Ignite Me: Shards of Glass, Part One (55 page)

I sighed, I hated this. I didn't want there to be a fight. “Cameron I want to go now! Call your friend later on, I've changed my mind!” I hoped he'd understand what I was hinting at and leave. Hitting Damon wouldn't solve anything, although I was tempted myself.

“I am not interested in her money or who she is, I fell in love with her the moment I saw her! You will just use her like everything else in your life!” He stepped back, clearly sensing it wasn't a good idea to throw any punches.

I had hoped he wouldn't mention that to Cameron. I knew Damon had feelings for me, but I thought he would just deal with them, put them aside for the sake of friendship.

Cameron didn't react at all. “Don't even try to assume you know about me, you might think you know my type but you have no idea! Stay away from us if you know what's good for you!” He stepped back to stand next to me and placed his hand on my lower back. “We're going now.” His hand splayed out as he guided me away.

“I'm sorry Evan, I just can't stand the idea of him and you, and I had to try!” Damon sounded defeated.

I shook my head. “I'm sorry about this Cameron, I just don't even know what to say!” I hung my head, not out of shame, but because I didn't know what else to do, I didn't want Cameron to be angry with me either over the fact I hadn't told him that Damon had feelings for me, also I was confused by what Damon had said.

He guided us around the corner and then stopped. “Don't hang your head, you didn't do anything wrong! I know you knew he liked you, it's still not your fault! Do you really want me to call my friend?!” He stroked his free hand down my cheek.

I leant in his touch, glad he wasn't cross with me. “I do! He's taking things too far, I'm glad you’re not cross with me! I kinda need a hug, I feel shitty.” I just wanted to feel his arms around me. I needed to feel safe, to feel loved. Right in that moment I had nobody and I felt incredibly alone.

“A hug is just another way to hide your face from me, don't hide from me Evangeline! I'm not going to be cross with you for not telling me because I knew already! It was obvious the day I dropped you home after the Shard!”

I sighed. “I'm not hiding from you I just want a tight hug! Please!” I didn't really get what he meant about hiding my face, I didn't want to hide from him. I just needed to be held.

I tilted my head up to study him. I was glad he wasn't cross with me though and if I was being honest, I knew he'd known all this time, because he had slammed the SUV door pretty hard that day.

His face softened as he looked down at me. “I know, I just wanted to see your face, I wanted to punch him, but if you're going to contact the police I thought better of it!” He pulled me into a tight hug that squeezed my bones. It felt wonderful.

I tightened my arms around his middle. “I know, he's not worth it though! I am glad you invited me to stay for a few days, though, I don't feel all that safe knowing he has access to my apartment!” I let a breath go. I felt better now I was inhaling his scent.

His hand swept down my hair. “Stay as long as you like, He's got a real grudge against me, but I'm not sure what business he is talking about! I'll have to get Jones to look into that! Might make some sense if we know why he's got worked up for! You okay to continue to the cafe?!”

I nodded. “Yeah, I'm good now, I do agree though, if we can work out who he's talking about maybe we can make some sense out of it all! I won't let him mess up our day! Come on, lead me to the music & the BBQ!” I grinned up at him.

He dipped his head and kissed me softly. I kissed him back enjoying the moment before he pulled away. “This way then my darling, music awaits us! We stay on this side of the river actually, no need to climb the steps to Tower Bridge, just a few side streets to cut down!” He let me go from the hug and held his hand out.

“I'm actually looking forward to seeing this place and for just generally hanging out!” I slid my hand into his. “Also thanks for standing up for me back there, I appreciate it.” I grinned lopsidedly at him.

He smiled. “I will always stand up for you, protect you, and do whatever it takes to make sure you're safe! Trust me, I wasn't letting him anywhere near you!” He started to lead me off down the road I had taken before, it led to the tube station. I fell in love with him deeper and deeper each time he said things like that because he meant them!

“I would do the same for you too Cameron, I've never felt like this about anyone before, you caught my heart and soul Mr. Ballard.” I grinned up at him as we walked.

The smile played at the edges of his mouth. “And you mine.”

A few side streets later and he paused at the corner of another street. I had no clue where we were now. I was thankful he knew his way around.

“It's just down here, not far now!” He started walking again as he led us down the small ally way.

I grinned, thinking about the fact it felt like I was on some magic tour of London. “Okay, cool, and you were right as a tourist I wouldn't have braved walking down here!”

He led me out of the alley way and I stared open mouthed as we walked into a courtyard, it had various tables and chairs outside with a large outdoor BBQ area and set back behind that was a large brick building with large front glass windows. In gold and black lettering across both windows it said: 'Jane's fine tea & music cafe.' It had a vintage feel from the outside. I wondered who Jane was.

Cameron smiled. “Jane is my maternal grandmother, the one that gave me the violin, she's always believed in me and she loved it when I first bought her here, so I had the name changed. Let's head in.”

“That's lovely, I look forward to meeting her one day.” I gripped his hand as he walked over to the door. I was a little nervous. The BBQ wasn’t lit today and it seemed quiet.

“Its okay, no need to be nervous! It's all very relaxed here.” He pushed open the door and the bell above the door gave a tinkle. It was just as I imagined inside. It was furnished with a mix of odd furniture that somehow belonged together, there was a mix of reclaimed brightly painted chairs all nestled into various sized and shaped wooden tables. The name Jane's was spelt out on the far wall with various wooden letters decoupage’d with vintage fabric.

“Ah, so she does exist after all! I thought maybe the media were up to their old tricks again!”

I looked over to the counter to see a man in his late 30s grinning at us both. He had sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. I guessed he was the manager and friend that Cameron had spoken of.

Cameron laughed. “She is indeed real, and very really my girlfriend! Jim this is Evangeline, Evangeline this is my business partner and friend Jim!” He moved us nearer to the counter. The counter itself was just as quirky as the rest, it had some kind of fake grass attached to the front of it, and it matched one of the walls that was also covered with the fake grass but had ornate frames on it with the grass poking out of them.

I let go of Cameron's hand and held my own out to Jim. “Nice to meet you!” I smiled kindly at him.

He took hold of my hand and firmly shook it. “Very nice to meet you to Evangeline, I never thought anyone would domesticate him!” He winked at me.

I laughed as I let go of his hand. “Well, I try my best!” I joked back, he was nice, and he was kinda camp.

Cameron laughed. “Well, being domesticated by Evangeline is a rather pleasant experience!”

Jim chuckled. “I saved your favourite table, we aren't that busy today as yet so relax and enjoy!”

“Thanks, we will, luckily the press haven't cottoned on to us fully yet, but keep an eye out for anyone that looks suspicious!”

“Of course! The normal?!” He walked over to the coffee machine.

“Yes please and whatever Evangeline wants!” He turned to me.

I studied the coffee menu. “Oh can I have the mocha-chino please!” I smiled.

“Of course! Flake with that?!”

I nodded. “Oh yes please, I never turn down chocolate!”

“A girl after my own heart! Go get seated and I'll bring it over!”

“This way.” Cameron took my hand again and led me towards the back wall.

“Ah, now I see why you like this table the best!” It not only had a snuggle chair, but it also was nearest the wall with his grandmothers name on it.

“I've never had anyone to share the chair with before, you want to sit next to me?!” He grinned shyly at me.

I made a face. “Oh, I dunno, I might sit there!” I pointed to a single chair at the side of our table.

He looked confused for a second before he smiled. “Stop teasing me, Evan, you know what will happen!”

I grinned at him as I sat down on the snuggle chair. “But I thought you liked it when I teased you!” I winked at him as he sat himself next to me.

There was plenty of room for us both, his arm rested on my knee.

“Oh, I do like you teasing me, but I like to tease you the best! I'd like to tease you later on, finish what I started on Friday morning!” His fingers gripped my thigh.

I took a deep breath. “I think I'd like that! Oh Cameron you do things to me!” I sighed. I had never been this affected by a man before, part of me was shouting to get a grip and the other half was just slowly sliding down a wall.

He breathed out heavily. “And you to me, I will enjoy teaching you how good it feels when I go down on you! Have you ever had that done before?!” His fingers stroked my thigh in the most distracting way.

I closed my eyes for a second taking a breath in, my skin had erupted into goose bumps at the mention of it.

“No, it'll be my first time.” I hadn't ever had that done to me before, Jess always said it was good, but Sean was way too lazy to do anything like that.

“Yet I bet he expected head off you!” He tutted. “Selfish fucker!”

I blushed, I wasn't really used to talking about sex so openly. “Oh, uh well yeah, but that was the only thing he never moaned at me about, so I guess I must have been pretty good at it!” Sean wasn't a very good lover, he had been selfish, much like he was in every other aspect of his life.

“I won't ever ask you to do anything in return, if and when you’re ready for that just let me know, but I don't expect it.” He moved his hand from my thigh and hung his arm around my shoulders, his fingers softly stroking my neck.

“Thank you, I'll surprise you one day in the best way!” I wasn't quite ready for giving him oral sex just yet, but I meant what I said. I was working my way up to that.

“I shall look forward to it, but won't ever expect it of you!”

“Your drinks, the BBQ isn't on today, but I can get you food from the kitchen! The menus on the table, just pop over when you’re ready to order.” Jim placed our drinks down and then left us alone.

“Thanks, I'm still working out how your body reacts, once I'm confident enough with you and your body you'll know!” I grinned and lent forward to pick up my mug.

His hand rubbed up my back. “I know.”

I sat myself back as he reached forwards for his own mug.

I was about to ask how he'd gotten involved in this venture when his phone rang in his pocket.

“I'll ignore it. Whoever it is will go away.”

“If they are ringing you, maybe it's important!” I shrugged as I sipped at my drink, it was perfect. It had the bitterness of the coffee with the sweetness of the chocolate.

He sighed as he pulled his phone from his pocket. “Jonathan hi.” He sat back, but with him sat that close I could hear the voice on the other end.

“Hi Cameron, you didn't RSVP for the summer party, and Jasmine and I didn't want to not add you to the guest list! So I thought I'd ring!” I sat silently trying not to make any noise, Jonathan's voice was crisp like Cameron's.

“Did I get an invite?! I must have missed it! When is it?!” He sounded confused.

“I'm sure we sent you one, it's next weekend! We can put you up for the night if you need somewhere to crash! It's also partly a celebration of Maize's and Marcus's 21st birthdays! She's back from Cambridge for the summer.”

Cameron shook his head. “Oh, I see, well does my invite extend to a plus one?!” He grinned at me.

I smiled back, I didn't mind going, and I was intrigued what the summer party was about!

“Oh well yes of course, ah so the rumour mill is correct then! You sly dog, hearts will break!”

Cameron laughed. “I'm afraid to say my girlfriend can probably hear every word, she's sitting right next to me, but yes they are true! Is it black tie?!”

I grinned, as I heard a pause at the other end.

“Oh well, that’s embarrassing, but yes it is, do you want to stay the night?! Saves driving back and means you can indulge on the champers!”

“I'll just ask Evangeline if she fancies seeing some finer parts of England, one second.”

Cameron paused the call.

“I know you probably heard, but do you wanna go?! It's in a lovely part of the English countryside and it'd be nice to show you off! We can get you a dress! They throw a party every year, I would normally book a hotel but since you’re with me, I don't mind staying! I'll explain more later on!”

I nodded. “Sure, sounds lovely, but I can buy myself a dress!” I didn't need him to buy me one.

He sighed. “I'll buy it, I have very expensive taste!”

I pulled a face. “I don't do puff balls!” I hated formal dresses. I knew it was pointless trying to argue that I wanted to buy the dress myself so I just resided myself to the fact he'd buy it.

“Oh, I was thinking more like split right up the thigh!” He grinned at me.

I raised a brow. “Your friend is on hold! And yes to going!”

He grinned and took the call off hold. “It's all fine, add myself and Evangeline to the list and yes please for a room, will have left it too late to book a hotel now! Is Marcus still on the Oxford rowing team?!”

There was a groan from the other end. “Yes! Sibling rivalry has new meaning when those two get at it about the race! You see Maize is now on the women's team! You can join in next weekend! Even though they are twins, they couldn't be more different!”

Cameron chuckled. “Well you know I'm born and bred Oxford! Email me the details! See you next Saturday!”

He cut the call. “So Monday afternoon I'll take you to get a dress, you can wear them shoes you bought! I looked at them this morning! Very nice!”