CORAL (A Romance Trilogy, Book 1) (46 page)

“Bye George.” I hang up then send
a text to Rob.

*Did I just see you at Montefiore’s? Xxx*

I pop my mobile back in my bag
and look up at Tristan, he looks deep in thought.

“Coral, I’m sorry but I’ve got to
go into the office for a couple of hours.”
Ah, so that’s why he’s suited and
booted!
“Stuart will take you in to see Will, and get you back to your
studio,” he tells me.

I burst out laughing. “No he
won’t, no offense Stu,” I offer looking at him in the rear view mirror.

“Coral don’t be difficult,” he says,
exasperated.

“Difficult?” I question.

“Yes,” he snaps. I don’t know
why, but Tristan’s demeanor seems to have changed since George called.

“Tristan...?” He holds one finger
up to me. My mouth presses into a hard line. I can't help gritting my teeth at
him. A minute later Stuart pulls up outside the office. Tristan nods to him,
leaving the engine running, Stuart steps outside.

“What’s that all about?” I ask.

“He’s giving us some privacy,” he
answers.

“Oh!” I swallow hard.
Why do I
feel like I’ve done something wrong?

Tristan turns in his seat so he’s
facing me and takes my hand in his. “I really want Stuart to’ – “Tristan don’t.
I’m quite capable of getting myself home from the gym. Don’t treat me like an
injured animal, it’ll just piss me off!”

“Ok.” Tristan holds his hands up
in the air in defeat.

“Is that all?” I snipe feeling
annoyed at him. Tristan stares ahead contemplating what he’s got on his mind. “Oh
for heaven’s sake Tristan just spit it out!”

“You have your therapist
tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“And someone else?”
Why oh why
did he have to hear that.

I sigh heavily. “Yes.”

“Who?”

“What?”

“Coral, I want to make sure
you’re’ – “She’s a hypnotherapist,” I blurt in frustration.

“A...a hypnotherapist?” he
stutters. “Why would you need one of...” Tristan trails off and stares into
space. Finally he turns to me, and runs a cool, soft finger down my cheek, then
takes my hands in his and entwines our fingers. “Give me your word that you’ll
tell me....one day,” he adds.

“I...I can’t Tristan, I can’t
guarantee you that,” I croak.

“Why not?” he asks, his voice low
and husky.

“Because I don’t want to let you
down,” I mumble. “I don’t know if I have the courage to...” I stare down at our
entwined fingers. “Can we talk about this another time, I’d like to get home,”
I snap.

My nose hurts, I’m hungry and I
don’t want to assess how I’m really feeling about Tristan. He wants so much
from me, and I don’t know if I can give that back to him. I cross my arms and
pout. Tristan purses his lips, then frowns deeply and narrows his eyes at me.

“Coral, why do I get the feeling
that you’re going to say goodbye, and I won’t see it coming?” He asks, his
voice shaking slightly.
Shit!

I shake my head and run my hand
through my hair. “I don’t know,” I lie, turning to stare out the window. I
can’t look at him, if I do I’ll crack, and I don’t want him to know the real
depravity of my feelings.

I’m deeply scarred by the events
of my past, and he doesn’t know how deep those scars run. I feel like a have an
internal battle raging within me, and I already have enough battle wounds. I
don’t think I could take anymore, and falling for Tristan is starting to make
me realise how deep those wounds go.

My heart is broken, torn in two,
it needs stitching back together, but I don’t know how to do that. I’m not even
sure if it will ever heal completely, and I’m starting to realise that if I
really let Tristan in, and it goes wrong, my heart will snap in two and I’ll
never repair from it. I’ll be a broken fuck up, just like my mother, and I just
don’t think I can take that risk.

“I’ll be back at lunchtime. Can I
pick you anything up?” His voice is low and strained.

“Sure, a salad would be nice.” I
whisper.

“Done,” he answers. I can feel
him watching me, waiting for me to look at him. “Coral,” he whispers, I turn
and look up at him, he looks lost and as though he’s in pain. I squeeze my eyes
shut for a second, feeling guilty for making him feel like this. “I’m sorry
Coral, I’ - I move forward and press my lips against his.

“Don’t be, you’re curious. I
would be too.” I kiss him softly, trying to ease his anxious look.

He gazes back at me, and gently
strokes my hair. “I have to go,” he says.

“I know,” I whisper and sit back
in my seat.

“See you later?” I nod at him and
pull my lips up in a semblance of a smile. He narrows his eyes at me, leans
forward and gently kisses my forehead – His kiss sears me, changing my mind again.
What the fuck am I doing?

Tristan steps out of the car. I
watch him walk over to Stuart and chat to him for a moment. Then Stuart hops
back in the car.

“So just to the Gym,” he
clarifies, smiling broadly at me.

I nod silently already lost in
thought...

TEN MINUTES LATER I HAVE SAID
goodbye to Stuart and I’m walking into the Gym. I have no idea if
Will is even here this time of day. I don’t know if he’s a full or part time
fitness instructor so I decide to ask at reception. As I stand waiting to be
seen, I’m eyed speculatively by the two girls that are serving clients. I roll
my eyes at them, and I'm about to say something when I’m tapped on the
shoulder. I turn around and see Will’s mouth gape open in shock. Before he even
asks me a question, he’s tugging me along and pulling me into a small office.

“Coral!”
Jeez he looks really
angry!

“This isn’t what it looks like!”
I say raising my hands in the air to stop him.

“Oh really’ – Will crosses his
arms – ‘Denial, it’s always the first step,” he barks.

“Will, my niece did this to me,”
I snap, he scowls back at me. “I swear to you,” I add, then tell him how it
happened, but he still doesn’t look convinced.

“Will,” I whisper closing my eyes
as I do. “I would never let anyone do this to me.” I open my eyes and continue.
“I came in here to tell you I can't do tonight, and that I’ll see you on
Thursday, my nose should have healed up by then.”

He sighs heavily. “You know you
can always tell me if anyone’ – “Will!” I bark. “I get you care about me, but
I’m telling you my niece did this!” I bellow feeling annoyed at him.

“Alright Coral” he nods, but I’m
still not sure he’s convinced.

I shake my head at him and walk
over to the door. “See you Thursday,” I grumble wrenching the door open.
I
don’t need this shit! I’ve got enough going on.

I march out the gym and all the
way home…

THREE HOURS LATER
I have
caught up with all the work that Joyce sent over this morning, and resent it
for her to print and sign. I have welcomed the work; it’s taken my mind of
Tristan, and the raging battle that’s going on. I’m so confused from all the
fucked-up-ness that goes on in my head. I sigh inwardly and sit back against
the sofa.

I look
up at the time, Tristan will be back soon. I shake my head at myself.
What
am I going to do?
It all feels like it’s going so fast. I take a deep
breath trying to calm myself, but all I can smell is Tristan, his scent is all
over this place now – It was a bad idea letting him stay here, building
memories with him.

I wish
I could talk to Rob, he would help me rationalise it all, maybe I could tell
him why I’m like this, tell him the truth, tell him all about my past, maybe
then – My mobile buzzes at me, pulling me from my musing. I pick it up and see
there’s a text.

I
scramble to open it, hoping it’s a reply from Rob.

*Hey my sexy, gorgeous girl ;-) What kind
of salad would you like? Tristan Xx*

I grin
like an idiot. I instantly feel lifted from my somber thoughts. He’s so hard to
resist, not only does Tristan think I’m gorgeous and sexy – which is a very
heady feeling in itself – but I got a wink too. I press reply and send one back
to him.

*I’m starving and missing you, hurry back.
Surprise me baby Xxx*

His reply is immediate.

*I do apologise something came up. Missing
you too, see you soon gorgeous Xxx*

Just as I’m about to text back a
witty reply my mobile rings.

“Hi Joyce.”

“How are you feeling darling?”

“Oh fine, can I come back
tomorrow?”

“Not until your bruising has
gone.” She answers sternly.

I frown at her reply. “Why?” I
question.

“It just...well doesn’t look good
on the company darling, and do you really want all the girls gossiping about
you? – Which they will,” she adds.

“I don’t care.” I snap.

“Well I do.” She retorts.

“So you want me to take the week
off?” I question in horror.

“There’s no rush Coral, when the
bruises have gone, come back.” I sigh heavily.

“Ok, if that’s what you want.” I
mumble.

“Darling, use the time
productively. Why not spend some time with Tristan while he’s here?” I’m
speechless. Then I remember what Tristan told me about their little chat. “I’m
finishing myself now so you won’t get anything else sent across today. Take
some time off Coral, you deserve it.”
Why do I get the feeling Joyce is
pushing for this too?

“Um...sure ok,” I mumble.

“I’m doing the same tomorrow, a
few hours in the morning and then I’m off again.” She tells me.

“Oh, ok.” I have to wonder what
Joyce is up to? “Do you need me to help you with anything?” I ask hoping she’ll
say yes. I’m going to go mad sitting around when Tristan’s gone.

“No, I’m fine thank you Coral.”

I shrug and sigh. “Ok, I’ll see
you soon,” I grumble. “Bye.” I’m about to hang up when Joyce stops me.

“Oh Coral, Lily loved the dress,
thank you for choosing it for me.”

“Anytime,” I smile feeling
momentarily better.

“Bye darling.” Joyce hangs up.

I check my mobile for a reply
from Rob, still nothing. Guess I’m just going to have to be patient and hope
that I’ll hear from him soon…

TWENTY MINUTES LATER
Tristan comes waltzing into the studio looking sexy as ever, gone is the suit.
I guess he went back to the hotel and got changed. Now he’s in a pair of dark
blue jeans, and a black t-shirt that fits snuggly against his muscular torso –
Uh-Oh!
I didn’t think he could look sexier than the suit, but he does!

I swoon at him for a second then
snap out of it. “Hi,” I squeak.

Without a word, he places the
take-out bag on the coffee table, pulls me into him and kisses me so
forcefully, I almost fall backwards. And I would have done, had it not been for
his strong arms wrapped around me. But there’s something more, something behind
the kiss, a hint of desperation maybe, I don’t know.

“What was that for?” I ask
breathlessly.

“Does there need to be a reason?”
He asks, staring down at me with anxious eyes.

“I guess not.” I whisper. He
smiles tentatively at me.

“Your salad me lady,” he smiles
his deep dimpled smile.

“Thanks.” I sit down on the sofa,
open the packaging and see Tristan has ordered my favourite – Green leaf and
avocado with black olives and sundried tomatoes.

“How did you know?” I beam as
Tristan sits next to me.

“I’m observant and I listen,” he
muffles, I look across and see he’s demolishing his food again.

“Hungry?” I chuckle.

“Yes.” Tristan gobbles his chicken
salad down in no time at all.

But I’m struggling again, all I
keep thinking about is his hands on my body, his lips against mine and what
it’s going to feel like when he’s finally inside me, making love to me. Then I
think about it happening for real, and I start to freak out. My heart starts
hammering against my chest, I feel nauseous.

“Will you tell me?” He softly
asks.

“Tell you what?” I mumble as I
pick at my salad.

“Why you’re having Hypnotherapy?”

“Tristan,” I moan putting my fork
down, my appetite completely vanished.

“Please?” He begs.

“For god’s sake man, let me eat!”
I admonish.

Tristan frowns back at me but he
doesn’t push it, he nods once then stands and walks out onto the decking. I can
hear him chatting away to Bob. I take the alone time to try and eat the rest of
my salad. I concentrate hard on chewing and swallowing, keeping my mind clear
of all thoughts.