CORAL - Forever (A Romance Trilogy, Book 3) (37 page)

“Nonsense,” he argues. “I haven’t seen this young
whippersnapper in a long time,” he says pointing to Tristan. “We need to catch
up, and I need to get to know this beautiful young lady a little more too,” he
adds.

Sophia rolls her eyes at him. Tristan and I grin at one
another.
This old guy is a scream!

“Shall we?” Tristan gestures, he’s waiting to see if I'm
happy with this which I am, so I nod and place my hand in the crook of his arm.

“Oh no you don't,” Harry says, holding his arm out to me.
Tristan laughs, takes my hand and places it on Harry’s arm.

“I'm watching you,” he teases Harry.

“You need to,” Harry jokes and we head over to his table...

I
AM STOOD AT THE BAR WAITING FOR TRISTAN TO FINISH TALKING TO AN ASSOCIATE
.
I feel exhausted. After speaking to so many people, and dancing the night away
with Tristan – and Harry – to Tristan and Sophia’s amused expressions. I am
definitely ready to leave.

I actually feel quite proud of myself. I haven’t freaked
out, or felt uncomfortable once, but that probably has something to do with
Tristan’s constant presence. I sigh blissfully and turn around to place my
empty glass on the bar. I’m instantly aware of a man’s body that’s stood a
little too closely for my liking. I glance up at him and almost faint.

No! Not you...this is not happening! –
I feel
paralysed with fear. My heart has jumped into my mouth and I can't breathe; and
I can't look away either.

His evil black eyes stare down at me as a sickening smile
spreads across his face. I didn’t think I would ever see those eyes again – Not
in this lifetime.

“I remember you,” he whispers. My whole body shudders as I
hear his words. I want to scream at the top of my lungs, but I can't – not
here. I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment, trying to block him out.
Tristan,
please hurry back!

He moves closer to me, I take a step to the side, trying to
put some distance between us, but he discreetly grabs hold of my elbow stopping
me.
No!

I’m instantly transported back in time – I’m five years old
again – My heart is palpitating, my hands are sweating; and my legs are
uncontrollably shaking; I feel like I’m going to pass out –
Tristan...where
are you?

“Let go of me,” I growl.

He laughs, an evil twisted laugh, my stomach twists and
rolls in response.
Oh god!
I think I’m going to be sick!

Bile rises into my throat. I swallow hard and try to stay
focused.

I feel his hand touch the top of my shoulder. “You’re still
so shy,” he whispers. “And your skin...still so soft,” he adds, tracing his
finger down my forearm.

“Don't touch me,” I snap, pulling my arm out of his reach.

His smile widens. He takes a step to the side so he’s stood right
in front of me. I take a step to the right, I need to get away from him but he
mimics my movement, effectively blocking me from running away from him.

“Come on Coral,” he cajoles. I snap my head up and glare at
him –
He remembers my name?

“Stay away from me.” I threaten, tears pooling in my eyes.

He laughs again and takes a step to the side. “Vodka, on the
rocks.” He snaps at the barman.

I want to run, but I feel like my feet are encased in
cement.
Come on Coral, you can do this, get away from him!

My eyes frantically dart around the room, hoping and praying
that I can catch Tristan’s eye and he can save me, get me away from this evil,
twisted man. But the fear quickly turns to anger, I can feel the adrenalin
pumping through my veins, getting ready for fight or flight.

I grit my teeth and try to control the rage building within
me – I swear if I had a gun I would shoot this man, kill him dead, right here
in front of all these people.

I close my eyes and take a deep rasping breath...
Tristan,
help me!

Taking a step to the side, I shakily take a step forward –
My leg trembles, and I almost fall. He reaches out and takes hold of my elbow.

“Leaving so soon?” He smirks.

“Let go of me.” I yank my arm out of his hold. I try to take
another step forward, but my legs feel like jelly –
Fuck! Come on legs,
work!

He starts laughing, evidently finding my suffering amusing. I
look up and see Tristan in the corner of the room. I mentally beg him to look
my way, and almost as though he can telepathically hear me, he turns his head
and our eyes meet.

He smiles his enigmatic smile at me, and winks. Then his
face falls as he takes in my expression. He says something to the man he’s
talking to, then begins quickly striding over to me, locking eyes with me the
whole time –
Thank god!

“Who’s that?” The evil fuck asks.

“My fiancé,” I snap.

“Tristan Freeman is your fiancé?” He says, sounding
surprised and I have to say a little worried.

“Yes.” I snap, keeping my eyes fixed on Tristan – And he’s
going to fucking kill you when I tell him who you are – I turn and look up at
him. “You’re a dead man,” I threaten.

He instantly loses the grin, and I can see the fear behind
his black eyes.

“Coral?” Tristan says as he reaches me. “You ok?” He cocks
his head to the side, trying to read my expression. “Simon.” Tristan says,
nodding to the man.
So that’s his name!

“Tristan.” Simon reaches his hand out and they shake – I
think I’m going to be sick.
I need to get us both out of here – now!

But I seem to have lost the power of speech!
Fuck!
The room is spinning, my ears are ringing and my stomach is doing summersaults.

“Tristan, it’s been a while,” he says. “Sorry to hear about
your folks,” he adds.

“Thanks.” Tristan turns and frowns down at me.

“Heard you branched out,” Simon says.

“Yes, down’ – “Tristan” I interrupt, finally finding my
voice. I do not want him to tell this fucker where we live. “Escort me to the
ladies?” I whimper.

“Of course” he says. Holding his arm out for me, I wrap my
hand around his strong forearm and grip tightly. Tristan places his other hand
over mine and squeezes it once, then he starts to walk us forward, but my legs still
aren’t working properly so I stumble slightly.

“Coral?” Tristan stops, wraps his arm around my waist to
steady me, and guides us out of the great room. We silently head down the
hallway until we reach the restrooms – I feel faint.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” He asks, gently stroking my cheek.

I take a deep breath in, trying to work out what to do. This
function is important to Tristan, I know that, on the one hand I want to be
here, support him, I don't want to let him down, but on the other I want to run
screaming from the building. I stare blankly ahead, trying to think of the
right thing to do – I could feign sickness?

Tristan can stay, I can go back to the hotel room, tell him
when he gets back? But I know, deep down inside that I don't want to be alone,
and if I tell him the truth – like right now – he won't be able to help
himself, I know he won't. He’ll charge in there without thinking of the
consequences and beat that fucker to a pulp, I know he will. And where will that
get us?

Tristan would be charged with GBH, and possibly have a
prison sentence, he could lose everything he’s built, his businesses, his
homes? No, I shake my head at myself– I can't tell him here, it will have to be
later, when we are back in Cornwall and Tristan can't get near him. He’ll have
time to calm down, think about things logically.

But then again, I think I need to be away from Tristan, he’s
going to know something’s wrong, I know he will. And he can read me like a book
- But how do I tell him that the man he just shook hands with, is in-fact, the
man that sexually abused me all those years ago?

“Coral, come back to me baby,” He says with wide, worried
eyes.

“Tristan,” I whisper. “I’m so sorry, but I think I need to
go back to the hotel.”

“Are you sick?” He asks, looking extremely worried.

“Not feeling a hundred percent,” I murmur, my stomach
twisting into knots.

“Do we need to head over to A&E?” He asks, a little
frantically.

“No baby, I think I just need to lie down, I feel a little
dizzy that’s all. Lots of talking and dancing, it’s kind of taken it out of me.
It’s nothing to worry about.” He pulls me to him and kisses my forehead.

“Let’s go back to the hotel,” he says.

“No, you stay. I know how important this is to you, I’m just
sorry I can't stay,” I argue.

“No Coral’ – “Tristan, for once in your life will you just
do as I ask. I want you to stay, I’ll be fine, Stuart can take me back to the
hotel,” I plead. Tristan doesn’t look convinced. “Please baby, stay. Harry and
Sophia have been waiting to speak to you again. I can ask Stuart to stay in the
room with me if that puts your mind at rest,” I add.

Tristan sighs heavily as he rubs his hands up and down my
arms. “No. I don't like leaving you,” he says. “I’ll make my excuses to Sophia
and Harry.”

“Tristan stay,” I say again, trying my best to give him my
warmest, most convincing smile.

“There are a few more associates I need to catch up with,”
he ponders aloud. I reach up onto my tip-toes and plant a soft kiss on his
cheek.

“Take as long as you need baby, I’ll wait up for you.” I manage
to smile again. “Oh, and if you like, invite Harry and Sophia to the wedding,”
I add.

“You wouldn’t mind?” He asks.

“Of course not, they’re a lovely couple,” I say.

“Alright.” He gazes down at me, strokes my cheek then frowns
deeply at me. “Are you being honest with me? You would tell me if there was
something more?” He asks.

My stomach flips over, I don't want to lie to him but I
don't want him to see I’m hiding something either.

“Tristan, let’s not rehash that argument. I should have told
you what was going on over the last few days, I know that. I’m just tired.” I
say, cringing inside because I’m lying to him again. But I know it’s for his
own good, and mine. I don't want to be spend the next ten years visiting my fiancé
in prison.

“Sorry,” he says. “I can't help worrying about you,” he adds
smiling down at me with his deep dimpled smile.

“Don't be, it’s one of the many things I love about you,” I
say, stroking his soft cheek. His enigmatic grin broadens, flashing his perfect
teeth.

“So you’ll wait up for me?” He croaks in his ultra sexy
voice.

“Yes,” I whisper as seductively as I can and plant a soft
kiss on the side of his neck, right at the spot that drives him wild. A deep,
husky growl reverberates from deep within his throat, it has never failed to
instantly turn me on. So I’m shocked, but not surprised when I feel no
reaction. Right now, I just feel totally numb, head to toe – numb.

“Get back to the function baby, I’ll call Stuart,” I say.

“No.” Tristan pulls his mobile out from his pocket and calls
Stuart, when he’s finished he slips his mobile back inside his trouser pocket. “He’ll
be here in five,” he adds and leans down to kiss me.

As his lips softly meet mine, I hear his breath catch, I
usually have the same reaction, but again there’s just nothing – Now I’m
actually starting to freak out about us.

Are we ok? Am I ok?

I part my lips, giving his tongue access to my mouth, hoping
it will stir some kind of reaction within me, but when his tongue touches mine,
I feel myself tense up – I can't do this!

Shit! What if there is something wrong with me and I
don’t feel the way I used to feel?

“Hey.” Tristan stops kissing me, tilts my head back and
gazes down at me with dark, worried eyes. “You must be feeling rough,” he says.
“Normally I kiss you and you pounce on me like a wild woman,” he adds jokingly,
but I can tell it’s a mask, hiding his fear.

“Tristan, I still feel the same about you, I just feel....”
I close my eyes and try to think of something to placate him. “Woozy,” I add.

Tristan frowns then places his hand against my forehead.
“You do feel a little too warm,” he says.

“I’ll be fine” I reiterate. He frowns and shakes his head
slightly. Tristan suddenly looks up over my head, I turn around and see Stuart
stood waiting for us.

“Hey Stu,” Tristan says. I smile weakly at him. Stuart nods
to us both. He is the most reticent man I have ever met. “Let’s go,” Tristan
says wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

We walk outside into the cool night air, and over to the waiting
Jag. Stuart opens the back door and I slip inside the sumptuous leather seats.
Kneeling down, Tristan leans into me and kisses me softly. “I’ll be as quick as
I can. I can't stand being away from you for too long,” he says kissing me
again. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” he adds, shattering my
heart into a million pieces.

“Yes,” I whisper. “Did I tell you how handsome
you
look tonight, and how safe and protected you make me feel?” Tristan smiles his
shy, bashful smile at me. We silently gaze at one another for a moment, then he
leans down once more, and softly kisses me.

“See you soon beautiful,” he whispers at my ear, planting a
soft, wet kiss under my earlobe.

“I’ll miss you,” I whisper back. Tristan takes my hand
squeezes it once, then slowly stands. “Oh hey Tristan...don’t...” I stop, I
can't say it.

He leans down to me. “What baby?”

“I just...stay away from that guy Simon,” I say.

“Did he say something to you Coral?” He asks, his voice low,
his whole body tensing up.

“No...just a funny feeling...” I drift off.

“Oh! Well, I’ve never done business with him, but I’ll stay
away from him, for you. Ok?” He says, smiling sweetly at me.

“Ok, I love you.” I murmur.

“Love you too baby, see you soon.” He holds up his hand as
he slowly closes the door, I lift up my hand and wave back at him smiling as
broadly as I can, but Tristan doesn’t smile back at me, he looks as though he’s
in pain, actually physical pain.
Tristan, what’s wrong?