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“Could I try it?”
Siegfried let out the puff of tobacco he’d just inhaled and began to cough. “Excuse me?”
“I’d like to try it. Your pipe, that is…” Audrey pointed toward the freshly smoldering tobacco held in his hand. She was biting her bottom lip.
“You want to smoke my pipe?” He was dumbstruck.
“Yes. I’d like to see what all the fuss is about. You’ve treated that thing as your most beloved companion since the day I met you, and I’ve always wondered what the draw is!” Audrey reached out her hand and he just stared.
“Mrs. Hall. I don’t…”
“Oh, give over Mr. Farnon. I’ve had a cigarette before, is there really much of a difference? I promise not to go swiping it if I enjoy it.”
Audrey smirked and he couldn’t help but give in. He wasn’t really sure why he was resisting anyway. Perhaps the idea of her lips wrapped around the place his so frequently occupied….her beautiful lips.
He handed over the pipe and lifted his whiskey glass to his lips. He took a large swig as she analyzed her future.
Siegfried watched her closely. He watched her tongue dart out of her mouth, sliding over her top lip and then the bottom to wet them before she placed the stem of the pipe between. He watched her inhale slowly and deeply. His eyebrows rose as she closed her eyes in satisfaction.
Audrey couldn’t help the thoughts that raced through her mind. This is what Mr. Farnon’s mouth tasted like—the place his lips constantly touched. She savored the sensation until her lungs could take no more and she exhaled. She heard him clear his throat.
Opening her eyes slowly, she found him staring at her slack jawed with his glass of whiskey still held up near his lips. He made no attempt to hide his look of wonder and a smile began to creep onto her lips. Feeling bold, she placed the pipe between her teeth and said, “I can see why you enjoy it now. Perhaps I will be swiping it from time to time after all…”
“Mrs. Hall! The sass! I would never have taken you for such a woman! To make promises one does not intend to keep. Surely you would never! Perhaps we could come to some sort of arrangement if you simply must partake in my greatest vice.” Siegfried’s eyebrows rose in challenge. Were they flirting? It seemed as though lately….no, surely not. His pipe was still sitting enticingly between her teeth and lips.
She felt bolder still. “Perhaps, Mr. Farnon.” She closed her lips around the stem again and took a second puff, this time immediately regretting the valor of her inhale. Her eyes watered and she held back a cough until she couldn’t any longer. She broke out into a fit of coughs, shoving the pipe back into Siegfried’s hands as she stood up from her chair.
“Mrs. Hall! Are you alright? Please, I…oh, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have…”
She caught her breath before realizing he was standing next to her rubbing her back with great care. His face looked concerned until she forced a smile and he was suddenly and obviously relieved.
“I’m fine, Mr. Farnon. That were foolish of me. I don’t know what I were thinking. I haven’t smoked in years and even then...”
“Yes, well. You did take quite a long drag. You looked lovely doing it if that’s any consolation.”
Her eyes shot up from where she stared at the floor. There was that look again—the one she so rarely saw, and only when he was alone with her. It was caring and concern and possibly something more that she wouldn’t let herself believe.
“I won’t share with you again though. You’ll have to get your own. I’m very particular about my pipe, you know.” His attempted joke diffused the tension and she genuinely smiled.
“I think I should stick to gin for now,” she grinned at him. “Or maybe whiskey on occasion if my employer is in an especially giving mood.”
‘“Of course! And by the way, this is not my most beloved companion.”
“No? I suppose that would be the Rover then?”
Siegfried smiled. “Come. Let’s sit down and enjoy these drinks and perhaps I’ll tell you..”