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

winding me up?
    “What?” Tristan chuckles. “You look disappointed,” he adds.
    “Do I?” I breathe, trying not to give it away that I know.
    “Thirsty?” Tristan asks.
    “Yeah...” I say.
    “Coffee, orange juice, water. What would you like?” he asks.
    “Wine would be nice,” I answer dryly.
    Tristan chuckles at me. “It’s ten in the morning Coral?”
    “So...?” I whine feeling antsy.
    Tristan shakes his head at me. “No, no way. No alcohol until
you’re off your painkillers,” he tells me.
    “Fine,” I mumble.
    I look around the kitchen and wrap my arms around myself,
this feels so strange, I get another flashback of running round the house
trying to find Tristan – I take a deep breath and slowly blow it out.
    Tristan walks over to me with two Champagne flutes, a bottle
of bubbly and some orange juice. “I thought you said’ – “It’s alcohol free,” he
beams interrupting me.
    “Oh...” I watch him pop the cork with ease and pour a little
into each glass, then he tops them both up with a little orange juice.
    He hands one to me and clicks his glass against mine. “Welcome
home baby,” he leans down and gently presses his lips against mine. Desire
explodes within me – I grip his hair at the nape with my free hand and kiss
him, hard.
    “Whoa, whoa!” He puts his glass down and takes a step back,
holding his hands up in the air. I instantly feel rejected and I hate feeling
like that.
    “How long are you going to keep denying me?” I hiss.
    “Not until your better,” he snaps, clenching his jaw. But my
kiss must have affected him; he’s breathing heavier than he was a moment ago
and his eyes have dilated.
    “Tristan, if we just take it easy’ – “No!” he snaps.
    I feel tearful and angry again, shaking my head at him I
glug the drink back in one go, ease myself off the breakfast bar and hobble
towards the stairs.
    “Baby don't’ – “Don't what?” I snap stopping by the stairs.
    Tristan clenches his jaw, walks over to me and grasps my
face between his hands. His eyes are wide and dilated; his look intense. Oh! I swallow hard.
    “You think I don't want to, well you’re wrong. I want you
more now than I ever have,” he closes his eyes and leans his forehead against
mine. “Can’t you see that?” he asks.
    “No,” I sniff.
    “Baby, you’re in no state to be doing this, what if I
unintentionally hurt you?” he says.
    “I don't care, I’ll take the pain. I just want to feel you,
be with you, and you’re making me feel like a criminal. If I get it out of my
system, I’m more likely to relax....” I swallow hard at the lump that’s formed,
and try to continue. “Tristan the last time I saw you, you asked me to leave,
you ended it. Then I find you half dead...tied up...bleeding...” I break off
unable to continue.
    “I know...” he sighs. “There hasn’t been a single day that
has passed without me thinking about that, I was stupid and angry and...” He
breaks off and looks down at me with a painful, sorrowful look. “If I’d have
lost you,” he trembles.
    “Why did you do that?” I whisper.
    “Do what?” He questions, his brows pulling together.
    “Tell me to go after we argued about Susannah?” I whisper.
    “I will tell you,” he says. “I give you my word I will, but
not now. Can I show you my surprise first?” He questions.
    “Surprise?” I question frowning up at him.
    “Yes.” He smiles, his eyes crinkling sweetly at the corners,
his dimples deepening. I really want answers, but I guess we have loads of
time.
    “Ok,” I squeak, he leans down and kisses me softly on the
lips.
    “Don't move,” he says.
    I watch Tristan walk over to his glass, drink it down in one
go, then he makes his way back over to me – Boy he’s sexy! Even the way
he walks, he just does things to me.
    “You’re so sexy baby,” I whisper as he reaches me. He smiles
his sweet shy smile, his cheeks flushing slightly – A plan suddenly forms. “Tristan,
I