Chapter 2

ChapterTwo

SAWYER

The plane is quiet, and I’m not surprised after the meeting this afternoon. Bruce and I are on the same page about where we want this project to go, but Paul was obnoxiously against it. After today, there were clear lines drawn between the two of them and what the direction of the company should be. Father and son going head to head in front of a client isn’t exactly what I’d call a successful business trip, and the sooner I can get home to Chloe the better.

Bruce gets a call and for whatever reason decides to go to the private room at the back of the plane to answer it. As soon as the door is closed, Paul starts talking.

“You could have backed me up.” He sounds indignant and like a spoiled asshole.

“I would have if I agreed with you,” I tell him flatly, and he huffs before dramatically sitting back in his seat.

“Like it or not, I’m the future of this company. You’re just an employee.” He thinks he’s threatening me, but he really has no clue how his father’s company operates.

“I’m a consultant, Paul. I’m not an employee. I’m only an advisor to your father until I terminate my contact.” It’s not my intention to say it like he’s five, but it’s been a long twenty-four hours, and I’m sick of his shit. I’ve been over it for the past three years, but I’ve managed to bite my tongue. Bruce pleaded with me not to quit until this project is finished.

“Even better.” He’s so delusional he thinks that means he’s in charge.

Deciding that talking to him is a bad idea, I pull out my phone and text Chloe. After I let her know what time I’ll be home, I look back through all the pictures she sent me yesterday. There were lots of the bridal shower and food, but I like the ones she sent me while she was getting ready. Her legs are bare as she spreads them wide and she shows me the strip of silk covering her pussy. I begged her to pull them to the side and let me see all of her, but she was being a tease.

Last night, I made her get on a video call so I could watch her use the vibrator I bought her. I sat there sipping scotch while she fucked herself and moaned my name. I was so goddamn hard, but all I did was watch. My balls ache with anticipation, but she’s worth waiting for.

Mom is on the phone with Bruce. Is everything okay?

The deal didn’t go exactly as planned. I’ll tell you when I get home.

Okay.

Kelly is here getting the rest of the gifts from the shower. She said Paul is coming over to help her take them home.

Great.

That bad?

Nothing you can’t fix.

I’ll be ready the second we’re alone.

Maybe we should meet at a hotel?

We’ll give them five minutes to get their stuff and leave. Then we make our escape.

Deal.

I’m still grinning when she sends me a dozen emojis that include lips and something that looks like water. Yeah, I plan on doing that to every inch of her body.

“Everything okay?” I ask Bruce when he comes back to his seat.

“Fine,” he says dismissively and then directs his attention to Paul. “You embarrassed me today.”

The words are heavy, and I don’t think I should be here for this discussion. I go to unbuckle and get up from my seat, but Bruce holds out a hand to stop me.

“No, you stay for this, Sawyer. You were made to look like a fool just as much as I was in that conference room.”

“Dad—”

“Be quiet,” Bruce snaps, and it’s the first time I’ve ever heard him speak to his son this way. “That’s what I should have said the second you opened your mouth in that meeting. I’ve made the mistake of thinking that eventually you’ll see how to conduct yourself by being around Sawyer, but I’m disappointed to say that’s not been the case.”

“You can’t be serious.” Paul huffs a laugh and Bruce gets angrier.

“I’m serious enough to suspend you from your board seat.”

The blood drains from Paul’s face as his eyes widen. “You don’t have the power to do that.”

I decide to keep my mouth shut and not inform Paul that Bruce can do exactly that.

“Monday morning you’re going to send a corporate memo stating your desire to step away from your seat to focus on your upcoming nuptials. Until I see a drastic improvement in your attitude and contribution to this company, you’re not welcome to help run it.”

The finality in Bruce’s words might as well be a nail in Paul’s coffin. Silence once again falls over the cabin of the plane, and no one says a word. Not even when we land, deboard, and get in the car together to go to my and Chloe’s home.

It’s not until we pull up at the house that Bruce finally breaks it. “This is for your own good, Paul. I love you, son, and I know you can be a better man than you’ve shown. You’re passionate, and we need that on our side.”

Paul looks at his father, and there’s something in his eyes. Is it hope? But all too soon that’s stripped away with Bruce’s next words.

“Until then, Sawyer will be taking over for you. Chloe has really brought him into the family fold since they got married, and I think it’s high time he joins us permanently. Don’t you agree, Sawyer?”

The urge to tell him no fucking way is lodged in my throat just as the car door is flung open and my bride stands there waiting.

“There she is,” Bruce says lovingly as he gets out first and places a kiss on Chloe’s cheek. “We were just talking about what a favor you did us by marrying Sawyer.”

Chloe beams at him, but then her smile falters when I get out of the car. She glances behind me, and her expression changes to one of concern. “Everything okay?” she whispers in my ear when I pull her up in my arms.

“Not even close,” I whisper back and glance over to see Paul is livid.