Strings of Fate

Strings of Fate

Cam 33- Consent and concern

Harry takes a deep breath and exhales heavily as if soothing himself before he begins.

“I am really sorry Cam. I didn’t realise I was making you uncomfortable, that you didn’t like what I was doingel won’t touch you again without waiting for you to actually say it’s okay. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable and I definitely didn’t intend to manipulate you or ignore your wishes.” he apologises sincerely. Wait, does he think I’m angry about him touching my legs? If I had a problem with that I wouldn’t have lashed out after several minutes of contact. It would have been immediate. I raise an eyebrow.

“Why exactly do you think I’m upset?” I ask. Harry frowns.

“Because I initiated physical contact without waiting for you to expressly consent to it and in the process, I made you uncomfortable.” He sums up, almost robotically. Like he wants to distance himself from the thought. I narrow my eyes.

“And you can’t think of anything else that you might have done?” I prompt. Harry looks

alarmed.

“Something else? I was completely focussed on that one thing. What else could I have done? Am I missing something really obvious?” He asks. I just shake my head. Is he not aware that he was using his magic on me? I don’t know how aware Incubi are of their abilities, not to mention that he seems to believe that his magic doesn’t really affect me. Apparently my acting skills aren’t so terrible after all. But what does that mean for this situation? I mean, if he doesn’t know that he’s doing it, can I really be angry at him? Based on how horrified he is at this situation, he would probably be more careful with his magic if I tell him, but that would mean admitting to him that I basically

very nearly impossible to avoid their magic. I have no idea how Ryann and his other female friends do it. I don’t know how much control Incubi have over their magic, but since I don’t see every woman in this place throwing themselves at him all the time he probably has SOME control. But they do tend to pursue him either way. I don’t know how much of that is because

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33- Consent and concern

that a good eighty percent of my anger was just embarrassment anyway. Harry clears his throat and I realise that while I’ve been thinking this through, he’s been waiting anxiously as I stayed quiet for far too long. I need to say something. I also notice that there are at least two people waiting for drinks. I would wonder why they haven’t said anything, but Harry and I haven’t been particularly quiet. They’re watching the show, eager to see how I’ll respond. I need to get back to

work.

doesn’t ask for one. He just sighs in relief. I serve the customers who are still eying Harry and I curiously. They definitely wish that they had more information. I know a few of my regulars like to gossip about Harry and

that I felt from his attentions. I’m also just feeling straight up embarrassed that I caused a scene. I’m also sort of concerned that if I meet Harry’s gaze, he’s going to realise exactly how I was feeling and he’s going to be able to see the attraction I feel. That would be terrible. It’s one thing when he thinks his magic isn’t affecting me, that I’m not lusting after him all the time like so many women do. But if he knew… he would use it against me. I don’t know how, I don’t even know if it would be intentional. But if he knew just how much I want him, I doubt he would ever back off. He would keep pushing, keep hinting and asking and wanting to know why I’m NOT throwing myself at him. I could do it. I could cave in and fall into his arms and bed and it would probably be

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Consent and concern

it. I just thought you deserved a drink that doesn’t make

nice… You’re not still upset

be like this every time

It’s kind of like when a kid picks on someone they like. I see it as a sign of

you awful drinks anymore. You’ll just see it as

going to interpret that as you