Ignite Me: Shards of Glass, Part One

by Mills, L. C.

  I sent the text and shoved the phone back into my pocket. Cameron had gone quiet so I took advantage. “Selfies?!” I nudged him with my shoulder as I walked off.

  He caught me up and pulled me back towards him as he put his left arm around my middle. “Selfies indeed!”

  I giggled as he pulled me flush to him. He was being playful now, maybe it was his way of saying sorry for being the way he had. Maybe he was insecure or an ex had cheated on him in the past, but I wasn't like that. As much as Damon was good looking, and we could easily have started something it could never have lasted.

  “Just so you know Cameron, I'm a one guy kinda girl!” I placed my hand over his.

  He dipped his head and planted a soft kiss on my cheek. “I know and I'm sorry.”

  I smiled so wide it hurt my face. “I quite enjoyed that!” I smirked.

  “Enjoyed what?!” I felt his smile as he kissed my cheek again.

  “No didn't quite feel right! Better do it again!” I ignored my phone bleeping in my pocket.

  “Well, I don't want you not getting the full effect!” He kissed my cheek again, only this time he let his head rest on my shoulder.

  All was forgotten now. If he could learn to handle his issues, things would work out between us.

  “Selfie time now!” His voice was soft, it sounded like velvet to my ears.

  He held the phone out at arm’s length.

  At first I thought maybe he'd move his head for the photo, but when he didn't straighten back out I just went with the flow.

  His head nestled into my shoulder. It felt nice, and more than that I felt comfortable with him in my personal space.

  “You look worried! Am I rushing you?!” His eyes filled with concern.

  I smiled. “Not rushing me at all! I'm just getting used to how you feel and how it feels around you! I take time to adjust!” I smiled lopsidedly.

  “I can understand that! Evan I know I can be intense, but I mean well!” He kissed my cheek again.

  “I know that, if I thought otherwise I'd be high tailing out of here! As it happens, I rather like you!” I bit my lip.

  His smile reflected back at me in the camera screen. “Good, because I rather like you too!” He snapped a photo as I laughed.

  “We will learn to tolerate each other's quirks if this is ever gonna be more than friends!” I was determined he would know how I felt. It might even help him that I was being honest, telling him how it was.

  “I appreciate you being honest with me! Now to the gift shop?!” He let go of me and pocketed his phone.

  “Yes, please!” I grinned and walked over to the stairwell. I'd never really been impulsive when it came to guys before, but I really liked Cameron and I really wanted to try with him. He said he was falling for me and I was starting to fall for him I could feel it.

  We finished looking around upstairs and made our way back down to the gift shop. He was very quiet in the lift. And I was lost in my own thoughts as we made our down in the lift.

  chapter 8

  Cameron guided me out and along the corridor to the gift shop.

  “You've been very quiet is everything okay?!” He looked worried as he held the door for me.

  I wish he wouldn't ask that.

  It was as if he was scared of the silence.

  “Cameron it's not a bad thing, I like to think about things sometimes and I think deeply! It's okay though! It's all good!” I gave him a wide smile.

  He raised a brow. “I'm one of these people that feels the need to fill silences, I'm sorry if I ask you that a lot!”

  I grinned. “I guessed as much and it's fine! Hey, so since you brought me lunch, can I get you something?!” I bit my lip.

  He pulled a face. “Well, I suppose so!”

  I studied his face. It annoyed me that he was hard to read when he was around other people, when it was just me and him I could read his eyes but down here he was back to being Mr. Hero hair!

  I eyed the photo frame, I knew it was touristy, but I figured he could put one of our selfies in it if he had one printed out. I could imagine it sitting on his desk or somewhere in his apartment.

  “Well, I'll take that as a yes!” I picked up the frame and then walked off to see what else I could find, I knew Jessica would love a postcard. I walked around the corner and felt my face split into a huge grin as I saw the little stuffed fox’s.

  “Yes, I found him!” I picked two up. One for me, one for Damon.

  Cameron followed me around occasionally he'd pick something up and then put it back down. I left him looking at the key rings and walked over to the register.

  “Did you find what you were looking for?!” The girl behind the register smiled sweetly.

  “Yes, thank you!” I grinned and pulled my card out of my pocket. I didn't want to open my purse with Cameron stood so close behind me, I still had a photo of Sean and myself in it.

  She put everything into a fancy bag and smiled. “That's £34.89 please.”

  I put my card into the machine and typed my pin in and hit enter.

  She slipped the receipt into the bag. “All paid, have a good day!”

  I raised a brow at her. “Thanks.” I turned and almost bumped right into Cameron.

  “Personal space!” I winked at him as I walked over to the door pushing it open. It was actually really heavy.

  “Should have let me open it!” He smirked at me.

  “It's okay, I've still got muscles to build!”

  He laughed. “I think you already have very nice long and lean muscles as it is!”

  I blushed. He clearly had been snooping on my social media.

  “How are you getting home?!” He asked casually as we headed back to the lifts.

  “Tube!” I smiled as I pressed the button for the lift to take us back down to ground level.

  “It's peak time now, I can take you home, I'm getting picked up outside, my right hand man Jones drives me around, and it’s safer that way.” He sniffed in as the lift rolled open, it was empty again as we stepped in.

  I wasn't that I didn't want a lift home it was just the whole being driven thing. It was so pretentious.

  “Will you be offended if I say no?!” I glanced up at him as the lift started to descend.

  He pulled a face. “No, but I figured it'd give us some extra time together!”

  I hadn't thought of that. I wasn't sure when I would see him next. “Okay then, I guess it makes sense since we might not see each other again until the next time we bump into each other!” I grinned at him.

  His face fell and he looked suddenly thoughtful. “I'd like to see you again soon, maybe you'd permit me to take you somewhere Thursday?!” He smiled.

  It wasn't as if I was actually doing anything, I'd not been sure how things were going to work out.

  “I've not been to the Victoria and Albert museum yet we could go there?!” I felt my phone go off again.

  “Is that your friend again?! Maybe he thinks I've kidnapped you!” He raised a brow, but sounded annoyed at the amount of interruptions my phone had caused. I'd really have to remember to put it on silent.

  I sighed and pulled my phone out. It wasn't Damon it was Sean. I scanned the text.

  I need you so bad baby! I swear I'm gonna get on a plane to London and convince you I need you!

  Oh fuck off! London is a big place! I won’t see you so don’t bother!

  I felt the panic rise in my chest as I hit send. I did not need him coming here and screwing around with my head.

  “You look like you've seen a ghost.” He stepped closer to me.

  I couldn't speak, I just stared at the screen. I was trying to work out how I could persuade him to stay in LA.

  “What on earth is wrong?!” He placed his hand on my shoulder and lent in.

  “It's time you blocked his number Evan, he may need you, but you don't need some arse hole like him fucking with your head!”

&nb
sp; I sighed. “I know your right but I can't deal with him when he's like this! I don't think he'd actually do what he says though! It'd be far too much of an effort.” I knew I'd have to have his number blocked, cut that last link once and for all.

  “I'd like to see him try and get a visa with his history!” He snorted.

  “I won't let him spoil my day! I've enjoyed being around you.” I shoved the phone back into my pocket.

  “As for the V&A I'd love to take you there, I can have you picked up at 1pm tomorrow and we can go then! I've got meetings in the morning!”

  I smiled. “Okay, I've got work emails to sort anyways, so it works well!”

  “That's a date, then Evangeline I look forward to it.”

  “First real date?!” I turned and gave him a shy smile.

  He grinned. “Yes a real date! Me and you! I'll call it our second date since today went so well!”

  I was excited. I really enjoyed his company.

  “Ah the lift is almost at the bottom! We will exit the way we came in, then walk around the corner to get picked up.”

  “Okay, cool.” I turned back around waiting for the lift to stop.

  As the doors rolled open, I felt Cameron's hand on my lower back again as he guided me out of the lift. We passed the doorman from before who gave us both a polite smile.

  The sounds of the city hit my ears as we walked out into the late afternoon sun.

  “Cameron! Oh my god it is! It's been too long!”

  I heard a female voice from not far off calling his name and I wondered who it was.

  “Oh god, not now.” Cameron uttered under his breath and cringed as he turned in the direction of the voice.

  He didn't let go of me, instead he slipped his hand a little more around my waist again so I couldn't leave.

  I looked over to where Cameron was looking and saw a woman in her late 30s waving at him as she made her way over. She was smartly dressed and had jet black hair that was bobbed.

  “Darling, I never expected to bump into you today! I've not seen you in months!” She looked at him expectantly like she was expecting him to do something. She eyed him and then me with interest.

  “I've been busy, Erin! Besides, you're a very busy woman!” He was being reserved.

  She looked at him confused. “Not that busy! Do I not even get a kiss?! So formal today because you're with your new little friend.” She grinned at him.

  I raised a brow. I didn't like the way she looked at him or the way he was being super awkward around her.

  She had to be an ex for sure! Only she was older than him, he'd also stated that he hadn't had girlfriends, but the way she looked at him said she thought otherwise.

  I studied her, she was all A line skirts and blouses that had just a touch too much cleavage peeping out and looked the part where as I wore jeans and T-shirts! I sighed, it was like a Taylor Swift song had come to life.

  Her referral to me as his little friend also got my back up.

  Rude. Honey, he's so not interested in you! Take a hint.

  I felt like I should move away because I was clearly unwanted in this situation. I went to step away from them both, but his hand gripped my side blocking me from being able to move to far away. “No you don't get a kiss Erin!” He sounded pissed off. “It's also rude to ignore the fact I'm clearly with someone right now whom you’re clearly making feel very uncomfortable!”

  Oh, that's gonna sting. I smirked at her as she scanned me.

  “Oh well, I didn't know did I! She's not your normal type Cameron! I assumed she was a friend of your sisters or something! She looks like a teenager, things must be scarce.” She sniffed in and gave me a full on dirty look.

  I shook my head. “Excuse me, but I am standing right here! I can hear you! And just so you know I'm twenty!” I was more than a little offended by the way she looked at me like I was dirt on her shoe.

  She raised a brow at me. “Oh, sorry sweetie, I assumed you just knew to be seen and not heard!”

  I laughed at her. I'd come up against her type before. I was outraged she'd say something like that to a total stranger and for one second I wanted to pull the 'do you know who I am' card just to annoy her but I knew he'd not like it. His whole body had gone ridged stood beside me. He radiated uncomfortableness.

  “Wow, you have such wonderful social skills, I bet your fun at a party!” I gave her a death stare. I was convinced more than ever that she quite clearly still liked him.

  “You will have to excuse her Evangeline she's not normally like this! Well, we have to be going! We have plans, don't we darling.”

  “Do we?!” My mind span and my whole body came out in goose bumps as he'd called me darling. It was a big enough hint for her to know to back off, but she just rolled her eyes.

  “Oh, Cameron! Please tell me you haven't fell for someone like her! You could do so much better sweetie. She has gold digger written all over like a stick of cheap rock!”

  My jaw popped open in shock. I was no gold digger! I had my own money! I didn't need his. “You clearly have no idea who I am, you stuck up...” I took a breath in as I felt my anger rise in my chest. “Cameron I need to leave now before I forget my manners.” I said it through a clenched jaw.

  He sighed. “Evan can you do me a favor and just wait down near the doors for me! I won't be five minutes I promise! I am so sorry about this!” He looked at me with wide, pleading eyes.

  “By all means! It's not your fault your friend is a rude bitch!” I freed myself from him and flipped my hair over one shoulder as I gave her a dirty look, then I walked the few feet to where he'd said and stood and stared at the pair of them.

  He looked beyond angry. He turned away from me and grabbed Erin by the elbow and led her a little way from me far enough that I couldn't hear what was being said but I could still see. I was good at lip reading!

  I studied them. She looked shocked that he'd forced her away, I couldn't see his face only hers. She shrugged a few times and seemed to be saying sorry.

  I had quite clearly been a threat to her. It didn't excuse how rude she'd been though. It made me wonder just how things had been worked out with other women. Maybe she had a crush on him. He was late twenties, so the age gap for her wasn't that big. I understood what she saw him in. He was powerful, rich, and somewhat overbearing, but it was something in his eyes and how he touched me that made me stay. I could only imagine what she might have experienced to have it all ripped away by a younger women. I'd hate me too, but I'd never act like she did. I didn't like the idea of her and him together like that though. It made me feel a little sick at the idea of him having sex with her. She was so stiff and prim I'd be surprised if she was ever any different in other situations. I sniggered to myself.

  She glanced over at me giving me another dirty look so I flipped her the bird with my right hand and mouthed the words “fuck you bitch” then shoved my hands back into my pockets and stared intently across the road so if he looked around I'd look busy.

  I didn't risk looking back until I heard him walk back over. His arm slipped around my back. “Please forgive me for that! That was more aimed at me than you! I've been avoiding her!” He sighed.

  I glanced up at him. “Is she an ex?!” I liked how his hand felt on me but I was straight to the point I wanted to know, more than that I had to know.

  He led me away and I turned my head for a second to see if she was still there. I saw her wipe her eyes with her hands. Was she crying?! She was looking at him like she'd just been broken up with. I turned my head back around and concentrated on not tripping over. My head was so full of questions and concerns that I'd probably trip over my own feet.

  He sighed. “She was never my girlfriend! She liked me, we had an agreement that it was just sex no strings, but she developed feelings for me and I cut her loose!”

  Wow, don't sugar coat it. I coughed unsure what to say. I didn't know how any person could sleep with another and n
ot develop feelings.

  “Oh. I see. So, uh are all your past relationships been on a casual basis?! And it's impossible to have sex with someone and not develop feelings!” Since he'd been so honest, I figured I'd get away with that.

  He sighed. “You make it sound seedy Evan, but yes, they were but before you ask or over think it! I don't what anything casual with you, the idea of another man touching you how I want to makes me feel sick and I've never felt that way before! I have never wanted a woman the way I have you!”

  I didn't know what to say or how to answer him so I just walked with him until we reached the corner where a sleek and imposing black Land Rover SUV stood with its engine running.

  “I didn't mean to sound so intense, but you did ask!” He pulled the door open for me.

  “It's okay.” I was thinking it over. Trying not to imagine him and her together.

  “Good afternoon Mr. Ballard! Where are we headed?” A Welsh accent floated back to us.

  “I said I'd take Miss Watson home Jones, that's Butlers Wharf!” He'd forgotten his manners again.

  “Seat belt please Miss Watson!” I saw him grin sat in the driver’s side.

  “Oh, sorry I forget it's compulsory here!” I pulled my seat belt around me and did up the buckle.

  I glanced at Cameron. Then back out of the windows. They were heavily tinted, but I could just about still see out. I felt his hand cover mine on the seat.

  “I have no idea what she was even doing there. Her office is nowhere near here!” He stroked his thumb over my knuckles.

  “Yeah.” I was still lost in thought. All these things were flying around my mind at 100 miles an hour all banging into each other making it hard to concentrate.

  He sighed. “Evangeline?!”

  I chewed my lip. “Hmm?!” I'd not registered what he'd aside from my name.

  “I don't want you to over think what she said! She's just bitter and probably jealous of you!” He stroked his hand down my cheek.