"Damned elevator!"
The young man muttered to himself, for he was the only one in the hallway. A glance at his watch showed eleven, he had been waiting over fifteen minutes. Chicago is called the Windy City, and for the last few days it had lived up to its name with a vengeance. A storm off of Lake Michigan had brought rain, sleet and snow, with a chill which cut through to the bone.
He pushed the Down button again several times.
He did not want to walk down fourteen flights of stairs, but he might have to or risk being late for work. Not that he would mind being late for work. Born and raised on a farm, he'd had a flare for computers. Good grades in college had lead to this job here. The first month had gone well, then last week he had been transferred to the midnight shift. He didn't like it. A life time of waking at dawn, he found himself tired and out of sorts at the change.
His only consolation had been Her.
She was there his second night, riding the elevator down. He had tried not to stare. He didn't quite succeed. Tall with shoulder length hair of golden blonde, her pale skin the color of fine china, light blue eyes like arctic pools and red lips begging for a kiss, she had that truly erotic beauty which made you catch your breath in disbelief. Standing to one side, his bold glances had not bothered her. Instead she seemed to except them as her due, like some pagan goddess fit for worship. She wore a long fur coat. Through the open front, he could see her body. It was sheathed in a white evening gown that clung to every sensuous curve.
Before he could think to speak the elevator stopped, opened onto the lobby and then she was gone.
A twenty slipped to the old doorman had yielded some information. She was a new tenant, of less than a month. His night at work passed quickly, for all the young man could think about was Her.
She was there again that next night. This time he tried to speak. Nervously, "Hello" was all he said. She nodded back, nothing more. There was a hint of a smile on her lips, amusement perhaps at his hesitation. Before he had the chance to say more they were at the lobby and she was gone again.
The storm came that night.
Standing in his office looking out, he had cursed himself. He never had trouble talking to women before. Walking home in the snow, he resolved the next night would be different. It had been, for she had not been there. Nor the next, nor the next. Three days he lived with the feeling he had missed his chance at heaven. The young man pushed once more at the elevator button, then turned towards the stairs. Just as he reached them, there was a ping and the elevator door opened. He got his arm into it before it closed again. He noticed it was occupied as he entered.
"Damned thing takes forever," he said. "I wouldn't want to miss it when it does show up."
He realized who was there. Her!
The door closed and the elevator started down. He could not believe his luck. Quick he thought, say something. Don't let her get away this time. Standing in one corner, she looked straight ahead. She wore the same long fur coat, this time pulled tightly closed around her.
"Terrible weather the last few days," he said.
She glanced his way and considered him for the first time.
"Terrible weather," he said again.
The three days of storm had been hard, keeping her trapped in her apartment. The hunger she felt was a gnawing thing which disrupted her normal calm. She bid it to be still for the elevator ride would be short and then she would feel the freedom of the night. She recognized him from a few days before. Another tenant, she thought. She could sense his attraction. He wore a brown turtleneck sweater, which fit his strong body well. He had a heavy coat over one arm. Most women would find him handsome, with his black hair and brown eyes. There was humor in those eyes and a youthful confidence about him. Had she not a personal rule against neighbors, she might have been tempted. She had no qualms with teasing him though. Smiling slightly, she leaned back and let her long coat open to show him what was underneath.
"Yes," she said, wetting her lips with a bright pink tongue. "Terrible weather we have been having."
In tall high heels, her long perfect legs were encased in silk stockings that clung like a second skin. Lace garters pulled tight across her creamy thighs held those stockings up. Tiny transparent panties barely covered what lay between those thighs. The corset she wore above that, laced up the front, pulling her waist tight and thrusting her breasts forward. Just a hint of nipple showed. Except for the string of perfect pearls around her neck, she was clothed all in red.
He let out a small gasp.
"What a girl really needs on a cold night like this," she said softly. "Is someone who knows how to keep her warm."
Suddenly there was a lurch and the elevator stopped.
"What the hell," he exclaimed.
The overhead light flickered and went out, leaving them in darkness. That lasted only a moment before a weak red emergency light kicked in.