The morning was eerily quiet in the huge house. The little boy rubbed his eyes as he awoke to the cold morning. He slid out of bed and stumbled over to the large bay window in his room. The window bench was padded and covered in toys and stuffed animals.

Suddenly, he heard a car door slam. That was odd as it was quite early. His father was away on business and his mother never got out of bed before noon on Saturday. Dora was downstairs fixing breakfast for him as he could smell the bacon frying in the pan.

Pressing his face to the glass, he breathed on it delighting in making his breath appear then wiping the moisture away. Snow was softly falling, the sky thick with gray clouds.

Then his mother appeared carrying two large suitcases. The car wasn’t hers. It was long and black like the kind his father used when he was leaving for the airport.

Where was she going?

The driver dressed in black came around to load the suitcases into the trunk. His mother was wearing a soft blue cashmere coat. Her long hair was pinned up. She looked beautiful as always.

But she hadn’t told him goodbye.

Dora was racing outside to speak with his mother. They spoke so low he couldn’t hear. The little boy struggled to push his window open. It opened with a loud crack causing both women to look up.

“You can’t leave, Mrs. Blackthorne, you just can’t. What about Ashton? Does he even know?” Dora’s voice rose with anger. The small round elderly woman served not only as a housekeeper, but as Ashton’s nanny.

“He’s too young to understand, Dora. Besides what I do is my business. I will call him later. Now I have a flight to catch.”

Dora glanced up at him with tears in her eyes. She wrung her hands against her cloth apron. She seemed to be pleading with him for something but he couldn’t understand what was going on.

His mother shoved Dora aside as she hopped into the long black car.

Tears began welling in his eyes as he struggled for one last glimpse of his mother and yet, he was denied that as the windows of the car were tinted. He watched the car slowly drive down the private road with his face and hands pressed against cold glass tears pouring down his little face.

His mommy was leaving.

And she was never coming back.

She’d left him like a broken toy forgotten on the shelf.

His heart ached as he sat there the rest of the day never moving from that spot. Dora tried repeatedly to get him to play, to eat, anything to move from the window seat. But he sat there until he fell asleep late that night.

She’d promised Dora she’d call.

But she didn’t.

That was the last time he ever saw or heard from his mother.

* * *

Fuming from my lunch with Martin, I sped back to my office. As soon as I walked in, Amber was standing in front of my office with a smug smile on her beautiful face holding a blue folder.

“How was lunch, Ash?”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

“Don’t ask. That slick old bastard pulled a fast one.”

“So he was the one behind buying the shares of Vitalife?”

I walked past her and sat down at my desk.

“Yes.”

“Did you get him to sell you the shares back?”

“He said he doesn’t have them anymore.”

Amber grinned and handed me the folder.

“Let me guess-he sold them to RJ Investments.”

“How did you know?”

“Please, you know how. Right after you left Jeremy came storming into your office demanding to know who was behind RJ Investments. I did a little digging and turned up with this.”

I opened the folder glancing over the documents.

“Ronald James? How did you—“

“--get this? Did you forget? I’m Amber. I can get anything.” She tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder.

I dropped the folder smiling at her. Like I said, she was the best.

“Ronald James. How do I know him?” I mused aloud thinking.

Oh my God…

“Veronica.” Both Amber and I said in unison.

“Ash,” Amber whispered her hand flying to her mouth.

I nodded closing my eyes briefly feeling the rage rising within me.

“I need—“

“--a minute?” Amber looked at me her eyes full of understanding.

“Yes. Hold all my calls and keep Jeremy out of my office.”

Amber smiled sympathetically and nodded closing the door.

Veronica James. The most beautiful, intelligent, charming, and wonderful woman I’d ever met.

And the most infuriating.

I slammed my fist so hard on the desk the glass top cracked. Wrapping a tissue around my bleeding hand, I gazed out the window at the New York skyline.

How could Veronica do this to me? Closing my eyes, I knew better than to ask myself that.

Of course, it was Veronica. She knew me better than Amber. Better than I knew myself.

It was a crisp fall day. The trees were bursting with color-red, gold, and orange leaves which rained down as the cool autumn wind whipped through them.

It was my first year of Harvard Business School. I had just graduated in the spring and had spent the summer interning at my father, Ashler Blackthorne’s firm.

My father was also a Harvard grad. After completing business school, he had taken the small real estate firm he’d purchased and built it into an empire. Growing up in a wealthy home, I was accustomed to the finer things. I had had a nanny, Dora, who I adored. My mother, Debra left when I was very young to be with another man leaving deep scars within me.

I never heard from her again.

My father had many girlfriends over the years, but I’d forgotten most of them except one.

Rita.

She was a stunning woman, a former model my father adored. He had hoped that Rita would be like a mother to me. He was planning on asking her to marry him.

When I was ten years old, Rita gave birth to a baby girl who was my half-sister. After my sister was born, Rita became heavily involved in drugs. She left with my baby sister and I never saw them again.

Except for that one time.

One fateful time….

After that night, I was again left alone with my father.

My father and I became very close after that. He started introducing me to the business world teaching many of the finer points of investing and growing a business. He was grooming me to attend Harvard as he had and to take over his business someday.

I had the typical college experience joining a fraternity and partying. I traveled the world on summer breaks meeting and enjoying many different women.

But this year was different. After a summer of working instead of traveling, I had discovered that I didn’t wish to follow my father into the real estate business. I wanted to be an investment banker and have my own investment firm.

I was starting the fall ready to be serious. The time for partying like an immature brat was over. I planned to have fun, but it was time to think of the future.

Walking into the crowded auditorium, I took a seat ready to begin the path to my professional life.

“Do you have an extra pen? I forgot mine.” The most sensual, throaty voice I’d ever heard whispered.

I turned to my right. There sat the most incredibly beautiful woman I’d ever seen. (And mind you, I’d traveled the world). She had long silky hair like spun gold. Her eyes were an incredible shade of blue that reminded me of the Caribbean. Her face was divinely sculpted as if by Michelangelo himself. Her lips were shiny with a touch of pink gloss sensual and full. Her long legs were luscious as her high heel shoe dangled from her foot. Her breasts were full and high, clearly evident in her tight pink sweater.

I scrambled looking through my backpack.

“Here.” I handed her the pen. Our fingers touched and I felt as though I’d been shocked.

“Thanks.” She flashed her beautiful smile at me. My heart thudded. No one woman had ever had this effect on me before. I was usually calm and collected around women. I’d always had my pick. But this woman was different.

Her name was Veronica.

She winked at me and I felt faint. As the class went on, I noticed her giving me several shy glances. I’d been told by many women how attractive I am. The classic tall, dark and handsome with a well-toned body.

Since we shared many classes, we began studying together. Harvard Business School was quite grueling even for the best students, so we ended up sharing many long nights together.

Many hot nights…

Glancing outside, I saw how dark it had become. Amber was still at her desk working. Everyone else had gone home. I looked down at the name Ronald James. Veronica’s father.

Damn Veronica.

It was our first anniversary. I could tell from the way Veronica acted she thought I’d forgotten. It was a special day to me too and there was no way I’d ever forget it.

Over the past year, not only had Veronica and I had incredibly hot, sexy times, but she’d become much more to me than just another conquest. I looked forward to seeing her every day, walking to class with her, even just sitting around her small Boston apartment binge watching TV. Ever since we’d been together, I barely glanced at other women. They couldn’t compare to her.

I’d been planning a special night at my beach house in Hyannis. I’d commissioned construction on a very special room. For weeks, I’d kept Veronica away from my house as contractors worked night and day.

Tonight was the night I’d not only pledge my devotion to her, but I would unveil my secret passions, desires and cravings to her.

My desire to keep her as my submissive.

Veronica knew I liked to play ‘spanking’ games, but she had no idea how dark my desires really were.

And tonight she would get the first taste of what being my submissive would entail.

* * *

Veronica’s blue eyes followed me. She watched as I walked over to the wall where I kept my whips, floggers, and riding crop hung. Her eyes widened as I selected my favorite riding crop. It was made of the finest leather and all black. I ran my hand up and down the length.

“Ash, what are you going to do with that?” Her voice shook as I approached her, crop in hand.

“You really didn’t think I had a dungeon constructed in my house just for show, did you? I want to enjoy playing in here with you. I think you will enjoy it as well.”

Veronica’s face turned pale. She looked at me with wide, frightened eyes.

“Are you serious? Are you some kind of sadist?”

I shrugged, enjoying her apprehension.

“You might say that, but I’m really more of a Dom.”

“Dom?” Veronica looked confused.

“Dominant. I enjoy taking control.” With that, I grabbed her by the back of the neck. She leaned forward her long blonde hair spilled over my hand. I could smell the intoxicating scent of her perfume. She shook beneath my grip. I could hear her breath coming harder and faster. I sensed her excitement.

“Ronnie,” I whispered.

“Yes Ash? What should I do?” She lowered her eyes in perfect submissive fashion, her voice echoing throughout the room.

“Have you done this before, Veronica?” I released her neck to pull a set of leather restraints from my pocket.

She shook her head.

“Very good.”

“Have you, Ash?” she asked, her voice still shaking.

“Many times, but it will be different with you.” I began removing her dress. The silk gown fell around her ankles revealing her glorious body.

Her arms moved to her back to remove her bra.

“No! I will do it,” I scolded her, slapping her hands away. She stood perfectly still as I stripped the black bra and panties from her body. Now, completely nude, she stood before me. Her hair falling over her shoulders, covering her like a silken shawl.

Running my hands up her firm flesh, I stopped at her wrists. Taking the leather restraints in hand, I bound each wrist tightly behind her back.

“Ash,” she whispered, biting her lip.

“Trust me, Ronnie.”

Pulling her by her bound hands, I walked her over to a black leather padded bench. Carefully, I leaned her over it. The room’s dim lights cast a glow making her appear as if she had a halo.

Sweeping her blonde hair to the side, my lips brushed her neck. With my crop in hand, I traced the fine lines of her ass.

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes, Ash,” she replied.

Drawing my crop back in the air, I quickly brought it down against her sweet flesh.

Her cries reverberated throughout the room. The sound shocked me as I worried I may have struck her too hard. She was new to this and perhaps it was too much for her.

When I brought the crop down again, her cries of fear turned to cries of pleasure. She arched her back and thrust her ass out even more. Lovingly, I rubbed my hand against the reddening marks on her flesh.

“Oh my God Ash, more!”

Taking the tip of the crop, I dragged it lightly between her legs. The tip was soaked with her juices.

My cock raged against my pants. My excitement growing the more I applied the crop to her ass. Again and again I struck her feeling her excitement grow.

Tossing the crop down I knelt behind her. Her legs shaking, her ass bright red, I spread her legs even further. Her sweet pussy was glistening with juice. I parted her lips slightly and slid my fingers over her wetness. She moaned with pleasure.

She pushed back against my hand as I rubbed and twisted her swollen clit.

“Please, oh please, I want to come!”

Immediately, I removed my hand from her pussy.

“Not yet, Ronnie. Not until I say you can,” I reminded her.

“Please, Ash,” she murmured.

“Patience, Ronnie, patience.”

The temperature in the room rose dramatically. I could feel the heat emanating from her body. Beads of sweat trickled down her back as I delivered a few more strokes of my crop to her already red ass.

“Ash!” she cried, her legs shaking so hard I had to catch her at the waist to keep her from falling.

I lightly caressed her sore bottom. From the way she reacted, I could tell that the pain was giving her great pleasure. Veronica squirmed wiggling her ass back and forth at my touch.

My cock throbbed with need as I unzipped my pants and removed my shirt. Taking care to place them over the red velvet chaise lounge, I walked back over to Veronica. Her luscious legs were spread wide, her long blonde hair spilling down her back, her full tits pressed against the bench and her ass in the air, glowing red from the spanking I’d given her. Seeing her bent over the leather bench, looking as she did, excited me even more.

Rubbing the tip of my cock against her dripping pussy, I found I could wait no longer. Thrusting forward, I groaned loudly with pleasure. She was always deliciously tight!

She cried out with joy, arched her back and pressed her pussy to me. Grabbing her tiny waist, I pulled her to me. I pounded her pussy, feeling my balls slapping against her clit. I clutched her to me even tighter, driving up inside her.

“Oh my God, that’s amazing!” she cried. Her arms stretched out in front her hands twisting and turning as I fucked her. I raised my hand to give her a final slap on the ass relishing the sound of my hand smacking against her flesh.

Feeling her pussy tighten, I knew she was close to coming. I considered pulling out and making her wait, but I couldn’t. I felt my own powerful orgasm descending upon me. It made my cock swell, bigger than I could remember. I filled her to capacity. My eyes lost focus and I began to see stars as I shook all over.

“Ash, oh Ash!” she screamed as she came. Her pussy convulsed around my cock. Her legs gave out from under her and she collapsed against me.

Pushing her back to her feet, I held her by the waist.

“Turn around,” I commanded. My head was still a bit foggy from coming. I had never had an orgasm that powerful.

Veronica rolled over on her back across the bench. Her nipples were hard and pink. Pulling her up by the restraints, I reached to unbind her wrists.

“Oh my God, what the hell did you do to me?” With her hands free, she reached around to massage her aching ass.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” I stood back as she regained her footing.

“Yes, it does,” she whispered.

I strolled over to where I’d thrown my pants. Reaching inside, I retrieved a small blue box.

“I have something for you, Ronnie.”

Seeing the tiny blue satin wrapped box with the white ribbon, she clapped her hands together.

“Oh, Ash!” Her blue eyes shining with anticipation she took the box from me.

I knew what she was thinking, that the box contained an engagement ring.

But it didn’t.

I held my breath waiting for her reaction.

Veronica’s hands trembled as she carefully unwrapped the gift. She pried open the tiny blue velvet box which she assumed contained a diamond ring.

Carefully, I watched her face.

As she opened the box, a slow smile spread across her face. For just an instant, I saw disappointment flicker in her eyes, but her smile assured me she was still pleased by my gift.

Gently, Veronica removed the exquisite antique rose gold locket dangling from a white gold chain.

“Oh, it’s beautiful!” she exclaimed.

I reached over to hang it from her neck.

“Did you notice the inscription?”

Veronica turned over the locket.

“It says, ‘Mine’. What does that mean?” She couldn’t stop smiling as I clasped the chain around her neck.

Standing in front of her, I took her by the shoulders.

“Ronnie, you turn me on like no woman ever has. There’s something special between us. This gift symbolizes what I’d like our relationship to become.”

“Which is what? I’m already your girlfriend.”

I nodded.

“This is more than that. I want you to be my submissive.” I waited for her reaction. I could tell this was something she’d never expected coming from me.

“Your what?”

“My submissive. Look, Ronnie, all my life I’ve had these cravings, these urges. I need control. I desire control…over you. I’m not talking about governing every second of your life with some ridiculous rules about what you eat or drink. I’m interested in your sexual submission to me and me alone. By accepting this gift, you’re acknowledging me as your dominant.”

The silence in the room was deafening. Perhaps I’d overstepped my bounds, but Veronica was the girl for me I was certain of it.

She fingered the locket for a moment.

“You’re saying that by accepting this and becoming your submissive, you will continue to do what you did tonight?”

“Definitely.”

She had to say yes.

“Of course, I want you to be my dominant and all that it implies.”

Gazing at her, standing there, nude with the locket dangling between her full tits, I had never felt so alive. It wasn’t just the incredible sex we had. I felt a true connection, a sense of tremendous joy every time I saw her.

“Then you are mine, Veronica James and I am yours.” With that, I pressed my lips to hers falling into a passionate embrace.

Feeling her warm body pressed intimately against mine, I could feel us becoming one. We were so close at that moment I couldn’t tell where one of us began the other ended. It was frightening, but exhilarating at the same time.

Then, as our lips parted, she whispered.

“I love you.”

I closed my eyes feeling my utopia crash all around me.

The three words in the entire English language that could shatter me. My kryptonite.

Was my affinity for domination about to become my downfall?

Things continued with Veronica and me for another two years. We enjoyed many nights of sizzling, powerful sex. I couldn’t get enough of her, but as the years passed I sensed a dissatisfaction within her. Veronica wanted more than I could give her. She kept leaving hints about our future together after graduation, wanting marriage and children. That wasn’t something I could do.

Running my hands over her silky skin, I inhaled her scent. She smelled of sex. Sweet, sensual, spicy…as long as I lived I’d never forget that fragrance. It was exquisite, just like her.

“Ash,” she whispered as I wrapped her long legs around my narrow waist. Veronica ran her hands over my abs gazing up into my hazel eyes.

“I love you.”

My cock throbbed with desire even after hearing those dreaded words she kept repeating. I’d never echoed them back to her. I couldn’t. I was too young to make any type of commitment to any woman even her.

Besides, after seeing my mother with my “Uncle Mike” how could I trust any woman?

As usual, I silenced her with a deep kiss. Our lips met repeatedly. I wanted to consume her. To absorb everything she was, making her a part of me. My fingers traced her lips gently as my mouth began to explore her body. She moaned and arched her back thrusting her beautiful tits in the air. My tongue captured her erect nipples which were the perfect shade of dusky pink. I sucked and tugged on them until she screamed with delight. Her hands entwined in my hair as she gripped my head. I traced a line down from her breasts to her flat stomach. Parting her legs, I inhaled her scent. My cock was rock hard as I dipped my tongue between her legs touching her quivering clit ever so softly.

“Ash!” She screamed arching her hips towards my mouth.

Her taste was amazing. I lapped at her sweetness licking every inch. She was smooth all over except for a tiny blonde patch at the top. My lips caressed her swollen clit flicking it faster and harder. She gripped my head as she rocked her hips back and forth. My face became soaked with her delectable juices as she rode closer to her orgasm.

I took both hands and pulled her delicate lips apart, holding her open so I could pleasure her even more. I slipped two fingers deep inside her. She was so deliciously tight and wet my cock lurched. I felt droplets of precum dripping onto the sheets beneath me. I longed to bury my cock inside her but this was for her.

In and out I slid my fingers, increasing the tempo, caressing her G spot until she was mad with pleasure. She came again and again. My face was drenched as I continued to lap up her pussy.

When she was weak and quivering with need I gazed directly into her eyes. I slipped my fingers from her pussy touching them to my tongue to taste her wonderful juices.

“Oh my God, fuck me!” she cried, grabbing my ass pulling me to her.

Falling on her, I eased my cock inside. She was so soft, warm, wet, and tight. Every time we made love she cried out as soon as I entered her as my cock stretched her painfully.

I began thrusting in and out of her, delighting in how wonderful she felt. Her arms wrapped around me her tits pressed against my chest. No woman could compare to her.

Grabbing her around her waist, I flipped her over so she was riding me. She moaned deeply as she sat up taking my entire cock all the way inside.

“Oh my God, that feels…amazing…” She slid up and down my hard cock as I gripped her, bouncing her up and down. Her tits jiggled in my face as I gazed up at her beauty. Her full red lips were parted, her long hair loose and wild, she threw her head back her face contorted with ecstasy as I felt her pussy contract tightly on my cock as she came. I kept her moving, sliding my hands down to grip her ass. My balls viciously slapped against her ass as I hammered my cock in and out of her.

I grasped her head as my cock seized and I came deep inside her pumping every last drop into her.

Stars swam around my head as she fell forward on top of me gasping for air.

“Ash, why don’t you ever say you love me?” she whispered as I stroked her silky hair.

Oh God, she wanted to get into the same argument we’d been having for months now. School was ending in a few weeks and I had accepted an offer with Harold Goldstein’s investment firm.

“Veronica, we’ve been over this.” I eased her off of me. I rolled out of bed pouring a glass of scotch.

Veronica sat up clutching the sheet to her breasts.

“I love you. We’ve been together for almost three years now. You’ve never once said you loved me. We’re graduating in two weeks and I need to know where this relationship is going. You know what I want. You’ve never said what you want.”

I finished my scotch and looked at her. She was everything I wanted sitting right there in my bed, but yet…

I couldn’t. Not now.

Not after my mother…

I wanted to love her, but every time I looked into myself it wasn’t there. I cared about her more than I’d ever cared about anyone.

But I just didn’t love her.

Not yet.

“Ronnie, you know I care about you. You mean more to me than any other woman. I’ve been faithful to you since the day we met. I want us to be together, but I’m not ready to commit to anyone or anything yet. I need to focus on my career right now.”

Veronica stared at me her eyes filling with tears. She began to pull on her clothes.

“I got an offer from Phillips and Hartman.”

I swallowed hard and poured another scotch.

“In London?”

She nodded folding her arms beneath her breasts.

“Are you going to take it?”

She sighed and sat on the bed.

“I don’t know. It’s a great offer. Lots of money, fast track to the top, and great benefits. You know I adore London. But I want us to be together.”

I sat down next to her and grabbed her hand.

I couldn’t stand for her to go. We’d been together for almost three years. I’d never had any type of long term relationship with anyone else.

But I couldn’t say I loved her. I would be lying if I did.

“Ronnie, I adore you. You’re sexy, beautiful, charming, fun, and tremendously intelligent. And you’re fantastic in bed. But if you want me to say I love you or we’re getting married….I can’t.”

Her face fell as she stood up.

“I love you. I want to have a life with you. I know I’ll never love anyone like I love you. You’re everything I want. Let’s do this. You don’t have to say it yet, but I know you love me deep down. Say the word and I won’t go. I can wait for you to come around as long as we’re together. I can get a job in New York.”

I swallowed hard. I couldn’t ask her to give up her dreams not for a guy who may never be able to love her.

I stood up and pulled a pair of jeans on. I walked over to the window and looked out at the stars twinkling in the deep night sky.

“You have to go. I can’t ask you to give up your dreams. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready. I won’t have you throw your life away for me. You have too much going for you.”

Her voice trembled as she spoke.

“Ash, please. Don’t do this.”

I turned to see tears spilling down her cheeks.

“Ronnie, you have to go. In fact, I insist. It’s over. School is ending. It’s time to start our lives.”

She began to sob as she ran to me. I held my hands up to block her.

“No, it’s over. I care about you, but I don’t love you. You need to leave.”

“No, please don’t do this. Please I can’t stand it.”

“You will be fine. Go.” I forced myself to harden my voice. I turned away from her. I couldn’t bear to see her face.

Veronica picked up her purse as she walked to the door.

“Please don’t hate me for this. It’s for your own good. I can’t love you. I can’t love anyone.”

Then she uttered the words that would haunt me forever.

“Remember this day, Ash, for it’s the day your life changed forever. It’s the day you turned your back on love, the day your world went black. The sun will never shine for you again as long as you live.” With that, she slammed the door. A picture crashed to the floor the glass shattering.

I awoke with a start as my head hit the desk with a thud. I glanced up to see the rest of the office quiet and dark. My phone read 11:00 PM. I must’ve fallen asleep after that last glass of scotch. I flexed my hand which was bandaged but sore from hitting the desk earlier.

A handwritten note was taped to my computer screen.

Ash,

I didn’t have the heart to wake you. You seemed so tired. I know what all this must be doing to you having Veronica of all people going after the company you were trying so desperately to buy.

Just know I’m here whenever you want to talk.

Amber

P.S. Feel free to come by my place after you wake up. I’ll be up late

I crumpled the note with a smile. Amber always knew exactly what I needed. Locking up my office, I headed towards Amber’s apartment.

Arriving home after being at Amber’s, I walked into my dungeon. Strolling over to the walk-in closet, I threw open the doors. There were racks of lingerie in all different sizes. But one garment in particular caught my eye. It was a black and red leather corset. It was exquisitely made. I picked it up and held it in my hands. Feeling the leather, I brought it to my face to inhale the sweet perfume of the woman who’d last wore it.

The only woman who’d ever worn that corset was Veronica.

Being an erotic connoisseur of the finest sexual imagery and experiences, I was a regular at Agent Provocateur, an upscale lingerie boutique. Having a supply of sexy lingerie for my female companions was of utmost importance to me. Most of the ladies were usually of the similar proportions so size generally wasn’t an issue. A few times I had a female guest who was quite petite except that her breasts were enormous in the 32G range and another who had such tiny tits she didn’t even need a bra.

But those were the exception.

Today, as I walked into the boutique, Celia, my personal shopper greeted me.

“Mr. Blackthorne, such a pleasure to see you again! Would you like a Pellegrino or champagne?” Celia was a beautiful statuesque blonde about forty five. She was quite attractive.

“Macallan if you have it.” I smiled and winked knowing they didn’t.

She smiled sighing.

“If it would make you happy, Mr. Blackthorne, I will run down the street to O’Reilly’s and pick some up.”

I waved my hand.

“Of course not, Celia. Pellegrino will be fine, thank you.”

She nodded and went to retrieve a bottle.

I began thumbing through the racks of silky lingerie.

Suddenly, I heard a woman softly sobbing.

I turned to look behind me and saw a gorgeous blonde vixen standing there with two black corsets with garters in her hand.

“Miss, what’s wrong?” Immediately, I was by her side. I pulled a linen monogrammed handkerchief from my suit pocket. A bit old fashioned I know, but my father always taught me that good manners never go out of style.

Startled, she glanced up at me her beautiful green eyes studied me cautiously.

“It’s nothing. I’m fine.” She waved her hand at me quickly dabbing her eyes.

I handed her my handkerchief.

She took it hesitantly noticing the monogram.

“A nice touch. Monogrammed? What does ALB stand for?”

“Ashton Lin Blackthorne,” I smiled at her. She was truly stunning. Her blonde hair was silky and long spilling down her back. Her lips were full, sensual, and wet with a touch of red gloss. Her body was phenomenal as evidenced in her tight blue sweater and slim black skirt. She was wearing very high heels showing off perfectly long slim legs.

She smiled briefly. Sadness colored her pretty eyes which were lined expertly with black liner.

“Nice to meet you, Ashton.”

“You can call me Ash. And you are?”

“Brooke.” I saw a spark of interest in her eyes, but then she turned her attention back to her corsets.

“Why were you crying, Brooke?”

She handed me back my handkerchief appearing disinterested.

“Keep it. I have a million of them.” I shrugged turning away. If that’s the way she wanted to play it….

As I walked away, I heard her heels clicking behind me.

That always worked.

“Ash, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ignore you. It’s just…I broke up with my boyfriend a few days. He was cheating on me with another girl. I thought that by coming here and picking something out it would make me feel better. It’s just…not…”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Men can be such assholes. How long were you two together?”

She laid her corset selections on the rack in front of us.

“About two years. I dated him throughout college. Turns out he’d been fucking my former sorority sister for six months!”

I shook my head with sympathy.

“It’s his loss. You’re gorgeous. I’m sure you’ll have guys lining up to take his place.”

She sighed and shrugged.

“That’s why I’m here. I actually have a blind date tonight and I want to look fabulous, but I’m not sure what to wear, you know, underneath my clothes.”

From where I was standing she looked phenomenal. Lucky guy.

But from my experience luck isn’t given it’s taken.

Casually, I picked up a few of the corsets she’d been looking at. One was a black satin one with a bra attached. Black garters hung from the corset. I could envision her bent over pulling silky sheer black stockings over her long legs one leg perched on a chair her tits hanging lushly….

She carefully studied my face as I ran my hand over the silky material.

“I know this is probably a stupid question, but you’re handsome and sexy. You know what men like. Could you maybe…no, it’s stupid…forget it.”

Brooke blushed furiously as she turned her face from me. I grinned inwardly. I knew exactly what she wanted.

And what I wanted.

“No, it’s fine. What is it you wanted to ask me?” I handed her the corset back.

Glancing down at the corset in her hands, she smiled.

“Would you mind giving me your opinion on this?”

I stiffened up a bit feeling my cock lurch at the thought.

“Certainly. Do you mean--?”

“Follow me into the dressing room. Watch me try it on.”

She shook out her blonde hair as she awaited my reply.

“Of course, I’d be happy to help.” I winked at her.

As we walked towards the dressing room together, she stopped.

“Wait a second, I don’t even know you! You must think I’m some sort of depraved slut. I just met you I can’t do this.”

I reached for arm.

“Brooke, we’re just talking about me giving you a male opinion of your lingerie selection not anything else, right?”

A tiny smile played on her lips and she nodded.

“Okay then. Follow me.” She curled her forefinger at me.

I loved this store for several reasons. For one, it had an amazing selection of sexy lingerie. Secondly, it had a spacious dressing room.

Walking into the dimly lit dressing room, I patiently sat down on the velvet backed chair. Brooke smiled nervously as she slipped her clothes off. As I watched her undress, I felt my cock pressing hard against my pants. She reached behind her back to unclasp her bra. It fell away from her breasts sliding down her arms. They were magnificent. I smiled broadly crossing my legs to disguise my erection.

Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of a white gold chain around her neck. There was something dangling from it between her breasts. As I peered closer, my heart caught in my throat.

It was an antique rose gold locket nearly identical to the one I’d given Veronica on our first anniversary.

The one I’d had inscribed with the word, ‘Mine’.

My mouth felt dry as I attempted to speak. Brooke continued undressing until she noticed my expression.

“What’s wrong, Ash?”

My focus remained on the necklace.

“Nothing. Where did you get that necklace?”

She looked down at the locket and held it between her fingers.

“My father gave it to me. It belonged to my mother.”

The room seemed to be closing in on me. Just the words my mother sent chills down my spine.

I loosened my tie in an attempt to breathe better. Suddenly, all I wanted to do was escape from that dressing room.

Brooke leaned over to caress my hair.

“Ash, are you okay? Is it me?”

I shook my head. She continued to run her hands down my chest over my shirt. When she reached my cock, I pushed her away.

Her face reddened and she looked hurt.

“I’m sorry. I thought that…”

Abruptly, I stood up. Now when I looked at her all I could think of was Veronica.

Brushing her cheek with a light kiss, I opened the door.

“Don’t be sorry, it’s not you. I just can’t. All I can think of my is ex-girlfriend. That necklace…it looks exactly like the one I gave her.” The words tumbled from my mouth before I could stop them.

She nodded clutching her clothes to her chest.

“I have to go. Good luck on your date tonight. He’s a lucky guy.” With that, I raced from the store.

As usual, Fifth Avenue was teeming with people. I hardly glanced at anyone as I made my way back to my car. Why was this happening now? I hadn’t seen or spoken to Veronica in nearly four years, but after seeing Brooke in that necklace all I could think of was her. Every blonde I saw looked like Veronica.

Jumping into my car, I pushed the ignition button. I had to get out of the city. Driving aimlessly for hours, I finally reached my destination, the beach house in Hyannis.

I got out of the car and walked down to the beach. It was a clear night with the stars glittering in the sky. Without a thought to my expensive suit, I knelt down in the sand. This was where Veronica and I shared our first kiss. Picking up the sand I let it fall through my fingertips like I let Veronica fall from my grasp.

Was it always going to be this way for me? Would I never be able to feel love? All because of the way my mother left me?

I pounded the sand with my fists. I screamed out over the roar of the ocean.

Fuck!

I couldn’t stand this terrible war raging within me. I wanted to see Veronica again. To feel her in my arms once more. Maybe then it would be different.

As I turned to go into the house, I glanced once more up at the sky. Maybe wherever Veronica was in the world tonight she too was looking up at the same sky. If wishes do come true, maybe we would find ourselves together again on this beach.

And this time I would never let her go.