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

by Paula Nicole

  “But what is it you want from me?” Lindsey whimpered.

  “For now, I want you to go and sit in the conservatory,” Kyle told her gently. “There are some chocolates on the table and I encourage you to help yourself until I join you.”

  “Kyle,” Lindsey breathed.

  He froze, his eyes flashing as his name was uttered from her lips. Now Lindsey knew she had his attention.

  “Yes, my love?” He asked her softly.

  “Please, can I call my parents?” Lindsey asked hopefully.

  Kyle’s expression darkened.

  “Please,” Lindsey begged, her eyes watering and her lip trembling. “I just want them to know I am safe. I could tell them I am at a friend’s, they wouldn’t need to know about you, Kyle.”

  Kyle placed his hands on his head, scrunching them into his dark raven locks. He closed his eyes, hissing quietly and for a moment Lindsey began to panic. She had upset him. She opened her mouth, hoping to calm him down, but Kyle bet her to it.

  “Don’t worry about them, Lindsey,” he told her through gritted teeth. He slicked his hands through his hair, brushing it back. “They are not worth your time, neither is Chase.”

  Lindsey’s eyes widened; she was surprised Kyle would even mention Chase.

  “Kyle,” Lindsey said in a whisper. “Are they safe?”

  He placed his hands onto her shoulders and leant down once more, kissing her tenderly on the forehead. “Forget them, Lindsey,” he ordered lightly. “This is your life now.”

  Lindsey looked away from Kyle, closing her eyes as she drew a sharp breath. “Do you have a family, Kyle?” She asked him quietly. Lindsey was trying her best to forge a connection with Kyle, to understand her captor.

  Kyle smiled, shaking his head. “No, my dear,” he replied, and Lindsey believed he was being honest. “But,” he added, his sad smile becoming hopeful. “I will.”

  Lindsey felt his eyes upon her, gazing with want as he looked for her reaction. Lindsey gazed back at him, forcing a gentle smile to please her captor.

  “You will be my family,” Kyle said intensely. “And soon, you will be happy here with me.”

  Kyle carefully helped her from the chair and guided Lindsey towards the door. “You wouldn’t be happy with that Chase anyway Lindsey,” Kyle said as he gripped Lindsey’s hand, shepherding her from the kitchen into the conservatory, through the dark wooden door. Lindsey looked in, spotting the promised box of chocolates sitting upon the cherry wood table.

  “Kyle,” Lindsey sighed. “They’ll come looking for me.”

  Kyle gestured to a cream loveseat with red satin pillows and he smiled, ignoring Lindsey’s plea.

  “Make yourself at home, my love,” Kyle encouraged in a golden voice. “Now, no more talk of your parents or the boy. You are mine now, as you should be.”

  With a fake smile, Lindsey nodded and took a seat upon the sofa. She watched Kyle disappear into the kitchen again and relished being alone once more. Kyle made her feel odd, Lindsey assumed it was fear, but it felt different to how she would normally feel when she was afraid. Then again, this situation was entirely different to any other she had ever faced. She had never been so dominated before.

  Lindsey stared out into the darkness surrounding the conservatory, surprised by how quickly the light of day had faded. Winter was truly here.

  She frowned to herself, wishing she was home and curled up in her own bed. How she longed to be home again; to be safe.

  The glass door of the conservatory beckoned Lindsey from the sofa. She gently bit down on her lip, taking slow, silent steps towards the door. She grasped the golden handle, holding it for a second before she tried to push down. However the door was locked; Kyle had already beaten her to it.

  Lindsey was about to return to the sofa in defeat, but then something in the corner of her eye moved. She froze. Slowly Lindsey turned to look outside again, searching through the darkness of the garden. Something…someone moved outside, coming closer to the glass until Lindsey could see their face. Had someone come to rescue her? She prayed that it was so.

  However when Kyle’s pale face appeared at the window, Lindsey could feel her heart sinking in her chest. She looked away, taking in a deep sigh. Her hopes were dashed again.

  Kyle dragged over the large barrel Lindsey had seen out the front of the house. He sat it a few meters away from the window, where Lindsey could watch closely. As she peered through the glass, Lindsey saw Kyle throw her clothes in the barrel. She had no idea what he was doing, not until he revealed a lighter from his pocket and was reaching into the barrel.

  Lindsey’s mouth dropped open as flames began to dance from the barrel. She couldn’t believe it; Kyle was burning her clothes. She turned away, feeling true despair grip her stomach, clenching her guts tightly. Kyle had sent her a clear message by making her change and burning her own clothes. The life she knew before was gone, that bridge was burned away, and now she belonged to him.

  By the time the clothes were ashes, Lindsey’s pale face had been soaked with hot, salty tears. She lay in a curled up ball on the hard wooden floor, cradling herself as she sobbed erratically. She was too busy consoling herself, that she did not notice Kyle making his entry by the kitchen.

  He leant against the doorframe, watching her with an unfaltering gaze as her chest rose and fell with deep breaths. Then her eyes caught his. Kyle smiled arrogantly.

  “I hope you understand what I am trying to tell you, Lindsey,” he said in a low voice.

  Lindsey was caught by his eyes, captivated by the authoritative power he held over her. He was commanding and strong, like no man she had ever met. He frightened Lindsey and yet at the same time she had never felt so alive in her life in his hands.

  He strode to her side, taking a seat beside her. His eyes never left Lindsey, even when she finally looked away, settling her gaze on the floor.

  “Well?” Kyle questioned. He reached out, snatching her face in his hand to gently force her to look at him once more. “Do you understand, Lindsey Noble?”

  Her full name sounded different on his lips. It was like he was mocking her by using it.

  Finally Lindsey nodded in reply and met Kyle’s eyes with her own.

  “Come with me, Lindsey,” Kyle said suddenly.

  He grabbed her hand, pulling her from the conservatory. Lindsey went without a struggle, knowing that she could never fight him off anyway. Lindsey was grateful when Kyle led her to the sofa in the living room and gestured to it, encouraging her to sit. She obeyed swiftly.

  Smiling proudly, Kyle headed over to the piano and took his place on the stool. He glanced over at Lindsey and cast her a look before his fingers gracefully stroked the piano keys and he began to play for her. Lindsey listened carefully, quietly and as she did so she looked around the room, noting in her head things she could use as weapons or clues that would give her greater insight to who Kyle was. But the entire living room seemed normal, aside from the pictures of Lindsey.

  As Kyle played song after song, Lindsey began to feel herself relax in his presence. He even played some familiar music for her, like the classics her mother used to play. Eventually, Lindsey had curled into a small ball on the sofa and had closed her eyes as she listened, pretending she was safe at home. It wasn’t until Kyle spoke she snapped out of her dream.

  “It’s time to retire, my sweet,” Kyle decided swiftly.

  Lindsey stared down at the ground, trembling as Kyle came towards her, taking her fragile body. He grasped her arms, pulling her up gently so he could swing her legs over and support her. Lindsey didn’t put up a fight.

  “It’s been an eventful day, my Flower, and an early night is required” Kyle spoke softly, as if speaking to a tired child.

  He carried Lindsey to the stairs before gently placing her down. Lindsey stood tall, trying to shake off how relaxed she had become. She could not be relaxed around Kyle, she had to be aware.

  Kyle managed a gentle smile and he reached out, slowly r
unning his long fingers through her dark curls; he cherished how soft they were.

  “You go up first and change into something more comfortable,” he ordered. “I will join you soon.”

  Lindsey glanced up at him, thankful that she did not have to get changed in front of him. She didn’t wait for him to change his mind. She hurried upstairs, almost tripping over her own feet as she sped away from him. She appeared in the bedroom, closing the door behind her. She wished she could lock it.

  Knowing Kyle would arrive soon, Lindsey paced over to the closet, quickly picking out a long, white nightgown for her to wear. She had to change quickly, or in front of him.

  Just as promised, Kyle appeared moments later, wearing a pair of black boxer shorts. His smooth muscular chest and legs were completely exposed.

  Lindsey gazed at him, her eyes burning with a mixture of desire and fear. She couldn’t pull her eyes away; she was captivated. And yet she knew it was wrong to be attracted to Kyle or to even think of him in that way. But how could she not? That look he was giving her, that strong, seductive glare, made her tense inside like never before.

  Kyle gestured to the bed and struck her with a wide, dashing grin. “Make yourself comfortable, my darling,” he insisted.

  Lindsey’s heart began to race as Kyle moved past her, pulling the covers down. He patted the side closest to Lindsey and gave her a strange, suggestive smile.

  “Come,” he demanded.

  Lindsey swallowed heavily and did as she was told. She climbed into bed and was still as Kyle draped the heavy covers over her. She felt a glaze of sweat glisten across her forehead as Kyle switched off the bedroom lights. The bed lowered slightly, taking Kyle’s weight as he slipped in beside her. Lindsey turned away, closing her eyes tightly as she shuffled forward, but Kyle wouldn’t let her escape him.

  Kyle wrapped his arms around her, pulling her up against his warm, hard chest. Lindsey gasped at his touch.

  He whispered her name tenderly into her ear and gently kissed her cheek.

  Lindsey whimpered quietly, afraid of what might happen now.

  “Goodnight my love,” Kyle sighed dreamily.

  “G-goodnight,” Lindsey managed to choke out.

  Kyle held her tightly as he began to drift to sleep. And Lindsey began to calm down; realising Kyle genuinely wanted to sleep with her that night, nothing more.

  It was clear Kyle didn’t expect another escape attempt; or rather he thought Lindsey would not be successful at one. Lindsey knew Kyle was faster and far stronger than her. She also knew that Kyle had locked all the doors and windows after her first attempt. But she could not sleep with him; it felt wrong. Even when Kyle’s warmth enveloped her and his heart beat comfortingly against her, she could not be persuaded to sleep. And the thoughts of Kyle claiming her body continued to slip into her mind.

  “Lindsey,” Kyle whispered into her ear. His hot breath teased the sensitive skin of her neck.

  She shuddered violently, slowly turning herself towards Kyle. He pressed up against her, clasping her tightly. Lindsey crossed her legs tightly, squirming as she tried to put some distance between them.

  Lindsey could hardly make out his reaction to her refusal in the darkness, but his striking, blue eyes seemed to glow before her. Suddenly her unease grew, making his stomach twist and clench.

  “This is your home now, my Lindsey,” Kyle spoke softly.

  Lindsey could feel his hands gently rubbing her, trying to calm her. But it was Kyle’s voice that drew Lindsey in, charming her. Soon her eyes began to flutter.

  “Oh Lindsey, this will be your bed, our bed,” he went on, fighting to keep the excitement from his quiet voice. “We can spend every night together; at last I can hold you. Now, sleep, my little Flower. Know that you are safe. I won’t hurt you.”

  Lindsey closed her eyes, feeling herself slowly slipping away into a light daze. Sleep had come for her at last, aided by Kyle’s golden tones, which were the perfect lullaby.

  He held her tightly as she drifted off, and for a moment Lindsey thought she was safe at home with Chase. She was just so warm and comforted by Kyle’s heart beat that her unease began to fade. But Lindsey knew deep down she wasn’t safe, or at home; she was in terrible danger, in the arms of a man who had torn her from her life she loved. Lindsey knew she was a prisoner.

  Chapter Four

  Lindsey woke gently to the music of the birds outside. Loudly, they sang their colourful song, their different melodies merging into each other in a perfect chorus. How Lindsey envied them as she watched them fly past the bedroom window. The birds were free and could fly from any looming danger. But she was grounded, rooted down to the earth by forces she couldn’t control, like a flower in the soil.

  She turned to the space beside her, finding that Kyle was gone. It made her uneasy to think he had been up and about whilst she lay there deep in her sleep. He could have done anything he wished to her, and yet Lindsey was still alive and well.

  An appetising scent began to waft under the bedroom door, soon tickling Lindsey’s nostrils with its delightful odour. She moaned lightly, knowing right away the smell was of freshly made pancakes. It was her favourite breakfast.

  Slowly the door began to edge open, inviting in a wave of the wonderful smell. Lindsey soaked it up, letting it pull her up. As she sat up, Kyle entered with a wooden tray. He was fully dressed now in black trousers and a white shirt, very similar to the day before.

  Lindsey eyed the food hungrily, guiltily delighted when she saw what he had brought her.

  “Good morning, my sweetheart,” Kyle beamed brightly.

  Lindsey replied with a polite smile.

  Kyle approached the bed and gently placed the tray down onto Lindsey’s lap. He watched her face, savouring how surprised she was at his kindness.

  “I thought you may be hungry,” he smiled thoughtfully. “And I know just how much you like pancakes.”

  Lindsey gave a light, forced, chuckle and turned her eyes to the food before her. Everything looked so wonderful and yet she couldn’t escape the thought that she wasn’t meant to be there.

  “Enjoy,” Kyle grinned.

  He watched her with hawk like eyes, silently waiting for her to take a bite.

  Lindsey was suspicious, yet she lifted one warm pancake and took a hesitant bite. Her eyes brightened, alerting Kyle of her approval. Surely, if Kyle wanted to poison her he would have done it last night, Lindsey told herself.

  She allowed herself to savour the sweet softness of the pancake, aware that Kyle was watching her closely, waiting for her to say something.

  “Thank you,” she last at last. Lindsey quickly went for another pancake, making Kyle’s eyes flash with delight. “They’re lovely, Kyle.”

  His smile grew when she said his name again, but it felt strange on Lindsey’s lips.

  Under Kyle’s gaze, Lindsey continued to eat, finishing everything he had set before her. Neither of them spoke until Kyle took the tray from Lindsey’s lap.

  “I’ll leave you to wash and dress, my dear,” he told her casually. Kyle made his way to the door, pausing in the doorway. He turned to her once more, smiling warmly. “Come and join me downstairs when you are ready. I have something for you.”

  And with that Kyle left Lindsey alone again.

  She swallowed heavily, her mind racing as to what he could mean. How she wished she could escape so she would not find out what he was plotting. Was it a true gift? Or another punishment? Perhaps he had tired of her already and it was time to discard of the evidence…

  Lindsey dressed in a white dress with yellow flowers printed onto it, putting on a yellow cardigan on top. She picked out a pair of white character shoes, deciding to avoid the heeled shoes in case an escape was possible. Until then she would play his game of happy couples, hoping and praying she would live through whatever Kyle had planned downstairs.

  Quieting her steps, Lindsey left the bedroom and crept downstairs, finding Kyle in the living room. He looked up at
her, smiling welcomingly as she entered the room. Lindsey noted how his eyes flashed. But before she could guess what he was up to Kyle was fast approaching.

  “Turn around,” he ordered.

  Lindsey obeyed.

  Kyle came up behind her and Lindsey drew in deep sharp breaths. She closed her eyes, wondering if this was to be her end. She heard him moving, and then something cold was placed around her neck. Her eyes snapped open, looking down to inspect what Kyle had done.

  Something thin glinted around her neck. Lindsey took the necklace into her fingers, toying with the pink amethyst rose which hung from the silver chain. Lindsey had never been given anything so beautiful, not even by Chase. The only person who had ever bought her nice jewellery was her estranged Uncle Ile, who spent all his time travelling and gave them expensive gifts to make up for his absence. Lindsey had never even met him.

  Gently, Kyle spun her around to face him and stood back, admiring how beautiful it was around Lindsey’s slender neck.

  Lindsey blushed heavily.

  “Perfect,” he grinned with approval. “I knew it would be.”

  Kyle circled her, slowly spinning Lindsey around with her hand as he did. Lindsey avoided his eyes, having no idea what to say. The necklace around her neck was stunning, and something that Lindsey would never be able to afford, not as a student. She knew Kyle had picked it out just for her, knowing exactly what she liked. This was a gift from him, to show how much he thought he cared for her, and yet to Lindsey it felt like he was declaring complete ownership of her; by putting a collar around her neck.

  “T-thank you…” Lindsey murmured.

  Kyle smiled, pulling her into him. He rocked her gently, making her dance to music that was not there. Lindsey’s cheeks flushed and she was rigid, not knowing what to do. More than anything she wanted to pull away, but if she did Kyle would be angry.