His Little Editor (Ellis PH book 1)

Chapter 12

My foot-steps echo as I pace across my cold wooden living room floors waiting till the buzzer rings. When it finally goes off, I rush to my intercom.

“Sawyer?” I ask, 

“Yea baby it’s me,” he starts chuckling when the buzzer goes off after his first word signaling for him to go up. I fling open my front door and wait till he’s done climbing the stairs before rushing into his arms and burying my face in his chest.  Sawyer just stands there holding me giving my kisses to the top of my head till I’m ready to let go. Finally, after a few minutes I pull him into my apartment after me. Sawyers lips brush against mine in a chaste kiss as he passes me to go further into the living room with sure strong steps. His movements purposeful and strong like he owns the place.

Leaning against the counter I take in this version of Sawyer. His usually styled hair is all messed up, the first three buttons on his shirt were undone and his tie had been loosened to hang limp around his neck. His jacket and vest were unbuttoned and quickly shrugged off before getting hung up nicely on my barstool. The man was beautiful even though the look in his eyes said he was clearly bothered.

The pacing Sawyer abruptly turns to face me before ordering, “Charlotte tell me everything about the encounter tonight.” 

Giving Sawyer a quick and thorough recap I end with, “And I told him about you joining us Thursday for dinner and he wasn’t happy. But I told him that you insisted because his contract is up after this book.” Nibbling on my lip I look up at Sawyer’s face. Unable to read his expression I just wait him out.

Sawyer just stands facing me staring for a few minutes after I finish. When his fists clench and his knuckles turn white, I tense up waiting for the yelling. When he finally speaks up it’s in a quiet calm voice, “I’m going to be clear here, this being an order from your boss so you don't get to argue.” He waits a second for my slight nod before continuing. “I don’t like this. I don’t like him being your author, and I'm moving him to Jax or Luke. this isn’t either of their jobs, but I don’t think they would mind finishing this book up. He’s your biggest author I know, but I promise to give you some one better. I don’t want you working with him anymore.”

His expensive Italian shoes echo on the floor as he continues to pace, his mind slipping into his own world. I watch him while articulating the argument I know expecting. He doesn’t know me very well if he wasn’t waiting for my argument. My job is too important to me to just let this go. So, slowly walking up to him i place my hand gently on his arm as I step in front of him successfully halting his movements. 

His tall form glancing down at the place we meet before meeting my hazel eyes. “Sawyer, this is the last book of his contract, and we’ve already started. I’m not going to let you give it to the guys, but I appreciate your concern. I’m keeping him and I promise I won’t meet with him again without someone with us. Okay?”

Sawyer stands there looking at me being scary quiet. Frightened I take a step back from him. Not letting me increase the space between us Sawyer follows stalking forward every step I take back. My back hits the far wall in my attempt to escape this predator prowling towards me. His anger rolls off him in waves causing me to tremble when he closes the distance between us leaving only an inch or two of room. His hand comes up around my throat, his fingers wrapping around the front with a light pressure. Not enough to constrict my airways but enough that I was terrified to move. I tense as he closes the space between us completely. The look on his is blank but his eyes hold a flame of temper and I quickly drop my gaze. The pressure on my neck increases as his other hand comes behind my neck angling my face back up towards him. With both of Sawyer’s hands around my neck, I'm starting to panic.

I almost jump out of my skin when Sawyer’s voice booms, “I am your boss Charlotte. You do not get to tell me no about this. Now I said this was an order, am I clear?” I stare at him, shaking in fright having never heard him livid like this. I weakly try to push him always but the man is stone not giving at all. “Answer me,” He orders.

My only answer is a pitiful whimper as my hands go to his trying to remove them. When his eyes meet mine, he sees the terror there and drops his hands quickly from my throat. The almost glazed and glassy look to his eyes dissipates to a look of regret. 

He retreats to my kitchen pulling out two crystal tumblers. My voice wavers as I answer “Yes.” I follow pulling the good scotch from the cabinet on top of my fried. My hands are still shaking as I drop a round ice cube in both tumblers then pour three fingers in each glass. Quickly Handing him one I avoid meeting his gaze as I retreat bottle in hand to the sofa curling my legs under me as I sit.

Sawyer clears his throat before his voice of steel continues, “Now I know this is your second book with him, and he's just starting this one. Don't try to deny it, I looked at the records earlier of his submitted work. You're four chapters in, it is not too late for me to switch him to someone else for this book. Jax will be coming on to dinner on Thursday as his new editor and you will help then to create a smooth transition. It's important to not tell him about the switch before that Charlotte.”

 I throw back all three in fingers in my glass letting the burn sooth my frayed nerves before pouring another two and throwing those back as well. I place the bottle on my glass coffee table and continue to avoid Sawyers eyes that are observing me right now. In response I mutter “Yes Sir.” Turning away from him when he joins me on the other end of my couch. I Put my head in my free hand and close my eyes silently letting a tear fall. Sitting in my regret I rub the heel of my palms against my eyes trying to hide the tear.

 I hate making people mad at me. Tonight, I learned that Sawyer is scary when he’s furious and I don’t know how to handle it. I’m not timid and I’m only ever submissive in bed, but when someone gets mad at me, I want to run and hide. A much calmer Sawyer kneels in front of me and reaches out to lift my head from my hands causing me to flinch back.

“Whoa Charlie, I’m not gonna hurt you. I would never lay a hand on you like that,” His hand reaches out to gently raise my chin so I look at him. His eyes sincere and soft have me pressing my cheek to his open palm absorbing the warmth there. “I’m sorry I frightened you. The thought of this man somehow hurting you scares the living s**t out of me baby. Ya gotta know I’d never ever hurt you. This is me maybe caring too much about your safety as your boss. I would take any of my other employees out of this situation Charlie. I care for you outside of being your boss as well, which makes me really not like this.”

I nudge Sawyer back so I can get up and grab the bottle to put away. Placing my tumbler in the sink I turn to look at sawyer who has made his way to the island. With my mind trying to process his words the only thing that falls out of my mouth is, “Fine.”

Sawyer makes his way in front of me placing his glass in the sink along-side mine. Slowly he moves to gently gtake my hand in his.  His eyes soften even more as he reaches up and caresses my face. He's no longer speaking like the boss and now has adopted a softer tone of speaking. “I promise I will make it up to you. I will find you another big author or two. I cannot in good conscience let you continue working with him. This is a safety thing not an experience thing ok baby?”

Leaning against his chest I embrace him and let my tears out silently. Jax was big and tough on the outside with his full sleeves of tattoos covering his ginormous muscular arms. Realistically I knew Ian wouldn't mess with him and it was a good fit, but it still hurt a little to have him taken away.

 Sawyer rests his head on the top of mine wrapping his arms around to almost completely cover my torso in a warm cocoon. He takes a deep breath and his chest rumbles against my ear with his question “Baby, does this matter to you that much?”

 Pulling my head from under his I look up at him not letting him go. Our eyes meet when my voice comes out stronger than either of us expected. “More than anything. He’s my only big author currently.”

Sawyers gaze wavers a bit before he sighs and gives in. “Your big, beautiful, sad eyes got me. You can keep him, but if anything happens at all I swear to god, there will be hell to pay. Jax will be joining you as editor on this and I can’t promise to sign him again. You are not to be alone with him. Now come on, I’m tired.”

"You're staying tonight?" I squeak following him to my bedroom.

Without saying anything Sawyer leads me to my bed and strips down to his briefs, giving me my answer. He hits the light switch on the wall, and we get under the covers. I lay down on the very edge of my bed being stubborn. I still wanting a little space to myself. Facing my nightstand, I notice my long-forgotten tea, and grab it for a quick sip of cold calm to sooth myself. I turned the alarm clock on for tomorrow so neither of us our late. I had just placed my cup down again and plugged my phone in when Sawyer’s strong colorful arms encircle me pulling my back to his front so we fit together like spoons. His quiet breath tickles my neck with my hair as I lay there in his arms. Sawyer rolls onto his back pulling me on top facing him again.