CORAL (A Romance Trilogy, Book 1) (50 page)

Ok so maybe I’m putting too much
pressure on myself? I decide that I am and I just need to play all of this by
ear, see how I feel when I’m back in Tristan’s arms. Happy with my decision, I
turn and walk over to the keypad. I punch in the code for the gates and they
smoothly open. I pick up my bags and the bedding, take a deep breath and
awkwardly walk down the driveway.

When I reach the front door I use
the keys and open it up. Stepping inside I shut the door behind me, and punch
in the code for the alarm. Then I let my bags and the bedding drop to the
floor. I take another deep breath and stare at the empty, barren house, the
enormity of what I’m going to do tonight takes over and I sink to the floor –
Come
on Coral get a grip!

I try to swallow but my throat
feels thick and dry. Standing up, my legs still shaking, I head into the
kitchen and pour myself a glass of water, glugging it down in one go. I pour
another glass and still myself.

“You can do this!” I say out
loud, trying to convince myself that I can. Taking another deep breath I look
around the huge expanse, this place is so frigging big and empty that it
actually feels kind of spooky. “Echo…” I shout, my voice instantly echoing through
the empty rooms.

Shaking my head at myself I walk
back over to my bags, pick them up with the bedding and awkwardly make my way
up the two flights of stairs, and into the main bedroom.

I take a look at my watch it’s
5.30pm. I figure it will take me an hour to shower, shave and pamper myself in
all the right places, and Tristan might get back earlier than anticipated – I
better get a move on! I quickly open the quilt and lay it out on the floor, so
it can flatten out.

Then I make the bed up with the
bottom sheet, and the pillow cases. Then last but not least, I put the quilt
cover on and lay it on top of the bed –
There, now it’s starting to look
more like a bedroom.
Time for a shower! Finding my wash-bag, I march into
the en-suite, stripping my clothes as I go, then finding my razor, shower gel
and shampoo and conditioner, I step into the huge shower…

I AM STOOD IN FRONT OF THE DOUBLE SINK
, staring at myself in the massive mirror that’s above it – I look
ill. My cheeks are sunken –
That’s not eating for you
– I castigate, but
it’s not like I can help it, the moment Tristan left my appetite vanished with
him.

My eyes are wide like saucers,
and as I take a closer look, I can see the fear behind them. I try not to think
too much on that. On a more positive note, the bruises have gone down
significantly, and my nose feels completely healed, the only thing left is very
light yellowish bruising underneath my eyes, I intend to cover them up with
concealer.

I look down at my naked body and
try to imagine Tristan’s hands touching me, caressing me, but the fear keeps
taking over making me feel nervous and breathless. Maybe it won’t happen
tonight? Maybe I’m just not brave enough? I know I have the fear to deal with
after what happened two years ago, but add on top of that the fact that I’m not
entirely confident about myself, it’s not really the best combination for a
sexy night together.

And I can't help wondering if I'm
sexy enough for Tristan?

I shake my head at that thought –
Get on with it Coral!

I start putting my makeup on,
foundation, blusher, powder and my favourite eye-shadow - it’s a copper-brown
mix - then some nude lip gloss. Picking up my mascara and opening it up, I
suddenly notice how badly my hands are shaking, I can feel the adrenalin
pumping through my system, making me feel woozy – I close my eyes and breathe
deeply for a while…

When I feel calmer, I open my
eyes and start to apply the mascara, but I’m still shaking so much that I
nearly poke my eye, three times!
Come on Coral relax! This doesn’t have to
happen tonight!
I keep repeating my mantra as I make the finishing touches.
When I’m done, I take a satisfied look at myself, my skin is buffed and
creamed, my hair has dried naturally, curling into soft waves and my makeup
looks nice –
Ok good!

Making my way back into the
bedroom to get dressed, I feel a little annoyed at myself that I didn’t pick
something up that’s, well...sexy! Even if it was just a silk pyjama set or
something – But oh no, I was too chicken to do that, so I have my only decent pair
of fitted dark blue sweats and my white support vest.
Great!

I slip into a pair of lacy boy
shorts, then my sweats. Pulling the vest over my head as carefully as I can so
I don’t ruin my makeup, I suddenly get a random thought of Justin –
“Why
don’t you ever wear anything sexy for me? You know I like stockings and
suspenders”
I shake my head and push the thought of him away. Back then I
was far too shy to do anything like that, wear provocative, sexy clothing. Now
I wish I had, so I would at least have something to wear for Tristan…

My hands are shaking again. As
much as I’m trying, I just can't seem to get rid of my nerves –
Alcohol!
– I decide that’s the key. Padding down the stairs, then down the next set, I
make it into the kitchen –
Maybe we need a mini fridge upstairs?

I walk over to the built in
fridge and pull out the cold bottle of Chardonnay that I put in there
yesterday. Luckily, I remembered at the last minute to bring a bottle opener
with me.

I pour myself a small glass and
glug it back in one go then I pour another. Placing the wine back in the
fridge, I immediately feel it flooding my system. I really should have had
lunch today. I have tried to eat, but nothing has any taste. It all seems so
boring and bland.

I make my way back up the stairs
to go and tidy up the mess I’ve left behind, just as I reach the door to the
bedroom, I hear my mobile ringing.

I dash over to it and see that
it’s Tristan.

“Tristan,” I gush, feeling a
settling warmth flow through me.

“Hello beautiful.” I smile
deeply.
God it’s so good to hear his voice again!
“Look, I know we said
Pizza tonight but I fancy a steak. How about you?” My stomach grumbles in
agreement.

“Yeah that sounds good, but may I
remind you we have nothing to cook with.” I point out.

“I like the sound of that,” he
says huskily, sending shivers down my spine.

“The sound of what?” I ask
confused.

“You said
‘we’
have
nothing to cook with,” he tells me.

“Oh,” I breathe.

“Yeah, oh!” he titters. “So I’ve
checked it out and I can order at this Italian and pick it up when I get there.
That’s if you want to eat straight away?”

“Yeah sure, I don’t mind.” I tell
him, my stomach tightening –
Jesus Coral that’s it, not tonight!

“You ok?” He asks sounding
concerned.

“Yeah...just missing you, hurry
up!” I tell him playfully.

“I will, see you in say…half an
hour?”

“Ok,” I squeak a little high
pitched and hang up…

I AM SAT OUTSIDE ON ONE OF THE BEAN-BAGS
we bought on Tuesday. I’m really trying not to, but I’m counting
the seconds down until he arrives, I wish he’d hurry up! I’ve nearly finished
my second glass of wine and I’m feeling pretty wobbly, not a good impression to
make. And the more I sit here, the more the nerves keep re-appearing, and my
stupid leg won’t stop jigging up and down. I hear a noise behind me. I dart up,
almost falling over, then I hear the front door shut.

“Coral?” Tristan calls out. My
whole body relaxes in response to his voice. I close my eyes for a second
savouring the exquisite feeling.

“In here!” I call my voice all
raspy. I swallow hard and pull my hand to my throat.

As I walk into the kitchen I see
him placing his bags down.
Damn he looks good!
He’s in a pair of light
grey suit trousers, a crisp white shirt and a deep blue tie. He looks up with a
smile on his face that immediately disappears –
Uh-oh!
Tristan marches
into the kitchen, puts down the take-out bag and pulls me into his arms,
squeezing tightly.

”What’s wrong?” He asks, his
voice sounding husky and dry.
God he smells divine!

“Nothing,” I lie and reach up to
kiss him, Tristan reciprocates but he still looks concerned.

“You look nervous,” he tells me
softly. “Should I be worried?” He asks.

I shake my head. “No, I just...I
missed you,” I tell him wrapping my arms around his waist, leaning my head
against his chest. Tristan tightens his hold on me and kisses the top of my
head.

“I’ve missed you too,” he
whispers.

“You sound thirsty.” I look up at
his warm eyes and smile.

“Thirsty, hungry and in need of a
shower,” he tells me. “You started without me,” he says gesturing to my glass
of wine.
Guilty as charged!

“Yeah…sorry about that,” I answer
feeling all my fears from earlier coming back to the surface. Tristan frowns
down at me.

“Hard day at work? Or a difficult
session with George?”
Is there anything he doesn’t know about me?

“Um...no, not really,” I answer
honestly then castigate myself for it.

“Ok, you talk, I’ll get a drink.”
I sigh heavily. Tristan walks over to the fridge and pours himself a glass of
wine, then turns and gazes at me in a strange way. He walks over to me, places
his wine down and runs his finger down my cheek.

“You’re so beautiful,” he
whispers, I frown –
No way am I that!
“You are,” he tells me firmly, as
though he can hear my inner dialogue.

I laugh nervously in response,
his frown deepens. “Coral’ –“Let’s eat,” I interrupt, “before it goes cold.” I
walk over to the cupboard and take out two plates and two sets of cutlery –
Thankfully we picked up a set on Tuesday, otherwise we’d be eating with our
fingers!

Tristan is watching me, assessing
me but thankfully, he doesn’t question me. Instead he opens the bag and starts
dishing it all up, it smells so good.

When he’s done, I look down at my
plate in wonder. I have peppered steak smothered with dianne sauce, chips,
peas, mushrooms and half a grilled tomato.

“Where the hell did you get this
from?” I ask in astonishment. Tristan has already started eating –
He must
be really hungry!
– He smiles and taps his nose at me.

I chuckle and start eating, but
each time I go to swallow my stomach tightens with nervous anticipation...

WE EAT IN COMFORTABLE SILENCE
. I top our wine glasses up half way through the meal, I’m drinking
far more than I should - I know that, but I’m hoping it’ll help me relax.
Tristan has already finished, and is quietly watching me as he sips his wine.

“Why don’t you go shower,” I tell
him. “I’ll be finished by the time you get back.” Tristan gazes at me for a
moment then looks down at my plate.
I’m eating so slowly tonight!

“Off your food?” He asks, I nod
feeling awkward. Tristan stands and kisses my temple, then grabs his bags and
makes his way up the stairs.

The moment he’s out of view I
exhale loudly –
Why do I feel so relieved?

I decide I don’t want to dwell on
that too deeply and try to eat some more, but two thirds into my meal, I decide
I’m too full to finish – I hate wasting food – I guess my stomach must have
shrunk with not eating regularly. I stand feeling exhausted for some reason,
and start clearing everything away.

Maybe it’s the adrenalin that’s
been pumping through my system for hours? Or maybe it’s the wine? Or maybe it’s
the fact that I have hardly slept at all? I just can’t seem to get Tristan out
of my head, and the few hours sleep I have had, I’ve dreamt of him – Just as
I’m washing the last plate, I hear Tristan coming down the stairs.

“That was quick,” I say
breathlessly. He looks so good, he’s in a pair of loose black sweats that hang
in the right way on his hips and a light grey vest, I haven’t seen his bare
shoulders before, they’re big, beautiful, and look very strong.

He quickly reaches me his scent
knocking me for six, then, slowly he reaches out and takes my face in his
hands. “Ok spit it out, why are you so nervous? Have I done something wrong, or
not done something?” He looks really worried.

“No!” I bark feeling angry that
he thinks that, but I can't get my words out either. The only way I feel I can
explain it to him is to show him.

I move his wine glass out of the
way and prop myself up onto the breakfast bar, opening my legs I pull on his
vest so he reaches me. Then I wrap my legs around him and kiss him, hard.

Tristan moans in response. I feel
his erection grow between my legs and freeze –
Fuck!
– I pull back from
his lips, trying not to show him how much I’m panicking. But my breathing has
escalated and my heart feels like it’s trying to break out of my chest –
Fuck!

“What is it?” He whispers,
trailing soft kisses down my neck.