Forever Mine (Joe & Ella 2)

I was just getting into my car after a long and gruelling day at work when my mobile rang. I locked the door and fished my phone out of my handbag. Joe’s name or rather ‘sexy’ came up on the screen. That was what I’d saved his number under recently. He hated it but it always made me smile when he rang.

“Hey sexy! What’s up?” I sang down the phone.

“Where are you?” He barked sharply down the phone at me.

“I’m in my car on the car park at the back of the office, I’ve only just left work and I’m on my way to yours. Is everything okay?”

“Don’t drive off, stay in the car and keep the doors locked, I’m on my way to get you.”

“Why do you have to pick me up Joe, what’s going on?” I was getting worried now.

“It’s just a precaution, nothing to worry about. Just lock your car, I’m on my way, I’ll explain when I get there. Don’t open the door to anyone okay?”

“My car is locked chill out, I’m fine.”

I said my goodbyes and hung up the phone. My stomach was in knots. What the hell was going on now?

I sat in the car listening to music but my mind was whirling with all the possibilities of what was going on. Had my brakes been cut? Did someone tamper with my car in another way? I glanced around the car park but there was no one around, it was always deserted at the back of our office, the car park was all that existed back here. Definitely no stalkers on the prowl as far as I could see.

What seemed like mere minutes later Joe pulled up in his Mercedes with the blacked out windows. Hmm it all looked very James Bond at the moment. I crossed my arms over my chest and watched him get out of his car looking totally fuckable in a black suit with a grey shirt and black tie, his hair all mussed up but perfect all the same.

I smiled at him through my window but kept the doors locked. He tapped on my window and called out, “you can open up now.” I knew I was being difficult for the sake of it, but I couldn’t stop myself. I did petty really well at times.

“How do I know it’s safe? You sure there’s no sniper on that roof over there?” I was pushing my luck now.

“Get out of the fucking car Ella.” He wasn’t in the mood for banter today.

I opened the door and muttered ‘sorry’ putting a remorseful look on my face. He sighed and grabbed me into his chest to give me a massive hug and kiss the top of my head, showing no sign that he was letting go any time soon.

“You okay champ? You’re starting to scare me right now. What’s happened?”

He looked down at me but his face gave nothing away.

“Let’s get you home, I’ll explain everything there.”

“What about my car, I can’t just leave it here.” I moaned.

“I’ll have someone collect it for you, its fine for now.” He led me over to his car, his hand protectively on the small of my back, and opened the door to settle me in. When he got into the driver’s seat I glared over at him.

“Why can’t you tell me now? I don’t want to wait until we get to yours.”

“It’s our place Ella, and yes it can wait.” He was tense and even though I could see he was being stubborn I was just as stubborn as he was.

“No, you can tell me now or I’m getting right out of this car and going back to my own.”

“The hell you will.” He snapped irritated but I was on a roll.

“You can’t ring and scare the shit out of me like that then expect me to just wait until you’re ready to tell me. Were my brakes cut or something? Come on tell me!” I’d started to raise my voice now. He sighed and rubbed his free hand over his face.

“Fine. I got an email just before I rang you. I’ll show you when we get home.” If he thought that was going to placate me he had another thing coming.

“No you can tell me now and then show me when we’re home.” I was proud of myself for not backing down.

“There were pictures of you in the email.” He was clenching his jaw and the pulse in his neck was throbbing now.

“What kind of pictures exactly? Come on spill it Madden, I’ve sat in that car having a near heart attack just now. You owe me an explanation.”

“Pictures of you leaving work, getting into your car. Pictures taken minutes before I rang you. Whoever sent them was looking at you as I was talking to you.” I gasped.