Prologue

(Five years ago)

"Please sir.." Anne begged, her bare trembling legs sprawled across the floor, quite unsure what to say.

"Get out of my house you slut!" The old CEO thundered, completely red in anger.

Anne shakily hugged the flimsy material of her nightdress around her body in a hopeless attempt to cover up her nakedness. She felt fear, despair and shame. How could she defend herself when she was almost completely naked in his kitchen? How could she explain she'd still been a virgin an hour before?

"I'm sorry…" she babbled, her eyes fixed on the floor, not wishing to look any of her oppressors in the face. "I'm not a slut. I'm…Your son and I love each other."

She lost her balance and her covering when the slap came, so unexpected, it tingled her cheek. Her lips quivered along with the rest of her body as the tears began to fall. She watched them all; her best friends who'd shared their dirty fantasies with her, the old CEO who'd hated her from the start and the few maids whose conspicuous presence belied their poor hiding spots. They looked at her with expressions ranging from disgust to pity.

"Never mutter those words ever again, you cheap thing!" He continued. Her humiliation was doubled when three armed men filed into the room. He smirked when he saw them."These kind men are going to show you out. I don't know how you cleverly snuck your way into my house, but they're going to toss you right back into the streets where you belong."

At the far end of the room, Asher gazed at her, wanting it all to end, hating himself for being unable to do anything. He walked up close but stopped right beside his father, his resolve breaking. She looked up at him, her blurry vision preventing her from seeing the tenderness behind his blue eyes. Her voice was quiet, accusing. "Will you let him do this to me, Asher. "

She saw his hand twitch but stop when he looked at his father, then the first wave of fear washed over him, and he stiffened. He cleared his throat and stretched to his full height, the same look of contempt now plastered on his face.

"My father is right." He stated without meeting her eyes. "I may have been dumb to fall for your tricks, but that will never happen again. One more thing. I am the heir to Ingram Corporations. Don't address me by my first name ever again."

One hour ago

Anne creamed the cake batter over and over again, unable to keep Asher out of her mind, completely messing up the recipe her grandmother had taught her.. She imagined him sitting before her, biting into one of her blueberry muffins and telling her it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever tasted.

She sighed as she put the first batch into the largest oven she'd ever seen, sadly reminding herself she didn't have a chance with him. She heard arguing and froze. It was Asher and his father.

She heard his footsteps before she saw him and her heart rate increased.

She showed him the muffins she'd made when he asked what she was doing in the kitchen.

"Could I try one?" He asked, throwing her off guard.

He stood before her as he took the first bite and chewed softly, his eyes never leaving hers for a second.

"This is the most beautiful thing I've ever tasted." He said, meaning it and she flushed, overwhelmed by his presence and the fact he'd just reenacted her imagination.

She noticed how close they were, so close she could smell his aftershave and expensive perfume.

Asher's arm reached out to touch hers and she gulped but leaned in closer, her lips slightly parted. His head dipped lower, slow but steady until their lips danced with each other, setting butterflies in her stomach. The kiss became rougher, erotic as she was just as eager as he was.

Her nightdress came off easily and she stood unashamed before him in the kitchen, while his hands explored her body like no one ever had before.

He held her face to his, silently asking permission and she nodded. The pain was excruciating but short and soon enough it was all over.

He smiled at her as he gave her a curt kiss on the forehead, before quickly putting his clothes back on, leaving her on the floor. His smile suddenly downturned when he gazed at the door, frozen, scaring her. Her eyes followed his and her heart stopped altogether as she came face to face with the old CEO, realizing her nightmares were just beginning.