Candles

Alyssa’s long fingers grazed atop the box, tracing the designs, as she contemplated whether to open it. She was curious as to how it got there, but more curious about its contents. It was probably a gift from the hotel that she overlooked earlier. Her fingers traced the edge of the box noting a slight edge, indicating the top pulled off.

Alyssa felt like a child opening a box of chocolates as she gently lifted upwards. Her eyes quickly focused on the light green contents neatly packaged within the box. A tapered green candle lay on its side at the top and bottom of the box. Two small silver bases were nestled in the middle. On either side of the box were four-inch long candles that were three inches in diameter. There were also six green tea lights decoratively positioned in the box.

Entranced, Alyssa methodically cleared off the area directly in front of her. She placed the long tapers in their bases and placed one at each far corner of the table, near the mirror. She pulled the shorter candles out of the box and placed them at the near corners of the table. The six tea lights were arranged symmetrically between the candles, two to the left of the table, two to the right, and two in front of her. Inside the box was a long wooden matchstick. Alyssa removed the match and placed the box on the floor, amidst all her toiletries, which seemed inconsequential now.

In ritualistic fashion, Alyssa lit the taper to her left, then the one to her right. She held the match in front of her face, staring at the flame for a few seconds before lighting the short candle to her right, and then the other one. Again she stared at the flame, mesmerized by the way it danced in the air, before lighting each of the tea lights in a counterclockwise direction. Ever so softly, she blew a warm breeze over the flame on the stick, extinguishing the illuminating source. Alyssa lay the match down in perfect vertical fashion in the middle of the table.

The scent of jasmine soon filled Alyssa’s nostrils, as the candles’ light illuminated her face in the mirror. Alyssa stared into the mirror, watching the reflection of the flames’ magical dance in the jade green pools of her own eyes. Alyssa was at ease once again. She continued staring at her eyes, as the candles burned, relaxing with every breath she inhaled. The scent seemed to envelop her head as she placed her elbows on the table, resting her chin in the palms of her hands.

Several minutes had passed, and Alyssa began to feel a warm sensation begin building within her innermost depths. A tingling sensation began filling her body as she remained frozen in position, staring at her image. It felt as if a hundred fingers were gently caressing her body, exciting her nerve endings. Without looking down to confirm it, Alyssa could feel her nipples swelling with desire. She also felt the familiar wetness begin filling the area between her legs.

She briefly wondered if the candles were having this effect on her. Suddenly a heavy sleep fell upon her, and once again, Alyssa was sound asleep, oblivious to her surroundings. Her head was comfortably nestled in her hands, her naked body slumped forward in the chair, and the candles continued to burn.

Three hours had passed once more. Alyssa snapped awake, moments before her head hit the table, as it slid from between her cupped hands. Alyssa quickly looked in the mirror as the recollection of what just happened registered in her brain. “Not again,” she thought to herself, noticing the candles not burning on the table! Then horror set in! There in the middle of the table, where Alyssa remembered placing the burnt wooden match stick was …