The Billionaire’s Lighthouse Series: A Billionaire, Bad Boy, Romance

by Michelle Love

  That kiss just proved my logic behind the back that someone put the idea to kidnap me in his mind. If he was angry enough to kidnap me all on his own, he wouldn't have come in here and kiss me like that. I brushed my fingers over my bottom lip because it begins to tingle. Not sure what it was but that kiss felt magical. He kissed me with so much love and passion within that three seconds that it was scary.

  I didn’t even get to ask him why he kissed me. I sighed and save the document on the computer. I let the music play while I opened the window and looked at the view. I’m surprised the doors to the window weren’t nailed shut but after looking down at the bush of thorns. I understand why. I sat on the window seat and pulled my knees to my chest.

  I was bored out of my mind and had nothing better to do but watch the clouds go by and see what types of shapes they made. Besides the song that was currently playing, silence filled the air. The house, this area, the sky, it was all completely quiet. Though I longed for this type of silence back on campus, I’m starting to miss the various sounds that surrounded me. Being locked up like this, even if it has been only a couple of hours, made me miss school and my home.

  I started to think about what my parents and siblings are doing at this very moment. Probably playing board games or watching movies and having lunch. That’s something that I’ve never missed out on and I’d give anything to be doing that with them right now. Actually, I’d give anything to take back my horrible actions. I wish I never looked through Arsen’ emails.

  Maybe I’d have a life to live right now.

  Arsen

  During the entire process of abducting Lola and holding her hostage, I could do nothing but keep her comfort first in my mind. The boys had the idea to keep her inside of some rough cold building where she had very little water and food but I couldn’t bring myself to do that to her. I couldn’t live with myself if I did that to her. With anyone else I would’ve done it in a heartbeat, maybe even taken their life without any though put into it. With Lola, things were just different. They had to be different because something about her leads me to believe that she was the one I’ve been searching for years after my divorce.

  I want to deny my strong attraction to her but every time I do my feelings just become stronger. I even had to take a deep breath before walking into her room, she doesn’t know that she’s my weakness. She’s not even a little aware at how hard I try to remain calm around her.

  I went into her room, admiring her beauty from behind. I called her name and watched her jump. I hope I sent shivers down her spine. I had to brace myself for when she turned around. When I saw her face I had to hold back a smile. She looked very well rested and sort of happy, but when her eyes met mine her face cringed into a look of disgust. She was definitely upset with me.

  I gave her the two spiral notebooks and pens I had for her. One of the books I gave her to write in when she was bored and the other was a list of things I needed her to do for me. I don’t know if she noticed when she flipped through a couple of pages, but a couple of those tasks involved spending time with me for a couple of days. Dinner dates and some trips to the mall and a couple of other places. Hopefully, these outings could lead to us having mutual feelings for each other because at this moment it seems like I have more feelings for her than she has for me.

  Kissing her was a part of my plan. I wanted her to feel the feelings I had for her because clearly being nice after kidnapping her wouldn’t work. As much as I wanted to take her right there on that bed I couldn’t. I had to resist as much as possible.

  I’d be lying if I said the thought of her curvy body wasn’t always in the back of my mind. But they were. Each and every day I imagined my hands moving up and down her smooth waist and just pulling her body close to mine. I longed for her touch. It kills me inside that I couldn't have her the way I wanted. Why did she have to fuck up?

  I shook my head angrily at the thought and continued on with my day. There was a meeting today with the guys and I. We're getting together to talk about what's new with the whole kidnapping situation and what's new with the cartel in general. This cartel was first put together by David and me around the time we both became very money hungry. We were looking for ways to make more money, and David being my best friend since childhood was doing nothing but looking out for me when he suggested this idea. A drug cartel full of millionaires. Yes, I said it. A drug cartel full of millionaires.

  Each and every one of us has worked our way up to an outstanding amount of money coming in daily because of our jobs and also this cartel. If anyone finds out about this, we won't lose much money because we already have a lot saved up but we could ruin our reputation within our careers. Not to mention the amount of time in jail for doing this for more than 10 years. That's why the boys are so anxious to get rid of Lola, but I really don't think that she would be the one to take down our entire cartel.

  If she really wanted to sabotage us she would have acted quickly. There were no messages or emails on her phone and laptop about the situation so I doubt that she even had a plan to expose us in the first place. The guys made it seem as if she was working with the enemy and they knew the easiest way to get inside of my house was by using a young pretty girl.

  That logic didn't make sense simply because of the fact that Lola was playing extremely hard to get. If the enemy sent her over to get any information from me then I would have had sex with her the first day we met. She wouldn't have hesitated to spend the night at my place either. The guys really keep coming up with these outrageous theories about her but she's just a normal girl who got caught being very nosey.

  "Hey, what's up guys?!" I greeted the guys as I walked into our clubhouse. Much similar to the meeting from last week, the guys sat in a group behind the table and I stood in front of it. They greeted me back with various hey's and what's up's.

  “So, what’s up with the chick, boss?” David sat up in his chair.

  “Yeah, boss. Did you get the job done?” Pete spoke.

  “What do you mean did I get the job done?" I cocked an eyebrow and crossed my arms over my chest waiting for a response. "There was never a job to begin with."

  "Did you kill the girl?!" one of the other members yelled.

  "No, I didn't kill her" I spoke.

  "She knows too much, boss" Pete added.

  "Look! I told you, idiots, that she only knows that the drug cartel exists and that I killed that woman's husband. That's it. She literally knows nothing else." I spat angrily. How dare they question me about killing her when that was never the plan in the first place.

  Silence filled the void air between us as the guys looked at me taken aback by my reaction. I paced back and forth for a few seconds to blow off some steam. I couldn't handle the thought of Lola actually being dead, especially because of me.

  “What’s the update on the missing packages?” I sighed and took a seat. Someone handed me a beer and I took a quick swig.

  “We have the names and location. We were going to send a few of our best men out to get them tonight” Pete took a swig of his beer and looked directly at me.

  I nodded. “Let’s get their things ready”

  “Yes, sir,” they all said in unison, with the exception of David. I could tell by the look on his face that he was thinking really hard about something. He wasn’t paying much attention to anything that was going on around him.

  “You two” I pointed to the two guys in the back. “Get the bags, and the rest of you get the guns ready”

  I sat back in my chair and watched as everyone left the room. Again, all but David. I grabbed a cigar from the box on the table and lit it.

  “You really like this girl, huh?” David chuckled, looking up at me.

  “I do” I took a drag from the cigar and blew out the smoke in his direction. I kept a straight face. “Why are you asking me this?

  “Why else would you spare her life, Arsen?”

  “She’s the one, David. I’m so serious when I say this” I took a de
ep breath and brushed my hair back with my free hand.

  “How are you so sure?” his eyebrows knotted together in confusion. “She’s a little college girl”

  “No, David. She’s a grown woman and I know she’s the one because Lola makes me feel the same way she did. Maybe even a little better.”

  “Damn” he laughed slightly. “You really are feeling this girl. Now I know why you lashed out. I’m surprised that you even went through with the kidnapping plan if your feelings for her are that strong”

  “That’s the thing, man. I’m torn between loving her and killing her.” I shook my head. “I don’t think I could bring myself to do it but the thought seems tempting. I couldn’t live with her being dead but I could definitely live without the fear of falling madly in love again. You get what I’m saying?”

  “I understand man.” he sighed. “It’s just going to take time, alright? Don’t stress yourself out.”

  I flashed the slight smile and put out my cigar. What I really needed right now was some rest. I haven't slept much for the past few days, so I was just running off of multiple cups of coffee. I said my goodbye's to David, telling him to pass the message along to the rest of the team, and left.

  The drive back home was shorter than I expected and I was thankful for that. Immediately after making it inside of the house I quickly walked to my room. I wasted no time to take off my clothes and hop into the shower. The warm water kissed my skin and I swear it felt like heaven on Earth. I found myself humming along to the song that was playing lowly when I entered Lola's room earlier. It made me think of how beautiful the shower would have been if I were to share it with her.

  My mind started to fill up with the thought of her. Whenever I try to think of something different it just brings me back to her. She reminds me of the sunset. How it's so warm but so vibrant, and it could make your whole day better just by looking at it. She was like caffeine in the morning. As much as you have been warned to stay away from it, it was addicting and you needed it to get through the day. She stood tall like a sunflower, beautiful and bright. The perfect combination.

  Who would have suspected that I, Arsen Lockhart, would ever find love again? Now, I just have to figure out if she loves me back.

  Lola

  I woke up yet again, but this time to a purple and orange sunset. I didn’t even know that I had fallen asleep. It’s like they were waiting for me to wake up because the moment I sat up in bed, there was a knock on the door.

  “Dinner” I heard Ms. Rose speak through the door. I smiled slightly, but not for long.

  When the door opened, Ms. Rose wasn’t alone. She walked in with a huge tray and Arsen followed swiftly behind her. I guess I wasn’t eating dinner alone tonight. I looked down at my hands and played with my fingers while Ms. Rose sat the food in front of me. I whispered a small thank you and she whispered back for me to stay strong.

  I looked up only enough to see the food and Arsen's body as he took a seat on the bed. We were having grilled chicken and broccoli tonight. I picked up my plate, placing it on my lap and began to eat in silence. I didn’t know how to feel but I know I wasn’t necessarily in the mood to speak with Arsen right now. Especially after that kiss.

  “It’s a nice night, huh?” He broke the silence. I saw him take small bites of his food while waiting for my response.

  I just stayed silent not sure of how I should reply. I took another bite of my food and sat my plate to the side. I wiped my mouth with a napkin and turned away from Arsen. I went to sit on the window seat and watch the sky turn black. I heard him muffle a stiff laugh and sit his plate down on the serving tray, and sat the tray on the dresser.

  “Lola, can you talk to me please?” he asked. The sound of his feet tapping against the hardwood floor as he got closer to me made me anxious. “Why didn’t you finish your dinner?”

  “Not hungry” I replied simply, watching the sun almost go into hiding.

  “Why are you acting like this? Is it something that I’ve done?” his tone of voice was dripping with concern and confusion. He took a seat beside me and I could feel his eyes burning holes into the side of my face.

  “How do you actually feel about me, Arsen? Why’d you kiss me then leave me here locked up without an explanation? Am I part of some type of sick game you’re playing?” tears began burning the brim of my eyes, waiting to fall out but I forced them back. “Why are you doing all of this?”

  “I’m not sure why I’m doing this… but I don’t want you to ever think that I’m playing you or whatever. I actually care about you” He tried to take my hand but I quickly pulled it away. I didn’t want to touch him right now.

  “How do you feel about me, Arsen?” I asked again. I finally turned to face him and looked him directly in the eyes.

  “I… I can’t put it into words, but I know that I can show you”

  “Great” I forced out a laugh. “And how do you plan on doing that?”

  He kissed me. Just leaned in and kissed me but this time, I didn’t kiss back. I stood up and walked away from him shaking my head.

  “No, Arsen. You don’t get to just kiss me and leave again”

  “But Lola-” He started but I quickly interrupted.

  “If you don’t mind, I would really like to be alone right now”

  He sighed and left the room. I heard the lock click and for some reason, it was annoyingly loud. I just wasn't quite sure how to feel at the moment. I had the opportunity to express my feelings for him, better yet, he had the opportunity to express his feelings to me but I guess he just wasn't ready yet.

  What's crazy about this whole thing is the fact that he is a writer. It really shouldn't be that hard for him to put his feelings into words. Me being a writer as well, it's very easy for me to explain myself. I guess it's just different for everyone.

  I really needed to separate myself from him in this moment. I can't pinpoint this exact feeling but it's very overwhelming. I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of my own emotions and I'm too far away to swim back to shore. This is what I call the visionary aspect of a writer's mind. I have these moments where I actually envision my thoughts and my imagination becomes so vivid that it feels real.

  The color blue surrounds me, but it surrounds me in various shades. Both warm and cool tones capture my soul in a way it hasn’t before. Blue sky, blue clouds, and blue waves. There's fog everywhere and the air is clammy. My hair sticks to my arms like leeches when they're feeding.

  It's not salty ocean water that I'm floating in. I am washing away in my own tears. I take a look up and the clouds look like question marks. They have this gold glow that rests around the edges of their shape like they're hiding the answer to all this confusion from me.

  The sky turns a peachy orange color as my body now washes up onto a black sand beach. After seconds of coughing up water, I start to catch my breath. The sun peeks through the clouds letting me know that even though things may seem alone negative at the moment, things are going to be okay. Left in the sand where the footprints another human being who is now vacant. I wonder if they are on the same trail of vivid emotions.

  I'm just trying to find my way through this warped reality but I know that this could take a while. It's already taking me a while to process the thought of Arsen not feeling the same as I do but what if he doesn't feel anything for me at all. What if this is just a simple scam for him to have his way with me and still end up killing me in the end. I don't know, I don't think she wants to kill me but with him you never know his true intentions until he acts upon them.

  Why do I feel like the only one who doesn't have the answers? Why must I be the one lost at sea?

  My questions almost never have answers to them and I wish I knew why. It had almost always seemed like the answers to my questions would only come in the form of conclusion to my overall problem. Which is very annoying because the situation could last for years and I would be confused all the way up until the very end when things were solved. I threw myself o
nto the bed and pulled the blanket over me. It felt like I was a child again.

  When I was younger I would always crawl into bed and lay under my blankets as a way to solve my problems. It was the place that made me feel safe and that's why for the longest period of time my room was my sacred place. Being alone in there made it so easy to be one with my thoughts.

  It had been only a few seconds but within that short amount of time, I felt like I was in my sacred place again. But this wasn't my home and I don't think it ever will be. I know that my feelings for Arsen are very strong but I just don't know if he feels the same. I don't even know if his kisses are genuine. I need him to show me that he actually cares for me in more ways than just physical.