Page 20 of Compulsion

Heat sinks from his hand into my flesh, warming me all the way to my core. He’s not looking at the painting anymore, but I’m fixated on it as though it’s the most breathtaking thing I’ve ever seen. His intense focus is centered on me again, and I bask in it like I’m soaking up the August sun on Folly Beach.

The power of his will compels me to respond.

“Passion,” I breathe.

I gesture at a deep crimson splatter: “Rage.” A brighter spray with an orange hue: “Joyful abandon.” A swath that’s a rich shade so dark it’s almost purple: “Seduction.”

“Stunning,” he remarks. His other hand lifts to touch my hair, his finger twining in the amethyst curl again.

An echo of the giddy thrill at the beginning of our date tempts me to surrender. I recall the initial surge of desire for him in the elevator ride up to the rooftop—how excited I’d been to get to know him.

Who hurt you?His insightful question plays through my mind. The protective, angry flex of his jaw made something melt inside me.

He slowly dips his head toward mine, and I tip my own head back without pausing to think about the implied invitation. His full lips are just as soft and sensual as I imagined, and I sigh into his mouth as all of the tension releases from my coiled muscles. The kiss is a mercy after the night’s erotic buildup. He’s barely brushed his lips against mine, but the release from torturous waiting sends me flying. Bliss sings through my veins, going straight to my head. His salt-kissed cedar scent invades my senses, intoxicating.

I melt into him, and his tongue teases my lips, tracing the shape of my mouth before flicking deeper. All of my sensitive nerve endings light up, and the tingling sensation dances all the way down my spine.

Euphoria floods my system, and I’m floating in the darkness behind my closed eyes.

A macabre white skull flashes through the inky black. My clit pulses, and desire shudders through me hard enough to make my body quake.

I’m burning inside for Dane, but my skin is chilled. The air conditioning turns frosty, and ice sinks into my heated flesh. Nausea churns in my gut as my twisted desire rises, threatening to consume me.

For an awful moment, Dane’s hand is encased in a supple leather glove, and the cloying scent of heavy amber cologne overpowers the spicy cedar that enthralls me.

I gasp for air and jerk in his hold. His hand firms at my nape, trapping me for a fear-drenched, arousing moment.

I’m perverted, broken. Something is deeply wrong with me, and it’s not just because of the masked man’s horrific attack.

My body only finds this thrilling pleasure in moments of violation. My instinctive fear response makes me wet when I should be screaming for mercy.

Consensual sex has always been a painful experience for me; my muscles are too tense to accept a man, and my sex won’t soften to accommodate a cock. But when I’m forced…

I shake my head, throwing off the terrible thoughts and disentangling my hair from Dane’s fingers.

“I have to go,” I announce. “You don’t need to walk me home.”

He frowns. “It’s dark. I’ll escort you.”

“It’s East Bay Street,” I counter. “And my walk home is well-lit. I’ve never had a problem before.”

“You were robbed this afternoon,” he reminds me. “I’ll feel better if I know you’re safe.”

My heart flutters even as my stomach turns. I wish I could be a good match for this protective, white knight of a man, but I know I never will be. My sick reaction to our kiss is proof of that.

“I really need to go. I have that early shift.”

His disapproving frown doesn’t dissipate, but he tips his head in acknowledgment.

When I step outside, the humid night is still hot, but I feel chilled in the absence of Dane’s steady warmth.

9

ABBY

CagedBird

I’m sorry I logged off last night. Are you free to chat?

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