Envy

by Summer Wynter

  Envy

  An Older Man, Younger Woman CEO Romance

  By

  Summer Wynter

  Copyright © 2017 by Summer Wynter

  Cover by: Amourisa Designs

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  I’m just your normal, everyday woman who can’t get enough out of life. When it comes to writing, I enjoy stories about couples who just can’t say no, even when life says that they should.

  Come get passionate with me and see where my dirty little mind can take you.

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/summerwynter2017/

  Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/cpQOpn

  Rebecca

  Every time he walks into the building, I imagine myself under his touch.

  I’ve thought of him a thousand times. The way he could bend me, shape me into whatever he wanted me to be. He’s brought me to countless pleasures without ever laying a hand on me.

  For now.

  Connor

  Why does she have to be my best friend’s daughter? So delicious and so out of reach.

  Her skin is like porcelain and I know she’s fresh as snow. All I can think of is how her body would contort underneath the restraints. How she’d move. How she’d moan. It’s all I can do from taking her right there in the coffee shop, but I withhold.

  For now.

  Chapter 1

  Connor Hughes had everything; a partnership at a Fortune 500 company, an expensive house, BMW, a love life that was constantly seeing new players, but all it took was one look to make him risk it all.

  It started like every Monday morning had for the last ten years. Connor walked from the parking garage across the street from the Brayton building. He checked out his reflection in the glass door for a moment to make sure his dark hair was still combed back straight then proceeded into the lobby. Immediately he was hit with a wave of heat from the vents above followed by the enticing scent of coffee. He had forgotten to set his coffee maker to make a pot for him and was now craving the caffeine rush in a serious way.

  Instead of heading for the elevators like he almost always did, he turned and walked to the corner of the lobby that housed a small coffee shop appropriately called Perk Up. He walked into the small space and patiently waited in line behind two secretaries he recognized from the upper floors. They both had pieces of paper in their hands getting coffee for others.

  “We don’t often see you in here,” said Marion, the secretary currently standing closest to him.

  He smiled pleasantly. “I lost my head last night and forgot to set my coffee maker,” he replied. “I’m dying for a cup.”

  “Well, on behalf of your secretary, I thank you for your willingness to get your own coffee.” She said smiling, a soft laugh escaping.

  “Are they already running you ragged up there?”

  Marion rolled her eyes. “The sales team is all up in arms over the deals that are being made today. Personally, I’m a little afraid to give them more caffeine their little heads might explode!”

  Connor chuckled and nodded his head. “Knowing how tightly wound most of them are on a normal day, I have to agree.”

  “Next please!” said the girl behind the counter.

  Marion stepped forward and began to rattle off the list of coffees that she had to get. Connor looked down at his watch. He had fifteen minutes before his partner, Mathis Brayton, would start nervously calling him and asking when he would be in the office. They had a big meeting today to discuss a business that they were adding to their collection. The meeting wasn’t for another half-hour, but he knew Mathis would be worried. He glanced over at the case of pastries to see if there was something he could use to soothe his friend.

  “Next please!” said the girl.

  He was still looking at the pastry case as he stepped forward. He opened his mouth to speak, turned his head to look at the girl, and suddenly lost his voice. While he wasn’t in the coffee shop often, he was here often enough to know this was a new girl. Two sapphire blue eyes stared at him and a pair of ruby red lips smiled a smile that was trying to be patient. It was her eyes that stopped him. He could swear that he had seen them somewhere before. She raised her eyebrows.

  “Yes?” she said.

  He blinked and snapped out his stupor with a shake of his head. “I’m sorry, I seem to have left my head at home. I’d like a black coffee and one of those apple danishes. Have to make sure the big man upstairs is happy.”

  The girl smirked and replied, “If you want to make sure the big man is happy, you should get him a cranberry orange muffin. That’s his favorite.”

  “Really?” he replied. He thought back to the many times they had sat across desks sharing breakfast and realized that Mathis was often munching on a muffin. “Well, I’ll get a cranberry orange muffin as well as an apple danish then.”

  She looked down as she punched in his order. “Anything else?”

  “No, that will be all today.”

  “$4.76 please.”

  He counted out the correct change and waited patiently while she first put the money in the drawer and then extracted the pastries for him from the pastry case. The older woman who was working put down his black coffee and the girl set down the brown paper sack with the pastries next to it.

  “There you go, Sir,” she said with a smile and a nod that caused the messy bun of blond hair on the back of her head to come loose slightly.

  “Thank you… I’m sorry what’s your name?”

  “Rebecca.”

  “Thank you, Rebecca. I hope you have a good day.”

  “You too, Sir.” She replied, smiling with a toss of her luxurious locks. Connor stepped aside to let the next secretary with a list get their turn at the counter and headed out of the small shop. Before stepping through the door he glanced back for a second. She was punching in another order and looked up for a moment. Their eyes met and she smirked. He smirked back and then turned to walk out the door.

  And just that simple, Connor Hughes was smitten.

  ***

  “Take your pick,” said Connor putting the muffin and the danish on separate napkins on Mathis’s desk. “I got an apple danish and a cranberry orange muffin.”

  “Ooooh, my favorite!” Mathis said plucking the muffin from the napkin.

  Connor was surprised. “You must go to that little coffee shop a good bit,” said Connor.

  “Hardly. Why would you say that?”

  “The new coffee girl knew which pastry was your favorite.”

  Mathis put down his muffin. “This coffee girl, blond hair in one of those messy bun things? Blue eyes? Pretty smile?”

  “Yeah, that’s the one. Rebecca.”

  “As in my daughter Rebecca.”

  Connor blinked. “Your… wait…”

  “My daughter, Rebecca.”

  “No, your daughter is… twelve?”

  Mathis burst out into a fit of chuckles. “If only! No, Connor she went and got older on me. She is now a bright and bubbly twenty-one. She finished her associate’s degree and is taking a year off while she decides when and where to get her bachelor’s. Has some fool notion about starting her own business.”

  “Doing what?”

  “I don’t know. I’m certain it’s something absolutely silly.”

  Connor felt an
slight stab of anger and irritation at his friend. Even if it was a silly idea, she had an idea. That alone was commendable.

  “She wanted to work in the meantime and I knew they were looking for people in the coffee shop. She applied and started today.” Mathis picked his muffin back up and twisted the top off. “Caught your eye, did she?”

  Connor cleared his throat. “She is very beautiful.”

  “Looks just like her mother,” said Mathis whistfully looking at his muffin.

  Connor nodded. “She does look like Valerie.” A flicker of realization hit him. That was why she had stopped him in his tracks. He had been friends with Mathis and Valerie since college. Valerie was a beauty that many chased after. Even Connor had once had feelings towards her. But Mathis was the only one she ever had eyes for.

  “Right, have you looked over the papers?” said Mathis.

  Connor pulled the papers from his briefcase and they began to conduct business as usual.

  Chapter 2

  Rebecca sighed as she looked out at the empty coffee shop. It was nearing the end of the day and she was tired.

  “What are your plans this evening?” said Carol. She was the manager there at the coffee shop, but always thought of her employees as friends. When she had first interviewed Rebecca, she had her doubts. But despite being the daughter of the CEO and being so young, Rebecca was a very down to earth girl and was a delight to work with. Her first day was going very well.

  “Haven’t really decided,” she replied, shuffling the coffee cups on the counter.

  “I’ve been invited to a couple parties. Usual thing. But I don’t think I’m going.”

  “When I was your age, I think I was out every night going to one party or another.”

  “I like them. Just not in the mood I guess. All the boys there just get drunk and act loud and stupid. Guess I’m looking for something that’s a little more… I don’t know, refined.”

  “Good afternoon,” said a rich voice. Rebecca looked up and recognized her father’s partner, Connor Hughes, standing in front of her for the second time that day.

  “Good afternoon, what can I help you with?”

  “An apology,” he replied.

  Rebecca’s eyebrows furrowed.

  “Mine,” he said putting a hand to his chest. “I do apologize for not recognizing you earlier Rebecca. It has been a very long time since I’ve seen you.”

  “Not your fault,” said Rebecca with a dismissive wave. “Ever since mother died, dad has been sending me off to one boarding school or another. I think the last time you could have seen me, before now, was her funeral.”

  “I believe you are correct. But I hear you have obtained your associate’s degree now.”

  She nodded. “In business.”

  “He also said that you have an idea about opening your own business.”

  “Yes… but he’s right, it’s silly. Probably would never work.”

  “Will you tell me what it is?”

  “No it’s too embarrassing. I’m sure he’s right and that it’s just a silly idea that will never work.”

  “Try me.”

  She pressed her lips together and shook her head. Before he could ask again two customers came through the door. “Is there anything else I can help you with today?” she said giving him a hint to either order or make a discreet exit.

  He got the message. “Not today, but I will let you know.”

  “Have a good day, Sir,” she said with a nod and a smile.

  “Connor,” he said.

  She blinked. “I’m sorry?”

  “Just call me Connor.”

  She smiled again. “Have a good day, Connor.”

  He nodded then walked out the door, clearing the way for the customers who had just walked in. She did glance up as he reached the door. Their eyes met again. He nodded to her and she nodded back before he walked out the door. There was something about him that told her he wasn’t like everyone else that hung out around her.

  ***

  That night, Connor was sitting alone in his house. It was raining, the soft patter of the raindrops hitting against the window made for a calming feel to the evening. He was sitting by the fireplace sipping on a glass of brandy, something he hadn’t done in ages. He stared into the fire and thought of Rebecca.

  Her fresh young face kept drifting into his mind. She did look so much like her mother she could have almost been her twin. The only difference was the nose. Her nose was more like her father’s. But otherwise, a perfect match down to the cute dimple on her left cheek and the slight indentation on her chin.

  ‘Stop it, old man,’ he thought to himself. ‘You are old enough to be her father. Can’t go seducing your business partner’s daughter.’

  But the more he thought about her, the more he did want her. He tried to shake

  his head and put it out of his mind. But her face kept coming back to him. The way she moved, the way she smiled. The soft innocence in her eyes.

  His phone buzzed. He looked at the name and smiled before answering.

  “Hello Betsy, how are you this fine evening?” he said in a smooth tone.

  “A little lonely,” replied his friend of three years. “Wondering if you are lonely too.”

  “I seem to be. After all there is no one here but me.”

  “Would you mind if I came over?”

  “I wouldn’t mind at all. In fact, you may just be the person I need tonight.”

  “Oh?”

  “Nothing really important. Just want to get someone else off my mind.”

  “Ah, well, that I can do for you.”

  He smirked. “I have no doubt.”

  Sometimes it really was nice having friends with benefits.

  ****

  Rebecca woke up Friday morning in her tiny apartment. She sighed and rubbed her eyes. She was still a little hungover.

  The night before she had ended up going to a party with a couple old school friends, Tiffany and Jackie. Both of them had gone to the two year college with her, but now they were at a four year and working on their degrees in nursing. She’d miss them while they weren’t around as much, and the gathering sounded like the perfect way to catch up.

  “It’s going to be so much fun!” Jackie had exclaimed. “And there’s one boy in particular you need to meet.”

  “Oh?” said Rebecca, only half interested.

  “His name is Jeff and he’s a football star at the school. I really think you’ll like him.”

  “Jeff?” said Tiffany from behind them. “You really sure Jeff is Becky’s type?”

  Jackie rolled her eyes. “Just give him a chance!”

  Rebecca did give him a chance. But he kept trying to pour drinks down her throat and lead her into the backroom. He was cute and he was relentless, but once he started pulling on her arm and calling her a frigid bitch, Tiffany swooped in to take her outside for some fresh air.

  “You have to be careful with boys like that,” said Tiffany, lighting a cigarette.

  “But… he seemed so nice at first,” said Rebecca, looking back at the house.

  “Nice doesn’t mean much,” said Tiffany. “Just means they can fly under the radar a little bit longer until they show their true colors. And by then it’s too late. Didn’t you have boys at all those fancy boarding schools you went to?”

  “Mostly they were all girl schools. There was one that partnered with a boys school across the lake. But we only saw each other once a month.”

  “Goodness you have led a sheltered life.”

  ***

  Rebecca got out of bed and looked at herself in the mirror. She needed to get ready for work not keep rehashing the get together. In attempt to soothe the hangover and get clean faster than laying in a bath, she turned on the shower.

  “Hasn’t been that sheltered,” she had said to Tiffany.

  “You have been from men,” said Tiffany. Rebecca couldn’t argue with that point. “Just be careful. I’m not always going to be around to
help you out.”

  They both heard a girl shouting excitedly from inside and turned to see Jackie holding up a red cup while some random jock kissed her and lead her willingly into the backroom.

  “Should we…?” said Rebecca, now concerned for her friends safety.

  “No, she’s been crushing on him for weeks. And she knows exactly what men are like. She likes to use it to her advantage.” Tiffany stubbed out her cigarette and turned to Rebecca. “I’m going to call an Uber. Wanna split it?”

  “Sure,” said Rebecca with a nod.

  ***

  Rebecca was feeling better after the shower, there was something so therapeutic on the hot water hitting flesh. She put on her makeup, pulled her hair into a ponytail, and put on her work uniform which consisted of a dark red polo shirt and blue jeans. She put on sneakers since she would be on her feet all day. It’s not sexy, but at least it’s comfortable, she thought.

  The foyer was quiet when she got there. She opened the coffee shop with her own key and started making the coffee for all the business people who would be pouring in soon. She was hoping to learn the cycle of people who came through in the morning, so to better her time there.

  The first wave was the early risers and neurotics. Sometimes the coffee was barely done brewing by the time they pushed their way through the door and started demanding coffees. She and Carol worked quickly to get them their drinks, pastries, and then out the door again with barely any words spoken other than their order. It irritated her to have the coldness, but this was just the first wave.

  The second wave was all the secretaries who had been sent down to fetch coffees for their bosses and all the others in their particular department. On the whole, this wave was nicer. The secretaries often had lists and on the whole were patient. They spoke to her as a person, it was during this wave of customers that she always smiled.

  Last wave was the late risers and those who were hungover. She wished she could have come into work when they had. Many of them were still bleary eyed and a few would take some prompting to get an order out of them. She wondered just why it was that they had such great jobs and yet felt the need to get blitzed every night. But she didn’t ask such questions. She just filled their orders and got on with her day.