Predator - A Stand Alone Suspense Romance(33)

Cara~





I take one look at them in the kitchen, him at the stove making the stupid curry, and her sitting on the damn table. Yuck, I have to eat off that thing.

I head out the back door without a second glance. I should’ve put on a sweater. It’s cold out.

The clouds have been rolling in thicker and it looks like one hell of storm is about to come down. Just like inside me.

“Why can’t I just have a normal life?” I mumble as I walk through the trees. I stay outside for a long time until the first drops start to come down.

I walk back slowly as the heavens open up and I stop halfway to the house. It’s cold, but I’m honestly contemplating staying outside. The rain soaks my clothes quickly and it’s with a heavy heart that I walk back to the kitchen.

“Oh darling, you got caught in the storm,” Jean pours out her concern, and I smile back, too wide.

“No, darling, I just love walking in the rain. Come to think of it, I’m not quite done yet. I just love water so much.” I turn around and head right back out into the rain, because her face is too much to look at.

I walk around the house aimlessly. I’m freaking freezing my butt off, but I’m not ready for that sugary fake thing in the kitchen.

“Cara,” Damian snaps behind me.

“Freaking hell, man!” I shriek. “Stop doing that stealth thing!” I snap my fright away.

“You love freezing your ass off?”

“Yeah, I just love getting wet,” I snap back.

A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth and heat flushes my neck. I didn’t mean it like that. Shit!

He takes a step forward and another until the heat from his body drives some of the cold from my chest.

He presses his lips to my temple and then he turns and walks away. “Please come in. I don’t want you to get sick.”

I don’t follow him immediately. I watch him disappear inside before I say, “I need to find a way to live on my own.”



It’s no surprise that I can’t sleep that night. I’m a freaking mess. I open my door and as I’m about to take the step in the direction of Damian’s room, I hear her.

“I haven’t seen her since this afternoon. She’s a real quiet one.” There’s a moment’s silence. “No, he’s wonderful,” she coos at whoever she’s talking to. “I’m settling in for the long haul.” She sighs dreamily and the sound makes me cringe. “I don’t think he has someone in his life, well not for long. I’ll fill that gap real soon. He’s sexy and dark. You know I love that in my man. It’s just a matter of time before I’m back in his bed.”

I’ve heard enough. I walk to the cupboard and get dressed in a pair of jeans, warm shirt and sneakers. I drag a sweater over my head and grab the passport and I.D. I slip out my room and sneak down the passage. As I pass her room she says, “Men want only one thing, darling, and he’s a man. He already can’t keep his hands off me.”

I walk faster, rushing down the stairs. I’m careful with the lock on the front door. I don’t want to wake Damian. I open the door slowly and then I run. I don’t even bother closing the door behind me. I run as if my life depends on it.

I run like I should’ve run back when I met Steven for the first time.

When I get to the main road I just head in any direction. I’m not sure how far I am from town.

I don’t have any money. The thought makes panic blossom in my chest, but I shove it down. I can worry about that once I reach town.

I don’t stop running until I hear the sound of a car. I don’t think of my safety. I think only of getting away. I need to get away from my memories, from that woman who will sink her claws into Damian, and from the feelings I’m starting to feel for him.

I’m not ready for anything remotely related to sex, and Jean is. She’ll be able to give him what he needs. I’ll never be whole again. Damian deserves more than my broken, filthy soul.

I hear a car, and soon lights appear, breaking some of the darkness. I wave my arms but the car just keeps going. I’m stupid for leaving in the middle of the night. No sane person will stop for some random stranger.

I quicken my pace so I can put as much distance between me and the house, just in case Damian notices I’m gone.

I’ve been walking for a long while when I hear another car. I wave my arms as it gets closer, praying this one will stop.

It slows and bright lights flash over me. Anxiety eats at my insides until the car pulls up next to me. It’s not a car. It’s one of those homes-on-wheels things. I don’t know what they call them. RVs? Hell if I know. There is a middle-aged woman behind the wheel, and she’s smiling.

“Honey,” her heavy accent drags the word out, “what’s a little thing like you doing out alone in the middle of the night?”

“I need a ride, please.” My tone is tense but still hopeful. She’s a woman, a smiling one – that’s a good sign, right?

“Hop on in then,” the woman says with a concerned look on her face. I quickly open the door and get in before my fear makes me run back to Damian. Once she pulls back onto the road I sigh with relief.

“You running from someone?” she asks just like that, without wasting any time.

I stare wide-eyed at her, not sure what to tell her. I didn’t think the leaving thing through.