CORAL - Fallen (A Romance Trilogy, Book 2)

by Delaney, Clair

  “You don't feel like I'm abandoning you?” she questions. Shit!

  “No, I don't,” I answer firmly. “Don’t stay because of me, I’ll be fine,” I add.

  Her eyebrows knit together as she tries to read my face, so I put on my best smile and start chuckling. Gladys smiles, shakes her head at me and pulls me in for another hug.

  We stay like that for a while, although I’m not sure who’s comforting who, maybe we are comforting each other?

  “Shall we go back?” Gladys asks appraising me. I nod and smile at her. “Tristan will be wondering where you are,” she adds, linking her arm in mine.

  We head out the bathroom and into the kitchen, suddenly Gladys stops and turns to me.

  “Does Tristan know?” she whispers. I nod unable to say anything. “That’s good darling,” she says patting my hand. I need to get of this subject!

  “Bob said you’re having him over tomorrow?” I say. Then I panic, what if he tells her about someone trying to get in? Gladys will be beside herself – I must remember to call him.

  “Yes darling. Would you and Tristan like to join us?” She asks.

  I think about it for a moment and decide no, I want him to myself, I haven’t seen him all week and I want to devour him for the rest of the weekend.

  I start to smile; a really goofy smile.

  “No, maybe not,” she adds reflecting my ear splitting grin.

  “Oh Gladys, he’s so good to me,” I swoon.

  “I know, I can see that darling.”She says.

  “I think I love him,” I whisper.

  Gladys gasps. “Yes darling, I know. Tristan loves you too. It’s written all over the two of you,” she adds, my ear splitting grin widens, we both giggle in unison.

  The moment we are back outside, I search for Tristan, I find him sat next to Malcolm, having what looks like a very serious discussion. He glances up and sees me, our eyes lock and he frowns at me. I nod slightly letting him know I’m ok, he smiles back at me, but I can tell he’s still worried. Gladys walks over to them and sits the other side of Tristan, interrupting his conversation with Malcolm.

  Honestly! She’s like a bull in a china shop sometimes, but I love her so. Tristan looks up and winks at me, making my heart flutter as fast as a bird.

  Debs comes teetering over to me in her heels. Uh-oh!

  “What’s up with you?” she whispers.

  “Nothing,” I whisper back.

  “Could have fooled me,” she argues.

  “Alright then, I'm upset,” I bite back.

  “What about now?” she drawls.

  “Spain!” I hiss keeping my eyes locked on little Lily – I’m not going to see her grow up, not properly.

  “Oh!” she answers somberly.

  “Yeah oh!” I mock, just like Tristan does with me. “Could have told me Debs, warned me. I’d have spent more time with Lily’ – “Oh don't give me that!” she snaps interrupting me. “Besides its best this way, she hasn’t got too close to you, so it won't be so hard for her.”

  “Nice. What are you saying she won't miss me?” I bite.

  “Probably not,” Debs retorts. I grit my teeth and glare down the garden, if I look at her I swear I’ll lose it. At least Gladys had the decency to tell me to my face.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask, crossing my arms in defiance.

  “Mom said she would,” she answers sharply.

  I shake my head at her. “Chicken shit!” I blurt, because she is a chicken. I'm not that scary, and it’s not like we have an amazingly close relationship like Ellie and Erin, but she should have said something. She finally has the decency to look guiltily at me.

  “I...I’m sorry Coral. Mom told me how it made you feel. I didn’t think you knew something was going on, I would have told you if I’d known. I really am sorry. And if it makes you feel any better Scott’s really mad with me, said we should have told you straight away.”

  I turn and look at Scott, he and Malcolm got it so right, but I'm tired of feeling pissed off all the time. Tristan’s made me realise how much I still feel like that, and I'm done with it, I want a different life, a happy one!

  Debs continues. “Scott was right, I should have told you’ – Chicken!” I blurt. Debs snaps her head round to argue, but when she sees that I'm grinning at her, she starts smiling too.

  “Are you going to come and see us?” she asks, linking her arm in mine.

  “Try keeping me away,” I answer. She nods her head and smiles back at me.

  “That’s good. Lily will miss you Coral, we all will,” she says, resting her head on my shoulder, it’s such an unlikely thing for her to do.

  “I know, I’ll miss you all too,” I say.

  I try not to think too deeply about that, I know it’s going to be a very emotional day when it happens, but I'm trying to think like George has taught me, it’s in the future so there’s no point dwelling on it.

  “I'm going to check on Lily,” she says.

  “Later Alligator,” I chuckle, remembering how we used to say that as kids.

  “Stay loose Bull Moose,” Debs retorts grinning widely.

  We laugh heartily with each other, hug briefly, and I watch my big sister go check on her little girl...

  WE ALL SPEND ANOTHER hour outside, chatting away with one another. I feel happy, contented, relaxed, but there’s one thing that’s really bugging me – Dresses!

  It’s a beautiful hot sunny day, and for the first time in my life I wish I was in a dress, tanning myself freely like Gladys and Debs. All the women have them on, Joyce, Erin and Ellie and so do Erin’s little girls, and Lily.

  I decide in that moment that I want to go out tonight. I want to be brave, put that dress on and go out for a nice meal with my sexy man. I still feel vulnerable and nervous about it, but I know I can handle that because I have Tristan with me and he’s not going to let any freaky pervert anywhere near me.

  “He just can't take his eyes off you can he?” Joyce says pulling me out of my reverie.

  I smile shyly at her. “No, but he’s hard to resist too,” I say feeling proud.

  “Yes, I heard all about that,” she says smiling coyly at me – Huh?

  “It’s one of the most brilliant ways to get a man, tell him it won't work. Men love challenges, so they go for it with everything they’ve got.” Joyce adds.

  I gape at Joyce. “No, I didn’t do it to get him…” I squeak.

  “I know Coral,” Joyce says. “I was just teasing you,” she softly placates – Phew!

  “Ok, good. I don't want to be cast like that,” I mumble.

  “So, how did it go?” she asks. Go? What go?

  “Hmm?” I can't help watching Tristan.

  “The date and the dress?” Joyce asks a little bewildered by my reaction – Oh that!

  “Oh, we’re doing that tonight. Tristan got back late last night, so we stayed in.” I lie.

  “Well, have fun darling. Don't get too drunk,” she teases.

  We both chuckle, then I think about the talk Tristan and I are going to have about Susannah when we get back. “Joyce, did you speak to Tristan about Susannah by any chance?” I ask.

  “No darling. Now’s not the time. I will speak to him on Monday though, in private.”

  “Did he say anything to you, ask you anything?” I question.

  “No, darling he spent most of our time talking about you.”

  I gape at Joyce again. “Me?” I squeak.

  “Yes, he told me all about the wonderful gift you had made for him. You really are very sweet Coral,” she adds.

  “Oh.” I smile shyly at her, not really knowing what to say to that.

  Turning to look at Tristan I see he’s looking a little worn out, Gladys has been talking to him for at least forty minutes now and she’s tipsy, so she’s got her jabbery head on, Tristan could be there all night. I’d better go rescue him!

  “Well, it’s getting late. We’d better get going.” I say to Joyce.

&n
bsp; “It’s been lovely seeing you two together,” Joyce says smiling at Tristan. “You really do suit each other,” she adds.

  “Thanks,” I say gazing adoringly at Tristan. He’s done very well today, he’s not faltered once, even when Gladys and Debs harped on at him over lunch about the two of us.

  Saying goodbye to Joyce, I wander over to Tristan. Standing behind him, I lean down, wrap my arms around his shoulders and kiss his cheek, feeling completely and utterly in love with him.

  “Ready to go?” I ask wondering if I'm saving him.

  “Darling, so soon…” Gladys slurs.

  “Yes.” I giggle, leaning down to kiss her goodbye, wondering if Gladys is seeing me through different eyes.

  “Well alright then, I want you both to come and see us again soon,” she says standing to hug me.

  “We will,” I say savouring the feeling of her arms around me.

  Once we’ve said our goodbyes to everyone, Tristan takes my hand in his, and we walk down the hallway with Gladys following so she can wave to us from the front door, she’s always done that.

  “Well that was interesting,” Tristan says as he helps me into the car.

  “I want to go out tonight,” I say as he gets in the driver’s side.

  “Yeah? Where to?” he asks starting the engine.

  “I know a place,” I tell him. It’s perfect, sea-views, great food and up-market enough so I won't feel silly in a dress.

  “Your wish is my command,” he tells me. Pulling out into the road, we both wave goodbye to Gladys. Taking my hand in his, Tristan asks me, “Are you alright? I can't believe they started talking about that fucker,” he growls.

  “Who?” I ask.

  “Savile!” He bites menacingly.

  “Oh, well I don't really know...but I can guess,” I answer shivering slightly.

  “You don't want to know baby, trust me.” I look up at Tristan; he’s caught the sun, his face has bronzed and his hair looks a little lighter.

  “You’ve caught the sun,” I say reaching up and running my hand through his hair.

  “Yeah?” I nod and smile back at him, he places his hand on my knee and softly squeezes me. “So what are we doing? Get ready, go straight out?” he asks.

  I look down at the clock on the dashboard, it’s only four o’clock. “I have a better idea…” I say as seductively as I can.

  Tristan instantly reads my mind. His smiles his most sexy smile as his foot hit’s the accelerator. I giggle in delight as he zooms in and out of traffic, getting us home as quickly as possible...

  “WAKE UP SLEEPYHEAD.” I blink my eyes open. Shit! I fell asleep!

  “Oh no!” I moan sitting up in bed. “What time is it?”

  Tristan is lying next to me, completely naked. “Half five,” he answers squeezing my inner thigh.

  “Did you fall asleep?” I ask.

  Tristan smiles deeply and stretches out his body. “Yes, you’re wearing me out woman,” he chuckles darkly.

  I snort with laughter. “Er...I don't think so,” I add dryly. “You’re the acrobat,” I blurt.

  Tristan howls with laughter. “Acrobat?” he chuckles with raucous laughter.

  “Yeah,” I chuckle back shyly.

  He smiles warmly at me, leans down then kisses the tip of my nose. “Still want to go out?” he asks. I have to seriously think about it, Tristan and all night sex, or getting that dress on and going out with Mr Sexy Mogul? It’s a tough decision to make.

  “Yes, you want to spoil me, and I want to wear my new dress.” Tristan’s mouth pops open. I quickly stop any reply by placing my finger against his lips. “Let’s get ready gorgeous,” I say.

  Jumping off the bed and taking Tristan’s hand in mine, I lead him into the bathroom...

  AN HOUR LATER, I am stood in front of the gigantic mirror in Tristan’s bathroom. Picking up my lip liner, I start to trace the outline of my lips; then I put on my lipstick. I feel excited, really excited, which is unexpected – I'm going to go out tonight with my sexy man.

  Standing back to look at myself, I nod at my reflection with approval. I have styled my hair into big sexy waves, and pinned it up on the one side. My make-up looks good, and I have my favourite perfume on.

  As I walk back into the bedroom, I take my robe off and hang it up. Then I walk over to the walk-in closet and collect my dress and the underwear I have chosen, which is a dark blue shiny corset, with matching half thong knickers, and a pair of nude silk hold ups. Walking back into bedroom I place them all down on the bed.

  Taking a deep breath, I shimmy into the knickers and clip the corset on, turning around I take a quick peek in the full length mirror. Whoa! My boobs look massive! Shit! The corset really pushes them up. Maybe I shouldn’t wear this? Get on with it Coral!

  Turning away from myself, I sit on the edge of the bed and open the packaging for the nude silk, hold-ups. I have never worn anything like this before, I’m nervous to know what it feels like. Pulling the first hold-up on, I’m amazed by how nice it feels…ooh so soft! I quickly pull on the other. Hmm, really nice…I have to get more of these!

  Taking a deep calming breath, I pick up the dress. Here goes nothing!

  Undoing the zip, I step both feet in and carefully slide it up my body. Zipping it back up, I take a moment and sit on the edge of the bed. I look down at my hands and see they are steady, no shaking. My throat hasn’t dried up and my heart rate is normal, as is my breathing.

  I continue to sit on the bed, waiting for the moment to come, a feeling, an image….anything, but nothing happens, so I launch myself up, and do a little celebratory dance! I’m so happy!

  Stepping into the Roland Cartier heels, I smile as I remember being so excited that I found them. They match the dress perfectly in colour, and they glitter all over, plus, the ankle strap makes me feel secure enough that I won't fall flat on my arse with nerves, and I like the peep toes.

  Picking up my bracelet from Tristan, I clasp it shut around my wrist, it goes perfectly with the dress. Closing my eyes, I turn around in front of the mirror. I peek with one eye first, then both. Ok, boobs don’t look so big now I’m in the dress – Phew!

  I gaze back at myself in wonder. I'm in a dress! I twirl around so I can see how the dress fans out, very pretty. Feeling ecstatic with my choice, I grab my powder and lipstick from the bathroom, and head back into the bedroom.

  Picking up the navy blue clutch bag that I purchased, I pop my make-up, some cash and my mobile inside, then head down the stairs to find Tristan. As I turn to take the last flight of stairs, I hear music playing, sounds soulful, almost haunting. I stop when I see Tristan standing outside on the patio staring out at the view, deep in thought.

  My nerves re-appear – Come on Coral!

  I take a deep breath and head down the stairs. Tristan hears my heels clicking against the flooring and turns around, seeing me his mouth pops open just like it did when he caught me dancing. I notice his cheeks instantly flame and his eyes dilate as he drinks me in. Boy he looks good!

  My blood heats in response. He’s wearing a pair of light mocha suit trousers, and a crisp white shirt. The top three buttons are open, revealing his muscular chest, and his sleeves are turned up to his elbows. Damn he looks over the top sexy!

  “Hi,” I squeak, cautiously approaching him. Tristan swallows hard. I laugh a little nervously and walk towards him, taking his outstretched hand he pulls me into him.

  “You look...wow.” He reaches up and lightly traces him thumb across my cheek, then leans down and kisses me softly on the lips. I think he’s being careful not to ruin my makeup.

  “Anyone would think you’ve never seen a woman in a dress before,” I titter, trying to lighten the intensity of the moment.

  “I haven’t until now,” he retorts, my breath hitches at his words. “Coral, you look stunning,” he says earnestly, stepping back he assesses me for a moment then frowns deeply. “I'm going to have to keep a close eye on you, every man in the room’s going to
want you looking like this,” he growls.

  I roll my eyes at him and smile. “Who’s this singing?” I ask.

  “I Love You by Sarah McLachlan.” Tristan stares down at me, his eyes intense, then pulls me into his body, wraps his right arm around my waist, takes my right hand in his left, and starts dancing us around on the patio, keeping his eyes locked with mine.

  I smile up at him. How nice this is, dancing outside as the evening sun gently warms us.

  Unfortunately, the song ends far too soon for my liking.

  “That was beautiful,” I say. “Thank you.”

  Tristan smiles, lifts our hands up in the air and twirls me around. “You’re beautiful. Would you like a drink before we go?” He’s so gentlemanly, I really love that about him.

  “Please,” I answer shyly. Tristan keeps hold of my hand and walks us into the kitchen. The music has changed track; it’s really nice and mellow.

  I turn to Tristan. “Who’s this?” I ask.

  “Rogue Wave,” he answers. “The songs called Eyes.” I nod my head along to the plinky plonk of the guitar.

  “It’s good,” I say still nodding away. Tristan smiles, picks me up and twirls me round in his arms, in big swaying movements. “Tristan!” I giggle, keeping my hands planted on his shoulders.

  “God, you smell so good,” he murmurs against my ear.

  “So do you,” I say as he puts me back down. “So you like my choice?” I ask fanning the dress out, feeling girly and feminine.

  “Yes, you look breathtaking,” he says. Bringing my hand up to his lips, he kisses my knuckles.

  I swallow hard. “You look really hot too,” I tell him breathlessly.

  “Sorry,” he says. “Took the jacket off, got a little warm.”

  I shake my head at him. “Tristan, you look great.”

  He smiles warmly at me. “Thank you baby,” he says, holding his hand out to me. I clasp mine within his. Tristan looks a little nervously at me.