Page 1 of Obsessive Love

Prologue

Kaleb

Ever since I was six years old, I've been obsessed with Sophia King. Watching her run around in a pretty purple sundress covered in colourful butterflies, with her long blonde hair flying wildly in the wind, I was captivated.

She was playing in the park with her cousins whilst our fathers sat on a bench nearby, discussing a business arrangement. She looked so carefree and happy. Her wide smile had me entranced, so much so that I scooted forward in the back seat of my father's car and unwound the window, desperate to hear her melodic laugh.

Whilst I was sat there, miserable and neglected, she was running free and living a happy life. Instead of being jealous like most other kids in my position likely would be, I was happy for her. I remember an unusual smile dancing across my face the longer I stared at her, and my heart was pumping wildly in my chest.

When our fathers finished talking and mine walked towards the car, she stopped playing for a moment, her gaze trackinghis movements. I'm positive that for a brief moment, her shimmering blue eyes connected with mine and her lips pulled up into a small smile before her cousin distracted her.

After that day, I begged my mother to take me back to that exact park every weekend. She never understood why I wanted to go when all I did was sit beside her on the bench and watch everyone inside the park play, but she continued to take me.

She finally understood why a couple of months later when I ended up punching another boy after he'd made Sophia run away crying with scraped, bloody knees.

Through the years, I've always kept a watchful eye on Sophia. The older we grew, the more obsessed I became.

She was beautiful, gorgeous even. She was kind and caring. She was special. I knew from the first time I ever laid eyes on her, but the longer I've spent watching her, studying her, and researching everything about her, the more obvious it's become.

There's something about her that draws me in. I want to protect her. I want her to be happy and safe. I don't want her to be tainted by this world. I don't want her to be hurt because of the people that surround her.

I've seen it all happen before with my mother. She deserved to be happy, and she should've been protected. She should've had someone that cared about her and wanted her to fulfil her dreams. She was beautiful and kind. She was innocent. She had goals that she wanted to accomplish, but she wasn't able to because no one protected her. No one kept her safe. My father in particular allowed her to become tainted by all of the bad things in our life. He encouraged her downfall.

I wouldn't ever allow the same to happen to Sophia. It's one of the reasons why I've kept my distance from her.

I had a plan in place to guarantee she wouldn't end up in the same unfortunate situation my mother did.

I'd eavesdropped on many of her wishful conversations, so I knew what Sophia wanted in life.

I know that she dreams of opening her own bookstore one day with the business degree she's acquired over the years. She wants a house in the future, one with a large library to display all of her prized possessions; her books. I've also recently learnt that she wants children, two minimum, with a man worthy of her love and time.

I plan to be the man she wants and needs.

However, after being away in Spain for two weeks on some business, I found out on the day of my return that she'd been arranged to marry my brother, Jericho, next week.

I know he doesn't want to marry her. He can't. He's always been against marriage. Hell, he's against all women.

I can't understand why he would agree to this, and I have no idea why it's happening.

Jericho's not the one that Sophia should be with.

I am.

I know I can make her happy and give her everything she wants and needs in life, as well as protect her at all costs and keep her away from all the bad things that could happen.

I just need to make my move.

I'm finally ready to come out of the shadows and let her see me.

Hopefully, it all goes to plan.

Chapter One

Kaleb

Loosening the offending bright blue tie from around my neck, I storm through my brother's house. Doors bang loudly as they clash against the walls, and my voice echoes as I shout his name. I throw the tie to the floor and smash my fist against the kitchen door, forcing it open.

Myra glances over her shoulder from where she's standing, washing up plates in the sink, and she rolls her eyes as she meets my furious glare.

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