Darkest Fears Trilogy: Fallen For Him / Freed By Him / Forever With Him

by Clair Delaney

  “Yes, I always am,” she states, pulling a chair up next to me.

  My appetite vanishes.“I’ll just get rid of this,” I say, taking my bowl into the kitchen with me.Great, I don’t do well with new people and she’s going to be here all week. Marvellous!

  Once I’ve washed my bowl and spoon, I decide to visit the ladies, purely so I can avoid Blondie a little more. Checking my bun is still in place, I stare back at myself in the mirror.Maybe it’s the lighting in here, but I notice I’ve got grey circles appearing under my eyes – Lack of sleep, too much shagging!– and that my cheeks look sallower – Not eating enough! – Ok, smart arse enough!

  I take a step back and check myself in the full mirror, straightening my white blouse and running my hands down my dark blue suit trousers, my thoughts go to little miss perfect, who’s sat at my desk, who’s.....I think back to last night, to how sweet Tristan was when we took a bath together.Then I sigh inwardly, remembering the conversation that happened during dinner…

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  I PICK UP THE BOTTLE OF CASILLERO DEL DIABLO, it’s my favourite Cabernet Sauvignon, and place it on the kitchen table. The lights are off, I have the electronic candles on, and my favourite artist is softly playing in the background. It’s my own mix of Bryan Adams; all his love songs. Where Angels Fear to Tread is playing, the words reflecting how I feel about Tristan, how easily he seems to have got into my head.

  I take a step back and admire my handy work. Yes, this looks very romantic. I call Tristan again. He’s been holed up in his office while I cooked dinner.Finally, he comes strolling out of his office. When he reaches me, he takes me in his arms and kisses me hard, tipping me back so my hair skims the floor. Whoa!

  When he’s finished this little romantic display of affection, he looks down at the table.“Very romantic,” he says, smiling down at me.

  I smile shyly at him.“Take a seat,” I say and walk over to the kitchen to collect our meals. As I walk back to Tristan, he picks up the wine and pours a little in each of our glasses. I place our meals down and take a seat next to him.

  “Wow!” He beams at me.

  “Don’t start that again,” I warn.

  He leans down and takes a big whiff. “Smells delicious.”

  I roll my eyes at him and laugh. I have made Beef Wellington with a red wine jus, creamy mashed potatoes, and served them with roasted asparagus and carrots.

  “How long has Susannah worked for you?” I ask as I tuck into my meal.

  “This is delicious,” Tristan beams. I roll my eyes. “Another signature dish,” he adds.

  “Tristan!” I scold.

  “I’ve already told you, six years,” he says.I calculated it correctly, Tristan split with that woman when Susannah had been working for him for a year.

  “Did she know?” I ask.

  “Know what?” he asks taking a large gulp of red wine, he looks frustrated.

  “Why are you getting frustrated?” I question.

  “I'm not,” he argues petulantly, then frowns taking another forkful.

  “Yes you are,” I laugh.

  Tristan places his knife and fork at the side of his plate, puts his elbows on the table and folds his hands in front of him.“What do you want to know?”

  “Did she know you split with that woman?” I repeat.

  “No. I’ve told you I'm very private. I don’t mix business with pleasure.” I cock one eyebrow up, and smile wryly at him.

  “Except for me,” I whisper.

  Tristan smirks. “Yes, except for you.”

  “So...did you...?” I don't know how to ask without him thinking I'm getting weird about her.

  “Did I what?” He asks.

  “You know...well did you ever consider Susannah as’ – “No,” he interrupts. “She is definitely not my type.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I like brunettes.”

  “The other woman was dark haired?” I squeak.

  “The other woman?” he asks, his head cocked to the side.

  “Um...yeah the one who…you know…cheated on you,”I end in a whisper.

  Tristan sighs, picks up his cutlery and tucks into his meal.“Yes, she was,” he finally says.

  Hmph! I pictured a blonde.

  “Susannah is pretty, stunning even. She’s smart, sophisticated...” I want to say she wears skirts that are so tight you can see her stocking belt, but I refrain myself.

  “And?” his cheeks start to flush giving him away.

  “I just thought...” I trail off. Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree here?

  Tristan sighs. “I agree Coral, she’s is pretty and smart, but not for me.”

  “Why not?” I question.

  “What’s with the twenty questions about Susannah?” I shrug nonchalantly. “Oh come on! There has to be a reason?” Tristan argues.

  “I just want to get a better idea of her that’s all. I’m going to be working with her all week,” I answer artlessly. I take a large gulp of wine, then top up both our glasses.

  “She’s not that bad,” Tristan frowns, taking a drink of wine.

  Hmm…There’s something there, I know there is–Maybe a drunken Christmas Party?

  I think back to the first time I met her, how she touched Tristan’s arm, the way she smiled at him. I wonder…And before I can stop the words from falling out of my mouth, I say it.

  “Have you slept with her?” I whisper, my heart in my mouth.

  Tristan turns his gaze on me, he looks pissed –Uh-oh!

  “No. I have not,” he scolds, his voice deep and husky.

  “So there’s never been anything there?” I confirm.Tristan stops eating, stealing a glance at me he picks up his wine, then leans back in his chair and appraises me.“What?” I murmur, wondering if he’s about to tell me off!

  “A few years ago, before she was married, Susannah admitted to...liking me.” I frown at the way he hesitated and said liking.

  “You mean loved you,” I say, sounding like a sulky teenager.

  Tristan’s eyes dart up to meet mine.“Coral, you have to believe me’– “So what happened?” I interrupt. Tristan sighs heavily and takes a drink of wine. “I told her the truth,which was I didn’t feel the same, she took it gracefully and that was that.”

  “Weird,” I mumble.

  “Sorry?” Shit I didn’t think he’d hear that.

  “I just think it’s weird that she carried on working for you that’s all. I mean it can’t have been easy, falling in love with the boss only for him to say ‘no sorry not interested’ that would’ve been enough to make me want to leave.” I take a forkful of food.

  Tristan shrugs.“She assured me it was no problem, and so far it hasn’t been,” he says, scrutinizing my expression. I try to put on my mask on, but it doesn’t work. “Don't go dragging up the past with her Coral,” he warns.

  “Wasn’t planning on it,” I say, laughing sarcastically. Then I drink some more wine, its making me brave.

  “I mean it. She’s a valued employee. I don't want to lose her,” Tristan adds in a firm voice.

  I glare back at Tristan.“Fine,” I whine, holding my hands up in surrender.

  So I was right all along, I thought there was something subliminally nagging away at me about her. I still think it’s weird that she stayed. I decide that maybe Blondie and I should go out to lunch together, maybe if I word it right I can get it out of her, I'm sure there’s more there.

  Inspiration hits, I could act like I'm infatuated with Tristan and ask Susannah about his dating history, whether he’s single, blah, blah, blah – Yeah that ought to do it.

  “I was thinking about getting back into my routine,” I say, changing the subject.

  “Routine?” He still looks a little pissed.

  “Yeah, swimming every morning,” I explain.

  “Mix it up baby,” he reminds me.

  “Oh yeah, I will. Thanks for reminding me, but I still want to start my day with a swim tomo
rrow. Can we check out the pool after dinner?”

  “Of course we can. Another room we haven’t christened.” Tristan grins at me with dark heated eyes, everything south of my waist contracts, if that’s what we are doing then we have tons more rooms to do.

  A big grin spreads across my face. When I think of the possibilities!

  Tristan finishes his meal in double quick time. I’m eating slowly again –What is wrong with my appetite?

  “Are you finished?” he asks disapprovingly, eyeing my half eaten plate of food.

  “Uh-huh.” Tristan picks up our plates. I watch him take them into the kitchen, clean them off and put them in the dishwasher – He cleans up too, he really is too good to be true!

  I turn back to the window and stare out at the glowing sunset, red, orange, blue and purple all mingled together – It’s so beautiful.

  “So,” Tristan whispers his arms snaking around my waist, his lips grazing my ear, making me catch my breath. “You want to go swimming?” he asks, his voice all husky, sending shivers all over my body.

  I shake my head, my mind completely changed. I twist my head to face his, take one of his hands and place it over my right breast.“No, right now I have other ideas.” Grasping his hair by the nape, I pull his lips to mine and kiss him passionately...

  I LEAN AGAINST THE SINK IN THE LADIES in a vain attempt to stretch out my legs. I’m having to work very hard on not walking funny today!

  Damn Tristan and his acrobatics in bed!

  As I go into another yoga move, my mind wanders to the conversation that followed after dinner...

  WE ARE ON THE FLOOR IN THE CINEMA ROOM. I am spread out across Tristan’s torso, my chin resting on his chest as we both catch our breath. Tristan has his eyes closed, his fingertips continue to make smooth circles across my back, he seems very happy, sated.

  “I was thinking about what you said the other day, about going out for dinner.” He doesn’t answer me. “Shall we go out on Friday, when you get back?” I ask.

  Pulling me up by the shoulders, so we are almost nose to nose, Tristan leans towards me and kisses my cheek. “I’d love to take you out.”I smile like a love struck teenager.

  “So where to?” I ask. hoping he doesn’t take me to some really posh place. I'm much more comfortable in places like Las Iguanas.

  “Oh no you don’t, it will be a surprise.” Crap! What am I meant to wear?“What are you worrying about?” he asks, reading me easily.

  “If I don't know where we’re going, how am I supposed to know what to wear?” Tristan gazes at me for a moment.

  “That’s easy, I’ll be in a suit so....” He says, grinning sexily at me.

  My heart stutters, picturing Tristan in a suit and dining out with him. It’s going to be very hard not to jump over the table and rip it off him, then make mad, passionate love to him.

  “What are you thinking?” Tristan leans into me and kisses my neck, right below my ear. “Your breathing’s hitched up, your eyes are dilated. I'm intrigued, what are you thinking?”

  I clear my throat in an attempt to speak.“How sexy you look in a suit,” I whisper.

  “Sexy eh?” He’s still trailing soft kisses up and down my neck. I clamp my legs together in some sort of effort to stay in control.

  “Very,” I whisper.

  “I’ll have to remember that,” he chuckles kissing me once more, then he leans his head back and closes his eyes.

  “Why?” I ask, my voice sounding all floaty.

  “So I can tease you at work,” he says, his deep dimpled smile dazzling me.

  “You wouldn’t!” I admonish.

  Tristan chuckles hard, the vibration of it spreading through me, making me smile along with him,I shake my head at his teasing ways...

  IN A COMPLETE DAZE, I head out of the restroom. I’m half way down the long hallway, when I swear I hear Tristan’s voice - I instantly freeze.

  Ok, now I'm thinking I can hear him and I know for a fact he’s on his way to London, I’m losing it!Taking another couple of steps forward my desk comes into view, I instantly stop walking – Tristan is stood there and he’s talking to Susannah.

  At first, I think I'm actually hallucinating and squeeze my eyes shut then open them – Nope he’s still there! –Then I pinch myself, thinking I might actually be dreaming and I haven’t woken up for work yet – Nope he’s still there!

  What is he doing here? He told me he was leaving not long after me, I wanted to walk from his place this morning, but after having sex for the third time; I knew I wouldn’t make it on foot, so he got Stuart to drop me off.

  I sigh heavily, so he really is here. I wish he wasn’t. All I want to do is take him upstairs to the boardroom, lock the door, close the blinds, rip that damn sexy suit of him and shag him senseless.

  I try to close my eyes so I can get my head together, get some rational thinking going on, but I'm captured by Tristan.I could watch him all day, the way he moves, walks, talks, laughs, but then something else catches my eye.

  Tristan has made a joke, Susannah’s head falls back as she laughs along with him, and for a tiny second I can see how good they would be together.They haven’t noticed me yet, so I lean against the wall, cross my arms and stand watching them.

  Tristan is laughing freely with Susannah, he looks so relaxed, so much so that I wonder whether I’ve actually seem him that relaxed with me.

  And as for Susannah, married or not, I can see straight through her pretences, she still likes Tristan – a lot.In fact, I would go as far as to say she’s still in love with him.

  How is Tristan not seeing this?

  Oh! She’s got it bad, she’s hiding it well though, but not well enough for me not to notice, and unfortunately for her, that rears up the ugly green eyed monster within me.

  I have to fight the urge to stomp over to them, and tell them both to get a room!

  Shaking my head at myself and taking several deep breaths, I square my shoulders and walk over to my desk.

  “Good morning Coral.” Tristan winks at me. I hope Susannah didn’t see him do that. Besides, he shouldn’t have, we are at work!

  “Good morning Mr Freeman,” I answer politely, keeping my face deadpan.

  Susannah looks from me to Tristan, her eyes narrowing.

  “Did you have a nice weekend?” he questions sweetly. Bastard!

  He knows exactly what we did this weekend – Sex lots of it, exploring each other’s bodies! My heart starts hammering, and my sex starts throbbing frantically, so I decide to wind him up.

  “Very quiet, a little boring actually,” I say raising my eyebrows at him, then I take a breath and his scent reaches me, knocking me for six – Oh, he smells so good.

  I take a deep calming breath and pull my chair out, before my legs give way and sit down.

  “Oh?” Tristan cocks his head to the side, his lips twitching as he tries to hide his smile. Jesus Christ he looks good!

  “Can I get you anything Mr Freeman?” I say, trying not to sound too stern.

  Tristan smiles his dimpled, sexy smile. “No thank you Coral. Is Joyce free?”

  I pick up the handset and dial her.“Mr Freeman would like to see you.” Joyce tells me to let him come through. I put the handset down, walk over to the door and open it for Tristan.

  “Thank you Coral.” His eyes scream sex as he walks past me into Joyce’s office. I grit my teeth at him, and quickly pull the door shut before my knees buckle on me.God he smells divine.

  As I turn and walk over to my desk, I notice Susannah is eyeing me suspiciously. Crap, I hope she didn’t pick up on anything!

  “So how are you feeling about the change Coral?” She’s probing!

  “Let get to work,” I say ignoring her question completely. Susannah pulls a face, but doesn’t say anything.“You’ll need to give me half hour to get these urgent letters done for Joyce, and then we can start the training,” I add, opening up the first document.

  “Have I done something wrong?” S
he asks all innocently. What! Besides eye fucking my man? No not at all!

  “No.” I answer smartly, trying to concentrate.

  “I think I’ll go get a coffee, would you like one?” She asks.

  “No thanks, I’m good.” Susannah stands and walks away.

  The moment she’s gone I release my breath, not realising I’d been holding it, and stare blankly at my screen – This week is going to be hellish!

  Right at that moment Tristan comes sauntering out of Joyce’s office, closing the door behind him.

  “You!” I hiss. Tristan’s eyes widen with apprehension.

  “Me?” He asks all innocently, pointing to his lovely strong chest.

  “Yes you!” I squeak, rising from my seat to a standing position.

  “What?” He chuckles, obviously amused by my apparent hissy fit.

  “Don't do that!” I scold.

  “Do what?” He smiles, his dimples deepening.

  “Wink at me and tease me in front of Blondie.” Oops!

  “Blondie?” He repeats, his voice low and definitely not amused. He frownsdown at me, all traces of humour gone – Crap!

  “Yes, she still likes you Tristan!” I cross my arms in an attempt to be mad at him. “You seemed very comfortable with her, laughing away together.” I couldn’t drip more sarcasm into my voice if I tried.“Do you like her Tristan?” I question my voice squeaking a little too much.

  Tristan crosses his arms and glares back at me.“Do I really need to answer that question?” He says his voice full of disapproval.

  “Yes!” I squeak.

  He rolls his eyes at me and shakes his head. “Did I, or did I not ask you to marry me?” he questions.

  “Yes, but that’s not the point!” I argue.

  “Not the point?” He chokes. “I think it makes it blatantly clear it’s only you I want.”

  “You’re still missing the point!” I squeak.

  “Am I?” He questions, frowning at me.

  “Yes! Look at it from my perspective, firstly you’ve worked together a long time and you’ve told me she admitted to you that she likes you’– I close my eyes and pinch my nose – ‘Secondly, you must have blinkers on or something to not see how much she’s still attracted to you. What if she finds out? What am I meant to say to her? It could get very ugly.”