Page 50 of Ho Ho Homicidal Mania
“How was it in town?” Blake asks and slots a bookmark between the pages.
“I had to take a detour because of all the snow and I found something interesting. But you have to come with me to see it, so get dressed.”
He places the book on a little table next to him and moves up, only to freeze. “Will it be safe for me to be seen?”
“It’s in the forest, no one will see you.” I walk up to him for a quick kiss because any opportunity is good for that, and I’ve been away for hours.
I love the way his hands immediately frame my face when he leans into me. His hair smells of smoke, and I find myself burying my nose in it as we hug. “Now I’m curious. What kind of surprise is it?” he asks before meeting my gaze.
I put my hands up and step away because if I stay this close any longer, we’ll be going to the bedroom, not outside.
“I’m not saying anything more.”
Blake smirks and starts dressing while he excitedly tells me about the book he’s been reading, a non-fiction on a serial killer from the start of the twentieth century.
I love that he’s as passionate about his interests as I am about mine, and the fact that they overlap makes it even better. I dream of being allowed to see how his podcasts come to life, and I want him to see my process too, untilwe can share both of those things. Perfect partners in crime.
I grin at the double meaning in my thoughts, but he’s ready, and I lead the way into the sunny yet cold air.
“I miss the shop, you know,” I say, grabbing Blake’s hand and leading him onto a narrow path that starts behind our little love cabin. “But I’ve been in touch with Owen and I have to admit I’m not worried. He’s really got things under control despite the Christmas rush.”
“Am I not keeping you busy enough?” Blake asks and leans against me in that almost-accidental way he tries to flirt with me sometimes.
“That’s the thing. For the first time, I actually don’t feel like I’m missing out, because I get to spend time with you instead.”
The sun is shining through the dense woods, snow crunches under our boots, and soon enough, I’ll be showing off my big surprise. Could this day get any better? I guess a blowjob is always a welcome addition, but maybe not here. I don’t want him to get his jeans all wet.
We talk about plans for the next few days, and he seems set on making me drag him behind me in a sled. He wants to bake another cake, and read a new book on psychopathy, and so many other things we can share now that we’re locked in a world of our own, with no dangers or distractions. He doesn’t even complain that I’m dragging my feet about going to Aspen. I’m pretty sure we’re in a silent agreement about being able to wait, since we’re safe here.
“Okay, now we’ll be going down,” I warn him so he doesn’t slip.
At the bottom of the hill, I stop him and push away a few branches obscuring the entrance into a cave. It’s such a beautiful day, I’m almost sorry that we have to getout of the sun, but I know he will love my surprise, and I browse my phone, choosing the right app. A moment later, the battery-powered LEDs I installed earlier turn on, and the cave resonates with the soft tones of ‘No Time Like Christmas’.
Blake stalls, holding my hand more tightly. “Oh, so you didn’tfindthis place, did you?” he asks after a moment and laughs, staring ahead, where the cave bends toward its main chamber. The whole thing is the size of a large studio apartment, but it provides more than enough space for our plans.
I lead him inside to the joyful tune with a spring in my step. The colorful Christmas lights twinkle around us, revealing more of the decorations, including the glitter I’ve sprayed on the walls, but the surprise is hidden behind the bend, so he won’t see it until we’re close.
“Guilty as charged,” I say with a smirk and glance at his face just before the grand reveal.
His hand slides up my arm as we walk over the uneven floor. “Oh, should I get undressed now or—” His voice dies as we face a large rock resting in the very middle of the cave interior. I’ve arranged many more lights on the walls around it, but their soft light still leaves the altar-like structure dusky as an old oil painting. I’m very proud of the atmosphere I’ve managed to achieve here.
“What the hell?” Blake asks.
I move behind the gagged man tied securely to the rock. His eyes widen at us both, and he writhes like a bug under someone’s thumb. He’s not going anywhere, so I spare him little attention and spread my arms with a smile.
“Tah-da!”
Blake covers the lower part of his face and shakes his head. “What is he doing here?”
I’m a little deflated by this reaction, but I guess he’s taken aback with no context. “You love the Christmas Killer, and you have an interest in the nitty gritty of crime, so I thought you’d like to see me at work.” I pick up one of the knives I left here earlier as my victim whines and wiggles.
He looks like the perfectly average suburban dad, but I know he’s not, so I have no qualms about his suffering.
Blake’s hands drop at his sides, and he shakes his head. Is it just me, or is his breathing a little ragged? “I am interested in it in theory! It’s not like I watch murder scene pictures for fun! I’m not that kind of person!”
And yet, he’s staying put.
I shift my weight from one foot to the other. Have I misjudged this?
