“On the contrary I will be putting your needs first, always.” He smirked and my tummy flipped over. I had to redirect this conversation fast.
“We’ve had some really great ideas for the launch of your health club and we are in the process of interviewing some top graphic designers to help us bring our ideas to life, everything is really coming together. I’m sure you’ll be pleased with how things are going our end.” I enthused.
“Tell me about your last relationship.” He replied throwing me totally off my game yet again and steering the conversation right back into an area I didn’t feel comfortable about.
“I don’t see what that has to do with our working relationship.”
“It’s got fuck all to do with work,” he replied, “but I want to know what I’m up against.”
I shook my head and gave a bewildered laugh at his tenacity. This wasn’t going in the direction I wanted at all.
“Listen, I’ve come here to apologise for my childish and frankly rude behaviour this week, I have better manners and I wasn’t brought up to treat others like that. But let’s get one thing straight right from the start I have no interest in anything other than a professional relationship and that is all this will ever be. I think you would do well to remember your manners Mr Madden.”
He leaned forward putting both elbows on the table and resting his chin on his hands.
“You’re a total enigma Ella Reid, do you know that? A walking contradiction. Will you still call me Mr Madden when I’m making you come on my cock?”
“Please, stop. I agreed to this meeting to make our professional arrangements more comfortable not to exacerbate matters.”
“You are one of the most baffling woman I have ever met Ella, do you know that?”
“How so?” I questioned, “I think I’ve made myself perfectly clear today.”
“You say one thing but your body tells me something completely different. I can see how your pupils dilate when I look at you, your nipples tighten when I get close to you……touch you. You’re lying to yourself but I can see the truth.”
“The truth is, Mr Madden, you want a bit of fun a one night stand and it’s never going to happen. Not with me, ever. I know your type, Anna made damn sure I was put in the picture about that. I got the message loud and clear, so I suggest you stop this right now.”
“What the fuck has Anna got to do with anything?” he snapped.
“She told me you don’t do the relationship thing, she was quite clear about what a man-whore you are.”
“She knows fuck all about me,” he was seething now, anger in his sparkling grey eyes. He ran his hands through his hair then looked at me, “I’ll be having some serious words with her in my office tomorrow, she had no fucking right to speak to you, it’s not true. She knows nothing about me, nothing. You Ella are a very special and beautiful lady and I have more than just a one night stand in mind for you.”
I had to get a hold on this now, “Regardless of anything Anna did or didn’t say, this, you and me, it’s never going to happen! End of!”
Just then my mobile started to ring, I grabbed it out of my bag and saw Chris’s name on the screen. I hit the reject button but instantly it started ringing again.
“You can get that you know.” He said irritated and nodding down towards my phone.
I rejected Chris’s call a second time but it just rung again so I answered, putting my finger into my free ear so I could block out the music from the bar around us.
“Ella you need to get home ASAP,” he said with urgency, “shits hit the fan and I don’t know what to do.”
“Calm down Hun, what’s happened?”
“Adam’s here and he’s pissed up and out of control. I’ve told him you’re not here but he doesn’t believe me. I haven’t let him in, but he’s pacing outside in the street Elle, shouting stuff up at the house and I’m scared he’s gonna do something.”
“I’m on my way Chris okay, keep the door locked and call the police if he gets nasty.”
I killed the line and stuffed my mobile into my bag, standing up to shuffle out from our table.
“I need to go, I have a home emergency. I’m sorry.” I went to grab my purse to get some cash for the drink, but Joe held my arm as he threw down a twenty on the table.
“It’s ok I’ll drive you.”
“No!” I spat out, a look of fear on my face. “I’ll get a cab it’ll be easier.”
“Fuck that I’m taking you and that’s non-negotiable especially when you’re talking about police and things getting nasty. I’m not leaving you on the streets to find your own way home to face that, what kind of guy do you think I am? On second thoughts don’t answer that”