Page 64 of How May I Please You

“I missed you, too, Shawna. How’s everything going today?” you ask as you look through the open manager’s door and wave to the old man sitting at the desk.

I shrug. “It’s fine. The usual, I guess. How is the house coming along?”

“Same as the last one. The guys on this crew are super laid back. I almost wish I switched from constructing commercial buildings to houses a long time ago. These guys are great.”

It makes me so happy to hear you talk about how much you like your new coworkers. I know it’s different. You build houses and apartments now with a new contractor, and I know you're comparing them to working with Trey. I’m sure you miss his friendship, and I still regret even thinking of taking him from you. Out of everything I’ve done, plotting on Trey is the only thing I truly regret. I would take it back if I could, but I’m overjoyed by the fact that you're settling in with your new crew here. Seeing you happy again makes my heart smile.

“That’s always good to hear,” I admit, to which you nod. “So what brings you by here?”

“I just wanted to stop by and see you on my way back from lunch. Like I said, I missed you.”

I take your hand in mine. “You’re so sweet, Sir. Here, let's step outside for a bit. I’ve been sniffing fish all day. Hey Larry, can you watch the front for me?”

Larry waves kindly as you and I exit the store and stand in front of your work truck.

“So, any plans for dinner tonight?” you ask, wrapping your arms around my waist and pulling me in close.

“I hadn't really thought about it, but I know what you could have for dessert,” I answer playfully.

“Oh I know, too,” you say. “I know we’re still slowly building our money up since we left everything behind, but as soon as we’re good again, I’m ordering a St. Andrew’s Cross for the basement. The little toys are nice, but I miss the big furniture.”

I smile wide. “You and me both. Don't worry, Justin, I’m willing to let you tie me up anywhere.”

“Let me? What makes you think you have a choice?”

Both of us laugh devilishly before falling into another kiss that darkens the sun. The thing I love most about you and I is that it doesn't matter where we are. We can be in Philly, Alaska, California, or fucking Timbuktu. Our names can change from Evan and Journey to Shawna and Justin. I can cut my hair and even dye it, and you can grow a thick, long beard while gaining weight. None of it matters. We are always us. We always treat each other like our love is brand new. The bodies dropping are worth it for this. For us.

“Alright Shawna, I have to get going,” you tell me, your forehead still connected with mine. “I can't wait to come home to you.”

“Me either,” I reply.

Then you kiss me and turn on your heel. The truck engine fires up and you give me a quick wave before backing out of the space. As you go, I pull out the informational card that I pocketed when you walked in, and I read the info on it while remembering the moment you held the door open.

Kay Knight, 1733 Clarion Loop in Seward, Apartment B.

“Sir!” I call you with a wave. You stop and lower your window with raised brows. “Never forget that I love you.”

You smile at me with joy shining from your eyes because you know just like I do that we made it. Our plan worked and now we get to be happy. “I love you, too, Little Devil.”

I watch you leave, standing in the same spot until I can no longer see your truck. Then I get in my car and enter an address into Google Maps.

I stare at the display as it works its magic, formulating a route to Kay Knight’s address in only a few seconds, and estimating for me to get there in just ten minutes. I don't know if she lives alone or not, but it would probably be so easy to sneak in, or wait for her to come outside to take out the trash or retrieve something from her car. I could teach her not to stare at what is mine, and the thought of it makes my heart race.

I raise my hand and let my thumb hover over the word “Start.”

But instead of pressing it, I back out of the app. I open my door and climb out of the car, and I go back inside. I pat Larry on the shoulder and thank him for manning the register for me, and I place Kay Knight’s card in the pile with the rest of them, pushing it into the middle so that I don't have to look at it.

I think I’ve done enough damage with the secrets I’ve kept from you, Sir. We’ve run enough. We’ve killed enough. Here in Alaska, we have a chance to start fresh. There are no buried bodies in our backyard, and no buried secrets in my heart. We are free, and I won’t let Journey drag old habits into Shawna’s new life. Justin doesn't deserve to be lied to anymore than Evan did. So I’ll keep my black thoughts at bay the same way you do, following your example and ignoring the voice in my head telling me to do things I know I shouldn’t. Together, you and I will create a new dark and twisted world, just for the two of us. Dominant and submissive. King and queen. God and goddess. Justin and Shawna.

Untouchable.