Cassidy was in a foul mood. Everyone at the party could sense it and they were avoiding her as if she was the center of a five-foot quarantine. 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 they were keeping their distance and that was fine with her. She glanced at the clock again, wondering 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 clients. 'Damn him to hell anyway', she bitterly thought.
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 made Cassidy very happy.
She wanted to look her best for him and bought a new designer evening dress she felt was the perfect blend of 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 rave-black satin and silk fabric contrasted with her fiery red hair. The overall effect made Cassidy feel very sexy and desirable. She was certain Mark would be proud to have her at his side.
Her good mood had been destroyed when, at the last minute, Mark announced 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 he couldn't pass that up!
'The fucking bastard!' Didn't he understand how embarrassing it was for her 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 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 she married when she was twenty-four. 'I'm so tired of his shit,'.
After ordering another drink, she asked the bartender for a cigarette. Cassidy didn't often smoke but figured she could use it. The party was being held in the Firm’s spacious Manhattan apartment, and while smoking wasn't expressly forbidden, Cassidy knew it would be frowned upon for her to light up inside.
Making her way as discretely as possible to the master bedroom, she stepped out onto the balcony. She needed a moment of peace and quiet while she 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. Leaning against the railing and gazing out over the skyline, she took 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. What else can go wrong tonight?"
It was such a small thing, but losing that matchbook was the proverbial last straw for her, and tears began 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 found she was no longer alone on the balcony.
Turning with a start, she watched in shock as an unfamiliar man lit her cigarette and drew on it, causing the tobacco to glow red 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 relaxing smoke before answering.
"Yes, I am. I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage."
"Of course, I do," he said pleasantly but perhaps a bit too agreeably. "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 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, and she felt overwhelmed by his presence despite his seemingly unthreatening manner.
He was a tall man, standing easily five inches above her 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 he was a man of taste, class and wealth.
He had caught her completely off guard, and for a moment, she worried he might be deliberately trying to frighten her. Saying nothing, she watched as he lit a cigarette for himself.
"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 might have crossed. It was a wasted effort. Between the alcohol she’d consumed and his almost hypnotically intimate approach, Cassidy felt her head begin to swim. 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 not yet been fortunate enough to make your acquaintance. I know your name simply because I asked one of the other guests who you were."
Cassidy could almost feel his gaze as his eyes roamed over her body. She had the distinct and uncomfortable feeling 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 there is nothing I can offer..."
"Cassidy, please. Do not pretend you have mistaken my intention. You do no justice to your own intellect. I asked who you are because of your exquisite beauty. You are a rare jewel, and the moment 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 a social event. She was friendly and attractive, and there were always some men willing to try their luck. It was all basically harmless and Cassidy felt it 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, 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. “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’d simply had too much to drink, but something about him told her he wasn't drunk or merely flirting. He took no steps, but still seemed to move closer, and Cassidy’s smile slipped away as that small knot of nerves became a growing lump of fear in her throat. There was an intensity about him that kept her off balance, a palpable energy that was both frightening and exciting.
Silence stood between them for a heartbeat 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 floors above the street below with no idea if he would dare have his way with her. Worse still, something dark inside her almost hoped he would try.
It was as if Manuel could see the turmoil in her heart, and just then he turned to rest his hands on the railing, breaking the spell 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 seemed gentle and sincere but there was something about him that felt dangerous. Maybe it was his proximity or the strength of his will, but despite his protestations to the contrary, she didn't believe he would just walk away. Turing toward her again, 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 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 moment, she was unsure whether to reject or embrace its growing strength.
In the end though she brushed the urge aside and shook her head no in answer to his question.
"No, no he's fine. He just had... other plans."
Cassidy didn't know what else to say and swore silently to herself, damning Mark again for not being with her.
Manuel almost seemed to read her mind and continued to press forward.
"Cassidy, I beg you. How long will you deny your life for a man who offers you so little? You have no responsibility to anyone but yourself. A woman should be the center of her husbands’ world, not an inconvenience. Why do you resist your own happiness?"
Leaning forward, he gently kissed her shoulder. Cassidy felt paralyzed as his lips briefly danced on her skin. Warm and exciting sensations suddenly pulsed through her when he reached behind her to let his fingertips trace down her spine through the open back of her dress. A gathering heat quickly awakened in her body and glowed brightly with a life of its own.
His words sounded so true and his voice was like a hypnotic song that made her want to give in to his advance. She felt fear again, but this time she was afraid of what she was beginning to desire. She was only moments away from succumbing to his advance when she finally pushed him away.
"No! I'm sorry, I can't! Let me go!"
It took all her strength to break his spell, but she pushed by him and opened the French door leading back into the apartment, and her escape.
"Cassidy!"
His voice was strong and commanding but without anger or threat and she paused at the door, half expecting him to follow. She needn't have worried. Manuel was still facing the railing, looking out at the City.
"Go then, if it is what you want, but if you only go because of what you fear, then stay."
He turned and came closer but this time keeping a polite distance.
"In my life, I have taken what I desired. I let nothing stand in my way. Is that not how you have seen yourself?"
Once again, he wove truth into his spell, and once again Cassidy couldn't find a way to disagree.
"Yes, of course, but..."
"There are no buts, Cassidy. Truth either is, or it is not. What are you running home to? How often are you allowed the chance to live, truly live on your own terms! If you go now, you deny me, that is true, but only by denying your own life and your own fulfillment. You fear lying to your husband, yes?"
"Yes, of course."
"My dear, beautiful, Cassidy, you should only fear lying to yourself, for that is the true tragedy of life."
He held out his hand and Cassidy wavered, caught by her loyalty to her marriage and by a call of passion she had for too long denied.