His Little Editor (Ellis PH book 1)

Chapter 7

Waking up an hour before my alarm goes off in the morning, I get up shower, wrapping myself in a towel and blow dry add loose waves to my hair. I take extra time making sure my makeup is perfect and add little kitten wings to my liner. I grab a purple silk wrap dress forgo a bra and put on a white lace thong. I fasten my necklace and earrings before grabbing my black strappy heeled sandals. Much like my bra I don’t grab a jacket either. Picking up my purse I head out the door and drive to Peet’s to get coffee and a lemon scone before heading to my office.

I’m joined by Luke and Jaxon on the elevator, both of whom have trouble permanently written across their face are smirking at me. Jaxon looks me up and down before he whistles, “Damn girl you’re looking fine today. Anything special going on?”

“Just woke up early,” I throw back at him. The elevator falls into silence.

Clearing his throat Luke pipes up, “You really do look good Charlie.” He leans into me quickly before stepping back. “You smell good too.” 

Turning his head away from me I notice his blush. Luke was the quiet one in that group. He never really talks, but when he does, he’s super sweet. His personality matches his All-American good boy exterior and having hailed from somewhere in the south it most likely wasn't an act either. Luke looks a lot like Clark Kent with his tall body toned from working on a farm he kept up, dark hair and blue eyes. He even wore the thick framed glasses like Clark. I would not be shocked if it turned out Luke were Superman.

“Thanks Luke,” I smile at him. 

Jax leans forward so his mouth is by my ear and whispers, "I think you forgot a bra today Char."

"No, wasn't forgotten. Just didn't wear one." I toss over my shoulder when we all get off on the 13th floor. Jax Groans and Luke turns a bright red. I smirk at them and head to my office. 

Terry greets me at the door and follows me in closing the door. “So, I know you have meetings scheduled with your authors all day, but Hannah has requested a meeting at 11 with all the publishers to meet the new owner.”

Putting my reading glasses on I pull my schedule up onto my screen and start talking. “Okay let me check my schedule. Let me see if I can change some things around. 11 is Ian Klein so I can’t cancel, but I have 45 minutes between the meeting with Skylar Ray and Hannah I can dedicate to him. Terry can you get me Klein’s number so I can call him?”

“Sure, no problem boss,” and he walks away, only to return two minutes later with a post it notes that he sticks it to my forehead and just walks off. Terry has is an odd ball, but he’s always defended me to the people who look down at my age. He's also the best assistant in the office so I deal with the putting post-it’s on my face.

I grab the note off my face and dial. “Hey Ian, it’s Charlie I was calling to see if you could come in at 10:15 instead of 11?"

"I can but it's going to cost you something in return," the man on the line says.

 "As long as you can, I will give you whatever you want." I shoot back.

Ian Chuckles, "That’s a dangerous thing to say to a man. I'll see you at 10:15."

 "Excellent see you then.” I hang up and head off to my first two meetings. Both of those others are indie writers just starting off. They were especially nervous about losing their deals.

I had just made it back to my office a few minutes prior when at exactly 10:15 there’s a knock at my door and Ian Klein walks in. His headshot doesn’t do him justice. His golden amber colored eyes shine big through his glasses that sit on a perfect straight nose. His hair was brown with golden streaks through it, and his smile was shy and kind. Ian was tall and lengthy, and fell a few inches below the top of the door frame. He looked harmless but he was witty and flirtatious. 

I Look up pushing my glasses on top of my head and smile. “Hey Ian, I am so sorry I had to move you up. I hope you’ll let me repay you somehow.”

“Don’t worry about it Miss Rose. I know exactly how you can repay me." Ian winks and plops down in the grey velvet chair in front of my desk. His Black Converse high tops make their way to rest on the edge of my desk. “Honestly, I’m just happy you’re taking time to see all of us before the merger, especially dressed like that” He says as his eyes slide slowly down my body undressing me, lingering a long time on my chest.

“Well it’s my job Ian, and You know to call me Charlie." I stare pointedly at him and push his feet off my desk. "Shall we get started?”

"How about we start with that favor you owe me?" Ian grins and puts his feet back on my desk.

I once again push his feet off my desk and more it around it to sit in front of him where his feet were at. "How about no. We have important things to go over today. You still owe me your next two chapters and I'm not happy about that." 

Five minutes to 11 Ian and I walk to the conference room. I grab him a cup of coffee and push him out the door scolding, "I want those two chapters in my inbox by noon on Friday Ian. I'm not kidding." He reaches for me at the threshold and plants a kiss on my cheek before walking off.

 I grab a cup of coffee myself drinking it black and take my seat next to Jaxon and Declan. They look at me confused and I shrug. Turning to Dec, "I know it’s none of my business, but why haven't you texted or called Shawn yet?" 

 He looks at me dubiously?” What are you talking about? I gave her my number. Look Can we talk about this after the meeting? I’m really excited about what’s about to happen, and I don’t want to get called out by Hannah… or Mr. Ellis for that matter.” Smirking he faces the front.

Sighing I nod and turn to face the front as well. Jax, Luke and Dec are all staring at me as the meeting starts. Hannah had just walked in the door when I see an arm grab her. She nods and starts the meeting.

I’m doodling in my notebook as Hannah reiterates things she's already gone over. I still feel those three pairs of eyes on me and don't notice when someone else enters the room. I feel Jax nudge me and I notice he nods to the front of the room. The three of them are staring at me hard when my jaw drops at who's standing at the front with Hannah. 

Hannah continues on with the meeting with his introduction, “This is the new owner, Sawyer Ellis everyone. After going over all that’s going to happen, he will meet with you all one on one to get a better feel of your fit in the company. He may more you around if you’re willing to move, you may be kept here or you may be let go. It all depends on your meeting with him.” 

I push back in my chair, so I'm hidden behind Jaxon. “You fuckers knew and didn’t tell me!” I mutter just loud enough for Jax to hear. his laughter barking through the air drawing a few pairs of eyes to us.  

“We didn’t tell him either. We wanted to see how this played out,” behind me Declan lean forward and whispers. 

Jaxon chuckles and leans back in his chair exposing me to the front of the room just as Sawyers eye glance at us. His eyes widen, and he clears his throat stuttering as he starts speaking. 

I hear the three men chuckling evilly while Sawyer says, “Let’s get started with this meeting, shall we?” soon Sawyer’s droning on and on, like the owner he is. I have no clue what he's talking about since all I can focus on is how hot he looks in is navy suit. Once again, it’s perfectly tailored and fits him like a glove. 

It makes sense to me that he can wear suits like that, now that I know who he is. When he turns away from the projector screen and glances around the room, his eyes somehow always end up on me for a second too long. Sawyer holds my gaze with his green eyes as he wraps up. Everyone gets to walk out, except a few of the lady editors in their 30's.