Page 76 of Compulsion

“I haven’t been sleeping.”

I sit upright and turn on the bedside lamp. “I’m sorry. You must’ve been bored. I didn’t mean to drift off.”

He strokes my hair back from my cheek. “You needed the rest. And I could never get bored when I’m holding you.”

Pleasure flushes my cheeks. “That’s very sweet.”

Sometimes, I struggle to process his intense declarations and praise. No one has ever treated me like this, like I’m precious. Valued.

And after the awful altercation with my family, my old feelings of unworthiness are raw and exposed.

He hums, considering me as though he’s trying to puzzle out my complex emotions.

“There’s nothing sweet about me,” he replies. “That’s not a word I would use to characterize myself.”

I giggle. “Are you offended? Should I say you’re a very scary, very intimidating master?”

He grabs my hair, and suddenly, I’m trapped beneath him with his other hand around my throat. His wicked grin takes my breath away, even though he doesn’t apply pressure with his fingers.

“Exactly,” he drawls. “I’m very cruel and entirely selfish. And you love being afraid. You love when I make you tremble and whimper.”

My heart flutters, and my blood heats, but I tip my chin back in an act of reckless defiance. In the wake of my difficult day, I want him to completely overwhelm me. I want to revel in the darkness we share, not hide from it.

I don’t want to feel ashamed anymore.

“I’m not trembling,” I challenge.

His eyes flash, and his grin sharpens. “Is that how you want to play tonight, my naughty pet? You’ve been so docile for me. Am I going to have to tame you?”

I suppress a shudder as desire courses through me, and I meet his glittering gaze without an ounce of fear. If he wants me to tremble for him, he’ll have to make me.

I’m not truly afraid of him, and I’m ready to engage in a more twisted game. I’m completely safe with Dane, and I can push the boundaries of my darker fantasies without fear of judgment.

“Your pet has claws,” I retort.

It’s so similar to what I’ve said to GentAnon in the past.

But this isDane.

This is real.

He’s warm and solid, caging me in his corded arms. And he’s all mine.

He quirks a taunting brow at me. “I don’t feel you using them.”

His fingers tighten around my throat. “You’re so weak and fragile. What do you think you could possibly do to hurt me? To deny me?”

Blood begins to pound in my ears as he applies pressure to my arteries, but I can still breathe. I can still speak.

“I am not fragile.”

I’ve never fought back in real life; the fantasies that blur the lines of consent have always been nothing more than words on a screen. But now, I’m safe enough to finally indulge in this game.

Summoning all of my strength, I bend my knees between us and try to leverage them against his abs to force him off me. At the same time, one hand shoves at his chest, and the other rakes red lines into his forearm with my nails.

He doesn’t bother to restrain me further. He just laughs and presses me deeper into the mattress.

“Careful, pet,” he coos. “I don’t want to break you.”

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