A Night at the Astoria
By L.A.Parker

Warning:  Some sexual content that may be unsuitable for readers under the age of 18

     Cassandra Lane walked out of the coffee shop with her latte in hand.  As she opened the door a tall man talking on the phone, walked through the door in a rush and before she knew it, her hot coffee spilled on top of her white blouse. 
 
     "Ahh!" she cried as the liquid burned her skin.

     "Sorry," said the man on the phone as he continued into the coffee shop.  Cassandra stood frozen as he walked right by her.  She needed to get back to work and here she was in a coffee-stained blouse.  

     "Hey!" called Cassandra tuning around.  The man was still on the phone, and her temper was getting the best of her.  She stormed in his direction, and blocked him from the register.

     "What the hell?" he said startled.

     "You knocked over my coffee and kept going!" Cassandra knew that she was making a scene, but the least he could do was give her a proper apology.

     "What?" he asked distractedly.  "No Jim, I can't sign the contract for the stocks today because I need a copy from the lawyer first," he was tall and good looking, with dark brown hair and hazel eyes.  His suit looked expensive.

     "My blouse," Cassandra nearly shrieked, "you ruined my blouse!"  He eyed her up and down and smirked.  

     "Jim, let me call you back," he hung up the phone and placed it into his pocket.  "How much for the blouse?" he asked taking out his wallet.

     "Excuse me?" asked Cassandra.  She hadn't expected him to pay for it; she just wanted a decent apology, maybe even a new latte.

     "How much for the blouse?" He repeated.  He looked around forty or so, with crow's feet and fine lines on his forehead.  

     "You don't have to pay for the blouse … I'll settle for a latte," Cassandra was still flustered, but felt awkward accepting money from a stranger.
  
     New Yorkers weren't like the people in South Carolina.  Cassandra had only been in the Big Apple for a few months, but already she was fed up with people walking into her.

     The tall man smiled and walked past her, to the register.  "Two lattes," he said pulling out a debit card.  "Anything else?" he asked, eyeing Cassandra with an amused expression.

     "No," she answered sourly as she waited, again, for her coffee.  

     "So what's your name?" he asked.

     "Cassandra Lane," she said flatly.

     "I'm Justin Davidson," he held out his hand and Cassandra shook it briefly.  "So where are you headed to, Cassandra?"  

     "Work," the barista placed two lattes onto the counter and Cassandra took hers and turned to leave.

     "Where's work?" Justin asked, keeping stride with her easily.

     "City Union Bank," she didn't bother to tell him which one, and hailed a cab.  "Thanks for the latte," she added as she got in without another word.  She was fifteen minutes over her lunch hour.

     She gave the directions to her job and sipped idly on her coffee.  As the cab driver turned back onto the busy street, she glanced back to see if Justin was still on the sidewalk.  He wasn't, and Cassandra ran her hand through her light brown hair.

     As usual, there was heavy traffic and by the time she got back to work, she knew she would have to work overtime to make it up.

     Cassandra walked through the doors of the City Union Bank and to the back room where she would try to rinse out the coffee stain.

     "Cassandra!" called Tiffany from the corner.  She walked toward her, looking giddy.

     "I'm going to try and get rid of the stain," she began, "right after I notarized the Pemby Trust, I stopped to get coffee and this guy-"

     "What are you talking about?" Tiffany asked in surprise.  "You just got a gift and four dozen roses."

     "What?" asked Cassandra.  She hadn't had a boyfriend since college, and even now, she hardly knew any men.

     Tiffany grabbed her hand and took her to the lounge in the back room.  Inside were four dozen roses in pink, yellow, red and purple.  Next to it, stood a small box wrapped with a white bow.

     "Are you seeing someone?" asked Tiffany, excited.

     "No," Cassandra opened a card that lay on top of the box.  

     'Cassandra, please accept this formal apology and accompany me to dinner this evening, I will send my driver for you at 6:00,
     -Justin Davidson.'

      "What the-?" Cassandra opened the box and saw a white blouse, identical to the one she wore, inside.  

     "Well, are you going to tell me who he is?" Tiffany was bubbling with excitement and Cassandra shook her head.

     "It's the guy who knocked over my latte a little while ago, but I don't know how he figured out which City Union I worked at in such a short amount of time,"  Cassandra checked her watch and realized that she would have to stay at work even later if she kept dawdling.  She grabbed the new shirt and changed, quickly, in the bathroom.

     Cassandra didn't pay much attention as the afternoon passed by and at seven she was finally finished for the day.  She walked outside and was about to hail a cab, when she noticed a black limousine in front of the bank.

     A man with white blonde hair walked up to her.  "Are you Cassandra Lane?" he asked politely.

     "Yes, can I help you with something?" she asked warily.

     "I've been sent to pick you up this evening by Mr. Davidson," he said.

     "Thank you but that won't be necessary," Cassandra was about to hail a cab when her phone rang.  

     "Hello?" she asked.

     "Cassandra, this is Justin Davidson," said the deep attractive voice.

     "How on earth did you get my phone number?" she asked in surprise.

     "I will explain when I see you for dinner," the line went dead and Cassandra stood stupidly in the middle of the sidewalk.  The chauffeur smiled and opened the door of the limousine.  For a moment Cassandra didn't move, but soon she felt the same irritation as this morning and she got into the black vehicle without a word. 
 
     The limousine had black leather seats and a mini bar full of expensive liquor.  Cassandra felt uneasy inside the unknown vehicle, but she decided that she might as well see him, get his address, and send the new blouse back in the morning. 
 
     The ride was smooth but long as Cassandra waited silently inside the car.  She had placed her stained shirt inside of her purse, and had left a dozen roses in the lounge at the bank and had given Tiffany and her other co-workers a choice from the remaining three.

     The limousine rolled to a stop and the chauffeur opened the door for her.  She was staring at the entrance of the Waldorf Astoria, and her mouth opened in awe.  The blonde chauffeur escorted her past the footman and into the hotel and Cassandra felt as if she were walking in a dream.  

     "Mr. Davidson is in the suite at the top floor," said the chauffeur, handing her a room key.  Before Cassandra could gather her thoughts, he walked back through the lobby and out of the splendid entrance.  Cassandra walked into the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor.  

     Just who was this Justin Davidson?

     After a long ride, Cassandra reached the top floor.  She stepped off of the elevator and walked to the door with the same number as the key.

     Nervously, she slid the key into the digital lock. 
 
     The light on the lock turned green and Cassandra opened the door.  The room inside was covered in Victorian decor.

     Her breath caught in her throat as she stood in the open doorway.

     "Ah, Cassandra I see you've finally arrived!" declared Justin Davidson, in a black tuxedo.  Cassandra felt extremely under-dressed in her white blouse and black pants.

     "I just stopped by to get your address, so I could send you the blouse back," she said in a small voice.  Cassandra wished she had never said anything to Justin at the coffee shop and just left after the incident.

     "Nonsense, please come in," he began.

     "No really I-" but before she could finish, Justin grabbed her hand and pulled her gently, but firmly through the door.  Cassandra felt her irritation return.

     "How did you get my phone number? And how did you know which City Union Bank I worked at?" she demanded as they passed through a short hallway.

     "I have many contracts with several different banks.  All I had to do was call the main branch and have your resume sent to my phone."  Justin Davidson flashed a wide smile in her direction.

     Her heart was racing, as she walked with him into the dining room.  A small intimate dinner had been set along with candles.  

     "Really you've done enough between the coffee, the blouse, and the flowers, I don't need anything else," said Cassandra in a rush.

     Justin pulled a chair out for her and waited until she had seated herself.

     "Please don't misunderstand," he began in his deep voice, "this is no longer about the coffee.  Please, eat."

     Cassandra looked down at the filet mignon in front of her along with an evergreen salad.  In porcelain dishes there were mashed potatoes, an assortment of breads, asparagus spears, hollandaise sauce, and red wine.

     Carefully, Cassandra pushed her fork into her salad and took a small bite.

     "I ran into you on purpose," said Justin flatly.

     "What?" she asked in surprise.

     "I saw you through the window and I was attracted to you.  So I purposely bumped into you in order to get you to spill your coffee.  I had hoped you would say something after I walked away."

     "What kind of person does that?" Cassandra asked, shocked.

     "The kind of person who enjoys a challenge and a good time," Justin ate slowly and gracefully.

     "Look I'm not looking for a one night thing," began Cassandra as she started to get up.  "I'm only twenty three, and you look way too old for me," it's not that Justin wasn't attractive enough for Cassandra.  He was good looking with his aristocratic features, brown wavy hair and hazel eyes, she simply had no other excuses left.

     "Well twenty three is not that young, Cassandra, and I'm only forty four," Justin smiled and Cassandra couldn't help but feel fascinated.

     "I'm not looking for a serious relationship, if that's what you're worried about.  I just like a good time, and I find you very attractive."  Cassandra blushed and looked down.  She was still a virgin, but had lied on several occasions to her friends when asked point blank.

     "Well I am not looking for anything right now, serious or casual," said Cassandra firmly.  Justin let out a boisterous laugh and Cassandra faltered in surprise, she had thought she sounded rather fierce.

     "I like you!" said Justin brightly.  "You are strong and vivacious!" Cassandra didn't know what to say.

     "I like women who challenge me, usually by now they are so taken by the money that bedding them is almost too easy!  I like that you make it a challenge!"  Cassandra stared at him, puzzled, she had never met a man who was so open about what he wanted when it came to a woman.  Justin held up his glass of wine in a toast.

     "To the woman who makes life difficult," he said with a chuckle and took a long, deep gulp.  Cassandra didn't bother to toast and walked to the door without a glance back.  

     A pair of strong, warm arms wrapped themselves around her waist and she felt the Justin's warm breath in her ear.

     "I said I like a challenge but I would hope you would stay for just a little while longer.  Cassandra's breath caught in her throat as she felt his lips on her neck.  His kisses were gentle and warm as he pressed his hands against her hips.

     Cassandra let her head lean in against him, involuntarily, caught in the moment of sensation.  

     Justin turned Cassandra around and kissed her, deeply.  His lips were sweet from the wine and Cassandra found her hands entangled into his hair.  His tongue pressed gently against hers and she sighed quietly.

     Justin pushed her up against the wall and pinned her hands above her head.  He kept kissing her and Cassandra found herself wanting more.  He pressed his body against her, and with one hand, he smoothly unbuttoned her blouse.  She didn't protest as he released her arms and let the blouse fall to the ground.  He removed his jacket and Cassandra found herself pulling at his shirt.

     He kissed her, panting and working his tongue against hers in ways that made her want him even more.  His shirt came off and he pulled roughly at her pants.  She didn't wait for him to finish as she unzipped his.

     She felt his hands run across her back before he made his way to her breasts.  Quickly he picked her up and made his way to the bedroom.

I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION FOR THE COPY, STEALING, OR DISTRIBUTION OF MY WORK.  THIS PIECE IS WRITTEN AND OWNED BY LAUREN PARKER, KIKO-CHAN13, LAPARKER13, AND LAPARKER.  YOU DO NOT HAVE AUTHORIZATION TO USE MY WORK WITHOUT MY PERMISSION UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, NO EXCEPTIONS!  ANY UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THIS WORK FOR PROFIT OR DISTRIBUTION IS NOT PERMISSIBLE.  ANY PARTY OTHER THAN THE AUTHOR OF THIS ORIGINAL WORK DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT, CHANGE, OR REPOST (by a party other than the author without full credit given to the original author) THIS WORK USING ANY TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY, COMPUTER, MOBILE DEVICE, TELEVISION, OTHER SHARING DEVICE, FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES, OR HARD COPIES.  DO NOT USE WITHOUT EXPRESS CONSENT OF THE AUTHOR UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.  BY READING THIS WORK YOU HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE CREATIVE RIGHTS, AND INTELLECTUAL OWNERSHIP OF THIS PIECE BY THE AUTHOR LAUREN PARKER, KIKO-CHAN13, LAPARKER13, and LAPARKER.