Lina hadn't sat down once since they stepped through the heavy oak doors of the forest lair. She moved from room to room, her fingers tracing the smooth cedar walls and the cold, expansive glass that looked out into the breathing woods. To her, it wasn't just a house; it was a sanctuary that smelled of rain and Nicole.
Nicole finally caught up to her in the wide living area, gently catching Lina by the waist to still her. "Calm down, little Lyon," Nicole said, her voice a low vibration that made Lina's heart skip. "The house isn't going anywhere. You need to shower and settle in, then we can eat. You've had a long night."
Lina nodded, breathless and smiling. "It's just so beautiful, Nicole."
Nicole led her to the guest suite, a spacious room with a balcony overlooking the valley. Lina took her duffel bag inside, but as the door clicked shut, she realized the room was shrouded in deep, moody shadows. She fumbled along the walls, trying to find a light switch or the closet, but the minimalist design was too clever for her to navigate.
Frustrated but curious, she slipped back into the hallway. She saw the door to Nicole's master suite slightly ajar and decided to ask for help.
When she stepped inside, the air changed. It was cooler here, smelling of expensive bourbon and wild musk. The room was immense, anchored by a massive king-size bed draped in black silk. In the corner, a bar stocked with dark decanters stood near a velvet rug where a giant, ornamental wolf sculpture lay, looking so lifelike it seemed to be guarding the room. The ceiling was the most striking part; it was a dark, vaulted expanse that mirrored the night sky, with tiny pinpricks of light that felt like real stars.
"Nicole?" Lina called out softly.
There was no answer, only the faint sound of soft, soulful music drifting from the back of the suite. Lina followed the sound toward the bathroom. The door was open, revealing a room of black marble and steam. Nicole was there, submerged in a deep stone bathtub, a glass of dark red wine in her hand. Her head was tilted back, her damp hair clinging to her neck.
Lina froze, her face erupting in a deep blush. She quickly looked away, staring at the marble floor. "I'm so sorry! I... I couldn't find the closet in the guest room."
Nicole didn't seem startled. She turned her head slowly, her golden eyes tracing Lina's silhouette through the steam. "You don't need the guest room if it doesn't suit you," Nicole said, her voice smooth as velvet. "If you want to stay in here, the closet is behind that small button by the bathroom door. It leads to a dressing suite."
"Oh. Okay," Lina whispered, her heart hammering.
Nicole shifted in the water, the movement sending a ripple of heat through the room. "The water is warm, Lina. Join me."
Lina's breath hitched. She looked at the door, then back at the steam. "I... I'll bathe after you," she stammered, turning on her heel and hurrying out before Nicole could see just how much the invitation had affected her.
Out in the bedroom, Lina found the small, recessed button Nicole had mentioned. When she pressed it, a section of the wall slid open with a near-silent hiss. It wasn't just a closet; it was a massive dressing room, divided into sections for tailored suits, silk gowns, and rows of handmade shoes.
Lina found an empty shelf and began hurriedly arranging her few folded shirts and jeans, trying to keep her hands from shaking. As she moved deeper into the room, she passed a glass-fronted cabinet. She glanced inside, then looked away instantly, her face burning. It was filled with various silk restraints and toys that hinted at a much darker, more dominant side of Nicole's nature.
"Seeing something you like?"
Lina spun around, nearly tripping over her own feet. Nicole was standing at the entrance of the dressing room, completely naked, water still beading on her pale, toned skin. She was lean and muscular, with an aura of raw power that was suffocating.
Lina stood paralyzed as Nicole stepped closer, pulling a silk robe off a hook and draped it loosely over her shoulders, though she didn't tie it. She stopped just inches from Lina, her height forcing Lina to look up.
"Why are you not scared of me, Lina?" Nicole asked, her voice dropping to a dangerous, hungry register. "I am a predator. I could hurt you so easily."
Lina looked into those molten gold eyes, and for the first time, she didn't see the CEO or the monster. She saw the woman who had stood in front of a shapeshifter for her. "I don't know why," Lina whispered, her voice gaining strength. "But I feel safer with you than I've ever felt in my life."
Nicole groaned, a low, animal sound, and closed the distance. She kissed Lina with a sudden, desperate hunger, her hands framing Lina's face. It was a kiss that tasted of wine and ancient longing. "I want you so bad," Nicole rasped against her lips. "I want to mark every inch of you."
Lina leaned into her, her hands clutching at the silk of Nicole's robe. "Then take me. Please."
Nicole pulled back, her eyes dark with a pain that Lina didn't understand. She took a deep, shuddering breath and shook her head. "No. Not tonight. My hunger is too close to the surface, and it wouldn't be pleasant for you. Not the first time."
She reached out and tucked a stray hair behind Lina's ear, her touch uncharacteristically soft. "Go and shower. Use the master bath. I'll go down to the kitchen and get dinner started. We need to keep your strength up."
Lina watched her go, her body humming with a frustrated, electric heat. She realized then that being "Bound to the Predator" wasn't just about danger, it was about a pull so strong it threatened to consume her entirely.