Ignite Me: Shards of Glass, Part One

by Mills, L. C.

  “Well, I wanted to have a variety of items! Shall we head off in say half an hour?!”

  I closed the lid and did the straps back up. “Sure, I'll see if my jackets dried, are you changing out of your suit?!” I wondered if I should put something else on?! I was wearing the denim shorts again and one of his old band shirts.

  He nodded. “Yes, I am! I'm putting the gray jeans on!”

  I had a sudden flashback to how they'd felt against my skin when he'd blindfolded me. “Oh, I like those!” I grinned.

  He smirked at me. “Yes, I thought that'd please you! I'll go get changed while you check your jacket!”

  “Sure, but before you go get changed.” I grinned impishly as I ran my fingers over his tie before using it to him into me. “I want to kiss you!”

  His lips meet mine with a curl to them as I closed my eyes as the kiss deepened. It felt so right.

  His hands locked around my middle and held me to him. I pulled back from the kiss and patted his tie back down. “You can go now, Mr. Ballard!”

  He let me go as he stepped back. “Yes Ma'am! I'll be back here ASAP!” The smirk played at the corner of his lips as he turned around and left the kitchen.

  I giggled as I headed for his office, as I passed into his office, I saw Jones was out on the balcony removing the dresser.

  “Sorry Miss Watson, I thought you'd finished painting it, I was going to take it and place it in the wardrobe.” He smiled politely.

  “Oh, I have! I've just come out for my jacket and Cameron's just gone to get changed.” I smiled. I didn't see the point in saying I could have moved it myself because he had obviously been tasked with the job.

  I loitered around awkwardly as I picked up my jacket, the paint was dry.

  “Its okay, Miss Watson, I know you're capable of moving it, but I don't mind!” He gave me a knowing look and I grinned.

  “Okay, I just feel odd sometimes, I'm used to having to do stuff for myself!”

  “As I've said you will have to get used to it, are you ready to leave?!” Cameron's cut glass tones made me jump, I’d not been expecting him to come find me.

  I turned around and let my eyes wander up his body. He was wearing the gray ripped jeans and a black T-shirt with a denim jacket and held the picnic basket in his hand.

  “Yes, I'm ready!” I grinned as I walked towards him. “Anything I can take?!” I looked at him and wondered if there was anything I could help with.

  A smirk played at the corners of his mouth. “Yes, my hand!”

  I laughed. “Well, okay, but I was meaning was there anything I could carry for the picnic?!” I walked over to him and took his outstretched hand.

  He smiled. “Nope, I've got it all! And Jones if we have any trouble I'll call you!”

  “That's fine, I'll be on alert, Mr. Ballard.”

  “Let's go have a picnic!” I was bursting with excitement as we walked to the lift.

  “Your enthusiasm is catching Evangeline, I am very much looking forward to this afternoon!” He pressed the call button on the lift.

  “I'm gonna take photos and get some printed so I can make a collage for my bedroom!” I led us into the lift.

  “So I will take pride of place in your bedroom, then?!” He smirked at me as the lift doors closed.

  “Yep, and you can help me choose where to put them Friday when you, uh what was it you said, test the memory foam?!”

  I raised a brow.

  He ran his tongue over his teeth as he smiled. “Oh, I am going to test many surfaces in your apartment!”

  I bit my lip at the very idea. “Oh, I see...”

  He chuckled. “Where do you want me to make love to you first?!”

  I groaned. “Oh my god... The tub... I had a day dream about that!”

  He let a breath go. “Oh, then I shall indeed make that where I take you first!”

  The lift doors rolled open and he led me out.

  “I will look forward to that then!” I didn't bother to look over at the reception desk, I could tell Miss Cow eyes was looking over just by the way Cameron tutted.

  “All the ladies lust after you, good job I'm here to guard you!” I giggled as I squeezed his hand.

  He chuckled deeply. “I am only interested in one woman and she's currently holding my hand! Everyone fades into the background because I've got the hottest, most uncoordinated girlfriend ever to grace this earth!”

  He led the way outside the same way we had gone that same morning.

  I couldn't help laughing. “Naw, thanks baby, I love you too!” I was glad I'd bought my sunglasses down with me because it was so bright out.

  “I was thinking we could set up by the lake area?!”

  “Sure, sounds good to me! You're the expert, I honestly don't even know what stuff is so I’ll trust your judgement of good picnic spots!” I smiled as we walked around the park, it was huge, trees towered above us in rows alongside the footpath, and beautiful statues were dotted around. Even though we were in the middle of the city it had a tranquillity about it.

  “Think here's a good spot, we can watch the people out on boats!” Cameron stopped walking and set down the picnic basket in the shade of a large group of oak trees.

  It had taken us 15 minutes to walk there from his apartment building.

  “It's a super spot, I can see your apartment from here!”

  I glanced around and was surprised more people weren't taking advantage of the shade instead the vast majority of people were laid out in the full sun.

  He made himself busy laying out the blanket.

  “You look thoughtful is everything okay?!” He frowned as he took hold of my hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss it.

  I melted at his kind gesture. “Everything's great, I was actually just surprised that more people aren't under the trees?! It's the main heat of the day!”

  He grinned. “Well, that's British Summer logic for you! As you can see it's a case of Suns out, skins out, let's all look like freshly cooked lobsters!”

  I laughed at his explanation. “I think you could have a point.” I lowered myself to sit on the blanket so I was facing the lake.

  Cameron joined me on the blanket, his legs folding in a fluid motion as he sat cross legged next to me.

  “Would you like some wine or would you prefer soda?!” He glanced at me before unbuckling the basket, his deft fingers making short work of it.

  God the things he could do with those fingers, I stared at them, remembering how they felt inside me, how I had sucked them clean with my mouth in the cafe. I felt my face blush as he turned his head and caught me looking.

  “You're blushing! Why?!” He pushed up the lid, but didn't take his eyes off my face.

  I licked my lips. “Nothing, wine is fine by me!” I hoped to distract him.

  He raised a perfect brow at me, he knew what I was doing.

  “No you don't, tell me why you blushed!”

  I covered my face with my hands and giggled coyly. “Don't make me tell you! Please, it's kinda private!” There were other people around, not that near they'd over hear but I was embarrassed.

  His mouth brushed my ear unexpectedly. “Tell me or I'll give you a love bite here and now!” His voice dripped with intent and I didn't doubt he'd do it.

  “Your fingers! Okay, I was remembering how they felt inside me!” I felt my face colour up again. I wasn't used to having to explain what I was thinking.

  His lips brushed my cheek as he kissed it. “You liked how they felt?! Tell me how they made you feel!”

  I let my hands down. “Alive, like I was feeling those sensations for the first time!” I let a breath go.

  He licked his lips. “I'm glad, I want to please you in all ways!”

  “Oh, Cameron you do, you truly do!” I watched him as he pulled out the same bottle of wine we'd started the other night.

  “Oh, I liked that wine!” I smiled as he passed me a glass of i
t, the glass was plastic which was a good idea.

  “I know that's why I figured we'd finish it! Tuna and cucumber sandwich darling?!” He popped the lid off the box with the sandwiches in.

  “Oh yes please!” I sipped the wine, it was lovely and cold.

  “Jones did us proud on the finger food front! I made the sandwiches though!” He grinned as he set the food out on the rug.

  “I'm gonna take a photo it all looks so good!” I pulled my phone from my pocket and turned on the camera app snapping a few photos of the food and then my plate. The sandwiches were cut into little triangles.

  “So fancy!” I giggled as I slipped my phone into my pocket and picked up my plate and filled it with various foods.

  “I fancy you!” He laughed as he picked up his plate and started to eat.

  “Good job you do!” I giggled.

  After half an hour we had eaten all we could and the wine had gone to my head a little.

  Cameron laid stretched right out facing the lake with his legs crossed. I was laying with my head on his shoulder, his left hand softly stroking my hair.

  “Let's take selfies!” He fished his phone from his pocket and unlocked it being this close I saw his unlock code. 2920. That was his age and mine. Was that a coincidence?! I doubted it.

  “Smile! I like to see your proper smile not that one you do in most of your internet selfies!” He grinned.

  I laughed. “Oh, you mean the gurning?! Yea, I should stop that, but it's so easy that way! But of course I will smile for our photo!”

  I smiled my genuine smile that made my eyes go wide.

  “That's the one I adore!” He took a couple photos before he glanced over at the lake.

  “That's the Serpentine end with the rowing boats, further up is the swimming pool area, a nice idea, but frankly the idea of swinging with all those people doesn't fill me with joy!”

  I glanced over at the people in the boats. “Yeah, I've never liked shared swimming pools like that, kinda outdoors stuff! Though I did brave the one at Bondi beach, but that's technically the sea!” I grinned, remembering how awesome that whole trip had been. Me and Jess spent 2 months in Australia after I had first met Sean, he'd text me every day of that trip, and I’d fallen for him by the time we got back to the states.

  “You've been to Australia?! Very nice! You're a strong swimmer?!” He stroked my neck with his fingers, in the most relaxing way.

  “Yeah, it was a girl’s holiday! And yes I can hold my own why?!” I wondered why he'd need to know?!

  “Shall we go take a boat around the lake?! I didn't like to suggest it, but now I know you can swim I don't mind!”

  I laughed. “Why you intending to throw me out of the boat?!”

  He shook his head. “No, but knowing you I was worried you'd fall out!”

  I rolled my eyes. “I did all the swimming stuff in high school! Yanno, swimming in your clothes and practice swimming with someone else!” I sat up and grabbed another mini sausage. “Besides, I can't imagine you letting me drown!”

  I popped it into my mouth.

  “No, I wouldn't! It's forbidden! Right, let's pack this away and then go rowing! Please don't take offense that I will be the one rowing, I'd much rather we didn't go around in circles.” He chuckled to himself as he packed the food away.

  “Anyone would think I have a coordination issue!” I giggled. “But I'm more than happy to let you row me around the lake! I'm gonna take photos!” I grabbed the sun lotion. “But we should put some of this on if we're leaving the shade!” I shook the bottle.

  “Let me, I'll apply yours!” He turned and held his hand out for the bottle of sun lotion.

  I shrugged and handed it over. “Feel free, just my arms, and neck!”

  He smiled as he took the lid off and held it ready. “Okay!” He sprayed my arms with the lotion and used his fingers to rub it in. I closed my eyes as he sprayed up my neck, his fingers running down into my chest.

  “Want to make sure it's all rubbed in, take your sunglasses off I'll rub a little into your face.”

  I smiled as I removed the sunglasses and closed my eyes as his fingers brushed softy around my chin, cheeks, nose and forehead.

  “All done! You can spray me now!”

  I opened my eyes to see him holding me the can. “Okay.” I gave it a good shake and then sprayed his arms, using my fingers to rub it in, and his muscle tone felt good under my fingers.

  “Now for your face and neck!” I was enjoying this.

  He smiled as he removed his sunglasses and closed his eyes.

  I took advantage of his eyes being shut as I kissed him softly on the cheek before applying the lotion.

  “Hmm, I rather liked that! The surprise element!” He opened his eyes again and put his sunglasses back on.

  I stowed the lotion back in the basket. “I guess we'd better get up and roll the blanket up.”

  He stood up, rising above me as he held his hand out for mine. “Let's go rowing!” His eyes were alight with excitement.

  Now he was off the blanket I moved off and rolled it up attaching it to the top of the basket before taking his hand and allowing him to pull me up.

  10 minutes later and we had joined the line waiting for a boat. Cameron had actually been good about waiting which shocked me.

  It hadn't cost that much either. As we reached the front of the line the young man that was helping people in and out of boats smiled at us.

  “Hello, if you want to leave your picnic basket with me, I'll look after it while you're out rowing, these are easy enough to row but try and stay away from the edges! Of course the other option is a pedal boat!” He had an air of smugness about him that annoyed me.

  I smirked. “We’ll take the normal boat, because my boyfriend was on the Oxford rowing team at university, so he's gonna have no issues rowing this!”

  Cameron smirked widely.

  The young man's mouth popped open. “Oh wow really?!”

  “Yes, we won every race while I was there! Oxford born and bred pretty much!”

  He smiled and indicated us a wooden rowing boat. “Cool, well you have 15 minutes, enjoy your boating!” There was a hint of bitterness in his tone now.

  “Oh, we will!” Cameron stepped forward and held the boat to the side for me. “Step in and sit down in one motion! Much easier like that!”

  I grinned as I stepped in all at once like he'd said. It was a strange sensation, it made me feel like I was going to fall over, like when you first put roller skates on and your legs go all over the place so I sat myself down at the pointed end away from the oars.

  “Well done.” He smiled as he stepped in and sat himself down at the other end, he flexed his hands out in front of him, stretching his biceps before taking hold of the ores and pushing them forwards and then back and we were away.

  I smiled as we floated peacefully away, the sound of the ores knocking against their metal holders and the splash of water the only thing I could hear. It was heaven. I watched him with interest, his muscles perfect flexing in sync as he rowed us around.

  “I'm gonna take a selfie!” I laughed as I pulled my phone from my pocket and turned the app on. I took a couple photos of myself, then of the lake.

  “Can I take a photo of you?!” I asked because I didn't want to assume.

  He grinned. “You don't need to ask! I like you taking my photo!”

  I smiled as I took a few of him, I wanted to capture this moment for my photo collage.

  “I'm gonna take a video for Instagram!” I turned the camera so it was facing me and turned the video function on.

  I grinned into the camera. “So my boyfriend and I are on the Serpentine lake thing in Hyde Park in a rowing boat! I'm not rowing, but I have Oxfords finest at the helm!” I switched the camera around to film him. “That's Mr. Cameron Ballard rowing extraordinaire!”

  He raised a brow at me. “Oh the pleasure is all mine darling, I can assu
re you!”

  I giggled and I clenched my thighs, I knew what he was hinting at.

  I panned the camera around to the lake and hit stop.

  “You're very good at rowing! Do you practice still?!” I sat back and enjoyed the sun on my skin.

  “I do occasionally row properly, but mostly it's on a rowing machine! I'm glad you don't get seasick or motion sickness! I'd love to take you out around where I grew up, we can hire a boat and row right down the river!”

  I grinned at the idea. “That sounds lovely, I'd like that! And I've never really had motion sickness and I've not got a lot of experience with boats!”

  Our time was almost up as he rowed us back around to the side we started.

  “I'll get out first, then help you out, I don't like other men touching you!” His face was poker straight.

  “Yeah, I had worked that much out! Not everyone is out to steal me away from you and even if they where I only want you so their advances would be pointless!” I grinned at him.

  He'd really have to get his issues under control because the vast majority of my friends were male.

  “I know I just can't help it! I tolerate your friends! Strangers not so much!” He brought us to a smooth halt at the side of the lake, the same young man from before stood smiling at us. “I'll help your girlfriend out first!” He held his hands out to me.

  I cringed as Cameron glanced up. “No you won't! I'll do that, you hold the boat!” He stared at him until he got the hint and held the side of the boat to the side so Cameron could step out.

  Once Cameron was on the side, he held his hands out to me. “It's not the same as getting in, stand up, take my hands and use your right leg to step out with, I'll pull you in after that!”

  I took a breath, I could manage that! I stood up with no problem but as I took his hands the boat suddenly moved away from the side leaving me with one foot on the side and one foot still in the boat. I gripped Cameron's hands as tight as I could as my anxiety spiked and my brain span. It felt I was free falling even though he had told of my hands. “Don’t let go.”

  “It's okay, I got you.” Cameron tugged me towards him as he stepped back so I was free of the boat. My heart beat funny in my chest as I felt the decking under my feet. Why had I suddenly been terrified of falling in?! I could swim!