Free CORAL - Forever (A Romance Trilogy, Book 3) by Clair Delaney

body.
    “Enough,” he whispers in my ear and I crumble, all I want is
to be in his arms.
    I open my eyes and nod at him, I feel knackered and I only
walked a few steps. This is going to drive me crazy, I know it is – I start to
cry in frustration.
    “Baby!” Tristan lifts me as carefully as he can into his
arms. I wrap my arms around his neck, close my eyes and bury my head under his
chin, I hate feeling this helpless.
    Tristan starts walking, keeping his steps steady. I try to
calm myself down and take a deep breath in, his scent invades my senses,
knocking me for six – I wish I could bottle it and carry it around with me.
    “You smell so good,” I whisper, softly pecking his neck.
    “You do too baby,” he says planting a soft kiss on my hair.
    “Tristan, I haven’t showered in twelve days, so I don't know
how you can say that,” I grumble.
    “You still smell good to me,” he says. I grip him closer to
me and try to relax, suddenly Tristan stops walking.
    I open my eyes, look up and see we have reached the hospital
reception – Wow! It’s so bright outside! I squint at the sunlight
as Tristan walks through the electric doors – I’m free! – I glance at
Tristan with the biggest grin spread across my face.
    “Happy?” he asks, his grin reflecting mine.
    “Yes, very,” I say and peck him on the lips. Stuart pulls up
in the Jag, hops out, runs round the car and opens the backdoor for Tristan.
    “Thanks Stu,” we both say. He smiles and nods at us both.
    Tristan slides inside, and gently moves me off his lap, then
leaning across me, he clips my seatbelt into place. Stuart gets back in the car,
starts the engine and we head out of the hospital car park.
    I'm instantly drawn to the song playing on the radio – ... Ah
music...how I have missed it!
    Maria Callas is signing O Mio Babbino Caro – I love this
piece. Gladys has her album; it’s so beautiful. I close my eyes and let her
amazing voice soothe me.
    “You like this piece?” Tristan interrupts. I open my eyes
and look across at him.
    “Yes, now be quiet,” I tease. He smiles, takes hold of my
hand and we both sit silently until the piece has finished. Stuart must have it
on Classic FM, because another classical piece I don't know begins, it’s good!
    “You know I thought everyone would be here today, to see me
leaving,” I say, pouting sorrowfully at him.
    “Well, Gladys did say she was popping round at some point
today,” he says, his cheeks flushing.
    “Oh!” I purposely put on a sad face.
    Tristan squeezes my hand, but as I look out the window and
see we are almost home, the fun of winding him up about the surprise instantly
dissipates.
    “Ok?” he asks, I turn to look at him, trying my best to hide
my nerves, but when I smile at Tristan I see he’s just as nervous as me, and
trying his best to hide it too.
    “You’re nervous,” I whisper. He swallows hard and turns away
from me, I squeeze his hand. “Me too,” I add.
    As Stuart takes the left turn onto The Cliff, I get an
instant flashback of hurtling towards the house in Rob’s car, not knowing what
I would find, I quickly hide my hands from Tristan and clench them into fists.
    As we reach the open gates and Stuart gently glides down the
driveway, my heart starts to hammer against my chest – Why am I freaking out
about this? Susannah is gone! Tristan’s ok and so am I? –  Stuart pulls to
a stop outside the house, switching off the engine he nods to Tristan and exits
the car.
    I decide I am over-reacting, I just need to be brave and get
on with it, but as I think about going back inside the house, my mouth
instantly goes dry and I start to feel a little nauseous. Gritting my teeth at
myself, I take a deep steadying breath and try to think logically about it all
– Susannah is gone, the house is safe!
    Ok, I just need to get this over with! Taking another deep
breath, I unclip my seatbelt and go to open the door, but Tristan’s hand stops
me.
    “Tristan,” I