Finishing the last of the beer, I get up and take the bottle to the trash. Standing there, I consider the fact that Dove could easily use the bottles to try and hurt me. In fact, I wouldn’t put it past her, but with my watchful eye on her, it won’t happen.
She got me good with the lamp, but now I know what to watch for. When I hear the shower turn off, I start to prepare an apology in my head. I don’t want her to be afraid of me, so I’ll apologize and make everything better.
The apology never comes though because when I enter the bedroom, I find Dove completely naked, the towel at her feet. I’m only a little shocked, not fully since I’ve seen her like this before.
“Jesus Christ, have you ever heard of knocking!” She squeals, cheeks red with fury as she plucks the towel up off the floor. She wraps it around herself, but not before I catch a glimpse of her perky round breasts and pink, dusky nipples.
The towel blocks my view of her pussy, but I’ve seen it enough times to know that it’s completely bare and most likely soft and warm, just like the rest of her.
“One, there is no privacy between us. Two, I’ve already seen you naked, so I don’t know why you’re hiding.” That gets her attention, and those pretty blues widen with shock.
I watch her throat bob as she asks, “What do you mean, you’ve seen me naked?”
“Many times, yes.” I know my confession is going to scare her, and it’s not the apology I had planned, but there isn’t any point in hiding my feelings from her.
“There is…there is something wrong with you. How did you watch me? When? How?” The questions tumble past her lips, and her knuckles turn white as she holds the towel with a death grip.
“Camera feed that I installed in your house. I will add it was for your protection entirely, but I did watch you. I also checked on you every night while you were sleeping.”
Her body starts to tremble as more truths come out. “You… you were in my house? You had cameras?” She looks like she’s going to pass out, and that’s the last thing I need or want. If she falls, she could hurt her head. Taking a cautious step forward, I reach to steady her.
Fear flickers in her eyes, and she shakes her head in disbelief. Scurrying backward, she collides with the wall in her haste to get away from me.
Looking up at me with confusion and fear, she whispers, “What is wrong with you? Why would you watch me?”
I tell myself not to move. Not to corner her, but the truth is, I want to. I want to make sure she stays right where I want her. While I don’t want to hurt her, I need her to understand that I will do anything, kill and hurt anyone to keep her with me.
“Because you’re mine. I’ve told you this already and when I can tell you more, I will. I’m doing my best not to scare you. I don’t want you to be afraid of me, Dove.”
“Afraid?” A humorless laugh fills the room. “Afraid isn’t the word I would use. I’m outraged, sick. I’m past afraid.” Her words cut through me like a knife, but I remind myself that this is all new for her.
“You should get dressed so we can get ready for bed,” I say, ignoring her outburst. “Unless you want to sleep naked, which I am more than fine with.”
“Why do you do that?”
“Do what?” I cock my head to the side.
“Act like it’s not a big deal. Like this entire thing isn’t completely fucked up.”
“Because it’s not. Not for me. Now, are you going to get dressed, or am I going to have to dress you myself? I’m tired and done fighting with you for the night.”
Dove wrinkles her nose in disgust at me. “If you touch me…”
All over again, she’s taunting me. “Or what? I didn’t bring you here to hurt you. I could’ve done that back in your apartment.” The mask on my face cracks a little. “All of this is for you, now get dressed, and get in the bed before I do it for you. If you want to act like a child, then I will treat you like one.”
“I’m not sleeping in that bed with you again. I’d rather sleep on the floor.” Fear gives way to anger, and she walks right past me and into the closet. I go to the nightstand and pull out the handcuffs I stashed there. After what I just told her, and her reaction, I don’t feel like being forced to strong-arm her all night. Handcuffing us together is the easiest solution, that way, even if she was able to hurt me, she’d have to lug my body around.