Page 34 of One More Gift
Being restrained is something I’ve always enjoyed, and Casper and I have played plenty, but never like this, and never with the threat of being left alone. It’s a thrill for a few minutes, but not for however long Die Hard lasts. I’ve seen it once, years ago, and can’t for the life of me remember whether it’s a quick movie or one that drags on for hours.
“You can’t leave me here like this,” I protest. Surely they aren't going to watch television while I’m laid out like a feast?
“You didn’t tell me she had such a bratty side,” Henry says to Casper.
“Oh yes, she can be quite a rude little cunt when she wants to be.”
They stand on either side of the table, arms folded, staring down at me. Hearing them speak about me as if I'm not even here should infuriate me. In a work setting, I'd be apoplectic, but here it only makes me feel feral.
“What if I need to pee?” I ask.
I don’t, but if I’m expected to lie here for hours, I probably will.
“Then pee,” Henry shrugs, and Casper and I both gasp.
“Oh, she’s definitely not into that,” he tells Henry.
“Fine, then she can hold it in until we’ve had our fun with her.”
“You bastard,” I sneer up at him.
Henry squats beside me, his expression frustratingly neutral. I might be protesting, but I love the thrill of not knowing how he’s going to respond.
“I’m not a fan of this attitude, Saskia,” he says calmly. “I’d rather see you use your manners.”
He strokes his fingers through my hair. Back and forth, back and forth, an exquisite scalp massage that only serves to turn me on even more.
“I won’t hurt you, and I won’t let him hurt you, either. I promise. Do you have a safe word?”
“With Casper, yes.”
“Do you want a new one with me?” I nod, trying to stay focused on Henry while Casper trails his fingertips up and down the inside of my leg. “What’s your word with him?”
“Rudolph,” Casper answers for me. “Our special one for Christmas in the cottage.”
He dips his head to kiss just above my belly-button, and I wonder what he thinks of all this. Of Henry running the show when normally he’s the one in control.
“That’s cute,” Henry smiles. “Then we’ll have another reindeer to keep things simple. But which one should it be? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer…”
“Jupiter!” Casper chimes in, and Henry’s fingers pause at my hairline.
“Jupiter is a planet, Casper. Not a reindeer.”
“Oh. Is it Jingles then?”
Henry stands and rests his palms flat on the table. “Are you winding me up? Jingles the reindeer? It’s Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and… and… shit.”
“Blizzard,” Casper says, clicking his fingers.
“Not Blizzard, but Blitzen, thank you! Then Comet and Cupid and Donner and… fuck, what’s the last one?”
Henry folds his arms across his chest and taps his foot. His expression is like the one I see when he’s engrossed in a crossword, not the one I want to see when I’m waiting to have sex.
The pair of them stand over me, mulling it over, repeating the names until they all sound made up.
Casper paces by my side. “I’m sure it begins with a V. Velvet? Venus? Veronica?”
“Vixen!” I shout. “For fuck’s sake. It’s Vixen.”