Watch Me Ignite: Watch Me, #4

By K J Baker

Can love really get a second chance?

 

I never thought I'd see Damon McGregor again. As children we were best friends. We laughed together. Cried together. And everything in between. Until one night I asked Damon to do something that shattered our friendship forever.

 

Now we haven't spoken in three years. So, when I visit a friend at college and bump into him again, I'm shocked to the core. I'm shocked by how attractive he's become. I'm shocked at how cool and confident he's become.

 

But most of all, I'm shocked by the way my body reacts to him. I'm shocked at how badly I want him, need him, like a fire burning in my veins.

 

Could he be the same man I used to know? Or is he the cold, arrogant alpha male his reputation suggests?

 

And dare I take the risk of finding out?

 

Watch Me Ignite is a second-chance romance with a sexy bad boy who needs taming and a smart-mouthed heroine who can do just that. If you like your romance full of spice, drama, and a second chance at love, try Watch Me Ignite today. It is part of the Watch Me romance series but can be read as a standalone novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K J Baker
• Release date: Jul 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201027704

Book preview

Chapter 1

The train pulled slowly into the station. There came a hydraulic hiss as the doors opened and then I stepped down onto the platform. Shit, it was busy. Streams of people disembarked from the train and I was soon being swept along like a piece of driftwood in a tide. I’d never visited this city before. It was a bit overwhelming. People in sharp suits jostled each other on the way to the escalators, all in a rush, all fixated on their dash to work.

Nobody paid any attention to a lone college student carting a backpack and holding a hastily scribbled address in one hand.

Hey! Alex! Over here!

I made out a dark-skinned girl bouncing on her toes, trying to attract my attention. I breathed a sigh of relief and carefully wove through the crowd, muttering apologies as I went.

Finally, I reached a quieter area at the edge of the platform. Shauna Smith pulled me into a tight embrace.

It’s so good to see you! she cried. How was your journey? Are you tired? Hungry? Do you want to grab a coffee or go straight home?

I laughed, hugging my friend close. I’d missed her incessant chatter. I’d only known Shauna for three months—we’d met during the vacation at a summer camp we were both working at—but it felt like I’d known her for years. It wasn’t often I found someone I clicked with right away but Shauna and I did. We shared a sense of humor, a liking for cheesy rom-coms as well as a disastrous taste in men.

It’s good to see you too, Shauna, I said, pushing her to arm’s length and looking her up and down. Her black hair was tied into lots of thin braids and caught up at the nape of her neck. She was wearing tight leggings and knee-high boots with a clinging top that made the most of her full breasts. Her eyes sparkled and her hair shone.

You look amazing! I said.  What’s going on? You got a new man or something?

Shauna chuckled. No! Didn’t I tell you I’m off men? Well, relationships anyway. Nobody said anything about meaningless sex, did they?

Ah, so that’s it!

Shauna was incorrigible when it came to the opposite sex. Far more open about these things than me, she had no problem discussing her sexual conquests or using her voluptuous body to get what she wanted. She was damned sexy and she knew it. In some ways she shocked me. In some ways I admired her.

I slung my backpack over my shoulder and linked my arm through Shauna’s. Come on, you can tell me all about it over a coffee.

The city was just as busy as the station. Cars honked, construction workers shouted, people rushed by talking loudly on cell phones. Shauna glided through it all, barely noticing. We soon found a coffee-house and ensconced ourselves in comfy seats by the window, sipping delicious lattes.

So, come on, I said. Spill.

Shauna waved a hand. There’s nothing to tell, really. I met a guy. The most gorgeous guy at college. He’s captain of the soccer team and every girl wants him. And I, she tapped her chest proudly, I got him.

I raised an eyebrow at her. You said you were off relationships! It sounds as if you actually like this guy.

She smiled wryly. Yeah, well I’d make an exception for him. Trouble is, he doesn’t know I exist.

What do you mean? I thought you bagged him?

Yeah, and it was awesome. But he isn’t exactly a one-woman kind of guy.

I see.

Her expression said it all. They’d had a one-night stand, she wanted more and he didn’t. How many times had we talked about this at summer camp? Despite saying she was off relationships, Shauna fell in love too easily. She might want to be the sassy, doesn’t-give-a-shit kind of girl but that wasn’t her style, no matter how much she claimed otherwise.

She laughed. I recognize that look, Alex Chambers! All right, I admit it; I slept with the college stud. I know I shouldn’t have done it, but my god, Alex, if you only saw him, you’d understand. He’s gorgeous!

Her wide-eyed expression made me snort my latte and almost choke in the process. You’ll never learn, I said when I got my composure back. You’re beyond hope.

She nodded wisely. Yes, you might be right. Anyway, enough about me. How are things with you?

I shrugged. Fine.

My nonchalant tone didn’t fool her. Her brows pulled down in a frown. Come on, Alex, that’s not what you said in your emails.

I squirmed. I’d been drunk when I sent those emails and more than a little embarrassed when I sobered up. Still, I had a good excuse for my binge.

I’m okay. I am, honest. At least, I will be. Now, that loser’s out of my life.

Scott? Shauna asked. You went through with it then? You dumped him?

Not exactly.

Part of the reason I had worked at summer camp was to give me some space from Scott Lynch. We’d been dating for a little over a year. Our relationship had been turbulent to say the least. I’d gone away to decide what to do but I’d left the camp as undecided as when I arrived. As it turned out, Scott made my decision for me. My stomach clenched at the memory. I didn’t want to talk about it. Hell, I didn’t even want to think about it.

Shauna placed a hand on my knee. Her dark eyes shone with concern. "You okay, honey? Listen, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. Shall we talk about something else? Have you seen The Bridesmaid 2 yet? It’s hilarious! We’ll go see it while you’re here if you like."

I smiled at her attempt to distract me. Sure, sounds like fun.

I suddenly needed to tell her everything, to get it off my chest.

You remember how I left camp early? I thought I’d surprise Scott, show that I still cared, all that kind of shit?

Shauna nodded. Yeah. I gave you a lift to the station. You missed one hell of a party that last night.

Yeah, I should’ve stayed. Then I wouldn’t have walked in on Scott screwing another girl.

Shauna’s gasp was so loud people turned to look at us. You didn’t! What a bastard! What a total, total bastard! I hope you punched him and slapped her! That’s the least they deserved!

The pain of the memory surprised me. Scott and I were on the rocks. I just couldn’t bring myself to end it—too much of a coward I suppose. But finding him like that...yeah it hurt. It hurt like hell.

I didn’t do either of those things. Shauna looked disappointed. No, I dragged her off him by her hair and threw her out of the apartment, then, while he’d tried to explain and came out with a million excuses I pushed him out after her. They were both naked.

Shauna sniggered. You locked them out without any clothes? That’s my girl!

I smiled wryly. It had been small revenge for what they’d done to me. I remembered sitting on the couch, arms wrapped around myself, ignoring Scott hammering on the door, and crying so hard my throat hurt.

That had been three weeks ago. I hadn’t heard from Scott since.

Shauna put down her latte and moved over to perch on the arm of my chair. She squeezed me close. Forget about him, honey. You deserve better. You’ll find someone who’ll treat you right, you mark my words.

I threw up my hands. Whoa! No way. I’m off men. For good.

For good?

Well, for a long time, anyway. I’ve learned my lesson. Men are rats who’ll trample all over your heart given half a chance.

Amen to that, Shauna agreed. But they’re useful for some things. She gave me a saucy smile. What you need, my girl, is a night of mind-blowing sex. No strings attached. No sentiment. Just some hot loving.

I grinned despite myself. Yeah, I could use some of that.

Scooting back into her chair, Shauna rubbed her hands together eagerly. Excellent! That’s settled then.

What’s settled?

When you’ve finished that coffee, I’m taking you shopping. We’re going to find the most stunning, the sexiest, the most tongue-lolling gorgeous outfits this city has to offer and then tonight, my dear, you and I are going on the pull.

ONE, TWO, THREE! SHAUNA cried.

We threw back our glasses, gulping down the tequila in one then screwed up our faces at the taste.

Phew! I said. That’s not nice!

Are you kidding? Shauna said, surprised. There is nothing better for Dutch courage than tequila. Trust me!

She sounded like she spoke from experience. We were here to have fun. To enjoy ourselves and forget our hurts. And, if Shauna had her way, to pull a couple of hotties into the bargain.

I yanked the hem of my skirt for about the tenth time. It was shorter and tighter than I liked and whenever I sat down it rode up my legs, exposing way too much thigh. Shauna, as usual, looked right at home in her tight dress that showed off just the right amount of cleavage. She lounged back, her eyes scanning the room. The bar she’d brought me to was in the up-market area of town. It was already busy, full of city workers come to relax after a hard week. The buzz of conversation filled the air. In the background, music played but I couldn’t make out the song.

See anyone you like?

Shauna shook her head. Nah, but hey, the night’s young. She waved over the waitress and ordered some more tequila.

So, I asked, grinning. Do you come here often?

Only when I’ve been paid. It’s way too pricey usually. But during the vacation when I’ve earned a bit of spare cash, well it’s good to let my hair down once in a while.

The clientele wore expensive clothes and the decor of this place was definitely on the high end of the market. Plush leather seats lay scattered around and a wrap-around glass bar filled the middle of the room. Hardly the kind of establishment two cash-strapped students would frequent.

The waitress brought a second round of tequilas. Shauna took one and lifted it to her mouth but suddenly paused, her eyes going wide. She was staring at something beyond me. I turned, scanning the room, but it was full of people I didn’t recognize.

What is it?

Oh my god! she whispered. It’s him!

Who?

That guy I told you about! The one I slept with.

Shauna, I said, amused. You’re gonna have to be a bit more specific than that!

She scowled at me in mock-annoyance. The one every girl in my college lusts after! The captain of the college soccer team!

My heart sank. Oh great. I knew Shauna—her mind would be on nothing else now. Why did he have to come into this bar? Then a thought struck me.

Shauna, did you bring us here because you hoped Mr. Gorgeous might turn up?

No! she squealed but the flush of red in her cheeks gave her away. Oh, all right. Maybe I did.

I shook my head. I thought we were gonna have fun tonight? How can we if you’re pining after some guy across the room?

I am not pining after him!

Yeah? You sure?

She pouted, flashing her eyelashes in a way designed to make a man’s heart flutter. But it had no effect on me. Fine! she said. I only wanted you to see him. To see how gorgeous he is!

Okay, it’s fine. If you want him, have him. Go and talk to him. Buy him a drink.

Shauna stared at me as though I’d said something outrageous. That’s not how it works, Alex. You don’t choose Damon McGregor. Damon McGregor chooses you.

I gaped at her. Had I heard right? The name jumped out at me. It was a name I’d not heard in almost three years. Not since I went away to college.

What did you say he was called?

Damon, Damon the Demon, she laughed. That’s him over there. Sitting at the bar. Dark hair. Absolutely gorgeous. You can’t miss him.

I swiveled in my seat and spotted him immediately. My heart skipped. A man sat on a high stool in the center of the bar, chatting with one of the barmaids. He had short dark hair and his tall, muscular build was hidden beneath a tight shirt and black slacks. He looked older, more chiseled, but I’d recognize that face anywhere, even if Shauna hadn’t already told me his name.

Damon McGregor.

My best friend from childhood.

See! Shauna cried. Told you he was gorgeous. You’re staring like a love-sick puppy!

I got hold of myself with an effort and turned back to Shauna. To hide my sudden confusion, I downed my tequila.

Why the hell is Damon McGregor here? I thought. He went to college in London. He wanted to get as far from home as possible. Now he turns up here?

Damon had lived next door to me when we were kids. He’d been a part of my life for as long as I could remember. We attended school together. We played together. Hell, we did everything together.

Then, almost three years ago, we went our separate ways. We both left for college, promising we’d always keep in touch, promising to visit. But I never heard from him again. He never answered my emails or returned my calls. I assumed he’d moved on. Found a new life and left the old one behind.

Including me.

Now, watching him from across the room, I didn’t know what to think.

So? Shauna asked. You see what I mean? He’s the kind of guy any woman would want between her legs. Don’t you reckon?

Hmm, I replied, not really listening.

My eyes roved over Damon, trying to match up the youth I knew with the man I saw now. His hair was shorter – he’d always been vain about that and liked it styled to look as though he’d just got out of bed—the uncaring, surfer-dude look. He was bigger—not fatter—but much more muscled. He’d always been into soccer but now it seemed as though he’d finally started taking it seriously. He was leaning over the bar, arms crossed, clearly flirting with the barmaid. From the way she smiled and twirled her hair around her finger, it looked as if he was being successful.

That hadn’t changed either.

When we were younger, he’d been the school heart-throb. The boy every girl dreamed would ask her to the prom. I’d been the subject of no end of jealously because of my friendship with him. They didn’t understand that it wasn’t like that between us. We were more like brother and sister. I didn’t fancy Damon and Damon didn’t fancy me. It wasn’t like that.

Well, not until that night at least.

Look at that blonde bitch! Shauna hissed. She glared at the barmaid with an expression that could kill. She’s practically drooling all over him. Cow.

Despite myself, I chuckled. Now, now, put your claws away.

Instead, Shauna downed a tequila and muttered something unintelligible under her breath.

I bet I can get him to buy me a drink, I said suddenly.

Shauna’s eyebrows tried to climb off her forehead. What? Didn’t you hear me earlier? You don’t pick Damon McGregor. He picks you. If he wants to buy you a drink he’ll let you know.

This didn’t sound like the Damon I knew. He’d been cocky, sure, but never arrogant. Bullshit, I answered. "I bet I can get him to buy me a drink. In fact, I bet I can get him to buy us both a drink."

All right, Shauna said, winking devilishly at me. You’re on.

I felt a little guilty about deceiving her. She had no idea that I already knew Damon but it had been three years since I’d seen him. I wasn’t even sure he’d recognize me, nor how he’d react if he did.

Before my courage could fail me, I downed another tequila then stood. Shit, the booze had gone to my head more than I’d realized and I had to steady myself on the arm of the chair.

Shauna grinned at me. Careful, honey. You don’t want to fall flat on your face before you get over there!

I gave my friend a rude gesture, straightened my skirt and brushed out imaginary creases. Then, pulling in a breath, I strode over to the bar.

Damon had his back to me, deep in conversation with the barmaid. She was blonde and pretty, with high cheekbones and full lips. Exactly the kind of girl Damon used to go for. Who was I kidding? Damon used to go for any kind of girl