by Hope Ford
Man up
An Older Man, Younger BBW Steamy Sweet Romance Bundle
Hope Ford
Man Up Copyright © 2018 by Hope Ford. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Hope Ford
Visit my website at www.AuthorHopeFord.com
Printed in the United States of America
Come Back To Me
Ben
Three years ago, Hanna started working for me. I kept my distance from her, because she is way too young for me. She is alone in this world and all I wanted to do was try and look out for her.
I try to get her out of my head by having a “One Night” rule with other women. It doesn’t work, I still want Hanna, but I know she deserves someone her own age.
Then she shows up one day talking about her date she is going on that night. The thought unleashes the beast inside me and I know I have to step in and make her mine.
I know I am too old for her, but I am going to make her mine. Even when an old “one night” flame tries to break us up. She’s STILL mine. And I’m not giving her up.
A short story romance with an alpha older male, a younger bbw, and HEA.
This is a standalone novella.
Hope Ford writes short, steamy, sweet romances. There is almost always an alpha male (because who doesn’t love an alpha male) and a woman he makes his queen.
Chapter 1
Hanna
“Not again,” I mutter to myself. I hesitantly walk into the house that I clean three times a week. I hear a woman yelling obscenities as I walk into the door. I hate to say it, but this is not the first time this has happened. I let out the breath I have been holding since I walk in. Ben must be great in bed. He has to be. He has the ability to turn women into psycho, babbling, possessive, crazies after one night together. This is the third woman this month that has left screaming.
Noticing me as I walk in, Ben looks a little embarrassed. “Hey Hanna.”
I lift my hand in a half wave, half shrug.
“I told you last night this was a one-time thing.” Ben says as he holds the door open trying to usher the woman out. I feel awkward standing there, but there is not anywhere to go without going directly by the screaming hyena.
“Are you kidding me? After the night we had.”
“I’m sorry. One night. That was our agreement.”
“Aahhhh!” She screams, throwing her hands in the air in frustration. “What are you doing, trading me in for fatty here,” she asks, gesturing to me.
Ben instantly steps in front of me. “It’s time for you to leave -- now.”
She huffs one more time, slings her designer purse over her shoulder and walks out.
Once the door closes, the quiet is deafening. Ben turns around to me, “I’m sorry, Hanna. I ---.”
I silence him by holding up my hand. “It’s fine, Ben.”
I walk away, going to the laundry room thinking I will start my cleaning there. Nothing like a little laundry therapy.
Once alone, I can’t help but reflect on my life and how I got myself here. I am an only child. My parents divorced when I was 17 years old, my senior year of high school. My Mom moved to Seattle, and my Dad moved to New York. I didn’t want to be the pawn they fought over, so I stayed here, in East Tennessee. I finished school, but I knew college was not going to be my thing. I was cleaning houses the last few years of high school to make ends meet. I started my house cleaning business shortly after my parents’ divorce. I am twenty years old now and have created a profitable business of residential and commercial cleaning, even hiring on assistants.
I started cleaning for Ben while I was still in high school. He owns a chain of exercise gyms and is friends with one of my old high school teachers. He helped get me the job. I’ve been cleaning for Ben almost three years now. He is a great guy. He is a fair boss, and he is not really that dirty. Sometimes I wonder if he even needs someone to clean his house three times a week.
Ben is the most handsome man I have ever seen. He is cocky and self-assured, but I can’t help but think he has every right to be. He is thirty-five years old. He has light brown hair and brown eyes. He is tall and built. Obviously, he works out at the gyms he owns. He is massive really, even compared to my size fourteen self. And the few times I have seen him without his shirt on, he is covered in tattoos.
I remember the first time I saw him without his shirt, he was doing some heavy lifting in his weight room. I happened to walk by the room and I couldn’t help but stop in the doorway and stare. He was magnificent. Sweat pouring off him, he was holding a huge barbell over his head. Beads of sweat were dripping down his back. I couldn’t help but lick my lips wanting to trace the path down his back. He suddenly drops the barbell down to his thighs and I shake my head to get out of the trance I was in. Ben catches my eyes in the mirror, obviously he had caught me staring at him. I turned my face in embarrassment and made myself walk on by. He never said anything to me about it that day, and luckily, he never acted like anything had happened.
Ben
Fuck. That was a train wreck. I never should have invited Sheila, or was it Sherry, over last night. I have been fighting with myself over Hanna for almost three years now. How do you want someone so bad, but hold back? It’s fucking getting to me. I have these one-night stands, because let’s face it, I know I can’t have Hanna. Or at least shouldn’t have Hanna. A part of me wants to go to Hanna and just tell her. I have wanted her since the first day she came to apply for the job. My friend told me about her and her parents divorce. I was just wanting to help out. She was barely eighteen. Way to young for me, and way too young for what I wanted to do to her.
She is twenty years old now. But still way too young for me. I’m thirty-five and a dick. I know I am. I take what I want from a woman and that’s it. Don’t get me wrong. I make sure they get off and enjoy their time with me. However, they always want more. And I am not willing to give more. One night is all I give. I know I am bad for Hanna and after the life she has had, I can’t do that to her. Honestly, she deserves more. And well we have become friends, sort of. I definitely don’t want to fuck that up.
I go to the laundry room and Hanna is lost in thought. She’s holding a towel in her hand with her back to me, leaning against the dryer. Since she hasn’t noticed me, I take the time to enjoy the view. Hanna is the most beautiful woman. She has long brown hair that she almost always has in a pony tail. The largest, green eyes I have ever seen. And her body. Her large, round breasts are almost always encased in a tank top with just a hint of cleavage. Today she has on shorts that shape her rounded ass to perfection. It takes all I have not to touch her. I can’t believe that Sherry called Hanna a fatty. She must be kidding. Hanna has curves for days, something a man like me dreams of holding on to.
I walk into the laundry room and tap Hanna on the shoulder. She whips around and her pony tail brushes along my arm. Even that small contact has my blood burning for her. She smells of sunshine and something else, something pure Hanna.
“Hey, I’m sorry about all that, Hanna.”
“It’s fine, Ben, I promise. No big dea
l.”
“It is though. No one should talk about you that way. She’s just jealous.”
She looks at me like I have two heads, but then assures me, “it’s fine, we don’t have to talk about it.”
“I think I am going to take a break from women for a while. It’s been a little crazy around here lately.”
She smirks at me unbelievingly, “yea, ok. Probably not a bad idea, Ben.”
I take my hand to brush a few strands of hair away from her face. She looks up to me and licks her lips. I look at her lips and know if I don’t get out of here soon, I’m going to take her. She is too irresistible to me.
“I’m going to work, Hanna. I will see you later,” I say as I turn to walk out the door.
I take one last look at her over my shoulder and she is standing there holding her hand to her cheek where I touched it. She abruptly puts her hand down and says, “see ya, Ben.”
Chapter 2
Hanna
Two days have gone by and I swear I can still feel Ben’s hand on my cheek. I am almost finished cleaning his house, just a little dusting left. I hear the front door open and I am a little surprised because Ben was already gone when I got here this morning and usually he is gone all day.
“Hanna,” he calls from the entrance.
“In here, Ben.” I call from the exercise room.
He stops at the door, with his hands on the ceiling of the doorway. His sleeveless shirt is stretched taut across his chest and the tattoos on his arms are even more impressive on his flexed arms.
“Hey.” I cough, trying to cover up that I am breathing like I have been running a marathon. I feel my body and face get hot. If he wasn’t blocking the door, I know I would probably run out of here.
“What are you doing tonight?” He asks me.
I feel my face get even hotter, “uh, I have a date tonight.”
I see his face tense. “A date. I didn’t know you were dating anyone.”
“Well, this is our first date actually. A blind date. One of my assistants set it up.”
“What’s his name? What do you know about this guy?”
“Kevin. I don’t know much really. She said he is nice, though.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Hanna.”
Laughing, I look at him confused. “What’s wrong with it. It’s not like I am going to go to his place or anything. I am meeting him at the restaurant.” I see the vein in Ben’s neck bulge at the mention of “his place.” What is going on. Ben has never reacted this way. Not that I go on a lot of dates. But he is acting like this is a big deal.
“Where are you going?”
I decide to ignore his question and ask one of my own. “Why did you want to know what I was doing tonight?”
“Oh uh, I was going to see if you wanted to hang out. No big deal. What are you doing tomorrow night?”
I can’t help but be surprised. Ben has never asked me to hang out. “I have nothing going on tomorrow night. What did you have in mind?”
“Why don’t you come over around six o’clock tomorrow. We can eat and hang out. Maybe watch a movie.”
“Sure. Ok. Sounds good. I’m going to finish up and get out of here.” I start walking to the door, but he remains standing there taking up the whole doorway.
He slowly lowers arms. “About tonight Hanna. I ---.”
“It’s fine, Ben. Again, not a big deal. I know you have looked out for me a long time, but I can take care of myself.”
He takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out. “Text me when you get home tonight. Just so I don’t worry.”
“Ben, really that’s ridiculous. I don’t need a big brother or whatever looking out for me. I got this.”
Instantly, Ben strides towards me. He puts a hand on each side of my face and raises my head to look him in the eye. “I don’t want to be your big brother, Hanna. Please, just text me when you get home. Or if you need me any time before that.”
I look at him searchingly. I am trying to define this look he is giving me. “Sure. Ok, Ben.”
We stand there looking at each other and I look at his lips. I have always wondered what it would be like to kiss Ben. He slowly lowers his face to mine and our breath’s mingle. The closer he gets, the choppier my breathing becomes. “Promise?”
“Promise.” His lips caress mine in the barest of kisses. I stand there stunned and when I come to my senses, Ben is walking out of the room.
What the hell was that?
Ben
Fuck. This. I have wasted so much time. The thought of losing her to some scumbag is making me crazy. I don’t care that she is fifteen years younger. She is mine. No more fucking around. She’s mine.
Eight o’clock. I am thinking I should check on Hanna. Who am I kidding. I wanted to text her for the last two hours. I’ve held off but, now I think better safe than sorry.
How is the date going? I stare at my phone willing it to ping that I have a return message. Eleven minutes go by.
Ok. We just finished dinner. He’s not crazy. Nothing to worry about.
Shit. I didn’t want him to be crazy, but I didn’t want him to be normal either. I thought about texting her to see where they were going now but decide against it. What am I some kind of pansy. I put my hands on my head and tell myself, “get it together, Ben.”
I put the phone down on the coffee table and go to my workout room. Nothing works getting my head on straight like lifting some weights.
Ten o’clock. My whole body is sore. I pushed myself hard tonight. I was able to get my mind off of Hanna and her date, but now I am wondering how it’s going.
Ping. I wrap the towel around my neck and pick the phone up from the table.
I’m home.
How did it go?
Fine.
Fine. That’s it. Are you seeing him again?
Maybe. I haven’t decided. He was nice.
Did he try anything with you?
Really, Ben? A kiss goodnight. Geez. You worry more than my Dad.
Fuck, the slimy weasel kissed her. Fuck. I squeeze my phone and try to get myself together.
You still coming over tomorrow night?
Sure. I will see you at 6. Goodnight, Ben.
Game over. I know she is too young for me, but I can’t stand by anymore. She’s mine now. She just doesn’t know it yet.
Sweet dreams, Hanna.
Chapter 3
Hanna
Sweet dreams. If only Ben knew. All I dream about is him.
Ping. Hanna awakes to the sound of her phone going off.
Change of plans. I forgot I had a dinner tonight with friends. Dress casual. I will pick you up at 6.
Disappointed, I text him back. No problem, Ben. I can come over another night.
No, I want you to go with me. You really going to leave me without a date tonight?
Date?!? What. Is this a date? I know he’s been acting weird, but I thought he just needed someone to hang out with since he was going without women for a while. Maybe he didn’t mean a date, date.
I’ll be ready.
The doorbell rings at exactly 6pm. I take a deep breath and open the door. He is wearing a tight pair of dark jeans with a black t-shirt that stretches across his chest. His arms barely look like they fit in his shirt they are so huge.
“You look beautiful, Hanna.”
“Thanks, Ben. You look great, too.”
Ben leans down and kisses me on the lips. I look back at him stunned.
“Sorry, I have been thinking that I didn’t want the last kiss you had to be from Kevin. I almost came over last night to take care of the situation then.”
“It was a peck, Ben. Nothing really. I barely remember it.”
He leans in again, this time taking me in his arms. I put my hands on his shoulders as he ravages my mouth. His tongue delves into my mouth, swirling around, tasting me. He pulls away. “I don’t want you to remember it at all, Hanna.”
I go down off my tiptoes and try to catch m
y ragged breath.
“You ready to go?” he asks me.
Oh hell. “I’m ready.”
Ben
Damn. She looks fine. She is wearing a mini skirt with skinny little heels. She has on a black v neck shirt showing off her ample cleavage. However, her shirt is long, covering up her sweet heart shaped ass. It’s probably better anyway. No need to show the world what she has going on back there.
I hold her hand all the way to the car. I open the door to my black escalade and help her into the seat. I lean over her and put her seatbelt on and steal a kiss from her while I do so. I go around to the driver’s seat and jump in. I reach over and grab her hand, holding it between us. I can’t stop touching her. It’s like now that I decided, or maybe the thought that I could lose her to Kevin, has me all in now. All in.
“So where are we going?”
“Just to some friend’s house for dinner. Julie and Mike. You will like them.”
Three hours later, I am trying to get out of here. I must get Hanna alone. I guess since I have been touching her since I picked her up, she is getting used to it. Now, she has her hands on my leg under the table. She is stroking her fingers along my thigh. She has no idea what she is doing to me. My cock is straining against the zipper of my jeans. I want to get out of here but there is no way I can get up right now. I reach for her hand and hold it in my own stopping her from stroking my thigh. She looks over at me and smiles. I smile back at her and bring her hand up to my lips. She continues staring at me, leans in and kisses me on the lips.
I pull back abruptly. I stand up and pull Hanna up in front of me. “Well, Julie and Mike, we are going to have to be going. Thank you for the invite. “
“There is still dessert. You can’t leave before dessert.” Julie says laughingly. She knows what’s going on.
Hanna leans in and hugs Julie. “Thank you for dinner. Everything was great.”
“You’re welcome any time, Hanna. Let’s get together this week for lunch. I think we will have a lot to talk about.” Julie laughs.
