by buttons

I puffed on my cigarette. Exhaling, I scanned the room. My rings of smoke soon became lost in the cloud that lingered near the ceiling.

"Can I get you something?" came a voice from behind the bar.

I turned on my stool and glared at the bartender. "No," I said. I looked across the room.

A woman sat with a man at a table in the corner. They were holding hands. Her skirt was riding up her slender thighs. I could see the lace outline of her panties. Mmm... Her hair was pulled in a pony tail, yet blond whisps had managed to escape. She looked good, too good.

I looked away and took another puff of my cigarette. The bartender was wiping off the countertop. I flicked my ashes and snickered.

I stood and wove my way through the tables, trying to get to the bathroom. I caught the blonde's eye and smiled. She returned the gesture. I pushed the door. Inside the light hummed. I gagged at the stench. "Ugh," I muttered, unzipping. Phone numbers were scribbled on the walls surrounding the urinal. None I recognized.

I finished and walked back into the smoke. I paused as I again examined the premises. The table in the corner was empty. Damn. The blonde was gone.

"Excuse me," said a woman. I stepped aside. Her voice was soft, sexy, and alluring. I shivered.

She walked past me. Her red curls flopped as she entered the women's bathroom. The door swung behind her; my gaze lingered behind her. She wore a sleveless sweater and black dress pants. The clothing clung to the curves of her chest and hip.

I leaned up against the wall. "Those curls..." I muttered. I closed my eyes and grinned. I wondered how soft her hair would feel, how sweet it smelled. I dropped my cigarette on the floor and crushed it with my heel.

The door opened again a few minues later. She grabbed her coat and began to walk towards the exit. Click-click. Her heels hit the tile floor.

I followed her up the stairs and out the door. Click-click. She continued through the parking lot. "Hi there," I said.

The clicking stopped. Her silhouette turned. She looked at me.

"Hello," she said. "Who are you?" Her complexion was pale in the moonlight. She looked almost frozen.

I stepped closer to her. "I am Ian." I extended my hand. Her fingers met mine. They shook slightly. I raised them to my lips. I closed my eyes and I kissed her icy hand. My lips quivered. So cold. "And who might I have the pleasure of meeting this evening?"

She looked at me. The red curls were grazing her bare shoulders. Her skin shimmerede in the moonlight. "Kelly," she said.

My eyes met hers. I smiled. "I couldn't help but notice you inside. You have such a cute smile and gorgeous hair." I touched her ruby locks. "So beautiful..." I whispered.

She blushed. "Thanks."

I stepped even closer to her yet. She was so beautiful, so alone, so mine. "Want to go out for a cup of coffee or something?"

She smiled. "Sure, I guess."

We began to walk down the street. The pavement was wet from the earlier rain. I hated the rain. I reached in my pocket and pulled out a pack of Winstons. "Smoke?" I asked.

"No thanks."

I shrugged and lit up. We continued in silence. I couldn't help but notice how she walked. Her gait was very poised.

"Are you new around here, Kelly? I've never seen you hanging out at Benny's before."

"Tonight was my first. I've never been a big fan of bars, but being new to Detroit, I wanted to try to meet people."

"Well, you met me." I grinned.

"So I did." She picked up the pace.

"Why the rush?"

"Just want my coffee," she said.

We arrived at the tiny shop on Fourteenth Street. I looked at her butt and thighs as I pulled her coat away. I wonder how it would feel to run my hands over them. I pulled out the chair and watched as she tucked her black bra strap back under her sweater.

I looked around. "Nice place." Couches were cluttered in the corner of the shop and a little stage presented itself in front of the tiny tables.

"I found it the other day while I was going for a walk. I fell in love with it. Reminds me of the place I used to go to back home."

I reached across the table and took her hand. Her nails were painted an icy light blue. "Where might home be, Kelly?"

"I'm from Pittsburgh." She examined me.

I smiled. I was decked out in a blue polo shirt and khakis.

The waitress arrived and took our order. Kelly got a bagel with her coffee. I ordered tea.

I rubbed my finger over her silken skin. "You know, you really look beautiful. When I first saw you, I was captivated." I looked into her green eyes. They were sparkling. I shivered.

Our drinks arrived. My hand parted hers as she picked up the tiny cup. I watched her sip the black potion. Her pinky cocked as she brought the cup to her lips. Deep, plush lips. She licked them, savoring the taste.

"So, tell me about yourself, Ian." She bit her bagel.

I broke my gaze. "Well," I said, sipping my tea, "I'm a twenty-seven-year-old writer."

"Really?" she mumbled. Pieces of bagel landed on her chin.

I wiped the crumbs away. "Yes, indeed."

Kelly smiled. "Thanks," she said, brushing her hair from her face. "I've always admired writers."

"What about you?" I questioned. "Though no matter what you say, I admire you already."

She tried to hide the fact she was blushing. "Well, I'm an artist."

"What medium?"

"Sculpting."

"Ah....a woman with magical hands." I took them within my own again. I squeezed them tenderly.

Kelly smiled. "You're quite the charmer."

"I know."

We finished our drinks and stood. I put my arm around her as we returned to the damp air. I touched her bare shoulders. I wanted to kiss her neck, smother myself in her beauty.

"Would you like me to walk you home?" I asked, knowing what her response would be.

"Actually, Ian, I'm not quite ready to go home yet." Her eyes caught mine.

I turned and leaned forward. I ran my fingertips down her jawline.

She closed her eyes and leaned into me.

My lips brushed hers. Mmm, she tasted so good. Her mouth was moist and the taste of coffee lingered on her lips. I opened my lips and our tongues touched. She responded by pulling me closer. I put my hands on her hips as our mouths remained tangled. My fingers were begging to creep upward and explore her. I resisted the urge.

"Oh, Ian," she whispered when the kiss ended. "Ian, that was amazing."

I smiled and stepped back. "I know this place where you and I can be alone."

She nodded. "Yes, let's go."

I hailed a cab. "Drakes Cabin," I told the driver. Kelly snuggled under my arm and began to doze. I looked down at her. A dozen freckles were sprinkled over her pale nose.

The drive was long. Time was creeping and we drove deeper into the night. I smirked. My fingers twirled Kelly's hair, her beautiful locks of fire.

The cab pulled in front of the cabin. I paid the driver. I shook Kelly gently. "Come on, hun, time to wake up."

She stirred. "Hmmm...where are we?"

I looked at her. "My house."

I lit another cigarette as she looked around. "Like it?" I asked.

I didn't wait for a reply. I opened the door and went inside. She followed. I could smell the must. I flicked on the light. The couch was in front of the fireplace. I walked over and sat down.

"Interesting..." she said, still standing in the doorway.

I crossed my legs and leaned back. "Why don't you come over and sit, Kelly?" I patted the sofa cushions.

She sat and looked at me. "Um..so..."

I merely grinned. "So what?"

I reached and took her hand, looking deep into her green eyes. Her curls were a bit ruffled. I put my other arm around her and rubbed her bare shoulder. "Kelly," I whispered.

Her eyes met mine. Our lips touched, our tongues mingled. I moaned into her mouth. I ran my fingers over her chest and hips. I began to knead her breasts through the soft fabric of her shirt. I sucked on Kelly's lower lip, gazing into her soul.

My hands crept up her sweater, across her bare stomach as we continued to kiss. I could feel the tips of her nails sliding back down my back and over my buttocks.

She paused for a moment to raise her arms. I removed her sweater, then her bra. I gazed down at her bare skin. Her breast quivered with each breath. My fingers ran over the middle of her chest and her stomach. Smooth skin, soft skin.

"Ian," she whispered as the passion grew, "Oh, Ian, I want you."

I looked again down at her. "Mmmm..." I replied, kissing her. "Not yet, I want to do something first."

Her eyes grew wide. A smile crept across her face. "Anything for you."

"Undress until I get back," I told her. I stood and went to the fireplace. I put a few logs and sticks inside. Within minutes, they were blazing.

I walked into the tiny bathroom adjacent to the living room. I picked up a few supplies before returning to my Kelly.

I turned the lights off and walked over to Kelly. My shadow danced on the living room walls. "Sweetheart," I said.

She looked up at me. I couldn't help but admire her nakedness and beauty. She lay stretched across the couch with only air as her blanket. Her curls rested on her narrow shoulders. I ran my eyes down her body, over hips and thighs. I lingered at her waist. I licked my lips.

I sat my things on the coffee table. "You look amazing," I said, kissing her again. I ran my hands over her entire body, touching her jewels.

"I have a surprise for you."

Kelly smiled. "Mmmm..." she muttered.

"May I blindfold you?" I asked, showing her the silk scarg I had brought from the bathroom.

Her grin widened as she nodded.

I folded the scarf and put it over her eyes. My fingers shook as I lifted her hair and tied the silk tightly.

"Are you okay?"

Kelly nodded.

My excitement grew. I licked her entire body, lingering at the most precious places.

"Mmm, Kelly?" I whispered as I nibbled. "Can I do the same to your arms and legs as I did to your eyes?"

She squealed. I knew her answer. I took each of her hands into mine and tied them behind her back. "That's my girl." I repeated with a scarf around her ankles.

I continued to pleasure her for several minutes. I explored with my hands and tongue. She soon became lost in ecstasy.

"Sit up," I told her as I walked around behind the couch. I began to massage her shoulders.

"Mmmmmm..." she muttered.

I paused and picked up her mound of hair. "Has anyone ever told you that you have beautiful hair?" I played with it, running the ringlets through my fingers.

Kelly responded with a soft moan.

I picked up her hair again, holding it close to her scalp. My other hand quivered as I squeezed the scissors around the locks. Snip.

Kelly flinched. "IAN! What are you doing?"

I grinned, pulling her blindfold over her mouth, creating a gag. Her protest muffled.

"Such beautiful hair." I pulled the strans apart. "I love red hair."

Her body began to shake. I laughed. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

I listened to her mumbled protests and smiled. I walked to the fireplace. "You know what else I love?" I asked her, leaning on the mantle. "I love fire."

Kelly's eyes widened and didn't leave me. I knelt down, holding her hair out. "Watch this, sweetheart." I dropped her curls into the flames. They quickly ignited. I laughed. "Now both things I love are together."

She began to fight her restraints.

"Sweety, if you really want out, I'll take you out." I walked over to her, kissing each eyelid. "Calm down." I scooped her into my arms, ignoring her muffled protests. She thrashed against me but I held her tight.

I crossed the threshold of the front door. Her naked body shivered at first contact with the air. "Is my baby cold?" I asked.

Kelly nodded.

"Awww..." I pulled ehr closer to me. My lips grazed her earlobe. "That will change soon, I'm sure."

She shivered.

I looked into her glossy eyes. "Calm down, sweet pea. I'll warm you up, I promise." I spoke softly and soon felt her relax in my arms.

I walked around to the side of the cabin into the open field. "Almost there," I told her. I continued to the spot where a blanket was spread out. I laid Kelly down. "There you go, hun."

I took a few steps back, admiring my ruby in the moonlight. "Are you still cold, Kelly?"

Her naked body began thrashing again on the blanket. She looked like an innocent turtle stuck on her shell.

I lit a cigarette and watched her for a moment. I turned and walked several feet to where the wood was kept. I removed the tarp and picked up two logs. I sat them next to Kelly. "Don't worry, sunshine. Pretty soon you'll be all toasty."

I continued building logs and twigs around her body. She was now shaking violently. Poor, poor Kelly.

I chuckled. She was behaving better than most. "Kelly," I said when the last twig was placed, "Are you ready to get cozy?"

I bent down and kissed her lips. They were unresponsive but I did not care.

I took a flask out of my pocket and poured its contents over her body and the sticks. Breathing the fumes in deeply, I grinned. Gasoline.

"Can you smell that?" I asked Kelly. "Doesn't that smell wonderful? I bet it feels good, sliding down over your bare skin. Does it burn? Well, if it doesn't, it will soon." I laughed as I teased her.

In my pocket I also found a lighter. I looked at her. She was dazed and lost in fear. I waved it in front of her face. "Look at this." Flick. A tiny flame appeared. I brought it closer to her then pulled away.

"Poor Kelly. Praying and praying yet prayers will get you nowhere." Flick.

I lit the kindling near her hair. I walked around her body as the flame began to consume what was left of her curly locks. I lit the twigs near her feet. I stepped back. The fire slowly began to grow. The flames began to taunt her.

I could sense her trying to cry. I laughed. I could sense her pain. My poor Kelly. Her eyes gleamed in the fire's glow for a moment. She looked so beautiful.

The flames danced over her, soon consuming her entire body. The inferno grew. My chest burned with Kelly. Yes!

She squealed. Her body lashed against the ground violently. Her flesh began to sear. The flames licked her skin. Her face, her breasts, her thighs. Her smooth skin was blistering from the heat. Her movements soon ceased; the movements of the flames continued.

I inhaled deeply. "Ah.." I sighed, savoring the scent. I grinned as I stood there.

I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth. My body shook. Oh yes! Her skin continued to shrivel as it charred. Still beautiful, so beautiful. Her paleness was now blackened, soon to be ashes. Yes, so gorgeous.

The flames crackled, playing such an amazing song; my favorite song. I hummed with the fire's symphony. I watched the flames continue to dance and perform. They lept into the air and swirled around the logs, around her body. The smoke filtered into the clouds.

"Goodbye, Kelly," I said to myself after several hours of watching her roast. "Hopefully you are warm now."

I raked the coals. Her bones remained. Tomorrow I would bury them where no one would find them, but for tonight, they were mine to admire. I breathed in deeply. I could smell the relics of her charred flesh. The scent was a smoky mixture of her body, perfume, and soul. It was sweet and arousing. I thought of her beautiful naked body; I thought of her amazing red hair. All gone now, all given to death.

I lit another cigarette. The sun would be rising soon. I laughed.

I turned and walked back into the cabin. I sat on the couch. I could smell her perfume. Not as good as her real smell. I blew smoke rings into the air. It was yet another good night.

--buttons

Added 18 November 1998

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