The Experiment - Days 6 & 7

In the next two days Julie found herself enjoying more and more. Her initial distaste for cigarettes was being gradually replaced by a sense of pleasure every time she lit one up. The smoke filling her lungs and the slight burn in her throat became addicting, and it helped calm her once-anxious mind. She patted herself on the back for being courageous and not backing out of this experiment, but deep down she knew she already gave in - she wanted to stay.

As he had promised, Mark arrived early the next morning with the laptop. The sight of him triggered memories of her fantasy from the night before and she struggled to speak to him without blushing. Thankfully, he seemed rushed and as he was about to leave, he paused at the door.

"By the way," Mark added, "I'll be back tomorrow evening with your phone, so that you can send George your weekly check-in message." Julie felt a mix of emotions upon hearing this – relieved that she could finally contact her husband, but also secretly missing Mark's company for the time in-between.

"Alright, I'll see you then," she said, forcing a smile. As soon as Mark left, Julie sighed and eagerly opened the laptop, her fingers dancing across the keyboard as she swiftly connected to the hotel's wi-fi.

"Finally... no more stupid TV for some time, that's for sure," she chuckled to herself.

The soft glow of the laptop screen illuminated Julie's face as she eagerly explored the web with a surge of excitement and curiosity. It had been days since she last had the opportunity to access the online world, and she felt like a kid in a candy store. With each click and scroll, she delved into a tons of news articles, workout videos, and other distractions that had once filled her daily routine.

"Wow, there's so much to catch up on," Julie muttered under her breath, her eyes darting back and forth across the screen.

With renewed determination, Julie decided to check on her social media accounts, trying to reconnect with George in some way. However, as she attempted to navigate to the various websites, she was met with a stark realization – Mark's words rang true. Each site was blocked, shutting her out from all the virtual connections. Determined to find a hole somewhere, she tried logging in on some forum, dedicated to writers, where she knew George was active, but even that site was blocked.

"Damn it, those fuckers left nothing out! I can't believe this!" Julie exclaimed, a wave of annoyance washing over her. She pounded the keyboard with frustration, feeling an unexpected sadness well up inside her. The inability to contact George, even just to send him a quick message, weighed heavily on her heart.

"Is this really necessary for this stupid experiment?" Julie thought bitterly, her hand extending for the cigarettes nearby by itself. She inhaled deeply from her cigarette before letting out a stream of smoke. It seemed cruel to keep her isolated from everyone she cared about, making her feel utterly alone in this strange new world she had entered.

But as the nicotine coursed through her veins, Julie found herself feeling slightly calmer, the tension at her temples easing. She sighed, accepting the limitations placed upon her for the time being. "I guess I'll just have to make the best of it," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else. She found solace in the knowledge that she was still able to experience a small piece of the world outside the confines of her temporary prison.

"Wow, I can't believe I've already smoked this much today," she murmured, glancing at the growing pile of cigarette butts in the ashtray beside her laptop. It seemed as though each time she reached for her lighter, the intervals between smokes grew shorter and shorter.

"Funny... I hated these things so much and look at me now..." Julie mused, taking another drag from her cigarette. The nicotine worked its magic on her frazzled nerves, calming her and allowing her to focus on the laptop in front of her. Hours seemed to fly by as she lost herself in articles, videos, and various websites.

She couldn't help but wonder how her life would have been different if she had picked up the habit earlier. Would she have been less stressed? More relaxed?

"So what if I'm enjoying this? I have to stop constantly blaming myself for doing something billions of people do everyday! I'm getting paid for this, after all," she encouraged herself, already contemplating in the back of her head whether indulging in the occasional cigarette after the experiment ends might not be such a terrible thing. After all, she reasoned, everyone needed some form of escape, and for her, smoking seemed to provide that.

After her workout session Julie returned to the laptop, her curiosity about smoking continued to grow. She had grown increasingly comfortable with it, and now she wanted to learn more about it. Her fingers danced across the keyboard as she typed in a query, searching for information about smoking. Of course, there were tons of articles about the dangers of smoking, but she wasn't interested in them. Not anymore.

"Interesting, there's quite a lot out there," she mused after finding some smoke technique videos on Youtube.

"Sexy blonde smoking a cigarette," she whispered to herself as she clicked on one of the Google search results. To her surprise and intrigue, the site that opened up was not what she expected. Instead of finding tips on how to smoke properly, she discovered an entire online community dedicated to smoking fetishes.

"Wow," she thought, her eyes widening with shock. "I never knew this existed."

The website featured countless photos and videos of seductive women smoking, their lips wrapped around cigarettes or cigars, exhaling plumes of smoke in sensual, alluring ways. It seemed that this fetish was shared by many people, even in this day and age when smoking was often vilified. Julie found herself strangely exhilarated by the revelation that still so many people found smoking attractive.

"Who would have guessed?" she murmured, clicking through the galleries of images. As she explored, she stumbled upon a category that surprised her even more: smoking fetish porn.

"Really?" she blurted out loud, unable to contain her astonishment. "There are people who actually... get off on this?"

Despite her initial shock, Julie continued to delve deeper into the smoking fetish world. She watched video after video, captivated by the sensual performances of the women on screen. They kissed and masturbated and even had sex - all while smoking in such a seductive way she had never considered before.

"Look at them," she thought, "they make smoking seem so… friggin' hot."

A part of her couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to smoke in such a provocative way, to merge sexuality with smoking. She lit up and took a drag from her cigarette, attempting to imitate the women she saw on screen. Though she felt a bit clumsy, she found the idea of smoking in a sensual, seductive way strangely appealing.

"Maybe I should practice," she mused, exhaling the smoke with a newfound sense of intrigue. "Who knows? Maybe I could become as good as these women someday."

She thought about asking Mark about this fetish upon his return but decided to keep this to herself, unsure of how he'd react. However, the thought lingered in her mind as she recalled how intently Mark watched her smoke. Was it possible that he was already into this?

Inspired by all she'd seen, Julie decided to try her hand at some of these methods herself. She lit a fresh cigarette and focused on the task at hand. Her first attempt was the French inhale, a technique in which she would draw the smoke into her mouth, then slowly release it while simultaneously inhaling it through her nose.

She tried a few times but only managed to do the snap inhale instead, which she already mastered. It was difficult to leave the smoke billowing out of the mouth when all she wanted was to inhale it. She relaxed her mouth and tried again.

"Okay, here goes," she whispered to herself as she took a drag, the tip of her cigarette glowing bright orange. Julie opened her mouth, letting the smoke escape curl out of her mouth, and slowly inhaled through her nostrils. She was pleasantly surprised at how natural the process felt, admiring the swirling smoke between her lips and nose.

"Wow, not bad for a first-timer," she thought with a sense of accomplishment.

Julie then attempted to blow smoke rings, putting in her best effort. But instead of perfect circles, all she produced were some formless clouds. "Eh... it seems more fitting for teens," she mused.

The next day, Julie couldn't wait for Mark to come back. She tried to tell herself that it was because she missed having someone to talk to and the excitement of finally being able to send George a message after a week of silence. But in reality, she knew there was something deeper driving her eagerness.

"Stop it, Julie. Don't you even think about it. You're just looking forward to finally letting your husband know that you're fine," she scolded herself, but the fluttery sensation in her chest told a different story.

As evening approached, Julie found herself glancing at the clock more frequently, her anticipation for Mark's arrival building with each passing minute. She knew it was wrong to feel this way about another man, but the excitement was difficult to ignore.

Her heart quickened as she opened the door to reveal Mark, a bottle of wine in his hand, and a charming smile adorning his face.

"Thought we could celebrate your first week," he said, raising the bottle slightly. Julie felt the familiar flutters in her chest and tried to suppress them as she took the wine from him.

"Thank you, that's very thoughtful," she replied, trying to sound casual. Mark handed her the phone, and she eagerly typed out a message to George, assuring him that everything was fine, that she missed him and the kids greatly and that she was coping with the cigarette smoke – a lie, she was enjoying it, but she couldn't bring herself to admitting that to George. Not yet, at least. She felt uneasy writing a detailed passage in Mark's presence but since this was her only form of communication with her husband she took her time and wrote as much as she could.

With the message sent, Julie felt a sense of relief wash over her. But it was short-lived, as she found herself once again in Mark's company, sharing the wine he'd brought. He poured them each a glass, and they clinked their glasses together in a toast.

"To a successful first week," Mark declared, his eyes meeting Julie's for a brief moment before they both took a sip of their wine. She wasn't a drinker in any way, but the rich, velvety taste of the red was enough to make her realize that it must have been a pricey bottle.

"Have you ever tried smoking while drinking?" Mark asked, a playful glint in his eye.

"Well, uhm, not besides the coffee... why, do **** and cigarettes go well together as well?" Julie furrowed her brow.

A smirk tugged at Mark's lips. "Why don't you find out for yourself?" He nodded towards the pack of cigarettes resting on the table, his grin widening.

Feeling bolder, Julie lit up, performed a snap inhale and then exhaled slowly, watching the smoke drift languidly through the air. Then she took a sip of wine, savoring the combined flavors.

"Wow, that's... that's really nice," she admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly. She was familiar with the mix of caffeine and nicotine, but this one, replaced with ****, was working in a different way, making her relaxed but also... strangely excited?

Mark grinned, clearly pleased with her response. "Isn't it? They complement each other so well, almost as well as with coffee. You know, you're doing great with your smoking style, by the way. I see you're getting confident with the cigarette in your hands. Now, we both know this will last only three more weeks but why not enjoy yourself while doing it, right?"

Julie felt a surge of pride but also a growing tension between them. She knew it was wrong to feel attracted to another man, especially one who was part of the experiment that separated her from her husband. But there was something about Mark – his confidence, his charm – that made it difficult for her to resist.

She was impressed by his professionalism though. Despite the **** signals she must have been sending, he had not made any advances. He didn't touch her or make any suggestive comments, not even subtly. Yet, as a woman, she could sense his attraction towards her. Mark's manner and his lingering glances were clear evidence of his feelings, especially when she smoked. The thought of the smoking fetish website crossed her mind again, but she decided not to bring it up. It was way too personal. But a question that had been nagging at her for a while now, was still unanswered - Mark's relationship status. The wine, coupled with the nicotine, was working its magic on her, emboldening her in a way she hadn't anticipated, and her inhibitions were lowered enough.

"So," she began, her voice steadier than she felt. "You never told me about your... personal life." It wasn't the most subtle of segues, but it was out there now.

Mark paused mid-pour, his dark eyes meeting her sky-blue orbs. He regarded her for a moment before breaking out into an easy smile. "What's there to tell? I'm single."

Julie's heart fluttered at his admission. Single! Of course, he was single; why would it be any other way? She looked away quickly, hiding her flushed cheeks behind a veil of smoke as she took another puff from the cigarette. This was going to be even more difficult, she pondered.

She cleared her throat and tried to shake off her thoughts by bringing back their conversation to more neutral grounds. "A man as handsome and charming as you are? Single?" She failed miserably - it came out way more teasingly than she intended, which made both of them laugh.

"Well thank you," Mark said in mock thoughtfulness, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest, the silhouette of his toned biceps flexing underneath his shirt. "I suppose my job keeps me on my toes. As a psychologist, it can be difficult separating my personal life from my patients. Even on dates, I find myself analyzing everything the other person says and does, and you probably get the idea that's not the best dating approach. But it's really hard to turn off that aspect of my brain." He chuckled and added, "I guess that's why psychologists are often regular patients of other psychologists."

Julie smiled and took another long drag from her cigarette. "I can only imagine the pressure that comes with your profession," she said, blowing out a thin stream of smoke.

"It definitely has its challenges," Mark agreed. "But I love what I do. Helping people understand their own behavior and emotions is incredibly rewarding."

Mark then shifted the conversation towards a topic she didn't anticipate. "Speaking of things I love doing - I think I already mentioned my photography hobby?" He asked, his eyes lighting up in excitement.

"Yeah, you mentioned it. Tell me more," Julie replied, relieved by the fresh subject, one that moved away from the tension of their current predicament.

"Well, I love capturing moments," Mark began, his tone so passionate it brought an earnest smile to Julie's face. "There's something magical about freezing a moment in time within the confines of a frame. I've carried this passion since my teenage years."

"Sounds fascinating," Julie admitted genuinely. She had always admired artists and their ability to see the world from their unique perspectives. That's why she fell for George, after all. "What do you like photographing?"

Mark's gaze turned distant, memories flickering behind his eyes as he answered, "Everything. From sprawling landscapes and imposing architectures to intimate portraits of people. The latter is my favorite though."

"Why people?" she probed further.

"People are unpredictable, aren't they?" Mark said with a small chuckle. "Every emotion, every thought is etched onto their faces and bodies in most subtle yet profound ways. Capturing those nuances is just... wondrous."

Julie nodded, her mind filled with the images he painted with his words.

His gaze then landed on Julie, his eyes twinkling with a sudden idea. He was silent for a moment before he finally voiced it out. "Julie... this might not be strictly professional on my part, but I have to ask. Do you think you could... possibly pose for me one day?"

She was taken slightly aback but more so intrigued than apprehensive. "You mean like a model?"

"Yes, exactly," he responded, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of his wine glass. "Nothing uncomfortable or inappropriate, I promise." He added quickly, noticing her hesitation. "Just you in your natural state. There's something mysterious and intriguing about you, Julie, and I'd like to capture that," he admitted softly. This was the closest he had ever come to acknowledging his attraction to her.

Julie's heart skipped a beat at his words, eliciting a mix of fear, excitement and a whirlwind of emotions she hadn't felt in a long time. For a moment, she considered refusing, but curiosity and the **** in her blood stream got the best of her. "Sure, I'd love to," she finally agreed, the word barely above a whisper.

Mark's face brightened visibly at her consent. "Great! I'll bring my gear over in the next week and we can do the shooting whenever you'll feel comfortable," he reassured her.

What were you thinking? You didn't just agree to it, you practically jumped at the opportunity. Are you insane? Julie's inner voice screamed, but was instantly pushed somewhere to the background - her mind was already busy conjuring up images of her posing seductively for him, wishing he had a camera with him right now.

Before long, Mark stood up and thanked Julie again for her participation and progress in the experiment. He also expressed his gratitude for her interest in modeling for him. Julie, feeling a bit flushed from the **** and her feelings towards him, returned the thanks for providing her with the laptop earlier. They said their farewells and he departed.

The moment he was gone, Julie's body betrayed her while her mind was consumed by the idea of her posing for Mark. The wrongness of what she agreed upon was just so arousing, she knew what she needed to d.

She quickly stripped off her clothes and lay down on the bed, her hand reaching between her legs. As she touched herself, she imagined Mark's strong hands on her body, his lips pressed against hers as they shared a smoke-filled kiss. The taste of wine, the scent of cigarettes, and the sound of Mark's deep, sultry voice fueled her fantasies. She pictured him going down on her, pleasuring her with his soft tongue as she sensually exhaled smoke into the air above them.

As the waves of pure pleasure overtook her, she let out soft moans that reverberated through the silent room. Her entire being was consumed by a scorching hunger, every thrust pushing her towards the edge of rapture. In her mind, she pictured Mark capturing her in ecstasy as his cock filled her entirely. And then it came - a violent orgasm that left her quivering and gasping for air, utterly spent and sated.

In the aftermath of her climax, Julie clung to the sheets beneath her, guilt wracking her body as she realized the extent of her desires. She resolved to resist the temptation Mark presented, to remain loyal to George. But as she already betrayed George in her imagination, she was now about to pose for another guy. How is that being loyal? She thought of George, working tirelessly at home to take care of their family while she indulged herself in this bizarre experiment, and her heart ached with guilt.

"What's wrong with me?" Julie whispered into the darkness, her voice barely audible even to herself. As she mulled over her actions, she reached for a cigarette on the nightstand, eager for the familiar comfort it provided. Lighting it up and inhaling deeply, the smoke filled her lungs, offering momentary solace from her troubled thoughts.

"George would never understand all this," she admitted to herself, exhaling a cloud of smoke that mingled with her regret. "I need to keep my distance from Mark – focus on finishing the experiment and nothing else."

As the minutes passed and the embers of her cigarette burned down, Julie took stock of her newfound addiction. She realized that she had smoked more than the daily quota established by the experiment for three days in a row. The fact that she had exceeded the limit so effortlessly only served to remind her of how deeply she was falling into nicotine's embrace.