“I’m pretty sure yeah.” Joe answered. “I’d put money on it.”
“I’ll run another check on him, see if we can track down his last known whereabouts.”
“Thanks Sam. I appreciate it.”
I wondered off into the bedroom to pack up some things for us as Joe made a few calls. The Chinese we had brought to eat tonight still sat in the kitchen and had now gone cold, a bit like me right now!
“I’ve checked us into a suite at the plaza, it was the best they could do at short notice but they’re sorting out food for us as well. You haven’t eaten a thing yet tonight.” Joe said concerned.
“I’m not sure I can stomach anything at the moment.” I said, then my tummy protested and growled loudly much to my embarrassment.
“Hmm I think your stomach has other ideas.” He smiled and hugged me tightly.
“Try not to worry sweet heart, it’ll all get sorted in the end. I promise.”
The suite Joe had apologised for, thinking it wasn’t grand enough for us was utterly amazing. What would he say if he saw the type of hotel rooms I was used to staying in? This was palatial compared to those broom cupboards. There was a living room, two bedrooms, a huge bathroom and a dining room all newly decorated in a modern black, white and chrome style. The hotel offered twenty four hour room service, which we made good use of, and the place was cleaned daily. What was not to love?
Although we were there under duress it was no hardship really. I slept a little easier on the 100 percent Egyptian cotton sheets and heavenly soft bed knowing there were so many other people around us to hear the screams if anything were to go wrong. We stayed at the hotel a little under a week, before Joe announced we were moving back to the apartment. Apparently Sam had installed some better software to protect the security systems and new high tech alarms had been fitted. Sam had also fitted extra locks to each room and panic buttons linked straight to him and his team should we need them at a moment’s notice.
I couldn’t argue with how thorough they had been at securing our safety in the apartment so I reluctantly agreed to move back. I’d miss the luxury of no housework, cooking or cleaning though. It had been heaven whilst it lasted.
17
A few days before the awards night, I walked into the apartment after work and made my way into the bedroom to find the most beautiful white full length gown draped across the bed. I ran my fingers along the silky fabric before picking up the tag which read Versace. I held it up to see it in its full glory. It had a plunging deep v neck at the front which would need a hell of a lot of tit tape to keep the girls in check. Two thick silky straps would hang over each shoulder and there were spaces cut out of the fabric at the side where my waist would be. Delicate strings of diamond style crystals ran across each cut out like a shimmering cage for my skin. The dress itself fell to the floor with a slight train at the back and was the epitome of Hollywood glamour, simple yet elegant. I loved it.
“Do you like it?” Joe said coming up behind me.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you.” I gasped turning to look at him.
“Try it on, I want to see how sexy your curves look in it baby.”
I grinned and slipped my work clothes off before stepping into the luxurious fabric and letting Joe zip me up at the back. He kissed up along my spine and up to my neck as he did.
“Stunning.” He said as he slowly spun me round to look at me from every angle. I drifted over to the full length mirrors in the walk in wardrobe and couldn’t believe it was me in the reflection. I looked and felt like a movie star.
“Wow! I love it. I bet it cost a fortune Joe. Can we send it back after Friday night? Get your money back?” I joked.
“No, it was made for you Ella. You will look like an angel on my arm.”
“Will you be the devil?” I dipped my eyes over at him.
“Of course, I always have been.” He stalked over to me and I held my hand out to stop him in front of me.
“No way champ, not until I’ve got this off and hung back up safely. I don’t trust you not to rip it off me.” I scolded him. He grinned an evil grin back.
“You can always read my mind can’t you beautiful girl.”
I was excited for Friday now, I couldn’t wait to wear this stunning creation out in public, I’d feel like a princess.
“I was thinking I might get my hair done specially, maybe put my hair up. After all, it is a special night for you.”
“No” He snapped way too quickly. “I want your hair down, I love your hair and how it curls. If I had my way you’d always wear it down.”
“Okay, it was only a thought, but I can wear it down.”
He picked up one of my curls and wrapped it around his fingers.
“Don’t ever cut your hair Ella, your long blonde curls were what caught my attention on that first night, before I saw your face that is. I love these curls.”
“I won’t, but I will have to trim them every now and again otherwise I’ll get split ends.”
“No more than a centimetre off. That’s my rule okay. No drastic haircuts.”
“Bossy much?” I rolled my eyes back at him, but I had no intention of cutting my hair off any time soon.
“Always.” He pulled all my hair back to flow down my back then ran both hands through it before giving me a sweet hug from behind and kissing me on the shoulder. I felt his phone vibrate and heard it ring out from the pocket of his trousers and he pulled it out so I could see the screen flash with the ID of the caller. I froze growing hot and nervous, it was the number for ‘Anna’s phone’. He grunted and pressed the end call button. “Just sales people.” He said nonchalantly but I could feel his muscles tense. This was starting to worry me.
“You should block them.” I said grabbing his arm as he pushed his mobile back into his trousers.
“I will. I’ll do it later.” He replied but I wasn’t convinced he would. What did she have on him that was so important? Why was he so irritated by her call, when he’d always said she was a nobody to him? I would need to do more investigating on this I just knew it. This wasn’t over by a long shot.
I couldn’t wait for the work day to be over on Friday so I could head home and start to get ready for what I was sure would be an elegant lavish affair. I felt like a little girl all over again, excited for her first party. I hadn’t been to anything like this before and was eager to get the stunning dress on and parade around proudly on Joe’s arm. Chris had agreed to come over to the apartment and style my hair, he was after all the master of my curls and always managed to tame my wild mane into a show stopping style.
“I’ll be over in about an hour and a half.” Chris called out to me as I waltzed towards the doors of the office. “Will that give you enough time to shower and start the major preparations of make Ella into a movie star?”
“Hey cheeky, who said I needed ‘major’ preparations, it’s all natural I’ll have you know.”
“I’m teasing you baby girl, you always have the Hollywood glamour thing going on.”
“No I don’t, especially not lately anyway, but it’s kind of you to say Hun.” I blew him a kiss and made my way out to the pavement where Joe’s car was parked waiting for me.
He went to jump out and open my door but I beat him to it, jumping into the passenger seat like an excited child and grinning over at him.
“I can’t wait to get ready, I love dressing up. I’m actually excited for tonight you know.” I squealed excitedly.
He looked anything but, giving a deep sigh and trying but failing to look positive.
“Why do you hate these things so much?”
“I just don’t like crowds Ella, you know that. These things are boring, tedious and very, very long. I’ll be spending the night counting down the minutes until I can get you back home and out of that dress. Oh the things I’m gonna do to you baby.”
I glanced over to him
driving through the city, he was smiling to himself, but then slowly his brow started to wrinkle in concentration on the busy road and the crazy drivers around us. I’d have loved to know what was going on in that confusing beautiful head of his.
“I’ll look after you champ, don’t be scared of all those crowds. I’ll fight off all the ladies trying to jump your bones.”
He laughed but it didn’t reach his eyes this time. He really was dreading tonight. I’d have to make sure I watched him, when he was out of his comfort zone he could do and say things which could cause offense to some people who didn’t quite get him. The last thing I wanted was for him to make a mistake like that. It could affect his business and he always worked so hard to keep that image squeaky clean despite his past.
Once we got home I jumped in the shower, shaved everywhere, then using all of my best products, I washed, cleansed and conditioned my hair and body. Once out of the shower I dried off with a big fluffy towel and applied my vanilla body cream which gave my skin a soft shimmer as well as smelling truly amazing. I tied my now damp hair back, ready for Chris to work his magic when he arrived, and sat down in front of a mirror in the bedroom to apply my makeup. I kept it natural looking, but added smoky eye shadow to enhance the blue colour of my eyes and make them pop. I curled my eyelashes and used the mascara to sweep them up into long luscious lines, my natural eyelashes were long and stronger than most but I still went to the beauty parlour regularly to have false lashes applied. Anything to help enhance what you already had right?
As I was brushing the pale pink lip gloss over my lips I heard Chris’s voice in the living room.
“Is she through here?” he asked swinging the bedroom door open and gasping at me. “Baby you look beautiful already, you don’t need me!”
“Yes I do, I don’t want my hair to make me look like I was dragged through a hedge backwards!”
He laughed and made a grab for my hair dryer and straighteners. My curls were natural but Chris had this way of drying them into clearly defined big bouncing curls and using the straighteners to tame any lose locks which refused to play nicely, which happened a lot.
After pulling, twirling and twisting my locks he stood back and smiled.
“Perfect.” He grinned.
“Thank you Chris. When I become a millionaire I’ll employ you to follow me around and do my hair every day.” I joked.
“I’d do it too.” He replied seriously. “I’m getting fed up of Parker Hayes to be honest Elle.”
“Really? I thought you loved it there?”
“I used to, but… I don’t know. Something seems off there at the moment. Haven’t you felt it?”
“Not really, but then I’m a bit preoccupied at the moment babe.”
“True” he nodded. “So Cinderella, time for your fairy Gaymother to get you into your gown.” He clapped his hands excitedly.
“I can do that.” A deep gruff voice stated at the door of the bedroom.
“Wow, you look….just… beautiful.” Joe said looking at me with his eyes glowing and a hint of desire in them.
I looked him up and down at the same time as Chris was too, I would have called him out on it, but I didn’t blame him right now.
“You look totally gorgeous.” I said drinking in the sight of him.
He wore a bespoke tailored suit of black trousers and a black suit jacket with a white silk pocket square in the top pocket. Underneath he wore a black waistcoat with a crisp white shirt and a black bow tie. His hands were fiddling nervously with his diamond cufflinks and he seemed out of sorts. His dark hair roughly styled into a small quiff at the front and short at the sides. His face still had that shadow of stubble I loved on his square jaw but his tanned skin looked flawless and he smelt amazing. I so wanted to strip it all off. ‘Hold that thought Ella, or we’ll never get out tonight!’ I thought to myself.
“I love the bow tie, it so cute!” Chris piped up pulling me out of my haze of lust.
“It’s a must at events like this, I hate them.” He snipped.
“I don’t, I love it. You look amazing.” I said stepping forward and leaning up on tiptoes to kiss him.
Chris coughed to remind us he was here too then announced that it was time for him to leave.
“Have fun tonight kids, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“You’d do anything Chris so that’s not saying a lot.” I joked as he sauntered out of the bedroom. I went to follow him but Joe grabbed my arm territorially and barked out. “You can see yourself out can’t you Chris.” as he led me into the wardrobe area.
“Of course, see you later lovers!” He sang as he skipped out of the apartment.
Joe took my dress off the hanger and unzipped the back for me as I dropped my dressing gown to reveal the white lace thong and bra set I had chosen at Victoria’s Secret earlier in the week.
“Bloody hell Ella, you look stunning without the dress. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to keep my hands off you tonight.” He said coming up behind me and kissing along my shoulder. “I am gonna enjoy taking all of this off you tonight sweet heart.” I felt myself growing wet for him already.
I grinned a shy grin at him in the mirror in front of us and he hooded his eyes at me, like a predator ready to devour me.
He held the dress open for me at my feet and I stepped into it. He pulled it up slowly and seductively over my hips and slid each strap over my arms. When the dress was ready to be zipped up he kissed and nibbled the back of my neck before pulling the zip to secure my curves into the white satin fabric. I took a deep breath in as I took in the reflection in front of me. I looked angelic, sexy but in an innocent way. There was nothing innocent about Joe, he looked like the devil in a tuxedo, ready to claim his angel and defile me. He stood behind me with his arm around my waist and we both looked at ourselves in the mirror.
“We make a good couple don’t we?” I asked.
“We were made for each other Ella. Light and dark, innocent and guilty, good and evil. You are the other half of me, we fit together perfectly. It was always meant to be.”
I nodded and was just about to step away when he took something out of his inside jacket pocket and held it out in front of me.
“This dress doesn’t need a necklace, but I thought these might finish it off perfectly.” He opened the box to reveal the most sparkly diamond drop earrings.
“Oh my God Joe they are beautiful. Thank you!”
“You’re beautiful Ella, they are just pretty.” He took them out of the box and handed them to me. I put them on one at a time and felt like a princess as I gazed at myself. My blonde curls, the sparkle of the earrings and the details at the side of the dress, the silky fabric that pooled at my feet, it all made me feel magical as if I’d stepped into a fairy tale for the night. I slipped my feet into a pair of silver Jimmy Choos then grabbed my diamond encrusted clutch bag and laced my arm through Joe’s.
“Ready?” I asked looking up at him.
“As ready as I’ll ever be for this.” He huffed, and led me purposefully out of the bedroom.
18
Outside parked up at the kerb was a black limo, and as we approached it Sam emerged from the front in his signature black suit and opened the back door for us.
“Hi Sam, you okay?” I said happily.
“Ella.” He nodded coolly at me.
“Thanks Sam.” Joe said as he climbed in behind me and the door closed. These two were men of very few words. Good job I was here to fill in the gaps I thought.
As the limo pulled away from the kerb and into the Friday evening traffic, Joe touched a button at the side of him, and a dark screen raised itself, separating us from the driver and Sam at the front.
“That’s better, want a drink?” He reached over to pour himself a glass of whiskey and turned back to me with a questioning look on his face. “Not like you to t
urn down a drink Ella, what are you having?”
“I’m okay, I’ll save myself for when we get there, don’t want to turn up steaming drunk or tipsy and fall out of the limo.” I’d totally forgotten about the alcohol that I’d have to pretend to drink. I was going to need to employ every sneaky trick I’d learnt over the last few days to hide my recent aversion to alcohol. Although I wanted to tell Joe about the baby very soon, tonight was not the night.
Joe took a sip of his whiskey then placed it down and reached across for me, pulling me onto his lap.
“I wasn’t think straight when I chose this dress.” He tutted sliding his hand up my leg and under the skirt to find my knickers and toy with the seam.
“What are you on about? I love this dress.” I scolded him and wriggled on his lap as he brushed the lace aside to stroke me lightly.
“I should have brought a shorter dress, then I could get to you easier and fuck you in the back of this limo whilst we drive around the city. I can’t get near you without wrinkling this thing.” He moaned trying to lift the long skirt and failing miserably.
“I can get to you though.” I shimmied off his lap and carefully knelt down on the floor of the limo in between his legs. I was able to gather the skirt up from around my knees and drape it so it wouldn’t crease. I glanced up at him from under my eye lids and reached for the zip of his trousers. He was breathing deeply now and staring at me with pure lust, a crafty smile playing at the corner of his lips.
As the zip came down, I pulled the top button open and he hitched his hips up so I could pull him free. I would never get tired of seeing him like this. His cock was deliciously hard and ready for me, a small drop glistening on the end. The silky feel of his skin under my hands as I gently pulled and rolled him up and down made me wet and yearning for him. I lent down to lick the drop of pre cum and tease the tip of him with my tongue all around then under to massage and tease the sensitive area that always made him groan out.
“Suck me hard beautiful girl.” He sighed. I licked and nibbled my way around and along his length as I used my hands to stroke and brush along his thighs, to his balls and then underneath them at the back. He raised himself a little, loving the pressure I was applying there and then moaned louder as I took him into my mouth and straight down my throat sucking hard and groaning myself to tickle my tonsils against his tip.
Exclusively Yours (Joe & Ella Book 2) Page 15