Ignite Me: Shards of Glass, Part One

by Mills, L. C.

  My hand was fine. “Yeah, this morning wasn’t a good day for my coordination!” I didn't understand why some friend of Cameron's would even have reason to hack a CCTV camera just to try and provoke a reaction! It was kinda creepy too. “Wow, that's kinda mental! How the heck does he get away with that?! Surely it's illegal to do that?!”

  He sighed. “Yes, well Leopold is somewhat above the law! Just don't ask! It's taught me a lesson though! Which he won't have countered for! And that is that I trust you and that I have to understand there will be times when you have a photo taken with someone else and it be totally innocent! It's new to me and he thought it would unnerve me which in part it did, but I didn't react how he thought I may!” He sounded proud of himself.

  I smiled. “He sounds like a total asshole to me, he doesn't even know me and yet he makes assumptions based on my public profile! It's good you can see past all that BS to see the bigger picture!” I shuffled over and rested my head on his shoulder, we had a while to go before we headed out.

  His arm wrapped around me. “I am just sorry I let it affect me! I am so glad you fight back because you made me see that I was being a total pillock!” He chuckled.

  “Yes, but you are my pillock and I won't have anyone messing around with that!” I smiled as I placed my hand on his leg and softly squeezed it.

  “Oh, I meant to ask, I’ve been invited to a wine and dine sort of thing, and I would normally take well you know who but I'd like it very much if you'd come with me! It's a black tie kinda event.” His hand rubbed my shoulder.

  I knew who he'd meant and I was glad he'd asked me. “Sure I'll go with you, I hope I don't show you up though, I don't have the same experience as you do with these kinda things!” I was worried I'd do or say something and embarrass him.

  “You will be fine! You're my girlfriend, I want you to come and support me, you can choose a dress, and it’s not for another few weeks so I'll let you consider the invite.”

  I smiled. “No considering needed! I'll come! Wow a dress... Will have to practice being more lady like!” I giggled.

  “You are perfectly fine as you are! You will be stunning my darling!”

  I smiled. “So where is this taking place?!” I wondered where it could be, somewhere in London, some high end hotel or another.

  “Oh, it's in New York! The clients are trying to win the contract to help build elements of a solar wind farm that my company is half funding! They are on my short list!”

  I sat in silence, shocked. How could be just be so casual about it being out of the country. He said it like he was simply saying it was down the road. “New York as in the Big Apple?! As in America?! As in the place I fled from?!” Oh my god... What is he trying to do to me?! This had disaster written all over it.

  “Yes in America! That's why I said I'd like you to come! You have local knowledge! We'll be flown by private jet so you won't have to worry about being seen! Nobody need know!” His hand around my shoulder moved to play with my hair.

  I took a breath in. He underestimated how badly I used to get followed around by the papzz. I did want to go though, this was important to him and I didn't want him half way around the world with Miss A line skirt or some other bimbo so I would have to suck it up. It would mean I could see my Dad and maybe even Jessica. “The private jet isn't an issue, it's more that you will have to be prepared for the pap to stalk us! They aren't like press over here! I will go with you though! You can meet my Dad!” I bit my lip wondering what my Dad would say.

  “Oh, don't worry, we'll give them one good photo op and then we'll go incognito! I look forward to meeting your father! I am sure I can convince him I can look after you and that my intentions are pure!”

  I smiled. “If this afternoon was anything to go by, they aren't all that pure!” I giggled finding it funny.

  “Well, indeed not all of my intentions are pure but he doesn't need to know what we do in bed! Or indeed against the door...” He chuckled.

  “Hmm, yes indeed. So do we need to book somewhere to stay cause we could crash at my Dads I guess!” I wasn't sure what the plan was.

  He twisted a lock of my hair around his finger. “No we will be staying at the Four Seasons! It's all paid for! I just need to let them know you are coming with me! Like I said they want the contract, they have to convince me they have what it takes! I've also got a band to check out while I'm over there! So figured we may as well make the most out of it!”

  I found it relaxing when he played with my hair. “Holly shit the Four Seasons... That's like hella expensive! I've never been in there! Not the kinda place they let rock stars stay!” I laughed.

  He chuckled deeply. “Well, that's business! It's got very good executive meeting rooms and private board rooms so it's ideal!”

  “I guess it is! I look forward to being your date!” I grinned. I could hold my own among anyone, I went to private school, so it wasn't like I hadn't learnt how to mingle. I knew he'd guide me anyway the most pressing thing was tonight. To impress his sister! I'd only ever meet her once and she had been upset then.

  “You're more than my date! It will be nice to share things like this with you! I've never talked about work with anyone before and it's actually good that I can share it with you! The music side, you would understand it just as well as I do!” He placed his free hand over mine on his leg.

  I smiled from ear to ear. “I always try my best to be objective and help! Also, I kinda work for your label so is this classed as sleeping with the boss?!” I snorted with laughter, finding it hilarious.

  He chuckled. “I've seen the lyrics to the songs you write, why don't you ever use them yourself! They are sometimes obviously personal to you!”

  I puffed out my cheeks. “It's not that I can't sing, it's cause I don't wanna be in the spotlight, having someone tell me what to do! Even bands, are controlled to a certain extent! I like being anonymous! Also, I would always be on the road! I like doing what I do! It pays well and I get to do my own thing! Like hang out here with you! And eat pizza and make out!”

  He shook his head. “You could do all that and still have time to do what you want, but you are a very talented song writer! I can understand you doing what you love, you've grown up around bands and how it all works, and I guess it gives you an idea of what not to do! And I of course rather enjoy your company!”

  “Thanks, I enjoy yours too, you like playing with my hair?!’’ He was still twisting it around his finger. ‘‘You can plait if you want?! I was gonna do it myself for tonight!” I grinned.

  He was silent for a while. “I think I'd enjoy that! Sit between my legs! You got a hair band?!”

  CHAPTER 20

  Half an hour later and he’d plaited my hair wonderfully, he was very skilled at it. He grinned. “Hmm...” His eyes became hooded as he took me in.

  I raised a brow. “What?!” I lent my back against the large wooden coffee table.

  His lips parted for a second as his tongue darted across his lips as he licked them, his Adam's apple bobbing up at and down. “Its how you look sat down there! It's tempting!” He glanced at his phone.

  I laughed. I didn't understand what he meant. “Forgive my ignorance here baby, but how is me sitting on the floor tempting?! Is it cause I'm level with a certain part of your appendage?!” I glanced deliberately at his crotch, then back up.

  He bit his lip. “May I take a photo of you?! You look angelic sat there, it's the way you’re looking up at me, and it’s doing funny things to me!”

  I shrugged. “Sure, if you want, and just so you know when you bite your lip it's as sexy as hell!” I let a breath go.

  He grinned widely. “Well, now you know how I feel when you bite yours! But seriously, I am thankful that you have patience with me! I don't mean to be the way I am sometimes, we have something good, I can feel it, and I know you can too.” His eyes searched mine.

  I shuffled forward and tilted my head up so I was looking up at him,
my arms reaching up to sit on his chest. “I can feel it, I know we can make this work! You just have to learn to trust me! I'm not gonna trap you, I don't want anything from you, I just want to be with you! These last two weeks have given me something to look forward to! I actually feel happy! You make me happy!” I smiled at him. I was falling head over heels in love with him and I couldn't stop myself even I knew I should.

  He snapped a photo and then put the phone down and lent down so his face was mm’s away from mine. “Please don't be afraid to fall for me, I will catch you! God only knows what I did to deserve you coming into my life, but I won't jeopardize it! You have shown me what love can be like. I can protect you, if you let me!”

  I couldn't look away, I didn't even want to. “I'm not afraid, I know you'll catch me, I just take time to trust, but you understand that. You're also showing me new things, we will learn together!” I brushed my lips against his softly.

  His lips moved against mine, as my hands found their way into his hair.

  After a while we both pulled away from the kiss. “We should change before we have to go get your sister! I want to wear a pair of the jeans you got me!” I wanted to make a good impression on her.

  He smiled and stood up, and held his hand out to me. “Ah yes, good idea! I think I'll wear a T-shirt!”

  I looked up at him, he towered above me now he stood. I placed my hands in his and let him pull me up. “Thanks.” I grinned coyly.

  “You have a thoughtful look on your face, tell me what you’re thinking Evan.” He kept hold of my right hand and started leading us back to his room.

  I took a breath. “Just how tall you were, when I was on the floor, you seemed like a giant.” I laughed.

  He chuckled. “I guess being over 6 foot does that! Can I admit something?!” He kept hold of my hand as he led us along the hallway and into his room.

  I frowned. “Sure.” I wasn't sure what he wanted to say.

  “When you were looking up at me, with your wide, innocent eyes, I was kinda turned on, by the idea of your being on your knees in front of me, being gloriously naked.” He stopped walking and faced me.

  “Oh.” I felt the blush burn at my cheeks as I imagined myself doing just that, my hair in the plait. I wasn't 100% sure why I was turned on by the image I just was.

  “I am sorry, I've embarrassed you. I should have kept my thoughts to myself.” He looked uncomfortable now.

  I grinned at him. “Maybe one day, I will be! You might need to guide me a little.” I bit my lip.

  The smile spread across his face. “Oh Evan, I will happily guide you! I don't want you to feel like you have to do things though! If you ever feel uncomfortable with anything we do, you tell me and we stop! No questions asked!” He pulled me into him and twisted his arms around me.

  I smiled into his chest as my arms wrapped around him. “I promise you I'll will voice any concerns! You are used to women a lot more experienced than I am, I hope I'm not ever a disappointment.” That was what I was most scared of. Being a let-down.

  He pulled back from the hug and looked horrified. “You will never disappoint me! Why would you even think that way?! Evan, I love you! I don't care if you’re not as experienced, it simply means I have to guide you, advise you and watch you flourish! I look forward to it! Please don't think like that.”

  I smiled up at him. “Thank you, I guess I just worry about it, I know I shouldn't and I know you will help me, I look forward to you guiding me! Now let's get changed so we can pick Georgia up and I can make a good impression on her!” I grinned as I pushed open the door of the walk in closet and waited for the lights to pop on.

  “You don't have to impress anyone, but as it happens, she thinks you’re immense, after all you did save her that night and then befriended her on Twitter!” He grinned as he walked past me to his section of the closet and started to rummage along the rack of T-shirts.

  I grinned widely. “Well, I guess she learnt a lesson right?! But I'm glad she's okay with me, I hope you didn’t think me talking to her was weird!” I found the black pair of jeans with designer rips in them and stepped out of my skirt, and pulled the jeans on, shimmying them all the way up until I could do them up.

  “That's actually very distracting! And in answer to you, no I didn’t, I thought it was kind.” He chuckled as he choose a dark blue T-shirt to wear.

  I smirked. “Really?! Well, this will be totally distracting too!” I gripped the hemline of my T-shirt and pulled it upwards and over my head.

  “Hmm, yes very, very distracting, I like it!” He smirked as he pulled his own shirt off and paused as he slowly pulled the clean T-shirt over his head.

  I tilted my head to one side and bit my lip as I admired the view. His chest was very nicely toned.

  “Does Miss Watson approve?!” He flexed his arms, in a body builder style pose and smirked.

  I put my hand to my head and pretended to swoon. “Oh, Miss Watson didn't know there was going to be a gun show! She's gone all faint!” I pulled the crumpled band shirt on and wondered if I should iron Georgia’s one, but figured she'd not care it had a few creases in.

  “Oh well, we can't have that!” He took the few paces to me and pulled me flush against him. “I'd better make sure you don't swoon too much!” He kissed down my neck.

  I closed my eyes and moved my head to one side, letting a breath go. “I wasn't aware that was how they gave the kiss of life!” I chuckled.

  He laughed. “Well, you could always show me!” He smirked at me.

  “Hmm, maybe I'll show you later! If you’re lucky, I might even show you my favourite moon phase tattoo again!” I bit my lip, I was sure he'd know what I was saying, he had a way of bringing out the side of me that I had been asleep for some time.

  He stroked his fingers down my cheek. “Oh, I look forward to that! I can trace all your tattoos, might even kiss each one!” He dipped his head and brushed his lips against mine softly, then pulled away leaving me wanting.

  “You'll need a jacket, its cold outside at this time of night!” He picked out a leather jacket and held it out for me to put on. “I have the matching jacket.” He walked over to the pegs and picked his up and pulled it on. He looked handsome as hell, his dark hair just touching the collar, his dark eyes scanning me with interest.

  I picked up the purple sparkly creepers and sorted the laces out and put one shoe on at a time, occasionally wobbling violently from side to side as I did the laces up.

  “You quite literally have no eye hand coordination at all! I am so glad I am able to look out for you the way you allow me to because quite frankly, my darling you’re an accident waiting to happen!” He shook his head.

  I rolled my eyes. “Well, I managed for 20 years to look after myself, only really had a few major accidents, like when I tripped and fell down some stairs and fractured my arm.” I smirked. I left out that I'd been drunk at the time.

  He looked horrified. “Oh my god the idea of you falling down anything gives me palpitations!” He shook his head. “The shoes suit you by the way, you look very rock chic or whatever it's called!” He shrugged and slipped his phone into his pocket.

  “We'd best head out to Jones, he'll be waiting! Knowing Georgia she'll be early or horrendously late! There is no in-between with my sister!” He sighed.

  “I can tell you about the band on the way, they are really hard working, they want to make a success out of it, they've come a long way since I last saw them play; I'm excited!” I was about to launch myself into why he should give them some attention when my phone started ringing in my pocket.

  “You better answer that, then we can head out.” He flashed me a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. He always seemed concerned when my phone rang.

  I pulled my phone from my pocket and grinned. “Oh, it's my Dad!” I hit answer.

  “Hey old man! How's it going?! Sorry I missed your call!” I bit my bottom lip as I smiled.

  Cameron i
ndicated he was going to leave the room, so I could talk in private, I appreciated the gesture. 'Thank you!' I mouthed as he turned as he left the room, I propped myself up against the shelf and waited.

  “So who's this guy I've seen you all over the Internet with Evan?! He looks too old for you!”

  That was my father! No social niceties, just straight to the point! He still sounded English, but his accent now had a mix of America in it. He was fishing for me to tell him, he would know who Cameron was I bet he had done his research.

  I sighed. “Well about that, I was going to tell you! His name is Cameron and we're dating! He's a business man He's also the nicest man I've ever met! He treats me so well and I feel safe with him!” I paced around a little as the other end went silent for a while.

  “How long have you seen seeing him?! And I'm glad he's treating my baby girl well, but he's a man! And all men are after one thing Evan, be careful!” There was an awkward cough, he was embarrassed. We didn't really talk that openly, I'd learnt most of what I did know from Jess!

  I giggled, we weren't very good at this type of thing, we were better at going out to shoot pool and talking things over that way. This was just awkward for us both. “Oh wow Dad, I'm 20! I do know about the birds and the bees and if I didn't then Jessica would know!” I laughed.

  He chuckled. “I'm just not sure he's right for you honey, I did some research and all the women he's been involved with have been higher in society! I know who he is, he owns Ballard Enterprises Holdings, not to mention countless others on a personal level! Rich men like him just want nice looking women for show.” I heard him drumming his fingers, he always did that when he was nervous.

  I shook my head. “Are you trying to say I'm too common for him?! He's never actually dated any of them though! They were either friends or, uh something so...” Something clicked in my mind and I was suddenly angry. “Way to make me feel good about myself! Jeez!” The door to the closest opened and Cameron stepped back in.