Ignite Me: Shards of Glass, Part One (4 page)

I glanced at my camera, but I'd not charged it since I'd gone out and taken all the photos of the graffiti a few days ago so I'd have to make do with my phone.

After locking the place up I made my way down to the lobby. I grinned at Damon bobbing around sorting stuff out behind the desk. I chewed my lip and stood and studied him a second too long as he turned around and caught me staring.

“You off out Evan?!” He scuttled around from the desk and walked over to the door and pulled it open.

“Yeah, I'm gonna go check out the Shard! I just found out you can go to the top!” I grinned with excitement.

He laughed. “Wanna know a pointless but interesting fact about the Shard?!” He grinned from ear to ear.

I found him interesting to talk to so I nodded.

“Well, when they were building it they found a fox had been living up on the 72nd floor for two weeks living off scraps off food left by the builders! They had to catch it in the end, but fancy that! I mean they reckon it climbed the stair well! Pretty cool, huh! Named him Romeo I think.” His eyes danced as he spoke.

I was actually mesmerized by his story. “Wow, that is amazing! I hope they didn't hurt him! I mean after he was caught!” Animal rights was a huge issue for me. It was something I had a passion for.

He grinned. “Don't look so worried Evan! They released it in London after he'd been checked by vets! It's so famous they made a stuffed toy for the gift shop so I hear! You'll have to let me know what it's like!” He pushed open the door and the sounds of cars and people hit me.

“Well, off I go! Wish me luck!” I put my sunglasses on and walked out like I owned the city. I'd learnt a long time ago the more confident you look in a situation the less attention you get! The sound and smells would never get boring to me. I liked the hustle and bustle. I joined the throng of people all going about their daily business. I was headed for the tube station. I'd worked all that out easily enough. After mastering the New York subway the tube network was nothing!

CHAPTER 4

Two tube journeys and one giant pretzel later I was stood staring up at the Shard. It was everything I thought it would be and more. I was in awe of it as it jutted up into the clouds. I tipped my neck back to look right up at it.

“It's pretty impressive right?!”

I jumped hearing another voice all of a sudden. I'd not even noticed anyone come up to my side, I'd been that distracted, but I knew that voice anywhere, it's crisp Britishness and slightly arrogant tone gave him away. Cameron Ballard. He was dressed very smartly today, with a hero coat that was flapping a little in the wind.

I tried to rally my thoughts, only this morning I was taking a delivery of flowers from him and now somehow he was here! Was this a coincidence?!

“Yeah, it's amazing! I was going to go up, but the line to get in is crazy busy!” I shrugged, then smiled at him.

His brown eyes sparkled at me as he rocked back on his heels slightly with a smug look on his face.

“Well, lucky for you we bumped into each other! I don't need a ticket to get in!”

I was confused for a second. Was he asking me to go in with him or was he simply saying he didn't need a ticket?!

“Oh, right.” I was normally confident around men, but he made me flustered by the way he looked at me like he was seeing my soul.

He laughed. “I didn't mean that in an ego trip way, I was actually hoping you'd allow me to take you in! I have access to all the floors so I can show you whatever you want to see Evangeline!” He smiled a megawatt smile.

I took a breath in.

Oh god.

He did things to me when he said my whole name. I did want to go in and I was more than happy to spend time in his company it was just so weird I should meet him here.

“Okay, sure, I was just out and about exploring! So I figured this would be a good place to start. Thank you for the roses by the way!” I felt my face burn with a blush and wished I'd never said anything.

He smirked and stroked his index finger over the rose I'd put in my button hole of my jacket.

“You are most welcome on both counts! It's this way! Private entrance!” He held his arm out for me to take.

I glanced at the many people on the escalator going up to the main entrance, why couldn't we just go in there?! I didn't get why he was making such a fuss about all the private entrances like he thought we were too good for them! When really I was nothing more than a tourist myself!

“Well, God forbid we should rub shoulders with the peasants!” I didn't get what his motive was.

There was no way he'd have known I was going here right?!

I shook my head and forced the odd feeling to the back of my mind as I linked my arm through his and was glad I'd put heeled boots on today. I didn't feel too scruffy next to him. He dressed so smartly and very expensive too. He suited good tailoring though!

He pressed the crossing light with his free hand.

“Peasants huh...”

He seemed amused by me and I wasn't sure I liked that.

“It's more for your benefit than mine Evangeline! People know you! They'd recognized you before me.” He pressed the button on the crossing with his free hand again as if he was impatient to cross.

He did have a point. “You have a valid point Cameron! I'm still getting used to London, I've not been here since I was a kid! It's nice to know a friendly face that understands what it's like to be in the public eye!” It felt strange to say his name.

He looked thoughtful for a while. “It can be a very solitary life indeed!”

The crossing lights flashed and beeped furiously alerting us to cross the road. He was first to step out, even his shoes looked expensive, hardly any wear on them, I doubted he ever walked far!

“I guess it can be. Band life is kinda full on though.” I felt so underdressed compared to him and I really did wonder why he'd be remotely interested in talking to me when the kind of people he had as friends wore bespoke designer clothes and didn't have much an opinion on anything! I'd seen him in photos with various well known society girls! I was just some girl with bleached out hair and skinny jeans that was a little bit famous!

We crossed the road and headed around the building up close it was sleek and imposing as ever. The sun reflected off it like a beacon making my eyes hurt.

“This way, it's the private lifts. Trust me, you won't want to walk up 60 odd levels of stairs.”

He never let go of my arm as we reached the private entrance. The door staff clearly knew him well.

“Mr. Ballard.” He nodded curtly at Cameron and eyed me with interest.

“This is Miss Watson, she's with me.” He unlinked our arms as he stepped through the body scanner.

This was a building that was clearly and very sensibly security conscious. I hated them though. My piercings always set them off. Plus my satchel was always full of random junk which on occasion was mildly embarrassing.

“Your turn now Miss Watson. If you'd put your bag and any loose change in the box.” His London accent rang out clear as he smiled at me.

I smiled back as I emptied various random American coins out of the pockets of my coat and put my bag in the tray on top of it.

“I may well set the detector off, as I've got a metal bar in my right ear!” The scaffolding in my ear could come out, but I didn't relish the idea of removing it.

I stepped into the scanner and low and behold, it went mental. “Sorry.” I was used to this, but I still felt my face flush red.

The security officer smiled. “It's okay, sir, it's just the metal in her ears and the studs on her boots! Bag scan in fine. Thank you for your patience.”

The odd thing was he wasn't talking to me, he had directed it at Cameron like he was thankful he'd not put up a fuss that my check had taken longer. I picked up by bag and shoved all the coins back in my pocket. They were in there for sentimental reasons! Most were quarters I'd won on slot machines either with Sean or my Dad. There was the odd token too from the same place that I'd never cashed in.

I smiled at Cameron as I walked over to him. “Sorry about that, I always set security off! It's probably in my DNA.”

He grinned at me. “No need to apologize Evangeline, that casino token you just put back in your pocket should have been cashed in through you’re not meant to take them away! Actually, it's illegal.”

I was a little taken back. How had he seen that?! He must have been watching me like a hawk. It made me feel a little panicky.

“That happens to have value to me in something other than money! Also, I happen to know that's not true! They like you to cash them in at the time, but I could technically cash it via mail! But this has expired and it was only for twenty five dollars!”

I was curt with my reply. It wasn't any of his damn business. I didn't judge him on the fact all he'd put in the box was a cell phone. That was weird. No wallet, no keys just a phone! It wasn't even in a case! People that didn't put their iPhones in a case scared me! Like they had their lives so well organized they didn't ever have to worry about dropping it.

He walked over to the row of lifts and he didn't seem to be flustered at all.

“I wasn't meaning to pry I assure you, just thinking of your safety carrying it around and I stand corrected.” He rocked back on his heels again and I narrowed my eyes at him when he wasn't looking.

Arrogant fuck.

The lift pinged and the doors rolled open, two females stepped out and came to a halt in a hurry and went giddy when they took in the sight of Cameron waiting for the lift. One smiled at him the other just stared in utter awe.

Jeez, get a grip of yourselves ladies!

They were acting like teenagers. He wasn't what I'd call traditionally good looking, but I understood the appeal. He was tall, dark and handsome! It wasn't a cliché to say that either it was just fact! He had a jaw line to die for! Clean shaven. He looked what he was! Very rich!

They tottered off giggling and holding on to one another, one fanning herself.

We stepped into the lift and I turned and faced the front. “Wow, they were totally checking you out! It's the hero hair that does it!” I smirked. It was an off the cuff remark that I'd have made to any of my friends, but as soon as I'd said it I almost instantly regretted it. I cringed, the lift was lined with mirrors and I couldn't escape looking at him and if I was honest the motion of the lift lurching upwards made me feel a little sick.

“Excuse me, it's not your place to pass comment. I'd thank you very much if you refrained from making any more inappropriate comments Miss Watson.” His voice had changed from the soft one he used outside and he looked offended.

I could see his reflection in the mirror and his face looked like thunder, his whole body radiated what he was thinking.

I took a deep breath in as my face fell, but this was who I was. I said stupid things and did even stupider because I'd been bought up around guys that didn't take offense! They were open minded and would have found the two women funny. I wasn't used to being all meek and mild or proper and nor would I ever be that.

I didn't say a thing my brain was scrambling, looking for something to say that wouldn’t make things worse but it wasn't working. He'd triggered my anxiety, just by using that tone of voice. I could feel the panic rise in my chest, my heart beat painfully and my breathing was uneven. This was not a good time to get an anxiety attack stuck in a lift. I felt trapped. Why had he even asked me here?! I had zero in common with him. The only reason he was being nice to me was because I'd helped his sister!

I hung my head and tried to level my breathing. I wished I'd gone somewhere else now anywhere but here and now.

“Evangeline?!” His voice was soft now and lacked the harsh tone he'd used only moments beforehand.

I glanced up at him in the mirrors. He looked a little scared and my face was white, even paler than normal.

“I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just... I guess I'm not used to being around women of your type.”

I turned angrily towards him. “Women of my type?!” I was irritated now. This wasn't good. My anxiety swung two ways, either full on cry or full on blow up.

“Do tell me what my type is! I'm real sorry I'm not some size 0 that acts all proper and says yes sir no sir! But my father brought me up to stand up for myself and to be heard!” I was trying to reel myself back in because I knew he'd be a worthy component.

He looked down at me with panic on this face. “I didn't mean that, I just meant the women I normally associate with known how to conduct themselves around me. You’re impulsive and young. I didn't mean to upset and your father quite clearly raised a fine young woman with the spirit of a lion!” He looked flustered.

I raised a brow. “Wow that was almost a compliment! You didn't upset me. And just so we are clear, I know how to conduct myself, but being passive isn't something I can do!”

He licked his lips. “Well, I will certainly remember that.”

I rolled my eyes and turned back around. I glanced at the floor indicator and saw we were at level 30. I wondered if he'd ever met someone like myself before more than once! His normal women were clearly expected to be passive, nice to look at but not to say a lot. I wasn't like that. I guess in a way I challenged him.

“We're getting out at level 33 and then you can tell me how long you've had that anxiety disorder untreated!”

He said it like he'd just asked me something normal.

“That’s none of your business! And what makes you think I have anxiety?!” I fixed his reflection with an angry glare, but he just smiled at me.

“It’s obvious! The hung head, rapid breathing and wide, scared eyes! The change up from scared to angry. All the signs of someone with some kind of anxiety! It's nothing to be ashamed of!”

chapter 5

The lift came to a smooth halt and he held his hand out for mine.