My bosss sons a reverse.., p.1
My Boss's Sons: A Reverse Age Gap Reverse Harem Romance, page 1
My Boss's Sons
A Reverse Age Gap Reverse Harem Romance
Rebel Bloom
Copyright © 2024 by Rebel Bloom
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Contents
1. ***Sophia***
2. ***Sophia***
3. ***Sophia***
4. ***Sophia***
5. ***Sophia***
6. ***Sophia***
7. ***Sophia***
8. ***Noah***
9. ***Ethan***
10. ***Ethan***
11. ***Sophia***
12. ***Sophia***
13. ***Sophia***
14. ***Sophia***
15. ***Sophia***
16. ***Alex***
17. ***Sophia***
18. ***Sophia***
19. ***Sophia***
20. ***Sophia***
21. ***Sophia***
22. ***Noah***
23. ***Sophia***
24. ***Sophia***
25. ***Ethan***
26. ***Noah***
27. ***Sophia***
28. ***Sophia***
29. ***Sophia***
30. ***Sophia***
31. ***Ethan***
32. ***Sophia***
33. ***Sophia***
34. ***Sophia***
35. ***Sophia***
36. ***Noah***
37. ***Sophia***
38. ***Sophia***
39. ***Sophia***
40. ***Sophia***
41. ***Noah***
42. ***Sophia***
43. ***Sophia***
44. ***Ethan***
45. ***Sophia***
46. ***Alex***
47. ***Sophia***
48. ***Sophia***
49. ***Sophia***
50. ***Ethan***
51. ***Noah***
52. ***Sophia***
53. ***Sophia***
54. ***Sophia***
55. ***Ethan***
56. ***Alex***
57. ***Sophia***
58. ***Sophia***
59. ***Noah***
60. ***Noah***
61. ***Noah***
62. ***Sophia***
63. ***Sophia***
64. ***Sophia***
65. ***Alex***
66. ***Sophia***
67. ***Noah***
68. Epilogue I
69. Epilogue II
70. Free Preview of Triple Play for the Single Mom
1
***Sophia***
Gerald Anderson was lucky the windows in his fiftieth-floor office didn’t open. He was staring out of them with a pensive look on his face while my direct manager told me that I’d once again been passed over for a promotion. The view of downtown Dallas wasn’t holding his attention. I doubted he even saw the beauty in it anymore. No, Gerald was staring out of his floor to ceiling windows in a practiced move that was meant to make it seem like he wasn’t directly involved in deciding whether or not I would be promoted. There was a reason I was daydreaming about throwing the owner and CEO of Anderson Inc. to his demise, though. Nothing happened without Gerald’s approval.
I’d worked at Anderson Inc. for five years and over the last three years I’d been passed over for one promotion after another. The first couple of times, I bought into Gerald’s pouty expression. I’d mostly believed him when he said that he would’ve given me the job if it was up to him. He pretended to be a CEO who trusted his upper management to do their jobs and treat their employees fairly. I was jaded after three years of his crap, however. I no longer felt the same crushing sense of disappointment in myself. I felt rage. Pure, fiery rage.
“It was a tough call, of course, Sophia.” James Flannery shook his head and sighed like he’d been through war while trying to decide whether or not to screw me over yet again. “Bill Trent just has more experience in leadership. Maybe next time, though.”
Hearing the name of the man they’d chosen over me just sent my mind on a spiral of fury. I had a pretty clear image in my head of kicking both Gerald and James out the window. “Bill Trent? He started here two years ago.”
James cleared his throat and straightened his suit jacket. “He’s moved up very quickly. You’ll be in good hands under him.”
Gerald looked over at me, his steel-colored eyes briefly skating over my body. The looks were never long enough to be obvious, but I got a chill down my back with every one of them. Even as perfectly shaved and manicured as he was, I still felt like I was being watched by a dirty old man. “James, leave us.”
James nodded at our boss and then stood up. While staring down at me, something passed over his face that I couldn’t quite name but it looked a lot like pity. His muttered parting didn’t make me feel much better. “Good luck.”
Maybe I just needed to throw myself out of a window instead. That would have to feel better than being left alone in a room with Gerald, being forced to listen to him offer me soft apologies and useless promises to look into things for me. I knew his song and dance, down to the way he’d pat my back.
“Sophia, I think you’re a great asset to Anderson Inc.. It’s employees like you that really keep us growing and moving towards the future in a positive way. I’m sorry James doesn’t see that. I wish there was something I could do.” Unfolding his lanky body to his full height, he walked around his desk and leaned against the front of it. “My offer still stands. If you want me to step in and do something about this, I will. For you. I would normally never question my managers but if you ask me, I’ll do it.”
It was hard to keep my face neutral. I had a feeling that Gerald Anderson would give me the promotion if I acted friendlier with him. His glances and the subtle ways he offered to do special favors for me gave me the distinct impression that he’d love to help me out. It felt like a situation where I’d be expected to scratch his back after he scratched mine, though, and I had no intention of ever touching his back.
“I don’t expect special treatment, Mr. Anderson. I just want fair treatment.” I ground my teeth together when he moved closer. His big, overly tanhand rested on my shoulder and stayed there, leaving me internally cringing away. “I’m fine. Thank you for your offer, but I’m not interested in breaking protocol to get ahead. If Mr. Flannery doesn’t think I’m a good fit for the role, I’ll accept that answer for now.”
He gently squeezed my shoulder, twisting his thin lips down in a faux frown. “I know this has to be hard for you. You’re a devoted employee and I’m lucky to have you, Sophia.”
Desperate to get his hand off of me, I stood up and backed away, putting my chair between us. “I need to finish a few things at my desk before I can go home for the day.”
“Such a hard worker. Go on, Sophia. I’ll see you bright and early Monday morning.” He walked back around to his chair and sat down, unbuttoning his suit jacket as he did. “Remember my offer, though, Sophia. Things aren’t always fair in this business. A favor can be just the thing you need to get ahead sometimes.”
I walked towards his office door with the feeling of his eyes on me. “Have a good weekend, Mr. Anderson.”
“You, too, Sophia.”
I avoided his secretary’s gaze as I walked past her desk. Tiffany was ten years younger than me and there were rumors about her relationship with Gerald, but I didn’t believe them. People just talked when they saw a woman alone with her boss in our business environment. I didn’t believe that rumor about the woman, but I did think she was a jerk who felt powerful because of who her boss was.
“Better luck next time, Sophia.” Tiffany sounded amused as she watched me hurry towards the elevators.
I pretended not to hear her and kept my head down as I made my way down to the fortieth floor. I rushed through shutting down my computer and clearing my desk so I could get out of there as fast as possible. I needed to get away from the entire place before I just lost it and screamed.
Still, I had to take a moment once I was sitting behind the wheel of my car. Resting my head on the seat, I blew out a deep breath. I’d known when going in that morning that I probably wouldn’t get the promotion. I couldn’t help feeling crushed, though. I worked hard. I spent so much of my life at Anderson Inc. and I was more than qualified for the promotion I wanted. There was an itch at the back of my mind that told me I was never going to move up in the company if I didn’t play nice with Gerald.
Since I was never going to do that, I needed to figure out my next move. I could start looking for other-
A call came through on my car speakers, distracting me from whatever big plans I might’ve gotten to. That was the thing about life. Change was hard enough but when my time wasn’t my own, I didn’t even have the energy to look for better options.
“Hi, Mrs. Johnson.” I tried not to sound completely bothered by the elderly woman who lived across the street from me.
“That boy with the colored hair is using that chainsaw again, Sophia.” Her voice wobbled and I could practically see her clutching the fake pearl necklace she never took off. “It’s a nuisance. The whole neighborhood is filled with the sound of that thing. And his hair is offensive. When are you going to do something about this?”
I rubbed my temples. My time definitely was not my own. Sighing, I put my car in
2
***Sophia***
The forty-minute drive to my house in a suburb outside of Dallas was somehow both too long and not long enough. I had plenty of time to dread the mess I would find when I got home and not enough time to actually unwind from my day. I was still mid-fight with the imaginary Gerald in my brain when I pulled into my driveway and saw my sister’s long-term boyfriend, Milo, wielding his favorite chainsaw. That was pretty typical behavior for Milo. It was my sister, Ava, and my daughter, Lily, trying to hold the log he was aiming that chainsaw at that had me slamming the car into park and trying to jump out before I took my seatbelt off.
I wrestled myself out of my car and tripped over Lily’s bike. I heard the side of my skirt rip and swore under my breath while climbing up the side of my car. “What the hell are you three doing? Turn the chainsaw off, Milo! Put that log down Ava! Lily, drop the log and move your bike!”
Milo looked over his shoulder at me and killed the power to his chainsaw. Swiping his newly dyed green hair out of his eyes, he smiled and lifted a hand to flash me a peace sign. “Soph! You’re home! I need some help.”
Ava was my younger sister by three years and she knew me well enough to know that I was on the verge of freaking out. She tossed the log down and pushed Lily towards her bike. “Welcome home, Sis. That wasn’t what it looked like.”
Milo grinned even wider. His eyes were slits that I wasn’t sure how he could see out of and I counted myself lucky that Mrs. Johnson hadn’t called to complain about the smell of Milo’s pot again. “My new project is going to be amazing, Soph. I’m going to have people hold the log and I’ll make one cut that way. That cut will lead me into my final piece. What do you think?”
Lily threw herself at me and wrapped her long limbs around me. At seven, she was taller than all the other kids her age. “Mom! I’m going to be part of Milo’s art!”
I kissed the top of her head and frowned when I smelled peanut butter. “Did you do another one of your spa days, Lily?”
“I have to move my bike, Mom!” Lily’s avoidance told me that I was going to find a mess inside the house. Her spa days were just her taking random food and using it in new, creative ways. They typically ended in the house being destroyed and her smelling like whatever food she’d used last.
Ava walked over to me and held out her hands. “I’ll clean it up.”
I took a deep breath and held up my hands. “Nope. I can’t talk to you yet. Not until I inform your boyfriend that his new idea is idiotic.”
“Aw, Soph. You really think so?” Milo scuffed his shoe across the ground in front of him and frowned.
“Milo… Yes.” I stepped over scrap pieces of wood to rest my hand on his arm. “We’ve talked about safety a million times. Do you think it’s safe for you to chainsaw something that someone else is holding?”
He groaned. “You’re right. Damn.”
I let his innocent nature improve my mood. “I love the idea, though. It’s beautiful. You just can’t have anyone hold the wood you’re cutting. Okay?”
He nodded. “I’ll figure it out.”
I watched him meander away, already lost in his ideas. Turning back to my sister, I saw she was shaking her head while smiling. “What?”
“I tried to tell him that a million times. He wouldn’t hear it. You say it one time and suddenly he can’t agree fast enough. If I didn’t love how much he loves you and looks at you like family, I’d be pissed.” She hesitated and then groaned. “Shit. You found out about the promotion today. They passed you up again?”
The urge to cry had my eyes burning but instead of giving into the tears, I pinched the bridge of my nose and nodded. “They gave it to a guy who’s been with the company for less than two years.”
“Did they say why?”
“Supposedly he has more leadership experience.” I watched as Mrs. Johnson stood in her yard, pretending to water her flowers as she stared at us. “I know it’s probably because I won’t stay at the office for eighty to ninety hours a week, but I can’t help thinking it could have something to do with Gerald.”
“That creep. Of course it has something to do with him, Soph. You’re always saying that you feel like he’s hinting at something with you.” She gave me a knowing look. “You’ve got the best gut I’ve ever known. You’re never wrong.”
I waved at Mrs. Johnson and forced a smile. “She called me again on the way home. Apparently, Milo’s hair is offensive.”
Ava immediately raised her middle finger at the old woman. “That’s right, you old hag. Get your panties in a twist. Milo’s hair is beautiful!”
I pulled Ava’s hand down and sighed. “You know she’s going to call me about that.”
“What? She couldn’t hear me.”
“You flipped her off, Ava.” I watched Mrs. Johnson stomp her way inside her house and turned my attention to Lily. “How was she today?”
“She was good.” Ava hesitated. “I promise I’ll clean up the mess inside. Maybe I should go ahead and do that now. Why don’t you stay out here with Lily?”
“It’s fine. I’d rather just come inside and nurse my wounded ego.” I smiled for what felt like the first time all day as Lily came running towards me. “Where’s the fire?”
She held out my phone. “Uncle Jack’s on the phone!”
I looked in my purse and raised my eyebrows. “How’d you get my phone without me noticing?”
Ava cleared her throat. “How about we go inside and start cleaning while Mom talks to Uncle Jack?”
“Aunt Ava taught me how to pickle pocket, Mom!”
Ava took Lily by the shoulders and directed her towards the house. “Ha. Ha. That’s a good joke, Lily. You’re hilarious.”
I brought my phone up to my ear and groaned. “Jack, I live in a circus.”
My best friend since middle school, Jack Henry was my lifeline most days. He was my rock. “Are you just now realizing that? There’s even a clown. What color is Milo’s hair today?”
“Green. Mrs. Johnson called it offensive.” I smiled. “What does it say about me that her hating it makes me like it more?”
“It says that you’re taking your power back where you can. I can tell by your voice that Anderson fucked you over again.” He paused but when I didn’t say anything, he let out a colorful string of curses. “You’re not pouting and feeling shitty tonight, Soph. You’re coming out with me.”
I could hear Lily and Ava arguing from inside the house about who was going to clean what. I loved my crazy little family but after the day I’d had, I didn’t think I could stay in and listen to them bicker all night. “When are you picking me up?”
3
***Sophia***
Iglared at Jack from across the hightop table we were sitting at. He’d taken me out to a bar that was full of children. Maybe not children, but they might as well have been. Blaze was a club that Jack had just invested in and he was proud of it, but if I’d known he was dragging me out to a bar full of people in their early twenties, I would’ve passed. At thirty-seven, my early twenties felt like a lifetime ago.
“Relax, Soph. You fit right in.” Jack reached over and took my hand. “You look hot, you don’t have a single line on your face, and I’ve already seen multiple guys checking you out.”
Glancing around, I noticed that most of the women around us were tiny. It had me sucking in my stomach and wishing I’d worn my Spanx. Looking back at Jack, I saw he already had his eyes on a cute guy across the room. “Oh, no, you don’t. You’re not leaving me yet. You can find him later.”
“Lord, you are stressed. I’m not going anywhere, babe. I told you. I’m getting you hammered tonight. You’re going to feel better by the time you crawl into your bed tonight.” Jack glanced back at the cute guy and smirked. “I’m also going to feel better by the time I crawl into his bed tonight.”
The waiter appeared at our table with a tray full of shots. “Mr. Henry. Jen said if you leave sober she’ll have to give your money back.”
Jack laughed his boisterous laugh and helped the younger man unload the shots. “Tell Jen that she can’t get rid of me so easily.”
