Chapter 23: The First Mistake

 You and I go hard at each other like we're goin' to war.

You and I go rough, we keep throwin' things and slammin' the door.

You and I get so damn dysfunctional  we stopped keepin' score.

You and I get sick, yeah, I know that we can't do this no more.

The guys were throwing Don's bachelor party at the manor, which meant she had to go.  Cassandra's intended destination was the spa.  If Don was having a night of debauchery, then she was going to have a night of extravagant pampering.  Instead, she found herself sitting outside the gate of the Alto mansion wondering how one song could describe her life so perfectly.

Cyrique played host for the night.  He made all the arrangements and guaranteed that no women were present.  It was going to be guys' night. Cyrique had enough fizzy nectar on hand to ensure a night full of drinking and partying.  Don had wanted something low-key, like poker night or seeing the concert at the stadium, but that wasn't on Cyrique's agenda for the night.  Bella and Floramaria went to have a girls' night with Jada, and Mortimer and Damen set off for a weekend fishing trip.  This left Cyrique to set up the party any way he wanted.

But baby there you go again, there you go again, making me love you.

Yeah, I stopped using my head, using my head, let it all go.

Got you stuck on my body, on my body, like a tattoo.

And now I'm feeling stupid, feeling stupid, crawling back to you.

Every fiber of her being was telling her to turn around and get back in the car.  Her legs kept walking. Going to Monte was a mistake.  Cassandra had sworn it was over.  She promised Don after she first admitted to her one night stand that it was once; that she would never let it happen again.  She had lied.  Don had his doubts after he was moved to another area of the company, but Cassandra convinced him it meant nothing.  She almost believed it herself, but knowing the promotion was Monte's work left her edgy.  The board meetings were a war zone  even with the most trivial matters until one afternoon left Cassandra reeling.  Monte and Cassandra were yelling so loud that Malcolm and Nichole could not get a word in edgewise.  Without coming to an agreement they both stormed out of the boardroom, continuing to yell at each other into the elevator.  The tension had built so thick Cassandra shoved Monte into the wall of the elevator.  She prepared herself for his strike back.  Though they were close in height, Monte seemed to tower over her.  In one stride he had her backed up to the other wall.  Monte took a fistful of her hair and crushed his mouth onto hers.  Cassandra didn't even have a chance to resist; his tongue danced with hers with insatiable hunger.
Cassandra shook her head and tried to banish the memory... his free hand undid the buttons of her blouse with a flick of his wrist.  The fire in his touch had Cassandra crawling out of her skin wanting to feel him everywhere.  The moment the elevator doors opened she wrapped her legs around his waist and Monte carried her over to his desk.  Cassandra tried desperately to focus.  Her resolve was wavering, just as it had in Monte's office... she kissed the soft part of his neck just below the ear, he groaned as he reached over the desk and fumbled in the drawer for a second.  Cassandra eagerly kissed her way back to his mouth.  Each step closer to the door was a step in the wrong direction.  Cassandra tried to repeat her ultimatum hoping her body wouldn't betray her mind, but her mind was betraying her body... Monte held her on the desk and moved with a slow, full rhythm until she arched her back and the orgasm took over her senses; hearing only the sound of her own blood quickening in her veins like waves in the ocean, her sight hazy as she came down from the peak.

The moment on the desk was the best sex of Cassandra's life and it was with the wrong man.  Monte became her vice.  In calm and quiet, happy times she didn't feel the need to be with him. However, when anything seemed to become too much, like she couldn't face it alone, Monte was the man she went back too.  It needed to stop.  She needed to know that he knew it was time to stop.  Cassandra prayed she could keep her resolve but the moment she heard his voice her resolve broke and the fire deep inside broke free.

"Hello Cass.  You grace me with your presence this evening.  How is it you found your way here tonight when your fiance is having a little party of his own?"

Cyrique started small.  He had the poker tables out and humored Don with a couple of hands.  Don was at ease with a low key poker night.  The taps flowed as freely as the foul and raunchy language.  It wasn't long before the conversation devolved into a manly contest of innuendo and double entendre at the girlfriends' and wives' expense.  After enough drinks their low key buzzes amped up to full-fledged drunkenness.  Guys started grabbing bottles; erupting in cheers with every pop of the cork.  The doorbell chimed, right on time, just as planned.

 So I cross my heart and I hope to die

That I'll only stay with you one more night

And I know I said it a million times

But I'll only stay with you one more night.
Cassandra sat at the bar while Monte poured her a drink.  She threw back the liquid and motioned for him to fill the glass again.
"This is going to take two," Cassandra muttered.
Monte stared at her intently.  She came there with a purpose, yet said nothing.  He waited patiently while she drank up the courage to say whatever she needed to say.  Cassandra smiled at him weakly.
"I'm just going to say this and then I'm going to leave," Cassandra started.  "I'm getting married next weekend."  Cassandra motioned for a fill up. "Us.  Whatever we are is done.  No guarantees, remember?"
"I remember," Monte replied casually.  Cassandra  searched his eyes for any hint of sorrow.  He met her eyes with a stoic gaze before looking away.
"I'm leaving now..." was all Cassandra could say as the sob caught in her throat, choking the rest of her determination.  She laid her head on her arms and cried.  

The doorbell rang and the group went wild.  Cyrique opened the door for two lovely little blonde ladies in skin tight read leather dresses.  Despite his initial rejection to the idea of strippers, Don cheered excitedly as the ladies set their music and his friends shoved him into a chair.  Eager hands dived into pockets fishing out wallets for simolians.  The girls were available as long as the simolians were offered in abundance.  They began with a sultry dance show to get the gentlemen interested before breaking routine and giving individual attention to anyone waving a simolian their way.

Trying to tell you "no" but my body keeps on telling you "yes".

Trying to tell you stop, but your lipstick got me so out of breath.

I'd be waking up in the morning, probably hating myself.

And I'd be waking up, feeling satisfied but guilty as hell.
Monte pulled Cassandra off the bar stool and led her over to the loveseat on the patio.  He pulled her onto his lap and held her close as the sobs slowed. Cassandra buried her face into his should trying to etch the scent and feel of him into her memory.  She slowly raised her head to look into Monte's eyes.    Cassandra pressed her forehead to his.  Her mouth felt dry and her voice shaky.  "I can't do this."

The dancers, known as Cherry Chapstick and Suga' Baby, gave the boys a real good night; their bouncer stood watch for happy hands from the corner of the room.  Don's friends threw singles at him to fold into the top of Cherry's thigh high boots as she placed the stiletto heel on his shoulder and rolled her hips bringing her blurr mere inches from his face.  After the various lap dances Cherry and Suga' sent their bouncer on his way and joined the fellas for the rest of the bachelor party.  Cherry gave Don a sly smile and shimmied close.  Don grabbed her by the hip and pressed her up against himself, each curve fitting together, moving together to the music.

But baby there you go again, there you go again, making me love you.

Yeah, I stopped using my head, using my head, let it all go.

Got you stuck on my body, on my body, like a tattoo.

And now I'm feeling stupid, feeling stupid, crawling back to you.
A sigh slowly escaped Monte's lips at her words, I can't do this.  He hadn't realized he was holding his breath when he looked into her eyes waiting her here to speak.  His brow creased.  "What is it you think you can't do?"
Cassandra closed her eyes for a moment to stop the tears and took a deep breath.  She opened her eyes and tears slowly ran down her cheeks.
"How can I marry him next week?" she asked.  "I'm in love with you."
Whatever Monte was thinking, his betrayed no emotion.  Uncomfortable with the silence Cassandra rambled on in her confession.  "I still love Don!  I just love you too.  I can't have you both and I can't choose.  It is selfish but I don't want to choose either.  How can I marry him if being with you doesn't feel wrong anymore?"  Monte still remained silent.  There was nothing he could say , he didn't even know what he wanted.  Cupping her face in his hands, Monte wiped away the tears with thumbs and kissed her softly on the lips.  Then he reached down to take her hand, "Come with me."

Suga' Baby had long since disappeared with one of the single men.  Don was dancing with Cherry as if no one else was in the room when Cherry leaned in and suggested that she could give him a private showing of her dance moves if he pointed the way to the bed room.  Don snapped back to reality and took a step away from the dancer.  Don shoved his hands in his pockets and smiled awkwardly before explaining that dancing was all he was going to be doing during the bachelor party and that he would be going to bed alone.  There was a point in his life when Don would have taken Cherry's offer.  She was smokin' hot and he would be quite the liar if he said that she didn't stir something up.  However, Don only had Cassandra on his mind and intended to keep it that way.

So I cross my heart and I hope to die.
Monte led Cassandra through the mansion.  The halls were long corridors but this night they seemed to stretch on forever.  Cassandra felt like she was being led down death row.  Beyond the door at the end of the hall was the end.  In the morning it would be over and she would be gone.
Monte quietly shut the door behind them and flipped the lock.  He took her over to the bed and kissed her again.  This time he didn't stop.  Cassandra settled back onto the pillows while Monte settled over her, resting his weight on his hands while she pulled him down to fit into the curves of her body.  Unlike past and hurried kisses, their lips played slowly; as a mournful dance of tongues steadied, savoring the feel of the other for as long as possible.

That I'll only stay with you one more night.
Monte undressed Cassandra one piece of clothing at a time.  There was no rush.  He allowed his knuckles to slowly skim the length of Cassandra leg as he pulled her nylons away.  Cassandra was laid bare in a white lace corset that had been obviously purchased for her wedding night.  Yet there she was, before her wedding, married to the last moment she would have with her lover.  Monte paused for a moment to gaze at the beauty of her gesture and regret his silence.  As he pulled off his own clothing Monte rested his full weight into Cassandra and reached around to untie the last piece of clothing before they could have and revel in each other.

And I know I said it a million times.
Contrary to their office meetings and brief trysts, the night was spent in a measured pace of longing and pleasure.  Neither wanting to let go, fighting their own reactions until the height of their pleasure was an instinctual, uncontrollable reaction, the waves of which blinded them both and dulled their senses so they could only feel themselves and each other.  Cassandra looked dreamily into Monte's eyes and grasped at his hand.  Without her speaking he knew what she would say.  Cassandra reached out and twisted the strands of his strawberry blond hair through her fingers until his eyes glazed over and he settled into sleep.

But I'll only stay with you one more night.
Cassandra watched him as his breathing became a steady cadence to calm her broken heart.  She slowly and carefully crawled out of bed.  Cassandra dressed herself, pausing for a moment to watch Monte as he slept. He was a ruthless and unrelenting man.  None dared to cross him.  But watching him sleep Cassandra just saw a man who had given her everything without expecting anything.  She closed her eyes and wished him to find happiness while hoping she could finally be free to find her happiness as well.  Saying good-bye is the right thing for both of us, Cassandra thought as she quietly slipped from his room, his home, and his life.

Yeah, baby give me one more night.

"One More Night", written by Adam Levine, Shellback, Max Martin, and Savan Kotecha, performed by Maroon 5.