His Possession (The Owners) (2 page)

“N-no,” she said, cursing herself as her stammer returned. Whenever she was nervous she found she had difficulty over her words.

“You have no clue at all?”

She tried to think of something that could be amiss with her performance, but she was drawing a blank. “I don’t know, Mr. Ashwood. No one has ever complained about my performance, and I make sure everyone gets what they need.” Violet couldn’t lose this job. She needed the income to help pay for all the college debts she  had accumulated over the years.

Her mother hadn’t thought about anyone but herself when she’d
opened her veins
on the day Violet had graduated.

Refusing to go down the road of bitterness she stared at her boss and prayed he didn’t want to fire her.

“This is nothing to do with your job. Actually, I hope to promote you. My personal assistant is going on maternity leave, and I want you to take her place. I’ve seen the way you work, and I want to see you taking on that role,” he said, closing shut her file.

Silence met his statement.

“Thank you. Erm, I don’t want to seem rude, but I’m not qualified in that field.”

“Miss Moore, you put yourself through college and are as qualified to handle this role as any other women I have here. Stacey will train you in the next six weeks, and you’ll take over from her,” he said.

Violet didn’t know what to do. “I just want to make coffee and hand out the mail. I can do that.”

His hand slammed on the desk, making her jump. Her fingers tightened round the handles of her chair. Any acts of violence scared her. She kept her gaze on his hands, thankful it stayed in the one place.

“I’ve told you what you’re going to be doing. Don’t argue with me.”

She nodded her head.

“Good. Now that’s settled I’ve got a few questions I want you to answer.” Cadeon picked up a pen and opened her folder.

Moving her hands away from the chair she clasped them together in her lap, hating the initial fear that came forward whenever a man was angry. Why couldn’t she be like other women and argue or march out?

Confrontation wasn’t her.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

Another nod of the head. There was nothing more she could do.

“Do you have any family?”

“No,” she said.

“Is there anyone waiting for you back home? A friend, a room
-
mate, lover?”

“I don’t know how any of this is relevant to the position,” she said, her cheeks on fire from his comment about a lover. Having a lover would mean trusting the opposite sex. She didn’t trust the cat that lived next door with her elderly neighbour, let alone a man.

“I need these questions answered.”

Licking her lips she shook her head.

“Boyfriend or partner?”

She shook her head.

“I need you to write down all your phone numbers so I can reach you at any time.” He got up and came round the desk and handed her a board to lean on and a piece of paper with her work picture at the top. Cadeon passed her a pen.

Violet began writing her home address and her personal details. Her hand shook as she felt him behind her, leaning over her shoulder. His breath moved her hair across her neck, the close proximity making her nervous.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“N-nothing.”

“You’ve stopped writing.”

“I’m sorry.” Closing her eyes in the hope to gather her bearings she filled in the rest of the form. Her hand shook, and her eyes blurred as she tried to control the flow of tears. Cadeon didn’t scare her. His dominating presence and what she witnessed in her past scared her.

Clicking the pen she gave him both the sheet and the pen back.

“Can I go back to work?” she asked.

“You may. Tomorrow I want you into work, so Stacey can start your training. I look forward to working with you.”

Violet nodded and ran for the door. She gave a tug, and it wouldn’t budge. Trying to contain her whimper of frustration she tried with both hands, but nothing happened.

“Here, let me.” Cadeon leaned over her and tugged her door. His whole body pressed against her back. “See you tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir.” Violet ran out of the room and raced towards the stairs. On the floor underneath she went straight to the bathroom and locked the first stall that was empty. Sitting on the seat she placed a hand over her heart and tried to bring her breathing back to normal. Ever since taking the job at Ashwood Enterprise she’d promised herself to fight her fear and start living like a normal twenty-one year old. That was a year ago. The fear and pain, no matter what she did, lived with her always.

****

Cadeon watched as Violet left his office. For the past year he’d seen the young girl, and with every look, he’d wanted to see her. The obsession he felt for the woman was startling. He opened her file and read through all of her personal details and then the piece of paper he’d made her fill in.

There was no one in her life. Taking out his mobile phone he stored her numbers into his important information and wrote down her address in his notes before putting the device away.

He was a man who knew what he wanted, and he wanted Violet. Cadeon saw her innocence and the pain shining in her eyes. The last year, he’d seen her interactions with men. She didn’t spend too long talking, enough time to pass mail and hand over coffee. The women in his office didn’t like the way the men tried to gain her attention. He knew why. Even though she kept to herself and wore unflattering suits they saw the beauty beneath. Her brown hair shone like gold, and her pale skin complemented her complexion. Brown eyes he’d never seen smile but held a wealth of pain no woman of twenty-one should know. Her figure was another startling feature. When she turned or bent over, the full curves of her hips and heavy breasts could be seen. She had the figure of a fifties’ actress. Everything about her brought out his possessive instincts. He wanted to care for her. The age gap between them was irrelevant. Cadeon knew how to care for her.

Calling Stacey into his office, he informed her she’d begin training her replacement. By the end of the day when he was ready to leave he found Violet gathering her purse from the cloak room.

“You’re working late,” he said.

She jumped and turned to face him, a blush staining her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I was told I was to work until the last member of staff leaves.”

He noted as her fingers shook on her coat. “Here let me help.” Taking the coat from her fingers he helped her into it, his hands lingering on her shoulders.

“Why are you shaking?” he asked against her ear.

“I’m cold.”

“Then let me drive you home.”

“I can’t do that,” she said.

“Yes, I can, and I won’t take, no for an answer.” He took her arm and led her out of the offices into his waiting limo. Telling the driver where to go, Cadeon placed the partition up. He wanted privacy with her in his limo.

She sat in the corner as far away from him as possible.

“Why are you scared of me?”

“I’m not scared.”

“Then move a little closer. This limo is big enough for the both of us.” He tapped the seat and waited for her to move closer. Violet slid an inch away from the door. “A little closer.”

Another inch. Tired of waiting for the heat of her body to be near his, Cadeon reached over the small gap and pulled her closer with a hand on her waist and leg.

She squealed but sat frozen where he left her. “There, that’s better.”

While she stared out of the window, Cadeon watched her. A floral scent teased his senses, and he leaned closer and inhaled.

“What perfume are you wearing?” he asked.

“I don’t wear perfume,” she whispered.

The scent was her natural fragrance.

“You smell beautiful,” he said.

“Thank you.”

Her hands were entwined and clasped in her lap. Without thinking he took one of her hands and rested one in his hand so they were palm to palm.

“You’re so tiny.” Testing her hand he moved down and circled her wrist using his middle finger and thumb. Her body might be that of a voluptuous woman, but her wrists were delicate.

She pulled on her hand. He let her go and watched as she sat on them. Violet didn’t like to be touched. He could see her fighting with his presence.

Too bad.
He wanted her to get used to him. As the limo began to slow, Cadeon glanced around at the street and gasped. Violet lived in a really poor neighbourhood. The houses were run down with mattresses on the front lawn. He saw a couple doing the deed against a shop door. Everything screamed out trouble. Her house lay between two buildings. On the right each window was smashed, and the residue caused from a fire scorched the brick walls. On her left a man with a bulging belly and tattoos let men into the house. He knew what was going on behind those walls.

“Thank you for the lift,” she said, moving to the handle. Cadeon had control of the limo functions where he sat and locked the door. There was no way he’d let her out of his sight. “What are you doing?”

“I’m not leaving you here. Dogs are treated better than this.” The glass giving them privacy from the driver began to pull down.

“This is my home. I’m safe I assure you.”

Cadeon closed his eyes. The trouble she was near and could possibly be dragged in was too much to bear. Didn’t she have the first clue of how vulnerable she was?

“Take me back to my home,” he said and pressed the button for privacy again.

The car pulled away, and Violet attacked the door. “You can’t keep me against my will.” Her actions were becoming more hysterical with each tug.

“Stop it, Violet.”

Immediately she stopped, folded her arms over her chest and turned away from him. Was his Violet a little submissive at heart?

“There is no way I could leave you there.”

“It’s my home.”

Running his fingers through his hair, Cadeon lost his temper. “Do you have any idea the danger you were in? What about that man living next door? Who do you think those men were paying to visit? Nuns?”

She shrank away from him and his temper.

“I know what they were doing.”

“Really? Is that what you do on your spare time? Earn money on your back? Spread those pretty thighs for any man?” Cadeon knew he shouldn’t have said the hateful words, but once he started he couldn’t stop. Her actions surprised him.

Out of nowhere, she moved closer and struck him, her palm stinging across his face. “How dare you?” she said.

Cadeon smiled, grabbed her hand and brought her close to his body. “The little mouse has claws. I like it.” He stared into her brown eyes. His cheek stung, but his heart raced as the need to take her in his arms grew stronger. He leaned down until he was a breath away from her lips. Her body fit perfectly against him. His assessment was right as the curve of her hips couldn’t be mistaken. She was gorgeous and supple, and he wanted her with a desperation he hadn’t known existed inside him.

“You’re my boss,” she said, her free hand resting on his chest.

“I don’t care.” Cadeon slammed his lips down, taking control of her in his arms. She struggled for a few seconds and eventually relaxed. Her lips didn’t respond. “Kiss me back.”

Her head shook, and Cadeon had no choice but to lift up and stare down at her.

“You’re mine,” he growled against her lips.

“I’m no one’s.”

Smiling down at her, he knew it would be only a matter of time before he had this flower right where he wanted her. In his bed where she was meant to be from the very beginning.

Chapter Two

Violet shook as his hands roamed up and down her back. Never had she been touched so intimately by a man before. His words delighted and scared her at the same time. She didn’t know how to respond or to react. Did every man say such words to a woman?