Love's Predator (Love's Predator Trilogy Book 1)

by Paula Nicole

Lindsey’s fast beating heart sank and she looked back, peering through the thick mist of black. She could see nothing.

  In an effort to comfort herself, and forget where she was, her thoughts began to drift. She could remember running through the wide, open fields of lush, green grass, with her long pale purple dress and bunches as a child. This was her old home, where the family lived before they fell on hard times. It was out in the country, out in the sun, where the flowers grew. How Lindsey missed those days, how she missed the fresh air and beautiful scenery, especially the river at the bottom of the garden. These were happy memories.

  But those were all memories, things of the past she could bring to mind to comfort her. Now she was trapped in a dark basement, being kept there by a mad man.

  Lindsey snapped free from her memories as her mind began to darken and she stared down into the room, her eyes adapting to the darkness. Now she could see outlines. Struck by her own curiosity, Lindsey carefully made her way down the stairs and she got down on her hands and knees, feeling her way over to the thing that was closest.

  She rested her hands upon it, surprised when she felt cold, smooth wood. What could it be? Lindsey kept pressing her hands over it, finding it was a long wooden box, but when she reached the top and went inside it she could feel soft, velvet lining.

  It was a coffin.

  Her stomach clenched, making her feel sick. She backed away from the coffin, slightly grazing her hands as she dragged herself across the floor. Her heart beat loudly and many questions raced through her head, making the pain twice as worse.

  She curled up into a ball.

  Why did Kyle have a coffin in his basement?

  As Lindsey slowly recovered from the horrible discovery, unbeknown to Lindsey, Kyle stood by the door envisioning Lindsey lying inside. It was the perfect punishment Kyle thought to himself as he unlocked the door. After all, he knew Lindsey hated the dark, but he also had a few surprises down in the basement for her to find. He hoped his Lindsey had learned her lesson.

  Kyle threw the door open and dim light spilled in. Lindsey groaned slightly in response. She could hear his heavy footsteps on the stairs and feel his glare as he looked down on her.

  He sniggered, but in Lindsey’s state of mind she no longer cared, even when the light streamed into the room she still felt engulfed in the darkness. But now she could see the coffin and its red velvet lining before her.

  “Have we learned our lesson now?” Kyle asked with a smug smile.

  He knelt down between Lindsey and the coffin, leaning over her. He studied her pale, perfect face with great intrigue, taking in every little detail. But when she still gave no response to his presence Kyle became frustrated. He had been waiting four hours to see her cower in submission. But this was sheer insolence.

  “Well?” He snapped feverishly. “Or do I have to lock you in the coffin?”

  “No,” Lindsey whimpered.

  Kyle sighed, seeing that at closer expectation Lindsey was more affected by the coffin and basement than she had first appeared. He frowned deeply, shaking his head as he watched the silent tears roll down her cheeks.

  She had learned her lesson, Kyle thought.

  Gently, he gathered her delicate body into his arms and pulled her up into his arms, carrying her bridal style from the cellar. He treated her like a precious porcelain doll, making sure each step he took was gentle and she was fully supported. Kyle almost believed that if he dropped his secret treasure she would smash into tiny pieces.

  He took her to the bedroom and carefully laid her down on the plush canopy bed. With a small smile he pulled the covers over her and quickly tucked her in. It was only then she started to respond to his presence.

  She gazed up at him through glazed over eyes, trying to focus on his face.

  “You won’t try to escape again, I hope,” Kyle said with a haughty smirk.

  He leaned down, placing a gentle kiss upon Lindsey’s forehead. Lindsey was too weak to refuse him, which only encouraged Kyle to move to her tempting, full lips. He placed his cold lips onto hers, stealing a sweet kiss from her. He smiled to himself, feeling satisfied.

  Much to Lindsey’s horror, Kyle revelled in her closeness. He breathed her in, savouring the scent of her. Lindsey squirmed weakly, trying to make space between them, but Kyle effortlessly pulled her closer. She slid across the silken covers of the bed so easily it felt as if she were skidding across ice.

  Kyle smirked, chuckling arrogantly as he finally pulled away from his prey. Lindsey could feel those cold eyes upon her face, devouring her reactions, her fear.

  “Now, sleep,” Kyle ordered firmly. “We’ve had a rather active day and tomorrow we can discuss what is to happen, when you have calmed down.”

  Kyle strode towards the door, his strides long and purposeful.

  Lindsey felt like a naughty child being told off. But Kyle was far more authoritative than any teacher Lindsey had ever had. He was powerful.

  “Please,” Lindsey whispered.

  Her eyes were glittering with tears and her long, dark hair lay in messy tassels around her pale, terror stricken face.

  Kyle paused by the door, looking back at her. “Please?” he repeated softly, his voice low and inquisitive. “Please what, Lindsey?”

  Her eyes were wide as she regarded him. She swallowed deeply before she spoke again.

  “Let me go home,” she tried hopefully. “Please, Kyle. I will do anything you want, I won’t tell anyone.”

  For a moment Kyle showed no emotion. His eyes were stuck on Lindsey and were as calm as Lindsey was scared.

  But then a loud laugh bellowed from his lips and his whole face sprung to life. He shook his head in amusement, as if Lindsey had told him a good joke.

  She watched him silently, feeling cold as all her hope seeped out of her heart.

  “Nice try, darling,” was all Kyle said. “Nice try.”

  He slammed the door shut and Lindsey listened in horror as she heard a loud click. Kyle had locked her in the bedroom. Now all she could do was listen to him move through the house as she tried to control her fit of sobs and tears.

  Kyle would never let her go.

  Chapter Three

  A loud click woke Lindsey from her sleep. Her eyes snapped open and confusion took hold as she searched her surroundings. Chaotic, crazed thoughts swept through her head before she remembered what had happened to her. She was still in Kyle’s clutches, but nevertheless, she was still alive and yet she couldn’t believe she had fallen asleep in HIS bed.

  Kyle calmly entered the room, dressed in a pair of black trousers and a white T-shirt which Lindsey could see the outlines of his abs through. She bit down on her lip, now completely understanding why she had no chance of fighting her abductor in the car park. He was muscular and fit. Lindsey was slim and had never been to the gym before in her entire life.

  Kyle smiled warmly and made his way over to Lindsey’s bedside. Lindsey watched carefully, curling up in a defensive ball.

  Kyle reached out, running his fingers through Lindsey long, dark hair. “Good afternoon, my Lindsey,” he cooed gently. “I trust you slept well.”

  Lindsey did not answer him.

  She could feel his eyes scanning her, as if trying to provoke a reaction. But Lindsey was in no mood to talk to her captor.

  “You must be hungry,” he said suddenly.

  To this Lindsey’s eyes flickered up, giving her away. Kyle smiled back down at her knowingly, his fingers still entwined in her hair.

  “If you change out of those clothes into something more comfortable, I will prepare your lunch,” Kyle offered softly. He leant down, placing a kiss onto Lindsey’s forehead. “Come Lindsey, no more childish behaviour.”

  Lindsey slowly let her legs go and sat up, looking directly into Kyle’s shimmering eyes.

  “There we go,” he smiled in approval.

  His fingers gently trailed down her face, tenderly wiping the wet tears away from Lindsey’s warm cheeks.


  “No more tears,” he whispered.

  His eyes burned into hers.

  Lindsey felt her mouth drop open; a slick, tingling feeling spread from the pit of her stomach, slowly trailing up her arms to her fingertips.

  His touch, although unwanted, was not undesirable. It was far from it.

  Suddenly his moist lips crushed against hers, stealing from her a passionate, hard kiss that made Lindsey breathless. When Kyle finally pulled away, Lindsey could not find her words. All she could do was stare at her captor as he stared back at her, his eyes on fire.

  “Get dressed Lindsey,” he said softly. “And then come to me downstairs. We’ll talk over lunch, now that you are well rested.”

  Lindsey gave one, silent nod. And with that, Kyle left the room, leaving Lindsey alone to process what had just happened to her.

  She placed her fingers upon her pink lips, feeling how they seemed to burn with a mix of pain and pleasure. He had kissed her like no one had ever kissed her before, not even Chase had kissed her like that. Lindsey frowned, wondering if she would ever see Chase again, let alone kiss him. Did Kyle know about Chase? Lindsey hoped not; she wanted him to be safe.

  This mad man was making it slowly clear what he wanted from Lindsey. She was not as naive as she appeared to be. Lindsey knew he desired her, but this desire had become his obsession and now Lindsey was in her stalker’s grasp. This man was mad and dangerous, yet all Lindsey could think about was that kiss.

  Still shaking, she glanced around the room, seeking out the wardrobe. On wobbly legs, she walked to the wardrobe across the plush carpet floor and she picked out a long blue dress with new underwear and shoes to go with it. To Lindsey’s horror, everything was her size, Kyle knew those personal details; her shoe size and even her bra size.

  Lindsey frowned as she felt the clothes on her body, pressing against her flesh in a perfect fit. She turned, studying herself in the floor length mirror with golden edging. She did not feel comfortable in the clothes Kyle had provided; they weren’t her clothes. But she had to obey Kyle. He would punish her if she did not do as he said. Lindsey decided to comply.

  Still leaking with silent tears, Lindsey drew a deep breath and closed her eyes. She felt like she was trapped in a spider’s web, and he was slowly preparing her to be devoured. But this dark spider wanted to play with Lindsey first, he wanted to toy with her like a cat with a mouse. Then what would he do with his prey? What if he wanted more than a kiss?

  Lindsey left the endless list of questions behind in the bedroom; she needed to clear her mind to face the man again. She continued down the hall, almost tip toeing as she made her way down the stairs. She glanced at the door, knowing it would be locked now, and yet it tempted her to try. But Kyle was already there standing at the bottom of the stairs, watching her with narrow, hungry eyes. For now escape was impossible.

  Lindsey hugged her arms across her chest, feeling suddenly uneasy as he confidently approached her with long, powerful steps, meeting her halfway on the stairs. He stopped there, grasping Lindsey’s arms gently.

  She shuddered at his touch.

  “Fetch me your old clothes,” he ordered. “Bring them to me in the living room.”

  Lindsey gave a light nod and headed upstairs, gathering her clothes and shoes together. Obediently, she carried them downstairs with her but paused at the bottom. A beautiful melody began to float around her ears, coaxing her forward until she found herself at the entrance of the living room. She peered inside, finding Kyle sat at a grand piano. It reminded her of the one that sat in her home.

  He had his back to her, and so did not notice Lindsey as she slowly approached him. She was pulled along by the music, almost enchanted by its splendour and yet she moved slowly, afraid of the musician who played the familiar tune.

  Kyle glanced up from the music sheets and smiled as Lindsey came to stand beside him. He continued to play for her, putting even more passion into each note he played. Kyle laughed musically, entertained by her astonished reaction as he ended with a crescendo.

  Kyle turned to Lindsey on the stool and reached out, taking the clothes from her. But Lindsey’s attention was elsewhere. Kyle followed her gaze, finding she was staring at the framed pictures of her perched on the top of the piano.

  “Lindsey?” He asked.

  Lindsey’s eyes flashed, breaking away from her shock induced trance.

  “You play beautifully,” Lindsey said in a soft, low voice. She avoided eye contact the entire time, every now and then her eyes would flicker back to the pictures, but she did not dare mention them. “Tchaikovsky, The Seasons,” she added quietly.

  The compliment only made Kyle’s confidence grow. He stood swiftly, wrapping an arm around his special guest, and led her into the dull yellow kitchen. Kyle gestured to the table, where Lindsey’s lunch awaited her.

  Lindsey managed a grateful smile as Kyle pulled out her seat for her. She noted to herself how surreal it all was. She couldn’t believe she had just been abducted, and now he was making her lunch. As Kyle went on to approve of Lindsey’s knowledge of music, Lindsey looked down at the meal, discovering that Kyle even knew her eating habits; everything on her plate was vegetarian. She watched carefully as Kyle wrapped her clothes and shoes up in a bag, and then quietly set them aside. The entire time he wore a strange, knowing smile. Lindsey wondered what he had in mind for her work uniform, and for her.

  “My dear, Lindsey,” Kyle grinned as he sat down across from her. “I have been looking forward to having a meal with you for so very long.” He paused, examining her reaction.

  Lindsey stared solemnly, trying not to show her fear.

  “Is everything to your liking?” Kyle enquired, as if she were staying at hotel.

  Lindsey gave a hesitant nod and glanced down at the food on her plate. It did look, and smell, wonderful. He had made her pasta with a thick tomato and basil sauce, and then at the side was freshly cut bread and steamed vegetables.

  When Lindsey looked up, Kyle was pouring deep red wine into her glass, rather generously. For a moment Lindsey was confused. If Kyle had been watching her, noting her eating habits, he would also know Lindsey barely drank.

  Seeing the confusion on his guest’s face, Kyle finished pouring and gazed into her eyes, wearing a smug smile as he addressed her.

  “I want you to have a drink with me, Lindsey dear,” he insisted in a firm, yet soft, voice. “Today we are celebrating your arrival.”

  Lindsey frowned, glancing back down at the glass. When Lindsey did drink it was with friends or family; people she could trust. Kyle was none of the above. How could she drink with a psychopath and toast to her abduction?

  Kyle elegantly raised a glass. Lindsey watched him helplessly, before raising her own glass. This surrender made Kyle’s eyes flash with triumph.

  “To us!” He announced happily.

  “To us,” Lindsey murmured.

  They sipped from their glasses and following Kyle’s lead, Lindsey picked up her fork. Unsure she prodded her food, half expecting it to be laced with poison.

  Kyle watched her with intrigue, laughing in delight as she lifted a piece of pasta from her plate.

  “I swear to you it is just a meal,” he promised her sincerely. “There are no hidden intentions behind it Lindsey. I just want to feed you, my Flower. I want to enjoy your company.”

  Kyle averted his eyes, making Lindsey feel less suspicious. Still uncertain, Lindsey took her first bite of the pasta.

  “Oh…” She moaned lightly, quickly going back for more.

  Kyle grinned widely, gazing up at Lindsey hopefully.

  “You like it?” He asked her.

  Lindsey’s cheeks had flushed red; she had realised she had groaned aloud. Looking down, she nodded and then continued with her meal in silence.

  Kyle finished first and soon began to gather the dishes into the dishwasher. Lindsey wasn’t long to finish, but when she did she regretted giving into Kyle and eating his food. She reminded herself t
his wasn’t a normal lunch; she had just dined with the Devil.

  But whilst Lindsey felt sick to her stomach with guilt and fear, Kyle beamed brightly.

  “I knew you would like it,” Kyle boasted as he took her plate. “Perhaps we can have it again on Christmas. We really need to find something we can both eat.”

  Lindsey looked up at him with wide eyes. She felt the world shift around her and her face pale as the blood in her veins ran dry. It came to her then, a sudden realisation she could be spending Christmas as his prisoner. That was, if, Kyle did not kill her.

  “What do you want from me?” Lindsey blurted out, regretting it as soon as she had spoken.

  Kyle turned to her, smiling sweetly.

  “Are you going to kill me? Torture me? Rape me?” Lindsey questioned in quiet desperation. “Why did you take me?”

  Secretly Lindsey scanned the room as she spoke, trying to find some sort of weapon to use against Kyle. Perhaps there was a kitchen knife she could threaten him with? Or even a pair of scissors? She just knew that she had to get out of Kyle’s house. She wasn’t meant to be there. She couldn’t stay. Her blood began to pump fast, adrenaline was forced through her. She was beginning to panic now. She did not want to die.

  “Darling,” Kyle said suddenly. He placed his hands onto her shoulders, gently pushing her down in the chair. He then began to gently massage her, trying to calm her. It slowly began to work as he kneaded deeper into the tissue. Soon her body was limp.

  “If you are worried about the coffin, please know it is only there for your punishment or if something goes wrong,” Kyle went on.

  “If I die…” Lindsey murmured.

  She began to tighten again.

  Kyle frowned. He knelt down, speaking into her ear now. “But I won’t let that happen, not if you do as I say.”