hell does someone bleed that much anyway? You got an extra stock-pile in there or something?” she adds.
I chuckle. “Yesh, vampire,” I say trying to look scary.
Debs rolls her eyes at me. “Well I guess you’ll be here for the night,” she sighs.
“No, I’m going home,” I tell her. “When the partiesh finished,” I add.
“I don’t think so,” she huffs shaking her head at me.
“Yesh,” I argue. “I am.” I hate staying at Debs, her and Scott all loved up with their adorable little munchkin. Deb’s suddenly starts batting her eyelashes at Tristan.
“You must be Coral’s new boss?” She says in her most seductive voice.
“Yes, Tristan Freeman.” He says holding his hand out to her.
“Debbie Fuller.” She bats her lashes some more and shakes his outstretched hand – This is not happening!
“Oh Coral!” I look up and see Joyce stood next to Gladys.
“Hi Joyche.” I answer, her mouth pops open.
“What’s wrong with her?” She gasps.
“Morphine,” Tristan answers. I giggle at the whole situation, how ridiculous.
“It’s good to see someone’s having a good time,” Joyce says sarcastically. “Oh dear, well I don’t expect you in work looking like that young lady.” I go to argue then I hear her proposal. “You can work from home, until you’re feeling better. I’ll email your inbox to your laptop.”
“Thanks Joyche.” I smile up at her. She smiles back at me; then starts sniggering like Tristan did. “S’not funny!” I bawl as loudly as I can. The throbbing in my nose starts up again, I wince in pain. My eyes fill with tears, which start spilling down my cheeks, everyone starts fussing.
“What do you need Coral?” Tristan asks, crouching in front of me. Debs starts patting my forehead, Gladys gasps, and Joyce does the worst thing; tries to readjust the cold compress.
“Ow!” I scream out in pain, everyone freezes. Shit, shit, shit! None of this seems funny anymore.
“Home!” I cry out. “Chake me home!” I want to stamp my feet but I'm too out of it to do that. I look across at Tristan. “Aircondiching!” I whimper. “Pleashe…it’s so hot!” I add, feeling more and more uncomfortable by the second. Tristan passes me a bunch of tissues from Debs dispenser. I wipe my eyes and try to clear my nose, making it throb even more. “Pleashe,” I beg again.
They all start arguing. Debs is saying she can't leave, Gladys wants to take me back to hers and Joyce is insisting Gladys stays and she takes me back to hers.
“Want me to take you back to your studio?” Tristan whispers in my ear.
“Yesh.” I whisper back.
“I’ll do it.” Tristan shouts – Everyone shuts up and turns to stare open mouthed at him.
“Oh, thank you Tristan.” Gladys gushes.
“How very gallant of you Tristan,” Debs says batting her lashes and smirking at him.
“Are you happy with that?” Joyce asks me.
“Yesh.” I whisper – I just want to get out of here.
Tristan stands, pulls his mobile out of his pocket and makes a call. “What’s the postcode and house number?” he asks Debs. She jumps to her feet and holds her hand out for his mobile, he passes it to her. “BN14 0AD, No 2,” she says then hands him back his mobile with a coy smile – Jesus I can't take much more of this!
“Got it?” Tristan asks. “Good, see you then,” he says and hangs up. Then he turns and sits next to me on the sofa again, the room is silent. I look up and see Debs, Gladys and Joyce all staring down at me with smug looks on their faces.
“What?” I snap, they all glance at one another then back to me and across to Tristan. Debs titters, then leans down and kisses my cheek.
“I better get back, I’ll come and see you tomorrow,” she holds her hand out to Tristan. “Such a pleasure,” she says shaking his hand for much longer than is deemed necessary, he smiles widely at her blatant flirting.Debs! - Finally, she lets go of his hand and bounces out of the room.
“I’d better get back to Malcolm,” Gladys says, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “Take care of my daughter,” she tells Tristan as she kisses his cheek too.
“Absolutely,” he says, taken aback by her tone and then she leaves too. Then I notice Tristan and Joyce stare at one another, exchanging some kind of unspoken conversation, then Joyce nods once at him and leaves the room.
“What’s wash that all about?” I question. Tristan looks across and smiles shyly at me.
“Nothing,” he says, but I know there was something there. Joyce reappears with a glass of lemonade and a straw.
“Here darling,” she says popping the straw in the glass.
“Thanksh.” I take it of her and take a long drink.
“Better?” She smiles – I smile back at her and nod, drinking more, I’m so thirsty.
Tristan’s mobile buzzes in his pocket, he and Joyce stare oddly at each other again, then Tristan stands and takes his mobile out of his pocket. “Stu’s here,” he says.
“Shtuart’s here?” I squeak – Ouch! I’d better stop talking, it’s too painful.
“Yes.” Tristan says throwing that beautiful smile at me. Joyce takes the glass of me and stands. Tristan holds his hands out to me, I lift up my arms and place my hands in his, he gently pulls me to my feet; but the room starts to bend and sway – Whoa!
Before I can fall one way or the other, he lifts me quickly and easily into his arms as though I’m as light as a feather. He smiles down at me and pulls me closer to his strong chest.
“I think it’s safer this way,” he chuckles. “We don’t want you getting into any more trouble,” he adds dryly. I pout back at him.
Joyce leans across and kisses me on the cheek. “Be careful darling, Tristan will take care of you, but if you need me, you know you only have to call and I’ll
be there,” she says smiling down at me.
I suddenly realise I don’t have my bag or my keys. “Bag, Keychs,” I say in a panic. Tristan frowns not understanding, but Joyce nods at me.
“Back in a second,” she says. Tristan starts walking me towards the front door then stops when Joyce comes back, she has my shoulder bag and something in a plastic bag.
“I’m afraid you were sick on your flip-flops darling.” And that’s all I hear, I pass out again...
Enjoying CORAL? – Buy The Next Book In The Series, CORAL - Fallen Now By Clicking This Link – http://amzn.to/1BDVY5K
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
I AM DREAMING I AM ON THE BOAT AGAIN. Sunshine is flooding the room, in fact, it’s so bright it’s almost hard to see. Tristan’s hovering above me, he’s gazing down at me in the most peculiar way, his soft fingers are lightly brushing my forehead, my eyes, running through my hair; it’s so cooling and relaxing. I’m astonished at the detail of the dream, this feels so real; Tristan looks so real.
His chocolate brown eyes are glistening with flecks of hazel, and I can see the laughter lines around those deep, soulful eyes. The skin on his face looks soft and warm, slightly tanned. I can see several freckles across his nose and his cheeks, I hadn’t noticed those before.
I smile up at him, his answering grin is breathtaking, it makes my heart stop. My grin widens reflecting his. I love the way his dimples deepen and his nose and eyes crinkle when he smiles like that; his smile is profoundly more beautiful close up.
He has a five o’clock shadow running across his jaw, I’ve not seen him with stubble before, he looks even sexier, if that’s at all possible. I reach my hand up to run my fingers across it, see how real it feels. Tristan frowns as I touch him. I scratch my short fingernails across his jaw and cheek, it feels so real. The peaceful feeling washes over me again, I feel so content, so serene.
“Heaven,” I whisper. I place my hand against his cheek and run my thumb across his bottom lip, his breath hitches just as my heart takes flight. I am astonished at how real everything feels. I reach my hand around his neck, and entwine my fingers in his hair; it’s just as soft as I thought it would be. “Tristan,” I whisper, and softly pull his head down so that I can reach his lips.
“I think that might hurt you.” He tells me steadying my grip.
I freeze, my face inches from his – Fuck, not a dream! I instantly drop my hand and squeeze my eyes shut. I have no idea what to say – Shit, shit, shit!
“Coral, what’s wrong?” His voice is low and husky, his breath on my cheeks. I am mortified, swallowing hard I look up and meet his steady gaze. He leans down, his lips almost touching mine. “That felt really good,” he whispers. I scowl in frustration, I can't believe that just happened. Now he’s going to know I’ve been dreaming about him – Fuck!
He smiles at my expression, his dimples on full wattage – Damn that smile!
“I’m sorry,” I mumble.
“What for?” he asks, gently stroking my cheek.
“I thought I was dreaming.” I say frowning at his touch. I close my eyes and try to reign in my disintegrated thoughts.
“Really?” I hear the glee in Tristan’s voice – She’s been dreaming about me! “Well, I don’t know about you, but every night for me.” My eyes dart open and meet his. “And all throughout the day,” he confesses. “Literally can't get you out of my head,” he adds.
“Well that’s not the same for me,” I lie. “I haven’t thought about you once.” I pout.
“You wound me,” he smiles. “But, that’s ok,” he sighs in a high pitch tone. “If I can't be in your waking thoughts at least I’m in your dreams,” he adds with a smug smile on his face.
I slap him playfully and smile back…Ouch, what the hell?...The events of earlier today start coming back to me in a blurry haze. Colliding with Lily, poor Lily, my nose bleed, the morphine. Then I realise I'm home, but I don’t remember getting here.
“Careful,” he tells me. “You look worse today.”
“Thanks,” I bite back. “How did I get here?”
“You don’t remember?”
“Obviously, or I wouldn’t be asking,” I answer dryly.
Tristan cocks an eyebrow up at me disapprovingly. “You passed out at you’re sisters, I bought you back to your studio.”
“Why you?” I question. “Why didn’t Gladys bring me back?”
Tristan tries to hide his smile. “Well, in your less than operative state you demanded to be taken home, they were all arguing as to who should take you. I asked if you wanted me to bring you home, you said yes.” I purse my lips at him.
“I did?” I mumble.
“Yes,” he smiles, his eyes twinkling – I get a flashback.
“What was going on between you and Joyce?” I narrow my eyes at him, remembering their weird exchange.
Tristan shakes his head. “Nothing.” His tone is clipped, his eyes hooded – Evidently he has something to hide, but I am in too much pain to try to work out what it is. “Are you in pain?” he asks mirroring my thoughts.
“Yes, and thirsty,” I answer and slowly sit up, my nose throbbing with the movement. Tristan walks over to my kitchenette and pours me a glass of water.
“Here, take these.” He crouches in front of me and hands me the water with a straw and two Nurofen. I pop the tablets in my mouth and take a long suck on the straw then swallow hard – Yuck I hate taking tablets! I can't breathe through my nose – at all. Great! That’s going to make eating and drinking such a pleasurable experience. Maybe there’s a nose flush or something I can get at Boots?
“Better?” Tristan asks smiling wryly at me, which instantly irritates me.
“This is all your fault,” I bark my nose protesting, throbbing painfully.
“Doubt that,” Tristan argues.
“Yes, it is,” I dispute childishly. “What were you doing there anyway?” Tristan ignores me and sits back on his heels, watching me with vague amusement. “What?” I snap.
“You haven’t eaten since yesterday, I’m going to get some breakfast,” he says, his tone soft but hiding his frustration.
“Yesterday?” I screech.
Tristan cocks his head to the side and frowns. “Yes, I’ve already told you that.” He says his eyes narrowing, as he silently watches me. My head starts banging, I hold it still, trying to ease the throbbing.
“You stayed with me all this time?” I ask.
Tristan looks up at me, his eyes full of some emotion I can't quite understand. “Yes,” he answers.
“Why?” I whisper.
He smiles warmly at me. “I wanted to make sure you were ok.” He tells me, a secret smile playing across his lips.
“What?” I snap again.
“It was quite an eventful evening.” He smirks – Oh no…we didn’t? His face falls seeing my horrified expression. “You were sleep walking and talking in your sleep,” he snaps, running a hand through his hair. “Jesus Coral, what kind of man do you think I am?” Oh no!
I place my head in my hands. “What did I say?” I whisper. “What did I do?” I am horrified, of all the people to do that in front of – I thought the sleep walking stopped years ago?
He sighs heavily. “Later, I’m going to get some food,” he says, his tone brittle. I think I’ve upset him? “Gladys tells me you were late yesterday and didn’t have breakfast,” he admonishes. “Which means you didn’t eat all day,” he adds darkly.
“I had my veggie juice,” I whisper in protest.
“Yes, and as good as that is for you, it’s not filling Coral.” I shrug and try to drink more water then we both hear my stomach rumble loudly. Tristan cocks one eyebrow up at me. “Besides, you vomited that back up, if you remember,” he adds sardonically. Double crap, so embarrassed!
“Yes,” I whisper. “I do.”
“I’m going to get a takeaway, anything in particular that you fancy?” He asks standing up sharply.
Yes you! I scowl at the floor and dri
nk more water, trying to decide. “Surprise me,” I say panting from not being able to breathe, and shivering slightly because it’s so cold.
Tristan frowns. “Are you cold?” he questions, his voice a little softer.
“No, it’s the water,” I say, drinking more because I’m so thirsty; I feel like I’ve been guzzling sea water and I need to get rid of the salt.
Tristan nods once at me and heads over to the patio door. “Tristan,” I croak, he turns back and gazes at me. “You will come back and have breakfast with me, right?”
He walks back over to me, crouches down and takes hold of my free hand. “Do you want me to?” he asks, his expression torn.
“Yes,” I whisper.
He leans forward and plants a sweet, soft kiss on my forehead, making my stomach flutter madly; then stands back up. “I won’t be long,” he says, I look up and smile shyly at him, he smiles back, his face reflecting mine, then turns away from me.
I watch his tall, strong stature walk out through the patio door. The moment he’s out of view I close my eyes and grit my teeth…what the hell have I done and said in my sleep? I groan inwardly, I’m not sure I want to know the answer to that.
I look out the patio again and wonder idly what time it is, but I think my body has caught up with me now I’m awake – I’m suddenly bursting for a pee. I stand too quickly and wobble slightly, my head aching like I’ve been hit with a truck not a five year olds head, and shuffle over to the bathroom.
Once I’m done I carefully stand, using the sink for leverage. I slowly shuffle round so I’m standing in front of the mirror. Taking a deep breath I look up at myself. The cold compress that was put across my nose has gone, so now I can see the damage that’s been done. My nose has a tiny split across it and it’s all caked in dried blood, the bruise running across it is light blue-ish and I know it will eventually go purple – Great!
My eyes are slightly swollen, with the same colour bruising running underneath them and I have panda eyes from my smudged mascara, streaks of it have encrusted themselves down my cheeks from my tears – Ugh what a mess! I look like something out of a horror movie, and what’s even more horrifying is the fact that Tristan’s seen me like this – Fucks sake!
CORAL (A Romance Trilogy, Book 1) Page 29
