“The local mall, please.”
“Okay.” He reached out and put on the heat. “You should dry soon.”
She shook the water from her dripping fingers. “I’ve never been this wet.”
He chuckled suggestively. “That’s not the first time a woman’s said that in my presence.”
She ignored his smut. “God, I wish I was on a sunny beach somewhere.” She flipped down the sun-visor and gazed into the mirror. “I look a state.”
“Nah, you look perfect, Ellie. As always.”
She transferred her attention to him. “It’s Eleanor.”
He chuckled. “I’m the same. Don’t call me Joe; it’s Joseph.”
She almost smiled. “Glad it’s not just me then.”
“So how was the first day as a pro-journalist?”
She sighed. “It was okay. An eye-opener.”
He focused on the road ahead, listening to the wipers swish back and forth. “No one else tried to point a gun at you then?”
“No… thank you for – you know – saving the day back there. I guess you’re slightly less of an egotistical self-absorbed diva than I thought.”
Joseph laughed. “Just slightly.”
They shared a smile. The frosty atmosphere thawed, and Joseph allowed a soothing honey sensation to slink through his chest. Perhaps if he continued like this he might be able to charm her enough to fuck her tonight. That would be great revenge on Matthew for being such an asshole. Joseph threw her his most charming grin. Eleanor squirmed in her seat and crossed her legs – hopefully meaning his smile had landed directly between her thighs.
She twisted to look out the window. “This is the mall,” she said. “Pull in here.”
He steered the car into the huge empty parking lot, which was dark and secluded – and glistened in the rain. There was only one other car in the entire lot, and the sprawling mall down the other end looked tiny from here. Joseph realised this could be the perfect location if he ever wanted some solitude. Probably on a clear night, the sky would be full of stars, and in the summer the trees would be covered with glorious green leaves. But for now, it was gloomy and isolated. He was reluctant to leave Eleanor here – you never knew who might be lurking.
He twisted to face her; she was rummaging in her purse. “So how long will you be? What time shall I pick you up, and shall we go back to your place or mine?”
Her head whipped up to face him. “What?”
He grinned. “Your place or mine? Where would you prefer to be when I make you come so hard that you forget all your troubles – as well as your own name?”
Still dripping wet, Eleanor closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Joseph wasn’t sure whether she was going to slap him or kiss him. Her eyes sprung open. “Well, thanks so much for that charming line, Joseph, but unfortunately we can’t go back to mine because my fiancé will be there.”
“True. Better go back to mine, then.”
“Don’t you care that I’m engaged to your manager? I think you’re pushing your luck.”
“I haven’t even started.” He gazed at her intensely.
She stared right on back, unblinking.
He shook his head. “Ellie, I don’t understand, you’re an intelligent beautiful woman, why are you wasting your time with such a jerk?”
“Because you offered me a ride.”
“Ha ha.”
She tensed up. “Look, Joseph, much as I’d love to continue with this obscene conversation, I can’t right now; I’m meeting my target.”
Concern swooped through him “Your target? What the hell does that mean?”