Matchmaking for the Shy Ch. 04

"I'm a graphic artist, a freelancer, I have relationships with a few smaller advertising agencies and one large one. The smaller ones don't have enough wok to justify a fulltime person, the large agency uses me for overflow, when they get busy."

The waiter arrived before Cassian could respond, setting glasses of water down. Heather hurriedly opened the menu and began looking at it.

"Are you going to need a little more time?" the waiter asked with a polite smile.

"Perhaps," Cassian responded before turning to Heather.

"Do you like steak?"

"Yes, sure," she responded looking up from the menu, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"The porterhouse for two is excellent, if you don't mind sharing, and the steamed asparagus goes well with it."

"Uh, sure that sound great."

"Medium rare, ok?"

"That's fine."

With that Cassian turned back to the waiter, who nodded in understanding before asking, "and to drink?"

"What would you recommend?"

"We have an excellent Argentinian Malbec that pairs well with the porterhouse."

"We'll defer to your judgement then, please bring the bottle."

"Of course, I will be right back."

The he took the menu from Heather before departing. She looked around as he left, taking the room in for the first time.

She gestured up to the ceiling, covered in clay pipes, "that's certainly an interesting design choice."

"Well, it's a bit, quite a bit actually, of the history of this place."

She looked at him quizzically and he continued.

"The pipes were considered to delicate to travel with, so patrons would leave them here, and the restaurant stored them. Sort of a who's who of New York notables had pipes here. Babe Ruth, Teddy Roosevelt all kinds of people. The theatre district used to extend all the way down here. The story goes you'd see actors and actresses in full makeup grabbing a drink at intermission then running out the backdoor to get back to the theatre."

"Can you imagine, sitting here, having dinner and seeing Ruthie Ann Miles or Nikki Crawford duck in for a drink?" Heather said with obvious excitement in her voice.

"Interesting choices, you're a theatre fan I take it?"

"Oh, yes, that was one of the reasons I was excited to move here."

Cassian noticed her nervousness was disappearing and her interest in the topic was palpable.

"Have you seen anything good lately?"

"I caught a matinee of The Outsiders a few weeks ago, it was wonderful. What about you?"

"Well, I haven't been to much lately, but a few months ago I caught a wonderful production of The Mousetrap."

"Is that playing off-Broadway somewhere? I hadn't seen a listing for it. My mom adores Agatha Christie."

"Well, very off-Broadway I suppose, it's playing at the St. Martin's in London."

"Oh, on vacation?"

"No, was working in London for a while. One of the benefits is the office is close to the West End so normally I can indulge myself on a regular basis. Things were rather busy this time, unfortunately."

The waiter returned with the wine, and after thanking him for the excellent recommendation they returned to their discussion of the theatre. Two hours later the table had been cleared, Cassian had poured the last of the wine into Heather's glass and she was still discussing Broadway. Shows she had seen, ones she wanted to see, actors, writers and songs, all with only the occasional response or question from Cassian. She finished the offered wine, then glanced around the restaurant.

"What time is it?"

"A little after 9."

"Oh, gosh, I'm so sorry, I must be boring you to death."

"Quite the contrary, you are obviously quite passionate about it, thank you for sharing with me."

Cassian resisted the temptation to smile as he watched her nervousness return.

"Well, it's getting late I guess," she said.

"That it is, at the risk of being presumptuous, might I walk you home?"

She hesitated, then answered, "yes, of course I'd...I'd like that."

They both stood up, and Heather watched as Cassian took out his wallet. He removed two $100 bills and set them on the table before looking at her.

"Shall we?"

"Of course."

Tyler was waiting by the hostess table.

"I took the liberty of calling a car Mr. Stafford."

"Thank you, Tyler, I appreciate it. My compliments to the chef and Randall, the food and service were excellent as always."

"Thank you, Mr. Stafford," he said before turning to Heather, "was this your first visit with us Miss? I do hope it was satisfactory."

"It was amazing, I don't think I'll ever be able to eat steak again, it will all be a disappointment after that."

"Well, I am sorry for your loss then," he replied with a grin, "perhaps you will join us again soon."

She glanced nervously between Tyler and Cassian for a moment.

"I'd really like that."

"And can we expect to see you more frequently Mr. Stafford?"

"I suspect you can, I've promised Diane lunch next week, and..." he made a subtle gesture towards Heather and the Maître d' nodded knowingly.

"Wonderful to hear Mr. Stafford," he glanced out the door just as a black Cadillac SUV pulled up, "I believe your car is here."

"Good night, Tyler."

"Good night, Mr. Stafford, and good night, Miss, thank you again for dining with us."

The couple stepped out into the cool night air and Heather involuntarily shivered. They had barely taken three steps and Cassian had removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

"Thank you."

The driver emerged from the SUV and quickly opened the door.

"Mr. Stafford?"

"Yes, thank you," he said as he waited for Heather to climb in.

"And our destination this evening, Sir?"

"Excellent question," he replied turning to look at Heather.

"Oh, uh... 250 West 100th Street."

Heather scooted over and Cassian joined her in the backseat, the driver closed the door and they were soon headed to her apartment.

Who the hell was Diane? Heather found herself wondering. Not that she had any right to be jealous, they'd been on one date but still... forced herself to relax before turning to look at Cassian.

"You must be a regular there?"

"Off and on, when I'm in town. I used to have dinner there two or three times a week, but things have just seen so busy lately. My father and I used to have lunch there at least once a week. Sort of a family tradition, my grandfather and great-grandfather both have pipes on the ceiling. My sister Diane and I try to make lunch there from time to time, to keep the tradition alive. She and my mother would always pick a random restaurant when father and I were having lunch."

Heather felt herself relax even more as she made the connection, Diane was his sister, that was much better.

"Diane, your sister, blonde, a little taller than I am, hangs out at Coffee Pages?"

"I suspect that's her."

"So, is that why... why you..."

"How I got signed up for this, you mean?"

"Yes."

"It is, I've been back from London for a while now, and buried in work. She thinks I need to get out more, meet people and all. She pestered me until I appeased her."

"You didn't want to?"

"No, to be honest, not in the slightest."

She turned away looking out the window at the Hudson River as they drove.

"But, now I'm very glad I did."

"Really?" she said, turning back to look at him.

"Really," he said with a smile.

"I'm glad too."

She cautiously reached over, resting her hand on his. He covered it with his other hand, giving it a gentle squeeze and she leaned back against him.

They arrived at her apartment; the driver opened the door and they both got out. Heather glanced back and forth between the driver and Cassian, not sure what to say. Sultry vixen, sultry vixen she told herself.

"Would you like to come up, for a cup of coffee or something?" she finally managed to ask.

"Certainly," Cassian replied before turning to the driver and thanking him.

The doorman opened the door as they approached and Heather fought back the urge to hurry to the elevator. Don't seem too eager she told herself. Just going up for a cup of coffee. The elevator door opened as soon as she pushed the button and it was a thankfully quick trip to the fourth floor. She fumbled with her keys, almost dropping them but managed to get the door open and ushered Cassian in. She locked the door behind her as he looked around the living room.

"So..." she said and he turned to face her.

Sultry vixen she told herself as she stepped close, leaned in and kissed him.

She wrapped her arms around him, and his hand was behind her head, gently cupping it, drawing her to him as their lips met, then parted. His jacket fell off her shoulders and hit the floor.

Heather broke their embrace, taking a step back. She did her best slow, sultry turn then looked back over her shoulder.

"Could you help me the zipper on this thing, it always gets stuck?"

Cassian rested his right hand on her bare shoulder, as the left found the zipper. He pulled it down a few inches.

"A little further please."

He resumed sliding the zipper down, Heather fought to control her breathing as she felt the dress loosen.

She closed her eyes repeating her mantra, sultry vixen, sultry vixen.

The zipper was at the small of her back, and Cassian released it. His fingertip was in the opening, lightly touching her spine, then slowly sliding up along it. AS it reached her shoulder blades his hand moved to the side slipping under the dress where it still covered her shoulder blades. His right hand followed suit, slowly opening the back of the dress, pulling down. She bit her lip, trying to focus as the cloth slid slowly down her body. Then the sleeves were off her arms and the dress fell to the floor.

She took a breath, then looking back over her shoulder she extended her hand back to him. He took it and wordlessly led him through the living room into her bedroom. As they neared the bed Cassian let go of her hand, he took a quick step his arms closing around her as his body pressed against her back.

He kissed her neck as his hands explored her stomach, then moving inexorably up. She turned her head and he kissed her lips as his hands found her breasts. Gently cupping them, squeezing them, then his fingers were teasing her nipples. He rolled them between thumb and forefinger, and she let out a soft moan as he gently pinched them. Then his left hand was moving back down her body, over her stomach, fingers slipping under her panties, until he was cupping her sex, his middle finger tracing her opening.

It moved back and forth with increasing pressure until it was insider her and she gasped. His finger continued to explore her until it arrived at her clitoris, and he began to gently message it.

"Oh, yes," she practically purred as his finger caressed her.

He was kissing her neck, nibbling on her ear, his other hand still on her breast as he pleasured her. She leaned back against him, unsteady on her feet as she gave in to the pleasure. Then she was cumming, she felt her legs quavering and instantly Cassian's hand left her breast and was wrapped around her, steadying her.

He gently lowered her onto the bed. She lay there, still for a minute catching her breath, then rolled over, looking back at her new lover. He was looking down at her, with a satisfied smile.

Belatedly she realized she was in nothing but her panties and stockings and he was still fully clothed. She sat up, on the edge of the bed. Cassian moved to her and she began to slowly unbutton his shirt.

It was her turn to run her hands over his body, feeling his taut muscles. Then down to his belt, opening it, unbuttoning his pants, pulling them down, then the boxers. His hard cock sprang free and she wrapped her hand around it. Feeling it's warmth in her hand, slowly stroking it.

Reluctantly she released it, and moved back on the bed, making room for him. Cassian stepped free of his pants as Heather laid back and quickly removed her panties.

He took the hint and joined her on the bed, moving on top of her, and into her waiting arms. They kissed again, passionately, as Heather's hands roamed over his back.

Cassian adjusted his position, and she felt his hard cock pressed against her. Then it was entering her, she squeezed him, wanting to pull him deeper in as he filled her. He hesitated for a moment, still kissing her, then began to slowly thrust in and out. Gradually going faster, Heather broke their kiss to let out a moan of pleasure.

"Don't stop," she whispered in his ear.

He kept going and going, Heather exulting as he demonstrated a stamina that bastard Eric had never shown.

"Oh, God, Yes," she cried out as she orgasmed again, her whole body shaking.

Cassian slowed, then stopped, as Heather's body went limp.

He moved beside her, running a hand gently over her stomach as she lay still, looking up at the ceiling, breathing hard.

"That was incredible," she finally managed to say.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Cassian said, with a sincere satisfaction filling him. He'd never been an inconsiderate lover, but something about pleasuring her had seemed... he wasn't quite sure... it was just different somehow, more satisfying?

She lay back, savoring the post coital bliss, the feel of his hand on her body. Reluctantly, as if doing so would wake her from a dream she turned to look at Cassian.

God, he really was beautiful she thought as she admired his naked body. Then it hit her, he was still hard, he hadn't orgasmed. Damnit, she thought, what kind of sultry vixen am I? Her mind raced... then it struck her.

She gave him her best sultry smile, "I could use a shower, if you'd like to join me?"

"That sounds wonderful."

She removed her stockings then rolled off the bed, Cassian stood up, and followed her into the bathroom. She turned the water on in the shower, and gave him another kiss as they waited for the water to warm up.

Heather stepped into the shower with Cassian close behind. She pressed her body against him, and he wrapped his arms around her as they kissed. His hands moved down her back, until they were on her bottom. He gave her a squeeze and she let out a soft moan.

"You like that, don't you?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered.

He gave her bottom another squeeze and she moaned again. Cassian broke off their embrace, and gently turned her around. Standing behind her, she felt him press against her again. Leaning forward, she reached down, guiding his hard cock into her. His hands were on her ass, squeezing it as he began to move back and forth. She put her hands on the shower wall, steadying herself as he thrust into her.

Then, without warning he gave her bottom a smack. She surprised herself with another moan of pleasure. A smack on the other side, another moan. All the while his hard cock sliding in and out of her. Another spank, harder this time, another moan. His thrusts were steady, even but the spanking was seemingly random, left, right, hard, soft, always seeming to catch her off guard, always greeted with another moan. She'd had no idea it would feel so good.

A final hard spank pushed her over the edge, and she cried out from the pleasure, the most intense orgasm of her life. She was rewarded with a grunt from Cassian as his own orgasm arrived and he came inside her. Heather leaned into the corner of the shower, holding herself up for a moment. Once she felt steady enough, she turned back to face Cassian.

He was leaning against the side wall, a content smile on his face.

She gave him another kiss before turning the water off. They emerged from the shower and dried off. Each wrapped in a towel they made their way back into the bedroom. She laid back on the bed, and Cassian took the spot beside her. After several minutes he realized she had fallen asleep. He glanced at his watch, it was almost midnight, and he had that conference call with Paris in the morning.

Reluctantly he got to his feet and quietly dressed. He pulled a blanket over Heather's sleeping form before heading back into the living room. There was a laptop on the table surrounded along with a notepad and pen. He tore a page out, wrote a quick note and placed it on her nightstand. Stopping for a moment to look at the book sitting on it.

Making sure the door was locked behind him, he headed for the lobby and called a car service.

Heather woke up with sunlight streaming through the window, she rolled over to find the bed empty. She looked around the room, then saw the note on her nightstand.

Even his handwriting was beautiful she thought as she read it.

"Sorry I had to leave, early morning meeting. I've got two tickets to Swept Away on Saturday if you'd like to join me. 555-9410 -- Cassian"

She smiled and laid back on the bed, clutching the note against her chest.