CORAL (A Romance Trilogy, Book 1)

by Delaney, Clair

  I grit my teeth at myself, take the two steps needed and crush myself against his chest, wrapping my arms tightly around his strong, muscular back.

  “I’m so sorry,” I choke. He hesitantly wraps his arms around me and gently rocks me.

  “It’s ok baby. You don’t have to be sorry.” He softly says.

  “But I walked out on you,” I choke.

  “Yes, I know,” he shudders. “What do you want Coral? Do you want to be alone, or do you’ – “No, I want to be with you,” I interrupt, closing my eyes and inhaling his intoxicating scent.

  “Oh baby, I want to be with you too.” Tristan kisses my hair several times. “Coral, what do you need?”

  “You,” I whisper. I hear his soft chuckle and look up at him.

  “I need you too,” Tristan says, finally smiling at me. He reaches up and takes my face in his hands. “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to, ok?” I nod once. “You didn’t eat much earlier. Are you hungry?” I shake my head. “Thirsty?” I shake my head again and start to smile, Tristan’s grin widens in response. “Hmm. What to do?” He says.

  “Stay here,” I reply, squeezing him tighter. I may not like strangers touching me, but ever since I came to realise that Gladys wasn’t bad, I always loved her hugs – they make me feel safe, loved. Just like Tristan’s hugs, only Tristan’s are better, so much better.

  “I have a better idea.” He says, smiling broadly now.

  “You do?” I squeak, looking up at those mesmerizing chocolate eyes of his.

  Tristan nods once, his serious expression is back. “Dance with me?” He asks.

  “Now?” I squeak. Tristan nods once. “Here?” He nods again, looking down at me with such a loving expression, that I have only one answer. “Ok,” I shrug. “But we don’t even have any music?” I add.

  “Stay there.” He grins and walks over to the kitchen.

  Moments later I hear a guitar rift start. I instantly recognize the tune – Hero, Enrique Iglesias. My heart starts manically beating…oh the words…this song… it’s so beautiful… I feel very overwhelmed and have to fight to stop myself crying.

  Tristan walks over to me, his eyes wide, and his hand held out. I place my hand in his. Without a word, he pulls me into him, and spins us around a couple of times, making me smile. Then we slowly dance our way around the empty space of the living area, Tristan is so good at this.

  ***

  I AM DREAMING I’M ON THE BOAT AGAIN. Tristan is calling me, but I don’t feel the same warm, blissful feeling as I did before. I feel on edge, like all my senses are on hyper alert. I can sense there’s danger. Tristan calls my name again, only it sounds slightly twisted, like...like he can't breathe? I immediately know something’s really wrong.

  I silently head up the stairs, Tristan’s calls are becoming more frantic, like he’s trying to find me, but he can't. I want to call out to him, but a voice inside my head tells me not to, that I shouldn’t alert anyone to my presence.

  As I reach the top of the stairs I scan the deck, I can’t see Tristan anywhere. As I look up above me, I notice the sun isn’t shining like before, dark ominous black clouds have covered it, pushing the blue sky away. The wind starts to howl, whipping my hair around my face, and I can hear thunder in the distance. I look out to the horizon, forks of lighting are lighting it all up, giving me a glimpse of the coming storm.

  I hear Tristan’s strangled sob as he calls my name again. It’s like he’s got no strength left in him? I launch myself onto the deck staying low to the ground, I need to find him. Searching the deck on bended knee, I finally locate him. No! Tristan!

  He’s tied to the mainsail, his arms are bound and bleeding, he can’t move at all, and his head is lolling from side to side, blood oozing down the left side.

  “Tristan,” I whisper trying to get his attention. I call to him three times, then finally he groggily opens his eyes and when he sees me; they widen with fear.

  “Run!” He growls so menacingly I shudder inside.

  “What?” I frown back at him and take a step forward holding my hand out to him.

  “I said run!” He barks so loudly at me; it makes me jump.

  “Tristan,” I whisper. “What’s wrong?” His eyes suddenly move from focusing directly on me to behind me.

  “Behind you! Move!” He bellows.

  I whip my head round just as Susannah hits me across the head with something hard. As I fall onto the hard wooden deck, she launches herself on top of me. She looks shabby and her hair is all over the place, her lips pulled back over her teeth.

  I can feel her hands crushing my throat – Oh fuck! I can't breathe!

  “He’s mine!” She screams psychotically. “Mine!” Her hands grip my throat even tighter.

  I can feel I'm losing consciousness. I look up into her black eyes, she looks totally deranged. I go for a couple of gut punches, but each time I hit her, she squeezes even harder.

  I can feel myself slipping under, and right before I do, my very last thought is of Tristan, his safety and my love for him. I look up at him, from my strange position on the deck, I see him upside down, trying to free himself; he looks totally enraged – Tristan…

  Finally, the blackness envelopes me...

  Want to know what happens in CORAL – Fallen?

  Click on this link and it will take you straight to the next book in this awesome series – http://amzn.to/1BDVY5K

  Author Bio

  Ok readers, let’s keep it simple. Did I dream of becoming a writer? No. Did I spend countless hours writing stories when I was a child? No. (I actually was an artist and told my mother - when I was five - that I wanted to work for Walt Disney) So why are you writing? I hear you say...Well, it’s kind of a funny story – but far too boring to share! You know, stuff like never knowing what job I wanted, what makes me happy, what am I really good at, all that life affirming kind of stuff – Pretty boring, right?...

  So here I am. Yes, I have written a trilogy – well actually, you could say I did, but in my humble opinion, Coral and Tristan wrote it, I was just the portal – there puppet if you like. Sounds strange right, and kind of schizophrenic, but from what I’ve learned, most writers would agree. If it’s a really good story, the characters take over - And I have loved, I mean really loved bringing Coral and Tristan’s story to life. Coral has made me laugh and cry (especially the prologue of her early years) and I too, have swooned over Tristan.

  I am hoping plenty of my fellow readers out there enjoy my style of writing, as I have many more stories to tell and would love to make a career out of this – But I guess time will tell, as it always does. However, you could really help me out there. As a brand new author (and because you think I’m really great) would you do me the honour of writing a review of CORAL? If that’s a yes, which I really appreciate, Amazon will prompt you at the end of this book – I really would be very grateful!

  Other boring stuff – What do I love? That’s easy – Books, writing and reading them. Art, Music, Dancing, Movies, Photography, Cooking – Basically, if it’s creative, I love it. – Oh, and I’m a huge fan of this very beautiful planet of ours. I love learning about this earth we call home, and all the creatures that live on it too. From the tiny ant to the huge African Elephant – my favourite mammal, I think they are fascinating. My ultimate dream, always has been (and always will be) to go on a African Safari – someday, hopefully, that dream will come true - Anyway, enough about me!

  If you would like to contact me, do so at the email address below. I would love to answer your questions, or simply read your feedback and comments. I will reply as soon as humanly possible.

  Email me at claird1976@gmail.com

  Or find me on Facebook or Twitter page as follows :-

  Facebook.com/ClairDelaneyAuthor

  Twitter - @CDelaney_Author

  Sorry folks, but here’s the boring copyright bit!

  CORAL - By Clair Delaney - Copyright © 2014 by Clair Delaney

&
nbsp; The moral rights of the author have been asserted. All characters and events in this e-book other than those clearly in the public domain are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidence - All right reserved. This e-book is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the author, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text, maybe a direct infringement of the authors rights, and those responsible maybe liable in law accordingly.

  One Last Thing...

  When you turn this page you’ll be greeted with a request from Amazon to rate this book and post your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter. How cool is that?

  Be the first of your friends to use this innovative technology. Your friends get to know what you’re reading and I, for one, will be forever grateful to you.

  Big hugs and kisses,

  Clair Delaney.