His Possession(9)

“Morning.”

“Did you sleep well?”

How strange for her to be having a conversation about her sleeping pattern with her boss? Wait a minute. She was in bed with her boss. That sort of thing mustn’t happen. Shit. She wished her mother hadn’t kept her in the dark about so many things. But then, men did sleep with her mum all the time.

Shut up, Violet.

“Yes. I did.”

“Good. I’m glad.” Cadeon leaned over and kissed her on the lips. The merest brush of lips. Nothing overly sexual or dominating.

“You keep doing that,” she said.

“What?”

“Kissing me. I’m your employee. You shouldn’t kiss me.” Her fingers traced the line of her lips.

“I like kissing you. Don’t you like me kissing you?” His hand moved down her body and grasped her hip. She took a large breath trying to compose the shaking of her body. What was he doing to her? “Well? Do you like me kissing you?”

“Yes,” she whispered not trusting herself to speak any louder.

He cupped her cheek, his thumb stroking the curve of her jaw. “You’re so beautiful.”

She liked his compliments. Licking her lips, Violet stared into his eyes. Their gazes held in a fight of wills. Who would look away first?

“You don’t believe me when I say you’re beautiful?” he asked.

Violet wouldn’t turn away. “I don’t know what to think. Beauty means so many things to so many people.”

Cadeon chuckled. “Your eyes speak of so much knowledge. Of shit you should never have witnessed. Yet, you say stuff that has an air of innocence. You’re a contradiction, Miss Moore.” He kissed her again. “You’ve got secrets. I’m going to unlock them.”

Her heart beat faster. No one could ever know about her past. Her mother had forbidden her to ever speak of her life. The day she killed herself was the day the old Violet ceased to exist.

“I’ve got no secrets. I’m just trying to make my way,” she said. Her hand stopped him from moving down her face. The fear of being caught gave her the strength to stop him on his quest.

“What are you afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid of anything,” she said.

“You’re scared of my touch.” To prove his point, his hand went to her collarbone and travelled down to cup her breast. Violet tried not to struggle under his touch. Tears formed in her eyes, and she bit her lip to stop calling out. His touch scared her, not because she was repulsed, but because of what it made her feel. She didn’t understand what was going on with her body or how to control it. Cadeon Ashwood was a dangerous man, and she should be running in the opposite way to avoid him.

“I can feel your heart beating, Violet.” She broke eye contact and stared down at his hand. His fingers were tilted as he brushed them along her nipple. The material of her gown pointed up as her nipple grew tight. Pleasure burst from the spot he was touching.

“S-stop,” she said. He pulled his hand away.

“You’re a bright young woman. I see you, and you’re happy to hand out mail and serve coffee. I don’t buy it. I’ve seen you glance at the art work in the corridors when you think no one is looking. There is something about you, Violet. You want to see the world but are afraid to open up and fly.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She did. What scared her was how easily he could read her.

“I could show you everything.” He grabbed her chin in a strong grip. Not tight with the intent to hurt. “One more taste.”

Cadeon bent his head, and Violet couldn’t stop him. His lips touched hers. This wasn’t a brush of lips. This was something else. A possession of her mind, her body. Violet held onto him as he made love to her mouth. His tongue traced the curve of her lips before plunging inside. He tasted fresh and masculine. Moaning, she pressed closer. Cadeon moved his hands down her body to the straps of her gown. Violet didn’t want to refuse. His kiss had caught her off guard. She loved the feel of being in his arms and having him take total control over her.

He moved down, kissing along her neck and down. Her fingers sank into the hair at the nape of his neck. A growl came out of his mouth. She watched as he moved over her, his naked body pressing between her thighs.

Violet froze. The length of his arousal pressed at her core.

“A man will say anything to get one thing. Keep yourself whole, Violet. Once you give it up, they’ll treat you like trash.”

“What’s the matter?” Cadeon asked, coming off her.

She took in the scene with fresh eyes. Her gown was down to her waist. Her nipples glistened from the wet heat of his mouth. Her legs were spread open, and he lay between them.