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"Mr. Stark, it’s alright!" she said with forced cheer. "Just a little joke!"
Sawyer ignored her. He grabbed Ada’s shoulders, turned her around, and gently but firmly pushed her toward the door.
"I know. Ada. Now get out.”
"Mr. Stark!" Ada resisted, glancing at Ellie in alarm. "Don’t hurt Ms. Ellie! She’s still young! She—she didn’t know what she was doing!"
"I won’t hurt her," Sawyer assured, his voice dripping with impatience. "Now, go."
"But, Mr. Stark—"
"ADA. OUT." He pushed her past the threshold and shut the door in one swift motion.
From the other side, Ada’s muffled voice still carried through. "Mr. Stark! Don’t take it to heart! Ms. Ellie is just an innocent young girl!"
Sawyer exhaled sharply, clearly irritated, before yanking the door open again. "Ada. I’m not going to hurt her. Go home. Send lunch. Thank you."
Then, without waiting for a response, he shut the door once more and turned to Ellie.
Ellie, who had been slowly inching back into the couch, now looked like she wanted to be swallowed whole. But the moment Sawyer’s gaze locked onto her, she knew that hope was gone.
Panic surged through her. Without thinking, she jumped to her feet and bolted toward the washroom.
Bad idea.
She nearly made it—her fingers had just grasped the doorknob—when Sawyer caught her, yanking her back effortlessly. A startled gasp escaped her lips as he pulled her out of the washroom and pushed her onto the couch.
Her back hit the soft surface. Before she could recover, he was on top of her. One of his hands clamped around her wrists, pinning them above her head, while the other gripped her jaw firmly, forcing her to meet his burning gaze.
"You’re pretty cocky, huh?" His voice was low, dangerous. "Calling me names to my fucking face?"
Ellie swallowed hard.
‘No, Ellie. If you give in now, he’ll use it against you and make your life a living hell. Get a grip!’
Lifting her chin stubbornly, she forced a smile. "It was just a joke," she said, feigning innocence. "You wouldn’t take it seriously, would you?"
Sawyer matched her smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "Wouldn’t I?" His grip on her tightened. “After all, I’m a narcissist, aren’t I?"
"No! No, of course not!" She shook her head quickly. "You’re the most generous man ever. Ada must’ve misunderstood me. I actually meant… Sawyer Nicest Stark!"
His lips twitched in amusement, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes, they darkened. "Ellie," he said slowly, voice dropping to a deadly whisper.
"What?" she asked, feigning nonchalance. "It’s just a nickname! Don’t be such a baby."
"So now I’m a baby too?" he drawled, his voice dark and rough. "Maybe I should put a baby in you right now—then by next year, you’ll know exactly what a real one looks like."
Ellie’s breath caught. Her eyes snapped open, a deep blush creeping up her neck.
"Don’t you dare!" she hissed.
His glare only intensified.
Before she could fight back, he grabbed her waist and hauled her fully onto the bed, flipping her body effortlessly. She barely had time to gasp before he grabbed the hem of her oversized t-shirt and yanked it up, dragging it over her arms and throwing it to the ground.
"Sawyer!" she shrieked, struggling.
"You’ve become too damn spoiled, Ellie Madden," he growled, his voice dark and dangerous. "Let’s see if you can even remember your own name when I’m done with you—forget those damn nicknames."