“We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Which will it be Coral?” He says with his head cocked to the side.
I narrow my eyes at him.“This is ridiculous,” I huff. “I can walk you know, I’m not an invalid,” I add.
“I wouldn’t be doing this if you walked out the hospital by yourself, but you didn’t, so stop arguing,” he says, his voice low.I roll my eyes at him in annoyance, but somewhere, deep down inside, I love that he is being this protective, this careful with me.
Tristan slides in next to me, and takes hold of my hand.
“Coral, I know you want to walk through that door, to prove something to yourself maybe, I don't know, but that’s not going to happen, not in a million years. I had to really fight to get you discharged this soon, and it’s on the proviso that you get plenty of rest, which means no exertion and no walking about. You heard what the doctor said, take it nice and easy. So, am I driving you back to hospital, or are we going in?” Tristan’sone eyebrow raises as he waits for my answer.
“Fine!” I grumble knowing he’s right.
Tristan tries to hide the smirk that appears across his face and holds his arms out again. I wrap my hands around his neck, and he gently lifts me into his lap, then with absolute ease, he exits the car with me in his arms.
“What?” I question, he’s lost his grin and his broody look is back.
“You’ve lost a lot of weight,” he says. I roll my eyes at him. What does he expect?
“That’s because I was comatose for ten days, what’s your excuse?” I question, because he’s lost weight too.
“My fiancé nearly died,” he answers morosely. “Kind of lost my appetite,” he adds.
I swallow hard and gaze at him – Jeez, he really has lost weight, his face looks really thin.
“Ready?” he asks, I nod and look up at the house.
I get an instant flashback, seeing Tristan tied up and bleeding, I clench my hands into fists, close my eyes and try to push the memory away – Focus Coral!
I take a deep breath and pull on my memory of Tristan making love to me in front of the fire, the night he proposed, I’m instantly flooded with a warm homely feeling – Good, better, keep thinking like that!
“Hey, ok?” Tristan asks as we stand on the doorstep.
As I look up at the house again, I have to admit, it does feel strange being back, I try to smile.
“I need to know your ok about living here Coral, after what happened’ – “Stop,” I say placing my finger against his lips. “I love this house, it’s beautiful. This is where I want to be Tristan, it already feels like this is our home, I don't want to move,” I tell him.
“You don't?” he questions, I shake my head at him. “Ok, we stay,” he says.
Tristan nods to Stuart, who has been patiently waiting for us, and opens the front door.
“Thanks Stu,” Tristan says and walks into the entrance hallway.
Iexpect to hear the voices of my family and friends shouting surprise, as per Rob’s info, but the house is empty, there’s not a soul in site? Tristan walks us into the kitchen and sits me down on the breakfast bar. I turn and see Stuart close the door, then walk over to us with my bag.
“Sir, shall I take this up for you?”
“No, that’s fine Stuart, thanks,” Tristan answers.
Stuart nods to Tristan, and disappears up the stairs, I guess he’s gone to his room– Better remember not to walk around the house naked!
I look around the huge expanse again, where is everybody? – Was Rob winding me up?
“What?” Tristan chuckles. “You look disappointed,” he adds.
“Do I?” I breathe, trying not to give it away that I know.
“Thirsty?” Tristan asks.
“Yeah...” I say.
“Coffee, orange juice, water. What would you like?” he asks.
“Wine would be nice,” I answer dryly.
Tristan chuckles at me. “It’s ten in the morning Coral!”
“So...?” I whine, feeling antsy.
Tristan shakes his head at me. “No, no way. No alcohol until you’re off your painkillers,” he tells me.
“Fine,” I mumble.I look around the kitchen and wrap my arms around myself, this feels so strange. I get another flashback of running round the house trying to find Tristan – I take a deep breath and slowly blow it out.Tristan walks over to me with two Champagne flutes, a bottle of bubbly, and some orange juice.
“I thought you said’ – “It’s alcohol free,” he beams interrupting me.
“Oh...” I watch him pop the cork with ease and pour a little into each glass, then he tops them both up with a little orange juice. He hands one to me and clicks his glass against mine.
“Welcome home baby,” he leans down and gently presses his lips against mine.Desire explodes within me – I grip his hair at the nape with my free hand and kiss him, hard.
“Whoa, whoa!” He puts his glass down and takes a step back, holding his hands up in the air.
I instantly feel rejected and I hate feeling like that. “How long are you going to keep denying me?” I hiss.
“Not until your better,” he snaps, clenching his jaw. But my kiss must have affected him; he’s breathing heavier than he was a moment ago and his eyes have dilated.
“Tristan, if we just take it easy’ – “No!” he snaps.
I feel tearful and angry again, shaking my head at him, I glug the drink back in one go, ease myself off the breakfast bar and hobble towards the stairs.
“Baby don't’ – “Don't what?” I snap, stopping by the stairs.
Tristan clenches his jaw, walks over to me and grasps my face between his hands. His eyes are wide and dilated; his look intense. Oh! – I swallow hard.
“You think I don't want to, well you’re wrong. I want you more now than I ever have,” he closes his eyes and leans his forehead against mine. “Can’t you see that?” he asks.
“No,” I sniff.
“Baby, you’re in no state to be doing this, what if I unintentionally hurt you?” he says.
“I don't care, I’ll take the pain. I just want to feel you, be with you, and you’re making me feel like a criminal. If I get it out of my system, I’m more likely to relax....” I swallow hard at the lump that’s formed, and try to continue.“Tristan the last time I saw you, you asked me to leave, you ended it. Then I find you half dead...tied up...bleeding...” I break off unable to continue.
“I know...” he sighs. “There hasn’t been a single day that has passed without me thinking about that, I was stupid and angry and...” He breaks off and looks down at me with a painful, sorrowful look. “If I’d have lost you,” he trembles.
“Why did you do that?” I whisper.
“Do what?” He questions, his brows pulling together.
“Tell me to go after we argued about Susannah?” I whisper.
“I will tell you,” he says. “I give you my word I will, but not now. Can I show you my surprise first?” He questions.
“Surprise?” I question, frowning up at him.
“Yes.” He smiles, his eyes crinkling sweetly at the corners, his dimples deepening. I really want answers, but I guess we have loads of time.
“Ok, fine.” I answer mulishly.
He leans down and kisses me softly on the lips.“Don't move,” he says.I watch Tristan walk over to his glass, drink it down in one go, then he makes his way back over to me – Boy he’s sexy! Even the way he walks, he just does things to me.
“You’re so sexy baby,” I whisper as he reaches me. He smiles his sweet shy smile, his cheeks flushing slightly – A plan suddenly forms.
“Tristan, I need a shower, will you wash my hair? I think it will hurt too much if I try?” I say, batting my lashes at him, even though I know I look terrible.
Tristan cocks his head to the side. “Anything for you,” he says, running his thumb across my bottom lip – It sends shivers to all the right places. Maybe my plan will work?
“But not now baby,” he adds lifting me up into his arms. Damn it!
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“You’ll see,” he says and starts heading up the stairs.My heart starts slamming against my chest again, all I can see and remember are my own footsteps running up towards our room...trying to find him – Fuck!
“Tristan, please stop,” I squeak in panic.
Tristan stops midway on the stairs to our room.“What is it?” he asks.
“J-just...f-flashbacks,” I stutter.I take one look up the stairs to the bedroom door, and swallow hard.Last time I was here...Susannah was behind that door...I start to shake all over – What is this?
“Tristan, I'm scared,” I croak, gripping him more tightly.
“Hey.” He tilts me slightly, so I have to look up at him. “You have nothing to be afraid of, I will never, ever let anything like that happen again,” he tells me firmly. “Baby, it’s going to take some time for us both to get over this, I know that, but I’ll be right here, I'm not going anywhere,” he softly says.
But the fear that rippled through me when I thought I might lose him pumps through my veins again. “I thought she’d k-killed you,” I choke out, gripping his neck. “When I walked in the room...and you were so still....” I cut off and softly cry into his neck.
“I know baby,” he says, rocking me gently. “But I really want to show you something,” he says, adjusting me in his arms.
“I thought I was light?” I tease, sniffing loudly.
Tristan chuckles at me. “You are,” he says, kissing my cheek with a soft, chaste kiss.”Far too slender,” he adds.
I look up at the bedroom door again.“Ok, let’s get this over with,” I say gritting my teeth.
“You’re so brave,” he whispers, kissing my temple, then slowly, steadily, he takes the couple of steps needed, and opens the bedroom door. Oh my god!
CHAPTER SEVEN
I GASP ALOUD AT WHAT LIES BEFORE ME. The bedroom, our bedroom, has been re-designed. I hardly recognise it! All memories of Susannah, and what happened that night immediately disappear.I look across at Tristan,my mouth gaping open, he smiles his boyish shy smile at me.
“When did you?...How did you...?” I stop as I'm choking on my own words.
“Do you like it?” he softly asks.
I look around the room again. Everything has changed, the furniture, the bed, the colours on the wall – I feel like I’ve just walked into my studio, it’s so bright and airy. Gone is the dark wood we’d chosen, there’s now white cracked wooden furniture. The chocolate, mocha and cream colour scheme is now bright white and sky-blue, including the new bed covers.
Our boat paintings from Hastings are up on the walls with several new items that have been artfully placed around the room, a small white sailing boat, a lighthouse, and a large wooden sailing wheel that’s a clock – it looks really great.
There are several bouquets of flowers, making the room smell divine, and lots of balloons saying welcome home, and get well soon, and then I notice several grey fluffy teddy bears from the ‘Me To You’ range, which I love.
Tristan walks us over to the bed and sits us down, right in the middle of the bed is the biggest teddy of all. It’s looking very sorry for itself, but that’s probably because it has a pink bandage wrapped around its head and written on the little pink cardigan are the words ‘I Love You, Get Well Soon’
Keeping me tight in his arms, Tristan leans across the bed, picks up the teddy and hands it to me. I hug it to me for a moment, then gaze around the room in awe.
“Do you like it?” Tristan asks again.
“The teddy?” I question hugging it to me again; it’s so soft.
Tristan smiles. “Yes...well that and everything else,” he adds gesturing around the room.
“I love it,” I say. “From you?” I ask turning the teddy towards him.
Tristan nods his shy smile at me. “Yeah...” he chuckles.
“This is beautiful Tristan, the flowers, the balloons...all of it. It’s a beautiful welcome home.” I lean forward and kiss him, trying not to get too passionate about it, but I can't help myself, we haven’t for what feels like so long and I want him.
“Hey,” Tristan says softly, pulling his lips away from mine. “Not until you’re better baby,” he adds, running a cool soft finger down my cheek. “Please...be good.”
“Ok.” I relent, and look around the room again. “Who did all this?” I ask in wonder.
“I did, well, I knew what I wanted. Rob did the re-design, I did the flowers, banners, teddy bears and balloons,” he says, gazing down at me with his warm, sweet, soulful eyes.
“That’s so sweet baby,” I say tears pricking my eyes. “But I have to ask why?” I add. Tristan lifts me from his lap, places me on the bed, stands and picks up the box of tissues.
“Why?” he questions, I nod back at him. “Because I didn’t want it to look the same as before,” he says; walking over to me, and sitting down on the edge of the bed, he hands me the box of tissues. “I didn’t want the reminder and I figured you didn’t either. What do you really think?” he asks gazing down at me.
“I....I really, really like it,” I squeak, dabbing my eyes with tissues – God damn tears!
“Good, I’m glad,” he says standing to his feet. “Now, let’s get you cleaned up,” he adds holding his hand out to me.
“Ok,” I squeak, I place my hand in his and slowly stand to my feet.How I’m supposed to have sex with him considering I can hardly walk, I don't know? But I’m damn well going to give it a good try.
We slowly make our way into the bathroom. Tristan closes the door and turns to me with wide hungry eyes, he wants to too, I can see it – Good, this might not be so hard after all.
The room suddenly charges with electricity, I can feel the pull from him, but my heart sinks when he starts to shake his head at me.“It’s not going to happen so you may as well give it up,” he says in a firm voice. Damn it!
I pout back at him, turn around and un-zip my hoody. In my haste to get naked, I pull a little too harshly on the right arm, it sends shooting pains across my shoulder blade and through my right lung – Holy fuck that hurt! – My knees hit the floor as I gasp aloud in pain.
“God damn it Coral!” Tristan is instantly at my side, holding me to him. “What can I do?” he asks.
I shake my head at him and wait for the throbbing to ease; when it does, I look up at him feeling guilty.“I think I need your help,” I whimper.
“Yes, you do. Now keep still,” he snaps.
“I will,” I tremble. There’s no way I want that to happen again!
Without a word, he slowly undresses me. First my hoody, followed by my vest. Then he kneels down and unties my trainers, and gently pulls them off my feet, followed swiftly by my socks. Then he slowly peels my sweats down my legs, using his shoulders for support, I lift my one leg, then the other so Tristan can pull the sweats over my ankles; leaving all my clothes onthe floor.
“You should know,” he says, standing up straight. “I took the liberty of telling the detective in charge of the case everything that you told me. He has the P.I report, your keys and your photograph. He’ll be coming to see you tomorrow, I told him you were being discharged then – I figured you wouldn’t want to see him today,” he adds.
“Ok,” I whisper, I’m in too much pain to argue about this.Then I get a flashback. “Tristan, the CCTV.” I say remembering having it installed; it should all be on camera what Susannah did.
“CCTV?” He questions, his eyes darkening.
I nod, feeling guilty. This is something else he doesn’t know about, I look down at the tiled floor. “I had it installed in the studio...in-case she entered my property again, there’s one in the bedroom and one downstairs. When Susannah broke in...” I take a breath. “It’ll be recorded on my laptop.” I guiltily look up at him.
Tristan takes in a deep breath and closes his eyes – Shit! – I think he’s really, really mad.
<
br /> “Maybe the detective should have it?” I add.
“Yes, he should.” He bites – I don't think he’s very happy with me.
“I’m sorry Tristan,” I whimper, staring down at the floor.
He lifts my chin to look at him. “I can’t believe...” He stops for a moment, closes his eyes and takes a deep breath – Yep, he’s definitely angry with me. When he opens his eyes and looks down at me, I can see his anger has dissipated, fractionally, his eyes a lighter brown. “He should know. I’ll call him when we’ve finished,” he adds.
“Is my studio ok?” I ask.
“Coral, right now’ – “Tristan, I need to know my stuff isn’t being pilfered by the morons living in Brighton! Has it been locked up?” Tristan presses his forefinger against my lips to silence me.
“I don't want you worrying about anything like that,” he says.
“Well I am,” I muffle.
“Well don't, I have sorted it,” he says. I go to ask him why, to question him, but he closes his eyes again. He looks so tired...exhausted; which is exactly how I feel.
“Ok, no worrying,” I say as another sharp pain shoots through me. I hiss and grab hold of his hand; he lets me squeeze him until the pain dies down.
“Ok?” He asks.
“Yeah...” I breathe.
“Stay there.” He warns and I watch him quickly strip out of his t-shirt, jeans, underwear, socks and trainers. Tristan what happened to you?
My mouth unintentionally pops open, I start to shake my head. Standing before me in all his naked glory, I suddenly see how much weight he’s really lost – I can see his ribs!
“Jesus Tristan,” I whisper in shock. Tears pool in my eyes. I take the couple of steps needed and gently run my fingers across his torso.
“What?” He snaps. Oh Tristan!
I swallow hard. “You...I can see your ribs?” I croak. “Didn’t you eat – at all?” I question.
He solemnly shakes his head at me. “No. I didn’t have any appetite, but I’m sure we’ll both put it back on,” he says, his eyes hooded again.
“We?” I question.
Darkest Fears Trilogy: Fallen For Him / Freed By Him / Forever With Him Page 95