Shadows in Me Read online

  We got home late afternoon, the sun was already starting to set, I got my housekeeper to prepare a special dinner for us and set it all up on the deck outside. The red and orange from the sunset was reflecting off the pool. It was just perfect; I had been so worked up with a need for her. Sleeping in her parents’ home for a few weeks and not being able to share a room was torture. Although her parents knew we were having sex, her father was adamant that we would not share a bed under his roof. How some people could still be so old fashioned was beyond me.

  I wasn’t prepared for what she told me. I was hoping to be married within six months. I had waited far too long for a love like ours. I needed her to be my wife. I knew it was selfish, but I couldn’t help myself.

  Driving away from her felt like the hardest think I had ever done. Seeing her cry like that, just broke me. If I was the one driving the car I would have turned it around, but Cole was behind the wheel, and with Heather watching my every move I had no choice.

  “You know she’ll be fine, she’s come a long way.” Heather said, softly. “She needs this…she needs to prove to herself that she’s strong again. I know this is hard on you but you can do it. ” Heather put her hand on my shoulder squeezing.

  “Yeah, you’re right, I just don’t like seeing her like that.” I looked at Heather and as I looked back to where Caitlin was standing, she was gone.

  The ride home was quiet, none of us spoke, we were all wrapped up in our own thoughts.

  Tomorrow would be back to work, and without Caitlin there I needed to employ someone. We had opened two more outlets and there were plans to add one more before the end of the year. Cole has lined up three potential candidates; he had done the initial interview while I was away, so I just needed to decide which one I preferred so they could start. With Cole and Heather working on the marketing and plans for the new branches, the new person would be working closely with me to learn the menu’s and run the shop. It was in times like these I wished Rebecca was still around, she knew the ins and outs of the business. But after what had happened I would never able to forgive her. She was arrested the day Hunter was killed, but she had hired a good Lawyer that had gotten her off on some bullshit technicality. She did come back to try talk to me about a year later, but I just couldn’t stand being in the same room as she was.

  So now I was faced with having to train a new employee.

  It was after dark by the time we got home, Cole dropped me off first before heading off to Heathers place. Caitlin had decided to lease her beach house to them, seeing as though she wouldn’t be staying there when she came back. She had agreed to move in with me, which was at least something to look forward to during these dreaded six months.

  I already missed her so much, it had only been a few hours but what I wouldn’t give to have her in my arms right then.

  It’s funny how you take the little things for granted when someone is with you all day every day. The way she always has her music playing, her dancing and twirling around the house. Now walking up to my room I long to see her standing in my doorway naked, her arms lifted above her head holding onto the doorframe. She would tease me by crossing her one leg in front of the other.

  Her breast lifted and peaked, ready for me to nibble on.

  Fuck, I needed a shower and damn cold one. I had never been one for jerking off in the shower, but I could see Mrs Palm and her five daughters were going to be my best friends for the next six months.

  After relieving myself from a serious case of blue balls, I headed to bed. It was only 8pm, she should still be awake. My phone was charging on the table next to my bed. The little red light was flashing, indicating that there was a message, please god let it be from her! It was.

  Caitlin: You there?

  It was sent more than ten minutes before, while I was in the shower.

  Me: Yes babes, sorry I was in the shower, it was lonely without you.

  I didn’t have to wait long for a response.

  Caitlin: I miss you like crazy, please come and fetch me?

  Me: You give up so quickly, mmmmh not the little stubborn bombshell I’m used to.

  Caitlin: You don’t miss me? You haven’t told me you miss me? Are you happy I am gone?

  Oh fuck! How could I be so clueless? I should have started with that first. Now I’m in shit, and too far away to fix it properly.

  Me: I MISS YOU MY DARLING

  Caitlin: I don’t believe you. You crap me out before you tell me you miss me. Don’t think you even love me anymore, out of sight out of mind?

  I didn’t bother responding, I dialled her number. It took her four rings before she picked up.

  Music was playing in the background, and when she spoke there was a hint of laughter in her voice.

  “Hello, my darling Vincent, do you still love me?” I could just picture her sitting on the floor with her feet tucked in underneath her bum, her index finger twirling her hair while talking on the phone. She was having me on, she wasn’t serious.

  “You little Vixen, here I am stressing for thinking I had upset you, and you’re laughing at me.” I let out a sigh of relieve.

  The only response I got from the other side, was a sexy giggle.

  “You know that little stunt of yours deserves a spanking of note.” Just the image of Caitlin draped over my knee made me hard all over again.

  “Ha ha, you are too far away to give me a spanking, although a spanking would be kinda nice.”

  “You know San Diego is not that far, granted it would take me a few hours to get there, won’t guarantee I would get back to work in time, but it would be worth it. You’d have to deal with Cole though.” I settle back on the pillows. “You know the bed still smells like you? I wish you were here my angel, this is by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do.” I said softly into the phone.

  “I know, it’s hard for me too. I feel like such a horrible person for doing this to us, we should be planning our wedding and now I’m so far away.” A soft sob escapes her throat.

  “Sorry my Angel, I didn’t mean to upset you. Shit, now I feel like crap for the second time in a matter of minutes.”

  “It’s not you, it’s just this situation. I love being able to take this opportunity, I just wish I could have found a place closer to home, you know, then I wouldn’t be away from you. Vincent I’m sorry.”

  “Caitlin, enough now.” I said, quite firmly. “This is an amazing opportunity, and in the end it will be great for both of us and the future of Simplicity. This is a good thing, and we will make it work. I’ll come and see you as often as I can and you can drive home when you have time off. We can do this. Don’t stress.” I tried my hardest to sound strong and confident, but deep down I had my own fears.

  “You’re right, I just … never mind, I will be ok. I need to go now, tomorrow is going to be a long day and my nerves are getting the better of me.”

  “Ok, Angel you go sleep now I will give you a call in the morning. Sweet dreams, and remember how much I love you.”

  “I love you more, Vincent, I miss you.”

  That click felt so final. I didn’t sleep much the rest of the night; I missed having her in my arms.

  At 4:45am the buzzer on my alarm clock went off, I quickly took a hot shower before heading off to the market. Cole had given me a list of all the produce we needed, and I promised to get it first thing this morning. It gave him a little more time to sleep in, not that I thought they did a lot of sleeping when they were together.

  The day started off with a bang, it was great to get back into the swing of things. I got everything sorted before opening time so it gave me some time to think. I would never forget the moment our eyes met for the very first time, it was the day of the Volleyball Tournament.

  Early that morning I spotted her going on her run. I watched her from a distance I knew in my heart then already that one day I would marry her. She was so sexy in her pink and black outfit, with her running shorts fitting just right, and her tank top clingin
g in just the right places. I could feel things stir inside of me and was turned on from the very first moment.

  Rebecca pitching up at work early that day was just perfect, I could go take out my frustrations at the gym and then a cold shower, before heading back to get the day started. I was happily surprised when Cole and I turned up later to find that my Blonde Beauty and her friends had decided to take part in the tournament.

  The best moment for me was when we first met, and from the look in her eyes I could see that she was just as affected as I was. I knew right then that I had met my soul mate.

  I was still day dreaming about Caitlin when the buzzer on the front door went off. It had only just turned 7am, the clients had started early. I got up and made my way to the front door, I may as was well open on up.

  Standing in front of the door was a very sexy little red head. She was dressed in white shorts and a black top, her hair tied up and an oversized white bag draped over her shoulder. As I opened the door, she pushed her sunglass onto her head and looked me straight in the eyes.

  “Good Morning, I’m Alexis Green; I’m here for my interview.” She smiled and extended her hand to greet me.

  “You’re very early, I only expected you at eleven. Oh sorry, that was rude of me, Good Morning, I’m ……” I lifted my hand to greet her.

  “Vincent, I know.” She squeezed my hand and smiled again, a little too seductively.

  My brain was telling me to run, trouble had just walked into my shop, but the devil on my shoulder had other plans.

  “I was hoping to make a good impression on you, so you would let me start today”. She let go of my hand, resting her hand on her hips.

  “You’re overly confident. I think we should have your interview first before we make any assumptions.” I pulled out a chair at the table closest to the door and indicated for her to sit. I walked around and sat down opposite her.

  The interview went well, hell she was perfect for the position, and it didn’t hurt that she was damn good looking. I texted Cole to cancel the rest of the interviews. We’d found our girl.

  Not long after I texted Cole, he and Heather walked through the front door. Heather took one look at Alexis and I knew I was in shit. Fuck, I could just imagine what she was going to tell Caitlin.

  Chapter 5

  Caitlin

  I thought my stunt yesterday would make Vincent come and get me, but I was wrong. He was much stronger than I was. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to do it.

  I got up bright and early, showered and dressed and was on my way to work around the time the text came through from Heather.

  Heather: (photo)

  Why the hell would she be sending me a photo of a red headed bimbo?

  Heather: New employee, Vincent just hired!!

  Me: What the fuck, she looks like a slut!!!

  Heather: Agreed, but I looked at her credentials, and she is qualified, maybe a little over qualified…but who am I to say?

  Me: I’m not happy about this, you better keep your eyes open, I don’t trust her.

  Heather: Will do, I already gave Vincent the evil eye, you can expect a phone call from him. He knew I was going to let you know.

  Me: Well that will have to wait. Just got to work, first day. Love u.

  Shit, that had trouble written all over it, but I needed to trust him. He loves me, and she was obviously qualified. He had very high standards when it came to hiring, I freaking hoped it was the case with Alexis.

  There were already a few other students gathered outside the restaurant, I was leaning against the wall looking at the picture Heather had sent me when Chef Nathaniel arrived. I had read up on him, but he was not at all what I had expected.

  He was a very “manly” man. He must’ve been as tall as Vincent, with big strong shoulders and wavy red hair. He lifted the sunglasses off his face and slipped it into the V neck of his shirt. OMG those eyes, they were even bluer than Vincent’s. Oh shit, look at me! Here I am freaking out over the new employee at Simplicity, but if Vincent had to see this, he’d be here to fetch me in a heartbeat. I quickly snapped a pic, and texted it to Heather.

  Me: My new boss!!!

  I switched my phone off and slipped it into my bag. Listening to Chef Nathaniel welcoming us all to his project, and thinking of the picture Heather had sent earlier. They were both red heads, Vincent’s new employee and my boss. Hmmm, how much of that could be a coincidence?

  On a Monday the restaurant was generally closed to the public. We spend the time prepping for the week, making sure the rooftop vegetable garden was cleaned, and all the produce was prepared for the rest of the week. Chef set up a daily roaster for all of us, something essential in order to make a restaurant like this run smoothly. It wasn’t just kitchen work, the gardens needed taking care of as well as sticking strictly to the recycling schedules. Nothing in the place was wasted, everything got processed back into the system.

  My first task for the week was to make sure the gardens were clean, and all the produce was picked and ready for preparation. The day went by so quickly, at around 6 pm Caprice, one of the new interns came to call me, it was home time.

  Bree, Willow and Meeka were all waiting for me to clean up before we headed out. Chef Nathaniel was working on the menus for the week, and he just waved us out. He was really strict, and not very friendly. I got the feeling he was still holding back with us. I had a feeling that the next day, when we actually opened for service, would be an entirely different story.

  I dug my phone out my bag as we walked out the restaurant. Shit, twenty missed calls and fifteen text messages from Vincent. Crap, I had forgotten about my phone the whole day!

  “Hey Cat, are you going to join us for some drinks?” Caprice hooked her arm into mine as we started walking out, pulling me with her.

  “Nah, I don’t think so, I am pooped. Working in the sun and sand today really killed me. You guys go, I’ll join you next time, promise.” I knew I was being a party pooper, but I needed to speak to Vincent.

  “Your loss babes, see you in the morning.” The girls walked off in the opposite direction. For a second, I contemplated joining them, but then my phone started ringing, it was Heather.

  “Hey,” it was all I could get in before she started shouting at me.

  “WHY THE HELL WAS YOUR PHONE OFF THE WHOLE DAY?” Heather went off, hardly giving me a chance to speak.

  “Vincent is losing it over here! He knows I told you about Alexis, and then he tried to get hold of and he couldn’t. He’s about to jump into his car and come see you. You better phone him now.”

  “Oh hello to you too, I was busy. Does he have a guilty conscience?” I was so pissed off I could scream.

  “Why was your phone off? You know better than that! When he wants to talk to you, nothing must stand in his way. He hates this distance between you.” Heather seamed to calm herself.

  “Is he still there? Let me talk to him, I just got off work.” I felt totally irritated, and quite frankly I was way too tired to deal with this shit.

  “No he left five minutes ago, but I think he is going home first. You better phone him.”

  “Ok, but if I can’t get hold of him, just ask Cole to see if he can stop him, all is good.”

  As I turned around to make my way back to my apartment, Chef Nathaniel walked out.

  “What are you still doing here? Where are the others?” He looked really irritated.

  “They went out to a pub, I’m heading home.” I could feel the blush spreading up my neck. Shit, why did this man intimidate me so much?

  He locked the door then turned to face me; I stood frozen not knowing what to do. I was still holding my phone in front of me ready to phone Vincent. What do I do?

  “You are new in town, you shouldn’t be walking alone. Where do you stay?”

  “I only stay two blocks up to the left, it’s not too far, it will only take me a few minutes.” I dropped my phone back into my bag and started walking.

 
“Wait, I’ll walk you home.”

  “No thanks, I’ll be ok.” This was an awkward moment, my new, hot as hell boss wanting to walk me home, and then my phone started ringing.

  “Just give me a sec; it’s my boyfriend, we keep missing each other.” I desperately tried to get to my phone before it stopped, but magically my bag seemed to hide everything I put in there. Oh great, it stopped before I could get to it.

  “SHIT!” I look up to find Chef looking at me with a grin on his face.

  “Sorry!” I really feel like a big idiot.

  “Let me get you home.” He started walking in the direction that I pointed earlier, turning his head as if to ask if I was coming.

  It took me a few seconds to come back down to earth. I texted Vincent a quick note, saying that I would phone him in five.

  Chef Nathaniel was a man of few words, I did most of the talking, probably because I was so nervous. I always seemed to babble when I was nervous. We said our goodbyes and he walked off, once I was inside the building.

  I was hardly inside when my phone started ringing again. Gosh this man was persistent.

  “YES, VINCENT, I’m here. Oh my god, I told you I would phone you back.” You could hear the irritation in my voice and I didn’t even try to hide it.

  “That’s a great way to answer the phone, Caitlin, very polite.” I could hear the hurt in his voice, now I felt like crap for being so rude.

  “I’m sorry, I had a bad day, and I should not have taken it out on you.” The tears start rolling down my cheeks.

  “I’m sorry too, I didn’t mean to say that, I’ve just been so worried about you. I’ve been trying to get hold of you the whole day, but your phone keeps going to voice mail.”

  “I know, sorry, I forgot to switch it back on after our meeting this morning. It’s been crazy getting to know all the people, and all the new things, and I was out on the roof top most of the day, I am so sorry.” I dump my bag on the coffee table and sink into the couch, tucking my legs under me.