Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
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.
GentAnon
Why not? I expect an explanation.
For several long seconds, I contemplate smashing my phone against the wall as those three dots dance in a mockery of my mounting rage.
CagedBird
I met someone. I can’t do this anymore.
Something expands rapidly at the center of my chest to the point of pain, as though my ribcage can barely contain it.
She’s not rejecting me; she’s choosing me.
The real me, not my anonymous online persona.
And her message indicates that she’s developing feelings for me. Why else would she stop exchanging dirty messages with her pen pal?
She wants to be loyal to me. To Dane, not GentAnon.
My cock is still painfully hard, but my lust holds a covetous edge. I can deny my desire to share dark fantasies with her tonight if it means I’ll have her in my bed for real.
Soon, she’ll be snuggled up beside me in my much nicer house across town, a space that’s worthy of her. She’ll cuddle close to me, and I’ll make her so safe and comfortable that she’ll never want to leave. Her dilapidated little apartment will be a thing of the past, and no walls will separate us.
GentAnon
I understand. Be happy, little dove.
CagedBird
Thank you.
I log off the messenger service, and my phone doesn’t light up with another notification. She’s logged off too.
That era in our relationship is over now. Until she trusts me enough to share her body with me, I’m sure I’ll face nights of sexual frustration. But the wait will be worth it.
I reach under my pillow and find the soft, paint splattered camisole that I stole when I broke into her apartment. Her scent is faint beneath the fading, sweet florals of her detergent, but I can still detect her delicate strawberry bodywash infused in the fabric.
I imagine burying my face in the crook of her slender neck and breathing her in as my teeth mark her shoulder. Her sharp cry is the sweetest music that I’ve never heard, but I’ve imagined it over a hundred times. I will make her weep with agonized pleasure, and she’ll taste the salt of her own tears on my tongue when I claim a brutal kiss.
I snarl into her camisole, biting down on the soft fabric as I come undone for her.
16
ABBY
I’m in the shared laundry room for my building when the stranger approaches me.
At first, I don’t notice him; I’m too busy grabbing my clothes out of the dryer. Dane is coming to pick me up any minute now for our surprise date, and I need to finish this chore first. One of my favorite painting camisoles went missing the last time I did a load, so I’m not willing to leave my things in the dryer where they might get taken.
It’s only when the stranger lets out a low whistle that I realize I’m not alone in the small, hot room.
I jerk upright from where I was bent over the dryer, my heart leaping into my throat. Instinctively, I recognize the unwanted attention of a predator.
A thrill shivers up my spine—a primal warning that all women possess.
I dread the shameful heat that might accompany the spike in my heartbeat, but mercifully, it doesn’t come. Maybe letting go of my illicit connection with GentAnon last night truly will help me overcome my sickness. Maybe I can be worthy of Dane.
I just need to evade this creep so that I can go on my date with him.
“Well, hello, Peaches,” the stranger says, his Southern twang more pronounced that the softer Carolina drawl I’m used to. His pale blue eyes wander down the length of my body, pausing at the curve of my hips.
I have an awful suspicion about why he chose to call me Peaches, even though my butt is now firmly pressed back against the washing machine.
I shake my head slightly and gather my clean laundry to my chest, holding it between us like a shield.
“My name is Abby,” I say coolly. “And you shouldn’t be in here.”
He chuckles. “Don’t be like that,” he admonishes. “We must be neighbors. I’m moving in upstairs. Just checking out the rest of the building in between hauling boxes up to my new place. Too bad I’m not more presentable. I wasn’t expecting to meet a beautiful woman.”