Marie was having a good week. Everything at work was going just fine, and tonight, they were going to a party and meet up with Sharaya. She had Colin firmly in her clutches again; she had requested, and he had bought and customized, a 14-inch holder for smoking Mores. Marie promptly, purposefully teased Colin by exclusively smoking Mores in her new holder around him all week, but not allowing him to have any sex to insure that he’d be horny enough by Friday to not care about being the third in her planned threesome. Frankly, it was making her crazy horny too, but she figured that it would all be worth it by sometime tomorrow. Colin had fretted a little about this party, but he seemed resigned to going, especially since he thought that she’d be using the 14-inch holder like she had at the Mad Ball.
They arrived at the party around ten-thirty because Marie had warned Colin that it would be a long night, and he had taken a nap after coming home from work. She had left her new long cigarette holder at home, because this was a house party, and there wasn’t going to be enough space for her to use it properly. Colin was disappointed when she had told him. However, she did not tell him that she did have her short holder, and was looking forward to using it for the two people she was going to fascinate with her smoking.
As they entered, Colin immediately recognized a couple of the guys from the Mad Ball. Since it was crowded, and she didn’t see Sharaya right away, Marie volunteered to bring back beer. He went to speak with them, impressing her, because Colin hadn’t been that social of an animal when she had first met him. Besides, it gave him a chance to do some male bonding, while also giving her a chance to look for her other lover.
Colin talked with his friends as Marie quietly stood nearby sipping her beer, scanning for any sign of Sharaya without any luck. When Marie decided that Colin seemed to have forgotten about her, being deeply engrossed in a gaming conversation, it was time for a cigarette. She removed her case and casually fitted a More into the holder. This oughta get his attention. “Colin,” she nonchalantly interrupted, “may I have a light?”
Colin’s eyes bulged with surprise at the sight of the holder, and she smiled knowingly. All conversation from his group stopped as Colin lit her cigarette. Comments of, “Whoa, she’s your girlfriend?” and “I remember her—she was fuckin’ hot at the Mad Ball,” made her smile. She gave him a lingering smooch on the cheek and a long, incendiary look, full of flirtation and purpose as she drew away. Her first full drag was a long slow pull on the holder, finished with a slow, thick, creamy french-inhale. She raised her chin and exhaled an extended trail angled towards the ceiling. She loved having an audience for her performance art. He introduced her with a bit of fanfare, making it obvious that she was with him. She didn’t mind; it was sweet, and the looks she got from his friends made her feel good.
Marie took another draw from her holder, french-inhaling carefully, and exhaled slowly, luxuriously, decadently over the heads of the assembled group. She was sure that Colin’s heart stopped, and maybe another guy’s as well. It also brought the gaming conversation to an end, as she fielded a bunch of questions from his friends. Eventually, they excused themselves to wander around the party. Still no sign of Sharaya. Colin headed to the bathroom, and Marie went for another beer, wondering what had happened to Sharaya. The kitchen got crowded, and Colin hadn’t returned, so she stepped outside onto the back patio.
Given a little space, and now that she was worried that Sharaya wasn’t going to show, she readied another holdered More to try to calm her rising nerves. A light came out of nowhere—a good-looking guy was standing there, smoking a cigarette of his own. College-age, she guessed. Marie took a deep drag, paused, and exhaled, a little bit of smoke trailing from her nostrils as the plume blossomed from her lips, lit by the light coming from the patio. “My name’s Chuck,” he said in a voice that couldn’t hide his interest.
“Marie. Thanks for the light,” she neutrally replied as he positioned himself between her and the general area of the crowd.
“Haven’t seen you around before,” he said. “You friends of Ron’s?”
“No, I’m a friend of a friend. Her name’s Sharaya.”
Chuck nodded with recognition, saying, “Oh, OK.” It wasn’t quite sincere enough to give Marie any thought that he knew Sharaya. So, Marie, you here alone?”
“Nope. I’m with my boyfriend.”
“The… geeky-lookin’ guy?!!?” She shot him an annoyed glance. “I thought you’d be with some really good-lookin’ guy. You’re hot.”
While she appreciated his slightly drunk sentiment, it was time to end this and unleash him on some other poor girl. She took a long draw, and exhaled, very deliberately, into his face for several seconds. “Chuck, never judge a book by its cover,” she said, walking around him, leaving him standing there, looking dumbfounded. She strode purposefully back to the patio and into the apartment. She found Colin a little while later, back in the living room, near the door.
“I lost track of you, so I figured I’d wait by the door,” he nervously said. “I wasn’t planning on leaving.”
She gave him a smooch and brightly replied, “I know.” Marie looked around. “I wonder where she is?”
“Ummm…” Colin hesitated. “Did you want me to leave you guys alone tonight?”
“Thanks for the offer, Colin,” Marie smiled, “but no. I want you to be with me tonight, too.” She gave him another long smooch, and felt him tremble. “Don’t be afraid,” she whispered. “Remember, it’s only sex.”
They made another slow circuit through the party looking for Sharaya, finally settling in the front room near the door once again. Bored by the activity around them, and with Sharaya still not evident, Marie put a More in the holder and lit it, taking a simple draw, choosing not to embellish it. She exhaled, a long, leisurely cone blossoming from her lips, knowing Colin was watching her intently and getting hard. She gave him no sign that she was aware of it, but closed her eyes for her next drag, and this time, the french-inhale was perfectly performed, slow, a river of cream flowing smoothly from her mouth to her nose. She lifted her head, waited… and eased her chest forward. The smoke flowed silently from her lips in a long, narrow trail. She opened her eyes as she heard Colin whisper, “Wow…” awestruck.
“Hey! I thought I was the cigar smoker!” Sharaya’s arrival had gone unnoticed while Marie was busy enthralling Colin by his fantasy. “What is that you’re smoking?”
Marie spun, and for a moment, was left speechless by Sharaya’s appearance. Instead of the usual jeans and tee shirt, she was wearing a simple white dress. Her thick black hair didn't have its usual bright red streaks, and was carefully combed down to reveal its length and gloss. It took a few seconds for Marie to recover enough to hold the burning More up so that Sharaya could see it. “It’s a More. And as you can see, I have a holder for it, too, but it’s too crowded in here to use a longer one.” She took a drag and snap-inhaled, trying to seem casual. Damn, she looks good tonight. Colin had been forgotten for the moment.
“Sorry I’m late, but I got called into work at the last minute, and I had to go home and change,” Sharaya apologized. She spun around. “Whaddaya think? Do you like me as a girly-girl?” Marie gently pulled her close and kissed her. Sharaya visibly vibrated with excitement in response. “Oh, goody!” She stepped away, and seemed to realize for the first time that Colin was there. “Oh, hey Colin. How are ya?” He stammered something, but it got lost in Marie’s next long draw on her holder and slow nasal exhale. “Brown cigarette, white cigarette, cigar, holder or no… it’s so fuckin’ hot the way you do that,” Sharaya throatily purred with more than a hint of want. She pulled her purse from her shoulder and removed a pack of Capri 120’s. “I decided that if I was gonna be a girly-girl, I was gonna do it all the way, so I got the girliest cigarettes out there,” she smiled. “Besides,” she whispered to Marie, “you said you really liked the way I look naked and smoking a girly cigarette. The last part still work for you? I promise I’ll put it all together later.”
Marie nodded quickly, smiling. Colin looked lost, but Marie directed him to light Sharaya’s Capri. Her natural snap-inhale was less visible with the cigarette, and the lighting wasn’t that great, but Marie approved… and judging by the blank look on his face, so did Colin. Sharaya started a conversation with him, trying to keep him involved, but the two women kept exchanging glances that belied what was on their minds. “You guys wanna go back to my place?” Sharaya innocently asked after she took her final drag on the Capri.
Marie immediately replied, “I’m not into beer drunks, and it’s getting late. Sounds good to me.” As an afterthought, she added, “Colin?” He somewhat stupidly concurred, with a look in his eyes that said he clearly was worried what he was getting into. Marie figured that it was just Colin being Colin, and he’d wind up loving it, as he did most things she dragged him into. Besides, she’d light up when they got to Sharaya’s, and that should keep him pacified enough until the clothes started flying, when nature should take over.
“You want anything to drink or eat? You are my guests,” Sharaya smiled when they got into her apartment. “One thing I like about this place is it’s an old building, and the construction is really well done. I can’t hear the neighbors—and they can’t hear me.” Colin asked for the bathroom. Marie wasted no time in heading for the bedroom. She gave Sharaya a hot, wet kiss while he was occupied in the bathroom, then asked for a Jack and Coke.
“Marie? Sharaya?” Colin softly called from the hallway. Sharaya asked Colin what he wanted to drink, and he asked for water. She gave him a smooch on the cheek, then paused and gave him a longer one on the neck. “Uhhhh…” She smiled at him with her dark eyes, and then turned away to fetch drinks, telling him that Marie was in the bedroom. “Marie, Sharaya just—kissed me and ummm—nibbled on my… neck…” His voice faded and his jaw dropped.
Marie was reclined along the length of the bed, topless. An unlit More in the holder was between her fingers, at the end of a lazily extended arm. “When a pretty girl kisses you, it usually means that she likes you. And when she nibbles on your neck, it means that you excite her.” Marie turned to look at the door. “I’ll need a light when she comes back, dear,” she purred.
“Drinks!” Sharaya announced as she reappeared in the doorway. She placed the tray on her dresser, all the while looking hungrily at Marie. “You’re going to make me spill,” she cooed. Colin instantly lit Marie’s More. Her first full drag was long, and she opened her mouth to display the smoke before snapping it into her lungs. She slowly raised her chin, and waited a couple of seconds. Both Colin and Sharaya were watching her, making her feel a very pleasant, very sexual tingle. Marie let the smoke out through her nose in two thick streams. “That is just too sexy,” Sharaya breathed, and Colin silently agreed, judging by the bulge that was becoming more prominent in his pants. Sharaya knocked back the shot of whatever it was she had for herself.
“Maybe I’ll teach you… later,” Marie smiled, “but right now…” She swung to a sitting position on the bed, and it was a good height. She unzipped Colin’s fly, then drew again, french-inhaling this time, turning her head to expel a narrow stream of smoke through her lips. She rubbed Colin’s cock, and her next exhale obscured it as she began to give him a blowjob. A gentle squeeze of his nuts kept him from shooting right there. Sharaya was spellbound, barely breathing. “C’mere, babe,” Marie said, everyone’s drinks forgotten. Sharaya walked over to her, eyes half-lidded, pupils dilated. “Take your clothes off, and get on your hands and knees on the bed, right here, in front of me.” As the petite, cinnamon-skinned woman complied, Marie took another drag and kissed her. As both women exhaled, Marie sultrily growled, “My boyfriend is going to fuck you while you watch me smoke, up close.” She looked up at Colin. “Put it in her now, Colin. Remember, don’t pound at her. Go slow,” Marie softly commanded.
Sharaya’s eyes fluttered, rolled up into her head, and she gasped, loudly, at Colin’s smooth entry. She was very wet already, without having been touched to that point. Marie was taking another pull on her holder, and she opened her mouth. The smoke quickly ran to her nose before vanishing. As Marie raised her head, the thick, creamy, white stream that began from her nose was quickly joined by a thicker plume from her lips. It was all so… effortless… casual… sexual and sexy at the same time. Sharaya’s fascination with Marie’s smoking ended abruptly when Colin’s steady thrusting sped up just a little, and suddenly her legs buckled and she let a loud, deep groan go. Colin held her by the hips and kept pumping at her, and Sharaya kept cumming. The sight of Marie and smoke winked in and out of her vision. She suddenly became aware that the noises Colin was making were getting louder. “Uhhh—uhhhhh—Uhhhhhh…” he began to moan. Sharaya gasped, realizing that he was on the verge of cumming inside of her.
“Yes. He’s going to come inside you, baby,” Marie purred. She took another draw, snap-inhaling demonstratively. Marie placed a finger on Sharaya’s chin, and made her watch the slow exhale, a thick stream from the mouth and flowing wisps from her nostrils. Marie narrowed her eyes and whispered, “And you’re going to let him… for me.”
That simple expression of her submission sent Sharaya into another orgasm, and when the first wave subsided, the contractions of Colin’s own explosion triggered another one of her own, while Marie watched their pleasure with a satisfied little smile. Sharaya sank to the bed at Marie’s side, listening to Colin’s loud, post-orgasmic gasps and groans. She knew that she was a big mess down there… but she’d obeyed her sexy, smoky mistress… and right now, that was everything she had hoped for.
Marie finished her More with another french-inhale, and exhaling a long, narrow stream from her lips. She shifted position. “Lick. You know how I like it.” Sharaya fought her post-orgasmic lassitude and slowly moved to Marie’s slightly spread legs. Her tongue extended and she was rewarded with the familiar tang of her favorite lover. “Ohhh… Yes… Like… thaaaaaaat,” Marie sighed happily, her hips beginning to move. Gaining energy from Marie’s encouragement, Sharaya redoubled her efforts, adding two fingers to her lips and tongue, her own earlier orgasms faded to insignificance. “Nnngh… hmmmmf… nnnnngh… hmmmfff… Ohhhhh… ohhhhhh… OHHHHH… GAWD!!! Sh-sh-sh-SHARAYA!!!” Marie went stiff and Sharaya drew her lover’s extended clit into her mouth and sucked, gently. “OHHHHHH GAWWWWWWWWD!!!!” Marie’s wail was punctuated with a grunt, and she collapsed onto the bed, Sharaya pouncing and kissing her feverishly.
A noise reminded them that they weren’t alone. “Hi, Colin,” Marie smiled. “I’m not sorry about that. I can tell you found it very hot,” she teased. He nodded, mouth still slightly agape, cock half-hard. She struggled to sit up. “But I’ll need some water—and my drink, and a little while before I can take care of that for you.” She kissed Sharaya, hot, wet, and deep. “You were excellent, as usual, sweetie. Now shoo, bring back some water for me, and some for yourself.”
“Ummm… Marie…” Colin hesitantly began after Sharaya had left the room, “how often are we gonna do—ummmmm—this?”
She smiled. “Aren’t you having fun?” Colin vigorously nodded and pointed to his penis. “Ohhhh, I see! You’d like to do this more often?” He nodded again, a fearful, bashful, little boy smile appearing. “Well,” Marie started, “let’s see. Sharaya is a submissive who likes girls much better than boys.” His face started to fall. “On the other hand, she likes you because you’re gentle, and she’ll do anything for me because she considers me… her domme. You know, like in some of those cigarette holder pictures you have.” Colin’s eyes widened. “I can make her do anything I want her to. I’d rather convince her that she’ll enjoy them, kind of like I do with you. Whips and chains are out.”
“I like you, Colin,” Sharaya interrupted as she returned, handing the glass of water to Marie and sitting next to her. “But you’re—a guy. If it wasn’t for Marie, I don’t think I would have gotten this close to you. I’ll do anything she says because it makes me very, very hot, especially when it’s something I—wouldn’t normally do. And if I want her, I have to realize that you come along sometimes.”
Before this conversation could get too deep, Marie interrupted by asking Sharaya for a cigarette. The girl bounced up and headed for the kitchen. When she got back, Marie elucidated, “No, I want a More, in my holder. I’m going to teach you about the art of smoking, which both you and Colin have a fascination with.” Now she had their complete attention. “First, there’s the whole cigarette holder thing. Put it in the holder with a quick twist. Don’t fumble with it. That blows the aura.” Sharaya complied, and handed it to Marie. “Second, you only light your own cigarette if you have to. Colin?”
He scrambled to get a lighter and light her More, but Marie held up her hand, slowing his frantic efforts. “Let him do the work,” she said to Sharaya. “Wait for the light to get close, or, if you want to flirt—” Slowly, Marie leaned slightly towards Colin, and looked into his eyes. His cock twitched. “If you want to flirt a little more, place your hand lightly on his extended one.” She demonstrated, eventually accepting the light and taking her first real drag. “Now, Sharaya, it’s your turn to flirt with him,” Marie told her before turning to her ersatz boyfriend and directing him to light Sharaya’s cigarette.
Sharaya reached for a Capri 120, and imitated Marie’s instructions. Colin’s cock twitched again. Her natural snap-inhale was followed almost immediately by a thick, long, slightly noisy exhale. “If you’re going to be watched, you have to give them something to watch,” Marie resumed. She drew on the holder, causing the end of the More to glow brightly. After a pause, she snap-inhaled, waited, then turned her head to the side and exhaled, silently, sending thick smoke flowing from her lips, and tiny wisps coming through her nose. “The pause between the drag and the exhale is important,” she continued, “and the way you handle the cigarette is important. Don’t ever seem like you’re in a hurry.” After her next drag, Marie slowly brought the holder from her mouth to her lap and then lifted her chin for another long, silent oral exhale. “Your turn.”
Sharaya very carefully followed Marie’s instructions, looking self-conscious, and more than a little obvious. “Don’t exaggerate anything,” Marie smiled. “It should never look like you’re trying.” Sharaya’s next attempt was much smoother. “And you can tell when you’ve got a smoking fetisher watching by the look on his or her face. You’ll understand what I mean after you’ve run into a few of them.” After Marie’s next french-inhaled draw, she tilted her head back and lazily exhaled through her nose.
“I love it when you do that,” Sharaya whispered. “The way you do that… the way you look… it makes you look so… powerful. In control.”
“Colin loves it, too,” Marie impishly added, nodding towards his blossoming erection. He was more than half-hard now.
Sharaya only briefly acknowledged Colin’s presence before returning her gaze to Marie’s eyes. “Do I have to smoke girly cigarettes?”
“No,” Marie replied. “You can do this with cigars, or any cigarette. Some guys and girls are into Marlboros and unfiltered cigarettes. Colin—” Marie drew again, and leisurely raised her chin. After a three-count, she exhaled through her lips. “—prefers his smoking women with 120’s and cigarette holders, and that’s hard to find in the real world these days.” She winked at him. “I’m a fantasy come true for him.”
“What do you prefer?” Sharaya breathily asked, watching Marie’s next drag and thick nasal exhale with obvious fascination.
“To smoke? Or to watch?” Marie drew out the question, teasing Sharaya. She was playing with the girl’s senses now, and Colin was an unnecessary, but not unwelcome, accessory right now.
“Either,” Sharaya panted, unable to help herself.
“I’ve been smoking 120’s since I was 14, and using cigarette holders since I was 19. Most of my boyfriends have been smoking fetishers into the glamour thing, and for a horny, chubby chick, any way you can get the cock—or pussy—you want is good,” Marie candidly answered. “But I’m pretty much a 120’s girl at this point by my own choice.”
Sharaya eagerly asked, “Do you want me to start smoking 120’s for you?” while looking at Marie with devotion.
“If you’re gonna smoke cigarettes, yes. For me and Colin,” Marie replied, smiling at Colin. “But you’re way hot with a cigar, too, babe. The smoke from cigars is so much thicker that your exhales can be a little more… flamboyant. More fun to watch,” Marie continued, but Sharaya’s eyes were so full of lust now that Marie knew the smoking lesson was over. She took one last drag, french-inhaling slowly, demonstratively. After casually tilting her head to the side, a stream of smoke flowed from her mouth, the extra wisps from her nose joining after a few seconds. Colin was hard. “Time for a sex break between cigarettes,” she smiled, and handed the holder to Sharaya. “C’mere, stud.”
If Sharaya hadn’t had to go to work at four the next afternoon, Marie and Colin wouldn’t have gotten out of her apartment before Sunday afternoon. Marie was extremely physically and mentally content, Sharaya was sore, but very happy. Colin was exhausted and fucked out. She had masturbated him during Sharaya’s last smoke, a Black and Mild cigar, and he’d barely been able to muster an erection, even though Sharaya was practicing all the smoking tricks that Marie had been trying to teach her. His cum was weak, but he’d kissed her with more passion afterwards than at any other time during the night.
“Do you mind if I—take a nap?” he wearily asked as they came through the door. Marie said no. She was well sated for a change, and her libido seemed to have fallen asleep as more memories of the last twelve hours played through her head. As Colin turned to go up the steps, he paused. “Marie? I think I love you.”
The pronouncement startled her out of her peaceful, pleasant reverie. This was suddenly looking like Danny all over again.
Marie was very careful around Colin for the next week. Her libido had been scared into silence by his pronouncement, and kept that way by the fawning, infatuated looks he constantly gave her. He’d crossed the line, and their business relationship was clearly no longer just business to him. She put the holders away, the Mores aside, and had resumed smoking the Saratogas to keep his cock at bay. No french-inhales, nothing exotic about the strictly oral exhales. It was an effort, but she’d managed to remove the art from her smoking around him. If she left him, where could she go? She had a job, a good one at that, having just gotten a twenty percent raise. She wasn’t just ‘George’s girl’ any more, but the person her boss relied upon the most to keep his work life (and some of his social life as well) straight. She couldn’t just pack up and sneak out. That would mean she’d have to leave her furniture and everything behind, and start all over with just the Beamer, and her savings account. And a very pissed off most recent employer on her resumé.
Saturday, she left Colin at home alone, because Sharaya had called her at the last minute for a date, requesting that she not bring him along. Maybe he’d remember how uncomfortable he was about her bisexuality. At the least, this should remind him that she wasn’t exclusive. Finding another guy to fuck would definitely have done the trick, but it was out-of-bounds, according to the contract. Besides, if this really was another Danny situation… Marie shuddered at the thought of how that had ended.
“Marie… I’m going to be gone for a little while,” Sharaya sadly admitted as they cuddled together. “My Dad is real sick, and I have to go home,” she sighed, sniffling tears. “It’s been a few years since I’ve been home, and Dad wants all of us there.” Marie hugged her tightly. “That’s why I called you today. I didn’t want to just vanish on you, even if you’ve got Colin.”
Marie felt her stomach lurch at his name. Yeah, I’ve got him. But I don’t want him as much as he wants me. When Marie didn’t answer right away, Sharaya quickly asked, “Is everything all right between you two? I haven’t messed that up, have I?” No, but I kinda wish you would. The worry was evident on her face.
Marie reached over to the nightstand and grabbed a Black-and-Mild. “No, dear, you haven’t,” she smiled to put Sharaya at ease. “Colin and I are doing fine,” she lied. “But…” Marie lit the cigar, and did a long, natural, flowing french inhale. “You and I don’t have a lot of time for talking right now. I want to make sure that you come back,” she purred, kissing Sharaya as she shared the cigar smoke. Marie watched her lover toss her head back and exhale straight up, breasts proudly thrust forward. “And if you don’t, I’m gonna make damn sure you won’t forget me.” She gently pulled on the chain attached to the collar around the brown-skinned woman’s neck and kissed her deeply.
Colin still fixed her a special dinner on Sunday. She had to admit that he was getting pretty good in the kitchen. Marie felt a light throb down below as he smiled at her when he presented the chocolate swirl mousse, but managed to resist doing anything encouraging with her after-dinner smoke. Nothing but straightforward inhales and exhales while smoking a Saratoga. If Colin was disappointed, she couldn’t tell, and that was not a good sign. She managed to get away without doing anything sexual, but she had some spicy dreams that night. Marie groaned the next morning as the water from the shower made her tingle. Not now. She was going into one of her horny phases, and right now, her usual remedy was off-limits.
Her boss asked her to stay late to help him with a presentation for the company meeting coming up. Marie phoned Colin at work to let him know. “Hello, Altus Industries, Lauren Clarke. How may I direct your call?” Lauren’s soft, husky voice sent Marie on a flight of fantasy for a few seconds. “Hello? May I help you?”
Damn, I’m horny. “Oh, hi Lauren. This is Marie. Is Colin in?”
“Hi, Marie!” Lauren brightly said. “Since it’s you, I can say that he’s been in his office all day, but not taking any calls.” There was a hesitation. “But he told me not even you should be patched through. Sorry.” There was another pause. “Got some bigwigs in town—meetings all week,” Lauren confided. “He may be a little—distracted at home for the next few days. Anything I can do?”
“I just wanted to let him know that I’m working late tonight, so I don’t know when I’ll be home. He can reach me on my cell.”
“Got it,” Lauren said. “Hey, Gary’s going to be out of town this week. Since Colin’s probably going to be tied up all week too, do you want to have a girl’s night in? I have wine and a really good catering company on speed-dial. We can watch a chick flick and catch up with each other.”
“Sure,” Marie said, feeling a little bit of warmth between her legs. Wow… An answer to my prayers. A way to get off without Colin. And I thought that going straight was easy. She gave Lauren her cell number, and the two made some more small talk until Lauren had to answer another call.
“Colin, since you’re in meetings all day today and have that business dinner meeting, remember that I’m gonna hang out with Lauren tonight,” Marie said as she came down the steps. She took one look at him and immediately groaned, “C’mere, let me fix your tie. I swear, how you could have gotten to thirty and through a job interview without knowing how to tie a tie. It’s even more amazing that you need a wild, unconventional goth girl to do it for you.” She fiddled with his neckwear. “I don’t know what time I’ll be getting home.” Colin nervously said that it was OK. “You’ll be fine. Don’t show the boss up, but wait for him to call on you. You like your job, and it would be a bad thing to piss off the boss.”
That evening, Marie pulled into Lauren’s neighborhood, past the short brick towers on either side of the street. “Cavalier Place,” she said aloud to herself, looking at the first large home, its circular drive and the columns befitting a courthouse, not a home. “She’s definitely at the top of the food chain here.” The houses became more impressive as she got farther away from the main road. Lauren’s house was somewhat of a disappointment at first glance. It was only a one-story ranch home, but it occupied the entire gentle curve of the drive. When she got out of the car, she saw the rest of the “grounds,” including the garage that lay hidden on one side and the pool area in back with its not-so-little pool house. “Wonder how many servants she has?” Marie asked as she rang the doorbell.
“Oh, hey Marie,” Lauren enthusiastically said as she opened the door. They hugged and kissed each other on the cheek. “I’m glad you could come over. I already ordered dinner, and I’ve got some really good wine already open,” she said as she led Marie to the kitchen. “This big place can get really lonely when Gary’s not around.” Lauren poured Marie a partial glass from the rest of an open bottle that was sitting on the kitchen table. She opened another bottle and filled Marie’s glass, then hers. She’s an alcoholic. Great. “Come into the family room and bring the bottle,” Lauren cheerfully said.
Lauren lit a Virginia Slim 120 Menthol as soon as she sat, crossing her legs in the most ladylike manner, and regally exhaling. But she still knows how to smoke. “So, what have you and Colin been up to lately?” The two women conversed about what had been going on in their lives since they’d last been together, sort of like old girlfriends. Marie felt bad about having to lie to Lauren whenever the subject of her and Colin came up. After dinner, Marie asked, “So what about this place? No kids? It’s huge!”
“Yah,” Lauren replied, opening her cigarette case. “It’s used mostly for entertaining—Gary hosts something about every two weeks for his job. It’s not too big then.”
Marie asked Lauren if she could have a cigarette. “I haven’t had a menthol for a while,” she explained, taking a luxuriant first drag and french-inhaling.
“I wish I could do that!” Lauren excitedly said. “Ever since I started smoking in high-school! I thought it was the sex—coolest—thing!” Lauren’s blush made Marie wonder about something.
“I can teach you how to do it,” Marie said. “But you’re right. It is sexy. All you have to do is to open your mouth a little and let the smoke flow up, then breathe in through your nose, not your mouth.” Lauren said it sounded complicated. “It just takes a little coordination. You try it.” An hour and three Virginia Slim 120 menthols later, Lauren was french-inhaling like a pro, opening her mouth slightly after the drag and letting the smoke rapidly flow into her nostrils. “The trick to making it sexy is to make it look natural,” Marie continued to counsel. “You don’t have to exaggerate it. If somebody’s watching, they’ll see it.” Marie opened the pack of Virginia Slims 120’s menthol Lauren had given her and exhibited her own slow french inhale, with her eyes slightly lidded. “Like that.”
“You know so much,” Lauren enthused, obviously a little buzzed. “About being sexy and things like that.” Marie began to get a feeling about this. Her small brush fire flared, and she took a long drag, slowly french-inhaled, and silently expelled a long, narrow trail of smoke angled slightly towards the ceiling. Although Lauren’s body language was neutral, her eyes were broadcasting something, but it wasn’t quite clear what.
“Well, you’re sexy, too. And it’s so—natural,” Marie encouraged. “I have to work at it, and that’s why it seems like I know so much. You’ve got a great body, and the way you smoke is just plain sexy—even without the french-inhales. I’m sure Gary notices. I’m surprised you don’t have lots of kids already.”
“Well…” Lauren paused, and then quickly finished her glass of wine in a big gulp. She immediately poured herself another one. “I don’t know if he really notices.” She looked around the room and her voice dropped. “He’s… gay. But don’t you breathe a word to anybody else, please! Especially not Colin!” Marie swore silence. “I didn’t know until after we’d been married… he’d always been—not very sexual—but we’re best friends, and I love him, and I know he loves me…” Lauren drank some more wine and carefully regarded Marie.
“Just not sexually,” Marie finished rhetorically. After a pause, she asked, “How do you survive?” a little incredulously. No wonder she drinks so much. Still, this is a good sign. Maybe I will get laid tonight.
Lauren seemed to make some sort of decision. She finished her glass in another quick gulp and held out her hand. “Follow me,” she giggled, “Got some great toys. Gary’s very aware of his—er—shortcomings.” She bounced down a hallway, and stopped in front of one of the doors. “This is my playroom. We keep it locked to keep—prying eyes out.” When she opened the door, it looked like a normal room with a bed, a TV and DVD player, and a computer. Lauren walked over to an armoire and dramatically unlocked it. “Voilà! Lauren’s Toy Chest,” she nervously smiled. Marie couldn’t help but gasp at the quantity and variety of DVD’s and dildos and vibrators. Wouldn’t Sharaya love this place. “And over here…” Lauren excitedly said, pulling Marie away from the armoire to the other side of the bed, “is my little multiple orgasm machine.” She proudly pointed at the box. “It’s a Sybian. Every woman should own one. Even if she’s not married to a gay guy.”
“I’ve… heard of them, but I’ve never seen one,” Marie confessed, unable to keep the amazement out of her voice.
“Oh, they’re awesome,” Lauren enthusiastically said, any hint of reluctance gone. She sat on the bed. “Marie? You know why I wanted you to come over?” This was it. “Because I thought you’d understand. You look like you’re—open-minded. I mean, most of our friends are stuffy and conservative. They’d never understand—all of this.” She looked at Marie, obviously worried about what she was going to say. “I kinda got a little drunk trying to screw up the courage to talk about this to you. I’m sorry.”
Marie reached out to gently grasp Lauren’s hand. “I do understand,” she said, as sincerely as she could. She paused for a moment. “I’m… sort of amazed, too. You must really be in love with him.”
“Oh I am,” Lauren said, noticeably relieved by Marie’s acceptance. “And it’s not like he doesn’t want to have anything to do with me sexually. He likes to hold me when I ride, and we kiss.” She smiled and conspiratorially whispered, “You want to give it a try? It’ll be our little secret.” Marie’s first Sybian experience left her lying on the floor gasping for breath and seeing stars within fifteen minutes. She was so out-of-it that when Lauren leaned over, Marie pulled her head down and kissed her passionately before she could ask about the experience. Lauren responded gently, and then said, “I know… sometimes you need somebody to kiss after that. That’s why I get lonely sometimes when he’s out of town.”
After Marie had caught her breath, and her brain had started working again, she asked, “Don’t you ever want a flesh-and-blood lover, though? I mean, that thing could be addictive, but… it’s not quite the same.”
“Gary and I have Viagra sex once a month or so,” Lauren replied, lighting another cigarette. “It makes it easy for him to get hard, and I know how to touch him.” Lauren raised her chin and did her usual perfect, silent, long, oral exhale, the freshly lit Virginia Slim 120 looking so long, delicately held between her index and middle fingers.
Marie cleared her throat. “Have you ever thought of another—”
“Man? No.” Lauren looked at Marie. “Woman? Only in my fantasies. I’m not quite… there yet,” she admitted, anticipating Marie’s overture. “It was a nice kiss, though. Maybe… some time. When I’m feeling more brave.”
“You were pretty brave tonight, Lauren,” Marie said. “Telling me about—everything, and sharing—your toy. Maybe… some time. If I’m around…” The two women hugged and Lauren left the room. Marie dressed, thinking that maybe a Sybian was a good solution to her horny problem. Now all she had to do was to solve the Colin one.
“So what’s got your boss all hot and bothered? You’ve been working late, and you went into the office on Saturday and yesterday,” Colin said. “This is unusual.”
“He’s real nervous about this presentation, Colin,” Marie sighed, fatigued. “It’s his first district meeting. He just got promoted right before I got the job. That’s part of why I was transferred here, to help him with the additional administrative stuff involved with going from branch to district.” She didn’t add that it kept her away from him.
“Oh. So when’s this meeting?”
“Wednesday through Friday,” she answered while resisting the urge to have a cigarette. It had been a long day, and if it was any indication, Frank was going to be a wreck tomorrow. The last thing Marie wanted was to give Colin any encouragement. It had been two weeks, and he’d been gently hinting that he was horny, and that he wanted her. She was afraid that if she gave in, it was no longer going to be “only sex.” She’d been able to avoid smoking around him for the most part, because it was in their “contract” that she chose when and how much she smoked. She had been forced to remind him of that clause on more than one occasion lately. When she did smoke around him, it was a Saratoga. Smoking with style was so much of a part of her that she had to concentrate on how to do it without style, but she managed. His puppy dog eyes and silent pleading did not help, and Marie still had the uneasy feeling that Colin had fallen in love with her. “Not tonight, Colin,” she finally pleaded. “I’m exhausted, and the rest of the week isn’t going to be much better. Maybe Friday night.”
The first morning of meetings had gone reasonably well. Marie’s rear end hurt from sitting so much, but she’d been very good about taking notes and knowing who had the information that was requested, as well as taking care of the catering. She was efficient, even more so than usual, since it gave her an excuse to focus on something other than Colin’s infatuation. Marie was sitting outside, savoring a Capri 120 menthol; she’d bought a pack for the office, to keep from smoking anything other than Saratogas in front of Colin. She was running out of Saratogas at home, but she would cross that bridge when she came to it. For now, she was the executive assistant, enjoying her break.
“Well, well. Hello, Marie.” A very familiar voice jolted her out of her reverie.
“George!!!” she exclaimed, dropping her cigarette and running over to hug him.
“It’s been a long time. Frank says that you’re doing very well here. I’m glad that it’s working out.”
“Thanks for everything,” she replied. “How’s Juliet and the baby?”
“They’re fine… just fine. Little Ellie looks just like her mom. Good thing,” he smiled. George looked around for a moment. “Are you still smoking Mores?” he asked conspiratorially.
“Oh!!! No,” Marie answered. “They don’t have the brown light 120’s here, and the plain Mores are a little bit too strong for me,” she half-lied. “Frank didn’t tell me you were coming!!!” He smiled and said that he didn’t want Frank to get any more nervous than he had been, so he’d arrived without any notification. He told her to stay outside, while he’d introduced himself to the attendees. “It’s nice to see you again, George,” she truthfully said, and he walked into the building. There goes one of the real nice guys. He didn’t have to set me up after it fell apart in San Diego, but he did, and it’s been going pretty well, except for this current thing with Colin—and that’s not his fault, it’s mine.
When the afternoon meeting broke up, George invited the branch managers, Frank, and Marie to dinner. “Pick someplace nice, preferably with a private area. You know the type of place I like in San Diego, Marie. Anywhere like that here?” She quickly made reservations at one of the Italian restaurants in the area, and phoned Colin to tell him.
After dinner, George asked Frank if Marie could take him back to his hotel. “Wanna stop at the hotel bar for a drink? Talk over old times? Did you know that Ravi’s leaving for a biotech start-up? The boy’s branching out. Everybody says hi,” George said. Marie agreed. She could use a cigarette and a drink after today. Besides, it would be good to hear about everybody. She sort of missed San Diego, but not the smoking regulations.
Marie waited in the bar for George, who said he had to call home and check on the family. She lit a Capri, and took a long drag, feeling the tension leave with her first exhale. She french-inhaled her next drag, and tilted her head for a long nasal exhale, enjoying the menthol through her nose. George returned with a wrapped box for her. “I thought you might like these. I just got ’em today, on the way to the airport.” She opened it.
“More Light 120’s!” Marie said, trying to hide her lack of enthusiasm. She took another long drag from the Capri, knowing what was coming next.
“I knew you wouldn’t find them here,” he smiled, “so I brought you your favorites. Go ahead, have one. I know it’s been a while.” The expression on his face said that her pleasure wasn’t the important thing here. She tried to gently remind him that she was still in the middle of a Capri. His face fell, so she agreed to have one after her drink.
George told her all about everybody at the office: how Janine was pregnant again, that Tim and Barry had lost their shirts trying to promote hip-hop, and that her replacement was barely competent. They laughed over the big water cooler controversy they’d had—was it spring, or just filtered? When he ordered her another Jack and Coke, Marie sighed inwardly. Guess I’d better get this over with. She opened the pack and took out a More Light 120 to a waiting flame. “Thank you, sir,” she graciously replied. Now, if I only felt that gracious…
She took a long drag on the brown cylinder, allowing some of the smoke to escape through her nose as she finished her inhale. Posing with the More held high between her first two fingers at the filter, near her ear, wrist cocked and elbow bent, Marie lifted her chin, and exhaled slowly, breasts rising and chest easing forward. She’d spent almost five years as George’s personal smoker, and she hadn’t forgotten what he liked. No sense in being contrary out of spite. “I never get tired of seeing that. It’s been a long time,” he wistfully whispered.
Marie forced a smile and dragged again for several seconds, the long, slim, brown cigarette glowing bright orange-red at the tip, inhaling with her mouth closed and drawing the smoke deeply into her lungs, issuing a brief stream of smoke from her nose. She tossed her head, and after returning the More to its display position next to her ear, she raised her chin and once again eased her chest forward, silently sending a long, long trail of smoke into the air above the booth. “Would you like to come to my room?” George quickly asked.
“No, I don’t think so, George,” Marie drawled. “You and I have a long two days ahead of us, and unlike you, I have to pay enough attention so I can provide a report that you can read later,” she needled with a note of fun in her voice that she didn’t feel. She knew that she was expressing a mild resentment over the presumptuous request, but after all, he was the company president. He was obviously disappointed, giving her a pleading look. Just like Colin. What is it about More fetishers? It lasted for a few moments, but he eventually nodded with acceptance and understanding.
“Well, do you mind if I stay until the end of your drink?” She assured him that she didn’t. It wasn’t the drink that he was interested in, but she indulged him, continuing to smoke the More with careful attention to his preferences. She took her time finishing both the drink and the cigarette amidst more talk about the people they both knew in San Diego. “Good night, Marie. It sure was good to see you and talk about old times,” George said as he paid the tab. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Friday afternoon, Marie stood outside after the meetings, smoking a Capri 120. She was glad that it was over, but her boss, and by extension, she, had done well. George had been pleased with not only the results, but the presentation as well. Maybe this’ll earn me a trip to the annual meeting. I could do with Hawaii in December. Her worries about Colin had faded to the background, overwhelmed by those she had about this meeting. Colin had left her alone the past few days to let her handle the demands of her job without having to bother with him. She hadn’t even detected a hint of fetish desire coming from him. How can I let him down easy? Will he be another Danny? How can I tell? How could I have known what Danny was going to do when I—
Her musing was interrupted by Frank’s voice. “Marie, George wants to take us out to dinner! He’s really pleased with the district numbers, and wants to strategize for the next year. Can you make it? I need you to take notes. I know it’s short notice but…” She said that she would, but that she had to call Colin and let him know. This is why Frank thought you were worth the huge raise. And I’ve got to keep him happy if I’m going to go out on my own soon. She put out her cigarette and called Colin. He sounded very disappointed, but he was almost infuriatingly understanding. Sometimes I wish he’d be more unreasonable. Then I wouldn’t feel like such a bitch for having to drop him.
It was definitely a working dinner, George and Frank talking about initiatives and product life cycles for the next four quarters, and relying on Marie to keep everything straight. However, Frank finally decided it would be good to get home—it was already 9:30, and he had a long drive home from the restaurant, so it was left to Marie to take George back to his hotel. “Drinks?” George suggested as she neared his hotel. “Oh, c’mon Marie, it’s Friday night, and I’ve kept you out of the clubs until ten! Have a warm-up or two on me.”
She sighed inwardly. I have a choice between George, who wants me to smoke Mores so he can watch, get really excited, and go back to his hotel room and jerk off. Or, I can go home to Colin, who wants me to smoke anything other than Saratogas, so he can watch, get really excited, and have sex with me. You know, I think I’m finally tired of the fetish fantasy babe thing. It’s not worth it any more. She chose George; she didn’t have any Mores on her, so his libido wouldn’t kick in and she wouldn’t have to put out. In addition, if she came home late enough, Colin would be asleep and that would give her another day to figure out how she was going to break up with him. “Sure, George. That would be cool. Talk over old times some more,” Marie said.
“Use the valet service. I’ll pick up the tab,” George confidently said. As they entered the lobby, he touched her arm and softly asked, “Did you want to have cocktails… privately?” She shook her head and equally soft, replied no. “In that case,” George resumed, “I’m going to go upstairs to the room and change into something more—casual. See you in a few minutes.”
She chose a seat at the bar; it was an upscale place, softly, and artistically lit. Thankfully, all of the booths, which seemed much more secluded and less illuminated, were occupied. Sorry George, no smoky handjob in public tonight. The first couple of times she’d done that for him had been fun, in a strange, perverse sort of way, but after that it was just… gross. A trio played soft jazz in an adjacent, even darker, room full of tables. The bartender put an ashtray in front of her as soon as she put the pack of Capri 120’s on the bar, and lit her cigarette before asking her what she would have. “Cosmo, nothing fancy.” It was her first opportunity to smoke since she’d left work, and she enjoyed the sensation of being able to enjoy a cigarette in solitude, without any need or expectation of performance. George didn’t get there until a few minutes after she had finished the Capri.
“No booths?” he asked, sounding very disappointed. Then he looked on the bar. “Capri 120 menthol? What happened to the Mores?” She blithely gave him a line about the brown More Light 120’s being so rare here that she only allowed herself to smoke one or two each day, and kept them in the freezer at home so they would last. “Well… If you really want them, just let me know. Or, you can order them from an internet smoke shop. They’ll probably be fresher, too,” he eagerly said. Marie had no doubt that fantasies of her smoking his fetish brand were running rampant in his head. Just then, a booth opened up. George virtually leaped across the space and settled into one of the seats. He waved her over.
Damn! she nervously thought, but then relaxed. George needed the sight of a woman smoking a More to become aroused, and there wasn’t a More in sight. As long as no More smokers came through the bar, she was safe, and he was just going to have to be frustrated. She joined him, choosing to sit on the other side of the booth, and smiled sweetly. He pouted. “So how is everything back in San Diego?” she asked, the best neutral question she could think of.
“The company’s doing fine—the office is pretty much the same, except that we’re losing Ravi. That worries me a little, because he’s so damn sharp,” George replied, seemingly warming to the topic. “I have to write an ad for a couple of replacements. I think it’s going to take two people to fill his shoes.” She nodded, saying that it might take three, and he agreed. “But I’m not quite ready to make that commitment. We’re doing okay, but I don’t want to add somebody just to let them go the next time the market projections quiver—oops!” He looked startled for a moment, before reaching to his hip to check his cell phone. “Excuse me, I have to take this call.” George stood up and headed out of the bar.
Marie took the opportunity to light another Capri 120 menthol; she just didn’t feel like being watched tonight—by anybody. By the time George came back, she had finished the cigarette and gotten another Cosmo. “They make those as well as they do in San Diego at our favorite place?” His distinctly wistful, nostalgic tone made her uncomfortable. She asked to see the baby pictures in an effort to change the subject, but he said that he didn’t have them with him—they were in his wallet, in the safe, back in his room. Tonight’s drinks were going on the room bill. She tried to come up with something else that would steer his thoughts away from their old relationship, but wasn’t having much success.
“Do you like it here?” he asked, interrupting her spinning thoughts. “Can you see staying here for a while?”
“Yes,” Marie brightly answered, relieved that George had steered the conversation away from the rocks. “I was worried when I got transferred, and Frank and I had some issues early on about my role, but that’s all better now, as you saw.” He nodded, his face somewhat unreadable. “Again, thanks for transferring me. I know you didn’t have to, and it was way more than I could ask for, given the situation. It really was a nice thing to do,” she sincerely smiled, patting his hand. The contact seemed to bring George back from his musing. “Well, I’m glad that it worked out.” He looked at his nearly empty beer mug. “You know, I was glad to hear that you were still here when the meeting was scheduled. It made me look forward to the trip,” he smiled. “I’m staying over Saturday night,” he added. All kinds of alarm bells went off in Marie’s head at that. It didn’t affect his airfare, so there could only be one reason for that decision, especially with a new baby at home. “I was thinking that—maybe we could spend some time together this weekend.”
Shit. “Ummm… George, I’m really flattered that you think enough of me to want that,” Marie graciously began, “but… it’s been what, eight, nine months? I’m settled in here.”
“I figured you would be, but we had some good times together,” George truthfully said. “I mean, you don’t have any plans other than clubbing, right?”
Oh my god. Nobody at the office told him about Colin. “We did,” she admitted, “but I’ve… sort of… moved on.” She desperately hoped he’d take the hint and wouldn’t push the topic.
“Well, I figured as much, but you’re not married, and seeing as how you’re here, and I’m here… How about it?”
“George. This discussion does not belong in public,” she coldly interrupted. It’s time to settle this once and for all.
He said, “I have a room here,” and stood up. Marie glared, but followed him. She was still pretty safe, even alone in a hotel room with him. George wasn’t violent, and he couldn’t make her smoke a More. Without that, his libido was nearly non-existent.
She fired her opening volley as soon as they got in the room. “George, that was a terrible thing to say! Do you have any idea of how that makes me feel? Do you have any idea what that says about the way you think of me??? I don’t know which one’s worse!” She paced around the suite’s living room. “Besides, I’m involved.”
He calmly opened the minibar and poured a beer. “Not enough to run home after dropping me off,” he observed. It was true: her misgivings about her relationship with Colin had led to her accepting George’s offer for drinks. “The truth hurts, Marie, doesn’t it?” She couldn’t even play the wounded innocent. “You didn’t think I set you up out here for no reason at all, did you? I figured that business would bring me here a few times a year, and it’s far away from San Diego. I mean, it’s a weekend—two nights every so often. I’d think that’s a fair exchange for setting you up like this, and approving the twenty percent raise that Frank felt you were worth. Are you sure that raise was all for services provided in the office? Based on past experience, of course.”
He looked at her, and her blood began to chill. “I mean, you have no idea what it’s been like for me, Marie. I’ve been reduced to surfing the internet and masturbating during 2 a.m. feedings or whenever Juliet’s out of the house,” George complained. “And frankly, no one on the net, or in any video or DVD can smoke these—” He pulled a long red pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket and held it up. Where did he get those? When—?? Oh. The phone call. “—as well as you do. Nobody else is anywhere near as sexy about it. You are a smoking goddess.” When Marie didn’t move, he shrugged and continued, “I didn’t think you were the marrying kind, so I just figured that we could have a fling every so often. Just like old times.”
She felt like such a whore. Marie, this is it. This is the crossroads. I always knew that I’d get tired of the game sooner or later. And now, between Colin and George, I know I’m done. I have been a whore, but it’s gonna stop tonight, all the material stuff it’s gotten me, and could still get me, be damned. George stood there, looking at her with expectation. “Well, how about it, Marie?” He extended the pack towards her.
She walked over to him and took it in her hands, giving him a hug before stepping back. “George, I truly appreciate everything. Everything that I’ve learned about having a real job and all the things you’ve taught me about the software business while I worked for you… It was great. You were great. You didn’t treat me like the gold digging slut I was when we first met five years ago.” He smiled at her.
“But that was five years ago,” she sadly, but firmly, resumed after a sigh. “I’m not her any more. I’ve grown, George, and you’ve had a lot to do with that. I’m always going to be thankful to you, but I don’t—I can’t—do this any more.” She gave him a smooch on the cheek while accepting the pack of Mores. “I’ll take these because of everything you’ve done for me.” She turned away from him and finished, “Next time you’re in town, I’ll make a DVD of me smoking these just for you, but that’s the last thing you’ll be getting from me.” Marie slowly walked away from George, waiting for him to say something, and wondering what it would be. There was only silence. She paused at the door. “George, I’m sorry I can’t be the same Marie for you.” Marie opened it, and stepped into the hotel corridor without looking back as the door closed behind her on its own.