Page 36 of Compulsion

When she disappears into her tiny bedroom for the night, I briefly consider relocating to my larger, more expensive house across town. But I’m craving to be close to her, so I choose to stay in the ramshackle property I bought just so I can watch over her.

I pass her landscapes as I walk through the entry hall and living room. There’s nearly a score more in my bedroom—a cramped space that barely fits the high-quality king-size bed. This place might be rundown, but it doesn’t mean I have to be uncomfortable.

I fall back onto the Egyptian cotton sheets and stare at my trophies: the stunning paintings I’ve purchased from the tourists who bought them from her in the market. I keep her stormiest works in my bedroom. It’s the only glimpse at her inner darkness that’s evident in her otherwise lovely art depicting the natural world.

My cock is still hard from watching her toy with that damn paintbrush all night, and my craving for her is keen enough to cut.

I should let her sleep, but I’m too selfish to hesitate. I want her, and she will meet my needs.

I pick up my phone and navigate to Eroticlit, immediately finding our months’ long private messaging thread.

GentAnon

Wake up, little dove. I have need of my pretty pet.

The tick beside her screenname remains stubbornly gray.

I give her five minutes to see that I’ve messaged her.

My gut twists into knots, and my chest heats.

GentAnon

Answer me. Your silence is rude, and rudeness will be punished.

A green tick mark. Three bouncing dots.

They disappear, then appear again.

And again.

My fingers are tight enough that my knuckles are white around the phone.

CagedBird

I’m sorry. I can’t tonight.

I taste copper on my tongue, and I realize I gnashed my teeth hard enough to cut the inside of my cheek.

Abigail has never said “no” to me.

At least, not as GentAnon.

In person, I’ve been frustrated by her refusals and rejections over the last several days. Even though she clearly enjoyed our time in the park this evening, she still ran away from me at the end.

I won’t tolerate her evasiveness. When we’re in this virtual space, sharing the darkest parts of ourselves, I don’t have to wear my charming mask.

GentAnon

You can try to run, but I will chase. I will capture you, little dove. And then you’ll be sorry that you tried to deny me.

Those fucking dots bounce on my screen again. My fist is a vise around the phone.

CagedBird

I mean it. I’m sorry, but I can’t.

A low growl reverberates through my bedroom, a predator with its hackles raised.

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