Black Christmas (Plus Bonus Story "Black Supper") Read Online Free Page A

genuinely relaxed me though, at least in the conscious part of my mind.
    I didn’t like needing him. I didn’t want to need anyone, not like that.
    We’re seers, he sent, hearing me. Things work differently for seers, Miriam.
    He said it matter-of-factly, as if that explained everything.
    I knew for him it did... in some ways, at least.
    His thoughts grew even softer.
    Not even one present, Miri? Not even if I ask really, really nicely? He pulled on me more, his thoughts warmer, more deliberately coaxing. I sent you an actual Christmas present this time, Miri. A real one.
    I let out a low snort. As opposed to what?
    Groveling presents, he sent at once. The others were groveling. This is a present-present.
    Sighing, I stared up at my ceiling. Is it here? The non-groveling present?
    Yes. I felt a flush of pleasure on him when he felt me wavering. Outside your door. You practically tripped on it walking in. I didn’t want to say anything then.
    Staring up at the ceiling, I fought with the part of me that wanted to argue with him more, that wanted to resist the warmth he was pooling all over me.
    It felt futile though.
    Exhaling in a near growl, I threw back the covers.
    I could feel that he’d relaxed too, and not entirely because I wasn’t yelling at him anymore. I didn’t really want to think about why that was, or if it had anything to do with the fact that I’d left Nick’s house, knowing Black wouldn’t want me to sleep there.
    It doesn’t, he sent. His thoughts grew more blunt, carried more of an edge. But I appreciate it, doc... a lot. More than I should probably tell you right now.
    I’m not sleeping with him, Black, I sent, exasperated.
    Just shoving your tongue down his throat when you’re drunk, he growled. Just letting him put his fucking hands on you...
    The words came out hard, abrupt. I felt regret on him the instant he said them.
    I also felt I wasn’t the only one who had been drinking.
    Even so, a denser heat reached his thoughts.
    Gods, Miri. Don’t do that again... please. I just about fucking lost it. I’m still not... handling it well, Miriam...
    I shook my head as I crossed my living room in the dark.
    You don’t get to tell me what to do, I informed him. Not when you leave like you did. Not when you take off and won’t even tell me why. You don’t get a vote, Black.
    Don’t I? he sent, harder. You seem to have some pretty strong opinions about what I do with my cock when you’re not around.
    I flinched, frowning at that, but I didn’t answer at first.
    We’re friends, Black, I sent. That’s all.
    Bullshit.
    I meant me and Nick, I sent, annoyed.
    No you didn’t, he sent back, sharper. And stop fucking with me, please. Please, Miri. And stop pretending you don’t know I think of you as my girlfriend. Or that you don’t know how completely fucking insane it made me, having to watch you with Nick the other night...
    No one made you watch, I retorted.
    You’re my girlfriend, Miriam... in my mind at least. Don’t pretend you didn’t hear that part. If you want me to think about you differently, you need to tell me...
    I sighed, shaking my head. We’ve never even slept together, Black.
    Is that the criteria now? For being with someone? To have had intercourse?
    No. I pursed my lips though, standing in front of my closed front door. Why haven’t we slept together, Black? You know I would have, those days when we first got back from Bangkok. I as much as asked you for it.
    The silence deepened again.
    Can we talk about that later, Miri?
    I paused, even as I finished undoing the last lock on the door to my flat.
    “Why?” I said aloud.
    He didn’t answer.
    Exhaling in exasperation when the silence deepened, I opened the door, not thinking about the fact that the outdoor light was on over my porch until I’d already swung it wide. Making a snap decision, I leaned out and snatched the package up anyway, despite my lack of clothes.
    Bringing it inside, I closed the door behind