Ignite Me: Shards of Glass, Part One (13 page)

Thought I'd check you were okay! I just saw your update. CB. X

Oh wow, he added a kiss. That is a kiss right? Does he know that’s a kiss?! It’s so a kiss…

I ignored my internal monolog, it was just distracting me. I sighed, was I okay?! I didn’t feel okay, but I felt relief mostly.

I not okay, but I will be! I just need to block him from all aspects of my life! X

I hit send. It was a few moments before my phone beeped again. I smiled.

It makes sense! He's out of control! If you need me to come over, if need someone to talk to, I will make time for you! CB. X

Eeeepp another kiss…

I loved that he cared enough to do that, but I just wanted to eat my pizza and go to bed.

Thank you, that's really kind of you, but I'm okay, I'm gonna eat pizza, watch a trashy film and go to sleep! I'll see you tomorrow! Thank you for being so thoughtful, I truly appreciate it X

I hit send. A few seconds later he replied.

I'll be thinking of you Evangeline! If you want company you only have to ask! X

I smiled.

Thank you. X

The buzzer for the oven went off and I got up and went to sort it out. Leaving my phone on the couch.

After dinner, I sat down to sort some business stuff out. I fiddled around with my phone settings working out how to block Sean's number and those of all the other members of his band, because I knew he'd try their phones to ring me or text me once he couldn't get hold of me via his own. After that task was done, I got around to uploading the latest bracelet design how-to-video I'd been meaning to do for ages now, it was part of what I did. I made handcrafted jewellery and uploaded instructional videos on how to make them! It was a good little earner and outside of my song writing it was what I enjoyed doing I'd just been getting behind. It was already edited so all I had to do was upload it to my blog site, I never gave them the exact same design! Just something similar for the kids that couldn't afford mine. I set it to upload and then started to print out the postage labels for all the bracelets I'd sold in the pre-sale that had finished Monday.

I felt in control doing this. I knew what I was doing! This was my thing! After printing the labels out, I set about the task of packing and attaching the shipping label to the envelopes. After almost two hours and 200 envelopes later I was finally finished.

“Omg who's idea was this to fulfil my own orders?” I groaned and got up grabbing my phone I took a photo and uploaded it to Instagram with the caption.

‘Thank The Lord, I didn't have to lick all these! Your pre-orders are going out ASAP Thursday! Peace out! #AllBoxedOut #Distraction #Prettythings

I scanned the notifications and found Cameron had followed me. I grinned as I hit follow and went back to see the comments posted on my envelope pile photo. I grinned as I recognized some of the people that had ordered before. It was a real privilege that people spent their money on my items. I never took that for granted. My phone alerted me to the fact Cameron had approved my follow. I felt my heart beat a little faster as I went to snoop on his account like he had mine. He'd got quite a few photos, mostly scenery shots. I grinned as I clicked on a photo of a whole drawer of bow ties and ties all neatly folded into the little square slots.

“Wow bordering on obsession there!” He'd got hundreds by the looks of it. Bow ties on men were sexy!

I scanned the rest of the photos. He really hadn't been joking when he said he wasn't a selfie fan. As I was looking I noticed I'd been tagged in a photo. I went to check it out and felt my face split into a wide grin. Cameron had tagged me in two photos. One of us in the lift and one at the top. I grinned and double tapped both. He had put the same caption on both.

The only time I've ever wanted to take a selfie! With the stunning Miss Watson! #Shard #TheShard #ThereisSomethingaboutlifs #London

It had several likes.

I distracted myself from his photos by starting to load up the envelopes into the two plastic crates they were getting picked up on Thursday. I was actually feeling really tired, so I decided to go to bed. It was now 10pm. I knew I had to be up by 9am to get the crates down for delivery. I changed into my long T-shirt and got into bed, I lay gazing at the ceiling just thinking things over when my phone vibrated on my bedside table. I reached over and picked it up. I thought it might be Jess, but it was Cameron.

Sweet dreams! CB. X

I grinned as I read it as I typed a reply.

For once I am actually in bed! Sweet dreams to you too! X

I hit send and rolled over in bed and fell asleep.

chapter 10

I smacked the alarm with my hand as the shrill noise reverberated around my bedroom. Surely it wasn't 8.30am yet?! I opened one eye and groaned, finally making contact with it to turn it off. My ears rang as silence returned.

“Ugh!”

I pulled myself out of bed, pulling on the same sweat pants from last night and the same oversized jumper and made my way to the lounge. I'd get dressed properly after I'd taken it all down. I turned on the kettle and waited for it to boil, pulling the milk from the fridge. I'd never quite managed to drink coffee without it. I stuck a teaspoon and a half of instant coffee into my favourite mug with one sugar and added the milk mixing it around making a paste. I stepped back as I poured the boiling hot water into the mug to avoid the stray splashes.

I gave it a good stir and waited a few minutes to let it cool before downing half of it. I felt the caffeine hit my system, my eyes widening and my heart rate going up. I was now awake. I rang down to the front desk.

“Hey is Damon in yet?!”

I always wondered if they thought something funny was going on as I always asked for him.

“You're talking to him! You sound half asleep!” He laughed.

I felt myself blush and became annoyed at myself. “I'm only a quarter down my first coffee! I was wondering if you'd give me a hand carrying two crates of envelopes down so I can have them collected!” I glanced over at the boxes near the front door.

“Is that all I'm good for?!” He had a playful tone to his voice, but I wondered if somewhere in that he actually meant it.

“No, you’re good for loads of things! Driving me around on the back of your motorbike! Being super awesome and did I mention I'll buy you food tonight if your free as a bribe?!” It was an impulse to offer to buy him food tonight, but it was the coffee speaking.

He laughed. “I'm kinda doing something till 7pm but we can grab food after that!” I knew he must have been alone at the desk because he spoke freely!

“So does that mean you’re helping me?! I'll be ready in like 10!”

“I'm on my way up! The things I do for pizza!” He laughed, then the line went dead.

I put the phone down and found a pair of converse and pulled them on. I picked up the printed postage slip for the shipping company to scan.

The doorbell rang out as I unlocked the door, pulling it open. “Hey!” I grinned as I saw him stood waiting.

“Have you just woken up?!” He stepped in and studied me.

I suddenly became aware that I hadn't put on a bra as his eyes lingered over me.

“Pretty much! Thanks for helping me with this! They aren't heavy as such just awkward!” I pointed to the two plastic crates stuffed with envelopes.

He grinned. “It's fine! Plus, you’re getting me pizza so...” He winked at me.

I smirked. “You only like me for the pizza!”

He held his hand over his heart. “I am deeply wounded by that!”

I grabbed my door keys and dropped them into my pocket and picked up the smallest box. “Let's roll!”

He raised a brow at me and picked up the biggest one, as we left the apartment, I heard my door click locked behind us.

I juggled my box so I could call the lift.

We waited a moment for the lift to roll up and as the doors rolled open we both walked in.

“So what the heck is all of this?!” He glanced at the contents of his box.

I grinned. “I make jewelry! I do a pre-sale each month, meaning people can order them and then I make what is sold and ship them out! I do my own fulfilment!”

He nodded his head. “Oh, I see! Cool.”

I turned to face him as the lift stopped at level 3 letting someone in. It wasn't that I didn't want to be seen with bed hair, I hardly brushed it anyway because of the bleach so that made no difference I just didn't want people to know where I lived.

I knew it was a woman because I could almost taste her perfume! It smelt like she'd fallen into the bottle.

“Can't you take things like that down in the service lift?!”

I cringed as I heard the voice. It sounded like Erin. Her snooty tones. Surely she didn't live here?!

I turned around. “And why should I use that lift when this comes with my apartment!”

It wasn't her. It just sounded like her. The women had long brunette hair and green eyes which went wide as she took me in. “Oh, sorry with the way you're dressed I just assumed you were staff or something.”

She raised a brow.

I sucked a breath in. “Oh, why don't you pull that stick out of your ass! Anyone would think it was a crime to wear sweat pants!” My accent made it sound sassier than I'd meant.

Damon stepped forward. “You don't live here Miss! You are a guest and if you want to continue coming here, then I'd advise you not to be rude to the residents that do live here!” He sounded angry.

She studied him. “Well, I said sorry!” She turned her back on us both huffing.

“No, I'm sorry that was rude of me!” I tried to reel myself back in. I'd said quite enough and I didn't want the hassle.

She didn't say another word. Damon eyed me with interest. The lift stopped and the doors rolled open. The woman walked out without a backwards glance. I let a breath go.

“Well, what a stuck up cow! She doesn't even live here! She's dating one of the dudes on level three.” He walked out into the reception and placed the box down.

I placed mine next to his and sighed. “I don't think I should drink coffee on an empty stomach!”

He smiled at me. “As if we'd have staff wearing that anyways” He frowned.

I placed my hand on my hip. “Are you trying to say I look scruffy?!” I grinned at him.

I saw the delivery van pull up and I bent down to pick up the box.

He laughed. “No, not at all! I wouldn't dare!”

I smirked. “At least I get all of these out of my way!”

He followed me out with the box.

“Collection for Watson?!” I asked as the driver climbed out the truck.

He smiled and nodded. “Yep, just need the slip to scan, then I can take them all away!” He smiled.

I put the box down and handed him the paper. He scanned it and then undid the side of the van. Sliding the door back. He picked up my first box and then Damon handed him his.

“Right all sorted! See you next time!” He smiled as he locked up the door.

“Thank you!” I called as me and Damon walked back into the reception.

“Thanks for that Damon! I'll shout you that pizza later! I'm off back up to get breakfast! I'm going out at 1pm!” I smiled.

“You’re welcome and I'll look forward to that! Have a cool time!” He walked back behind the desk.

I went back up in the lift. I'd not really thought the whole pizza thing through! I wasn't sure what Cameron had planned other than the museum.

I went back to my apartment and made myself breakfast. I headed out to the sun terrace and grabbed my phone on the way. It was actually really warm now the sun was out. So I slipped off my sweat pants and chucked them back into my room and then sat myself down on the sun lounger. No one could see up here, it was well sheltered. I was naturally very pale so I liked to try and get a little color on legs. I didn't want to be golden brown just not ghost white! I checked my phone as I eat my toast and saw a text. It was from Cameron it made my heart skip a beat opening it.

I hope you had a good night’s sleep! I look forward to seeing you later! CB X

I grinned and looked down at my legs with the plate propped on my lap. It was impulsive, but I turned the camera app on and deliberately took a photo of my legs with the plate on it. It was a leading shot, it was a little provocative. You could see my thigh tattoo. I cropped it a little and then added it to his text.

I had a very good night’s sleep, thank you! And look I'm eating breakfast and everything! ;)

I wasn't sure how it would be received by him. If I got told off, I'd just say it was a little bit of fun, but I was just testing him to see what my limits with him was like. I hit send and hoped for the best.

I went back to eating my toast. A few minutes later, my phone vibrated. I bit my lip as I opened it.

I am in a room of stuffed shirts none of which can understand why I'm suddenly at the head of the table grinning my face off at my own crotch! CB X

The smile spread across my face as I read it. I laughed at the idea of him sat in an office smirking at his crotch, because he'd got his phone under the table like a naughty schoolboy. It struck me as an odd time to have a meeting though. It was only just after 9am.

They will probably think you know something that they don't... I'll think of you in that room while I'm in the bath! You can always imagine you're in the bath with me if you get bored with the meeting x

I hit send and then got up. I liked flirting with him and he'd not minded the photo, I was still seeing how far I could go before he told me to stop.

I filled the bath half up and sat on the edge. What I'd failed to tell him was that I was only going to shave my legs, but if I turned him on then I was going in the right direction. I dipped both legs in and grabbed the shaving foam, tin next to me and covered my legs in the foam, I wanted to make sure they were smooth. Picking up the razor I started at the ankle of my left leg and worked my way up my leg in sections, being careful not to cut my leg. I repeated on my right leg and then after sorting my bikini area out I let the water out of the bath and added fresh before slipping out of my jumper and sliding into the tub. My hair up in a scruffy bun on top of my head. I loved having a bath. All the suds collected around my legs. I was about to grab my body wash when my phone vibrated on the counter next to me.