Forever Mine (Joe & Ella 2)

“Easy tiger, it’s the next right up ahead. Number 32.”

“Great. This guy always gets in the way of my fun.” He snapped again.

I could sense the air of hostility swirling again as we parked up in front of Simon’s drive way. His house was neat with a perfect lawn, well-tended pot plants and a clean paved driveway. Just what you would expect from someone like Simon. It was clinically perfect but more like a show home than a real home.

I held Joe’s hand for support as we walked up the drive and he linked his fingers through mine. I took a deep breath as I rang the highly polished doorbell and Joe grunted his disagreement at what we were doing one last time. Then the door swung open and there stood Simon, dressed in blue jeans and a casual navy blue sweater. His facial expression was one of absolute shock at seeing us both here.

“Ella. I knew you were here visiting you’re Nan but I wasn’t expecting to see you.” He kept his eyes locked on me, his body language giving his obvious tension away. “I hope you don’t think I was rude for not coming over, I didn’t think it would be wise for me to intrude under the circumstances.” He lifted his eyes to Joe now and seemed hesitant.

“Simon, I wanted to come over to see you before we head home just to say how sorry I am about everything. I hope we can still be friends?” I shrugged looking hopefully up at him. Joe squeezed my hand, I don’t think he liked the friend comment.

“Of course, Ella. I’ll always be here for you, you know that.” I heard Joe take a deep intake of breath.

“I’d like you two to be friends too…or at least not the enemies you seem to be at the moment.” I tiptoed into that one and looked cautiously up at Joe then across to Simon.

Joe was glaring at Simon now, but Simon gave a shy smile and put his hand out.

“Any friend of Ella’s is a friend of mine.” He said by way of a truce.

“I’m her fiancé actually, not a friend.” Joe didn’t move a muscle but that jaw of his was clenched and the veins in his neck were pulsing like mad.

“Yes and we’d love you to come to the wedding Simon, if you can make it. Bring your girlfriend too, Rebecca is it?”

I congratulated myself at thinking up that quick save right there.

“We would?” Joe turned to me with his eye brows raised questioningly.

“Yes we would.” I snapped.

Simon held his hand out a little further for Joe to shake. There really was no end to his forgiveness.

“Fine, no hard feelings then.” Joe grunted shaking Simons hand a little too hard and making Simon wince and rub his palm once he’d got it back.

“Would you like to come in for a cuppa before you head back? Rebecca is here, she’d love to meet you both.” Simon chirped happily.

“Oh no, that’s lovely of you to ask but we need to get off, you know, avoid the Sunday evening traffic.” I wanted to leave on a high and this was about as high as it was going to get with Joe and Simon being within 5 metres of each other. I was impressed Joe had behaved himself so well.

r /> “Next time maybe. Well lovely to see you both and safe journey home.”

I let Joe’s hand go and gave Simon a hug. He hugged me back then looked down at the ground nervously as he stepped back, obviously scared about Joe’s reaction to his show of affection for me. I grabbed Joe’s hand again and planted a big kiss on his cheek as he stared at me in shock.

“Come on you, the earlier we get home the more fun we can have tonight.” I wiggled my eyebrows giving Joe the upper hand over Simon as we left. I knew from his face and body language he needed that. I squeezed his butt as we walked away knowing Simon would see. Joe laughed and said, “Thanks for that.”

“For what?” I asked.

“For not making me feel like a total loser and giving him an image he won’t forget in a hurry that keeps him well away from you. I like him knowing you’re mine.” He grinned slapping my ass as I jumped up into his car.

“I meant it though. Drive quickly and no stopping, I want a whole evening of you and I’m not sharing you with anyone else tonight.” I purred.

“Me neither. I’ve spent most of today thinking of different ways to make you come Ella, and believe me I’m gonna try every single one out tonight so get ready.”

I groaned seductively and wished there was such a thing as teleportation. I was so ready for what he was going to dish out.

34

Life was going pretty good right now. I spent most nights at Joe’s making up for lost time and making the most of him. Friday’s I still made time for Robyn and Chris, but more often than not Ed and then Joe would end up meeting us at whatever bar or club we were at towards the end of the night. Robyn had started seeing a guy she’d met at her coffee shop. She told me he came in two to three times a day to order coffee or various other cakes and pastries. I told her coffee was the last thing on his mind, but she didn’t believe me until the day he turned up with a bunch of flowers and an invitation to dinner.

Mike wasn’t Robyn’s usual type, he didn’t have bulging biceps and tattoos on every available bit of skin he had, but he was handsome, smart, well dressed and most of all he had a wicked sense of humour. They clicked right away and I was so pleased she’d found someone to fill her nights with now that Chris and I were otherwise engaged most of the time.