CORAL - Fallen (A Romance Trilogy, Book 2) (14 page)

I pull back from him, sniggering to myself.
“Fuck up,” I say tapping my head.

“Confused more like, and I’d say lack of
home life and a sense of feeling grounded. Maybe with time the answer will
become clearer.” Tristan says.

I exhale loudly. “How do you do that?” I
instantly feel relieved and take another bite of croissant.

“Do what?” he asks sipping his coffee.

“Make all my worries feel like they disappear,”
I breathe. “Oh and sound so wise, older than your years, like you have all the
answers,” I add, keeping my eyes on my croissant.

“Guess I’m just lucky,” he says his voice
all husky and deep. My heart booms and the butterflies return, appetite gone!
Fuck
a duck!

“You’ve gone pale,” he says frowning at me.
“Are you feeling unwell?” he asks, placing his hand on my forehead.

“No, you make me feel a bit woozy sometimes,”
I answer honestly.

He visibly relaxes, and smiles shyly at me.
“I do?” he says, removing his hand from my forehead. Tristan sounds proud of
himself and a little smug.

“You want me to lose two stone?” I gripe.

“No – I absolutely do not – I love your
curves.” He tells me firmly.

“Then stop being so...so perfect and sexy
and brilliant and nice.” I stop talking and force the rest of the croissant
into my mouth – it’s not attractive, really it isn’t – then take several gulps
of coffee to help me swallow. Tristan is really chuckling to himself now,
evidently finding my squirming and suffering amusing.

I finish my coffee and turn in my seat so
I’m facing him. “Ok, George is always telling me I worry too much about the
future, well about everything but’ – “He’s got you nailed down to a tee,”
Tristan interrupts, still chortling. I glare at him, he instantly stops
laughing so I continue.

“So the whole kid’s thing isn’t something
to worry about? Or is it? I’m trying not to, but what if you decide you do and
I don’t, or vice-versa? People change their minds with stuff like that all the
time, and I can’t…I just…I don’t want to lose you Tristan. But at the same time
I’d rather cut the cord now, so to speak, than get totally and utterly wrapped
up in each other’s worlds, only for it to come crashing down.”
Jeez, I feel
like I’m having a session with George!

I burst out laughing at myself it kind of
helps, a little.

Tristan turns and takes my hand in his. “Ok,
first things first. You are over worrying about things that may or may not
happen that you can’t change. Secondly, if in the future you decided you want kids,
your wish, my darling is my command’ – “But’ – “Oh no you don’t. No
interruptions,” he says shaking his head at me.

I purse my lips and stare back at him. “If
I decide I want kids and you don’t, I would not leave you Coral. I would accept
that I already have everything I want in the palm of my hands, as in you. If I
did want kids and you do too, they would be…an added bonus. The difference of
being a couple to being a family, so whichever way either of us goes, we will
still be together. Does that help you feel more relaxed?” He softly asks.

“Yes...and no!” I reply.

Tristan smiles down at me. “Ok, what’s the
no part?” He’s so patient with me.

“Resentment,” I answer clearly.

“Resentment?” he questions frowning at me,
trying to understand.

“Yes, you’ll totally resent me if I say no
and you want them, surely?” I squeak out.

“No I won’t Coral. Don’t you understand? You’re
the cake, the amazing rich, sweet chocolate cake. Kids would be the icing on
the top.” He tells me firmly.

I chuckle at that one. “I like your analogy
of it.”

Tristan smiles his sexy smile. “Yeah me
too, that kind of worked,” he says surprising himself.

I chuckle even harder. “Yeah it did.”

“Ok now?” He asks, stroking my cheek again.

“Yes.” I swallow hard.

Tristan sighs in relief, picks up another
croissant and rips it open – I die a little inside. I have to find the courage
to tell him, something else to talk over with George.

I
AM SAT IN THE DRIVER’S SIDE
of Tristan’s F-Type and
I’m buzzing with excitement. Tristan has driven us to a quiet country road so I
can get a good feel for it. The sun is blasting down making the roads nice and
sticky – although the car is as cool as a cucumber as Tristan wanted the roof
up – and the sky is a perfect blue, not a cloud in sight.

“Comfortable?” he asks, looking a little
worried. I beam at Tristan. He looks so good, sitting there, looking fresh,
clean, and sexy as hell with those aviators on.

“Love these bucket seats,” I say looking
around at the rest of the interior. It has that new car smell, and I'm
surprised Tristan has chosen black leather interior; I feel like I'm in the kit
car from Knight Rider.

“Concentrate Coral!” Tristan admonishes. I
hear him speak, but I'm drawn to the song playing in the car.

“Who’s this?” I ask innocently.

“Coral!” Tristan balks.

“I want to know!” I moan.

“Fine! It’s Agualung, Strange and Beautiful.”
I raise my eyebrows at him.

“Is that what you think of me?” Tristan
instantly looks uncomfortable –
Great he thinks I'm strange!

“Before drawing any conclusions, I think
you should listen to the words,” he drawls sarcastically.

“Oh!” I frown back at him.

“Coral!” Tristan is getting really annoyed
with me.

“Right, sorry.” I look straight ahead.

“Now remember, it’s a rear wheel drive car,
you get it wrong, the back flips out we’ – “I know we go for a spin,” I
interrupt.

“Which we don’t want,” Tristan adds,
shaking his head.

“Definitely not,” I scoff, agreeing
wholeheartedly.

“Ok I’m going to put it into Auto, keep
your foot on the brake.”

“Can’t we have Sports mode?” I whine,
Tristan look says it all. “Ok, ok Auto,” I stifle a giggle – He’s taking this
all very seriously.

“Now release the brake and gently push down
on the gas.” I lift my foot, and touch the gas, but a little too much and we
lunge forward. I panic and hit the brake.

“Try again, but really gently this time.” Tristan
encourages.

I do so, this time it works and we gently
pull away. The feeling is amazing, the car sounds awesome, and I feel totally
cocooned. I keep my speed down getting a feel for the car, I don't want to get
it wrong and go skidding out of control – plus, I haven’t driven a car in ages.

I see a bend coming up, I know the handling
on this car is meant to be awesome, so I don’t brake I just let the car glide
round.

“Nice Coral, not bad at all,” Tristan says,
nodding his head in approval.

“Thanks,” I squeak with excitement,
glancing across at him.

“Eyes forward!” He barks. I panic and stare
straight ahead. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea with Tristan
in
the
car? When I look at him, I find it hard to look away.

“Wanna go faster?” He asks.

“Hell yeah!” I giggle, glancing across at
him again.

“Well go on then,” he says, gesturing with
his hand, smiling widely at me.

I grin, a Cheshire cat grin and push my
foot down on the gas. The car growls as it picks up speed making me smile even
wider –
Ok maybe Tristan can buy me one of these!

As we whoosh around the country roads, the
car effortlessly eating up the miles, I realise I’m having the time of my life.
Not only am I in a very sexy car, but I have a very sexy man besides me to
boot. I take the next bend with a little more enthusiasm than Tristan likes, but
the car makes it, effortlessly.

“Careful baby,” Tristan says his voice low.

“Ok,” I answer mulishly, but I don’t slow
down.

He puts his hand on my knee and squeezes
tight, which does not help my concentration at all. “This is the first time
you’ve driven her, take it easy ok?”
Her?

“Your hand on my knee is not helping me
concentrate,” I retort. Tristan instantly lifts his hand from my knee, which
makes me smile.

As I continue to drive, my confidence grows
and I really feel as though I’m getting to know the car, so I push harder. As
we hit a straight, I see Tristan in my peripheral vision, he looks as though
he’s getting more and more nervous by the minute. I fight the laughter that
wants to burst out of me, my lips twitching into a smile.

“Happy?” Tristan asks.

“This is amazing!” I screech whacking it
into another bend.

“Ok baby, let’s not wrap us around a tree,”
he says gripping his hands together.
Jeez, he really is nervous!

“Ok,” I titter.

In the distance I see a lay-by and start to
slow down, finally pulling in so Tristan can take over. Tristan puts the car
into park and puts the handbrake on, leaving the engine purring beneath us.

“Fun?” he asks his eyes wide with
excitement.

“Amazing,” I reiterate.

“Want one?” he chuckles which makes me roll
my eyes at him. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Tristan leans in and kisses me
forcefully, molding perfectly to mine. It’s like his lips were made just for my
lips. Whenever we kiss and make love, it feels as though it’s always in such
synchronized symmetry. Which makes me wonder if Gladys is actually right and
there is a Soul-Mate out there for each of us? A car pulling in behind us stops
us from our little bit of fun -
There goes our car sex, maybe later?

We giggle at nearly being caught, then
Tristan steps out and comes round to the driver’s side. With wobbly legs I step
out of the car using Tristan’s hands for support. Then he walks me round to the
passenger side, helps me slide into the low seat and shuts the door.

I watch him jog round the car, open the
driver’s door, lean down and press a button, the seat starts to move back so he
has enough room for his long legs, then he slips inside.
Damn he looks sexy
today, and even sexier behind the wheel of this baby!

He starts driving again. He really is very
good at it, and very fast – which again I’m surprised at. My control freak
tendencies don’t make for a very good passenger, but with Tristan, I feel safe.
I trust he won’t fuck it up.

Which makes me go back to this morning, and
thinking about the whole wedding thing. I mean, it’s too early, of course it
is, but I can't help thinking that Tristan should know that he’s changed my
view of it all. So I decide that tonight, I’ll talk to him, tell him how I
feel. Deep in thought, I hadn’t noticed that we are heading east out of
Brighton.

“Going somewhere?” I ask.

“Indeed we are.” Tristan beams at me and
clutches my hand.

“Will you tell me where?” I ask feeling a
little apprehensive.

“Hastings.” Tristan turns to see my
reaction. “Ever been?” he asks.

“No, I haven’t actually, you?” I say,
staring at his profile.

“Just once for the day, I was a kid I don't
remember it much.” He tells me.

“Did you plan this?” I ask narrowing my
eyes at him.

“Yes.” He smiles widely at me.
I knew
it!

“When?” I ask, smiling back.

“Last night while you were preparing dinner,”
he says smiling coyly.
I didn’t think he was working!

“Why Hastings?” I ask.

Tristan smiles warmly at me. “Because it’s
got culture, history and great beaches.”

“What and Brighton hasn’t?” I say dryly.

Tristan chuckles at that one. “What are you
thinking? Do you want to go, or turn back?” he looks worried.

“No way, I’ve never been. I’d really like
to see it,” I tell him.

“Good. It’s meant to have some really
quaint little shops. I thought we might find something for the house.” Tristan looks
across at me and smiles sweetly.

“Good idea batman,” I banter.

“Thanks Robin,” he chuckles.

I lean back into my plush bucket seat and
enjoy the scenery. Leaving Brighton behind actually feels quite invigorating,
refreshing; but more than anything, I’m just in awe to be spending the day with
Mr Moneybags; he really is quite something…

IT HAS TAKEN US AN HOUT TO REACH HASTINGS
. Tristan has spent the whole time throwing questions at me, all
random stuff that comes up in everyday conversations like
favourite
colour, clothing, music, films,
books and food. He’s been very careful not to ask questions about my past,
which I really appreciate, I really want to enjoy today.

I sigh inwardly. I am doing my very best to
block out the fact that we’ll both be back to work tomorrow, and Tristan will
be gone all week. I can't even begin to think about how I’m going to feel when
he’s gone. A shiver runs down my spine making me shudder – I stamp on that line
on thinking, I want to enjoy today!

Then I remember I have legs-that-go-on-forever
Susannah to deal with. I tried to convince Tristan as we got into bed last
night that I was sure to work out the new programmes by myself, that Blondie
didn’t need to come and train me, but he disagreed –
Stupid Millionaire
Mogul!

“I have one more question,” Tristan says,
pulling into a car park right on the seafront.

“No!” I pout, I told him no more questions
until I get a drink of some sort; my throat is so dry from talking so much.

We find a parking space away from all other
vehicles, right at the far end. “Why are you parking so far away?” I ask.

“I don’t want any fucker scratching my
car,” he growls.

“Oh!” That’s understandable, it’s not
cheap.

Tristan gets out the car and walks around
to my side, opening the door for me. “Please, just one more,” he asks as he takes
my hand and helps me out of the car, it’s so low it’s not exactly easy to get
in and out of.

“Fine!” I huff. I notice two security men
patrolling the car park. I have to wonder if Tristan purposely found this one
because of that? Then I wonder if you can search car parks on Google? I bet you
can, I shake my head at my over-active imagination.

Tristan takes my hand and we start walking.
“When we first met, you looked like you knew who you were meeting. It could
have been Craig or Pete, but you knew who I was. How?”
Holy crap!
Of all
the questions to ask me – I decide to lie.

“Joyce showed me a picture of you,” I squeak
looking anywhere but at Tristan’s face.

We stop walking as we’ve reached the pay
meter, Tristan puts the money in and the ticket pops out. Another security
guard I hadn’t noticed appears out of nowhere making me jump as he greets
Tristan. “Gorgeous car mate,” he says slapping him on the back. They start
talking cars and engines. I’m glad of the interruption. Maybe Tristan will
forget what he’s asked me? I turn around just in time to see him hand a twenty
to the guard.

“Keep an eye on her for me?” I have to stop
myself from laughing.
Boys and their toys!

“No problem mate.” The security guard shakes
Tristan’s hand.

I roll my eyes and we start walking back
over to the car. I wait patiently while Tristan puts the ticket in the window.
Then he walks over to me, takes hold of my hand and taking me by surprise, he
pulls me up against him and kisses me like we haven’t kissed in days, finally dipping
me down low so my hair touches the floor. I feel dizzy by the time he stops.

We start walking again, my hand in his,
neither of us saying anything. I’m trying really hard to keep the stupid loved
up grin off my face. Tristan glances at me, smiles deeply, shakes his head at
me then chuckles too.

“Did you plan to park here?” I ask.

“I sure did?” He says.

“Why?” I chuckle.

“Because it’s the only car park with
security, and I figured if I tipped them, they’d look after the car.” He says,
shrugging slightly.

“Seriously?” I choke.

“Yes,” Tristan says firmly. “I really like
my car!”

“Yeah I’ve noticed,” I add dryly.

“So where to my darling, the beach or a
walk in town?” he asks animatedly. He looks excited, like a young school boy; it’s
cute!

“Town, I’m thirsty!” I reiterate.

“Town it is!” Tristan squeezes my hand and
we head in the direction of The Old Town.

WE LOCATE A QUAINT LITTLE CAFÉ.
We have ordered some coffees and a bottle of water for me that I
instantly glug back. Tristan has also ordered a Toasted Sandwich citing he is
hungry again. I guess a couple of croissants aren’t enough to keep him going. I
don’t know how he stays so slim with the amount he eats. I guess it must be
swapping his workouts around like he told me.

“So, am I going to get the answer to my
question?” He asks again, a slight smirk stretched across his face.