Unforgettable Encounter: A Sizzling Night of Passion and Temptation at the Corporate Party Part 1 Cassidy was in a foul mood. Everyone at the party could sense it and the other guests were avoiding her as if there were a five foot quarantine surrounding her. Stress was ever present for associate attorneys at Sinclair & Lewis and the others had far too much of their own to be interested in becoming involved in hers. For her part, Cassidy was vaguely aware that they were keeping their distance and that was fine with her. She glanced at the clock again and wondered if her obligatory appearance at the Firm’s meet and greet had been adequately fulfilled. The last thing she needed right now was some political office bullshit or inane small talk with one of their soon to be drunken This link (clients.Damn) is not approved. Submit this link for approval him to hell anyway,she thought bitterly. Sinclair & Lewis was an old and conservative Law Firm and Cassidy wanted her husband Mark to be with her at the party. Initially he seemed supportive or even excited about the affair. After suffering through months of his inattention and downright disdain about anything regarding her work his enthusiasm for the party had made Cassidy very happy. She wanted to look her best for him and bought a new designer evening dress that she felt was the perfect blend sexiness and class. The off the shoulder, open backed gown formed to her full breasts and trim waist and featured a ruffled skirt that flowed down beautifully over her legs. The raven black satin and silk fabric contrasted with her blond hair and the overall effect made Cassidy feel very sexy and desirable. …but everything was about to change
Unforgettable Encounter: A Sizzling Night of Passion and Temptation at the Corporate Party
Cassidy was in a foul mood. Everyone at the party could sense it and the other guests were avoiding
her as if there were a five foot quarantine surrounding her. Stress was ever present for associate
attorneys at Sinclair & Lewis and the others had far too much of their own to be interested in
becoming involved in hers.
For her part, Cassidy was vaguely aware that they were keeping their distance and that was fine with
her. She glanced at the clock again and wondered if her obligatory appearance at the Firm’s meet
and greet had been adequately fulfilled. The last thing she needed right now was some political office
bullshit or inane small talk with one of their soon to be drunken This link (clients.Damn) is not approved. Submit this link for approval him to hell anyway,she
thought bitterly.
Sinclair & Lewis was an old and conservative Law Firm and Cassidy wanted her husband Mark to be
with her at the party. Initially he seemed supportive or even excited about the affair. After suffering
through months of his inattention and downright disdain about anything regarding her work his
enthusiasm for the party had made Cassidy very happy.
She wanted to look her best for him and bought a new designer evening dress that she felt was the
perfect blend sexiness and class. The off the shoulder, open backed gown formed to her full breasts
and trim waist and featured a ruffled skirt that flowed down beautifully over her legs. The raven black
satin and silk fabric contrasted with her blond hair and the overall effect made Cassidy feel very sexy
and desirable. She was certain that Mark would be proud to have her at his side.
Her good mood had been destroyed though when, at the last minute, Mark suddenly announced that
he was not going with her. His buddy had called and offered him a ticket to the Yankees-Red Sox
game and all he could say was that he couldn't pass that up! The fucking bastard!Didn't he
understand how embarrassing it was for her to have to appear at the party by herself? She'd been
ready to fuck him senseless and he'd blown it over a goddamn baseball game!
As Cassidy finished her second rum and coke she realized she shouldn't have been surprised. After
eight years of marriage it was clear that he wasn't happy. He wanted children and a wife who would
take care of them and that was simply not possible while she was building her career. The fact was
she had grown as a woman over the last six years and he was still the same immature frat guy that
she married when she was twenty four. I'm so tired of his shit,she thought bitterly.
She asked the bartender for another drink and then asked him for a cigarette. She didn't often smoke
but figured that tonight she could use it. The party was being held in the spacious penthouse
apartment in Manhattan that the Firm kept for special clients and while smoking wasn't expressly
forbidden Cassidy knew that it would be frowned upon for a mere associate like her to light up inside.
She made her way as discretely as possible to the master bedroom so that she could step out onto
the balcony. She needed a moment’s peace and quiet while she had a smoke and tried to collect her
thoughts.
As she opened the French doors that led outside she was greeted by the cool night breeze. The air
embraced her body and seemed to flow right through her gown, causing goosebumps to rise on her
skin. She leaned against the railing and gazed out over the skyline, taking in the beautiful vista of the
vibrant City’s lights.
Cassidy placed the cigarette between her ruby red lips but when she attempted to light it her nervous
hands failed her and she watched in frustration as the matchbook slipped between her fingers and
fluttered away into the abyssal canyon of the street below.
"Well shit" she muttered. "What else can go wrong tonight?"
It was such a small thing but losing that matchbook was the proverbial last straw for her that night and
she could feel tears begin to form as her frustration threatened to overwhelm her. So when the
cigarette that was now back in her hand was gently pulled from her fingers Cassidy's heart skipped a
beat as she realized that she was no longer alone on the balcony.
She turned quickly and watched as an unfamiliar man lit her cigarette and drew in, causing the
tobacco to glow in the darkness.
Once he had it lit he offered it back to her. Cassidy had not yet recovered her composure and felt
frozen as he gently slipped the filtered end between her glossed lips.
"You are Cassidy Lynn, yes?" His accent was slight but unmistakably Latin.
Cassidy exhaled a wispy cloud of the relaxing smoke before answering.
"Yes, I am. I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage."
"Of course I do," he said pleasantly enough but in a way that was perhaps too agreeable, as if he
meant something more. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Manuel De La Cruz and I have recently
become a client of your Firm."
The man was standing very close to Cassidy, close enough to be encroaching in that unexplainable
zone of personal space that people usually reserve for those whom they consider intimates. Cassidy
wanted to step back but found herself caught in the outside corner of the balcony. It was very
disconcerting to her and she felt almost overwhelmed by his presence despite his seemingly
unthreatening manner.
He was a tall man, standing easily five inches above Cassidy even though she was wearing heels.
His bearded face and thick dark hair were impeccably groomed. His designer suit, obviously tailored
to fit his muscular frame, indicated that he was a man of taste, class and wealth.
He had caught her completely off guard though and for a moment she couldn't decide if he was
purposely trying to frighten her or not.
She watched silently as he lit a cigarette for himself as he spoke.
"Forgive me for intruding Cassidy but where I am from it would be considered impolite for a man to
allow a beautiful woman to smoke alone in his company."
He addressed her as if they were long lost friends and Cassidy struggled with herself, trying vainly to
remember where their paths could have crossed. It was no use though and between the alcohol she
had drank and the almost hypnotic way he spoke Cassidy felt her head begin to swim in confusion.
Manuel seemed to sense this and smiled slightly in mild amusement. It was only when his eyes
caught hers that she found her voice.
"How...I'm sorry but have we met before? How do you know who I am?"
"No, I have never before been fortunate enough to make your acquaintance. I know your name simply
because I asked one of the other guests who you are."
Cassidy could almost feel his gaze as his eyes roamed over her body and she had the distinct and
uncomfortable feeling that his interest in her was anything but professional. A nervous knot formed in
her throat as she tried to keep the conversation under control.
"Well thank you Mr. De La Cruz but I'm sure the Firm has your interests well represented. I'm afraid
that there is nothing I can offer..."
"Cassidy do not pretend that you do not understand my intention. You do not do justice to your own
intellect. I asked who you are because of your exquisite beauty. You are a rare jewel and as soon as I
saw you I knew I must have you in my arms."
Cassidy was shocked at his directness but still part of her enjoyed his attention. This wasn’t the first
time she’d been hit on at social event. She was friendly and attractive and there were always some
men who were willing to try their luck with her. It was all basically harmless flirting and deep down
inside Cassidy felt it was flattering in its own way. Besides, she was still infuriated with her husband.
It would serve Mark right if I did fuck this guy. At least he knows how to speak to a lady!
Pissed or not though, Cassidy didn’t plan on just jumping into bed with the first rich and attractive man
who came along, no matter how tempting the idea actually was.
“A jewel you say? Oh my, that’s really very kind of you.” Cassidy finished her cigarette and crushed it
out. "Look, you are a very handsome man Mr. De La Cruz, I'll give you that but I’m just not that easy
to have. Besides, I hardly think this is the place for a quickie."
Cassidy smiled at him playfully, hoping he had just had too much to drink.
Something about the way he looked back at her though told her he wasn't drunk or simply flirting with
her. He seemed to move even closer to her and Cassidy’s smile slipped away as the small knot of
nervousness she had felt became a growing lump of fear in her throat. There was an intensity about
him that was keeping her off balance, a palpable energy that was at once both frightening and
exciting.
Silence stood between them for what seemed like a long moment before he spoke.
"Cassidy, I am a man who believes in being direct and honest about my desires and I have told you
that I desire you. My hope, my belief is that you might desire me as well.”
Cassidy hands began to shake as the reality of his words sank in. She was trapped alone with him
eighty stories above the street below with no idea how much he would dare in order to have his way
with her. Worse still, something dark deep inside her almost hoped he would at least try.
Almost as if Manuel could see the turmoil in her heart he turned and put his hands on the railing,
breaking the intensity of the spell that he had woven.
“Of course if you do not feel the attraction, if you do not desire me as I desire you then you have but
to say so and I will accept your decision. After all, the final choice in the passionate matters of the
heart always lay in the hands of the woman."
He sounded gentle and sincere but there was something about him that felt dangerous. Maybe it was
his close proximity or just the strength of his will but in spite of his protestations to the contrary she
didn't believe he would just walk away. He turned toward her again and his smoldering gaze pierced
through her, holding her in place and leaving her almost unable to speak. Her fear crept deeper into
her breast and she began searching for a way to put him off without possibly angering him.
"Please, you don't understand, I'm married. This isn't right."
Manuel gently took her left hand in his and lightly fingered her wedding ring. His hands were warm
and strong and his touch was electric.
"Ah, so I see. You must love your husband very much to show such loyalty. I humbly beg for your
forgiveness" he said as he released her hand.
"Oh, well I'm glad you understand so if you don't mind..." Cassidy felt a moment’s relief at his
apparent acquiescence but still he stood his ground, not quite blocking her in but not truly allowing
her by either. "So if you don't mind I'd like to go back inside."
Manuel smiled but still didn't move.
"I find myself wondering Cassidy, why your husband, whom you love so very much, is not here with
you tonight? What man would make so loyal and beautiful a wife go to an affair such as this without
him?"
"In my country a man would be proud to have such a wife at his side and he could never bear the
thought of not enjoying her in such a lovely gown." Manuel let his fingers graze her arm as he spoke
until he touched the silken fabric just below her shoulder. "But perhaps I misunderstand. Is he gravely
ill? Is this why he did not escort you here?"
Cassidy felt that same flush of electric heat at his touch and instantly recognized the unmistakable
pleasant warmth of arousal that was beginning to stir within her. It was a sensation that was as
pleasing as it was alarming and for a brief moment she was unsure whether to reject or embrace its
growing strength.
In THE END
