CORAL (A Romance Trilogy, Book 1)

by Delaney, Clair

  And she is right, after that happened I alienated myself from the world – not just my family. Rob’s the one that really got me out of my studio, he got me socialising again, I couldn’t have done it without him, I know that. Which is why I have to repay the favour, get over there and see him. But I don't know what to do about Gladys not telling me, no matter how distant I’ve been. I still don’t understand why she didn’t just casually say that she’s seeing someone?

  But then I’ve always thought Gladys and Debs are the closest, much more than she and I. But maybe that’s because Gladys had Debs from the very beginning, when she was a baby, they say a deeper bond forms when you have a child from scratch. Maybe that’s why I’ve always felt out of the loop? I mean I know Gladys loves me, deeply, but it’s just not the same. I just can't stand lies and secrets. It drives me up the wall and makes me feel insecure, like there’s a bomb about to go off and I’m the last to know about it!

  “Hey.” I feel Tristan’s arms wrap around my waist, his body pressed against the back of mine. I should panic at this kind of embrace it’s never felt safe or comfortable to me. It’s one of the many things Justin used to moan about to me, that I wouldn’t show affection towards him. He called me cold, but then he didn’t know me, not really.

  Tristan knows more about me in the short amount of time I have spent with him than Justin did in the two years we were together. Yet, with Tristan, this feels…normal, right, as it should do – I wonder why that is?

  “Hey yourself,” I say twisting my head round to smile up at him.

  Tristan smiles warmly at me and kisses my cheek, then gazes out to sea. “That was my doctor, you’re in for 8.15am tomorrow,” he tells me.

  “Ok.” I say.

  “Not too early for you?” I silently shake my head, reveling in the feel of his arms around me. And for a long time we just stay there like that, both deep in thought...

  AFTER A VERY FUNNY SHOPPING EXPERIENCE, we make it back to the studio with bags full of food and wine, which Tristan insisted on carrying. I feel totally whacked out again.

  “You look tired.” Tristan guesses.

  “Yeah, my nose is really hurting again.” I answer feeling guilty that all I want to do is sleep for a while.

  “Why don’t you have a cat nap on the sofa, I’ll get dinner in the oven.” I smile sleepily at Tristan.

  “You don’t mind?” I say stifling a yawn.

  Tristan smiles at me. “No not at all. I think I would be feeling the same if my nose was nearly broken,” he responds sweetly, kissing my forehead.

  “I feel guilty leaving it all to you.” I say running my hands through my hair.

  “Don’t.” He demands strictly.

  “Yes sir.” I titter and head over to the sofa.

  Taking a glass of water with me I down a couple of Nurofen with difficulty, trying to get my throat to open is a real pain in the arse sometimes.

  “You have difficulty taking tablets?” Tristan vigilantly assesses. Is there anything he doesn’t notice?

  “Yeah...” I lie down on the sofa, resting my head on the pillow.

  Tristan kneels down in front of me. “Why?” I roll my eyes at him, he smiles back at me and moves my hair, tucking it behind my ear. “Tell me,” he pleads.

  I sigh inwardly and begin rattling it all out at top speed. “I was off school with flu. Gladys went out to get some shopping. I woke up, took the cold and flu tablets she left on my dresser and well, they kind of went down the wrong way. I was scared to death, I couldn’t breathe, I was on my own and...” I feel my throat tightening up on me as I recall it. “I was ok, obviously, in the end.” I chuckle, trying to make it seem more light-hearted.

  “That must have been scary.” He says with dark eyes.

  I reach my hand up to his face and stroke his cheek. “It was at the time, now it’s just really annoying that my throat closes up on me when I need to take a tablet.” I answer yawning again, my eyes feeling heavier and heavier.

  “Sleep Coral,” Tristan says kissing my forehead again.

  And just like that I slip into unconsciousness.

  I WAKE UP TO THE SMELL OF ROAST BEEF, roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings. I smile broadly, keeping my eyes closed I stretch deeply. I feel rested, and my nose is no longer throbbing. When I open my eyes the first thing I see is Tristan sitting on the end of the sofa, my feet are on his lap and he’s gently kneading them – No wonder I slept so well! Then I notice he has an e-reader in his hand, he’s evidently enthralled by whatever book he’s reading.

  “Hey.” I say sleepily.

  Tristan puts down his e-reader and leans down towards me. “I’m glad you’re awake.” He whispers. “I was missing you.” I lean up on my elbows so that we’re almost nose to nose and smile broadly at him.

  “I missed you too,” I tell him sweetly, my heart racing against my chest. “I didn’t know you liked reading?” I add.

  Tristan loses his grin. “My grandparents wouldn’t let me watch T.V. Gran used to say it rots your brain, so I was given books, lots and lots of books. She said that reading would help expand my mind and help me to become more creative, I guess it kind of stuck.” I cock my head to the side, he seems pissed off about it. I wonder why that is?

  “I read a lot too.” I say trying to work out his expression.

  “What kind of books do you like?” He asks.

  “Oh, all sorts. I can read anything from Anne of Green Gables, which was my favourite as a kid, to Chris Ryan’s The Kill Zone, you?”

  “I’ve read that’ – “Anne of Green Gables?” I giggle interrupting him.

  “Oh, very funny!” Tristan chuckles. “No, The Kill Zone,” he says poking me playfully.

  “Who else do you like?” I giggle.

  “Dan Brown, Clive Cussler, Lee Child, Michael Crichton, the list goes on.” He smiles, waving his hand in the air.

  “Me too, Lee Child does the Jack Reacher books right?”

  “Yes, he does,” Tristan answers with his heart-stopping, deep dimpled smile. That soulful feeling deep within me expands again, spreading through me; I swear it’s getting bigger by the day. It really feels like the more time I spend with Tristan, the closer I get to him. That never happened with Justin either, it always felt the same. Breathe Coral!

  “Have you seen the Jack Reacher film? You know that one with Tom Cruise in it?” I ask, trying to ease the enormity of the moment.

  “No, I haven’t actually.” He says, his head cocked to the side.

  I swallow hard. “Me neither, want to rent it tonight?”

  “Good idea.” He beams, inching towards me.

  “You know what they say, great minds think alike.” I whisper.

  Tristan leans closer and closer, I can feel his breath against my cheeks. I stop breathing, all I call feel is an overwhelming burning passion for Tristan bubbling under the surface. I lean even closer to his lips and stare deeply into his warm brown eyes, I see no hesitation.

  I close my eyes ready for the feel of his lips on mine – Bing! – The oven chimes warning Tristan that dinner is either ready or something needs checking.

  I open my eyes and see Tristan close his in frustration. It seems we are being held back by random events. I wish I had more confidence, I really want to kiss him, but I’m just not forward enough to just launch myself onto him. That just wouldn’t feel right.

  “So what are you reading now?” I say pulling in a ragged breath as Tristan walks over to the cooker, turns over the roast potatoes and pops them back in.

  “John Grisham’s The Racketeer.” He answers thoughtfully.

  “He’s really good too, I’ve read quite a few of his books. We seem to have a lot in common, don’t we?” I add sounding hoarse, so I pick up the water and glug a load back.

  Tristan turns and smiles at me. “We certainly do,” he agrees. “Would you like a glass of wine?” He asks as he puts the beef on the side to rest.

  “Please.” Tristan gets two wine glasses out
of the cupboard – he looks so at ease in the kitchen – then he gets the rose wine out of the freezer, pops the cork and pours two ice-cold glasses. As he reaches the sofa he passes one to me.

  “How did you know?” I say taking a sip.

  “Know what?” He answers looking a little confused.

  “That I...” Then it hits me, I don’t remember telling him that I like really cold wine? So he must like it like that too? I chortle and shake my head.

  “What?” He questions.

  “Nothing I just thought...you like your wine cold?” I question.

  “Um...yeah, I...” His face drops.

  “Relax, I do too.” I smile. Tristan perks up again and takes a drink.

  Then I remember his present. “Oh hey, I got you something,” I beam. “It’s kind of two presents in one though, a housewarming gift and a thank you for the air-conditioner.” Tristan’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. I put my wine down and stand up. “Stay where you are,” I order.

  “Yes Ma’am.” Tristan puts his wine on the coffee table then leans back against the sofa.

  “And close your eyes.” Tristan grins like a kid on Christmas Day its pure joy to see. As I run up the stairs to get his painting I suddenly feel really apprehensive. What if he doesn’t like it? Ok so I can say that first, that if he doesn’t we can exchange it.

  “Ok, eyes closed?” I shout at the top of the stairs.

  “Yes.” he chuckles. I carefully make my way back down the stairs. Tristan peeks with one eye. “No peeking.” I scold. His grin widens, he’s so cheeky. “So, I was thinking if you don’t like this we can exchange it ok? Above all be honest.” I tell him forcefully.

  “Honesty is my middle name.” He assures me.

  I stand in front of him holding the painting against my body. I almost decide to hold it up above my face so I can't see his expression, then I change my mind.

  “Hurry up,” he says jigging up and down. “The suspense is killing me,” he adds. He’s really smiling now, his dimples deep. I swoon at him for a second then snap myself out of it.

  I take a deep breath. “Ok, open your eyes.” Tristan peeks with one eye for a tenth of a second then both eyes burst wide open in what? Shock, surprise, horror?

  “E-type?” He says breathlessly.

  “Um...yeah,” I answer glumly. “If you don’t like it, we can exchange it.” I repeat.

  “Shut up…” He drawls staring up at the painting – Ok, maybe he likes it? A grin from ear to ear starts to spread across his face.

  “You like it.” I say jumping up and down on the spot. Tristan looks up at me with wide eyes. I can’t quite read the expression on his face. Is it awe, gratitude, surprise?

  “Coral, you shouldn’t have,” he gasps. “This must have cost’ – “Oh hush now,” I scowl. “It’s a double present anyway.” I whine. The last thing I want is him telling me is I can't spend my money on him.

  “I don’t know what to say.” He answers softly, still gazing up at me with that look.

  “Thank you would be nice.” I say dryly, cocking one eyebrow up. Tristan stands takes the painting out of my hand, places it against the sofa, and launches me up into the air and into his arms, swinging me round as he does.

  “It’s perfect, just like you.” He whispers. My mouth pops open. He chuckles at my shocked expression. “I love it,” he adds excitedly.

  “You do?” I breathe, I still can’t get over that he thinks I’m perfect.

  “Yes.” He chuckles back, placing my feet back on the floor. We are face to face again, so I reach up and run my fingers through his hair; it’s so soft.

  “I’m glad.” I croak. Breathe Coral, breathe!

  Tristan closes his eyes, and leans his forehead against mine. It’s a heady feeling – literally. I’ve seen it happen in so many movies and shouted at the T.V for the couple in question to get on with it and kiss, but now it’s happening to me, I finally see the beauty in it. I see the romance, the longing, the passion. I close my eyes and melt into the moment.

  “Coral,” Tristan’s voice is so low, it’s barely a whisper. I open my eyes and see he’s looking at me that way again, like he’s seeing straight through me. My breath catches with the intensity of the moment. “Tell me you want this?” He whispers.

  I let out a ragged breath. “I want this, I want you.” I say stroking his cheek again. Tristan squeezes me harder against his body. I wet my lips in anticipation – Bing!

  We both sigh loudly then burst out laughing – This is getting god damn ridiculous! – Tristan lets me go, shaking his head as he does – Grrrr, the irony!

  “Hungry?” he asks checking the meal. “Because it’s ready,” he adds.

  “Kind of lost my appetite now,” I say as butterflies are flying around like fighter jets in my stomach.

  “Coral, you have to eat.” He softly admonishes.

  “I know,” I whisper.

  He walks back over to me and pulls me close against his body. “I really want you to eat something,” he says. “You haven’t eaten much over the past two days.”

  “Well you probably haven’t either.” I argue.

  “Good point, I haven’t had much, which is probably why I want to demolish this dinner.”

  “You’re hungry.” I guess.

  “Yes.” He says, smiling at me. I frown at the floor. “What?” He says lifting my chin with his thumb and forefinger – Be honest Coral.

  “Don’t I have any effect on you? We nearly…and you…you just want to eat?” I stutter.

  “You have no idea the effect you have on me,” he whispers. “I’m hungry, for you and for food.” Oh, bugger me that’s….that’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever had said to me. “So, shall we? If we leave it any longer it’ll be ruined,” he adds.

  I nod my head in acceptance. “I’ll set the table,” I squeak.

  “Marvelous! Shall I serve?” He asks, his playful smile is back.

  “Yes.” I whisper.

  Tristan walks back over to the kitchenette, while I pull out my tiny little fold up table and two chairs. Opening them up I place them under the table, then I walk over to the kitchenette, bumping Tristan with my hip as I do, which he chuckles at. I open the draw and pull out two placemats, coasters and two sets of knives and forks.

  This feels really weird. I, of course, normally pull out just one, unless Bob eats with me, but he prefers to eat alone. I smile as I place them opposite each other, then I pick up our wines and place them on the table too.

  I stop for a moment and take stock of how natural this all feels, Tristan serving up dinner after a lazy Sunday afternoon walk; it feels like we’re a real bona-fide couple that’s been doing this forever. It feels so god damn good to eat a meal with someone, so nice.

  Tristan has done a magnificent job. We have Roast Beef with Yorkshires, Roast potatoes, mustard mash (my favourite) a vegetable medley of broccoli, kale and peas and roast carrots and parsnips, topped with delicious thick gravy, this could out-do Gladys’s roasts.

  There are three delicious plates laid out, and the portions are perfect. Not too over-loaded like Gladys’s, she thinks I’m skinny and need fattening up. So after many arguments she now lets me serve up my own plate, even though she always rolls her eyes at my small amount.

  “Wow, good job.” I say beaming up at him.

  “Why thank you.” Tristan grins sexily at me, making me lose my train of thought for a second.

  “Um…I’ll take Bob’s round to him.” I pick up one of the plates. “Oh careful with the table, it’s a bit rickety,” I tell him as I walk out the patio door, moments later I am back. Tristan has placed our plates on the table and is sitting down waiting for me, how gentlemanly.

  “You waited.” I beam as I sit down.

  “It’s good manners to wait.” He says taking a sip of wine.

  “Your grandparents taught you well,” I say, then regret it. I doubt he wants to be reminded of them. I take a big whiff of the meal and my appetite comes back
with a vengeance. “Mmm smells delicious.”

  “Cheers.” Tristan raises his glass, I pick up mine and we click glasses.

  “Cheers.” I take a sip place my wine down and start eating. “Dig in Tristan, don’t let it go cold,” I add. I’m so used to eating on my own, that I don’t think anything of it as I munch away without any conversation, until Tristan’s chuckling brings my attention back. “What?” I ask feeling as though I’m blushing.

  “I just had a flashback of you eating that muffin,” he chuckles filling his fork back up again.

  “I was mortified you caught me.” I confess, cringing inside that he’s brought that up.

  “I know you were, that was half the fun of it.” His eyes twinkle wickedly.

  “Tristan!” I scold.

  “I know it’s bad, right?” He chortles.

  “I’ll get you back.” I gripe sulkily.

  “Doubt it.” He answers, his eyes sparkling some more. I have to smile back. It feels as though the moment I see his smile, my face automatically reacts and smiles along with him…

  WE LAUGH, TEASE AND TALK our way right through dinner, the time actually flies by. What felt like five minutes was actually an hour.

  “Want to put this film on?” Tristan asks pouring us both more wine. I feel so content, full belly, no nose pain, and a gorgeous man named Tristan to ogle at for the rest of the night.

  “I’m not fussed.” I say dreamily, taking another sip.

  “Good. Because I have a surprise for you.” Tristan gets up and switches the oven back on. More food?

  “Tristan, what are you doing?”

  “Oh, you know in the supermarket we were comparing puddings?”

  “Err...yeah.” I say sceptically.

  “Well I snuck one in,” he says, grinning like a naughty school boy.

  “Tristan,” I moan. “Seriously?” I sigh heavily in resignation. “Healthy diet, window gone,” I grumble, then I narrow my eyes at him. “You’re not pulling a Gladys on me are you?” I question.