Broken Read online

  Grayson leaned back in his chair with his hands behind his head. He cracked a slow smile.

  “Honestly, Ash, I don’t know.”

  “Oh, bullshit!”

  “Seriously, you know as much as I do about this deal. These stock prices are going to be worthless now. I can’t imagine who leaked this or why.”

  I scanned his eyes. They looked as clueless as they usually do, but this time I sensed it may be genuine.

  “You really don’t know? Did you tell anyone else? A partner perhaps?”

  He pursed his lips and shook his head.

  “Ash, I may despise you, but I wanted this deal as much as you did.”

  “Enough to do whatever you had to do to ensure it went your way.” I prompted. I gazed around his office. It was lavish to be sure. I guess having your father own the company has its perks.

  “It wasn’t me. Now look it’s a done deal as far as I’m concerned. Nevertheless, we can get Goodman on the phone there’s nothing else we can do.”

  “Bullshit. I’ll handle this myself. But one thing’s for sure if I can fix this then you’re out.” I stood up adjusting my tie.

  “Fuck you, Ash. My name’s on that deal same as yours. There’s not a fucking thing you can do to change that.”

  I laughed.

  “You amuse me, Grayson, really you do. Thanks for the laugh, but when I’m through my name’s going to be the only one on that deal. If you don’t like it, call my lawyer.”

  With that, I stormed out of his office laughing to myself at his frustrated face. That alone was worth the trip down there.

  2

  T

  he day had begun with such promise. Then I’d gotten the bad news that someone had purchased shares in the company I wanted buying and they were making that stock tank. But I thought that perhaps the day could still be salvaged.

  Looking up from my desk, I noticed Amber had already left for the day. The clock said 8:00 pm. It was unusual for her to leave before 9:00 pm. Walking over to my makeshift bar in my office, I poured a glass of scotch from the crystal decanter.

  Leaning back in my chair, I sipped the scotch thinking about how to win this deal away from Grayson and figure out who bought that stock in the first place.

  As I sat deep in thought, Amber poked her blonde head around the corner.

  “Hey, Amber, I thought you’d left for the day.”

  She sashayed over to me her cleavage slightly jiggling beneath her blouse.

  “Can’t get rid of me that easily. Why don’t you pour me a drink and I’ll keep you company for a bit?” I poured Amber a drink. As she reached over to take the glass, her breasts spilled towards my face. I felt an immediate stiffening in my pants.

  “Thank you,” she smiled, winking at me.

  “So, did you find out anything from Grayson? Did he put someone up to buying that stock?”

  I shook my head. My gaze shifted to her long delicious legs. Her high heel swung casually up and down.

  “He claims he had nothing to do with it.”

  “Do you believe him?”

  I laughed finishing my scotch.

  “I shouldn’t, but there was something about it that made me think he could possibly be telling the truth. He’s a snake, but he had a lot of money tied up in this deal. I don’t think he’d jeopardize his own firm.”

  Amber nodded. She sipped her scotch slowly.

  “You may be right. But who would buy that stock? They bought enough to block our takeover. That was done deliberately.”

  “You’re right. I’ll have to keep looking. Don’t worry I’ll figure it out. I know everyone who’s anyone in this town and if they’re looking for a fight they’re in for one.” I slammed my glass down on the table. It cracked loudly, but didn’t break.

  Amber began tracing the neckline of her blouse. Her fingers lightly brushing the top of cleavage. It drove me crazy when she did that. I think she knows that and yet still does it.

  Willpower, Ash.

  “So, what are you doing the rest of the night?” I asked her willing my erection to dissipate.

  “I’ve got a date.”

  I grimaced inwardly. Even though we’d never dated or gotten very intimate, I hated hearing about her dates. Those lucky bastards got to go where I wanted to go with her.

  Not that I couldn’t if I wanted to, but I didn’t want to cross that boundary.

  “That Jameson guy? The real estate mogul?”

  Amber smiled and nodded. She brushed her long blonde hair back from her shoulders.

  “Yes.”

  “Getting pretty serious, aren’t you? It’s been what, three…four months?”

  Amber sighed cradling her empty glass.

  “Well, I think he wants it to be, but I’m not sure. He’s arrogant as hell. At first his confidence was attractive to me, but he acts like he owns me and nobody owns me.” Amber placed her glass on the table.

  “No, they don’t. Listen, I know we agreed to stay out of each other’s personal lives---“

  “Damn straight, Ash. Remember that horrid Sheila you were dating? Oh my God, if you knew the number of times I had to bite my tongue when she called you on the phone---“

  I waved my hand at her.

  “Yes, I know. Sheila was a bit psychotic.”

  “Whatever happened to her?”

  “I think she got a lovely room at Bedlam. Never mind her, but I think this guy knows he’s got a real catch in you and he wants to claim you as his. Now it’s up to you if that’s what you want, but frankly, you can do a hell of a lot better than him.”

  Amber’s sensual lips turned down.

  “You mean I could have you.”

  I laughed and shook my head.

  “No, I didn’t say that. I mean that you’re young, attractive, and intelligent with a great career.”

  “Great boss?”

  “That too. Amber, you have the world at your feet. Choose wisely. That’s all I’m going to say.”

  Amber nodded stiffly.

  Sensing her discomfort, I moved to her side. I could see straight down her blouse to her full luscious breasts. My erection raged again.

  “Ash, thank you. I know how we both feel…and believe me, I want the same thing. But I love working for you and if we go there we can’t ever go back.”

  She stood up as I did. We were inches from each other’s face. The desire to taste her sweet lips filled me. I ached to run my hands up her firm thighs to part her legs and feel the delectable wetness between them. I wanted to spin her around and lift her skirt and plant my hands firmly on her perfect ass. I wanted to take her right there in my office. To see her huge, high breasts bounce as I pounded her long and hard. I wanted to sink myself into her wetness and hear her moan with ecstasy.

  But none of that happened.

  It never did between us.

  Softly, she planted a kiss on my cheek. I felt her lips for an instant and wished they were somewhere else on my body. I throbbed for her.

  “Sorry, Ash, I think I’d better go before we do something we’ll both regret.

  After my encounter with Amber, I needed release. What better place to go then to one of my favorite after hours clubs.

  Sapphire in New York had some of the hottest ladies in the world. Every time I went there I was escorted straight to the VIP room where even some well-known celebrities couldn’t gain admittance.

  The VIP room at Sapphire was the gold standard of VIP rooms. Throughout my life I’ve enjoyed watching beautiful women at many clubs, but Sapphire had some of the best accoutrements I’d ever seen, with the exception of my own club in Vegas.

  As soon as I arrived, a bottle of Macallan 25 was waiting for me along with a dozen of the club’s most beautiful women. I would make my selection and spend the evening watching several flawless women dance for me.

  Of course, it went without saying I’d been to bed with several of these women. But lately that didn’t appeal to me. It was too much of a sure thing.

>   Tonight I felt like mingling at the bar. Many of the female patrons of the club were stunningly gorgeous. I wanted a challenge though, not a sure thing.

  As I walked into the club, I waved away the bouncer who usually escorted me upstairs. Being a Friday night, the club was packed. Wall to wall bodies pressed against each other. Gorgeous women were everywhere. I walked over to the bar and ordered my usual Macallan.

  “Sorry, sir, we don’t have Macallan 25 down here. We do have Macallan 12.”

  I nodded my approval. The bartender passed the glass across the bar to me.

  I tossed a hundred dollar bill to her.

  “Keep the change, honey,” I smiled at her astonished face.

  Sipping my scotch, I turned to my left and noticed a beautiful woman standing next to me. She wasn’t looking in my direction rather she was speaking to a friend on the opposite side.

  Covertly, I looked her up and down. Long honey blonde hair, legs that went on forever, she was a knockout. Casually, I sipped my drink as I waited for her to notice me. From my prior experience, I suspected that wouldn’t take long.

  The music was pounding, colored lights flashing, as bodies contorted on the dance floor.

  While I enjoyed my scotch, it wasn’t nearly as smooth as the Macallan 25 I normally imbibed. A flinty voice purred in my ear.

  “So, how long are you going to stand there acting like you aren’t sneaking peeks down my dress?”

  I turned to gaze at the lovely blonde. She wasn’t looking directly at me rather she was facing the dance floor her back and arms casually leaning against the bar.

  I smirked. Smooth opening, I was impressed.

  “Miss, you are quite striking and I’m sure that’s been your experience for men to fall at your feet, but going head over heels for any woman-that’s not my style.”

  “Oh really? Then you haven’t been glancing my way for the past half hour?”

  I laughed. She was smart. I sensed the challenge I’d been looking for about to fall into my lap. Literally.

  “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Miss--?”

  “—Sinclaire. Samantha Sinclaire.”

  “Samantha Sinclaire of S & G Publications?”

  She turned to face me smiling.

  “Yes, the very same one. And to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?”

  “Ash Blackthorne.”

  I saw her eyes flash briefly with recognition. She knew who I was.

  “Oh yes, you’re Ash Blackthorne of Goldstein and Blackthorne, one of the best investment banking firms in the world. Wow, I really get to meet you in person.”

  I ignored her obvious sarcasm as I gazed at her deep cleavage pushed up against the fabric of her snug red dress.

  “The pleasure is all mine, Miss Sinclaire.”

  “Well, Mr. Blackthorne, I’ve also heard that you’re one of the biggest players in this city. You’ve got quite a reputation.”

  “And what exactly have you heard, Miss Sinclaire?”

  She leaned forward as she licked the salt from her margarita glass.

  “That you have a reputation for being a huge player, making huge acquisitions, and for generally just being huge….”

  I sat mesmerized by her tongue grazing the glass picking up the salt from the lip of the glass.

  I could imagine her licking something else.

  “Well, Miss Sinclaire, as you know gossip can be just that. How about I buy you a drink and perhaps you can tell me whether or not I rightfully earned that reputation?”

  She laughed merrily. Her blue eyes sparkled in the flashing lights.

  “I like you, Ash. Call me Samantha. I agree with you. I think a drink is in order.”

  I extended my hand to her.

  “I like you as well, Samantha. Let’s slip over there to that corner booth where we can enjoy some privacy.”

  She nodded as she gathered her purse from the bar.

  “Oh, wait a second,” Samantha reached into her purse and handed the woman sitting next to her a hundred dollar bill.

  “What was that for? Uber ride home?”

  Samantha laughed again grinning widely.

  “No, it was for me losing the bet we had going to see how long it would take before I could get you to admit you’d been checking me out. She said ten minutes, I said twenty.”

  I raised my eyebrows in mock surprise.

  “But I never said that I was checking you out.”

  “You never said you weren’t either. You moved faster than I thought you would.”

  She took my hand as I began to lead her to one of several private booths in the back of the club.

  Samantha eased in the booth next to me. Her perfume was sweet and sexy. Her lips full and glossy with lipstick parted slightly as she pressed her thigh closely to mine.

  “So, tell me what brings a gorgeous, career woman like you into a place like this?”

  Samantha shrugged.

  “I like the ambiance, don’t you?” She grinned innocently as we both looked at the beautiful brunette dancing on stage in front of us. She had huge breasts with a slim waist and a great ass.

  “Of course, I do. What healthy, straight man wouldn’t enjoy watching beautiful women dance?”

  “Ash, you act as though this place is the local topless bar near a trailer park. Some of the hottest celebrities in the world come here as does everyone who’s anyone in the New York business world. I’m here socializing with important people. You know see and be seen. That’s what I’m doing. But there’s nothing wrong with me enjoying watching that girl up there on stage shake her beautiful breasts at me.” With that, she reached into her purse and tossed a hundred dollar bill up at the stage.

  I sat back to think a moment. This woman was amazing. She was witty, intelligent, and gorgeous.

  And apparently enjoyed looking at other women.

  That was something that drove me insane. Women who enjoyed other women.

  “So, tell me what you’re thinking. Why are you here tonight? To socialize with the heavy hitters or to bed one of these strippers?”

  I laughed and bit my lip.

  “I’m that apparent, am I? Guess you nailed me there.”

  Samantha slipped her hand to my thigh and squeezed it.

  “No, Ash, I hope you nail me …right here.” With that, she grabbed my hand and ran it up her toned thigh directly to her panties. They were soaked.

  Wow. A familiar delicious throbbing began in my own pants.

  I sucked in my breath pulling my hand away.

  “I don’t think so. Not tonight, babe. I’ve got a huge meeting in the morning.” I mocked her with my smile.

  Samantha’s eyes widened in disbelief.

  “Seriously? You’re going to pull that old line on me? Couldn’t you come up with something more original than that?”

  I chuckled.

  “Maybe some other time. It was great meeting you. Give me your card and I’ll call you for lunch sometime.”

  Samantha’s face turned beet red.

  “Ash Blackthorne! Are you fucking kidding me?”

  I threw my coat over my arm.

  “No, I don’t believe I am. Here, get yourself a cab home.” I pulled several bills from my pocket.

  Scowling, she tossed the bills to the floor.

  “Fuck you. Any guy in this place would love to fuck me right here right now.”

  “I’m sure they would, but it’s not going to be me. Have a great night.”

  I turned and started walking towards the door.

  Samantha rushed up from behind me and grabbed my hand.

  “All right, you’ve had your fun. Now how about I give you a preview of what’s to come if you choose to spend your evening with me?”

  I smiled at her. My, she was persistent.

  “Samantha, honey, the only thing that’s going to be coming is you later with your vibrator as you think about me.”

  Samantha fuming tugged my hand.

  “Look, Ash, I know all
about you. This is one of your games. Well, I love to play, so show me your best moves.”

  “When and where?”

  “No, the question is would you like to enjoy the show first?”

  Samantha stood up and motioned to the dancer onstage. The dancer leaned down and Samantha whispered to her. She smiled and nodded grabbing her money off the stage and disappeared up the stairs.

  “Come on.” Samantha took my hand and led me.

  What the hell?

  Hard with anticipation, I followed her. I wasn’t used to a woman taking the lead in anything. But there was always a first time for everything and later she’d be following my lead.

  Slipping into a private VIP booth which was next to the VIP lounge I usually frequented, Samantha sat close to me. She began to unbutton the top few buttons of my shirt.

  “It’s going to get hot in here.”

  “I’m hot already,” I whispered feeling her full tits pressed against my arm. I ran my hand up her thigh feeling that hot wetness practically burning my hand. I slipped my fingers into her panties feeling her sweet soft lips.

  She moaned as I caressed her throbbing clit.

  “Not yet, baby,” she whispered.

  Suddenly, the curtain parted and the gorgeous brunette stripper from the stage was standing before us. She wore a rhinestone covered bra and G string. Her long silky hair spilled down around her shoulders. Her taut body appeared to glisten in the dim lights. Her legs were long and delicious ending in stiletto platform heels.

  “Hi, I’m Brandi.”

  Slowly, Brandi began to sway her hips back and forth as we both watched. As the music boomed from the dance floor below, she then began peeling off her bra exposing her tits. Her nipples were a perfect pink and quite erect. My erection throbbed painfully as I watched Samantha then reach up to caress Brandi’s breasts. She cupped them in her hands squeezing them. Brandi then pulled Samantha’s strapless dress down to reveal a black lacy bra. Quickly, Brandi pulled Samantha’s generous breasts out and began to suck her nipples.

  I sat next to the two beautiful women and watched my cock becoming harder and harder. God, how I wanted to bend Samantha over and slip inside her.

  Then Brandi released Samantha and she smiled at me. Brandi began unbuttoning the rest of my shirt and laid my chest bare. Both women’s eyes flashed with appreciation as they gawked at my muscled chest and abs. Brandi ran her hands over my chest as she straddled me for a lap dance.