Zander lifted the weight off his chest and set it back on the rack. He took several deep breaths and sat up careful not to bang his head on the bar (this happened more than he’d like to admit). He grabbed his bottle of water with the branch chain amino acids added to it for enhanced performance and flavor. They also turned the water a pretty blue and made it taste like berries.

He decided to get a quick workout in before he got ready for his date with Ember. The phone call that afternoon had gone very well with her. Luckily, she had understood when he broke everything down to her. There had been a few things he’d left out, but nothing that really mattered. He was done with the club and he had spent most of the day scolding himself for even considering getting involved with Harrison again. The guy was a germ. He was scum of the earth as far as Zander was concerned and he was not going to associate with the jerk ever again.

Zander wiped his sweat off the bar and bench, grabbed his water, and hit the showers. This was technically his second workout of the day; his first had been a five-mile run shortly after Ember had walked out on him. He typically adhered to his morning jog and high protein breakfast ritual. It always helped keep him laser focused and prepared for the long day ahead. If he did not get a good blood pumping workout in within an hour of waking up then he was just in a bit of a brain fog the rest of the day. His body thrived on activity. If he didn’t get it then he often felt half asleep.

He especially need the jog this morning to help him clear his head and he was pretty sure he had sprinted a good majority of it, running faster trying to eliminate the little bit of stress that had crept into his head that morning. By the time, he got back he was soaked with sweat and his body flooded with adrenaline. It had been a bit difficult to sit down to his breakfast, but replenishing the body with a high protein and complex carb breakfast was a must.

It had been a few days since he’d had time to lift weights with his hectic schedule, but it felt great to get back in the gym and pump the iron. The gym was actually in the basement of his mansion that he owned outside of the city. He usually spent time on the weekends there. It was a great place to get away and on the rare occasion that he decided to take some time off instead of traveling to some exotic locale he retreated to his palatial estate. He would have to show it to Ember soon. She would love it.

His estate encompassed a huge amount of property which held a horse stable with a track, tennis courts, and a large outdoor patio with an outside heated pool and Jacuzzi. It was a place that if he allowed himself to stay in too long he never wanted to actually leave it, which was one of the reasons he did not stay there during the week when he was in full blown work mode.

He finished up his shower and started to get dressed. He figured he would pick up Ember in the limo tonight and they would begin their evening, which would end up back at the estate. He wanted to show her a magical evening.

As he was putting the finishing touches on polishing his shoes his phone rang. The call ID display said it was Harrison.

A groan escaped him as a pit of rage ballooned in his stomach. What the hell did he want now?

Maybe he wanted to apologize.  He laughed to himself. Knowing Harrison, the way he did, that was very unlikely.

“Yeah?” Zander answered.

“Hey, buddy. I’m just calling to give you another chance to reconsider some things,” Harrison said.

Zander laughed out loud. “Reconsider what exactly? Was I unclear in anything I told you earlier?”

“You don’t want to do this, man,” Harrison said. “But fine. Have it your way. I do want to remind you that you have a contract as a member of the club that you are locked into for the next year.”

“What? I never signed any contract,” Zander said. “I was there as an invited guest, invited by you.”

“Well, all that changed when you signed that agreement when you picked up that girl you paid such a generous sum of money for. I guess you didn’t read the fine print of what you were signing. It is basically acknowledging that you have a contract with the club and will pay a membership to stay eligible to bid in the auctions of twenty grand a month.”

“That’s ridiculous! I never signed any damn contract!”

“I’m afraid so,” Harrison said.

“Well, fine. I’ll have my lawyer look into it. A measly twenty grand a month—did you forget who I am?”

“No, I haven’t forgotten. But I am curious what the other investors you work with in your other ventures would think knowing that Mr. Zander Michaels is involved with such a shady place. One of the richest guys in the northern hemisphere has to pay for women? It isn’t the sort of thing that looks well.”

Zander laughed. “Wow, that is your angle? You are going to try to guilt me this way? It’s not illegal; there is no prostitution going on there.”

“Well, it is not technically prostitution. I mean I would never remain in business if it was. But to the public at large and to certain people in our world, mainly the older women like Mary Stern, and Angela Keane—you know the women who have invested heavily in your real estate empire—they probably would fail to really see the difference. And not to mention the public at large, the tabloids, TMZ, and anyone else who would love to have pictures of you bidding your heart out with the rest of the animals.”

“Same old Harrison, still trying to blackmail people. Is that the only thing you know how to do? Have you ever made a dime off anyone without it?”

“You know how it is; no one makes a dime in this world without stealing from someone else, or forcing someone else to do what they don’t want to do. That is how the world runs. I’m sorry if you haven’t figured it out,” Harrison gloated.

“Oh, I figured out the way of it long ago, which is why I’m richer than you are. And in case you haven’t noticed, I don’t scare easily. Your club is supposed to protect the privacy of its members; if this gets out then I will make sure that you pay one way or another for any loss of business it ends up costing me.”

“Good luck with that,” Harrison said. “I am giving you one last chance. You have three days to make up your mind. You know where to find me.”

“Let’s be clear about something here,” Zander said.

“What’s that?”

“You don’t need me because you are afraid I’ll steal your idea; you need me because you need my talent. You know I can take this business to a level that will make your head explode with riches. You need my abilities; that is why you are doing this. Be honest with yourself.”

The phone was silent for a moment. Zander could practically hear Harrison’s head splitting open with rage.

“Three days,” he said.

With that the line went dead.

Zander grabbed a bottle of bourbon and poured a glass. He downed it quickly. How dare that little worm try this stunt on him? Oh, Harrison had no idea what kind of hell he had just unleashed on himself.

But he was damn sure going to find out.

Zander did his best to push all thoughts of Harrison out of his mind for the time being; he had a very special lady to pick up.

Thirty minutes later Ember was in his limousine on her way to a restaurant called Colombi’s. It was a five-star upscale Italian restaurant he had not been to in a little while. Lately he’d been craving some of their signature garlic bread. There was something about that bread when you mixed it with the right merlot that for some reason felt like Heaven in your mouth for several minutes after each drink. He was aching for Ember to try it out.

She was dressed to kill. He’d told her to wear something formal. He’d considered asking her if she had anything really formal to wear, but he remembered the dress from the auction night and figured this was a woman who knew how to dress, although he was relatively aware of her financial troubles. It was easy to see that by looking at her small apartment she shared with her roommate. He said nothing about it though; he did not want to insult her, especially after she’d just decided to give this another chance.

He was glad that he was out of the business of Club Privaat altogether, but he was a bit worried about how Ember had reacted. This was obviously a girl who had trust issues. Some jerk had treated her badly in the past, possibly more than one. In time, he hoped that she would feel comfortable enough to tell him about it, but he wasn’t going to press. Ember was a remarkably fearless and strong woman, but he could tell that deep down she did have a streak where she wanted to fall apart. And if that ever happened he wanted to be right there to pick her up.

They arrived at their table in Colombi’s. One usually had to reserve a table there at least a month in advance, but because it was him he was able to get it the same day. Truthfully, they did hold a few tables that they could have empty for men in his income bracket. It wasn’t just because of who he was, but the fact that he was willing to pay a monthly stipend of ten thousand dollars in addition to whatever money he spent while he was there. So, it was a good investment. They reserved it for only those special few like himself, even though there were a lot of people who could afford it and would be glad to do it. It helped to have friends around.

“Wow, this place is great,” Ember said looking around.

Zander smiled and checked her out for possibly the twentieth time that evening. She was wearing the most seductive blue dress that came to mid-thigh, which was perfect for showing off her killer legs and it also revealed the perfect amount of cleavage to showcase her large, voluptuous breasts without giving too much away. He could not wait to ravage her.

“I’ve been coming here for a while,” he said. “I highly recommend the Cajun alfredo—it is excellent,” he said in his most fake posh accent.

She smiled. “I might give that a try,” she said. “I do love me some alfredo.”

“Well, who doesn’t?”

The waiter came just then. “Good evening, Mr. Michaels. How are you this fine evening, sir?”

“Very well indeed, Serge,” Zander said. All of the waiters were expected to know the names of all the wealthiest and most regular customers. Serge had been working there for almost two years; he was the best waiter that Zander had ever had the pleasure of being served by. He always requested Serge when he ate at Colombi’s.

“What can I start you off with?” Serge asked.

“I believe a bottle of the Masoki Merlot 1985, as I requested earlier,” Zander said.

“Oh, excellent sir,” Serge said. “I will be right back.”

He walked away briskly to get the wine.

“Wow,” Ember said. “I guess they know you around here.”

Zander smiled. “I’m sure they will get to know you as well.”

“Well, I’m already impressed, so I think that is a distinct possibility,” Ember said.  She looked down for a moment as if she was trying to come up with the right words.

“What is it?” Zander asked.

“I want to apologize about earlier,” she said. “I do let things go to my head and I jump to conclusions sometimes. I’m sorry I behaved that way. I’m a bit ashamed.”

Zander smiled and reached over to grab her hand in his. “Honey, its fine. I want you to know that I would never do anything to hurt you. And as for any doubts you had about me and my intentions, I care about you. The past few days have been some of the most spectacular of my life and I’m looking forward to even better days ahead. I promise I will never give you any reason at all to not trust me.”

Ember looked as if she might cry. She blinked several times and smiled. “Thank you,” she said.

Serge came back with a bottle of the Merlot. He poured each of their glasses about halfway full and then sat down a basket of garlic bread. The smell was almost dizzying, filled with that full rich, garlic and butter flavor wafting up to the nostrils, tingling the senses. Zander watched Ember’s expression as she caught a few whiffs of the scent.

“Wow, that smells amazing,” Ember said.

Serge smiled as he grabbed a bottle of olive oil off his tray.

“Is this your first-time dining with us, madam?” Serge asked.

“It is,” Ember said. “Zander said this was the best place in town and I’m starting to believe him.”

“Well, Mr. Michaels has excellent taste. In food, wine, and women,” Serge said. He gave Ember a wink catching her eye.

Zander chuckled to himself wondering if he should be worried.

Serge sat a small bowl on the table and poured a small amount of olive oil into it. Sitting the bottle of oil back on his plate he grabbed a container of turmeric off the table and placed two small scoops into the olive oil with a small spoon. Then he sprinkled some parsley into it and added a bit of ground up mustard.

Zander watched intently. He knew it was a silly little thing, but he loved to watch people doing simple rituals like this one. He’d always felt there was something charming about it.

Last serge sprinkled a decent helping of freshly grated parmesan cheese over it. Then he grabbed a small spoon and began to stir slowly and deliberately.

Zander saw Ember watching the whole ritual closely with a sweet smile on her face.

After he was done with the mixture Serge then picked up a piece of garlic bread with a pair of tongs and placed a piece on both plates.

“What soups shall I start you off with this evening, sir?” Serge asked.

“I believe two bowls of your Gnocchi potato please,” Zander said ordering one of the restaurant's signature bowls.

“Very nice selection, sir,” Serge replied. “House dressing ok for your salad?”

“Yes, that will be fine,” Zander replied.

Serge left then to prepare the soups and salad.

Ember seemed very impressed with the way things were going so far. Zander was glad, but he knew that the evening was going to be even better as it progressed.

Ember took a piece of the bread and dipped it in the sauce that Serge had put together. Her whole face lit up as she bit into it.

“Oh, that is the best thing I have ever tasted,” she thought.

Zander smiled. “I told you, this place is the best kept secret in town.”

“Wow, I have a feeling I am going to learn about a lot of interesting things being with you,” Ember said.

Zander smiled.

“So, what do you have planned for the rest of the evening?” Ember asked.

“Oh, I can’t tell you now; it will ruin all of the surprises,” zander said.

“I don’t normally like surprises, but you happen to be unusually good at it,” she said.

“Well, I do have my ways I guess,” Zander replied.

Zander ended up ordering them both the Cajun pasta dish he mentioned earlier to Ember. She seemed on board to try anything.

“After all, you’ve been perfectly right about everything so far,” Ember commented with a bit of flirt in her eye.

By the time, they finished dinner they were halfway through the second bottle of wine. Ember was getting a bit tipsy, but she was still remaining in control.

“So, you did a lot of horseback riding when you were a kid?” Zander asked. “I believe you mentioned that earlier.”

“Oh, yeah. I was really into it. My aunt had a stable and there was a horse there that I took a shine to, so every Saturday morning for several years I would go out there and ride until almost noon. Then my mom would take me out for pizza.”

“That’s fantastic,” Zander said. “It’s great for a kid to develop a passion that early on for something. Do you still ride?”

“No, I haven’t ridden for years,” she said.

“Why not?”

“Well, I had been riding for about three years and I was starting to get really good. I thought I might actually enter some competitions, but then I fell off my horse Holly one day and broke my ankle. I developed a fear of it and I just never really went back. Eventually the fear went away but by then I was into softball and basketball, you know other girly pursuits and I just never got back into it. But it’s funny you ask because I’ve been toying with the idea of starting up riding again. But lessons are expensive and as far as eventually getting a horse of my own, that is a fat chance.”

Zander smiled. “Well, maybe one day you will get the chance to ride again,” he said.

“I don’t know,” she replied. “I’ve got too many other things going on. I’m not sure I could even find the time or the energy.”

Zander hated to see Ember when she occasionally got down on herself. “Well maybe it’s time you made a change,” he said.

“Like what?”

“I don’t know; that is up to you. What did you used to dream about when you were a kid? What did you want to be?”

“I wanted to be Xena Warrior Princess for a while, but then that died out. Since then I haven’t really thought too much about it. I mean when I was in college I thought I might end up being like a business manager and maybe one day own my own business. I’m the type of person who hates being told what to do; I hate having a boss, you know? So, if I could do anything it would be something on my own that I’m in charge of. The problem is I have no idea what business I want to own and operate.”

“Well, I’ve found the best businesses are the ones that revolve around a passion you have,” Zander replied.

“Are you telling me you have a passion for real estate?”

Zander laughed. “Yes. I have a passion for transforming crap houses into dream houses, even though I don’t do the work myself anymore. I work with architects and designers to make these visions come to life. It’s really very fulfilling and rewarding. I love to take startup companies that have a lot of promise and potential and turn them into goldmines. So, yeah, I do love what I do. It’s not just about the money.”

“Ok, well I will definitely do a bit of soul searching and see what I come up with,” Ember said.

She was leaning over slightly right then and Zander was catching an eyeful. He smiled and looked up at her. She caught him looking and continued to allow him the privilege.

“Well, that is definitely a passion of mine,” he said.

“Oh, I’ll bet,” Ember replied in a seductive tone. “I bet you wish you could do something with those right now, don’t you?”

Zander was surprised by the question. He wondered how much of it was the alcohol and how much she just loved to flirt. It was one of the most surprising things about her that he never would have guessed upon first meeting Ember—she was an incredible flirt. And he loved it.

“I figure we could do a bit of an even swap,” Zander replied. “I do have something that you would like to do something with. It might involve your mouth, your chest, and your sweet, juicy, box.”

Ember giggled. “Now, if you are trying to get me hot and bothered I will remind you that you don’t have to try very hard.”

“I say we continue this party elsewhere,” Zander said.

Ember agreed.

“OH WOW!” Ember exclaimed when she stepped foot into Zander’s mansion.

Zander could not help chuckling at her reaction as they stepped in through the front door. She instantly started jogging from room to room as if she were a child in the most extraordinary funhouse in the entire world. It was hysterical to watch. Even Ben thought so.

“Sir, do you require anything further of me tonight?” Ben asked.

“No, Ben you may retire,” Zander said.

With that Ben left the room heading upstairs to his own room.

“Wow, I could totally get lost in this place,” Ember said. “How does one person live here?”

“I like my space,” Zander said. “Besides it’s the biggest and the best around so of course it has to be mine.”

Ember laughed as she came close to him. She planted a sweet kiss on his lips and held onto him, resting her head on his shoulder. The limo ride to the house had been a fun trip. The moment they hit the car he’d ordered Ben to take them to the house and then put up the divider.

Without any hesitation, he and Ember began making out ripping at each other’s clothes. It didn’t take much before Zander pulled up her dress, pulled down her pants, and he was inside her from behind. She was so tight, putting her legs together to create an even tighter seal with her special lips, closing around his thick, fully engorged flesh as he pounded away towards final release.

He already could not wait to get inside of her again, but he thought he might take things a bit slower for now. It was always easier to do without a bullet in the chamber, so to speak.

“Come on,” Zander said taking her by the hand. I have something to show you.

He escorted Ember down the hall into a back room which she was surprised to see was his billiards room. He loved it there. When he was home he spent most of his time in there, perfecting his game of pool and even playing a few darts.

“Wow, that is the nicest pool table I have ever seen,” Ember said.

Zander smiled as he walked over to the bar and began to mix them a few drinks. “Since I was a kid it was my dream to own a great pool table. I’ve been really into the game since I was about eight years old. My grandpa had a table in the basement and when it was warm enough I would go down there and play rack after rack with him. I’d play even when it was really cold; I didn’t care.”

“So, are you like a pool shark?” Ember asked.

Zander finished mixing together the long island iced teas and handed one to Ember.

“I am pretty good, but I’m not good enough to be a professional at it or anything. I mean those guys really study the game, they know all the theory and geometry behind it. I never wanted to learn any of that because to me it turned the game into some mathematical thing. Believe it or not, I’ve never liked math. The only math I like is counting money,” Zander said.

“I can definitely understand how that would take the fun out of the game,” Ember commented. She took a sip of her drink and smiled. “Wow, you made this extra strong. I’m starting to think you want to get me drunk.”

“Well, I’m drunk; I figured you might as well be,” Zander said. “Anyway, when it came to pool I just liked to play and go by feel, by instinct. That was the way the guys in the pool halls played. That’s what it was all about.”

“So, you spent a lot of time in pool halls?”

“Yes, I used to. For the longest time that was my thing, when I was in college anyway. During the evenings and weekends, between classes if I had a long enough break. There was a reason my grades in college sucked so bad I almost got kicked out. But I guess it didn’t matter since I had plans to go into business for myself.”

“Uh, oh. Did you not do your homework?” Ember asked teasing.

“Hardly ever,” Zander said. “I hardly ever went to class to be honest with you. Like a lot of people, I would study the book a week before the exam, show up and take the test. College is kind of lame when you think about it. It teaches you very little about life I found.”

Ember laughed. “I have to tend to agree with you,” she said grabbing the rack from under the table and beginning to rack the balls.

“Oh, you want to play a game?” Zander asked.

“I do,” Ember replied.

Zander broke the rack of balls hard and they scattered across the table sinking three; two solids and one stripe. He chose solids to start with and systematically ran the table.

“Want to go again? Maybe you might get a shot this time,” Zander said.

Ember looked at him and shook her head as she walked towards him. “Actually, I was curious to take a little dip in that Jacuzzi you told me about,” she said.

Zander smiled and led the way.

He took off his clothes and then dropped his boxer shorts to the ground before climbing into the hot water. It felt scalding against his more sensitive areas but he was willing to ignore the pain to gain the pleasure that was coming. Besides he was too distracted by Ember’s sexy, nude, curvaceous body as she slipped into the hot, steamy water in front of him.

She moved over to his side and wrapped her arms around him, kissing him softly on the lips.

“Hey, there,” Ember said. She moved her hips against his dangling member and he felt it instantly respond, getting harder by the second.

Her hot breath was now on his ear as she nibbled his lobe. She was so soft, so smooth… he just ached for her in every possible way. Zander wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her even closer to him, her nipples rubbing against his as he enjoyed her seduction.

“You like that?” Ember whispered in his ear as she kissed him softly on the nape of the neck, moving upwards to his ear lobe. She took the bottom of his lobe in her mouth and then her tongue moved up into his ear wiggling in and out of it slowly, her warm breath invading him. He took a deep breath enjoying every bit of pleasure that she was willing to give him.

Her hand was now around his cock. She was squeezing it slightly and moving up and down on it. He was getting so hard now… his balls were beginning to ache with anticipation of the sweetness that was sure to come soon…

Zander moved his head to face her and kissed her hard on the mouth, grabbing the back of her head and pressing her lips close to his, opening his mouth to allow his tongue to move into hers, soliciting her own tongue to come forward and join the party.

His other hand was grabbing her ass, squeezing and rubbing which she loved. He’d learned quickly that she loved to have her ass played with and he was more than happy to oblige. He smacked her hard under the water enjoying the vibrations and the sensations.

She giggled slightly as she continued to squeeze him and rub him up and down, paying very special attention to the head. Her forefinger and thumb encircled it and squeezed it tighter at the top, moving up to the tip where she lightly grazed it with her finger, teasing him.

Zander decided to tease her as well. He swiftly moved his fingers to her crack, slipping into her box of pleasure. It was moist, wet, and tight. He then quickly pulled out of there and stuck a finger in her back door. Her eyes widened slightly with surprise, but she did not stop him.

She kissed him softly on the lips instead and smiled as she leaned backwards and grabbed his hand, forcing the finger further up her rear.

“Use two,” she said.

He did, slowly inching two of his thick fingers into her back door. She continued to work his thick tool up front becoming more aggressive with her stroking of him. He knew that if this kept up he was going to finish all over his nice Jacuzzi and he wouldn’t want that…

Zander loved the texture of her back entrance. It was amazing how at this stage of a relationship one could constantly be surprised by the other person’s boundaries and their open mindedness.

He was so hard now… he was so ready…

Zander decided he did not want to wait any longer. He grabbed Ember’s hips and lifted her upwards slightly to escort her down onto his hard cock which slid into her sweet, wet opening. She was so tight around him and ready for what was to come.

He leaned back against the wall and let her move up and down slowly rocking, slowly bucking together as he moved in and out. He was getting even harder now and she was getting even tighter, her body grabbing him and pulsating along every single pleasure center. He knew it would not be long now.

Zander pulled out of her and quickly leapt behind her, shoving his hard rod deep into her from behind. She cried out in pleasure and surprise as she began to pump he harder and harder. He pulled her hair hard, keeping a fistful of it tightly in his hand.

“Yes!” Ember cried out.

Her large breasts were shaking violently as he thrusted into her going deeper and deeper into that tight wet pool of sweetness.

“AAAGH!” He groaned loudly as he climaxed deep inside of her, holding the last thrust allowing every drop of his hot, salty seed to pour into her waiting pool.

He is legs were still shaking five minutes later.

Zander was awakened by his phone vibrating beside his bed. At first, he thought he had forgotten to turn one of his alarms off that he set for the work week, usually between three and four in the morning. He usually took at least a half hour to get up and get going, so he always set the alarm too soon.

But it wasn’t an alarm. It was a text from Harrison.

Zander almost ignored it and went back to sleep but he opened his phone to see what the guy wanted. Why wouldn’t the guy just get out of his life?

Zander groaned in anger as he leapt out of bed.

It was time to show that pig who was boss.