Her Boss Billionaires
Synopsis
I feel like Little Red Riding Hood. But instead of one big, bad wolf, there are three. And instead of being wolves, they're hot, sexy, powerful CEOs. They want to buy my business, but what's more, they all want to share me. I probably would never have come across the famous Wolf brothers, but they have an eye on my coffee shop and sent me a huge check to buy it. It's more money than I've ever seen in my life. Sure, it's tempting, but my mother built this place from the ground up, and I can't give up on her dream. But when I walk into their office to tell them just that, that's when I learn what temptation really is. These men offer me the ultimate fantasy...being worshipped by three gorgeous billionaires at once. I don't care about money, but they've upped the ante. Now, love is on the table. And so am I.
Her Boss Billionaires Free Chapters
Chapter 1 –– Skyler | Her Boss Billionaires
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I flipped the switch on the open sign and sighed. My shoulder-length chestnut hair was pulled back into a messy bun. Already, there was a pencil and a thin coffee straw stuck through it.
“Maybe today things will turn around,” I said optimistically. I had taken over the coffee shop that my mother had built, but I was starting to question if it had been a wise choice. My mom had always dreamed of being able to travel the country in an RV with Dad, but the coffee shop had left her rooted firmly in place. A few years ago, she had offered to hand it down to me. Of course, I’d jumped at the chance. Morning Joe had been a second home to me growing up. The scent of freshly ground beans was such a comfort; I couldn’t allow someone else to run it. How could I watch something my mother had put so much time and effort into get passed over to someone who hadn’t been there for it all? Although, it was starting to seem like that may have been a better plan than handing it over to me. Things had changed along the way and now business wasn’t going so great. The only thing worse than watching someone else take it over would be to watch it die completely. Which was exactly what I was afraid was happening.
I returned behind the counter and started wiping down all the surfaces. Adjusting my apron, I snugged up the tie in the back. I was grateful my extra pounds went to my curvier places. The apron accentuated my smaller waist while amplifying my voluptuous chest and hips. I knew most women shied away from their curves, but I had grown to love them. I may not look like a thin model, but I did know how to turn a few heads.
I began brewing the various pots of coffee and prepping everything for the customers. I pulled the muffins out I had baked the day before and carefully tucked them into the glass display case. Next, I brought out my personal addition, cookies. Both chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin. My mom had thought it a silly combo when I first told her I was adding them to the menu. Yet, from the first day I tucked them into the bottom of the display, they’d been a hit. If anything, it made me feel as though I had contributed something worthwhile to the business. Even if it was just cookies. As the shop began to fill with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, I heard the bell over the door tinkle. My first customer of the day.
“Good morning, Skyler,” Mrs. Gentry said as she shuffled up to the counter. The older woman came in every morning on her way to clean houses. I had no idea how old she actually was. Her white hair and wrinkles could be premature, or she could look great for her age. She had that standard grandma look to her that was at once disarming and heart-warming. Sometimes, I wondered just how old she really was, but I knew better. There was no way I would ever ask.
“Good morning, Mrs. Gentry,” I said as I moved to start her order. She didn’t have to tell me what she wanted; I already knew.
“Where’s your mother at this week?” she asked. This was her usual Monday morning question. I think she envied my mother just a bit for her travels. I turned to the bulletin board where I would pin up a few of the recent pictures my mother had sent. So many of her regular customers would ask how she was doing that I’d started printing them out and hanging them up for all to see.
“She’s in Missouri,” I said, pulling down the picture of her and my father in front of the St. Louis arch. “They went through St. Louis over the weekend. Last I knew, they planned to go to Branson after.”
“Oh, that sounds interesting. It must be so fun just driving wherever your heart desires,” she said wistfully.
“I bet it is,” I said as I finished up adding cream to her coffee and giving it a couple stirs. She began to dig out the exact amount for her drink. It was the same every week. She’d pay with the exact amount and then leave a dollar in the tip box. I smiled as she slid the money across the counter. As I was putting it away, she slipped the dollar in as if she were being sneaky and I didn’t notice. It was almost like a little game we played. I knew she did it with affection, so I always played along.
“You take care, dear. Tell her I said ‘hello’ if you speak to her again soon,” she said as she gave me a slight finger wave while she shuffled toward the door.
“I will. Have a wonderful day,” I said pleasantly. I knew how much my mother loved to hear that her old customers still thought about her. On occasion, when she was in town, she would spend the day in the coffee shop just so she could greet each one of them. It was really something special that she had built here.
I normally didn’t have too many other early morning customers, so I pulled the books out from under the counter. I didn’t have what one would consider a rush period, so the days usually passed fairly easily. Between my personal bills and the ones for Morning Joe, things had gotten pretty tight. I had a feeling it had more to do with the lack of other businesses around than my products or services. The owner of our little shopping center had raised rent a while back, and slowly, after that, the other businesses began to close up shop. Now, I was the only business still open, probably due to the fact I didn’t want to leave this little building that was in the middle of everything. As a result, I knew I was going to have to cut expenses somehow; I just had to figure out where. Add to that the fact that a bigger corporate chain coffee shop had opened up down the road and it was no wonder the profits were taking a beating. I needed to find a way to make up for it somewhere. I kept the books tucked out of the way so when the odd customer did come in, they didn’t see I was struggling to keep the place afloat.
As the day wore on, I worked at the numbers in my spare time until finally I felt as though I had possibly made up the difference. Every business has its ups and downs. I was just hoping this was one of the downs. With any luck, it would start to improve soon. It wouldn’t do any good to be pessimistic about my situation. All I could do was try to adapt.
There were a few customers sitting at the tables chatting when the man came in. I use the term ‘man’ loosely, as the guy probably hadn’t been out of high school long. His suit looked a bit too big on him as he nervously entered the coffee shop. In his hands was a manila envelope.
“Welcome to Morning Joe. How can I help you?” I said brightly.
“Are you Skyler Lewis? The current owner of Morning Joe?” he asked as his dark eyes darted back and forth. His hands kept sliding around the envelope, spinning it. His nervous energy was almost palpable.
“I am,” I said leerily. I wasn’t sure what he wanted with me, so I wasn’t quite sure if I should admit who I was.
“My boss wanted me to deliver this to you. Have a good day,” he said as he shoved it in my hands and then spun on his heels. By the time I read my name and business name on the outside of the envelope, he had disappeared out the door and was walking away.
Brow furrowed, I undid the metal clasp and slid out the stack of papers. I was completely confused as to what had just happened but figured the only explanation could be found inside.
Dear Ms. Lewis, We at the Wolf Group admire your businesses longevity. You have been at this location for quite some time, and that is an honorable feat. Apparently you have great business skills and know what it takes to be successful when many other businesses around you have failed.
Because of this admiration, we are extending you this extremely generous offer. We have purchased the entire center, including the building you currently rent. We have other plans for the land and would like to effectively purchase your business. We have enclosed a check that is well over what your business is valued at. This is because we want to be seen as fair and reasonable. We know just how much your business must mean to you. That’s why we are offering so much more than what a bank would say it was worth. They don’t understand the blood, sweat, and tears that go into building a business such as yours.
Please consider our offer. If you have any questions or concerns whatsoever, give our office a call at the number above. Please look over the enclosed contract and we hope you will accept our offer.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered under my breath. I looked at the clock and saw there was only forty-five minutes until close. I tucked the envelope safely beside the register and tried to push the offer from my mind. I needed to focus on my customers and that required a pleasant disposition. Thinking about a big corporation trying to buy me out wouldn’t do that.
I plastered on a bright smile as more customers walked in. Later I would be angry, but for now, I still had a business to save. As they stepped up to the counter, I greeted them with the same cheery outlook I tried to give everyone. I wouldn’t let some pompous corporation sour my mood.
Chapter 2 –– Elijah | Her Boss Billionaires
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I sat reclined behind the desk with my feet propped up. Tossing my lucky baseball in the air over and over, I waited.
“What is taking that kid so long?” I muttered to myself. “Please tell me the guy didn’t get lost.” I’d sent one of the interns with the offer for the coffee place Luke was determined to buy out. He had already drawn up the offer and contract before leaving. All I had to do was seal the deal. I hoped the sizable offer would make this a smooth transition.
My phone trilled with a message notification.
Let’s get this last property locked down so we can break ground.
It was my brother, Luke. One of three triplets, I was holding down the business while Luke was off wheeling and dealing with other companies. It figured Luke wouldn't leave me be even while he was halfway around the world. It didn’t matter how many times he left or I was put in charge of home base while he was gone. Every time he acted as though I didn’t have the ability to function without him. Of course, I would complain about it, but in the end, I didn’t care. I knew he was just making sure everything was taken care of. He was a stickler for details, which was what made him so good. If he wasn’t the way he was, we probably wouldn’t be a rich as we were. Sad, but true.
On it, I sent back.
Just then, there was a knock on my office door.
“Come in,” I said as I raised my voice.
The intern was back. His eyes darted around the room as he stepped inside and shut the door behind him.
“I delivered the papers,” he said.
“Good. Did she seem interested?” I asked.
“I’m not really sure. Maybe?” he squeaked.
I pinched the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes. “You didn’t stick around, did you, Thomas?”
“N-no, sir. I didn’t,” he admitted as he tugged on his sleeves.
I sighed loudly. “Go,” was all I said. If I said anything else, it would have been decorated with multiple swear words and that wouldn’t fix anything. Sometimes I wondered how some of these people managed to lace up their shoes. I didn’t open my eyes until after I heard the door close again.
“Oh, well. Maybe the offer will speak for itself,” I said aloud to the empty room. I stood and began to pace the length of the office. I wanted to be sure this was going to go off without a hitch. Luke didn’t like when things took time. He wasn’t known for his patience. If anyone else said it, I would probably punch them, but my brother could be demanding.
I grabbed my phone off the desk and dialed my other brother, Falon. He wasn’t as much into the business as Luke and I were, but he still had his input. He’d been the one to check out the coffee shop in the first place.
“What’s up?” he said as a greeting when he answered.
“Hey, you checked out that coffee shop, right?” I asked, cutting right to the chase.
“The one here in town? Yeah, kinda. Why?” he responded.
“I sent an intern over to do the delivery, and he dropped the papers and ran,” I admitted.
“Oh, tough break,” Falon said. “Guess you should have done it as Luke said,” he chuckled.
“Yeah, yeah. I know. So here’s the thing. The offer was a good one, but you know how Luke is. I want to make sure this goes off without a hitch.” I couldn’t let this one fall through the cracks. The initial contact was so important. It set the tone for the whole deal. If you screwed up too much, they could turn cold toward you. After that, it was an uphill battle.
“So you want to know what kind of place it is and if you have a shot in hell at landing a signature before Luke comes back,” he surmised.
“Pretty much. Yeah. What can you tell me?” I asked.
“That if you really want to know, you’d go look yourself. The place is called ‘Morning Joe.’ They have social media and a website. Why don’t you take a look yourself?” he asked before hanging up on me.
“Prick,” I said to the phone. I knew he was right, but that didn’t mean he had to be a jerk about it. “Fine,” I said as I sat down at the computer. I had opened the business page and started clicking through when the phone beeped.
“Excuse me, Mr. Wolf?” the receptionist said as she buzzed in.
“Yes, Sabrina?” I answered.
“Just letting you know that Ms. Lewis from ‘Morning Joe’ called and wanted to meet with you as soon as possible. Should I pencil her into your schedule?” she asked.
“Sure. Get her in whenever it’s convenient for her. Shuffle things around if you must,” I responded.
“Yes, sir,” she said before hanging up. I saw online pictures of an older woman standing behind the counter at what I assumed was the coffee shop. It mentioned how she had built the small business up from a little cart serving coffee to a thriving location. She looked like a reasonable woman. I was sure she probably didn’t want to spend the rest of her life behind the counter of said business. Perhaps this deal really would be easier than I thought. The intern may have messed up, but the quick response meant one of two things. She would either turn me down flat or accept. I knew how to handle it in either case, so I wasn’t overly concerned.
Older women seemed to listen a bit more. Especially ones that had built a business and achieved their goal but were ready to relax and live their dreams. A nice juicy check always seemed to loosen the gears. I was willing to bet by tomorrow night I’d be telling Luke that we sealed the deal and could start getting things moving.
I smiled. We all had some fairly big dreams being built into the plans for this location. It would be the first project we all three really put our heart into. I wouldn’t be the one to make it fail. All I needed was to put on the charm and she would see how great retirement could be. I relaxed knowing this was going to be in the bag.