Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 May 21, 2002

   Kelly A short story by NightHawk (nh@nighthawk.sytes.net)

   Inspired by Mike C, based on characters in his novel: "James" (Used with
permission) Characters and situations copyright by Mike C, 2002



   Chapter 2



   Kelly arrived at her modest rancher around nine o'clock Friday morning.
She had been gone for five days, two of which had been the most sexually
exciting days of her life.  It was funny, she thought, but the more good
sex she had, the more she wanted.  She was hoping her evening with Mark
would fill her needs.

   Mark worked with the Charlotte Tourism & Convention Bureau, helping film
and TV people find shooting locations in the city.  She had met him about a
year ago when she and Todd had been hired by the city to do a brochure for
the bureau.

   At 6'1", Mark was an imposing figure.  Granted, he was slightly
overweight and six years her senior, but they had shared some good times,
and for the most part Mark was a considerate lover.  At least according to
the standards she had been used to before last week.

   Kelly dug through her purse for a cigarette.  She seriously considered
calling Mark and canceling tonight, but she hadn't seen him in two weeks,
and another night without a full eight hours sleep wouldn't hurt her.  And
maybe, hopefully, the sex would be good tonight.

   It was unbelievable how dramatically her needs had changed in the last
week.  In two days she had become fully aware of her own sexuality, her
total erotic realm.  It was a startling revelation for Kelly.  She now
recognized her needs and desires.  Now she was wondering if Mark could
learn to satisfy her those needs.

   Shit, there was no escaping it.  Mediocre sex was no longer going to cut
it with Kelly.  Hell, not even 'good enough' sex would be good enough
anymore.  Her mind was filled with memories of every half-assed orgasm she
had ever had and how they compared to the truly perfect ones she had
experienced those two days.

   Kelly took a deep drag on her cigarette.  Damn Todd and his 'aversion'
to runway models.  After four years of constantly working side-by-side, he
should have known that she sure could have used some friendly affection
last night.  Maybe it was the grass that made her horny, but even now,
stone cold sober, she still felt aroused.

   "Ah fuck it," she said as she ground out her cigarette.  She hadn't
slept well on the road and crashing on the studio couch for a few hours
hadn't helped.  She wanted a proper bath and she needed her breakfast.  But
still...  the horniness was not to be denied and she headed for the bedroom
shucking her clothes along the way.

   Her own bed felt comfortable and she pulled her Hitachi Magic Wand out
from underneath the box spring.  Always plugged in and ready to go, this
marvelous little toy had always made for a very satisfying substitute. 
Spreading her legs wide, bending and raising her knees, just the buzz of
the vibrator kicking into life turned on her juices.  The hum of the strong
electric motor made her wet with desire, and the first touch on her clit
made her gasp.  Her hand grabbed a breast and surprisingly, an image of
Brenda popped into her mind.

   Grasping at her tits with her free hand she let her eyes close and felt
herself drifting off to a familiar peak.  Kelly didn't fantasize when
masturbating, but her mind was filled with visions of Brenda.  And the buzz
from the vibrator seemed to become more powerful as she gave herself over
to this fantasy.

   Brenda.  What a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.  Flaming red hair
and freckles and skin the color of milk.  She had shared of herself with
Kelly, triggering tremendous orgasms just by her touch.

   It wasn't a gay thing.  It was a love thing.

   Kelly's hand drifted down from her nipples to her now drenched pussy,
her head pressed back into the pillows, she could almost feel Brenda's
touch on her face and on her skin.  She used her free hand to spread her
lower lips while her other hand switched the vibrator on high and slid it
back and forth over her enlarged, blood engorged clit increasing in speed
and pressure until a shuddering orgasm overtook her.  Her juices sprayed
out of her like a crashing tidal wave, covering her short-cropped pubic
hair and soaking the sheets beneath her.

   Basking in the afterglow of a fantastic climax she turned the vibrator
off and carefully cleaned the unit.

   Sliding up to a sitting position,she scrounged around the nightstand for
her hidden stash of 'emergency' cigarettes.  Finding her carefully wrapped
pack of Cameo's, a personal favorite she had become hooked on during a
shoot in Montreal, she lit one and inhaled deeply on the acrid smoke.

   "Damn it anyway" she said out loud to an empty room.  "I'll quit again
next week."

   Grabbing the remote for her CD player she flipped through her five
favorite CD's, finally settling on Alanis Morissette belting out "All I
Really Want".

   "Do I stress you out ...

   And all I really want is some patience

   A way to calm the angry voice

   And all I really want is deliverance...

   You must wonder why I'm relentless and all strung out

   I'm consumed by the chill of solitary...

   I'm frustrated by your apathy...

   What I wouldn't give to find a soul-mate

   Someone else to catch this drift

   And what I wouldn't give to meet a kindred."



   The song had always been a favorite of Kelly's but now she believed the
Canadian singer/songwriter had written this one specifically with Kelly in
mind.

   By the time she was half way through her cigarette, she stubbed it out,
picked up the pack and still naked, slowly danced her way to the living
room.

   Feeling the beat of the music and moving slowly, emphasizing and
exaggerating every move, brought back memories of her modeling days.

   She had been good.  At 5' 6" she had been just a bit too short to crack
the ranks of the top catwalk models but had been close enough to get a
taste of the life.  Good locations and good money.  The six-inch heels had
helped, but she knew she would never be a household name.  She had a few
covers in her portfolio, but had accepted the fact she would never be a
'Cosmo' girl.

   God, it seemed like a lifetime ago.  But it had been her decision to
quit the race at 21.  Stealing Todd, one of the best magazine photographers
in the world, she had gone into business with him forming a photo/talent
agency that specialized in "real people".  Great looking models, but still
something normal people could relate to.  In the four years they had been
working together they had built up an excellent list of models and clients.
Their list of clients included many big name retail companies who needed
good-looking people to make their products look good.  Having Todd do the
specialty shoots not only insured the quality, but kept their reputation
very much in the forefront of ad agencies.

   Todd and Kelly had settled comfortably in Charlotte, North Carolina.  It
was a good location for their business and a climate they both enjoyed.  It
gave them a freedom for travel they would never have had if they had
remained in New York.

   Kelly smiled to herself.  Todd had bought an old auto detailing shop in
the Lakeview business area.  Crosspoint Center Line.  They had both laughed
at the irony of the street name.  In many ways it represented where they
had arrived in their lives.  He had taken the main floor, which already had
two large auto bays, and converted it into their studio.  Not only could
they do most model shoots in the large airy studio, but it could also
handle vehicles and elaborate sets as well.  The upstairs offices he had
torn out and converted into a private apartment for himself.  How he could
live in an industrial park was beyond Kelly, but there were advantages. 
Todd was able to park his 'Hummer' inside and store their travel trailer
behind the building.  And as Todd had so often said, nights and weekends
were especially quiet and he had no neighbors living for blocks around. 
Like most artists, Todd valued his privacy and was a bit of a recluse.

   The Lakeview district wasn't the elite neighborhood of Charlotte, but
Kelly had found a real deal on her rancher within walking distance of the
studio.  It was a steal at $85K for a three bedroom with lots of yard
space. It also made practical sense for them to settle in this area as it
gave them easy access to Interstate 85.  Between it and I-77 getting the
trailer out to the open road was a bonus, plus they were close enough to
the airport for quick trips to New York or other places.

   They did have an office in New York, staffed by good people from Kelly
and Todd's past.  Most of the day-to-day work went on in the New York
office, and their company was a regular supplier of models for department
store catalogs.  Large or small, young or old, Kelly had an excellent eye
for photogenic people.  Kelly also had a knack for gauging people, and
though they only represented around 200 people so far, they were loyal
people who enjoyed a good steady income and the working conditions Kelly
demanded for all her models.

   The major catalog work paid the rent.  The agency supplied the models,
and the catalogs had their own photographers.  The modeling part of the
business provided them with a healthy stable income and Kelly and Todd were
both happy.  Todd because he was left free of the daily grind of shooting
clothes horses allowing him to concentrate on single one time shoots.  For
Kelly it was living her dream of being free and independent while still in
the business.  For real excitement though, the thrill was in things like
the advertising brochures for big-ticket items, like the week's shoot at
Regan's Boats.

   Todd had been ecstatic.  Action shots and posed shots all mixed in for
one brochure.  Since the company wanted to use a lot of it's own workers as
background models, Kelly had gone along on the pretext of teaching amateurs
how to pose and dress while appearing to be casual, though in all honesty,
she had looked forward to seeing the "James Gang" again, as she
affectionately liked to call them.



   ~~~~~ // ~~~~~



   At first the "James Gang" seemed like a joke.  A bunch of school kids
playing adult games.  When she had first met them, James, Amanda, JulieAnn
and Celeste at the marina just three weeks ago, they had struck her as
smart and vivacious.

   The three girls were real knockouts, and apparently hooked on this one
guy.  She was knocked for a loop however when the youngest one, Amanda,
made it very clear Kelly was not to get any ideas about 'their property'.
It was the self assured way this girl, who was maybe old enough to be in
Junior High, had said it.  No threats but simply a declaration of fact. 
And she had made it stick too!  But, they had posed like they had been born
into the business, and were easy to guide and direct.  Todd had signed the
girls on the spot.

   Kelly shook her head.  It was that and other little things during the
day that began to convince her these kids were on to something big... 
something she was not privy to.  It was love, a sharing and something else
that Kelly just couldn't put her finger on.  She found their joy infectious
and had spent the day laughing with them and their good-natured pokes at
James.

   At first glance, James was just another good-looking jock, an inch shy
of six feet but comfortable with his size.  But when he smiled at her, she
was sure he could see right through the air of competence she had carefully
woven around herself.  She found herself wanting to pour out her heart to
him, to tell him she too could give and share, if only she had the chance.

   With an effort she killed the thought.  After all he was not hers, and
never would be she realized with a sadness that was almost profound.  It
was made even worse the next day when the other three girls arrived and
Kelly discovered another one was on her way!

   She had quickly become friendly with the girls once Amanda had explained
to them that the ground rules had already been established regarding James
and that Kelly posed no threat.  The girls were easy to get along with. 
Funny and sassy, they had a carefree attitude about life.  Brenda and Sara,
two of the new arrivals were as stunning as the other three.  Nicole, a bit
older, was definitely high-class model material but seemed to have no
interest in modeling what so ever, but Brenda and Sara had signed on as
well.

   Then, this last week at Regan's, Kelly had met Sherri.  Wow!

   Sherri was one of those creatures born with the look and the attitude to
make it on the runway.  She was an innocent beauty, but sensual as sin.

   Kelly had of course signed her on the spot, waiting now only for the
parental consent.  She had vowed never to take on a runway model.  Knowing
all too well from first hand experience how quickly these girls became
addicted to themselves and amphetamines.  That never ending battle to stay
slim pushed by an ego that was built on nothing more than their looks made
runway models a real pain.  The only reason she had considered Sherri at
all, for anything other than regular model work was the support group she
seemed to have in the "James Gang".

   Kelly had been there once.  The so-called 'glamour' world, and had
nearly been caught in the trap.  It was seeing her friends slowly entering
a darker world away from the footlights that was one of the main reasons
she got out when she did.  The travel and the money had all been good and
the parties were lots of fun as long as you kept it within limits.  But the
ever-increasing use of drugs by her friends bothered Kelly.  It seemed, as
they got older, as if 20 was old, the fight to keep the extra pounds off
the body was a war that could be battled with pills, if you didn't mind
losing yourself in the process.  It had not been worth it for Kelly and if,
and that was yet to be a big if, Sherri should enter into the world of the
highly paid models, Kelly was going to stay by her side and keep that part
of the 'glamour' world away from her.  Besides...  James and the other
girls would never forgive her if something happened to Sherri.



   ~~~~~ // ~~~~~



   Kelly hit replay on the CD player.  The Morissette CD "Jagged Little
Pill" seemed to echo her feelings.  This CD, once a mantle of her
independence and accomplishments, now seemed to reflect her solitude in an
oppressive light.  No longer a badge of honor, her newly acquired sense of
loneliness only served to remind her of the emptiness in her life.  The
parties, the boyfriends had been merely smoke-and-mirrors, distractions in
her path.  Grabbing a pillow, she waltzed in the room, her mind drifting
back to the two days at the Regan shoot.  A crossroad in the path of her
life had been reached.  A new path had revealed itself that would lead her
to something new, something more personally satisfying.  A successful
career was not enough any more.  Kelly had discovered a part of herself
that had been missing.  She wondered if she would find it.

   It had been twilight on the first day of the Regan shoot.  Joking with
Brenda and Sara, she had wrangled a chance to try out one of his kisses. 
Hah!  She had thought.  She'd been kissing since she was 13; there was
nothing she didn't know about that.  She'd show them!  She was certain she
could and gave him one of her best, but he had stopped her, halfway, with
her mouth gaping and her tongue hanging out.

   "No," he said, quietly, tenderly, "Let me kiss you." and he did.

   Kelly shivered just remembering the moment, and her nipples, dark as
chocolate and the size of large pencil erasers, puckered with the memory.

   It was not just a kiss; it transcended that.  Kelly was no virgin and no
stranger to sex, but what his kiss did to her!  It shouldn't even be called
a kiss.  He had licked her lips and nipped at her tongue, nibbled at the
soft nape of her neck, kissed her eyes and softly bitten her ears.  He had
stroked the inside of her teeth with his own tongue and lightly, lovingly
bitten on and sucked on her lips.  He engulfed and entrapped her senses and
emotions.  She was powerless, already too far lost in his tender caress.

   Kelly moaned and clutched her pillow harder.  It had been like nothing
she had felt, it was warm, it was love and she wallowed in it.  It lasted
forever and it was over much too soon.  She had found herself wrapped round
his leg, grinding away as the lust boiled and exploded in her.  She had
never climaxed like that, not fully clothed and certainly not with such
intensity, her whole body had been one orgasmic mass.

   Kelly's eyes closed as she fell into an armchair, the memory bringing a
tremulous smile to her face.

   She had been shocked, not just at her feelings, but that she never once
felt dirty or lewd, humping like a bitch in heat on the boy, out in the
open, as three of his girlfriends had looked on.  Instead she was made to
feel good, and natural, as Sherri and Sara smiled softly at her, their eyes
saying they understood the joy she had just experienced.

   Then Brenda had asked if she trusted her.  All Kelly could do was nod
yes, knowing at the time she would give anything to experience the rapture
again.  And then Brenda had shown her.  Kelly now realized that was when
the big change had occurred.



   ~~~~~ // ~~~~~



   Peeling the sheets off the bed and picking up her discarded clothes,
Kelly dumped them in the laundry room.  Her housekeeper would take care of
the laundry Monday.  It wasn't that Kelly was lazy; to the contrary, she
tended to work herself too hard.  The housekeeper was there to give her
house a lived in look as much as the little cleaning Kelly required. 
Luckily the housekeeper liked working in the garden as well and in the past
few years had turned Kelly's plain grass lawns into a beautiful landscaped
front and an all natural herb garden in the back.

   Kelly had met Gloria in Jamaica.  Gloria had been working at the
guesthouse in Mobay, (the local name for Montego Bay), where Kelly and some
of the other models stayed for two weeks while doing a swimsuit "special
edition" for a sports magazine.  It was also where she had first met Todd.
Gloria was a large black woman, who spoke not only with her hands and eyes,
but when excited dropped to the native patois.  Though cultural differences
should have set them apart, Kelly and Gloria became close friends and had
stayed in touch since the shoot.

   Gloria had one habit that never failed to crack Kelly up.  She would
watch and talk back to the television soaps to which she was thoroughly
addicted.  It had been a pleasant surprise when not long after Todd and
Kelly had moved to Charlotte, Kelly got a phone call from her friend. 
Gloria was in the states and looking for work.  Kelly didn't have much to
offer at the time, but Gloria gladly took the job of housekeeping and house
sitting.  Kelly always paid her in cash out of her own pocket and never
questioned Gloria about how she wound up in Charlotte.  Now she could well
afford to give "G" a real job with the company but "G" insisted she liked
taking care of Kelly.  "Cha, me no go no where.  Me place here by your
side, somebody got to watch out for you." Over the past few years, more of
her family started to arrive and where they could, Kelly and Todd helped
them find work or get enrolled in schools.

   One of Gloria's older daughters manned the phones on a part time basis
at the Charlotte studio.  Todd had helped her get enrolled in a business
diploma course at the local college, and this gave her a chance to earn
some money on the side.  For one of Gloria's sons, he had fronted the money
for the young man to start his own landscaping business.



   ~~~~~ // ~~~~~



   Kelly put fresh linen on her bed and headed for her bath.

   Feeling a bit more settled, Kelly grabbed one of her 'sometime' favorite
CD's out of the rack beside the high tech Pioneer stereo unit and slipped
the disc in.  She was in the mood for something from the former bad boy who
knew all about broken hearts and wasted lives.  As she headed into the
bathroom, Larry Gatlin started to cry out "Broken Lady" from the big
surround sound speakers, and Kelly cried right along with him, though just
slightly off key.  Sometimes, she thought, only Larry could understand what
real life, Kelly's life, was all about.

   Out of habit, after emptying her bladder, Kelly got on the scale and
made a mental note.  112 pounds and holding steady, barely two pounds over
her weight of four years ago when it really mattered.  It was funny she
thought.  She could eat what she wanted and didn't need to watch her weight
anymore, but old habits are the hardest to break and Kelly just preferred
to be careful with her weight and what foods she put into her body.

   She started the water, adding some herbal bath crystals and organic sea
foam and sauntered out to the kitchen for something to eat while the tub
filled.  Grabbing a couple of stalks of celery an orange and a bottle of
mineral water from the fridge, a banana from the counter, she next stopped
at the kitchen island for the rest of her real morning meal.  Two large
multi vitamins, three cayenne pepper capsules, two celery seed capsules, a
garlic capsule, ginseng, a handful of vitamin C's, a couple of lecithin
capsules and most important of all, her birth control pill.

   By the time she made it back to the bathroom, the tub was nearly full
and she had swallowed most of the pills.  The banana helped the pills go
down better than the water.

   Testing the temperature with her foot she climbed into the tub.  Setting
the jets on the Jacuzzi to a muscle-relaxing pace she slowly munched on the
celery.  Kelly believed in preventative maintenance.  Taking a long
leisurely soak was one of the few real pleasures in her life and as she
continued to listen to Larry Gatlin croon out hit after hit, she slowly
peeled the orange and savored it piece by piece.

   Kelly played little games in her mind as the jets washed the tension out
of her body.  A fit body was nothing without a fit mind, and Kelly enjoyed
solving complex math problems in her head while the jets did their job on
her muscles.

   Then it was time for the serious business of bathing and shaving.  While
Kelly preferred to keep most of her body waxed, there were always a few
strays that needed attention, especially around the bikini line.

   Satisfied with the effort she took a sea sponge and proceeded to scrub
every inch of her body until her skin was a bright pink.  With thoughts of
Brenda on her mind, she draped one leg on the edge of the tub giving one of
the jets a direct path to her vagina.  Turning the pressure setting up just
a couple of notches was a sure fire way to guarantee quick satisfaction.

   Shuddering in the aftermath of a wicked orgasm, made more delicious by
the thought of her red headed friend, she struggled to her feet, drained
the tub and turned the shower on so she could wash her shoulder length
brown hair.  A few minutes later and a quick wipe down of the tub and Kelly
was wrapped in a big fluffy towel.

   Kelly padded back into her bedroom where she had a custom built vanity
with an over size mirror and all her personal make-up.

   She dropped the towel and did a turn in front of the mirror closely
examining her reflection with a critical eye.  Not bad for 25 she thought.
A nice tight 35" ass that nicely filled out a pair of shorts or jeans,
slimming to a 24" waist and swelling back up to a respectable 31" A cup. 
Thank God she didn't need a bra she thought.  She hated the confinement and
preferred the free and easy feeling of her breasts moving with the rhythm
of her body.  Pulling slightly on her nipples confirmed they were as
sensitive as always and would stand out nicely against a white blouse or a
t-shirt.  The darkness of her nipples gave ample proof to anyone looking,
and many people did, Kelly's disdain for confining her mammary treasures.

   Drying her hair took little time as she was blessed with fine hair, and
just a touch with a curling iron gave it enough body to accentuate her
face. A little bit of make-up, just enough to add depth to her brown eyes
and add a bit of color to her cheeks and she was ready to get dressed,
though preferred not to until absolutely necessary.

   It was nearly noon so she decided to give Todd a wake up call to make
sure he was ready for his afternoon sitting.

   Kelly chuckled as she hung up the phone.  Ever since she had turned Todd
on to the natural vitamin supplements, he was forever thanking her.  She
knew the Cayenne capsules increased the blood flow and could imagine how it
affected Todd.  Her own labia lips swelled when she was aroused and this
had started after she herself had started adding Cayenne to her regular
regiment of vitamins.

   All the mail from the past few days was neatly piled on her desk in her
office.  The regular utility bills had been paid by Gloria whom she trusted
implicitly, and Kelly knew stubs matching payments were filed.  There were
a few post cards from around the world from old friends still in the
business, some advertising flyers that she promptly filed in the waste can
after a very quick glance, and a new stack of magazines she subscribed to
so she could keep track of current trends.

   It was nearing one and she still had four hours to go before Mark would
be stopping to pick her up.  While Kelly had installed a satellite dish
with a subscription to nearly every channel available, she rarely watched
the tube herself.  She had done it more for Gloria then herself, though
with a small smile she had to admit she did enjoy a few shows such as
"Queer as Folk" and "Six Feet Under", and on the odd night she would watch
a blue movie.

   Knowing she had time to kill she booted up her P-4 with the 20" monitor
and checked her e-mail.  There wasn't much since this was her personal
account.  Business correspondence was routed through the studio.

   Kelly smiled with delight to find a note from Brenda who it appeared was
still at Regan's.  Though it was carefully worded, Kelly could read between
the lines and sent a short reply back.

   "Dear Brenda." She wrote, "I also found 'working' with you a real
pleasure.  I sincerely hope we get more opportunities in the near future to
'work' together again.  You are a beautiful 'model' and I am pleased we can
be friends as well.  I hope you are not working too hard and enjoying every
minute of your time. Fondly, Kelly."

   There were a few other short notes from others and as usual a pile of
'spam'.  She quickly answered the other real letters and deciding against
surfing, shut the computer down.  She read the postcards but none were of
any real importance.  Mostly they were updates on who was where and doing
what.  Nothing that required a response though she did note one of her
model friends was getting married again.  This she put aside so she could
send a gift, the rest she filed away.

   Picking up her magazines Kelly strolled back into the living room and
flopped into her favorite piece of furniture.  A large, overstuffed leather
swivel recliner that nearly swallowed her up.  It was one of her simple
pleasures to curl into that chair and relax.  The feel of the leather
against her nude skin was cool and comforting.

   She planned to read until four.  Heaving herself out of her comfortable
chair she realized she had drifted off to sleep.  There was just enough
time to touch up the makeup, freshen herself up and get dressed.  Mark
would be here in less than 20 minutes.

   Kelly had decided on something semi dressy.  Mark had said it was going
to be a special evening but had refused to elaborate.  He could be a bit
controlling that way.

   Before putting any clothes on, Kelly applied a light touch of "White
Witch", a Jamaican perfume she had fallen in love with.  Friends would
bring back bottles for her whenever they went to Jamaica, and of course
Gloria always made sure a fresh supply was available within a day.  Gloria
seemed to have some good connections.

   Knowing the evening would end in sex Kelly applied a few extra drops on
her breasts and her pubic hair.

   Slipping on a cream-colored knee length dress with a deep cut "V" both
in front and back and ruffled shoulders; Kelly inspected herself in front
of the mirror.  The dress had a long slit up the side and though she hated
to wear them, she slipped on a pair of French cut thong panties of the same
color.  Mark was going to freak when he realized her nipples would be
discernable to anyone looking closely, but the dress was sheer enough that
without the panties, her pubic hair would be visible as well!  Thank God
she no longer had to wear those heels from her runway days and she slipped
on a pair of beige sandals.  No pantyhose, just her natural tan.  A
matching clutch bag from her wardrobe finished her outfit.  She deposited
her essentials such as her keys, cigarettes, her cell phone and a wallet
into the bag and was just closing the clasp when the doorbell rang.

   Mark was so predictable this way.  Kelly figured 5 o'clock meant 5, but
Mark was always early.



   ~~~~~ // ~~~~~



   Mark checked his reflection one last time in the tinted glass of Kelly's
storm door before ringing the bell.  He was dressed in a full three-piece
suit despite the warm weather.  Mark always wore a suit, a necessity for a
civil servant with aspirations of moving up the political ladder.  At 31,
he figured he had better make a start in the next round of municipal
elections.  Kelly would make the perfect partner for a potential candidate.
Great looking former cover girl model, now successful businesswoman she was
the perfect match for him.

   He clutched the roses behind his back with a tighter grip.  They had
been dating casually for a year now, and Mark had decided they should
become more serious.  He disliked these trips she went on with her partner,
but had used the time to set up this special evening.

   Before he could give the bell another push Kelly opened the inside door.

   "Hello Darlin'" he said in his southern drawl.  God, she sure looked
stunning.

   "Hi Mark" she replied, letting him in.  She had never gotten into those
endearing terms with him.

   Mark kissed her on the cheek as he handed her the roses.

   "Mark, you shouldn't have," she said.  She had tried to explain to him
once about the superstition models have with cut flowers, but he laughed it
off and said she deserved beautiful flowers.  "Come on in, while I put
these in water" she said.  "Do you want something to drink before we go?"

   Mark looked around carefully as he stepped into the house.  "Gloria's
not around is she?" he asked.

   Kelly stopped on her way to the kitchen, turned around and said "No,
why?"

   "I stopped by while you were gone to drop off something as a surprise
and she was watching some soap on TV.  I could hear it all the way out
here, which is as far as I got because she said that if you weren't home I
couldn't come in.  I think maybe you should have a talk with her and remind
her she is only the cleaning lady and she shouldn't be watching TV on your
time."

   Kelly resumed her trek to the kitchen and smiled to herself.  "Good for
you G" she silently cheered.  She trimmed the ends of the stems under water
and placed them into a vase.  When she finished she added a spoonful of
natural sugar crystals to the water and left the vase on the counter.

   "You know Gloria is not my cleaning lady Mark.  She keeps my house for
me.  There is a big difference." Kelly said.  And though it was not quite
true she added, "and Gloria has orders from me that no one comes in if I'm
not home." Changing the subject before he had a chance to question or harp
on it more, she again offered a drink.  Mark glanced at his watch and said
that if she was ready they really should be leaving.

   "Well, I'm all set" Kelly said grabbing her clutch.

   "Ah, honey, don't you think you should wear a bra?" Mark asked.  "I can
nearly see your nipples."

   "Mark" she sighed, "you've been staring at them which is why you think
you can see them, but with all this material gathered in the front, no one
else will see anything unless they are really being impolite.  You know I
don't wear them."

   Mark was not content to let it rest however.  "How about for health
reasons then?" he asked.  "You don't want them to start drooping because
you don't support them do you?"

   Kelly was starting to lose her patience with him.  "Mark, the day my
tits sag to my belly button I will start to wear a bra.  Satisfied?"

   "Do you have to be so coarse with your language sweetheart?" he asked
trying to calm the brewing storm.  But Kelly was not so easily calmed and
rebuked his patronizing tone.

   "Assuming that in few days I was gone you actually earned a medical
degree, I would have thought you had learned the chances of an A cup
sagging are nearly non-existent."

   Mark tried to stammer out an answer, but she opened the door and waited
for him to exit so she could lock it behind her.  Knowing that arguing with
her was useless he went to the car and opened the door for her.  She was a
great woman, he thought, but she needed to be tamed a bit.

   Kelly slid into the leather seat of his Cadillac as he gently closed the
door.



   ~~~~~ // ~~~~~



   The first ten minutes of the ride into downtown Charlotte were
uncomfortably quiet.  Maybe I'm just stressed from lack of sleep Kelly
thought.  Trying to put some cheerfulness into her voice she asked, "So,
what's the big surprise tonight?"

   Thankful that she seemed to have gotten over her mood, Mark took one
hand off the wheel and threw it back behind Kelly's seat.  Feeling in
control again he told her it was a multi part surprise, but hoped she was
hungry.

   Playing it up, Kelly pretended to pout.  "I rushed to wrap things up
early and drove half the night just so I could be home for you for a
special Friday night date and I don't even know where we are going," she
said.

   Mark laughed and said, "Okay, I managed to scoop two courtesy tickets
out of a package for the Convention bureau for the premiere of "The Pirates
of Penzance" at the Belk Theatre.  Box Seats." he said with a smile of
self-satisfaction.

   Kelly managed to avoid rolling her eyes.  "You're taking me to see a
movie?" she asked incredulously.

   Mark laughed again and said, "You really haven't been in Charlotte long
have you honey?  The Belk Theatre is the performing arts theatre in the
Blumenthal Center.  This is a live production.  Real opera, everybody
important will be there tonight."

   Kelly bit her lip to refrain from telling him it was not really an opera
and the question about the movie was rhetorical since it would be a few
years late for it to premiere.  Instead she smiled sweetly trying to see
his good intentions.  She wished though that he hadn't told her that he
hadn't paid for the tickets.  It made her feel like a charity case or even
worse, a thief.

   Fifteen minutes later and Mark had parked the car in a secure lot just
off of Church Street.  He announced with pride he had reservations for them
at Sonomo's.

   It was a short walk to the restaurant and before the maitre d' finished
asking "smoking or non", Kelly announced "smoking" and that she preferred
the patio.

   "Honey...  Kelly," she heard from behind her as she followed the maitre
d' to the patio, "I thought you were going to quit that dirty habit."

   The look she shot him was enough to end that discussion before it began.

   The maitre d' seated her and asked if they cared for a drink while
waiting for their waitress.  Mark suggested champagne, but Kelly said it
would give her a headache and instead opted for a glass of the house white
wine.  As the man left to get her wine and a martini for Mark, Kelly lit
up. "Damn" she thought.  "This is not starting out good tonight.  It seems
fitting I have to watch the 'Pirates of Penance' on top of everything
else."

   Mark was very quiet, realizing he had been overly critical of nearly
everything in her life tonight.  This was not going according to plan.



   ~~~~~ // ~~~~~



   Mark had a second martini while Kelly slowly sipped her wine.  The
waitress had come and taken their order and Mark had a dozen raw oysters in
front of him insisting that Kelly didn't know what she was missing.  Kelly
for her part was on the verge of telling him he was eating mucus, when her
own order arrived.  A six-ounce porterhouse steak medium rare with rice
pilaf and a Caesar salad was just right for her.  For his main course, Mark
had chosen a large T-bone with baked potato and green beans.  Kelly watched
in amazement as Mark heaped the potato with butter and a large helping of
sour cream with chives.  Added to the oysters he had earlier, Kelly felt
nauseas.  This meal was costing Mark a fortune, all in vain, in his attempt
to impress her.  Out of the blue her mind snapped back to Thursday morning.
She had been served breakfast in bed by James, Sara, Brenda and Sherri. 
That had impressed her!

   Was it just her imagination or had Mark changed.  She used to enjoy
going out with him on a casual basis usually ending up in her bed.  He
really didn't share any of her interests like biking, roller-blading or her
all time favorite of building kites and flying them down by Wateree Lake.

   Kelly lit and had another cigarette, half wishing it was a joint, as she
watched Mark polish off everything on his plate and cringed when he ordered
a slab of New York style cheesecake.

   She was beginning to see that he didn't care for her as a person as much
as he liked having her on his arm for others to see.  Why hadn't she
realized this before?  For Mark it was all an investment.  He was not
overly generous though he tipped big and opted for expensive public places.
Kelly realized he was investing in his future, but also, sadly she knew
that she could never be a willing partner to that future.

   Dinner over, they walked to the theatre and after a lot of handshaking
and mutual back patting with the collected dignitaries, they were seated,
the lights dimmed and the show began.  Kelly was tempted to sleep through
it, and was grateful when the intermission came.  Mark ordered champagne
and strawberries but Kelly only ate a few berries, while trying to drown
out his suggestions about moving to a "better" neighborhood than her house
on Jane Ave.  She was really starting to resent his invasion of her
personal life, trying to take it over like he knew what was best for her.
She had managed on her own since she had started modeling at 14, managing
both a career and graduating school all on her own.  She had traveled most
of the world and had experienced life first hand in places that Mark had
only seen on TV.

   Kelly tried to talk with Mark about this after the show was over but he
was all full of his plans and trying to convince Kelly she played a major
role in them.  They took a carriage ride to the Dixie Tavern where Mark
knocked back another plate of oysters.  Kelly just had a diet 7-UP wishing
the evening would end.



   ~~~~~ // ~~~~~



   The ride home was uneventful.  Mark, having had just a bit too much to
drink was talking non-stop about his plans for the future and how much he
wanted Kelly to be part of that future.

   Out of habit, Mark parked his Caddy in the driveway and after opening
the car door for Kelly, locked the car and headed towards the house with
her.

   Dark thoughts were rolling in Kelly's mind.  It was pretty presumptive
of him to invite himself in she thought, and if not for her sexual desire,
a carry over from the last four days, she would have told him to go home.
But maybe there was a chance he could bring her the satisfaction she
needed.

   Mark accepted the offer of a beer from Kelly and said, "I'll be with you
in a minute honey.  I just want to see how our Panthers are doing." And
with that he headed to the living room where he turned on her 36" screen.
Kelly brought the beer to him and noticed he had taken his shoes off and
dropped them on the floor.  He told her there were just a few minutes left
in the game and if she didn't mind he wanted to catch the end of it. Kelly
told him to relax, that she wanted to change anyway and left him sprawled
on her sofa, shoes on the floor but still wearing his suit.

   In her bedroom, Kelly slipped out of the dress she had worn and put it
aside for dry cleaning, her thong underwear she stepped out of, and
slipping on a silk robe took them to the laundry room.  She returned to the
bedroom and lit up another of her Canadian cigarettes while sitting in
front of her vanity.  She looked into the mirror as she exhaled a large
cloud of smoke.  She could hear Mark fidgeting and commenting on his
football game as she drank from her bottle of mineral water and spoke to
the reflection in the mirror.

   "Even if he satisfies you in bed," Kelly told herself.  "It won't change
him as a person." The 'James Gang' had fun outside of bed, doing things
together and sharing in all kinds of stimulating things she realized. 
"This is not working Kelly.  It's time for you to make a change."

   Her reflection just stared back at her without judgment.



   ~~~~~ // ~~~~~



   The few minutes of football managed to drag into a half hour, but
finally Kelly heard the TV go off.  She put out the latest cigarette she
had lit and tried to put a smile on her face.  Mark swaggered into the
bedroom.  He had gone as far as to unbutton his vest, but still had his
suit jacket on over top.

   "There's my sweetheart," he said, moving over to her.  He picked her up
effortlessly and spun her around.  "That's a great team we've got," he
said, "If they keep on playing like tonight, maybe we'll be at the Super
Bowl."

   "Mark," she started to say.  But he hushed her with a sloppy kiss and
apologized for being a self-centered jerk.

   "But, my dear, I am going to make it up to you right now!"

   Mark laid her on the bed and started to remove his suit.  Carefully.  He
hung his jacket over the back of her chair and folded his vest over top of
it.  He undid his tie and laid it over the vest and then took off his pants
folding them neatly.  Kelly thought how silly a man looked wearing boxers,
a dress shirt and socks.  Finally the socks were off as well as his shirt.
He left his boxers on till he made it to the bed where he slipped them down
and presented his cock to her face like a reward.  Kelly did not feel
flattered, as it was still soft and limp.  "Don't I even inspire you to a
hard on?" she thought.

   Mark started rubbing his cock over her face and hair, making suggestive
motions towards her mouth, but Kelly wanted to be satisfied.  She opened
her gown and pointed to her mound.  "Eat me Mark," she said.

   Though obviously less enthused by giving then receiving, Mark slid on
the bed between Kelly's legs.  He had done it to her enough times, but this
was the first time she had told him what she wanted.  Pushing her legs
apart further he lowered his mouth to her pussy.  Had he been a wiser man,
Mark would have realized something was not quite right for she was as dry
as those roast beef sandwiches they sold in the cafeteria vending machines.
Nonetheless, he started stabbing at her clit with his tongue waiting for
her reaction.  He was surprised to feel her hands on his head guiding him.
Mark was immediately annoyed that she felt the need to show him how to eat
pussy, but her grip on his hair was secure and reluctantly he allowed her
to move his head side to side and up and down.  At least this was starting
to get some response out of her he thought.

   Kelly was biting her lip trying to focus on her arousal, but it was slow
in coming.  She had to take matters into her own hands and finally started
to guide him in what she thought would help, but it was slow going. 
Finally she told him to spread his tongue and apply saliva across her dry
hole.  It helped some, but it was still a long climb.  Kelly tried to think
of erotic thoughts hoping it would help but suddenly Mark stopped what he
was doing and said his jaw was getting tired.  His cock had at least
inflated and though she wasn't thoroughly lubricated she guided the head of
it towards her cunt.

   It was a rough entry and seemed only to please Mark who whispered in her
ear how tight she was and how he loved being inside her.  His breath on her
face reminded her of all the oysters he had consumed and whether they were
really an aphrodisiac or not, this was a one-sided pleasure trip and not
what Kelly had bargained for.

   Moving carefully she rolled them over while he was still inside her and
with cat like movements positioned herself so that she was kneeling over
top of him as he attempted to continue to thrust into her.  With her hands
free, she started to massage her own clit while slowly sliding up and down
on his cock.  Mark tried to grab her ass to set the pace but she brushed
them aside and continued at her pace.  Sighing, Mark just laid back letting
her bring him off.  It took a bit even under her own power, but eventually
Kelly had a small orgasm and then rode Mark hard until she could feel his
cum start to spurt.  She waited until he started to go soft and then just
rolled off of him and got off the bed.  There was no need for after-play.
He had not bothered with any foreplay and Kelly had finally made up her
mind.  She went to her vanity where her mineral water still sat along with
her cigarettes.  As much as she knew he hated the smell of them, she lit
one anyway.

   Mark got up and did what he normally did.  He went to the bathroom to
wash himself off like he had been inside something dirty.  This only
strengthened her resolve.  When he returned from the bathroom she was
dressed in jeans and a t-shirt.

   "Well," Mark said, "I guess I better head home."

   "I think that would be a good idea as well Mark." Kelly replied.

   "Is everything okay sweetheart?" he asked.  "You seem different."

   "I am different Mark," she said.  "And it's time I changed to suit my
own plans.  I'm sorry but I won't be in yours anymore.  It's time to call
it quits before either of us wastes any more time on a relationship that is
headed nowhere."

   "But honey, we just made love.  How can you do that and then say it's
over?" he asked.

   "No Mark, we didn't make love.  You just fucked me.  That's what you
don't understand.  There's a big difference."

   "Is there somebody else?" he asked.

   Kelly smiled and said, "No Mark, it's not 'a' somebody else.  It's a
whole bunch of people and they make love.  I might not ever get to have
them, but I'm going to try and find what the magic is."

   "But Kelly...  how can you just make love to me and then tell me it's
over?"

   "Call it a goodbye fuck Mark." Kelly said.  "But what ever you want to
call it, it is goodbye."

   Mark finished dressing and Kelly followed him to the living room so he
could retrieve his shoes.

   "Can I call you next week to see if you feel better?" he asked
hopefully.

   "Please Mark" she said, "Don't call.  It wasn't a bad year.  Try to hold
on to the good thoughts and find yourself somebody that will be for you
what I can never be.  I'm not willing to change."

   Dejectedly he walked out to his car.  Kelly locked the door and waited
15 minutes before tearing her jeans and t-shirt off.  She had only put them
on to make sure Mark knew the night was over.  She went in and took a
shower as if she could wash away the disappointment.  The tears flowed from
her like giant raindrops, mixing with the water from the showerhead, and
cutting across her skin like thousands of tiny razor blades.



   ~~~~~ // ~~~~~



   Mark had left before midnight.  It was now three in the morning and
Kelly was on her 2nd glass of wine listening to Whitney Houston singing:

   "Bittersweet Memories,

   That is all I'm taking with me

   So goodbye, please don't cry

   We both know, I'm not what you

   You need..."



   "Do you trust me Kelly?" That was what Brenda had asked.

   Kelly had.  It was the reason she had broken it off with Mark and why
she was left unsatisfied, sitting in near darkness listening to love songs.
   End of Chapter Two Chapter Three to follow.