A few weeks later after our return to New York, I made it official. Amber Michaelson was now the second in command at Blackthorne International. She held nearly as much stake in the company as I did. There had been a bit of negative backbiting over the whole deal with my executive team, but I stuck to my guns and they accepted her with open arms.

To celebrate, I took her to one of the finest restaurants in Manhattan. However, I requested a special menu to be prepared by the chef just for us.

As the waiter sat the domed silver platter in front of each of us, Amber’s eyes sparkled.

“Ash, what is this? No one else is getting a domed platter!”

I smiled and winked at her. She looked even more beautiful than ever tonight with her long hair swept back from her face. Her gown was bright blue and I loved how it brought out the blue in her eyes.

“It’s a surprise.”

He waved his hand at the waiter indicating he should do a grand reveal.

With great flourish, the waiter pulled back the lid revealing the main course.

“Ash! A bacon cheeseburger?” Her eyes widened in surprise.

“Not just any bacon cheeseburger, Miss, but a real Kobe Beef Burger topped with James Montgomery cheddar cheese and Artisan Applewood Smoked Bacon.” The stout waiter dressed in his formal tuxedo with white gloves stood back smiling.

“I see. And what’s that, Ash? Onion rings?”

“But, of course, Madam. Not just any onion rings, but Vidalia Onion Rings.” I affected the waiter’s formal tone.

Then two more waiters appeared at our table carrying nothing other than a silver bucket with two bottles of Bud Light!

“Ash! Bud Light? Here?” She giggled.

One of the waiters produced two crystal goblets and filled them with beer. Everyone in the restaurant turned to stare at us with curiosity.

“This isn’t even on the menu, Ash! How did you?”

“In honor of our first real dinner together several months ago at the fine dining establishment, Greasy Tony’s.” I laughed at her expression. I winked at her as I brushed her foot with mine under the table.

“Oh, now it’s Greasy Tony’s.” She laughed.

Then, she looked up at me.

“Oh, Ash.” She ran the tip of her tongue over her lips. I imagined she was recalling the very hot night we were having until we received the terrible news about her father.

I raised my glass to her.

“To you, Amber, no longer just my assistant, but my beautiful partner now as well.”

She raised her glass to mine clinking it.

“And to you, Ash, for being the most incredible boss ever, now partner, and most of all, a friend.”

Warmth filled my being as we ate the delectable dinner. It amused me as the other customers watched us the whole evening laughing and enjoying each other.

As the night wore on, I noticed Amber’s eyes darken. Something was bothering her.

“Amber, you’ve been looking past me all night. What’s going on? Is it your father?”

She shook her head. Her eyes darted this way and that.

I turned to see what she’d been staring at.

Oh no, not again.

There he stood leaning against the bar. One arm was casually propped up on the bar his sleeve pulled up to reveal several tattoos and impressive muscles. His hair nearly the same shade of dark brown as mine fell over his forehead. He kept flipping it back out of his eyes. In his other hand, he held a glass of liquor. He was wearing tight black pants, so tight in fact I could make out a huge bulge in the crotch making me avert my eyes.

“That son of a bitch,” I muttered.

Amber grabbed my arm.

“Please, Ash, let’s not ruin our night. I don’t know why he’s here. Maybe it’s just---“

“--coincidence? I don’t think so, Amber. I’m going to tell this asshole off once and for all.” I threw back my chair and sauntered over to the bar.

Ayden stood there with a smirk on his handsome face as I approached him.

Amber raced after me. The entire restaurant turned to watch anticipating some sort of confrontation.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the great Ashton Blackthorne himself. Wow, such an honor to finally meet you.” Ayden placed his glass on the bar and extended his hand.

I slapped it away.

“Look, you sick fuck, leave Amber alone. I don’t know what your problem is, but it’s over between you two.” I leaned towards him menacingly. I had no issue with knocking this muscle bound idiot out right here in the restaurant.

“Really now, Ashton? Or is it Ash? Do you think that’s getting our relationship off to a good start?” Ayden stood up pushing his bar stool back. The bartender’s face went pale as he stood behind him unsure of what to do.

“Relationship? What the hell are you talking about, Ayden?”

Amber stood behind me trembling.

“Let’s just go, Ash.”

I waved her away.

“No, Ayden’s been dying to get into some sort of fight with me. Do you really want to do this now?” I held my arms out to my sides indicating I was ready to fight.

Ayden smirked laughing.

“No, Ash, now’s not the time. I’ve got a few more things to do first. But rest assured, we’ll be seeing each other again soon. Very soon.” Ayden pushed past me.

I grabbed him by his collar.

“Don’t you fucking walk away from me, Ayden. I’m not seeing you again ever. And if you see me, it will be looking up from the fucking ground.” I spun him around and before he could react I threw a well timed right hook to his jaw.

He fell forward clutching his face. He drew his beefy fist back to slam one into me. Amber screamed and the wait staff rushed forward.

“Hey, now, there will be none of this here. Mr. Blackthorne, do you need him removed?” The maître d’ looked at us both.

Ayden held his hands up. Blood trickled from the side of his mouth.

“I’m leaving, don’t worry. But, I’ll see you both again. Very soon. This isn’t over, not by a long shot.”

Three waiters stood to hold me back as Ayden left the restaurant. I turned back to Amber. She was shaking uncontrollably.

“Amber, I’m so sorry. I know I shouldn’t have thrown the first punch, but he infuriated me.”

She nodded blotting her eyes with a tissue.

“I’m sorry, guys, for the trouble. Please allow me.” I handed the maître d’ a huge wad of bills.

“As you wish, Mr. Blackthorne. No problems here.”

I took Amber’s arm and we left.

* * *

As we hopped on the highway, I gazed over at Amber. She looked happy now that we’d left the restaurant. I knew I needed to do something to take her mind off the confrontation with Ayden.

Leaning forward, I changed the music from the pulsating beat of Rob Zombie to a station that played soft, romantic music.

Surprised by the abrupt change in music, Amber turned to me.

“Ash, what did you do that for? I liked that song!” She pouted slightly.

“Just felt right. Let’s just take a ride out to my house in the Hamptons. I think you’ll love what I’ve done with the place.”

Amber grinned. Her hand fluttered to her collarbone to trail her fingers across it driving me crazy.

“Of course, Ash. That sounds wonderful.”

My cock stiffened seeing her hand near her cleavage. I reached over to squeeze her thigh. I could feel the heat from her pussy.

“Ash,” she moaned. Her hand touched mine.

“Amber, I’m about to ask you to do something very unprofessional.”

Amber nodded.

“Take off your panties.”

She grinned turning her body toward me.

“I’m not wearing any, Ash.”

I nearly ran off the road. Correcting my driving, I snapped to my senses.

“Good girl,” I murmured.

“Ash, what happens in this car stays here. I can handle it. This will in no way impact our professional life if that’s what you’re worried about. I’ve been anxious to continue what we started some time ago.”

I nodded my mouth feeling dry. Amber had been sitting with me all night without her panties. Her hot, wet pussy was sitting right on top of the fine leather of the Aston Martin.

God, I wanted to feel her tightness around my cock.

“Spread your legs, Amber.”

She did as I requested opening her legs slightly. I could smell the scent of her wet pussy so delicious and musky.

My cock throbbed as I ran my hands up her thigh to brush against her.

Amber moaned loudly pushing her pussy towards my hand. My fingers found her wetness and dragged across her swollen clit.

Still holding onto the wheel with one hand, my fingers rubbed her soft wetness. Ever so slowly, I slipped my finger straight up inside her pussy feeling how tight she was. Her pussy gripped my finger I could only imagine how she’d feel on my cock.

Nearly running off the road again, I removed my hand. Pressing it to my lips, I tasted her sweet pussy from my fingers.

“You’re as delicious as I remember, Amber.”

“Ash, you’re going to keep running off the road.”

Willing my cock to stay inside my pants, I gulped. That’s exactly what I wanted to do, but something told me if we went back to my place we’d be fucking in no time.

Was that such a bad thing?

We had been so close a few weeks ago.

Wasn’t it time to finish what we’d started?

And after six years of being in a professional relationship wasn’t it time to explore where we could go personally?

Before I could answer, Amber pulled her dress up to her waist exposing her hairless pussy.

I sucked in my breath.

With that, she started rubbing her own pussy furiously darting her fingers in and out.

“Oh my God, Amber.” I breathed as I could scarcely tear my eyes away from her. I couldn’t believe she was actually rubbing herself right here in front of me in my car.

“Ash, I’m tired of waiting. Maybe this will convince you that I’m ready.”

I gazed down at her shining pink pussy just waiting for me. I glanced up at the road noticing we still had nearly 80 miles until we reached my house in the Hamptons.

“Amber, I--”

All of a sudden, we were slammed from behind! Amber flew forward smacking her shoulder against the dashboard. I struggled to straighten the car out on the road.

“What the fuck?” I screamed glancing behind us.

“What happened, Ash?” Amber sat back rubbing her shoulder. I slowed the car a bit glancing in the rearview mirror.

“Some motherfucker just rear ended us!”

“But how….we must’ve been going at least sixty!”

“I don’t know. I’m getting off at this exit though. This is bullshit. We’re lucky we didn’t wreck.”

Pulling off at the next exit, I turned into a large gas station parking lot. It was well lit so I could get a good look at the damage to my car.

As I got out to inspect the rear bumper, Amber climbed out of the car. Her shoulder was beginning to bruise.

“Are you okay, Amber? I think you should stay in the car. This will only take a minute.”

“I’m fine, Ash.” She rubbed her shoulder walking around to the back of the car with me.

I bent down to look at my rear bumper which was bashed in at least a couple of inches.

“I’m going to get a bottle of water, Ash. Do you want anything?”

“No, thanks, Amber. Just checking out the damage.”

As I continued my inspection, I heard tires squealing. Looking up, I caught a glimpse of a white four door car.

“Ash! Look out!” Amber screamed racing out towards me.

Suddenly, the car blasted through the parking lot nearly hitting me.

“Who the fuck was that?” Stunned, I stood staring at the white car spinning out of the parking lot.

“It’s Ayden, Ash. We’ve got to get out of here! He’s the one who hit you, I know he is. We have to go now!”

Reeling, I jumped back into the car. The sports car roared to life as I floored it out of the parking lot.

Gripping the wheel tightly, I debated about where to go. Should I go home and risk having Ayden find out where I lived? Or did he already know? Should I drive to the police station? Or was Ayden already gone? How could I prove it was him who rear ended my car?

I decided to make a turn down a backroad. I caught a glimpse of bright shining headlights baring down behind me. Suddenly, a car bashed into me again!

I struggled to keep the car on the road whipping the wheel this way and that. I slammed the gas pedal to the floor. There was no way this fucker’s beat up car could keep pace with my ultra-fast sports car.

“Slow down, Ash! There’s road construction up ahead!”

Slamming the brakes, the car skidded to a stop. The car behind me stopped short as well. Slowly, the car started rolling backward in reverse. Both Amber and I sat in the car as she began trembling.

“Open my glove box, Amber,” I commanded.

As the glove box opened, I reached inside and pulled out my Kimber Ultra Raptor .45. I stroked the shiny stainless steel barrel then checked the clip and saw it was loaded. I took the safety off and pushed into the front of my pants.

“What the hell are you doing, Ash? You can’t just shoot him!”

“If that fucker comes after us again, you just watch me.”

Stepping out of the car, I walked to the middle of the highway. I threw my arms open as Ayden’s car sat idling a few hundred yards back. The engine of my car purred as his clanked.

“What are you going to do, motherfucker? You think you’re so fucking tough terrorizing women? Well, come deal with me!” I yelled out into the night at the white car which sat with its’ high beams on like it was grinning at me.

“COME ON!” Withdrawing my gun from my pants, I waited for him.

Suddenly, the tires screeched and the car roared. Ayden must’ve slammed on the gas as he was on me in seconds. Amber screamed as she reached out of the window to pull me back in the nick of time. I shook loose from her as I swore I saw Ayden’s face pass by me.

As if in slow motion, I whipped around cocking the gun and pulled the trigger. Firing several shots, one bullet pierced his rear windshield shattering it. Glass exploded and rained down upon the highway. Ayden’s car swerved dramatically, but kept on driving down the road.

“Holy shit, Ash! You shouldn’t have done that! You have no idea what he’s capable of. He’s sick and twisted.”

Trembling, I climbed back into the car. I had never actually fired the gun at a person before. Sliding the gun back into the glove box, I hit the gas and decided to get on main highway heading back towards the city.

“That was insane, Ash. You could’ve killed him!”

“He tried to run me over, Amber.” I held onto the wheel to still my shaking hands.

“I know, Ash, I know. It’s all my fault.” She burst into tears.

“No, it’s not, Amber. He’s sick and twisted just like you said.”

Amber continued to cry.

“Look, I shot out his back windshield. Now he knows who he’s dealing with. He knows I’m armed. I’m going to take us back to my place in the city. I’ll call my insurance company in the morning.”

“The police?” She asked still shaking.

I shook my head.

“There’s no way to prove he did it. Look, I don’t know what this guy’s problem is, but he’s gone now. He probably just saw us out together earlier and got jealous. It’s over now, Amber.” I reached over to touch her hand. Even as the words fell from my lips, I doubted them myself.

Suddenly, a pair of bright headlights flashed again in my rear view mirror. I hesitated before hitting the gas.

As the sports car raced forward down the highway, Ayden’s car appeared and switched lanes accelerating rapidly. Suddenly, he whipped the wheel slamming into the side of my car. Amber screamed as she held onto the dashboard.

My car started to spin out of control as I gripped the wheel with all my might. Taking my foot off the gas, I managed to keep the car on the highway.

“It’s Ayden. He’s back…he’s back…he’s back!” She kept repeating like a broken record.

“I’ve got this, Amber. Fuck it, I’m heading for the nearest police station.”

Amber shook violently in her seat crying hysterically.

“You don’t know him, Ash. You don’t know him like I do. He’s so angry now. We can’t go to the police. It won’t do any good.” She whispered her hands twisting in her lap.

“What do you mean? I’m not afraid of this fucking idiot.” With that, I jammed on the gas pedal looking for the nearest exit.

“Oh God, here he comes again!” Amber screamed digging her nails into my arm as I tried to brace myself for another impact.

This time I quickly switched lanes and then hit the brakes before Ayden could hit us. His car swerved dangerously nearly hitting the median. I then accelerated as I saw an exit approaching.

“I’ll pull over up here and call the police. Amber, get your phone ready.”

“I can’t find it, Ash!” She cried looking through her purse.

Then, the bright lights from Ayden’s car shone in widening cones blinding me. Suddenly, I heard the engine scream as Ayden’s car raced forward at us. I braced myself holding onto the wheel in a death grip.

“Hold on!” I screamed to Amber.

As Ayden’s car barreled down the highway toward us, I slammed on the brakes jerking the car to the side of the road.

Bonk. Bonk. Bonk.

The car thudded as it ran over the rumble strips.

I looked back to see Ayden smash into the median. The windshield of his car exploded on impact with a hail of glass shattering everywhere. Metal crunched as his car crumpled against the median. I brought the car to a stop as we both turned to see flames pouring from the hood of the car.

“Oh my God,” I whispered. There was no way he survived that crash.

A shrill cry escaped Amber’s lips. She shook as I took her into my arms.

“He’s gone, Amber.”

“My God, Ash. I never….oh my God,” she sobbed as I held her. I smoothed her long hair as she wept in my arms. I continued to watch the flames licking up from beneath the hood of Ayden’s car.

The sound of sirens pierced the air as I pulled Amber from me.

“Let’s go, Amber. He can’t hurt us anymore.”

Leaving the terrible carnage behind us, I drove on back to my penthouse. I was still shaking myself as I kept seeing Ayden’s car smash into the median. There was absolutely no way he could’ve survived.

Still, as I pulled into the long driveway to my house, I couldn’t help but wonder why Ayden was targeting me. I knew he’d been Amber’s ex, but still I had a nagging feeling it was more personal, like he had been coming for me rather than her.

Why?

* * *

Several hours later, I had Amber calmed down. We settled into the huge hot tub on the terrace. The night was cold, the breeze was strong, and the hot tub felt deliciously warm.

“You’re the first woman I’ve had out here since I had this hot tub installed.”

“This is gorgeous. I love it.” Amber sighed leaning closer to me.

“I’m glad I brought you here,” I whispered, brushing her hair back. She looked so beautiful in the moonlight.

“I never knew Manhattan could seem so peaceful at night. Maybe it’s because of what happened earlier.” Tears began to well again in Amber’s eyes.

“Amber, I thought we agreed we’d discussed Ayden enough for tonight. He’s gone.” I touched my finger to her lips.

She nodded pulling me closer to her.

“Ash, I know Ayden was a bad guy, but I didn’t want him to die.” She bit her lip as she looked down.

“I know, Amber, but it wasn’t your fault. The guy was crazy. I wasn’t trying to get him killed, but he did it to himself. It was out of our hands.” After hours of talking about him, I was ready to put the discussion to rest. The mere thought of him disturbed me greatly even though I’d never actually met him.

“I hadn’t seen him in over two years. I don’t know why he just appeared. I started seeing him again a few months ago. He was always following me.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Amber shrugged.

“I didn’t want to think that the whole thing was starting up again. I thought he’d moved back to Chicago.”

“Chicago? Was he from Chicago?” I sipped my glass of Pellagrino.

Amber nodded.

“Where about in Chicago?”

“I think South Side. Why?” She finished her champagne.

My heart beat in a dull thud. I felt the air become so thin I could scarcely breathe. Why did that matter?

“You didn’t meet him there, did you? I know you’re from Chicago.”

“No. I met him here in New York.”

I nodded recalling the story. I just couldn’t shake the strange feeling I had about him.

“I don’t want to talk about Ayden anymore, Amber.” I pulled her into my arms.

“Neither do I,” she whispered. I could feel her tits pressed against my chest. The warm water swirled around us. Her lips were so close to mine.

The hell with it all, I thought.

I grabbed her face in my hands and kissed her deeply. It was if the floodgates had been opened and all the passion we’d kept hidden from each other over the years spilled forth. Over and over again, our lips met devouring each other. My hands roamed her body feeling every luscious curve beneath the water. Quickly, I untied her bikini top letting her breasts fall free finally revealing them to my hungry eyes. Her body was so beautiful my eyes drank in her loveliness. Amber clung to me running her hands over my muscular frame her tongue ravaging my own.

“Fuck me, Ash,” she whispered as my lips trailed down her neck. I squeezed her tits feeling the full weight of them in my hands. My cock was standing up rock hard ready to plunge inside her.

“Not here.” I pulled her up out of the water. Grabbing a towel, I fell to my knees drying her body as she stood shivering. Her tits swelled up even bigger with arousal her nipples hardening in the cool breeze.

Wrapping the towel around her, I swept her up carrying her inside the house.

Quickly, I ascended the stairs still holding her tightly in my arms. Her blue eyes met mine making me feel as if I was melting inside.

I threw open the door to the master bedroom. My heart was beating so hard I thought surely she must hear it.

I hit the dimmer on the light switch and the room was aglow in soft light. The bed was similar to the one I had at my house in the Hamptons and on Hyannis. It was custom made much larger than a regular king size bed. It sat on a dais against one wall with a huge mahogany frame. The stone fireplace was on and a fire danced merrily behind the glass. An enormous picture window offered a spectacular view of the New York skyline.

“Ash, this is perfect,” she murmured as I laid her down on the bed. I stripped my shorts off as I stood staring at her laying on the bed. She looked like a goddess come to life. Her long blonde hair the color of honey fell in damp strands against her body. Her tits were huge and sat high up on her chest. Her waist was impossibly tiny and her hips swelled beneath them. She had the perfect hourglass figure. Her skin was golden tan.

“Ash, is there something wrong?” she asked, noting my hesitation.

“No. You’re just….perfect.”

Her eyes softened as she motioned for me to come closer. Quickly, I shed my shorts and her mouth fell open.

“My God, Ash….”

“He won’t bite.” I laughed falling onto the bed next to her. I wrapped her in my arms feeling her breasts press against me. Her skin next to mine was sheer heaven. I kissed her down her neck feeling her heart beat against mine. This was it. It was really going to happen this time.

Reaching, I swept her bikini bottoms off in a flash. I parted her legs scooting myself down so my face was between her legs. I longed to taste her.

Amber’s head fell back against the pillows as I grabbed her tight firm ass and pulled her to me. I pressed my face into her pussy inhaling her delicious scent. She gasped as my tongue darted out finally tasting her. I wrapped my hands around her waist as I lapped her pussy sucking her sweet lips. She arched her back and buried her hands in my hair.

“Please, Ash, I’m going to come.” She moaned.

Her pussy drenched my face as I swirled my tongue over her clit. I felt her hips surge forward as her pussy began to pulsate.

I wanted her to wait before she came, but she tasted so good I just couldn’t wait myself to have her bathe my face in her juices. I wanted her…all of her.

Just as I’d expected, when she came she promptly drenched my face. Dripping with her sweet glaze, I leaned forward taking her tits into my hands squeezing them tugging on her nipples until she cried out. I longed to take her into my dungeon and have a long session with her. I’d love to put nipple clamps on those delicious tits of hers and lash her thoroughly with my crop before sinking my cock deep inside her.

“Ash, please fuck me.” She moaned. Her hand drifted down to grab my cock squeezing it.

“Not yet, Amber.”

Turning her over, I pulled her up on her hands and knees. I wanted to take another moment and just gaze at her body.

“What are you doing, Ash?”

Without saying a word, I slapped her ass as hard as I could leaving a bright red mark. Over and over again I spanked her until her ass was glowing red.

“Oh my God, Ash. That feels so good.” She pushed her ass back toward my hand. Her pussy was shining wet.

Taking her ass cheeks into my hands, I pulled her open to reveal her dripping wet pussy and her tight pink asshole. I couldn’t decide which I’d rather fuck first.

Slipping my fingers deep inside her pussy, I began working in and out fucking her hard with my fingers. Kneeling down low behind her, I ran my tongue lightly over her asshole delighting in how tight it was. I kissed her all over her, spanked ass soothing the sting of my blows. I continued to lick her asshole as I fucked her with my fingers. She moaned loudly trembling all over.

“Ash, I’m going to come again. Please, I want to feel you inside me,” she pleaded.

I could take it no longer. I wanted her back in the dungeon.

“Not here, Amber.” With that, I pulled her off the bed.

“The dungeon?”

Anxiously, she followed me down the hall. Throwing open the double doors to my dungeon, I stood back awaiting her reaction. I expected she’d be shocked, maybe even offended. Surely, she’d never done anything like this…

Amber walked into the dimly lit room looking around her. The dungeon I’d designed here was even more elaborate than the one in at my house in Hyannis.

Since she’d been in my dungeon, I’d had a brand new St. Andrews cross custom made for me by a guy in Amsterdam. I had purchased all new sexual paraphernalia including a rack of paddles, floggers, whips, and of course, my favorite riding crop. I had nipple clamps, ball gags, spreader bars, and restraints.

“What do you think?” I whispered as I slipped up behind her my hands cupping her breasts.

She spun around her hair slapping me lightly in the face.

“I LOVE IT! Oh my God, Ash, I never dreamed…”

“That I was this twisted?”

“No, not that. I….oh my God, I love this.” Amber ran her hands over the cross.

“I just had it delivered yesterday.” I said indicating the cross.

“I’m glad to hear, Ash.” She practically danced over to the cross taking her place in front of it.

Ecstatic from her reaction, I took a set of nipple clamps and restraints over to her.

She leaned back eagerly as I spoke about the importance of selecting a safe word and giving her consent. She eagerly gave me her safe word and nodded.

“I’m ready, Ash.”

I took a set of leather restraints and walked over to her indicating she should take her place at the cross.

Suddenly, as I looked at her leaning against the cross, nude and vulnerable I just couldn’t do it. I thought about all the terrible things she’d been through lately. I wondered if she was ready for this.

If I was ready for this.

The restraints dropped from my hand as I pressed my lips to hers.

“Amber, I can’t…I don’t think I can do this with you,” I whispered as I gently stroked her body. I couldn’t understand it. We had been this close before, but I just couldn’t bind her like I had before. It didn’t seem right after everything that had happened. She was too precious to me. She wasn’t just a sub to me.

“What, Ash? I want you to do this with me. I know what I’m consenting to.” She pulled me to her again.

Pushing away, I looked at her standing there completely gorgeous. Her pussy wet and ready for my throbbing cock, but I just couldn’t. Something within me wouldn’t allow me to do it.

“Are you not intetested in me anymore, Ash?” Her lovely face went dark.

“You know that’s not true.”

She walked over to me pressing her lips to mine again. Her hands ran down my back and squeezed my firm ass.

“Ash,” she whispered.

“Amber,” I breathed, feeling her heart beat next to mine.

“I love you.”

I felt something inside me shatter. My heart ached with physical pain. I pushed her away. I couldn’t do this. There was no way I could do this. Not so soon after Veronica. My heart was still ached from Veronica’s betrayal. I wasn’t ready. Everything that had happened to us lately….It wasn’t time.

Amber was too perfect, too important for me to ruin with all my emotional baggage. She meant everything to me as a secretary, a friend, and even a lover…

I couldn’t hurt her. I couldn’t ruin what we had.

She meant the world to me. She was all that I had.

And everything I ever wanted.

“Amber, no, I can’t do this. We can’t do this. Not now.” I raced from the dungeon to retrieve her clothes from the bedroom.

“Please put these back on. I want you to stay the night, but not in my room. Take the guest room. Or I’ll take the guest room. I don’t want you leaving here tonight.”

Amber’s face went white as tears began to form in her eyes. She clutched her clothing shaking.

“Ash, what did I do? I’m sorry if I did something. We were having fun. Was it because I said I--”

“No….I won’t hear of it anymore. We both just witnessed a tragic event tonight. You’re not yourself. If I allow this to continue, it would be irresponsible of me.” I grabbed a t-shirt and jeans pulling them on.

“No, Ash, I did…I meant it. I’ve cared for you for years now.” Amber slipped her dress over her head.

“Caring for someone doesn’t mean you love them. Amber, believe me, this is for the best. Stay here tonight. I don’t want you driving back to the city this late.”

Amber stepped towards me. She brushed her hand across my unshaven cheek.

“Ash, please. This feels so right. I’m ready to give everything to you. There’s nothing to hold us back. Veronica’s gone.” She whispered still holding her hand on my face.

I grabbed her wrist and tossed it down.

“No, Amber, I can’t do this now. Please, you can take my room. I’m going to sleep in the guest room. Tomorrow we can talk. We can even take the day off work.” I pleaded with her to understand. This was too much. Everything that had happened today was an emotional overload for me.

Trembling like a leaf, Amber took several steps backward her face bright red.

“How could you, Ash? I opened myself up to you. I put everything on the line for you! I just can’t…I can’t be here anymore.” Amber turned and ran from the room.

Without hesitation, I followed her. I found her in the main room slipping her boots on.

Grabbing her, I pulled her to the couch.

“Don’t leave, Amber. It’s the middle of the night. It’s snowing outside. I want you to stay.”

Amber choked back her sobs.

“No, you don’t. You want me to stay as your guest, as your friend. Despite what just happened tonight, I’m still just your faithful sidekick, a business partner. You’ll never see me as a lover or a girlfriend.”

My head was spinning. I shook my head vehemently.

“That’s not true, Amber. Tonight is just not the time.”

“Oh, I guess I was good enough to go down on, huh? I guess though I can’t compete with the great Veronica. Ash, you know what your problem is? You’re an emotionally constipated little boy who can’t get over his mommy leaving him!”

I felt as though she’d kicked me in the balls. I ached all over. Rage then began to build inside me. How dare she use my mother against me?

“Get out. Leave now, Amber, before you say something you can never take back.” I flexed my hands as I backed away from her. I had never been so upset with any woman before, not even Veronica.

“Oh, I will, Ash. But not before you face up to the fact that every woman you’ve been with has been exactly like your mother. They all cheat and they all end up leaving you. It’s almost as if you have some type of genetic predisposition to being abandoned.”

As soon as the words fell from her lips, I felt something between us collapse. I couldn’t look at her anymore. Her face froze as if she knew she’d gone too far.

“Ash, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—“

“Leave this room, Amber. I’m going upstairs to my study. I’ll sleep in there. As soon as it’s light and it’s safe to do so, please leave.”

I spun on my heel and stormed up the stairs. I threw myself in a chair in the study watching the fire glow in the fireplace.

Hearing the door open and then close, I lay back hoping that Amber was safe in my room.