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.