"And she shut down the whole floor to get our attention." Ethan shook his head.
"That was after Stan told her he'd handle it."
Ethan clenched his jaw. "That's a guy I don't trust. But he claims she never said anything."
I gritted my teeth, not surprised. Turning to Victor, I finished my glass and stood. "If you bring Micah in, we need his discretion. We need to get this cleaned up before the investors or any clients find out." We could use another set of eyes. A fresh one.
I headed to the door. Personally, I was tired of looking at the code and the numbers. It didn't help, I was still trying to tie up my father's affairs, and my head hadn't been a hundred percent.
"You going to meet us at Sanctum?" Victor asked. He'd probably have a girl in his room in the next hour. What better way to erase the week we’d had.
I waved him off. "I'm going to go over the reports again. Not tonight."
Their gaze burrowed into the back of me as I walked away.
I'd checked on her a few times this week, hovering over the message screen longer than I’d like to admit, always backing out at the last second. So much for me getting her out of my system. I stopped in the hall near the elevator and sent a message.
My Pet,
I would so much like a repeat Saturday night if you'd accept. I have some new toys that will have you wanting to scream, but I know you won't because that's what pleases me. If you accept, I will have Mistress Vivienne arrange a car.
Tardiness will not be accepted.
Do you accept?
-Sir
I reread the message twice and sent it, surprised when a chime sounded from my office. I glanced at my watch. Half past six. Why the hell was she still here? She should have left an hour ago.
I buttoned my jacket and took a steadying breath. There were two choices: turn around and go back to Ethan's office, or continue on the path I was on. Neither could be done while sporting a semi.
What was it about Ms. Rhodes?
I shuffled down the hall quietly. Her head was down, reading what I presumed was her phone, since she wasn't looking at her monitors. I smiled.
"Thought your day ended at five?"
She jolted upright, her phone slipping from her hand and hitting the floor with a thud. She smoothed her skirt. “I’m sorry, Mr. Reid. I must have lost track of time.”
I stepped around her desk and crouched to pick up her phone.
I shouldn’t have looked at the screen.
But I did.
And the message she’d been typing stared up at me.
I accept.
Before I could hand the phone back, she snatched it from my hand, locked the screen, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red.
"Everything okay, Ms. Rhodes?"
She gulped as I stepped closer. Peaches. She always smelled faintly of peaches.
“I should go,” she blurted, grabbing her purse from her perfectly organized desk. "I'll see you Monday."
She pivoted, heading straight for the main elevator without another word. I watched her go, shaking my head. Had I pushed too soon? Or surprised her?
