by Mills, L. C.
I turned my head and smiled at him. “Sorry I was just thinking about something! I'm not bothered about her, but I have all these feelings and thoughts that I'm sure aren't normal to feel after only knowing you for like a week!”
I had no right to be jealous that he'd touched her, or slept with her. It was the past yet I hated it.
He smiled. “And you think I don't have the same about you and Sean?! Evan, you have no idea how other men look at you!”
I glanced awkwardly in Jones's direction. How many conversations had he been party to overhearing?!
“It's still not normal though! I have no right to feel...” I rolled my eyes. “To feel jealous!”
I turned and looked out of the widow as London whizzed by. The SUV drove beautifully.
“You’re jealous of her?! What on earth for?!” He sounded confused.
I wanted to punch myself in the face because it'd be less painful than telling him why. I blushed there was no way I saying it out loud.
“Forget I said anything!” I glanced at him and found him looking at me with a raised eyebrow.
“Jones does a very good job of not hearing! Isn't that right Jones?!” He said it, matter of fact.
Jones didn't bat an eyelid instead he turned on the radio loud enough to drown us out in the front. It didn't seem to connect to the back.
“You can talk freely now!” He turned as much as he could to face me and I did the same.
“It's wrong that I hate the idea of her touching you! Of you touching her!” I rubbed the back of my neck with my left hand feeling a little embarrassed.
His mouth turned up at the corners until he couldn't stop himself from grinning at me. “Really?! Well, now you know how I feel! The idea of Sean or your little friend Damon touching you in the way I wish to makes me feel sick!” His hand brushed mine.
I didn't know how to answer him. Inside I was doing the cancan in celebration.
“I don't want Damon to touch me like anything!” I didn't get why he'd bring him into this.
“It's normal Evan! Its human nature to be envious and I guess it just proves me right that we have feelings for each other that are very strong because this is an alien emotion for me! I've never made proper connections outside of my family before!” He looked at me intently.
I wanted to take his face in my hands and kiss him. I licked my lips. “Oh.” I was just staring at him now. “Did you never love any of your...” I searched for the right word. “Friends?!”
He stroked his hand down my cheek and left it there.
“Evan, there weren't my friends, I'm going to be honest with you and hope that it doesn't scare you off because I don't want this for us! I'm only telling you in the hope you will understand afterwards!”
“Okay.” I braced myself for whatever he was about to reveal.
He took a breath in. “I’ve been associated with a lot of women, but I was never with them in a traditional sense! I like sex, a lot and they were willing! I’ll admit some I searched out, some I just knew and where convenient, but they all had one thing in common, a contract of sorts! They all sighed one to say whatever happened in them hotels stayed there! I know it sounds bad, but my job is very stressful and I liked a lot of relief if you knew what I mean! They were just aids to de-stress me when ever and where ever I wanted it but they didn’t go without, they were paid very highly to entertain me but I can't stress this enough please to god, don't think that's what I want from you because it's so far from all of that! I've never met a woman that I've wanted to spend time with before, I've never even felt anything like this before!” He paused a second. “I have never had a girlfriend, I’ve never wanted one until you.”
I stared at him. I had the sudden feeling that I wanted to get away from him as fast as I could, but at the same time I wanted to kiss him as hard as I could and never ever let him go. I had guessed right about his women, just aids for his busy life but his confession was what made me stay, he wanted me.
He had paid for sex, I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
“Where they professional call girls?!” I was curious.
He shook his head. “Evangeline I think you’ve got the wrong end of the stick, they weren’t call girls or anything else, they were just woman that enjoyed the same predilections as I do, from the same scene! I didn’t feel anything for them, but they were well looked after. I can’t properly explain here.”
I still didn’t understand 100%.
“If you’re so busy, how do you suppose to fit any kind of normal relationship into it?!” I really did wonder about that.
His thumb brushed over my cheek again. “Because I actually want to make time for you! Much like in any situation, I will make time for us!”
My mouth felt dry with words I just couldn't verbalize correctly in the back of an SUV.
“Please tell me what you’re thinking! You look scared of me again!” He didn't drop his hand, but his eyes filled with concern.
I let a breath go. “Part of me wants to run for the hills because you treated sex like it was just an aid for stress relief instead of a union between two people that love and respect each other, but part of me wants to stay and prove to the other side that you are capable of loving someone! You just need to be shown how! Because sex between two people that love each other can be a powerful thing.” I reached up with a trembling hand to stroke his face. I bit my lip as I felt his smooth skin under my fingertips as I stroked my fingers behind his ear, my thumb stroking over his cheekbone. His skin felt like fine silk, he looked after it.
His eyes went wide as I touched him. He mirrored how I touched him on my own face. “I'm glad you’re not going to run from me, I know I can love you and I know you can love me in return! I am more than happy to have you show me the way!”
I let a shaky breath go, I was being impulsive, but I needed to tell him how I felt, but I couldn't do it verbally because it was a physical thing.
“Can I kiss you?!” I'd never asked that of Sean. I'd just grabbed him and kissed him, but I knew Cameron was learning still and I didn't want to assume I could just force myself on him.
“Yes, please!” He smiled at me.
With the radio on I'd pretty much forgotten about Jones. I shifted myself over so I was closer to him and placed a hand on his chest as I closed the gap between us and closed my eyes as I brushed my lips softly against his.
His lips felt a few degrees hotter than mine. When he didn't kiss me back, I started to pull away from him feeling gutted that he'd not responded how I thought he might but his hands found their way into my hair and his lips melted against mine as he kissed me back with passion.
I moved my free hand into his hair and moaned as he pulled my hair gently so my head was back giving him access to my lips better.
After a while we both pulled back, he was panting as he looked at me, my lips felt a little swollen.
I'd never felt such an intense kiss, but I wasn't scared of it.
“Your lips are swollen.” He smiled a shy smile at me and my heart slammed up a gear.
“It was pretty good for me too!” I reran the kiss in my head. It had felt so good, if we hadn't of been separated by seat belts I got the feeling he'd pulled me flush to him.
“We have arrived!” The radio went off and Jones pulled the SUV over. I didn't want the journey to be over.
“I'll come and open your door for you!” He grinned at me.
I sighed. I was more than capable of opening and shutting a door.
I took my seat belt off and waited for Cameron to open my door. After a moment he opened the door and held it open for me to get out. I didn't even look over at the door, Cameron held my attention the whole time.
“Thank you for today Evangeline! I will look forward to your company again tomorrow afternoon.” He smiled at me.
I grinned from ear to ear. “I've not had a lot of reasons to smile recently, but you make me smile!” I chewed my lip.
“You'll chap your lips doing that!” He chastised me, but his tone was soft.
“Then do something to stop me!” I grinned at him.
“Don't dare me Evan cause I will do something that you might not want others to see!” He said it with a raised brow.
I stepped forwards so I was only centimetres from him, ignoring his warning. “How are you going to stop me from doing this?” I deliberately chewed my bottom lip.
An impish smile spread across his face as he reached up with his hand and pulled my lip from my teeth with his thumb. “Never dare me, darling!” He pulled me flush to him and kissed me, pulling me so I stood on tiptoe. It felt so good to be flush to him, I could feel his heart beating hard in his chest.
He pulled away from the kiss and stepped back so I could move past him.
It wasn't until I moved that I understood what he'd meant. Damon was standing at the door staring at us. My face fell as I saw the hurt look in his eyes.
Cameron laughed from behind me. “That's Damon then... Oh well its best he gets the message now!”
I turned around on the spot, giving him a glare. I was angry for a split second. He'd done it on purpose, I guessed he'd known it was him and that was why he'd stood where he had but I'd dared him so if I was angry at him I'd have to be angry at myself. I didn't see the point. I had wanted him to kiss me.
He studied me with interest.
“Before you go Cameron I forgot to give this to you!” I dug around in the bag until I found the frame. “I figured you could put one of the photos you took in it or whatever!” I held it out to him.
The smile spread across his face as he stepped forward to take it. “Thank you I will treasure this!” He smiled and went to step away.
It hit me I didn't have his phone number. “Wait! One more thing before you leave!” I grinned as I rummaged around in my coat pocket. He gave me an odd look, but stepped back toward me.
I pulled out one of my business cards and held it out. “It's got my cell phone number on it, email etc!” I bit my lip.
“Ah yes of course, well hold on one second!” He grinned as he took it and it slipped into his pocket and then dipped his hand into his other pocket and brought out a business card and a pen. He wrote something down and then handed it over. “Evan, that's my personal mobile number! Hardly anyone has that! I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow for our date!” He smiled lopsidedly at me as he stepped back forwards the SUV.
“See you at 1pm!” I grinned as I held the business card in my hand and turned towards the door rummaging around in my bag and dug out the fox and threw it at Damon. “Don't look so pissed off! We agreed to be friends!”
He laughed as he caught it. “We did, yeah! And thanks! I assume that was Mr. 30 red roses!” He raised a brow.
I rolled my eyes as I heard the SUV door slam. He'd seen me give the fox to Damon. If he didn't like it, that was his issue not mine! At least I'd never had casual sex with him.
“Yep, Mr. Hero hair! Long story! Don't ask!” I shook my head as I walked through the doors glad to be heading for the lift.
“Oh come off it Evan. You can't snog the face off some guy in front of me and not have me ask stuff!” He grinned as he followed me in.
“I can! And whom I choose to kiss is up to me! We agreed we'd be just friends! I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, but I told you we'd only be friends!” I pressed the button for the lift. I hated the word snog. It didn't even sound nice.
“Yeah, I know I did. I'm just being a friend! I don't like the look of him! The way he acted so formal!” He stopped at the lift doors.
“He's not like that in private, so don't worry! Chill!” I smiled at him and stepped into the lift.
“He's too old for you!” He shouted as the lift doors shut.
I tutted. “He's really not!” I didn't actually know his age, though, I'd not asked I'd just assumed. I'd have to google him when I got in.
CHAPTER 9
An hour later I was sitting in front of my laptop researching all about Cameron, I was in sweat pants and an oversized jumper. My phone on charge next to me.
“Cameron Ballard, owner of Fever Records.”
I stared at the screen. “Bloody hell!” I'd had no idea he was an owner! I'd assumed he was an executive, but he was one of the owners! That would explain why he'd been so involved in the awards show! A lot of new bands where sighed to that label! It had a good reputation for treating bands right! I'd even written songs for that record label! I read down scanning the rest of the details. It turned out I'd not been far from the truth. He either owned or invested in a whole bunch of businesses! He was a multibillionaire and only 28, it had his birthday down as September! So he'd be 29 this year! I sat and counted on my hand. There were pretty much 9 years between us. The age gap didn't bother me. It was ironic that Cameron was only a few months older than Sean.
I jumped as Skype flashed up ringing on my laptop and for one awful moment I thought it was Sean but when I checked it was Jessica. I grinned from ear to ear as I hit answer.
“Oh my god hi!” I waved at her.
She squealed. “Evangeline Watson what have you been up to?!” She pulled her best I've got dirt on you face.
I laughed. “Jess, I have legit no idea what you’re going on about! I've been out all day! Just got back in!” I grinned.
She smirked. “Yeah, I know! Twitter has gone off the scale about just who you were seen hanging out with!” She clapped her hands together in glee.
I was confused for a second. “Care to explain! I've been out with someone special today! Which I need to tell you about and ask girly stuff and advice!” I raised a brow and leant back in my chair.
She smiled and she held her phone up to the screen so I could see.
“Oh gurl you are busted!”
My face fell as I saw a photo of Cameron and me at the top of the shard. It was from across the room, but it was when he had kissed my cheek. I felt my face burn.
“Well, shit! That soon got out!” I bit my lip. Should I tell him or just leave him to find out. It wasn't like we were doing any harm.
“So how long have you been like seeing this super-hot, hero haired guy?” Her face came back into view.
I loved her like the sister I never had. She was part Spanish and had a natural tan to die for! Her long brunette hair was up in a slick ponytail.
“So what would you say if I told you I only met him the last week?! And that we have this connection and when I kiss him I wanna slam him against a wall and fuck him, but that he's got all these hang ups but deep down just wants to look after me.” I pulled a face and shrugged.
She did a low whistle. “Oh, you have so got it bad! Have you guys had sex yet?!” She winked at me.
“Jeez Jess!” I shook my head. “No, we have not had sex yet! It's not like I wanna give out right away! If he wants me he can damn well earn it!” I grinned.
She rolled her eyes dramatically. “Babe, seriously if you like him and he likes you and it's gonna be like a thing just go with what you feel is right! Sometimes you might hold out a week, a month or you might just not! There is no rule that says you can't have sex with him because you just started dating!”
I sighed. She was right, of course. “I guess someone must have recognized me and took a photo! He owns a record label and he's 28!” I knew she would ask about him so I got in there first.
“I know who he is! He's like a billionaire! Trust me half the girls I know would sell their soul to the devil to even be seen in a photo with him let alone be getting cute cheek kisses! They said...” She glanced at her phone. “Multi-billionaire Cameron Ballard was seen out with Evangeline Watson enjoying each other's company at The Shard London! Onlookers said he looked besotted with the daughter of rock star John Watson!” She licked her lips.
I puffed out my cheeks. “We're going on a second date tomorrow to a museum!” I grinned.
She laughed. “You
always where a geek! I'm glad you have found someone! I just hope he looks after you! Because Hagen still hasn't had that beat down from me for what he did to you!” Her face turned serious.
I flicked my eyes down. I didn't want to think about it. “You know how I feel about that!”
She sighed. “You can't ignore it forever! What he did to you he should be serving jail time or at least have a record!”
What she said was right, but I'd left and he didn't have me anymore that was punishment enough. “He's falling apart without me, and in some way I feel sorry for him but in others I don't! I know Cameron is at the other end of the scale to Sean! I feel safe with him!” I smiled.
“What’s he like?! Tell me it all.” Her eyes where bright as she leant in as if she figured looking more closely at me would reveal my secrets.
Hell where did I start with telling her how he was?! I let a breath go as I glanced up. “Well he’s tall, self-controlled, proper, he has this air of quiet power about him, and his eyes, oh god when he looks into my eyes…”
I fell silent, I didn’t want to tell her that when our eyes met it felt like he could even control my sight. I only had eyes for him.
She grinned. “You want him so bad, I’ve never seen you like this, so taken by one guy, so what was this advice you wanted?!” She smirked.
I grinned, Cameron wasn’t a guy, he was a man! He was the first real man I’d ever been interested in, that was true. She'd always been my go to girl for information and advice. “Well, aside from Sean I've never had sex with anyone else! I mean it's not like I don't know what I'm doing because I took the lead with Sean most the time anyways, but I think Cameron is well more advanced!” I pulled a face. “I don't wanna be a let-down!” I could just imagine Miss A Line skirt being good in bed just to spite me.
She had a thoughtful look on her face. “Evan, if he loves you and I mean, why wouldn't he! Then he's not gonna care if you lack experience! He might even enjoy teaching you!” She grinned. “Just don't build it up in your head! Let things happen! Who cares where it happens! Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen unit as long as you both want it everything else will just well slot into place!” She winked.