“text me as leave your house,” i said, “i have a surprise for you.”

he texted.

“come in through the patio, there is a key under the mat”

he did.

the house was quiet and still. the cat was sleeping on the couch and made no movement as he entered. i held my breath and heard him call my name through the darkness. i didn’t reply. i waited for a moment and he found me as i knew he would. there i was, blindfolded, fully clothed and tied to the bed. later he’d ask me how i’d managed to tie myself down but it didn’t matter in the moment-in the moment all he noticed were the shiny silver scissors perched on my stomach waiting for him to choose what to cut first.