“Drink it,” he orders. “It will help with the shock,” he adds.
I take a sip, then another. Then I realize how thirsty I am and glug back several mouthfuls. Whoa! That’s fizzy and cold!
I shiver slightly, Tristan is instantly on his feet pulling the throw around me. I go to hand him back the can, he reaches his hand out, and that’s when I see it – Holy fuck!
“Tristan,” I gasp. “Your hand!”
“It’s fine,” he states firmly.
I ignore him, take his hand in mine, and inspect it. The three knuckles starting from his forefinger are split, a small amount of dried blood caked to each one. I instantly forget about how I’m feeling. Standing to my feet and yanking the throw off me, I take his hand and march him into the kitchen. I turn on the tap and put his hand under the water.
“Keep it there,” I tell him. Finding the small first aid kit we bought. I unlock it, yank it open and find what I need. Antiseptic wipes, Savlon, a bandage and some tape. I quickly rip open the antiseptic wipe, take it out and unfold it.
“Give me your hand,” I tell him firmly, he reluctantly does so. “This might sting,” I say and start gently wiping across his knuckles.
Tristan hisses a couple of times as I go deeper into the cuts. I can feel him watching my face as I do this. Keeping my eyes firmly fixed on what I’m doing, I throw the wipe in the sink. Opening the Savlon cream, I pinch a little onto my finger and smooth a little over each knuckle. Then I open the bandage and start wrapping it around his hand, when I’m satisfied it won’t come off, I cut the end, and add a little tape.
I finally look up at him. “Ok?” I ask.
“I am now,” he answers, his broody look is back. “What happened?” he questions. “Why did you leave Coral?” I look at the floor and hesitate for a moment. “Coral!” he bawls.
My eyes dart up to his, I can see he’s mad! Well so am I.
“I left, because you were busy feeling Susannah up when I came out the ladies,” I shout.
“What?” he bellows. “I can’t believe you just said that, you know I have no feelings for her,” he adds, shaking his head.
I grit my teeth feeling guilty I said it like that, then I question it. “How would you feel if the moment you disappeared I was being like that with Stu, or one of your team?” I bark back.
“That’s not the point,” he bellows.
I shake my head in disagreement. I can’t believe this is happening on the night Tristan proposed to me, gave me a ring – It’s all her fault!
“I hate her,” I mumble.
“Let me guess, Susannah?” Tristan barks at me, crossing his arms.
“Yes!” I screech.
“This is fucking ridiculous,” he shouts, running a hand through his hair.
“Well, she’s got us fighting already, hasn’t she,” I say wearily.
I suddenly feel bone tired. His face falls as he catches my expression, then he shakes his head and stares down at the floor, deep in thought.
“Tristan, I don’t want to fight,” I tell him softly. “And I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for it to come out like that. I just…I walked out of the ladies and there you were, holding her hand,” I start to choke up. “Comforting her, touching her, being close to her,” I sniff loudly. “I know it sounds stupid, but I don’t want you being close like that with another woman, no matter who she is. It really twisted me up inside, I didn’t know how to react, so I just ran.” I say feeling totally deflated, Tristan gazes down at me with wide, cautious eyes.
We stare at each other for the longest time, neither wanting to back down. Then he runs a hand through his hair and sighs deeply.
“Jesus Coral, I never looked at it that way. I don’t want you being like that with another man either. It won’t happen again,” he tells me firmly, I absolutely believe him.
“I’m sorry I made you feel like that,” he adds.
I sniff loudly. “I’m sorry too, for running,” I croak.
Looking down at me with his brooding look, he pulls me into his body and crushes me against him. It’s almost painful, but I don’t care. I feel safe, protected.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “For saving me,” I add, pushing back the tears.
“I didn’t scare you did I?” he asks.
“No, not at all, you’re my hero,” I tell him. Then I think about what could have happened, and grit my teeth feeling angry. “I can’t believe I panicked. All that work I’ve done with Will, all that training…” I shake my head in disgust. “What’s the point if I’m just going to freeze?”
I close my eyes and swallow hard, I dread to think what would have happened if Tristan hadn’t turned up. I start to tremble all over as all these scenarios start running through my mind, what would they have done to me?
“Coral,” Tristan breathes, tightening his hold on me. I feel him kiss my hair. “Most people freeze baby,” he adds.
I look up at Tristan…my hero…my love, my future husband.
He takes my face in his hands. “Baby, no matter how mad you are with me, don’t ever do that to me again, don’t disappear on me. For a start look what happened, what could have happened…” Tristan shakes his head and grits his teeth. “You had me worried sick. I had no idea what had happened to you, or where you’d gone – “I’m sorry,” I say interrupting him. “It will never happen again,” I add staring up at him.
Tristan closes his eyes and lets out a long deep breath. I rest my head against his chest again.
“Lucky for me you really can box,” I squeak, looking up at him.
“Yes, Gramps did well,” he says sighing heavily.
“I’ve never seen a boxer hit so fast though, it looked more like martial arts,” I say. Tristan frowns looking guilty. “Was it martial arts?” I question.
He nods once. “You…you know martial arts and you never told me?” I squeak. We’ve talked about this, he knows I love Bruce Lee and martial arts films, I don’t understand why he hasn’t told me!
“Coral I…” Tristan looks lost again, and runs a hand through his hair. “I didn’t want you to have any reason to fear me,” he says. What?
“That doesn’t make any sense?” I say.
“I still train in boxing and mixed martial arts, but for all I knew it could have been something that would have scared you away, so I kept it to myself,” he tells me softly.
“So I wouldn’t have any reason to fear you?” I clarify.
Tristan nods solemnly, his eyes bleak.
I shake my head at him. “We could have done some sparing you know,” I scold.
He gazes down at me again with his broody look. Raising his hand, he softly strokes my cheek. “I’m sorry you had to see that,” he says. I think back to the guy out cold on the floor.
“You don’t think he’s…” I stop, I can’t say the word.
“What?” Tristan questions then rolls his eyes at me. “Tell me Coral, what are you thinking?”
“You don’t think you k-killed him do you?” Tristan’s eyes go dark. “Tristan?”
“He attacked you, so I don’t give a fuck! But I doubt it, I didn’t hit him as hard as I could have,” he growls.
“Oh,” I whisper. The enormity of it hits me again and I start to choke up. “It’s not fair, why me? Why do I feel like I’m walking around with a big sign on my head, all fuckers this way,” I croak.
Tristan squeezes me even tighter, and kisses the top of my head. “Well nothing like that is ever going to happen to you again Coral, you give me your word you won’t run, I’ll give you my word I’ll always protect you,” he tells me firmly.
I look up at him. He closes his eyes and rests his forehead against mine.
“Deal,” I say feeling a lot better about it all. Tristan’s right, if I hadn’t run off…
“Deal,” he says, opening his eyes and smiling down at me. “Let’s not allow it to ruin our evening,” he adds. Then lifting my hand with the ring, he brings it to his lips, and gently kisses it. I feel a
ll the frustration, the fear, and the anger drift away, I’m not mad at him anymore.
“You know, when I first came out the ladies and I couldn’t find you, I thought you’d ditched me,” I smile nervously at him.
Tristan cocks his head to the side then shakes his head at me in wonder. “Let’s get a drink,” he says…
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
AS I WATCH TRISTAN POUR US both a Brandy, my heart swells with love for him. I still can’t believe he can punch like that, and he was so calm with it too, wish I’d have been that calm. Tristan hands me a glass, clinks his against mine and knocks his back in one go. Whoa!
Then he leans down to me, his lips almost brushing mine. I feel the room charge, the atmosphere change.
“I want you,” he whispers against my lips. Oh Tristan, you had me the moment you met me!
“You know what I was thinking in the ladies?” I say, trailing soft kisses down his neck.
“What were you thinking?” he asks his hand moving slowly up my leg, right to my thigh, his breath catching as his fingers reach my lacy hold-up.
I slowly snake my way down his torso and reach his erection, it feels hard and heavy against his suit trousers - I want him and I want him now!
“I was thinking about you making love to me in front of the fire. I was thinking about you discovering what I'm wearing under this dress.” I lean back and gaze up at his dilated eyes. “I want you,” I whisper squeezing his erection just a little harder, his breathe catches again as he groans deeply with desire, then he leans down and kisses me hard.
Then he pulls back, and marches off into the living room, I take a sip of brandy, then I see flames start to flicker. Moving around the breakfast bar, I see Tristan standing in front of the fire. He silently beckons me with his long forefinger; his look is so hot, so sexy. I feel my blood instantly heat. With trembling legs, I walk over to him. As I take his outstretched hand, he pulls me into him and kisses me hard again. I moan with pleasure as his hands work their way up my legs, past my hold-ups, finally gripping my backside.
“Damn you’re one sexy woman,” he whispers.
Stepping back, I unhook the back of my halter-neck and shimmy out of the dress.
Tristan gasps loudly. “Dear God,” he breathes, swallowing hard.
“You like?” I smile holding my arms out for the offering.
“Oh yeah baby,” he says in his deep husky voice, it sends shivers to all the right places. Pulling me into him he kisses me passionately as his hands caress the lace across my hold-ups, working their way across my lacy panties and up across my new corset.
“I didn’t think they could look any sexier.” He says gazing down at my bulging bosom. I smile in delight at his reaction, and reach down for his erection.
“I'm yours, take me fiancé,” I whisper.
He gazes at me in awe for a moment then gently takes me in his arms and lowers me to the floor. I close my eyes and surrender to the sweet sensation…
“WAKE UP SLEEPY.” I open my eyes to sunlight pouring in through the floor to ceiling windows and instantly squeeze them shut, it’s too bright and my head hurts – Wine at lunch and dinner, sipping Brandy by the fire till the early morning and god knows how much making up sex, was too much in one go!
“What time is it?” I groan, still feeling sleepy.
“Eight o’clock,” Tristan answers.
“Why so early?” I grumble, my head really starting to bang.
“Because we are booked for ten o’clock, and I knew you’d need some time to get ready. Baby, open your eyes.” Booked? For what? I do as Tristan asks, and see he’s got a big glass of veggie juice in one hand, and two Nurofen sitting in the palm of his other – How sweet!
“Thanks,” I smile sweetly at him and swallow the tablets with several gulps of juice. Putting the glass down on the bedside cabinet, I close my eyes again and rest my head on the pillow.
Tristan chuckles at me. “You want to go back to sleep?” he surmises.
“Uh-huh,” I answer feeling myself drifting back off.
“Ok, I’ll come and get you in a while.” I hear him say, but it’s already muffled as I lose consciousness...
WHAT FEELS LIKE MOMENTS LATER I’m rudely awoken by Tristan jumping on top of me, and I hear music blasting. It’s Phil Collins, Find A Way To My Heart – I know it well, it’s my favourite song of his.
“You like Phil Collins?” I giggle.
“Yes,” Tristan chuckles back, playfully kissing me all over.
Checking my headache has gone, I smile at Tristan, and without a word I jump out of bed and start dancing to the amazing beat. Tristan joins me and starts dancing too, I laugh aloud as he pulls some sexy moves. I twirl and sing to the words, moving my hips to the beat, as the song comes to an end, he pulls me into him.
“I think we just found our wedding song,” he tells me. “I can't wait to see you in your wedding dress, walking down the aisle to me,” he says his voice all husky, his eyes deep and intense.
My throat goes dry and my heart pounds against my chest. I hadn’t thought of that? Where the hell am I going to get a dress from? I really need Rob right now!
“Really?” I pant as Phil starts to sing Come With Me.
“Yes,” he states firmly. I wonder for a second why I haven’t thought about any of these things – Because you’re a freak of nature! I laugh sarcastically at myself.
“What?” Tristan chuckles.
“Nothing,” I chuckle then frown. Why haven’t I thought about the kind of wedding I want, or dress or wedding song?
“Tell me,” he pleads.
I feel panicky just thinking about it and start squeaking it all out rapidly. “I just don't understand why I haven’t thought about any of the stuff you keep bringing up, like wedding rings and dresses and songs’ – “Ok, take a breath,” Tristan says and walks us over to the bed. Sitting us both down, he wraps his arm around my shoulders.
“Does it matter that you haven’t?” he asks softly. “All I care about is that you want to marry me. Still do?” he asks questioningly.
I roll my eyes at him.
“Ok,” he laughs. “So don't worry about the rest. I know I keep mentioning certain things because I keep thinking you’re thinking the same. Most women would have loads planned by now, I'm sure, but that’s one of the many reasons I want to marry you, because you’re not like them, you’re so different.” I look up at him feeling skeptical about what he’s saying.
“It doesn’t matter to me that you’re not running around ordering this and that for the wedding, or planning where and what date. All that matters to me is what’s most important, that you want to marry me.” I somberly shake my head, I feel so guilty.
“I have no idea what I want Tristan, except you. I have no idea what kind of wedding, or dress or rings or any of it. I just want to marry you,” I whisper.
“Well that settles it then,” he says.
I frown back at him.
“We hire a wedding planner,” he adds. What?
“Really?” I squeak in surprise. “Aren’t they for people who have huge weddings?” I ask.
“I don't think so,” Tristan frowns. I chuckle at him, he has no idea, but I like his plan, I’m already feeling less nervous.
“Leave it to me,” he says confidently. “Now, I’ve moved our appointment to an hour later,” he tells me. “So, how do you feel, headache gone?” He questions as his lips quirk up at the corners.
“Why are you trying to hide your smile?” I ask.
“I'm not,” he says, grinning broadly.
“No,” I answer sarcastically, shaking my head. “Of course you’re not!”
“Headache?” he asks sharply, trying not to smile.
“Gone,” I smirk. “What – Are – You – Laughing – At?” I ask mock punching his arm with each word. Tristan really starts tittering and falls back onto the bed.
“I was thinking,” he chuckles. “About when you came with me to see this place, you w
ere so ill. I think I knew back then that you don’t handle hangovers very well,” he says. So he did find my squirming amusing, bastard!
“Who does,” I answer dryly.
“Well it’s a good job you’re feeling better,” he tells me.
“Why?” I question hesitantly. I may not like what I'm about to hear.
“You’ll see,” he answers smugly. I look down at his hand, remembering last night, the bandage is gone and the cuts look like they are already healing.
“How’s your hand?” I ask, taking it in mine. Feeling on top of the world that I have such a gentle, yet masculine, tough man who loved me – Who knew!
“Fine. Now come on, shower Mrs. I’ll get your breakfast going.” Mrs…Hmm, I like the sound of that!
“My breakfast?” I question.
“Oh, I already ate,” he tells me jumping up from the bed. How can he have so much energy? We were both pretty slurry when we climbed into bed this morning.
Glaring grumpily back at him, I huff loudly, pick up my veggie juice and stomp into the bathroom...
AFTER DRESSING IN my jeans, t-shirt and trainers at Tristan’s request, I make my way down the stairs. The moment I reach the top step of the first flight of stairs, I’m hit with the smell of smoked salmon and eggs. Hmmm, my stomach rumbles loudly in appreciation.
As I skip into the kitchen, I see Tristan whisking something at the counter. “Just in time,” he says. “Take a seat,” he tells me so I do.
Picking up my orange juice, I take several gulps. Mmm…it’s so refreshing.
“Close your eyes,” he requests politely, so I do, I hear him place something in front of me, it smells divine. “Open your eyes,” he whispers.
I look down and see Tristan has made Eggs Florentine on a bed of spinach with smoked salmon, all neatly stacked on a toasted muffin. I gaze up at him.
“You made this?” I ask in astonishment – I think Tristan should be the chef!
“Gran taught me,” he says shrugging his shoulders. “Come on, eat up,” he tells me.
I pick up my knife and fork and cut through it, taking a bite I moan dreamily.
CORAL - Fallen (A Romance Trilogy, Book 2) Page 39