I feel like I’m on cloud nine, like I’m in some sort of dream. I turn and giggle at him, he shakes his head at me, his smile widening.
When I reach the patio doors, I see a large balcony that juts out with tables and chairs. I instantly imagine myself sitting outside with a glass of chardonnay watching the sun setting across the sea.
I turn to Tristan and puff out my cheeks, exhaling all the air slowly.I walk back over to him and as I reach him, I know I have to ask, it’s been bugging me since the door was opened, actually before that...
“Tristan,” I whisper just in-case the agent is close by. “How much is this place?” I ask in wide eyed awe.
“It’s rude to ask.” He softly scolds, but I can tell he’s teasing me.
“I know. I’m just intrigued. Maybe I can buy it?” I chuckle.
“It’s on the market for one, seven, seven five.” I look up at him in confusion. That’s way too cheap; somebody must have put it up wrong. “One million, seven hundred and seventy five,” he clarifies.Whoa!
I swallow hard and cross my arms. “Guess I won’t be buying it,” I grumble as I walk over to the large bespoke kitchen, Tristan follows me. “But I’ll be dreaming about this place for weeks, I’ve never walked around a house so big. Maybe the rich really are happy if they’re living in huge places like this?” I mumble to myself.
“What does that mean?” He half chuckles.
I moan, instantly wishing I hadn’t said anything.
“Nothing, just ignore me.” I say wafting my hand, staring up in wonder at the spotlighting above the centre console.
“That’s impossible,” he whispers.
My mouth pops open in shock. I stare back at him with wide eyes.
I can't believe he just said that! Maybe Rob is right?
We gaze at each other for the longest time; the room seems to charge with something electrical. I feel it buzzing through my veins, heating my blood. I feel like I’ve been electrocuted? I suddenly feel very hot and flustered.
The agent walks back in catching us unawares. “Shall we move on?” he asks.
“Coral.” Tristan holds out his hand to me again, I take it without thinking about it this time and we head towards the stairs leading to the bedrooms.As we make our way up, I subtly shake my head and smile internally, not one of the stairs creak, not like my place; I guess it’s all about the finishing touches.
As we reach the open-plan landing, the agent takes us to the left, showing us the first bedroom with en-suite, which is just breathtaking, floor to ceiling tiling, bespoke furnishings. Then back out in the hallway, he leads us forward and shows us two further bedrooms with en-suites. Both these rooms are bigger than the first, but in all honesty, all of these bedrooms are bigger than my little studio. Oh, to have this much space!
I’m going to feel so claustrophobic when I get home tonight. I wonder if I should stay with Gladys instead? We move on to the next bedroom which is the largest, so I’m guessing this must be the master bedroom. Then my mind confirms it. It has to be, it has a walk-in closet/dressing area.
Then the agent brings us back out into the hallway and we climb another set of stairs I hadn’t even noticed were there.
As we reach the top floor the agent opens the door.“Master bedroom, large en-suite bathroom, ceiling height patio doors, leading onto balcony...” I gasp in shock – It has ceiling height windows too, and the view....Wow, it’s even more breathtaking up here.
I turn around and take in the huge room, set back against the wall so you would wake up to this magnificent view is the huge bed, and either side of the bed are two doors.
The agent walks over and opens one up. “Separate walk in closets.” He closes the door, walks diagonally across the room and opens a door to my left. “Master en-suite, comprising of double shower, bespoke bath, double sinks, W.C and bidet.”
Tristan lets go of my hand and follows the agent into the en-suite, I turn and stare out at the view, I’m starting to feel very overwhelmed – So this is what money can buy?
I take a step forward and I’m lost in a magical world. I feel like a princess in a fairy tale who’s just found out she owns a beautiful, elegant house at the top of a hill – “Coral,” I hear his footsteps approaching me, pulling me out of my secret little fantasy.
“Yes,” I whisper staring out to sea.
“That has to be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” he says.
“Yes, the views are just...stunning,” I whisper, agreeing completely.
“I wasn’t talking about the view,” he softly says.
My breath hitches hearing him say that. I close my eyes for a moment – Me?
He was talking about me? No, surely not? He must have blinkers on or something?
I swallow hard and slowly turn to stare at him with wide, cautious eyes.He’s casually leaning up against the wall with his hands in his pockets, gazing at me, looking every inch, the millionaire mogul – Man, he’s sexy...
I swallow hard against the lump in my throat and look away, trying my best to fix my gaze out to sea.In my peripheral vision I see him walk towards me – Oh God, what does he want?
As he reaches me, he stands directly aside me, just staring down at me. I can hear him breathing, he’s that close. He leans down towards me, and as he does, I hear his breath catch. What’s he doing?
I keep my frozen, wide eyed gaze, fixed firmly ahead. If I look at him, I swear I’ll just become putty in his hands.
“Mr Freeman?” The agent calls out.
Tristan sighs heavily, I feel like I have no choice but to look up at him. He closes his eyes briefly in annoyance then looks down at me; his look is heated, hot - Oh Crap!
“Excuse me,” he says, gently touching my elbow then walking off to find the agent. I exhale slowly, not realising I’d been holding my breath and try to gather my scattered thoughts.
In a daze, I head into the large en-suite. It’s huge, and the furnishings...they look so nice, so new. I walk over and stare down at the huge, egg shaped bath, oh what I wouldn’t give to have a place with a bath.
I close my eyes and imagine I'm taking a long hot soak, on cold winters night, candles surrounding me, music softly playing in the background – I sigh inwardly, feeling melancholy.
“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 be freaking out, why aren’t I freaking out?
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 wi
den, 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, 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 definitely 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, then 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 a
way.” 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, then 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 an 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.
Darkest Fears Trilogy: Fallen For Him / Freed By Him / Forever With Him Page 13