Standing in Peyton’s line of sight, I finished my coffee and poured another. Black and almost burnt tasting, it was nothing like what we brewed upstairs, but it was decent enough that I didn’t wince with every sip.
I took a step toward them, and the other woman’s shoulders lifted.
Peyton ran her spoon around her bowl and shifted in her seat. Color flooded her cheeks, and she’d stopped talking.
“Good afternoon.” I walked up to their table and stopped, raking my gaze over Peyton before shifting to the other woman. “I apologize for interrupting your lunch, but I needed to know if you had a chance to schedule the meeting with Mr. Borzov for tomorrow.”
Peyton nodded, her head bobbling. “Yes, Mr. Petrov. I added it to your calendar. I was going to email you the details after lunch.”
“Very good.” I tipped my head toward her companion. “You are one of our accountants, yes?”
She nodded, her eyes narrowing. “Yes.”
“I thought so.” I recognized her face from the financial department files. I went through all employee records every six months, familiarizing myself with them. She was a pretty thing who had hovered at first.
She’d found excuses to be near me, Misha, and Viktor, showing an interest in taking things further.
Once she realized we were not interested, she backed off.
Good for her. I would much rather have employees who did not pout when not given our undivided attention but were able to do their job regardless of the disappointment.
We’d fired several who did not understand how to draw that line.
This one, though, she had found her place and befriended Peyton. They were close enough that Peyton felt comfortable confiding in her about our sexual activities, but she held true to not naming us.
I grinned down at Peyton. “I’ll let you get back to your lunch and conversation. Enjoy.” I lifted the cup, my smirk widening as Peyton realized I’d overheard her.
The two of them stared at my retreating back, which caused the hairs to lift on my neck. I ignored the feeling and drank my coffee on the way to the elevator, my grin turning into a full-blown laugh by the time I made it upstairs.
Viktor and Misha walked out of their offices, catching sight of me and glancing at each other.
“My office.” I waved them forward, waiting until I’d closed the door behind them to explain my mirth. “I caught Peyton talking about how great sex is with us.”
Misha crossed his arms. “Why are you laughing about that?”
Viktor took a minute to consider the situation. “You don’t think this is a problem?”
“No. She did not name us, only talked about how much she enjoys sex with us. I think she is ready for us to take things up a notch.” I relaxed against my desk, balled up the empty cup, and tossed it into the trash.
Intrigue lined Misha’s face. “What do you have in mind?”
Viktor made a low, grumbling sound deep in his chest. “I believe this is my area of expertise.”
“Yes, and that is why I wanted you here. But we do nothing that pushes past what she’s comfortable with.” I gave him a pointed look. We’d had this conversation in various forms over the past weeks, and I intended to keep having it until the caveat became a reflex. “She has to want it.”
“She will want it.” Viktor’s expression pulled his lips to one side. Like me, he’d no doubt studied Peyton’s reactions. He was systematic in that way. “She wants to be held accountable. She told us as much in the app. Weeks ago. She simply has not yet been given the chance to explore it.” He paused, his chin dipping toward his chest. “I will be careful with her.”
From Viktor, that was a clear a vow as I’d ever receive.
Misha had gone quiet, planning.
He’d be fine once she arrived. I’d have to keep him occupied until then to prevent him from charging after her in a hunt.
He’d yet to explore that side of Peyton, the side that might fall apart at his intensity.
Not every woman wanted to be hunted, subdued, then ravaged.
“Misha?” I snapped my fingers in his face to gain his attention.