Revelation: Trinity Part 1 Read online

  “It sounds… nice.” He met her gaze and his eyes were bright. Warm.

  Rose laughed, embarrassed. She ducked her head, returning to her reading and, after a moment, the professor looked back to his paper. Neither looked up to see the other smiling in contentment.

  6

  Finally, it was Saturday. Rose, at a loss for what to do, had called in on Ben to see if he was up. He’d thrown a crumpled tee-shirt at her as he turned over in bed, telling her in no uncertain terms to, “get lost, I’m sleeping.” So she’d headed out into the pedestrianised streets of Cambridge to while away a couple of hours.

  Wandering around the picturesque town, she browsed through its stores and gazed up at the many architecturally interesting buildings and churches that lined the cobblestone streets.

  She had drifted over to the window of a little bookstore to admire the hardbacks on display when she heard a call from behind her.

  “Rose!” Nate crossed the street, dodging a cyclist that flew by.

  “Hi,” she greeted. His black shirt was creased and the collar rumpled. A shadow of stubble lined his jaw and his eyes were tired. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” he waved away her concern, “Just in desperate need of coffee.”

  “Out all night?” she guessed from the state of him, wondering where he’d been. Disappointment flared as she considered the most obvious answer.

  Nate grinned. “I met some guys from Magdalene College,” he rubbed the back of his neck in amused recollection. “They sure can drink.”

  Rose smiled, her fears allayed. “Come on,” she said, taking his arm. “Let’s get you human again.”

  Two coffees later, Nate was looking decidedly more normal, otherwise unaffected by his night of debauchery. He took her hand as they meandered along the cobbled streets.

  “Were you doing anything specific before I so rudely interrupted you?” he asked, as they passed Saint Mary’s Church on their way back to campus.

  “Nope.” She shook her head. “Just window shopping.”

  “Fancy a proper drink?” he asked.

  “Now?” It was barely noon.

  “The Sun’s over the yardarm,” he shrugged in response.

  “I have no idea what that means.”

  Nate raised an eyebrow at her baffled expression. “Old Navy saying,” he explained. “It was considered bad form to drink before the sun was over the yardarm – part of the sail of a ship.”

  “So you’re a sailor now?” she teased.

  “It has been said that I drink like one,” he acknowledged with a grin. “Come on.” He tugged her arm, still linked with his. “I know a place you’ll like.”

  Located in the Great Court, the Trinity Bar was a modern mix of wood and white, the orange lights and brown leather armchairs creating a cosy glow. It was deserted, save for the barman, who nodded in welcome as they entered, and a man sipping coffee at one of the tables, who did not.

  “Can you play?” Nate asked, following Rose’s gaze to the pool table in the corner, as he ordered drinks.

  “No,” Rose admitted. “I never learned.” She considered the countless times Ben had tried to teach her with a smile.

  “Excellent,” Nate grinned. “I love a cliché.” He took her hand, leading her to the table.

  They whiled away the morning, Nate doing his best to show Rose the basics, and her failing miserably to grasp them.

  “Does this usually work?” she teased, as he helped her line up her shot, his body pressed flush to hers.

  “Most people manage to hit the ball, at least.”

  “I wasn’t talking about the pool,” she countered in amusement.

  Warm breath tickled her ear as he chuckled, and she leaned back, connecting with his chest. His hand landed on her hip, the heat of his skin searing through the fabric of her jeans for the barest moment – and then he was gone.

  He paced around the table before lining up his shot. A moment later, the ball was in the pocket, and he smirked, entirely pleased with himself.

  “Show off,” Rose muttered, grinning into her glass as she sipped. Nate threw her a knowing wink, before gesturing that it was her turn to try once more.

  ***

  They were crossing the courtyard to the dormitory, arm in arm, when Rose spotted Professor Howard. He was talking to a group of students she didn’t recognise, looking as casual as she’d seen him in jeans and tee-shirt. He turned in her direction, as if sensing her behind him, and gave a quick nod, the smile not quite reaching his eyes.

  Rose fought the urge to drop Nate’s arm as they continued across the gravel, her good mood deflating. Thankfully, Nate didn’t seem to notice, and he smiled easily as they made their way up the stairs to her room.

  “I’d better be heading back,” he said regretfully, as she pulled her keys out of her bag. “I’ve got a pile of reading to do before tomorrow.”

  Rose nodded, almost glad that he hadn’t wanted to come in. “Thanks,” she said. “I had a good time.” And she had, she realised, pushing away all thoughts of the professor.

  “Me too.” He leaned forward and dropped a kiss onto her cheek – pausing there slightly too long to be considered friendly. Rose smiled as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ears.

  “I’ll see you later,” he said, the corner of his mouth turning up into her favourite lopsided grin, before he headed off down the corridor.

  Rose was unable to help the grin that crept across her face, as she closed the door behind him.

  ***

  The Trinity Bar was much busier that afternoon, and Rose and Ana made their way over to where Toni and Louise sat, weaving through the throng of students with their drink balanced precariously in their arms.

  “You made it, then,” greeted Louise, smiling as they sat down.

  “Just about,” huffed Ana, rolling her eyes at Rose. “My club ran on for ages – and this one won’t stop smiling at me like it’s the best day of her life!” She nodded to Rose, who grinned, hiding it behind her glass as she took a sip.

  Toni and Louise both turned to scrutinise her, and Rose ducked her head at the attention, allowing her hair to fall in front of her face.

  “You’re right,” Louise stated, suspiciously. “She looks way too cheerful.”

  “And she’s blushing,” mused Toni, leaning forward to stare her in the eye.

  Rose leaned back in her chair, laughing. “Can’t a girl just be happy?”

  “No,” all three girls chorused sternly, causing her to laugh harder.

  They turned their heads as noise erupted from the pool table. Rose, grateful for the distraction, was surprised to see Nate, as he and his friends argued amicably over their game. He caught her eye, flashing a smile, and warmth washed over her skin in response. Abandoning his friends, he sauntered over to their table.

  “Hey,” he greeted easily, leaning forward to kiss her cheek.

  “So much for your pile of reading,” she teased.

  “It’ll wait.” He grinned. “Ladies,” he nodded, acknowledging the others, before turning his attention back to her. “What are you doing later?” he asked, stepping closer to her chair.

  “Nothing.” Rose pictured the mountain of reading on her desk, but couldn’t find it in herself to care.

  “I’m heading to Fez tonight,” he said, referring to one of the clubs in town. “Want to come?”

  Rose thought about it for all of a second. “Sure.”

  Nate’s eyes lit up as he smiled, leaning back to include the others in their conversation. “You’re welcome to join us, of course,” he offered graciously, despite Ana’s stony glare.

  “We’ll meet you there,” Louise agreed, smiling a little too brightly.

  Nate nodded, unconcerned, as he turned back to Rose. Leaning closer, he kissed her, lips barely brushing hers before he stepped back. “I’ll be there by nine,” he said, his eyes flashing in amusement as she blushed. She nodded and he turned away, his hand trailing across her shoulder as he headed
back to his friends.

  Rose watched him go, turning back to find the girls staring at her, their expressions identical. She calmly picked up her glass.

  “That’s why you’re so damn happy?” Louise sighed, leaning forward. Toni did the same. “When did this happen?” She demanded.

  “I bumped into him in town earlier.” Rose grinned, a little embarrassed at the attention. “We hung out.”

  “We mean the kissing,” Louise jumped in. “When did the kissing happen?”

  Rose smiled, bashfully. “Shortly after.”

  The two girls squealed in delight, and even Ana cracked a smile as she pushed her glass out in front of her.

  “Well,” she declared, “if we’re going out tonight we better head back. We’ve only got,” she checked her watch, “four and a half hours to get ready, and I, for one, am going to need a drink or three before we get there.”

  They giggled as they packed up, and Rose threw a wave to Nate before she was dragged out of the bar.

  ***

  The bass from the sound system thumped in her ears before Rose had even reached the cumin-coloured arch that served as the entrance to the club. A large banner declared shots were a pound for the final night of freshers week.

  They paid the admission, before Ben gallantly waved her through the heavy wooden door, offering his arm to Ana.

  Unevenly plastered walls were dotted with tiles and bronze art, and brightly coloured cushions were scattered over the brown leather seats. Pillars divided the booths from the dance floor, and Moroccan lanterns cast intricate shadows onto the wall. It was fairly small for such a popular club, made more so by the low ceilings draped in fabrics, and Ben’s fingers touched her shoulder, discretely questioning. Rose had had trouble with nightclubs before, but this one felt more cosy than confined, and she nodded in confirmation.

  Ana grabbed her hand and they made their way over to the bar, weaving through the mass who danced and drank around them. Ben ordered the drinks, receiving admiring glances from a couple of girls in the process, and Rose scanned the crowds, looking for Nate.

  Ana handed her a shot glass filled with a bright blue liquid, and a plastic tumbler of what Rose assumed was vodka and coke.

  “Here’s to a good night,” she said, knocking the glasses together. They tipped back the shots, each wincing at the burn.

  Rose slid the empty glasses over to the sombre looking barman, and turned to face the crowd, seeing Toni and Louise making their way towards them.

  “Hey!” Louise shouted over the music, pulling each of the girls in for a hug. “This place is awesome!”

  “Hi.” Rose leaned in to be heard. “Have you seen Nate?”

  Louise nodded as she took a sip of the drink Ben passed her, before he turned to greet a group of boys Rose vaguely recognised from campus. “Yeah,” she yelled, “he’s here somewhere.”

  “Forget him.” Ana tugged Rose’s hand, pulling her out to the dance floor. “Come dance!”

  Rose relented and the four girls made their way out into a free spot on the wooden floor, leaving Ben behind at the bar.

  Soon they were lost in the music, the strobe lights pulsing as they moved along with the crowd. The pounding bass drowned out the laughter and bad chat up lines as girls danced in tight groups, boys pacing the edges like predators stalking their prey.

  Louise pulled them into a clear spot on the edge of the floor and Rose took a grateful breath of the cooler air that hit her face. She turned around, searching for Ben and their drinks, and spotted Nate, leaning against a wall by the bar, watching her. Rose grinned as he tipped his head back, inviting her over. She stepped towards him, only to feel a tug on her arm.

  “Where are you going?” Ana asked, flushed from the dancing.

  “Nate’s here,” Rose said, with a bashful smile.

  Ana barely spared him a glance. “Stay and dance,” she implored.

  “I will – in a minute.” Rose smiled, already backing up towards Nate.

  Ana’s eyes hardened for a split second before she shrugged. “Find Ben while you’re at it,” she called, before allowing the other two girls to pull her back into the crowd.

  Rose headed over to Nate, who was waiting patiently.

  “Hey,” he greeted, holding out his hand. Rose took it and he tugged her in close. She put a hand on his chest to steady herself and he grinned, leaning in and kissing her softly on the mouth, his arms going around her.

  “You look amazing,” he said, eyes trailing over her. She ran her hand down the fabric of his shirt – black, of course – tugging gently on his leather belt with a shy smile.

  “Wish I could say the same for you,” she teased.

  He grinned his lopsided smile and Rose’s pulse jumped in response.

  “Come on.” He moved away from the wall and pulled her towards the booths. He slid into a seat, drawing Rose along with him, his arm reaching across the back of the plush fabric behind her. Ben was already seated opposite, next to the boys she recognised from the bar. He pushed a drink towards her, which Rose accepted gratefully.

  “Where’s Ana?” he asked, leaning over the table between them to be heard.

  “Dancing,” Rose said, with a shrug. Ben nodded thoughtfully, before standing up and excusing himself.

  “I’ll go find her.” He grinned as he went by, whilst Nate leaned towards the guys.

  “Chris, Pete, this is Rose.” He introduced her, indicating each one in turn.

  The boys – one tall and slim, the other broad with a shock of bright red hair – grinned as Nate toyed idly with her hair, staking his claim with his touch.

  They chatted for a while, about nothing in particular, before the boys excused themselves to pursue a pair of reciprocated smiles by the bar. Rose watched them introduce themselves as Nate ordered drinks from the barmaid who strolled by.

  “How come you get table service?” Rose asked, when she left.

  “I booked a booth,” he said, pulling her in close to speak in her ear. “It’s more private that way.”

  She smiled as his gaze trailed to her lips, leaning in to meet him half way. His hands wound into her hair as he kissed her, achingly slow, and she lost herself in his heady touch, barely noticing as the barmaid placed their drinks on the table. She forgot the music, forgot the lights, concentrating only on Nate, enjoying the feel of him under her hands until –

  “Rose?” Ana sounded stunned, and Rose pulled quickly away.

  “Hi,” she greeted breathlessly, feeling the heat rise in her face.

  Ben chuckled as he slid into the seat opposite, dragging Ana by the hand. She glared at Rose, looking disappointed. “You didn’t come back,” she accused, shooting Nate a look of disgust. He ignored her, pulling Rose back against him.

  “She was busy,” he answered for her, his breath hot on her still flushed cheek.

  Rose was inclined to forget the dancing, and the look in Nate’s eye said he felt the same, but Ana’s silently pleading stare had her reaching for her glass, instead. “Come on then,” Rose grumbled, as she drained it. She set it on the table and reached for Ana’s hand. “Let’s dance.”

  Nate grinned good-naturedly as she shot him an apologetic smile, before Ana dragged her back onto the dance floor. The boys followed, Ben reaching for Ana to spin her around, whilst Nate slid a hand around Rose’s waist, pulling her against him.

  “Is there anything you’re not good at?” Rose asked in mock-frustration, as he matched his rhythm to hers. Nate shot her a look that set fire to her veins.

  “Not that I’ve noticed,” he murmured, his hands trailing heat over her body.

  They danced freely, not caring what anybody else thought as they moved together, stopping to grab another drink, catching their breath and sneaking kisses, before heading out again, unable to resist the lure of the music

  Before they knew it the night was over, and they drunkenly headed out into the early morning light, their chatter far too loud as the remnants of the bass echoed i
n their ears.

  Rose shivered as the cold air hit her damp skin and Nate looped his arm around her, pulling her close as they made their way through the deserted streets back to the college. Ben and Ana walked up ahead, Ana glancing back every so often as Ben continued to help her along, chuckling at the way she wobbled in her heels.

  Nate hesitated as they reached the edge of the courtyard. “Wait,” he said, drawing her close. “Let me say Goodnight without Ana getting in the way.”

  Rose gladly stepped into his arms as he pulled her to him, his hands trailing a path across her shoulders. She leaned in as she kissed him, feeling heat rush down her spine as his arms snaked around her waist, trapping her against him.

  “Rose,” Ana exclaimed, sounding annoyed.

  “Busted,” Nate muttered as he pushed her hair from her eyes, more tender than she’d expected. Breaking apart, they smiled conspiratorially as Ana stomped across the gravel towards them.

  “It’s late,” she said as she reached them, glaring at Nate pointedly. He ignored her, reaching for Rose’s hand to escort her across the courtyard, where Ben was already holding the door.

  “Goodnight, Rose.” Nate kissed her softly as she stopped at the stairs, his eyes flashing in annoyance as Ana pulled her away before he’d finished.

  Rose shot him an apologetic look as Ana began dragging her up the stairs. “Goodnight,” she called.

  He smiled before nodding at Ben and pushing through the door to the lower hallway.

  Ben left them at the second staircase, pulling them both into hugs. “Do not attempt to wake me in the morning,” he warned, pointing his finger as he stumbled up the stairs. Rose and Ana waved him on, before continuing to their rooms in the hazy glow of early dawn.

  ***

  Nights like this were always the hardest, Christian acknowledged, watching Rose stagger home from the club. Alcohol heightened her emotions and sharpened his senses, and it wasn’t unusual for him to be left with a hangover of his own the following morning.

  Tomorrow looked set to be even worse than usual, he ruminated, wincing as desire washed through him – Rose’s response to Nathaniel’s kiss at the edge of the courtyard.