Upstairs, seven beautiful women including Kayla and Kyrie were waiting for me in the hot tub. It was a unique design made especially for my club. The tub itself accommodated a dozen people and it was built into the floor. Silver buckets of champagne were set all around and a special bottle of Macallan 25 was waiting for me with one crystal glass and a Cohiba Behike cigar.
Surrounded by gorgeous women sipping champagne, I quickly shed my clothes. One of the new girls, a sexy redhead named Ginger eyed my muscular chest.
“Wow, Mr. Blackthorne, the girls all told me how handsome you were, but I must say I didn’t believe them. Until now, that is.” She blushed as she stared at me.
I winked at her and sank into the hot tub. The warm water enveloped me as I reached over to grab my Scotch.
“Here, let me Mr. Blackthorne.” Ginger filled my glass with the expensive scotch. Another girl with raven black curls lit my cigar for me.
“Thank you, ladies. Please get in and enjoy the water with me.”
Without further instruction, the ladies all shed their tiny tops and bottoms and slid into the water.
The room was beautifully decorated to resemble a Roman bath. The walls were done in light brick and the floors were white marble. Recessed lighting edged the brick walls and there were several tropical plants added to offset the coldness of the brick and marble. There were three small waterfalls pouring into the tub giving it a Hugh Hefner grotto feel. The hot tub could be turned off and the tub used as a small swimming/soaking pool as well. The VIP hot tub room was designed for only the most elite clients. Very few customers could afford the $10,000 price tag that allowed them sole access to the room for four hours including the ladies of their choice to join them.
Leaning back, I sipped my scotch as the ladies shared the latest Vegas gossip with me. I inquired how the new girls enjoyed working at the club.
“This job is a dream come true for me, Mr. Blackthorne,” said a petite brunette with bright green eyes and enormous breasts.
“I was waitressing for a year at the Palamino Hotel bar when Kyrie came in for a drink. She told me I should audition here. I told her I didn’t want to be just another Vegas stripper. I was here to work and save money so that I could go to film school.”
Intrigued by her story, I nodded. Most girls who come to Vegas want to be actresses not film directors.
“Kyrie assured me that your club wasn’t just some ‘strip joint’, but a real gentlemen’s entertainment club. She told me the money was phenomenal and the customers here included many celebrities and well connected people.”
“As you can see that’s all true.” I smiled at Kyrie. She winked back as she caressed the brunette’s tits.
“It absolutely is, Mr. Blackthorne. To be honest, I didn’t believe much of what Kyrie told me before I came here, but she was so insistent.” She giggled as Kyrie kissed her deeply.
My cock began to harden immediately watching the two gorgeous ladies kiss and caress each other. I’d enjoyed scenes like this many times and it never failed to arouse me.
“I was so nervous before my audition. Word on the strip is that to get hired here you have to have been in Penthouse, Playboy or Maxim.”
I shook my head.
“I’m flattered people are saying that. But it’s not true. If a girl is right for the job, then that’s all that’s required. This club was designed for a high-end clientele. My customers enjoy a wide variety of girls. All races and sizes. Looking around you can tell that many of the customers prefer a slender or athletic look. Many of the customers including myself adore women with small waists and firm full breasts. But just as many like a smaller chest or women with a firm, full ass. To each their own. I want the customers to feel that our ladies make their fantasies come true.”
She smiled as Kyrie continued to tug on her tiny pink nipples.
“Anyway, I’ve done a little modeling, bikini work mostly, but I’ve never been in any men’s magazines. Seeing all the beautiful women in here made me so nervous, but Kyrie and the other girls put me at ease. I did a quick dance to ‘Porn Star Dancing’ which Kyrie said was one of your favorites. They hired me on the spot. That was six months ago and I’ve made more money in that time then I made in two years at my last full-time job. I was up here a few months ago when Leo came to Vegas and he was the nicest guy! He gave me several names of people to call about film school and I’m happy to tell I was accepted for next fall at USC!” She clapped her hands excitedly.
“Congratulations! I guess that means you’ll be leaving us?”
“Well, Hal said I could come back and work on the weekends. I don’t have quite enough for the tuition yet.”
“After we’re finished here write your name down for me. I will see to it you have everything you need.”
“What? Are you serious?” Her mouth fell open.
I nodded.
“Of course. Ask any of the girls here—I’m here to help you all out in any way I can. I’m a man of extraordinary means and
I like to help people whenever I can. All I ask is that you remember me when you start making blockbuster movies.”
She smiled broadly as she swam over to me. She began kissing me passionately.
Placing my cigar down, I gestured to Kyrie and the others to join us.
I turned my attention to the gorgeous brunette whose name was Tammi. My hands found her large tits, squeezing them. I was surprised to find they were natural. They were so big and firm and she was so small everywhere else. Her lips were soft and tasted of strawberries and champagne. She began stroking my cock beneath the water feeling its’ full size.
“Oh my God, Mr. Blackthorne.”
I smiled to myself. Of course, I’d heard it before, but I sometimes suspected the girls played that up more than they needed to. Still it was nice to hear.
My lips teased her ear.
“Do you want to feel it inside your tight little pussy?”
She nodded as she kept stroking.
Her head disappeared underneath the water and she began sucking my cock!
I’d had a few girls do that before, but Tammi surprised me. She didn’t seem like the type to do something like that.
I leaned back feeling Tammi take my shaft into her mouth. She kept bobbing up every few minutes for air. I watched the other girls kissing and caressing each other. Kyrie had Ginger lying back on the edge of the hot tub her face buried in Ginger’s pussy.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated. Who the hell was calling me now? It was 1 AM on a Friday night.
Ash, I need to see you ASAP. Are you around?
Shit. It was Veronica! What the hell would make her text me at this hour? What could she possibly want?
Dozens of scenarios flashed through my mind. Maybe she was hurt. Maybe someone died. Maybe she wanted…
I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I decided to text back.
I’m in Vegas for the weekend. What’s up?
Then she came back with another text.
Sorry. I just need to see you, Ash. I miss you. I want to talk you.
Then she sent a picture of herself. All I could see was her face. Her amazing blue eyes were pleading with me.
I’m flying back Sunday night. I will see Monday evening for dinner.
Then she ended with a final text.
Can’t wait. Xoxo.
Looking around at the Caligulan orgy going on around me, I froze. It seemed so decadent, so excessive, it was almost ludicrous. I don’t know why, but what had seemed so appealing a few moments ago wasn’t anymore. All I wanted was Veronica. These women were absolutely sexy and beautiful, but I didn’t want them.
I pulled Tammi up from under the water.
“Are you going to fuck me now, Mr. Blackthorne?” She ran her hands over my muscular chest.
I shook my head.
“Ladies, it’s been amazing, but I have to get going. I’ve got an early flight tomorrow.”
The girls all stared at me. Kyrie and Kayla looked stun
ned.
“Why, Mr. B.? Did we do something wrong? Was it Tammi? She’s a newbie, give her a break.” Kyrie pleaded with me as I grabbed a fluffy towel and began drying off.
“No, Tammi was terrific. I just need to get going. Ladies, you are all lovely and thank you for allowing me to enjoy the pleasure of your company.”
Bewildered, the girls began to slip into luxurious bathrobes to dry off. They were all looking at each other not knowing what to do. My parties in the hot tub room were legendary and usually went on for many, many hours.
It was Veronica. I couldn’t be in the room with these women a minute longer. I grabbed my bottle of Macallan and my clothes. Before reaching the door, I pulled a huge wad of cash out for the ladies.
“A bonus for each of you. Tammi, be sure to have Hal contact me with your information. I will take care of your tuition for you. And you have a job with me as long as you like.”
Tammi smiled and nodded. The women simply gazed at me with wonder.
Kyrie took the cash and quickly counted it.
“Mr. B, there’s almost $40,000.00 here!”
“I know. Five thousand for each of you.”
The girls gasped their eyes wide.
“Until next time.” I kissed both Kyrie and Kayla quickly as I left the room.
I took the limo back to the penthouse suite at the Mandarin. I couldn’t stop thinking about Veronica. Even though we hadn’t made any type of commitment, I just couldn’t stand to be with anyone else. I had never felt this way before about any woman. All I wanted was her. Maybe this was what love felt like. This overwhelming aching for another person. This gnawing pain in my gut like I was going to be sick. Was this love?
Whatever it was I had never felt it before. I couldn’t stop thinking of her. The way she felt in my arms, the way her eyes sparkled up at me as we were making love….
She was exquisite and she was everything I’d ever wanted.
I stood in front of the large window staring out at the view of the Vegas skyline. The twinkling lights made me think of her eyes.
I pressed my forehead against the glass and I sipped my Macallan directly from the bottle. I was in one of my favorite cities in the world, here to be celebrate the most lucrative deal I’d ever made in my career and I couldn’t wait to return to New York.
My God.
I love you, Veronica.
10
D
eciding
to skip my morning jog, I arrived at the office earlier than usual Monday morning. I needed to talk to Amber before I spoke to Veronica.
Amber was already at her desk typing away as I walked in.
“Well, Ash, don’t you look nice this morning.” She grinned slyly.
I glanced down. I was wearing the usual style suit and tie I always did.
“I’m wearing a suit same as always, Amber.”
She chuckled.
“That’s not what I meant. You’re glowing. Either you had a great weekend or you got a facial. Somehow I don’t think it’s the latter.”
“A facial? Are you kidding me? That’s Jeremy who goes in for all that girly crap not me.”
Amber smiled. She handed me my coffee.
“It’s not so girly. Christian Bale did it in American Psycho .”
“That was a movie. No, I think I’ll obtain my glow the natural way, thank you.”
Laughing, she followed me into my office.
“So, how did you spend your celebratory weekend? You took off in a flash Friday. You must’ve had a hot date. Veronica?”
I sat my coffee down on the desk as I gestured for Amber to take a seat across from me.
“No. I went to Vegas to check out my club.”
Amber smoothed her pencil skirt over her shapely legs.
“So how’s it going out there?”
“Very well.”
Amber had accompanied me to my club once when I first bought it. I thought she may not be comfortable in a place like that, but she surprised me by getting a lap dance from Kyrie. That was one of the hottest things I’d ever seen.
“So that’s why you’re glowing! Kyrie!”
I shook my head.
“Actually, no.”
“You didn’t see her? Come on, Ash, you went to your club in Vegas for the weekend. That had to have been fun.”
“It was fine, Amber. But that’s not it.”
Amber looked at me puzzled. She sipped her coffee then set it down on the desk.
“Then what?”
I sighed deeply. That gnawing feeling had returned to my stomach.
“Veronica. She texted while I was there. Ever since then, I can’t stop thinking about her.”
Amber clapped her hands together and beamed.
“That’s it! Oh my God, Ash, you’re in love with her!”
I looked at her with a pained expression. So it was love. Ugh, was I going to feel this sick forever?
“I don’t know what it is, Amber, but I feel sick deep in the pit of my stomach. I can’t stop thinking about her. After she texted, I couldn’t even finish partying in the hot tub room. That’s not like me at all.”
Amber nodded still beaming.
“Face it, you love her.”
I sighed again.
“How do I tell her? What does this mean? I’m not getting married anytime soon that’s for sure.”
“Who said anything about marriage, Ash? This is wonderful! Just be in a relationship with her and see where it goes.”
“Do I tell her?”
Amber rolled her eyes.
“Of course. If she still loves you, she’ll be thrilled.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
“Then….” Amber trailed off.
I nodded.
“I’ll go to dinner tonight and talk to her.” I finished my coffee feeling a bit better. Amber always knew how to smooth things over with me.
Amber smacked her hands on her thighs.
“Okay. Now, what’s our next big project?”
I templed my fingers beneath my chin.
“I’m not sure, Amber. I think I might have an idea.”
“What is that?”
“I’m not sure Jeremy will go for it though.”
“Care to share?”
“Not just yet.” I winked at her.
Amber gaze me a quizzical look.
“What happens if he doesn’t?”
“Then we might have to start Blackthorne International after all.”
Amber’s face broke into a huge grin.
“I’m so ready for that.”
I nodded my head. Excitement was coursing through my veins. Popping open my crystal decanter, I poured myself a glass of scotch.
Amber grinned eyeing my glass.
“Scotch this early in the morning, Ash?”
“It’s gonna be that kind of day, Amber.”
Racing down the hall to Jeremy’s office, I had never felt better. I had a fantastic new project and I was going to have dinner with Veronica tonight. This was turning out to be a fabulous day.
That is until I told Jeremy about my proposal.
“Books, Ash? Are you serious?” He glared at me.
“Who the fuck reads books anymore? Don’t people just use apps to get their news?”
“Who said anything about the news, Jeremy? I’m talking about books—you know, books that people read for pleasure?”
Jeremy wrinkled his nose. As far as I knew, Jeremy hadn’t read anything since college other than the news and the Journal.
“Lots of people read, Jeremy. Book publishing is a multi-billion dollar a year industry!”
“What kind of books?” He sighed glancing at the documents I’d printed.
“Well, romance and thrillers are the hottest selling genres these days particularly those with an erotic element.”
“Like Fifty Shades? Ugh, that movie was awful. I mean the sex scenes! Give me something I can use!” Jeremy looked at me with disgust.
“Not F
ifty Shades. I’m talking about indie authors. Undiscovered talent.”
Rolling his eyes, he stared at me. I glared back at him. I hadn’t anticipated such a struggle.
“By undiscovered you mean unpublished as in ‘couldn’t get published’?”
Rage began building inside me. How dare he question me?
“No, I don’t, Jeremy. There are many undiscovered self pubbed authors who are amazing. Just because you’re too fucking ignorant to read doesn’t mean that others don’t enjoy it. This is a multi-billion dollar industry!”
Jeremy sighed and leaned back in his chair.
“How so?”
“Ever hear the name Jay Banks? The owner of the biggest online retailer in the world? He makes a fortune off indie authors.”
Jeremy’s eyes widened.
“Really? Jay Banks? He owns Congo. They sell more than just books. They sell everything!”
“I know that. But take a look at these figures. Over two thirds of their revenue comes from books. I’m telling you the numbers don’t lie.”
Jeremy scanned the documents carefully.
“You want to buy Congo? Are you kidding? That would cost billions.”
I smirked at him. After all these years, Jeremy still underestimated me.
“Really, Jeremy, I think I know that. I want to start by buying S & G first.”
Jeremy’s mouth dropped open.
“S & G Publishing? They’re the biggest publisher in the world! How the hell do you expect to do that?”
“I just made this firm over $800 million dollars. I think you can back me on this one.”
Broken Page 11
