When Cecilia had been a teenager, the last place she’d wanted to work was at the supermarket in her small town. She’d done a few summers as a waitress at the local cafe, but even though her parents constantly encouraged her to, working grocery was the last thing she wanted.
But then saving for college became a thing. With all the time on her hands with high-school finished, and the cafe closing, Cecilia had to face her few options. Either drive half-an-hour to a job in the city and waste money on gas, or settle for the supermarket.
So on her twentieth birthday, she put in her application. Three weeks later, she’d started as a cashier. Three months later, she had to admit that she didn’t know why she’d been hesitant. Sure, there were rude customers, chatty customers, creepy customers, but the atmosphere was relaxed and casual despite the uniforms and the work wasn’t too hard. She’d made friends with the rest of the staff. The folks her age, the younger teens, the older adults.
Then one Sunday, she spotted a new girl. She seemed about Cecilia’s age, maybe a bit older. A redhead, cute face and figure. Cecilia first saw her being taught around grocery about stocking shelves, but her attention was soon turned to shoppers rather than co-workers.
It was a quiet moment just before noon when the new girl finally came over to Cecilia’s cash. “Hey,” the redhead said, checking to see if anyone else was drawing near. “I’m Nicolette, and I’m starting today in Grocery.”
“Nice to meet you,” Cecilia said. “I’m Cecilia, and I’m a cashier here. I hope you’ll like it here.”
“Yeah, everyone’s been friendly so far,” Nicolette said, leaning on the counter. “I think I’m enjoying it so far. I mean, a job’s a job, but it sure beats cleaning.”
“Don’t tempt fate, someone might drop a jar of pickles in Aisle 2.”
Nicolette giggled. Her laugh was adorable. “I suppose I’ll have to sweep and mop eventually.”
“The cashiers take care of the front of the store, but elsewhere it’s your job. Or whoever else is on with you.”
“I’m working Sundays to Thursdays. Always prefer Friday being my first weekend day. Much quieter on Fridays.”
Cecilia nodded. Fridays at the store were usually quite hectic, especially evenings. “Are you from around here, or did you move up here recently?”
“A bit outside of town,” Nicolette said. “I used to bus into the city for work, but I’ve got myself a side gig now, so I can take something more tame for a job.”
“Sounds fun.” Cecilia spotted a customer with a cart full of frozen dinners approaching. “One moment please!”
She scanned all of those frozen dinners, her hands a bit chilly afterward. Once the customer had finished rambling about the February weather and paid for their groceries, Nicolette returned to leaning on the counter. “I suppose I shouldn’t keep you any longer?”
“It’ll probably pick up after noon. It usually does on the weekend.”
“Okay then.” Taking out her wallet, Nicolette said, “Then I’ll take a pack of Number 7’s please.” She plucked out her ID like it was a habit.
Cecilia paused, staring at the ID. “You…smoke?”
“Hope it doesn’t make me uncool.”
Cecilia glanced nervously to Nicolette, then back to the ID. She checked the date, confirming that Nicolette was 22, before turning to the wall behind her and searching for a pack of Number 7 cigarettes.
She handed them to Nicolette, who paid with her credit card. “Thanks,” she said. “Let Dawson know I’m going on break.”
“Okay!” said Cecilia.
Nicolette headed in the direction of the staff lounge, and Cecilia turned to the next customer. She remained quiet, only asking if they wanted their receipt. All the while, she tried not to think of Nicolette grabbing her coat (She didn’t even know what Nicolette’s coat would look like!) and heading outside for…
Cecilia finished with the customer, relieved that no one else was in line behind them. She hoped that Nicolette wouldn’t ever find out that Cecilia thought she was kind of cute, nor that she didn’t mind the idea of Nicolette smoking, not at all…!
Part 2
Cecilia continued to see Nicolette at work. The staff went out back on smoke breaks, fortunately, so Cecilia didn’t catch a glimpse of Nicolette smoking. She did buy two packs of Number 7’s on Thursday before she left, ready to go in her fur- lined parka. The thought of what the fluffy collar of her hood smelled of crossed Cecilia’s mind; she had to force her attention to the other customers, rather than look outside in case Nicolette lit up as she left.
They chatted every now and then, during slow periods when the managers weren’t paying attention to them. Their talks were mainly about the store itself, about what the other staff were like and which ones were no fun to work with. Nicolette always smiled during their talks, and Cecilia hoped that maybe she found Cecilia cute as well.
If Nicolette knew about what Cecilia really thought of her smoking… ***
The two of them ended up on the closing shift on the next Sunday. Cecilia showed Nicolette around to what needed to be tidied up and put away before closing, while cleaning the front end herself.
Once the clock hit eleven, both girls headed upstairs to get their things. “Pretty late out,” Nicolette said, putting on her parka. “Want a ride home?”
Cecilia’s stomach twisted. “Well, I live that-a-way,” she said, pointing in the direction of her home.
“So do I. You said you lived in town, so it won’t be too far out of the way for me. So how about it?”
As nervous as she was, she didn’t want to act too shy to Nicolette. “Sure, thanks!” Cecilia said.
The two headed out to Nicolette’s car, a older red sedan. “I live just down Elm Road,” Cecilia said, “before the edge of town.”
“I know where that is,” Nicolette said. She reached into her parka pocket. “Do you mind if I smoke in here?”
Cecilia’s stomach flipped upside-down. “No, go ahead,” she said, shrugging.
“Cool,” Nicolette replied, taking out a cigarette from her pack. Cecilia looked out the front window, hearing the flick of the lighter. That was followed by the smell of smoke quickly filling the interior of the car. Cecilia usually didn’t mind cigarette smoke; sometimes it was more tolerable than others. She figured it depended on the brand.
Nicolette put her window down a touch before driving out of the parking lot. Cecilia kept her eyes forward, not wanting to stare. She heard Nicolette’s exhales under the car engine, watched the smoke dance in front of them.
“Cat got your tongue?” “Umm…”
Nicolette chuckled. “What are your parents going to think when you get out of the car?”
Her mom wouldn’t stay up this late, and her dad wouldn’t be watching like a hawk for her. “They probably won’t notice.”
“Ah.”
Cecilia glanced to Nicolette, just in time to see the redhead bring her cigarette to her lips. The tip glowed red in the dark, the smoke visible beneath the streetlights they passed by. She was curious about Nicolette, but didn’t want to ask about what was on her mind now. When Nicolette started, what Nicolette thought of it, how much Nicolette smoked.
Nicolette turned onto Elm Road. “It’s the red house about halfway down the street,” Cecilia said. “Right-hand side.”
When Nicolette spotted the house, she pulled over to the curb. “Thanks for the ride,” Cecilia said, looking to Nicolette.
“No problem,” Nicolette said, with a small wave of her right hand, cigarette between her fingers. “See you tomorrow?”
“I’m not on tomorrow,” Cecilia said, “but the day after.”
“See you then.”
Cecilia opened the door. As she did, she inhaled through her nose. She didn’t want to make it obvious. What would Nicolette think if she knew? Not just about Cecilia liking the sight of her smoking, but how she loved the smell of Nicolette’s brand?
When she closed the door behind her, fresh air filled her nostrils once more. She gave a quick wave to Nicolette before the girl drove off, then hurried inside. Cecilia didn’t bother to say goodnight to her dad, who was watching TV; she quickly made her way to her bedroom, intent on getting to bed and getting these thoughts of redheads and cigarettes out of her mind.
Part 3
Both of Cecilia’s parents worked that Monday, leaving her alone in the house. She considered heading down to the store to buy herself something nice for lunch, but she knew Nicolette was working today and the thought of seeing her again kept her home. What if Nicolette already knew? Most people didn’t like being around smokers, the smell of smoke. What if she’d noticed Cecilia taking that last sniff of her smoke?
Cecilia tried to distract herself, but kept thinking back to Nicolette’s smoking. The sight, the smell. What would it taste like to kiss a smoker? To taste the smoke upon their breath? She didn’t need to tempt these thoughts.
Retreating to her bedroom, Cecilia set her laptop on her nightstand, her earphones plugged in. Once upon a time, she would wait until late at night to watch videos of female models, only beginning to realize why she was so fascinated with their bodies and movements.
It was much later than she had first clicked on a video of a woman who lit a cigarette partway through the video. Cecilia had thought of closing the video, but instead she kept watching. She’d known that smoking was a disgusting, addictive,
unhealthy habit. But the way the model had taken each draw from her cigarette, exhaled slowly and deeply, the way she smiled at the camera like she enjoyed her habit was enticing to Cecilia. She’d watched other videos of women smoking, and had soon discovered women who catered to smoking fetishes. A fetish – she hadn’t wanted to think of it as that, had thought of her as gross and perverted for enjoying seeing a woman smoke, but she couldn’t stop watching these videos when she first discovered them. She found favorites, would watch these ladies livestream and chat about stuff while smoking cigarette after cigarette. Cecilia had even taken part in their chats, like they were a casual acquaintance rather than a stranger over the internet.
After a while, she’d drifted away from watching that stuff, figuring it was getting too much. The last thing she’d wanted was to think smoking was so sexy that maybe she should start smoking.
Today, certain that she was alone, Cecilia went onto YouTube to peruse. She stared by typing in smoking woman, then debated what she wanted to see. Holders were so elegant and sexy, a raven-haired beauty was something she always enjoyed…
She added the word redhead to the search before clicking the button. The results came up – unsurprisingly, most were blurred out, requiring a sign-in. She scanned the descriptions of a few, scrolling down, until one username caught her eye.
numbersevixen.
It immediately made Cecilia think of Nicolette, the cigarettes she bought. Their lovely fragrance. She knew she shouldn’t have dwelled on Nicolette again, but decided to take the plunge. When the site prompted her, she signed in.
The video appeared, and Nicolette’s smiling face greeted her. For a second, Cecilia thought that her mind was playing tricks on her. But the image, of Nicolette with longer hair than Cecilia recognized, matched the video title: Preview: One last smoke for the night. Her hair was messy, she was dressed in a cute tight nightdress, and she laid on her bed with a pack of cigarettes and ashtray on her bedside table. With a yawn, Nicolette reached for her pack of cigarettes.
Anticipation built up in Cecilia, waiting for that first puff of smoke as Nicolette lit her cigarette. The video faded to another shot, where she’d tucked herself beneath her
sheets, her cigarette half-finished, taking a small drag and exhaling toward the ceiling.
It couldn’t be Nicolette. Cecilia had to be mistaken.
She clicked the profile page, seeing other preview clips and a few old livestreams. One caught her attention: Winter smokerland. The thumbnail had Nicolette, dressed in the parka Cecilia recognized, sitting outside with her cigarette in her lips as snow fell around her. That clip was only three months old.
Cecilia knew she should have closed the browser now. Forgotten all about this. Instead, she browsed through the preview clips. Rushing a smoke before work. I blew up this pool with my smoky exhales – this one had Nicolette in a bikini, soaking in an inflatable pool with a cigarette dangling! Roleplay – your incompetence is making your boss chain-smoke!.
Cecilia stopped at one clip: A classy lady smokes with a classy holder. She had to click this one, just from the thumbnail alone, showing Nicolette in a pretty (and revealing) red dress as she held a long cigarette holder, smoke trailing from the cigarette.
She laid back, and watched. Watched Nicolette light her cigarette, watched her blow her smoke at the camera with a smooch. Listened to her speak in a husky voice, “Sometimes a lady doesn’t want her beautiful dress and hair smelling of smoke, you know.” A tone of voice that was still recognizable as the Nicolette that Cecilia knew.
She clicked one of the livestreams next. An hour long, with Nicolette talking about the job she used to have (a secretary at some office) and her family. Her parents knew she smoked but had accepted it by now. She took questions from the chat, like how much she smoked (usually ten to twelve a day, more when she was shooting videos) or what her favorite brand was (Number 7’s, of course). She smoked three cigarettes through the video, alternating between exhaling away from the camera and blowing her smoke at the screen. Each time she did the latter, Cecilia couldn’t help but to remember the lovely smell of her Number 7 cigarette.
When the video was over, Cecilia only noticed then how long it’d been, how she’d spent nearly two hours on Nicolette’s channel. She shouldn’t have looked in the
first place! How was she going to react now the next time she saw Nicolette at work?
Cecilia closed her laptop and headed downstairs, away from the temptation. But she just couldn’t stop thinking of Nicolette now, whether it was with just a cigarette dangling between her lips or posing elegantly with her long holder.
Part 4
Cecilia said little to Nicolette over the next few days, just greetings here and there. Every time she saw her, she thought of Nicolette’s “secret”, her “side gig”, her videos. She held herself back from watching more, knowing it was weird to know her co-worker made these sorts of videos and that she enjoyed them.
The most they talked before Thursday, the last day of Nicolette’s work week, was around noon – with Nicolette buying two packs of cigarettes on her lunch break. When she asked for the Number 7’s, Cecilia’s stomach winced, remembering her username numbersevixen. Remembering the smell of her cigarettes…!
Finally, the end of Cecilia’s shift arrived, and with it a small relief knowing that she wouldn’t see Nicolette again until next week. She hurried to the staff lounge, getting her coat and heading outside.
When she walked out the front doors, she heard Nicolette speak up. “Cat got your tongue?”
“Huh?” Cecilia said, turning around. “Um, no…”
“You’ve been quiet all week,” Nicolette said. “I’ve been enjoying talking to you, so I was just wondering if something was up.”
“No, nothing’s wrong,” Cecilia said, with a forced smile. “Just focused on work.” Nicolette was wearing that parka, with the fluff-lined hood, and Cecilia wondered if it smelled of –
“Actually, I was wondering if you’d like to hang out sometime,” Nicolette said, “outside of work. Get to know each other better.”
Was she really asking that? Was she interested in Cecilia? “Um, I mean…” “Want a ride home, for now?”
She didn’t want to be rude, but figured Nicolette would end up smoking in the car again. When she said nothing, Nicolette beckoned and said, “Come on, I’ll give you a lift.”
Cecilia followed her to her car, sitting inside with her. As she put her seatbelt on, she looked to Nicolette as she pulled a cigarette out of her pack. “Sure you don’t mind me smoking in here?” Nicolette asked.
“Not at all, no!”
Her squeal-like response provoked an odd look from Nicolette. “Okay, what’s really going on?”
She was already in too deep, and Nicolette knew there was something awkward about all of this. So Cecilia decided to come clean. “I…found your channel.”
“My channel.”
“You know…numbersevixen.”
Only noises from outside the car filled the air between them, until Nicolette replied, “Ohhh…”
Cecilia looked down to her feet, thinking that Nicolette would be embarrassed that she knew what Nicolette did. Was it just for money? How much did Nicolette make off of her videos? Did anyone else in her life know she made these sorts of –
“Well,” Nicolette finally said, “how did you find it?”
Her voice wasn’t uneasy or timid. In fact, it was almost teasing. Cecilia lifted her head. “I…um…”
Nicolette put her cigarette in her lips. Flicking her lighter, she took a long draw from it, exhaling a steady stream of smoke that quickly filled the car’s interior with its fragrance. Cecilia couldn’t help but to take a long sniff, enjoying the smell.
Smiling, Nicolette said, “Want to come over to my place now for a bit?” All Cecilia could do was nod.
Part 5
Nicolette’s house was a cozy white bungalow outside of town, one of several similar on small lots. She led Cecilia into the den, sitting down on the couch and taking the last drag from her cigarette, exhaling smoke through the air as she crushed her butt in an almost-empty ashtray.
“You live alone here?” Cecilia asked.
“Yep,” Nicolette replied. “Renting it from a friend of my family.”
That was lucky of Nicolette. Cecilia adored the thought of having a place like this to herself, where she could make the place her own, be certain of her privacy. Thinking about that reminded her of having found Nicolette’s videos…
“You’re still with your parents, right? Any plans?”
“I was saving up for college,” Cecilia replied. “I’m still not sure what I’ll take, but I should have enough in a year.”
“And what do you get up to in your spare time?”
“Aside from hanging out with friends…” Cecilia shrugged. She didn’t have an exciting social life, but most folks in small towns probably didn’t. The last thing she wanted to mention was all of the jigsaw puzzles she’d collected over the years.
“And you’ve been working at the store a while now, or have you had any other jobs in the past?”
“I used to be a waitress at the cafe over the summers, but I couldn’t see myself doing that all year long.”
“I hear you. Being stuck in an office wasn’t cutting it for me. Watching the minutes go by, eagerly awaiting the next smoke break or the end of the day.”
Cecilia didn’t want to fixate on that, but why was she here anyway? And she was curious. “Nicolette, um…how long have you been smoking?”
Nicolette smirked. “A few years now.” “When did you start?”
“One of my first girlfriends smoked, and I thought she looked so mature and hot. I used to watch her smoke after sex, and one night I asked if I could try a puff.”
Cecilia had hoped for the story to be a bit less steamy. “Did you like it?”
“I suppose some folks get hooked on it right away, but it took some time for me to get used to the taste. But I loved the buzz, and once I tried a few different brands, I found ones that I really love.”
“Your…” Cecilia didn’t want to admit that she liked them too. “Number 7’s?” Nicolette smiled and nodded.
“And your…” Cecilia spoke the next word as a squeak. “…channel…how long have you been doing that?”
“About a year now. I’ve seen other girls smoking on YouTube and all the views they’ve gotten, so I figured that I could give it a shot too. Kind of surprised I’ve got myself a solid following, with all of the stuff out there.”
“How much do you make?”
With a little shrug, Nicolette said, “A bit over a thousand a month?”
“That much?” It probably wasn’t that much compared to women who’d been doing it for a while, but to Cecilia, it was a lot of money just for making some videos of smoking.
Nicolette grinned. “Yep. It’s why I was able to get a little demanding job. I make more money, I get to enjoy myself smoking and being sexy for the internet, it’s a win-win!”
Cecilia looked away. Nicolette’s living room was simple, with only a few knick- knacks and portraits here and there. It was still a nice-looking place.
“Speaking of,” Nicolette asked, “how much of my videos have you watched?”
Cecilia’s stomach sank. “Uh, not that many…I’ve only watched the previews, I haven’t subscribed or…”
“I’ll see about getting you a freebie.”
“You don’t have to…” The thought of paying for smoking-fetish content, of having that record associated with her financial records, was daunting.
“A gift for a fan, really. That’s part of being a content creator sometimes. And hey, you’re a lot better than creepy guys hitting on me, wanting to send me cigarettes or wanting me to smoke two packs a day.”
How much did Nicolette smoke? Cecilia wondered, but didn’t want to ask.
“Besides, you’re a lot cuter than guys anyway.”
Cecilia looked back to Nicolette, blushing.
Nicolette had taken her pack of cigarettes out, and pulled one loose. She placed it in her lips as she scooted closer to Cecilia.
Taking out her lighter, Nicolette said, “I want to know, is it just ladies smoking that light your fire?”
Cecilia stared with anticipation, her heart fluttering. “Well…just ladies…”
Nicolette flicked her lighter. The tip of her cigarette glowed. Her cheeks hollowed as she took a small draw. Cecilia watched the smoke swirl in Nicolette’s mouth as she inhaled, then she breathed out the smoke through her nose. Something else stirred in Cecilia as the aroma filled her own nostrils.
“And I’m just curious,” Nicolette said as she came even closer, “what is it about watching a woman smoke that excites you?”
Before Cecilia could answer, Nicolette took a longer drag. Cecilia leaned closer, and taking the cue, Nicolette blew a slow stream of smoke into Cecilia’s face. Cecilia inhaled the fragrance, feeling her blush deepen and her smile grow.
“I…I don’t know…” was all Cecilia could muster.
Nicolette gently nudged Cecilia against the armrest, then inched herself closer – her thigh pressing against Cecilia’s. “Is it just the bad-girl allure? The mystique of watching a lady framed by swirling smoke? The fantasy of hedonism and pleasure? Or something naughtier?”
As Nicolette took her next slow draw, Cecilia tried to find an answer. There was something sexy about the way smoke danced around a beautiful woman, a classy lady – Cecilia had never been one for the bad-girl cliche. Watching Nicolette in person made her notice – admire even – the way she seemed to savor each drag, the flavor and nicotine high…
Nicolette’s next exhale aimed above them, but still flooded the air around Cecilia with that wonderful smell. “Heheh,” Nicolette said, “you do like the smell, don’t you?”
“It’s…different with different…brands. Yours are…”
This made Nicolette chuckle even more, Cecilia’s nervous stammering. She leaned in closer, inching herself so that she was almost upon Cecilia’s lap, before taking her next drag.
Cecilia had to ask herself if this was really happening.
Tapping off her cigarette in the nearby ashtray, Nicolette exhaled a thick cloud of smoke over Cecilia. A smirk remained on her face as she watched Cecilia close her eyes, savoring the fragrance.
“Enjoying yourself?”
Cecilia could only nod.
“Maybe it’s time for my fun, then.”
Cecilia didn’t know what Nicolette could mean, until she extended her cigarette toward Cecilia’s mouth, pressing the filter against her tight lips.
Every rational part of Cecilia’s mind screamed at her not to do it, reminding her that smoking was a gross and unhealthy and addictive habit. The other side of her mind thought about Nicolette’s clear enjoyment of said habit, and even the thought that Nicolette’s lips were once on the filter now near her lips.
So Cecilia parted her lips just a little, to let Nicolette slide the cigarette in. Then she pulled on the filter.
Smoke filled her mouth, prompting Cecilia to cough. The taste wasn’t as pleasant as the smell, to her.
“Start small,” Nicolette said softly. “Like this.” She brought the cigarette to her own lips, taking the smallest drag from it. The smoke wafted in her mouth as she inhaled it. Then she leaned forward, almost making Cecilia think she might kiss her. Instead, she just exhaled through her nostrils, her smoky breath warm upon Cecilia’s face.
Then she offered the cigarette to Cecilia again, who took another small puff. She coughed out the smoke before she could inhale, but Nicolette just smiled and kept her cigarette extended.
This time, Cecilia did manage to breathe in the smoke, feeling it in her throat and lungs. She coughed afterward, her own breath laced with smoke.
“Feeling it yet?”
Cecilia wasn’t sure. She already felt so giddy and light-headed.
Nicolette took a long, slow drag – as if to mock Cecilia’s efforts – then filled the air around them with dancing, wisping smoke. Then she offered her cigarette to Cecilia again, who took a small puff, holding it in and blowing it out before giving a cough.
This exchange continued without a word, until Nicolette’s cigarette was finished – her certainly having smoked more of it than Cecilia. As she ashed the butt, she slid herself off of Cecilia, her smile very wide and evident of her delight.
Cecilia, despite the feeling of guilt and worry that her parents or other friends might find out, also bore a wide smile.
Part 6
When Cecilia returned home, the first thing she did was brush her teeth. She could still taste the cigarette in her mouth, worried that it might linger on her breath and that her parents would notice. Fortunately, she returned home late enough that neither of them were too inquisitive after she secluded herself in her bedroom.
Cecilia didn’t know how to feel about what had happened. She’d smoked a cigarette! Not an entire one, but she’d still taken a drag. As much as she enjoyed
smoking ladies, she’d never thought of smoking herself! What if Nicolette wanted her to smoke more? What if she ended up hooked?
At the same time, she still thought of how Nicolette had sat in her lap, teasing her with her smoke, even how she’d brought the cigarette to Cecilia’s lips. She’d enjoyed making Cecilia smoke.
Something about that excited Cecilia.
And she couldn’t get that out of her mind all night.
***
The next time Cecilia and Nicolette worked together, Nicolette asked her for her email. Cecilia didn’t understand, but gave it anyway. Then Nicolette bought a pack of cigarettes and went out for her break.
Cecilia almost wanted to go on break with her, but what if any of the other staff were out on their smoke break? Their cigarettes wouldn’t smell as good as Nicolette’s, they wouldn’t look so sexy with each draw and exhale.
That evening, after work, Cecilia checked her email. Nicolette had sent her a free subscription for her smoking-fetish videos. Cecilia hadn’t wanted to check them out, she didn’t want to make things more awkward between her and Nicolette.
But after eleven o’clock, Cecilia decided to check them out. Videos of Nicolette in nature, smoking in the woods or by a lake. Dressed in costumes, like a tidy suit or a maid’s outfit. Playing out scenarios, like a secretary chain-smoking while filling out reports or a doctor taking a smoke break.
It was when Cecilia considered a video Nicolette in a faux-fur coat, smoking with a long holder, that she realized it had become one in the morning. She turned off her laptop and lights, but images of Nicolette danced in her mind like smoke through the air.
And with them, Cecilia imagined the delightful smell of Nicolette’s cigarettes. ***
The next Monday, Cecilia asked if she and Nicolette could hang out together. Nicolette agreed, and drove the two of them to her place.
She didn’t smoke during the car ride, and once they sat down in her den, Nicolette took out her pack of cigarettes. “Cecilia, about the last time…”
“What?” asked Cecilia.
“I shouldn’t have pressured you into trying. I don’t want you doing anything you’re uncomfortable with, especially if you’re worried about getting addicted.”
Cecilia said nothing. She wondered how Nicolette thought about addiction and the unhealthiness of it.
“Especially since, you know, it isn’t good for you.” Nicolette paused to light her cigarette. “So I’m not going to try to get you to smoke again.”
As the first hint of the scent hit Cecilia’s nostrils, she said, “Nicolette, I was thinking…”
“About?”
“I want to try it again.”
“You sure?” Nicolette sat next to Cecilia, her thigh against Cecilia’s. “Yes.”
Nicolette took a drag, then placed it in Cecilia’s lips. Cecilia took a draw without inhaling, just to get used to the flavor again first. She coughed on the second, but managed to draw the smoke into her lungs on the third try, holding it in before exhaling.
Nicolette took her drag, longer than any of Cecilia’s, then held out the cigarette. “Here,” she said, smiling. “You get to hold it this time.”
Cecilia hesitated. Like it was more of her own choice by holding it herself. But she took the cigarette, holding it between her fingers like Nicolette did.
Then she took a drag, inhaled, then blew out the smoke slow and steady as Nicolette did.
She felt like she was feeling it. A buzz. A lightheaded feeling. She passed the cigarette back to Nicolette, continuing this ritual until Nicolette took a puff and then
gave it back to Cecilia for the last drag. Cecilia took that last drag, then blew the smoke at Nicolette’s face, smiling as she did so.
Nicolette giggled as Cecilia crushed the butt in the ashtray.
Then she was closer upon Cecilia, and Cecilia soon tasted the aftertaste of the cigarette in both of their mouths.
It wasn’t like going this quickly was any less naughty than smoking.
Part 7
Cecilia started joining Nicolette outside for a break the next week. Nicolette gave her a knowing look, but didn’t say anything, and thankfully didn’t offer a cigarette. There was smoking with Nicolette, the two of them teasing each other with it, and then there was smoking on her breaks – something that made Cecilia think that she would be an actual smoker at that point.
Still, as the smell of Nicolette’s cigarette filled her nostrils, Cecilia thought of the buzz. The excitement. The arousal she felt each time Nicolette took a drag, then exhaled the smoke. The slow pulls, the pause before breathing out. Smoking was addictive, habit-forming, and Nicolette seemed to relish in that enjoyment.
At nights, Cecilia waited until just before bed to watch more of Nicolette’s numbersevixen videos. The fragrance returned to her as she imagined each teasing, flirting puff of smoke coming from those pursed lips.
Did she enjoy smoking?
Would she enjoy it if she smoked as much as Nicolette?
***
It was Cecilia who asked Nicolette if they could get together that Saturday. Nicolette agreed, before finishing the cigarette she smoked that break. Coming back in, one of the cashiers asked her if she was into Nicolette. “I know she smokes,” said her fellow cashier. “I don’t think I could ever be into someone who smokes.” Cecilia had said nothing to begin with, and kept her silence on the subject afterwards.
The drive to Nicolette’s house was smoke-free, quiet between the two. When they walked inside, Nicolette said, “Make yourself comfy. I’ve just got to go and get something.”
Cecilia sat down on the couch. She drummed her fingers on the back of her other hand. Anxiety, anticipation. Was this what being addicted was like? That eagerness and desire to have another? How much did Nicolette crave during the day? How long did it take her to need another cigarette?
…Nicolette was taking an awfully long time. That anticipation turned to a sort of soberness. What was she doing, getting excited over the thought of smoking? It was unhealthy, smelly, addictive! Even if she was turned on by women smoking, that didn’t mean she should start herself!
“Cecilia.”
The sharp, stern voice drew Cecilia’s eyes to Nicolette.
She’d changed into a grey suit jacket, with matching smooth skirt. Her hair was done up into a bun, and she wore a pair of glasses – Cecilia didn’t see lens in them. One hand held her elbow, and that arm held a long cigarette holder.
“I’m disappointed in you, young woman.”
Cecilia kept herself still, a bit confused about what was going on.
“I left you that pack right by your table,” Nicolette continued, “and you still didn’t help yourself? These habits don’t form themselves, you know.”
Cecilia glanced to the table by the couch. There was a pack of cigarettes there, and a lighter. She hadn’t noticed at all.
Nicolette walked toward her. “Eyes on me, young lady. Your teacher demands your respect at all times. Respect for her, and her habit.”
It clicked to Cecilia.
Nicolette lowered the cigarette holder before Cecilia. “Now, place a cigarette in my holder and light it for me, young woman.”
Cecilia did as she was instructed, her fingers fumbling with the pack at first. Once she’d fitted the cigarette into the holder, Nicolette brought the end to her lips as Cecilia lit the cigarette. Wisps of smoke trailed from the end and the corners of Nicolette’s lips, before Nicolette exhaled a stream of smoke downward at Cecilia.
“Do you enjoy my smoke?”
“Yes,” Cecilia replied, her voice low.
“Speak up when you answer me. And address me as ‘teacher’.” “Yes, teacher!” Cecilia blurted out.
“Better.” Nicolette took another draw, blowing her smoke over Cecilia. “I see you breathing in each time. Good girl. A proper young lady accepts and cherishes her partner’s smoke. A good young lady joins her partner in her habit.”
So Nicolette wanted her to –
“Open your mouth.” Nicolette followed that with a short pull of her cigarette.
Cecilia obeyed, and then Nicolette closed in, exhaling her smoke into Cecilia’s mouth. The flavor startled Cecilia; she hadn’t thought of how it tasted less pleasant than it smelled.
Nicolette rose up. “No. Inhale. Enjoy my smoke as I’ve enjoyed it.”
Cecilia opened her mouth again, and this time as their lips grazed each other, she did breathe in Nicolette’s smoke. She could see it tint her breath as she exhaled.
“Now, young lady. Light yourself a cigarette.”
Cecilia reached for the pack, taking out a cigarette. Her doubts flashed back into her mind.
She dismissed them, then placed the cigarette in her lips. Her hands froze for a second before flicking the lighter. Part of it was nervousness over doing it wrong, the other was feeling like this was another step in becoming an addicted smoker.
After that moment, Cecilia brought the flame to the end of her cigarette. She pulled, filling her mouth with smoke which she blew out.
“Inhale, young woman. Why waste even a bit of a perfectly good cigarette.” Nicolette drew slowly, letting the smoke swirl in her mouth before inhaling it down.
Cecilia watched her exhale before following suit, but with a much shorter drag. She coughed halfway through, her breath filled with smoke.
“You’ll never be a proper lady if you can’t hold even a little bit of smoke! Try it again.”
Cecilia did, and this time she succeeded, blowing her smoke up at Nicolette.
“Good girl.” Nicolette took a much longer drag, billowing smoke over and around Cecilia. “Keep going.”
Cecilia did keep going. Each successful inhale was followed with a compliment; the times she ended up coughing, Nicolette scolded her. By the time Nicolette had finished her own cigarette, Cecilia was only halfway through her own.
At this point, Nicolette sat upon Cecilia’s lap. Her stern yet affectionate smile remained as Cecilia exhaled each drag toward her. She breathed it in just like Cecilia liked to.
When it came to her last drag, Nicolette lowered in. She brought her mouth to Cecilia’s, and Cecilia exhaled her smoke into Nicolette’s mouth. Nicolette blew her faint-tinted breath back at Cecilia as she ashed the cigarette.
As Cecilia’s hand returned toward herself, it instead found itself on Nicolette’s side.
Nicolette took off the fake glasses, her smile growing wide.
Once more did Cecilia find herself tasting the flavor of smoke inside of both of their mouths. This time, Nicolette was soon on top of her, their lips and tongues touching again and again. The buzz of nicotine and arousal had swept up Cecilia in their embrace, and her abandoned inhibitions continued to be ignored.
***
Cecilia had declined the follow-up cigarette; some sense of restraint had crept back in. Nicolette had shrugged, and let the bedsheet slide off her chest so Cecilia could enjoy watching her smoke all the more.
That night, Cecilia masturbated to one of Nicolette’s videos for the first time, and drifted off to sleep imagining how satisfying a post-sex cigarette must be.
Part 8
Cecilia kept joining Nicolette on her smoke breaks. She kept quiet whenever other employees were outside with them, but when it was just the two of them, they chatted. Small talk that neither of them would want others to overhear.
Those times, with the scent of Nicolette’s cigarette dancing into Cecilia’s nostrils, tempted her. She had no doubt that Nicolette would heed her request if she asked. But did she want to smoke at work? Wouldn’t that be another step to become an actual smoker, rather than someone who just smoked as a fetish thing?
“So,” asked Nicolette on Thursday, her breath tinted with smoke, “feel like coming over on the weekend again?”
Cecilia smiled, and said, “I’ve been thinking, and…would you mind if we took a drive into the city?”
“Why?”
Cecilia waited until Nicolette took another drag, blowing smoke into the air. “I want to…try…in public. Just…with no one around I know…”
“Scared of people knowing?”
“I guess. But also I want to know if I’ll enjoy it without it being…between us.” Nicolette smirked. “Sure thing. I’ll pick you up on Saturday, then.”
The rest of that break passed with Cecilia watching Nicolette smoke, the way she savored each draw and playfully exhaled. Just seeing Nicolette enjoy it made Cecilia want to enjoy it in the same way. Had Nicolette’s friends and family been judgmental about it? Would Cecilia’s judge her for it? Her parents certainly wouldn’t approve…
***
Saturday arrived, and with it came Nicolette driving up to Cecilia’s house. After a quick farewell to her parents, Cecilia hurried into the car.
As Nicolette stopped at an intersection, she pulled out her pack of cigarettes. “Want one now?”
“N-not yet,” Cecilia said, afraid that someone might spot her in the car.
Nicolette shrugged and lit her cigarette. The wonderful smell soon flooded the car’s interior, lasting as Nicolette drove out of town. She finished her cigarette halfway to the city.
“Gonna stop for gas before we spend the day driving,” Nicolette said, pulling into a gas station. “And I’ve got to get another pack of cigarettes.”
Cecilia waited, her heart racing as Nicolette filled up her tank. Once she finished, Cecilia got out of the car. Nicolette flashed a smile as she followed her into the store. At the counter, Nicolette flashed her ID as she paid for her gas—and a pack of Number 7 cigarettes.
Once Nicolette stepped aside with her purchase, Cecilia stepped up and said to the clerk, “I’d like a pack of the same cigarettes, please. And a lighter!”
“ID, please,” said the woman behind the counter.
Cecilia reached into her pocket. How embarrassing would it be if she forgotten – no, it was there, along with her money. She showed her ID, wondering if the woman was judging her internally.
Instead, the clerk just asked, “What color?”
“Uhh…” Cecilia hadn’t thought that far ahead. “Red!”
The clerk took out a pack of cigarettes and a red lighter, and Cecilia handed over her money. Twenty seconds later, Cecilia was walking out with both in her hands, Nicolette next to her.
As they sat down in Nicolette’s car, Nicolette said, “Planned this much?”
Cecilia nodded, unable to speak. She stared at the cigarettes. Her cigarettes. It was like one more step to becoming an addict, to spending more and more money on cigarettes.
Nicolette drove away from the gas station, then asked, “So, where do you want to go? Someplace for lunch, or watch a movie, or just sit in the park?”
Cecilia didn’t really want to go somewhere where they might ruin the atmosphere by smoking. “Where do you want to go?”
“We’ll get a bite eventually. But until then, it’s your call.”
Cecilia returned her eyes to her pack of cigarettes, trying to ignore the health warning. Nicolette was doing this for her, because Cecilia had wanted this. She didn’t want to be wasting Nicolette’s time…
Her hands fumbled with the plastic wrapping. Her fingers pulled out a cigarette. She placed it in her lips, then brought the lighter up.
As she flicked the lighter, she pulled on the cigarette. Smoke filled her mouth, a taste she was still unaccustomed to yet starting to accept. She took the cigarette away from her mouth, letting the smoke waft out from her lips. The smoke from the tip trailed toward the window next to her.
It was now or never. Cecilia took a small drag, inhaling the smoke into her lungs. As she blew the smoke toward the window, she felt the beginning of a nicotine high. Or maybe that was just her nerves.
She glanced to Nicolette, who remained focused on the road, albeit with a wide smirk on her face.
By the third drag, Cecilia found herself settling into the idea, the acceptance of what was happening. She tried tapping the ash off on the edge of the window; a little bit flew into the car, but she wasn’t able to utter an apology for that. Instead, she took another puff, feeling it flood deep into her chest before she exhaled the fragrant smoke from her nostrils.
A smile crept over Cecilia’s face, some part of her accepting that yes, she was enjoying a cigarette now.
Part 9
The two of them decided on plans as Cecilia finished her cigarette – lunch, then a movie. They grabbed some fast-food, then found a nice park to sit in as they ate. Only a few people passed by as they chatted about work, music, television – and
once Nicolette had finished her food and lit up, cigarettes. “Have you tried many different brands?” Cecilia asked.
“A few,” Nicolette said. “My viewers do like to see me smoke different types. White filters, cork filters. Slims, even non-white cigarettes.” She paused to take a drag. “But to be honest, a brown cigarette doesn’t quite excite me like a white one does.”
Cecilia had watched a few smoking women online whose favorites were non-white cigarettes; Mores, she thought one brand was called. Some of those women had talked about being more casual smokers before they’d started making videos catering to the smoking-fetish crowd. As much as she loved to watch them, it was always a bit uncomfortable to her when their viewers wanted to know how much they smoked.
Nicolette took a slow draw from her cigarette, her cheeks hollowing and her eyes closing slightly. That look of savoring her cigarette. As she blew a stream of smoke into the air, she said, “Going to have a smoke before the movie?”
“I’ll wait until after,” Cecilia said.
***
The movie they decided on was a silly rom-com, the sort that would have been deemed mediocre to anyone who didn’t enjoy cheesy flicks. Nicolette had suggested it, and Cecilia had enjoyed it, even if the resolution had been a bit contrived.
As they and numerous other movie-goers returned to their cars, Cecilia caught the whiff of other cigarettes being lit, other people sating their nicotine needs after a long sit in the theater. She glanced to Nicolette, who’d paused to take out her pack of cigarettes. The first puff of smoke was welcome to Cecilia, better-smelling than the earlier smoke she’d smelled.
Nicolette plucked the cigarette from her lips, as Cecilia patted her pocket. “Left yours in the car,” Nicolette said, taking out another cigarette. “Here.”
Cecilia took the cigarette and Nicolette’s lighter. There were still other people around, and it felt rude to pollute the air, but at the same time…sniffing Nicolette’s smoke had perked some part of her brain that connected that smell to the pleasure of smoking. It wasn’t a craving, more of a wanting.
Cecilia gave into that wanting, taking a drag as they continued to Nicolette’s car, then another as they sat inside. The nicotine rush soon crept in, almost complimenting the stiffness of having sat still for about hundred minutes.
As Nicolette started her car and pulled out of her parking spot, Cecilia asked, “Nicolette, what does it feel like to…have cravings?”
“You mean, being addicted?”
That wasn’t the word Cecilia wanted to think about. “Yeah.”
“I suppose after a few hours, I get…impatient. Maybe a bit testy. I’ve never really been in a situation where I haven’t been able to smoke for a long time.”
Even as she fretted about the idea, Cecilia still brought her cigarette to her lips. “Do you regret starting? Do you think you’ll quit someday?”
Nicolette shrugged – and took a drag of her smoke, filling the car with its fragrance. “I mean, maybe I’ll switch to vaping someday, ween myself off of nicotine eventually. But for now, I’ve got no plans to quit. I’m in my twenties, the perfect time to enjoy yourself and figure yourself out, right? And I’ve already figured out that I like to smoke, I like to look sexy while smoking for the internet. And I like to watch other girls smoke.” She gave a sly smirk to Cecilia with this comment.
Cecilia felt her cheeks turn red, her eyes watching Nicolette take another drag. The slow, savoring pulls and exhales, the way her eyes narrowed a touch each time. Cecilia could tell that Nicolette did enjoy smoking, the pleasure that nicotine brought. Taking a puff from her own cigarette, Cecilia couldn’t pretend that she wasn’t enjoying herself either.
***
They headed on home – to Nicolette’s house, specifically. Nicolette invited her to make herself comfy on the couch, then disappeared into her bedroom – for nearly ten minutes. Cecilia gave in to her curiosity, and went to check on Nicolette.
When she peeked into Nicolette’s bedroom, the door opened – and she was greeted by the smell of Nicolette’s cigarette, slotted into a long cigarette holder, and the sight of Nicolette clad in a faux-fur bathrobe. The belt around the middle was tied, but judging from the glimpse of Nicolette’s cleavage, she wasn’t wearing anything else beneath the bathrobe.
“About time you came to get a peek,” Nicolette said, giggling. “You do like long holders, don’t you?”
Cecilia could only nod.
Nicolette took her by the collar, leading Cecilia onto the bed. She sat atop of her, basking her in smoke. Every now and then, she offered her cigarette to Cecilia, who took small drags that she blew back up to Nicolette. All the while, Nicolette tempted her by sliding her finger along exposed skin, teasing her with what awaited underneath the bathrobe.
She finished her cigarette, then exhaled her last lungful of smoke into Cecilia’s eager mouth. As Cecilia blew back faint smoke into her face, Nicolette giggled, then their lips returned to each other. Soon, Cecilia had untied Nicolette’s bathrobe and Nicolette had opened up Cecilia’s blouse and jeans.
Passion was followed by tenderness, soft kisses and cuddling. After a minute, Nicolette reached over to the nightstand for another cigarette. She placed it in Cecilia’s lips, and Cecilia eagerly drew on it the moment her lighter’s flame touched its tip. The two passed the cigarette back and forth, sharing a few smoky kisses.
And Cecilia’s earlier wonder soon had an answer – that nicotine really was a wonderful compliment to the afterglow.
Part 10
Cecilia didn’t want to think of it as addiction. She certainly didn’t feel the way she heard people felt when going through nicotine withdrawal. But over the next several days, at home and at work, Cecilia thought about cigarettes, about smoking. The pack of cigarettes she’d bought with Nicolette remained hidden in her bedroom, untouched.
Until one day, when she just decided at the last minute to bring them to work. That day went by like every other, if only more tense for Cecilia. Nicolette was working that day, so she knew sooner or later Nicolette would go for a smoke break.
When she did, Cecilia let one of her fellow cashiers know she was going on break too. She stopped in the staff room to fetch her own cigarettes, hiding them until she was outside with Nicolette. No one else was there. Nicolette was just lighting her cigarette, that delicious fragrance soon hitting Cecilia’s nostrils.
Nicolette sat down, exhaling smoke into the windy air. Cecilia sat with her, taking out her own cigarettes. She saw Nicolette’s smile perk, but her friend still asked, “You sure?”
“Yeah,” Cecilia said, taking one out. As she placed it in her lips, it dawned on her that she’d forgotten her lighter.
Nicolette realized the same, and laughed as she reached out her own, flicking the flame.
Cecilia took her first drag, blowing smoke into the air and letting the nicotine buzz creep in. The two chatted a bit about music, but mostly the two of them just enjoyed their cigarettes before returning inside.
When Cecilia returned to the front end, she noticed one of her friends glancing at her. She probably smelled of it; maybe she always had from hanging out with Nicolette. They probably figured she went out to smoke with Nicolette, with how the two of them had been going out together.
Still, the lingering high made Cecilia feel a bit more relaxed and settled-in as she resumed the usual monotony of checkout.
***
It wasn’t long until word eventually got around to Cecilia’s parents, who one day had a talk with her about it. They weren’t pleased, but said it was her choice, as long as she didn’t smoke in the house. She accepted these terms, usually going for a little walk instead of lingering around the yard.
Each of her three breaks at work soon became smoke breaks for her as well, always accompanied by Nicolette if she was working those days. Her coworkers made a few comments about it, but no one was overly judgmental, thankfully.
Cecilia did her best to limit herself, averaging about seven or eight most days. She understood all too well, having had a few days where she’d refrained due to being busy or other matters, and that want had steadily crept toward need. Yet she didn’t mind all that much, and it just made sating that need all the more delightful.
Of course, her and Nicolette remained steady girlfriends, with Nicolette inviting Cecilia over often. Enjoying each other and their mutual fetish remained a staple, but they did have days spent just chatting and doing things together. They wasted
afternoons on jigsaw puzzles, or reading stories online, or even going into the city to explore new hobbies like pottery or massage. Cecilia sometimes referred to Nicolette as “her bad influence” when hanging out with friends, but she often felt that want and need for Nicolette just as much as for nicotine.
***
“So,” Nicolette said, holding her unlit cigarette, “I promised you all a special video tonight, with a special guest. Say hello to Lia, my girlfriend.”
Cecilia waved for the webcam, giggling awkwardly.
“I know most of you all are waiting for you-know-what,” Nicolette said, waving around her cigarette to drive the point home, “and I assure you that Lia enjoys it as well. In fact, I was the one who got her started. Isn’t that right?”
Cecilia chuckled. “I’m just as hooked on you now.” She leaned against Nicolette, feeling her cheeks warm up. She glimpsed a few comments, expressing happiness for the two and how cute they were together.
“I had a smoke beforehand,” Nicolette said. “Just to warm up, but I think I got Lia here warmed up instead.” She winked at the camera. “So why don’t we let Lia do the honors?”
“Sure thing, Vix,” Cecilia said, as Nicolette put the cigarette in her lips. Cecilia reached for the lighter, igniting the tip and taking the first drag before Nicolette had one herself.
Smoke soon danced between the two of them as they answered questions about their relationship. Yes, the two of them really did hook up via smoking. Yes, “Lia” did indeed get turned on by smoking, and so did numbersevixen. No, Lia didn’t smoke as much as Vix. Lia imagined her family knew Vix was how she’d gotten started, but her family did enjoy Vix’s company and knew their daughter loved Vix. Lia hadn’t gotten to meet much of Vix’s family, but looked forward to the occasion. Despite a gasp at the sight of the question, Lia admitted she enjoyed the cigarette afterwards.
The two shared two cigarettes, with Nicolette having another to herself afterward, during the livestream. They concluded with Cecilia taking one last drag, then kissing Nicolette and letting her blow smoke back into her face. Once Nicolette waved goodbye and ended the stream, Cecilia pounced upon her. As intimidating
as the idea had seemed at first – what if anyone recognized her in real life, as she had with Nicolette? – it’d been a fun time, and an…inspiration-stoking time.
One question from the livestream neither had a good answer for did get answered nearly a year after that, when the two returned to Nicolette’s home – their home, now – in matching white gowns. Nicolette’s first words after closing the door behind them were, “God, I need a cigarette now,” and Cecilia laughed as she agreed internally. They took up their long holders, lit up, and it didn’t take long watching each other smoke in such elegant fashion before they were making out, teasing each other, helping each other out of their wedding dresses, sating one craving while another would soon be relieved.
Someday, maybe, the two discussed in the afterglow, they’d quit. That they shared this discussion alongside a cigarette was not lost on them. But for now, they would enjoy themselves, enjoy each other, enjoy making content and watching that content. It even became a game in their married life, Nicolette catching Cecilia watching her videos with one hand holding a cigarette and the other hand elsewhere.
And all too often, Cecilia would express her affection for Nicolette by telling her, “You light up my life,” with very few people understanding the double meaning of that sentence.