Love's Predator (Love's Predator Trilogy Book 1) (10 page)

Lindsey swallowed heavily, finding it hard not to feel sympathy for Kyle. Her thoughts had turned from her own self-pity to him and in her mind she was almost trying to justify Kyle’s actions. He had wanted someone to love and therefore took her, not knowing any better. But no, Lindsey told herself firmly, this was no excuse for what Kyle had done. She could not let him weaken her defences, even if
Kyle was telling her the truth.

“I was alone most of the time,” Kyle went on calmly. “Eventually I found some friends I could depend on.”

“And then you came along,” Kyle said with a smile. “And everything changed from there on.”

Lindsey stared into Kyle’s eyes, watching as they burned brightly now. He had locked up the bad memories once more.

His grip tightened around Lindsey, surprising her.

“It won’t be like that for us, Lindsey,” he promised her firmly. “We’ll have love and money. We’ll have everything.”

Lindsey bit down on her lip, but said nothing.

“I love you Lindsey,” Kyle smiled. “You are my light.”

Lindsey closed her eyes, pained again by Kyle’s confession. She let herself fall back into her thoughts, which were chaotic and twisted. She kept thinking about Kyle’s bad childhood and then her mind would wander to what they had just done together. All of her thoughts were then interrupted with the idea that she would never leave Kyle. It was clear he had no intentio
n of letting her go. In his own twisted way he loved her, and now they had made love their forged bond was stronger than ever before.

“Goodnight, Lindsey,” she heard Kyle murmur as he turned out the bedside light. “Dream well.”

Lindsey was silent.

Chapter Ten

Soft music woke Lin
dsey from her light sleep. Feeling refreshed, she slowly rose from the covers, only realising then she was not in her own bed. She knew she would never get used to waking in Kyle’s home.

Sighing, she looked to the space beside her, seeing that Kyle was not there. Lindsey frowned lightly, biting down on her pink bottom lip as
her bare body reminded her of last night’s events. Her skin began to tingle as her own urgent cries of delight echoed in her mind, reminding her of how she yielded to him, surrendering her defences completely.

Kyle had not taken her body; Lindsey had given it to him.

Thereupon Lindsey felt a tinge of regret in her belly, making her stomach tighten and clench. But how could she resist Kyle? He knew how to lure her, charm her; he had seduced her like the inexperienced virgin she was and promised her pleasure like never before. And Kyle had delivered.

Lindsey’s toes curled as she recalled the wave of ecstasy and how it overwhelmed her every sense, slowly building up pressure, driving her insane, until it was released. Yes, Kyle had played her like an instrument. He had taken from her exactly what he had set out to have.

Once she was dressed and her long, dark locks were brushed, she headed down stairs, keeping her footsteps soft and silent as she reached the hallway. The front door beckoned her, the light shining through it
s window. Lindsey’s fingers graced down the cool glass, tracing the lines. She sighed lightly, moving her hand onto the handle of the door. With little hope she tried it, only to find that it was locked as always.

Following the music, Lindsey found herself in the living room, where Kyle was sat at the piano busy playing another melody. He glanced up at her and continued to play
with a bright smile upon his face. The music was cheery and uplifting; helping Lindsey to relax as she cautiously approached the man who had changed her life completely.

“
Morning, my love,” he greeted her in a sing song voice.

Lindsey blushed heavily, finding it hard to forget about the night they had spent together.

Kyle’s long musician fingers paused over the keys, the music seizing. He turned around fully, looking up at Lindsey as she stood timidly by him. Kyle grinned widely, pulling her down onto his lap where he held her tightly, kissing her lips tenderly.

“Oh my darling,” he crooned happily. “You’ll never know just how happy you make me,” he told her.

Lindsey looked away, avoiding those bright blue eyes which scorched her skin like fire. She could feel him breathing on her neck, gently kissing her soft flesh. Then he rested his head on her shoulder.

“I love you Lindsey,” he whispered into her ear.

She closed her eyes, biting down on her lip.

Kyle planted a soft kiss onto her forehead and pulled back, sighing lightly. “And one day you will love me in return,” he promised her. “Then we can both be happy.”

“You can’t make someone love you,” Lindsey murmured, regretting it as soon as she had spoken.

Kyle’s eyes flashed dangerously and Lindsey tried to jump off his lap. Strangely, Kyle bit back his anger and let her up onto her feet. He glared up at her, pursing his lips together as he watched her tremble.

“Go get your breakfast,” he ordered firmly. “Then we can talk about what we are doing today later.”

Not daring to challenge Kyle again, Lindsey hurried into the kitchen and popped a slice of bread into the toaster. Suddenly the air around her felt cold and when she turned around she found the reason behind the chill. Kyle stood in the doorway, his eyes stalking her as she moved across the room to sit at the table.

Kyle moved swiftly, taking a strong stance behind her. Lindsey glanced up at him, biting down on her tongue to keep more words spilling out from her mouth.

“So defiant,” he sighed heavily. “Full of life and vigour.”

His hand wrapped around Lindsey’s neck, squeezing lightly. He smirked evilly, watching her reaction as he asserted his dominance.

Lindsey was terrified. She couldn’t look him in the eye.

“But soon Lindsey, not only will you love me, you’ll submit entirely,” he informed her in a low voice. “Just like you did last night. And see how wonderful it turned out to be?”

Lindsey’s cheeks began to blaze hot red.

Kyle laughed softly, shaking his head. He had complete power over Lindsey and she knew after the night they had spent together Kyle would only grow stronger.

The toast popped loudly and
Kyle left her side to fetch it. Lindsey watched him as he prowled around the room. She gulped as Kyle revealed a long sharp object, which glinted when the daylight slipping through the blinds hit it. As he turned around to check on her, she turned away, silently wishing she had not angered him before. Perhaps if Lindsey had kept silent he would have been happy with her, maybe even enough to release her. But no; Kyle was seething with resentment. Lindsey knew something bad was coming.

Walking with a confidant stride, Kyle brought Lindsey her toast and he smiled dominantly when she quietly thanked him.

“Once you’ve finished your breakfast,” Kyle began clearly. “I would like to talk to you about something serious.”

Lindsey looked up from her half eaten toast, her eyebrow arching with curiosity. What did the mad man h
ave to say to her?

Frowning, Lindsey returned to her toast, her mind working fast as she tried to beat Kyle to the
punch line. But she could not understand his mind. This “serious” matter would have to remain a mystery until Kyle himself exposed it to her.

“
My Little Flower,” Kyle said softly.

He perched himself behind Lindsey’s chair, leaning against its back. Lindsey was still as his fingers trailed through her hair. “You have been with me now for
three days,” he informed her.

Lindsey bowed her head; she could not believe she had been Kyle’s prisoner for
three days. Never in her short life had she ever thought she would become a captive guest in a mad man’s house. Now, time was flying by, flying past her. Freedom was slipping through her fingers like sand, and she could do nothing more to stop it.

“
Three days,” she murmured.

“Yes, my darling,” Kyle smiled, almost proudly. “And I have been ever so gentle with you,” he con
tinued in a lower voice. “And now you seem to have settled in well enough.” He paused, taking her chin in his long musician fingers to make her look directly up into his eyes. “
Into our home,”
he added softly.

Lindsey cringed, a terrible chill running over her like a wave of cold water.

“But now you have settled in, I want more of you, so much more.”

Lindsey’s eyes widened, becoming almost the same size as the plate her toast had sat upon. Her skin paled
entirely, making her skin look more ghost than flesh.

“M-more?” She enquired in a whisper.

“Yes, my Flower,” Kyle nodded. “
Much more
.”

He leaned in close, smiling a strange twisted smile as he studied her reaction to his closeness. “I want you to abandon all thought of leaving me Lindsey. Just accept that you are mine and will always remain so.” He stopped, his eyes flashing with a need even Kyle could not
suppress. “Love me Lindsey,” he begged softly, still wearing that distorted smile. But now his face was lined, making him look older. “Love me as you did last night.”

Now the true stress of the situation shone through. Kyle was not as cool and calculated as Lindsey first assumed. His confidence was slowly being thawed away by the fact he could not
make
her love him in return. After three days she still longed to be free from his clutches. Kyle was becoming desperate.

He thought he could seduce her, make her happily submit.

Lindsey turned away, struggling to find words. What could she say to him? If she said what was on her mind he would lock her away again, or worse. So, she remained quiet.

“Come with me,” Kyle said suddenly.

He grabbed her hands, pulling her up from the chair. Lindsey followed him from the kitchen with great reluctance, but was surprised when he took her out into the back garden and onto the middle of the green grass.

Lindsey looked around the bare garden, seeing only little statues
of glass roses which prodded up from barren flower beds. Then she looked to Kyle, only to see her horror come to light.

Slowly Kyle knelt down before her, getting onto one knee.
A chill descended in the air, making Lindsey shiver violently.

Kyle
dipped into his black trouser pocket and produced a red, velvet box. His long, white fingers clasped it, trembling ever so slightly as he snapped it open, never taking his eyes off her.

“Marry me Lindsey!” He cried.

Lindsey felt her world tumble around her and her knees struggled to keep her from sinking down with it.

Kyle sustained with ruthless determination.

“Marry me and you will grow to love me,” he swore to her passionately. “I love you Lindsey,” Kyle declared amorously. “And you will come to love me too.”

Hot, wet tears spilled from Lindsey’s eyes. She did not have to say anything to Kyle; he already knew what she would say to him, which was
if
she had a choice. It took all her might to bite back her words, so much effort she felt as if her words were choking her.

Lindsey looked
at the ring for the first time. It glinted up at her, mocking her as its diamonds sparkled in the winter’s sun. She let out a heavy sob, watching helplessly as Kyle plucked the ring from its box and slipped it onto her ring finger, claiming her as
his
all over again.

Kyle smiled softly, slowly getting to his feet. “You do not need to say anything now, my Flower, but at the wedding you will say yes to me,” he vowed strongly. “Even if I have to
make
you myself.”

Lindsey let her tears flow freely, giving into her emotions as they spiralled. She could not think straight, not with
his
ring on her finger, coldly branding her.

“Now come,” Kyle grinned, scooping his intended up into his strong arms. “
I want to celebrate.”

Lindsey whimpered helplessly, finding
she was entirely powerless to prevent Kyle. Her body just kept shaking, she couldn’t move.

“Shh, no more tears,” Kyle
serenaded softly.

“N-no,” Lindsey stammered weakly. “No.”

But her protests were futile. Lindsey was trapped in a strange relationship with Kyle, and soon she would be locked into a marriage with him. She had no choice.

“Let me make love to you Lindsey,” Kyle whispered into her ear as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

Lindsey gazed up at him, she was quietened by how soft and warm Kyle’s face had become as he watched her. She could feel desire swell within her, pulsing and begging her to give in and accept the pleasure Kyle could offer her.

“Oh my sweet bride,” Kyle’s soft, coaxing voice breathed.

Lindsey could feel her body relax in his strong arms, which made Kyle’s eyes glisten in delight. Without any further delay, he carried his bride to the bedroom, where Lindsey again fell victim to the charms of her captor, her groom to be.

Chapter Eleven

Lindsey closed her eyes and sunk into the warm water in the bathtub. She sighed heavily, trying to clear her thoughts, but what she had just done with Kyle plagued her still. Again, she had fallen victim to his charms and his touch. Now she felt dirty and cold, not even the warm water could heat her soul and the soap could not remove Kyle’s scent from her flesh.

She imagined herself wearing the wedding dress, accompanied by Kyle’s wedding band around her finger, slowly walking down the aisle. It would be like walking to her execution, cautiously making her way through the shouting peasants with the gallows up above her. And Kyle was her hangman.

“Lindsey,” a gentle voice beckoned.

Lindsey swiftly sat up, splashing around a little as she covered herself. Kyle soon entered
, dressed in pale washed jeans but his muscular chest was exposed, and stood by the bath with a towel in his arms. He looked down at her adoringly, his eyes skimming over her wet body.

Lindsey covered herself, her face quickly burning red.

“I’ve seen it all before!” Kyle laughed in amusement. “Just ten minutes ago in fact,” he added in with a wink.

Lindsey looked away, feeling ashamed
of herself.

“Oh my love,” Kyle sung sweetly. “Come, I’ll even look away if you wish,” he offered. “But please get up; we have guests.”

Kyle held out the towel and closed his eyes over tightly. Lindsey glanced up at him, double checking he was looking away before she got up, yet she still covered herself with her arms as she reached over for the towel, which was
just
out of her reach.

Kyle laughed softly, swinging the towel slightly as if to mock her.
Lindsey climbed out of the bath, carefully stepping over to where Kyle was. She reached out for the towel, but he pulled it away, opening up his eyes to see his naked bride once more.

“
Beautiful,” he teased.

Lindsey snatched the towel away and Kyle let her, watching carefully as she wrapped it around her.

“I’ll leave you to get ready,” Kyle said. “My dear.”

And with that Kyle strode confidently from the room, looking back one time to grace his eyes over his Lindsey.

“I love you,” he smiled. Then he was gone.

Chapter Twelve

Once ready, Lindsey descended the stairs. Her damp her was tied back and she wore loose, comfortable clothing. As she came to the living room, she peered inside, spying Alec, who sat alone on the armchair.

He looked up at her, smiling warmly.

Lindsey looked away instantly, her face turning an unflattering red as she took the seat furthest away from him. But Alec
still did not take the message.

“
It’s rather cold today, isn’t it?” He tried.

Lindsey looked up at him, remembering that she had told him that Kyle was keeping her captive. He had not phoned the police or attempted to free her. So, Lindsey assumed he already knew in the first place Kyle’s contrived love story was fake, or that he did not care.

But hope of an escape with Alec still flared in Lindsey’s heart, like a little ember, still glowing after the fire has burnt out. Maybe he was planning something? Perhaps the plan was already in progress? Whatever was going on, Lindsey would keep her head down in case it went wrong.

“Yes,” she said quietly. “There’s a chill in the air.”

Alec laughed lightly, shaking his head. He opened his mouth to speak, but just as he did Kyle entered the room, wearing a large grin. Only seconds later Lynn came from the kitchen.

She took a seat on the same sofa as Lindsey, taking the seat
further away so that Kyle could sit next to his beloved Lindsey.

Lynn sneered
, looking from Lindsey to Kyle. “You two need to keep it down next time,” she sniggered, glancing then at Alec for encouragement.

His
face was blank, but Lynn continued anyway.

“Little rabbits,” Lynn joked mockingly.

Kyle rolled his eyes heavily, gracefully striding over to the spare seat. He glared at Lynn, warning her without saying a word. But Lynn continued foolishly.

She turned to Lindsey, peering over Kyle, flashing a wide, toothy grin. “I mean, you are such a lucky girl Lindsey!” She jested.

Lindsey refused to give her eye contact; she just wished Lynn would stop talking.

“I
could hardly concentrate on watching my film!” Lynn said loudly. “It didn’t take much of a fight did it now?”

Lindsey swung around, her face now blazing with anger and embarrassment, but Kyle had already beaten her to a retort.
His hand smacked hard off of Lynn’s face, leaving a large red mark. Everyone stared in shock. No one moved or said a word until tears began to roll down Lynn’s face. Yet she did not make a sound; she bit back her tears.

“I advise you to never speak to my
fiancée like that again, Lynn,” Kyle warned in a low growl. “Keep your snide comments to yourself or I’ll cut out your tongue and nail it to your head. It might teach you to keep your mouth shut in future.”

Lynn closed her eyes and gave one gentle nod. She then got up and wordlessly left the room, going upstairs.

Lindsey stared after Lynn, surprised to see her join them again after only mere moments. But now her face was dry and make up reapplied to perfection. She smiled weakly, addressing everyone in the room as she entered again.

“
So there is going to be a wedding,” she said, hoping to turn the mood.

Kyle instantly smiled and wrapped an arm around his intended. “Yes,” he confirmed
brightly. “Lindsey and I are now
happily
engaged.”

“Congratulations,” Lynn grinned widely. It was as if Kyle had never struck her. “Do you have a day planned?”

Kyle gave a quick nod and looked to Lindsey. Her face was pale and eyes were wide with anticipation. Secretly she hoped the wedding would be far away, giving her a chance to escape before she was bound to Kyle. But Lindsey’s luck had run out, and when Kyle announced his plans to everyone, Lindsey blood turned to ice.

“We will marry on the Saturday,” he told everyone. Kyle watched Lindsey’s face drop in disappointment. He could see her visibly gulp, but still she said nothing. She was staring at her engagement ring, silently cursing it as it
sparkled in the light.

“Two days,” Alec finally spoke up.

Lindsey cringed; the news sounded even worse when someone else mentioned how close the wedding was to be. She knew she had to escape, and soon. Lindsey would not marry Kyle; she couldn’t be a prisoner all her life with him manipulating her, using her body and mind against her. No. Today, Lindsey thought decisively, she had to escape…alive or dead.

After the announcement of the engagement another guest arrived. It was the man with the long brown hair tied back into a pony tail, the man that seemed to always have a predatory scowl upon his pale, sunken face.

Lindsey tried to avoid the man. She even took up Lynn’s invitation to have her make-up done, as a rehearsal for the wedding make-up. Lynn of course was quietly overjoyed to have a model to make over.

Lynn guided Lindsey over to the seat in front of her dressing table and ordered her to sit down. Lindsey obeyed and glanced around the room as Lynn fiddled about in drawers, looking for the make-up tools she envisioned for Lindsey’s transformation. But as Lindsey looked around, she realised her wedding dress was no longer lying on the bed.

“Where is the dress?” Lindsey asked quietly.

Lynn placed a set of curlers and two bags of make-up onto the table before her, pushing other cans and bottles out of the way to make room. She arched an eyebrow, taking a moment to
consider what Lindsey had asked

“Ah,” she finally said. “Your wedding dress is tucked away in my wardrobe,” she told Lindsey honestly. “
You’ll need to try it on.”

Lindsey shook her head quickly and stared at the girl in the mirror before her. She was scared; Lindsey could tell by her wide, tired eyes and the frown upon her soft, pink lips. She heaved a sigh, closing her eyes over tightly.

“What if I don’t want to marry Kyle?” She asked Lynn.

Lynn leaned onto Lindsey, her red lips inches away from her ear. “It doesn’t matter what
you
want,” she murmured. “It’s what Kyle wants.”

Lindsey opened her eyes and looked to Lynn, who was now in the mirror with her. She flashed a weak smile and took Lindsey’s long, thick hair in her hands, quickly grooming it all behind her ears.

“Now, let’s get this done before Kyle begins to miss you,” Lynn said quickly.

Lindsey bowed her head in agreement and as Lynn went about doing her make-up and hair no words were exchanged between them. Lindsey let Lynn do whatever she pleased; it did not matter what make-up she had planned for the wedding day, Lindsey did not plan to be there.

Chapter Thirteen

Kyle poured a generous helping of red wine into Alec’s glass and then sat back into his armchair, sighing heavily.

Alec smiled, quickly giving him a silent toast before taking his first sip. “So,” he began. “You are really marrying Lindsey?”

“Of course,” Kyle snapped back, his eyes suddenly narrowing.