CORAL (A Romance Trilogy, Book 1)

by Delaney, Clair

  He glances across at me again. “How many times a week do you see your therapist?”

  “Well, normally once…on a Tuesday.” I add smirking at him, he quickly works it out.

  “Ah…so the other day…?” he says.

  “Yes, I was due to see George.” Tristan nods and finishes his pancake. “Why did you come to Lily’s party?” I add.

  A smile flits across his face. “I was desperate to see you again.” That throws me, I wasn’t expecting him to say that. I light up inside like a star on a Christmas tree.

  “So Joyce invited you?” I whisper.

  “No, I called her to say I closed the deal for the house and that I’d be down on Saturday – I invited her out for lunch.” He adds.

  “But you knew Joyce was going to the party?” I clarify.

  “Of course I did.” A slow, sexy smile starts to play across his lips.

  “So you said that to get Joyce to invite you?”

  “Yes, so I could see you again.”

  “Hmm…” I’m not really sure how I feel about that, using Joyce that way.

  “I’m sorry. I guess that sounds really bad doesn’t it?” He says echoing my thoughts.

  I scowl at him. “Um...yeah, it kind of sucks actually, using Joyce like that.”

  “It won’t sound so bad when you hear the rest though,” he admits.

  “The rest?” I question, picking at the cardboard around my cup.

  “Yes, I thought it went so smoothly when I called Joyce and she said she couldn’t make lunch as she had the party, but then she invited me, it had worked perfectly. I was very happy, because it meant I was going to see you again. Joyce asked me to meet her at her house, so I did only when I arrived, she marched me inside, sat me down and told me she knew what I was playing at and then she started grilling me about you.”

  “About me?” I squeak. Tristan turns and sits face to face with me, tucking one foot under his butt. “Yep, that’s why we were later than everyone else.” He drains the last of his drink.

  “Well, what did Joyce say?” I question.

  “Basically she said that she feels just as responsible for you as Gladys does, and that you haven’t had it easy, and if I hurt you she’ll break my legs, or some bones or something.” Tristan smiles as though he’s remembering something really funny. My mouth pops open in shock. I can’t believe Joyce said that.

  Tristan leans forward and takes hold of my hand; instinctively I know he’s not finished. “She said that if John were alive, he would have been the one saying that to me, but now he’s gone, she feels it’s her responsibility. Then she basically asks me why I’m interested in you. I tell her the truth, which is what I told you, she’s shocked of course, but then I see her start to come around, she knows I’m not just some guy that’s well, only interested in one thing. It’s way, way more than that. We talked for a long time, and by the end of it, I think she’s ok with it you know, if you do decide to see me, she’s happy. Said you’d been on your own way too long…” Tristan stops and frowns deeply. “And I know just how that feels,” he mumbles almost to himself.

  “It sucks.” I mutter.

  Tristan smiles his sad smile. “Yeah it does,” he says.

  We sit gazing at one another again. I try to look away but his eyes seem to have some sort of persuasive power over me. Tristan breaks away first, I flick my eyes down to my coffee cup, I can’t believe Joyce did that. I take a sip of coffee then stifle a yawn.

  “Sorry.” I mumble.

  “You look tired.” I scowl at him. I’m not ready to sleep, I have some questions. “Come on,” Tristan gestures for me to move towards him. “You should sleep,” he tells me.

  I shake my head at him. “I’m not done,” I tell him.

  He cocks his head to the side. “Oh?”

  “So what did I do and say?” I ask.

  “When?” Tristan smirks. He knows what I’m talking about.

  “Don’t be obtuse Tristan,” I threaten, his grin widens. “Tristan!” I scold.

  “Ok!” He chuckles. “At about 1am this morning, you sat bolt upright and started typing, and you were talking, but I couldn’t make out what you were saying. Then about an hour later you…” He drifts off, shaking his head.

  “I what?” I whisper with wide eyes.

  “You whispered my name.” He says staring down at his hands.

  “I did?” I squeak, scowling at myself in frustration.

  “Yes.” His frown mirrors mine.

  “There’s more?” I question. Tristan nods solemnly. Oh crap! “Give it to me,” I say closing my eyes.

  “You whispered...” The tone of his voice makes me look at him, he has his eyes closed.

  “Tell me.” I plead.

  He swallows hard. “You said that you missed me, that you wanted me to stay and...” he breaks off again and opens his eyes. When they reach my shocked gaze, he clenches his jaw once then looks away.

  “And?” I push.

  “That’s it,” he croaks – I don't believe him, but I decide to leave it at that, because I'm not sure if I want to know anymore and I have other questions.

  “So you got the house?” I ask.

  “Yes.”

  “Happy?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Why not?”

  “Waiting for you to move in,” he says, grinning widely at me. My heart hammers against my chest, making me catch my breath.

  “So have you picked up the keys?” I ask. Breathe Coral.

  “Yep.”

  “Wow!”

  Tristan laughs at my expression. “You really liked that house, didn’t you?”

  “Tristan, look around you. I live in this, which is great, but it’s not a million pound house.”

  “I think this is nice.” He tells me, his eyes all warm and soulful again.

  “Oh let me guess, because I’m here, right?”

  “Yeah...” He croaks in that sexy voice of his.

  “Cheesy.” I laugh throwing a cushion at him, his reflexes are fast.

  “Hey!” He throws up his arm to protect his face. The cushion bounces off it and falls onto the floor, we both chuckle.

  “So you need stuff to put in it right, the house?” I question shyly.

  “That I do.” He says.

  “I was going to call you about that.” I say looking anywhere but at him.

  “You were?” He answers in amazement. I look back at him and silently nod. Then hold my head wincing. “We need to make our way over to the hospital at some point today.” He tells me firmly.

  “No.” I bark. “I hate hospitals,” I add grumpily.

  “That makes two of us,” he states. “But we still need to have you checked out,” he argues.

  “I’ll see my doctor Monday.” I say, the pain making me wince again.

  “You’re local G.P?” he asks. “Is he good?”

  I shrug. “I have no idea. I’m hardly ever sick so I’ve rarely been. He might not even be there anymore.” I muse.

  “We’ll see my private Doctor.” He says.

  “You already have a Doctor here?” I ask in shock.

  “Yes.” Tristan looks confused as to why I would find this shocking.

  “You sure do move fast don’t you?” I tease.

  “You should see me in my car,” he says, his eyes dancing with excitement. Yeah, I bet it’s loads of fun. I have to laugh at his animated expression, but it makes my head pound, so I hold my head in my hands again. “Ok enough talk.” Standing to his feet, he walks the couple of steps over to the patio door, pulls the curtain across, and walks back over to me.

  Taking my cup off me, he places it on the coffee table and sits next to me. Then taking me by complete surprise, he gently pulls on my upper arms so that I end up lying down, adjacent to the length of his body. I have my head on his chest, my arm across his torso, and somehow he managed to wrap his arm around me. His fingers start making smooth soft circles across my shoulder – Oh wow…this feels… a
mazing.

  “Sleep now Coral,” he softly says.

  “Hmm…” It’s so lovely and relaxing that I start to drift off. Tristan suddenly moves his leg, trapping mine underneath his. I do not like that. I try not to panic, because right now, everything else about this moment feels wonderful; and he’s not to know that would freak me out.

  I take a calming breath. “Tristan,” I say trembling slightly.

  He stills and looks down at me. “What’s wrong?” I look up at him and meet his eyes, they are watching me carefully.

  “Let go of my leg,” I tell him. He instantly releases me. I put my head back on his chest. I can hear his heart is pounding. “Are you ok?” I ask. “Your heart’s beating so fast?” I add.

  “Yeah,” he sighs, then puts his other arm around me and squeezes me tight for a moment. “Just trying to figure out what happened to you – who hurt you,” he adds. I sigh inwardly. “I know someone did,” he croaks, then goes back to rhythmically stroking me.

  I say nothing. I’m not ready to share that yet, so I close my eyes and try to drift off.

  The peaceful feeling from the dream engulfs me, I revel in it. In fact I can't quite believe this is actually happening. Then I question would this have happened if I hadn’t had the accident with Lily? Would I be lying here peacefully in his arms, not feeling any kind of negative feelings at all? The answer is no – I don’t think I would be. Gladys has always said things happen for a reason, that you might not see it’s purpose at the time, but it all has meaning.

  “Tristan,” I mumble sleepily.

  “Hmm…”

  “Did you sleep on the floor last night?”

  “Hmm…”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes.” He answers with that sexy, husky voice of his.

  “Don’t do that again.” I scold.

  “Ok.” He chuckles, it vibrates through me and I find myself smiling too.

  “Why didn’t you just take the bed?” I ask.

  “Because you were incapacitated, and I wanted to watch you, make sure you didn’t show any weird signs during the night. Plus, the bathroom is downstairs, it was just easier that way.”

  “Bathroom?” I squeak in panic, he instantly picks up on it.

  He chuckles at me. “Relax, you were out cold, I didn’t have to take you.”

  “Oh!” Relief floods through me, then I re-run his words, ‘I wanted to watch you’ “You watched me all night?” I whisper.

  “Yes,” he huskily croaks. How sweet is that?

  “Jeez Tristan you must be whacked?” He starts chuckling harder this time, then sighs in a high pitch tone.

  “You’re funny Coral,” he says, then plants a soft kiss on my hair. It’s such a sweet gesture, making my heart ache. Oh what am I doing? Falling hard, that’s what you’re doing!

  “Hey Tristan,” I mumble. I can barely keep my eyes open.

  “Hmm…”

  “Thanks for everything. Looking after me...I’m really glad you’re here.” I tell him giving him a little squeeze of my own.

  “Me too,” he whispers, squeezing me tightly again, only this time he keeps both arms wrapped around me. I am cocooned in a Tristan bubble. A stupid smile starts to play across my face. I am officially in heaven...

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  I HEAR A STRANGE TAPPING NOISE. I sleepily open my eyes. Oh, I’m still straddled over Tristan. I crane my neck back to see his face, he’s out cold. I watch him for a moment, peacefully sleeping. Then it hits me – Holy crap! I’ve been lying here sleeping with him and I’ve had the best sleep ever, no nightmares! I never did that with Justin.

  I sigh blissfully and put my head back on his chest. Tap, Tap, Tap...I frown at the noise and lift my head up. What is that?

  “Aunty Coral?” I hear Lily’s voice squeak. Am I dreaming? I look back at Tristan. I hope so, then bang, bang, bang...

  Tristan’s eyes dart open. “Did you hear that?”

  “Yes,” I groan. “I thought I was still dreaming,” I add grumpily. Tristan and I gaze at each other for a moment, the reflection in our eyes saying the same thing – our blissful time has ended for now.

  “Coral, it’s Debs, you in there?” I hear her shout.

  “Yes.” I shout back pushing myself up.

  “I’ll get it.” Tristan says, stopping me from getting up off the sofa. I watch him walk over to the patio door, pull the curtains across, unlock the door, and pull it open. Lily comes bounding in first, followed by Debs who just stares open mouthed at Tristan then at me.

  “Aunty Coral!” Lily screeches throwing herself onto me. I quickly catch her so that she doesn’t bash my nose again.

  “Hey birthday girl, did you have a nice day?” I ask.

  “Your nose looks terrible,” she tells me.

  “Thanks, how’s your head?”

  “I have a big bump,” she says proudly, touching the top of her head. I reach around and feel the lump. “Ouch!” I say.

  “It doesn’t hurt now,” she says mockingly, as though I should now this.

  “Oh good, my nose still hurts,” I tell her. She goes to poke it with her finger, with lighting quick speed I grab hold of it just in time. “No Lily, you can’t touch it, it’s too painful,” I admonish, trying not to sound too angry.

  “Sorry,” she whimpers, looking very forlorn.

  “It’s ok, just no poking!” I say playfully widening my eyes.

  Her big smile returns. “Ok!” she giggles. She looks so much like her Mom, long blonde ringlets, bright blue eyes, but she’s got her Dad’s smile. Then, she’s up off my lap and pulling on Debs hand. “Mommy, Mommy, let me show Aunty Coral,” she says excitedly.

  “Ok darling.” Debs bends down and takes something out of the big bag she’s carrying.

  “Look, look,” Lily says running over to me. I see she has already half painted one of the Russian dolls from the set.

  “Wow Lily, you did this already?” I ask quite astonished.

  “It’s her favourite present.” Debs says winking at me.

  “It is?” I say in surprise.

  “I love it,” she says jumping up and down with the energy that only a five year old can have. “Can I kiss your cheek?” she asks with big innocent wide eyes.

  “Carefully Lily!” Deb warns.

  “It’s ok,” I say and lean my cheek toward her, she kisses it lightly. “Love you Aunty Coral, thank you for my present.” Tears prick the back of my eyes. Damn it!

  “You are very welcome.” I sniff and softly stroke her cheek. Stop crying!

  “Don’t cry,” she says, her little hand gently stroking my cheek again.

  “I’m just so happy you liked your present, they’re happy tears,” I tell her. She looks a little confused at that one.

  “Lily, let Mommy talk to Aunty Coral for a moment ok. Here, play with your tablet for a while.”

  Lily shakes her head. “I want to look at the boats,” she says jumping up and down again.

  “No darling’ – “I’ll take her,” Tristan offers.

  Debs and I look up at one another, I nod to her.

  “Ok, go with Tristan. But you hold his hand and you don’t let go young lady!”

  “Ok Mommy.” She calmly walks over to Tristan and puts her tiny hand in his. Tristan smiles then shrugs, and they both walk out the studio together. Debs crosses her arms and watches them walking away. Then she turns and looks at me, her one eyebrow cocked up.

  “He’s good with her.” She says coming and sitting next to me.

  “Lily’s sweet, everyone likes her.” I admit.

  “Well you haven’t done badly there girl.” She says nodding her head towards the window.

  “It isn’t like that.” I say standing up and walking over to the kitchenette. “Tea?” I ask artlessly.

  “I know what you’re doing.” Debs says coming and standing beside me.

  “Really, what am I doing Debs?” I argue.

  “Avoiding the fact, as usual,” sh
e says flicking her blonde hair back.

  “Debs, seriously my head is banging, I feel like I’ve had a nose job. Can't you just...” I sigh heavily and begin making the tea.

  “Alright, don’t get your knickers in a twist.” She huffs.

  “My knickers are not twisted.” I bark back.

  “Well I would,” she sniggers. “He’s got a wicked, sexy body, a really cute arse, and he’s pretty dreamy in the looks department too.” She swoons.

  “Debs! You’re married.” I gasp in horror.

  “I am well aware of that, doesn’t mean I can't fantasise.” She says dreamily. Ew!

  “You fantasise about other men?” I am shocked.

  “Hey, there’s no harm in looking!”

  “But...you’re happy with Scott though, right?”

  “Of course I am. I still think he’s the sexiest man ever, it’s just…well, I would be going for it if I were in your shoes,” she says teasingly.

  I roll my eyes at her. “Right, duly noted,” I say handing her a cuppa. We make our way back over to the sofa, I carefully sit down.

  “God Coral does it really hurt that much?” She says all big sisterly. Reaching across and rubbing my back.

  “Yeah, I was thinking about that earlier. I think it’s so bad because as Lily bounced up I was coming down, made more of an impact I think.”

  “You could be right,” she says cupping my hair behind my ear. “You’re going to the hospital today though?” She asks softly.

  “No, I hate hospitals...you know that!” She goes to argue with me. “I am not spending all day in A&E just to be told to go home and take pain killers...besides, Tristan’s taking me to see his doc tomorrow.”

  “Is he now?” Debs grins widely. I roll my eyes at her again and take a sip of my tea. “So is there anything there?” I look at her wide-eyed expression.

  “Maybe…” I finally admit. “But it’s difficult. He’s my new boss...so that doesn’t make it...” I stop right there. I don’t want her nagging me about it every five seconds.

  “Ok, I get the hint. Just trying to find out the juicy gossip,” she giggles and takes a sip of her tea. Just as I’m taking another sip of my tea, I get a flashback of us arguing.