Chapter 3 Trapping The Devil

Nathan stepped out of the study and the look I gave him was obvious. Fear

"What, beautiful?"

"There's a portrait of a black rose in your study." I glanced at it, then at him. "What does it mean?"

"It's just a painting, Faye. Might as well fill the space with something, right?" he said, raising a brow at me.

I fell silent, not wanting to talk about it any further. He had said it was a portrait, purely for aesthetics, and I would believe him.

We went up the stairs and he led me to another room, a different one from what I'd been lying in earlier.

"Here. I prepared another room for you. I had you in the other one because you were unconscious and I wanted to monitor you. But this room is decorated with lighter colours. Softer tones for you, I guess."

So that had been his room. I wondered how to tell him I wanted to sleep in his room with him. I liked the darker shades. And I wanted to lie on the bed with his fragrance on it.

"I'll be back at intervals to check on you. But you should get some rest. Good night, Faye," he said as he leaned down and dropped a chaste kiss on the sides of my lips.

My breath whooshed out of me as I felt his lips brush against mine. It was a brief kiss, but I had felt it down to my toes.

Nathan turned and pulled the opposite door open, slipping into his darkroom and shutting me out.

I exhaled deeply, sad that I wouldn't be sleeping on his huge bed with him. I walked into my room, which, true to his words, was beautiful with friendlier colours. It had an open view of the night outside, as there was a fixed glass wall to the left. The bed was at the other end. It wasn't as big as Nathan's, but it was huge-and soft, I thought after I had plopped down on it.

I found a soft satin nightdress laid out on the bed with a pair of frilly panties. I felt hot at the idea that Nathan had picked these intimate pieces of clothing out for me.

But he hadn't left me even once, I thought. That meant someone else had been around, running the errands. I picked the panties and night dress up. It was really short, and I decided there was no reason I couldn't sleep with Nathan in his bed.

After all, he was keen on granting my wishes.

I had a bath in the adjoining bathroom and dressed in the pieces of clothing provided. I left my room and crossed over the huge hallway to his door. Not knocking, I tried the handle, finding it open. I slipped in and shut the door softly behind me. I couldn't tell where my bravery stemmed from, but I was acting on impulse and I never wanted it to end.

I stood there for a bit, observing Nathan in the huge bed. He was lying on his back with an arm thrown over his face. The lights were out, but moonlight filtered in from the open glass wall. I slithered to the edge of the bed. Now that I had gotten to the object of my desires, I didn't know how to proceed. I stood frozen like a deer caught in headlights. He looked approachable, almost warm in the comforts of the huge bed. There was a blanket over him.

I jumped out of my skin at the sound of his voice. "Aren't you going to join me?"

So he'd been awake the entire time I stood here. Nathan dropped his arm from his face and regarded me with lazy eyes. My breath hitched in my throat and my feet only found motion when his hand reached out and guided me over.

I crawled into the bed, going a little way up till I was beside him. He flipped the blanket over us and brought his arms around me, cradling me against his chest. I felt my second shock of the night. He was naked, only clad in boxer briefs-and fully aroused. I could feel his hard length on my backside as we spooned. I wriggled, trying to get closer to him or away from him. I didn't know which, but I was afraid and excited about what I felt against my backside.

He groaned softly. "Sleep, Faye. Or I might very well do something I've wanted to do ever since I undressed you."

I wondered if that was meant to reassure or further frighten me. I decided I wanted him to do it. That was why I had come here, anyway. To trap him, so I wouldn't have to ever go back.

"But what if I want you to touch me, Nathan?" I whispered.

"You're hurt Faye. You need to rest." He turned me to face him, staring down at me with his brown eyes.

Nathan shocked me again by dropping his head to mine and kissing me. My heart soared.

He leaned over me, cupped my face in his palm as his mouth leisurely explored mine. His lips were warm and firm and it felt so good. He tormented me with soft, lingering kisses, caressing my cheek with his thumb.

I made a noise, something between a moan and a whimper as he deepened the kiss. His tongue slid against mine, ratcheting my desire. The hot, moist kiss triggered a rush of dampness between my thighs. I wanted to throw a leg across his hips and grind against him. I slid my arms around his shoulders and arched against him. I wanted out of my nightdress so I could feel his naked skin against mine.

He grunted softly, and before I knew what he intended, he rolled onto his back, pulling me with him until I lay sprawled across his chest.

Nathan breathed. "Sleep, Faye."

I waited for my heart to calm its erratic beating as my breath came in soft pants. It was only a matter of time until he gave in and I would get what I wanted. I was never going back to that hellhole.

•••

I woke up past noon the following day. I really had needed the rest like Nathan had told me. Walking around the house, I couldn't find Nathan anywhere. Instead, I found a note telling me he'd gone out to handle a few things. I guessed he worked like most people did. I wondered how old Nathan was. He'd looked to be in his late twenties.

I took my bath, putting on one of Nathan's oversized tee shirts, which draped past my knees. I went downstairs and had breakfast. There were enough made meals in the fridge to last a whole week. All I had to do was pop a dish in the microwave. I couldn't believe my luck, where I was and how good I'd gotten it. If he really meant it, I could live here forever. I wouldn't ever leave. I didn't want to leave.

Just then, the doorbell rang, startling me out of my daydream. Nathan wouldn't ring the bell to his own house, I thought. Who could it be?

I hurried out to the huge front door, wondering how I'd explain my presence to whoever was on the opposite side of the door. What if they thought I was breaking and entering? I had no contact information for Nathan, either.

I pulled open the door, scared of what I would find. The shock on my face was inevitable. I was staring at a lean, chic-looking female. It seemed like she had stepped out of one of those magazine catalogues I always saw at the mall. She was fit for a front page cover, though. Certainly better than I ever would be. This woman was gorgeous. She was everything I wasn't.

She also looked naturally beautiful, but I knew she was wearing makeup. I didn't know his type, but she appeared like the type of girl a guy like Nathan would date.

I stared at her, suddenly worried that the queen of the manor was back and now I'd be thrown out back into the streets. I backed up into the house on instinct as she entered, scanning the living room and asking for Nathan.

She was looking down at me with condescending eyes. I obviously wasn't at her level. Maybe like a stick of dirt on her favourite LV shoes.

"He's not here." I responded.

She sank into the nearest armchair and cried. I stared in horror at her, completely baffled. What was happening? Did I miss something?

"If he's not here, then you need to save yourself," she said suddenly, looking me dead in the eye. "Run. Run before he ruins you, too."

Ruin me? What was she talking about? Nathan had saved me, not the other way around.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, finally finding my voice. "If he's dangerous, then why are you here?"

The crazy girl had just been asking for him a minute ago. Would you find the devil in his own home if he was as bad as you claimed he was?

Instantly, the girl's face switched from the sadness I had seen to rage. I wondered if I should run from her. Who knows? Maybe I had let a psycho into the house.

"I'm here because he's addictive. You can't get rid of him as easily as he would get rid of you."

"You know what I think?" I crossed my arms. "I let a psycho, who's clearly got daddy issues, into this house."

"Nathan is not who you think he is!" She stood up and walked towards me. "And you won't realise that until it's too late, and you're sucked into his hell."

"I don't believe you."

She smiled faintly, heading for the door and only stopping for a moment before turning the handle.

"He's using you, Faye Eastwood. Open your eyes."