Man of the House: An Older Man Younger Woman Romance

by Sarah Rowling

  She didn’t know how they would decide where each of them went, but she knew that the managers in the current stores were good. Very good judges of character. She sighed again and looked back down.

  “Um, excuse me.” She looked up to see Jeff standing in her doorway looking at her.

  “Yes, can I help you?”

  “Well, actually Mrs. Stark I wanted to talk to you about something.”

  “It’s Charlotte and please come in.”

  Chapter Five

  “Oh. Ok. Well, I just wanted to talk to you about your endcaps.”

  “Oh? What is going on with the endcaps?”

  “Well, ma’am they are crazy.” His eyebrows rose as he looked at her. The look of disbelief on his face would have made her laugh except she could tell that he was being completely honest.

  “Charlotte.” She gave him a stern look which had him ducking his head and nodding.

  “Yes, Charlotte. I mean they are all over the place.”

  “Sit down Jeff and explain this to me. Last I checked they were going to start putting out the Christmas stuff.”

  “Well yeah, but it’s where they are putting it. I mean, I understand that candy is candy but if it’s a stocking stuffer then put it with the rest of the holiday stuff not on the regular aisle if you know what I mean. They have flour and sugar at the end of the dog food aisle for Pete’s sake.”

  “What?”

  “Look, I don’t want to cause any trouble around here if you know what I’m saying but I know that you didn’t get where you are from making stupid mistakes, but your people here are making all of the stupid mistakes.”

  “Let me go look over the store then. If it is out of whack then it will be handled tonight.”

  She stood up and walked to the door of her office. When she didn’t hear anything or feel his presence behind her she turned and quirked an eyebrow up at him. “You coming?” She asked as she placed her hand on her hip slowly.

  “Like I said. I don’t really want to cause any problems between you and your people. I just wanted you to know what’s going on.”

  “Look whether you tell me or not I was going to find out about this and have someone’s ass over it. You just pointed it out sooner before too much damage was done. Besides, you want to be in my position right?” At his nod of acknowledging she continued. “Then this is something you will have to learn too. Come on.”

  “Ok.”

  At his hesitation she turned and looked at him. This time, she really looked at him. He was handsome and had a way about him that said he was confident in himself. He was also humble. Where most people would be pointing fingers and trying to get in good with her, he wasn’t.

  Most people she knew wouldn’t think twice about throwing people under the bus to give themselves get the ability to move higher up on the corporate ladder. He didn’t and apparently wouldn’t. That was what made him different. That was what made him special. He didn’t walk all over people to get what he wanted.

  She smiled at him slightly. “Look I don’t like cracking down on people either. This is definitely not my favorite part of the job, but it is also a part of the job that I understand has to happen.

  If a mistake is made then it needs to be pointed out. This way it can be avoided next time and can help that person who made it learn from it and not do it again. If you let things go then they will come back to bite you.”

  “I know. I understand what you’re saying.”

  “Yes you do. But the problem doesn’t lie in understanding. The problem lies in you enforcing it and going through with it to the next step. Look, not only do people need to learn from their mistakes but you have to cover your own ass in this position. If things go bad in the department then it will fall on the department head but if that hurts the sales and the run of the store then who do you think has to take the fall for some new stocker messing up the endcaps?”

  “I get it,” He said as he smiled at her. She watched as he puffed out his chest at her and smiled even more. He stood straighter then and she watched as his confidence built while he stood there. She continued to stand there and look at him until he finally nodded his head at her. “Ok, I get it, really. I understand. I can do the job. I promise.”

  “Ok then. Come with me and watch. The next time it will be up to you to handle. Hopefully, the next time will be in your own store though, and not in mine.” He chuckled as he followed her out of her office.

  “I hope so too.” They walked out to the dog food aisle and she looked at the endcap at the very end of the aisle pointing towards them. Indeed, there sat the large bags of sugar and flour. Just as he said. She knew that Ernest would never have done this which only meant one thing. Either he wasn’t there or that it was just a misunderstanding.

  She watched as Jeff followed her to the front of the store where the little office sat for the front end. She rapped twice and then walked into the small space.

  “Charlotte. Hey. What are you doing here?”

  She looked at Jacky and smiled. “Hey. I’m trying to find out if Ernest worked today.”

  The woman leaned over her desk and sifted through a stack of papers looking for the schedule. As she searched through the schedule she began shaking her head. “No. I don’t’ see him on the schedule at all. He comes in tomorrow though.”

  “Who was in today for his section?”

  “Chris was here. Is there anything I can help you with?”

  “No that’s ok.” She turned to walk away and they looked back over at her. “Actually can you call him up to the front?”

  “Sure.”

  It was five minutes later that she met a nervous looking Chris in front of the little office. He looked from her to the man beside her nervously.

  “Am I fired? Cause I really need this job. My wife just had our first baby.”

  “What did you have?” Charlotte’s voice was sweet and clear as she asked the question.

  “Uh, A girl.”

  “Oh well, congratulations Chris. And no you are not fired. I just want to go over a few things with you is all.”

  “Oh. Is it the endcaps? I could tell by the way you were looking at them that you didn’t’ like them. I was trying to bunch them together by price, but I realized after looking at them that it didn’t work very well at all.”

  “No, it doesn’t. Come on and I will show you how it should go.”

  “Ok.” For the next two hours, she helped Chris and Jeff straighten out six endcaps. She was a little upset that she had lost time and money by redoing it but she was glad to meet the young man.

  “Well you take care of that little bundle of joy you got now and remember next time if you have any doubt come find one of us.”

  “I will do ma’am and thank you.”

  “Your welcome and as I told you it is Charlotte. Now go home to that baby of yours.” She smiled as she watched him hurry away. Turning, she looked over at Jeff. “You may as well get out of here as well.”

  “Thank you. You know I realized today that what they said was true.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You truly are something.” He smiled and shook his head slowly as he turned and made his way to the back to gather his things to go back to his hotel.

  The End of Book 1 of 5

  * * *

  Book 67: Younger Love Affection 2

  Copyright © 2015 All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  This story has erotic themes and is suitable for adults, 18+ only.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter One

  Charlotte looked over the numbers again with
a sigh. The night was here and she knew that she was overdue to go home. Sighing again, she stretched back in her chair and smiled.

  Things were getting better and better. The numbers to the store were coming in looking great which she knew was due to the upcoming season.

  She slowly rose from the chair and stretched her muscles to feel better. She needed to head home and get Travis into bed. These nights were the ones that she hated the most. It was the nights that she didn't see her son at all.

  The inventory shift was coming up and she didn't have a lot of time to spend at home. Plus, with the busy season, it got harder and harder to get away early. She was at the store more than at home and she knew that it was affecting her son.

  She slid her arms into her coat and buttoned it up tight before grabbing the straps to her purse and turning towards the door. It was dark by the time she reached the parking lot with only a few cars left.

  She knew that some of the cars would be there overnight. The stockers for the overnight crew were already there. She had seen them come in earlier.

  A holiday tune came on the radio as soon as she sat down in the SUV and she smiled as she began singing along with it. She loved this time of year better than any other.

  Making her way inside the house, she went to the small bedroom. Britney had just finished one story and Travis was begging her for another one. She looked up at her as she came through the door.

  “Mommy!”

  Turning, she smiled at the little boy curled up in bed. “Hey, noodle. How about you tell MS. Britney goodbye and mommy will read one more book to you before bed.”

  “Ok. Bye Britney.” He held his little arms up to her and hugged her tight. Smiling down at him, she kissed his cheek and told him to have a good night.

  “Have a good night ma'am,” she said to Charlotte before turning around and walking to the door.

  “Britney I have told you a hundred times to call me Charlotte.”

  She turned and smiled at the other woman for a moment. “Goodnight Charlotte.”

  “Goodnight Britney.” She listened as the other woman left and turned back to her son as she sat down in the chair beside his bed.

  “Ok. So what are we going to read tonight?” She smiled as he looked up at her. His little eyes glittered with happiness and his face was split with a huge smile.

  “Um. How about Peter Pan? I like that one and so do you, right momma?”

  “Right. How cool would it be to fly? Too bad things like that aren't real in our world.”

  “Yeah, but they are in the world of make-believe right momma?”

  “That's right honey. In make-believe and using our imaginations, we can do whatever we want and be whoever we want.”

  “Like Spiderman.” He laughed. She looked down at his dark blue pajamas. They were a dark blue with red along the neckline. Spiderman was his favorite. Ever since he saw the cartoon on television, he had been consumed by the fighting hero. Now he had pajamas and movies and tons of toys with the dark red and blue of the character.

  “Like Spiderman, you can be whatever you want to be when you play make-believe.”

  “That's right honey. Now get some sleep ok?”

  “Ok. Goodnight mommy.”

  “Goodnight honey.” She smiled as he yawned as he spoke and slowly closed his eyes. Before she could say another word his eyelids had drifted closed. She sat there for a few minutes watching him as he slept. His lips parted slightly and she didn't think she had ever seen a more perfect angel before.

  Sighing, she slowly rose from the chair and made her way into the kitchen to get a drink.

  She stood there sipping her drink slowly before smiling then making her way upstairs to her room.

  As she laid in bed sometime later, she wondered what tomorrow would bring. Her thoughts swiftly turned to the store before she closed her eyes and fell fast asleep. She needed to make sure she checked the endcaps first thing in the morning.

  Chapter Two

  The next morning came and she was soon on her way into work. Today she would be going over the inventory with new manager trainees. She knew that it was something that could make or break a store.

  She clutched the coffee even tighter in her hand as she walked through the front doors. There stood Jeff by the front door. He was smiling her way and she gave him a small smile back. He wore faded blue jeans with a polo shirt from the company. He still had a 5 o'clock shadow over his jawline which she normally didn't care for, but she had to admit she liked it on him.

  It seemed to make him more distinguished and even sexier. His jeans were fitted but not tight like skinny jeans. His smile said more than she cared to admit. He looked like the cat that ate the canary.

  His gaze seemed to follow down the length of her body before coming back up to meet her eyes. She looked at him as her head cocked to the side. One eyebrow rose in question at his intimate perusal of her body.

  He seemed to realize what he was doing then and quickly gave her a sheepish look before turning towards the girl standing beside him. Charlotte shook her head as she made her way towards the back and where her office was. She felt his eyes follow her as she continued to walk until she knew he would no longer be able to see her. Turning, she made her way into her office and hung her coat on the hook right inside the door.

  She slowly sat in her chair and pushed the button to turn on the monitor. She sighed as the electronic device came to life.

  “Hey, boss. How are we doin' this morning?” Trevor was another worker at the store. He had been there since the place opened. He was also in charge of human resources and was the person who hired all new employees as well as got them settled into their new positions.

  “We are good honey. How are you doing?”

  “Great. Hey, I wanted to go over some stuff on the insurance - health insurance; that is, when you get a chance.”

  “Ok. I have the trainees and inventory today but can we do it tomorrow morning?”

  “That sounds great boss. I'll clear off the schedule in the morning for a couple of hours and we can go over it then.”

  “Great. Thanks.”

  “Thank you. Hey, it looks like your entourage is on its way to you.”

  “Great.” She smiled at him, but she knew that the smile didn't reach her eyes. She was irritable today. She didn't know why. It was one of those days where everything seemed to rub her the wrong way.

  Trevor cocked an eyebrow at her in wonder before chuckling when he thought it was about the training itself before slowly making his way from the door and back down the hallway towards his own office.

  She watched as all four trainees made their way into her office. She leaned back in the chair and directed them with a smile. “Hello everyone. I hope you got your sleep last night because today is going to be a tedious one.”

  The four of them smiled her way and expressed their desire to get started.

  “Ok then. Today we will be learning about inventory and how the ordering works. We will be going through all the departments, and although I know some of you have had that position, I still want you to listen and follow the rules that they lay out for you. Understood?” She looked around at all the nods and smiled before standing and making the way over to the first department.

  The first department she was glad to see was to the housewares. It was one of the most extensive. And by the end of the day, they were all exhausted.

  It was late in the afternoon and the store was pushing towards closing time. She was grateful that Travis would be staying with Britney that evening. She was settled in for a night of paperwork. She knew that most of the people in the store were gone for the evening, even the closers.

  Time seemed to stand still as she looked down at the inventory sheet. Something wasn’t right about it. The numbers just weren’t adding up right. Taking a deep breath, she decided to go get a cup of coffee. She needed to stay awake and figure it out.

  She made her way into the small break room and pulled the
large container that held the coffee grounds out from the cabinet behind her.

  Within no time, the noise of the coffee pot started and the smell of coffee brewing could be smelled all around. She sighed as she inhaled the scent. There wasn’t a person alive that she knew of that didn’t enjoy that smell. She smiled as she leaned back against the counter and smelled the fragrance.

  Chapter Three

  She sat there for some time and let her thoughts drift as she waited for the coffee to brew. Her mind went to the one place that she would have liked it not to. Her manager trainee. She remembered the way that Jeff had looked at her and she felt the goosebumps break out along her skin.

  She remembered his smile and the way he had looked at her like he would eat her alive. She remembered how she had felt when his eyes had gone over her body from head to toe. She shivered then.

  “You’re not cold, are you?”

  She turned around at the voice. She knew who it was before she turned but did anyway. There stood the object of her imagination.

  He was smiling at her in the way that made her shiver with desire. There was no way that he didn’t know what he did when he looked like that. His grin told her he knew exactly what he did to her.

  “Oh, huh, No. I was just thinking, you know?”

  “Oh really. Well, it was either really good thoughts or really bad ones.” He chuckled. He stood there as if he was waiting for her to tell him which one. She shook her head then.

  “Oh, it was nothing.” She shook her head on a laugh. “What are you doing here so late?” she asked innocently. She knew by this time everyone else was gone from the store.

  “I was helping Bernard with the endcaps and found something interesting. I wanted to come and let you know what I found. You know, so you know what’s going on.”

  She turned and picked up the now full coffee pot. As she began pouring the liquid in her cup, she listened as he continued.