Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

44%

65 vouchate

Eloise swatted Grayson’s hand away. ‘That’s an insult to my looks and it’s totally unacceptable. I know exactly just how attractive I am.’

Remembering why she was there, she repeated, her voice firmer now, “Mr. Pierce, I’m here to pick up my car.”

Grayson’s fingers flexed almost imperceptibly where she had struck them. ‘So delicate. So smooth. Alright, I was lying. Eloise is beautiful. Every part of her is… appealing.‘

Being pushed away left Grayson with a surprising sense of loss.

“Mr. Pierce,” Eloise pressed again, “where is my car?”

Grayson walked into the kitchen, pulled a bottle of water from the refrigerator, twisted the cap off, and tilted his head back to take several long gulps.

From Eloise’s angle, she had a perfect view of the pronounced bob of his Adam’s apple as he swallowed. One word came to mind: Sexy.

She had always been weak for Grayson’s looks. Back then, she had been the one to pursue him. The first time she saw him at the company in Ucrevine, she was captivated.

She engineered “accidental” meetings, volunteered for his project teams, sat opposite him in the cafeteria, and even pretended to trip in front of him so he’d have to catch her.

Eloise had spent all her courage just to chase after Grayson. Thinking of all those silly things she did now filled her with cringing embarrassment.

Stop it. I’m getting sidetracked again,‘ she scolded herself. ‘But really, Grayson is being more unreasonable. I’ve asked twice already. What is his problem?‘

“Mr. Pierce,” she said, forcing patience into her tone, “where is my car?”

“Your car?” Grayson finished the water in one last gulp and tossed the empty bottle in a perfect arc into a trash bin several feet away. Only then did he deign to answer. “It’s not ready yet.”

Eloise stared at him for a beat, processing. “Then why did you tell me to come here?”

“My friend request,” Grayson said, ignoring her question. “Why didn’t you accept it?”

Eloise was speechless. “That’s why he summoned me all the wayut here?‘

She tried hard to sound polite. “Mr. Pierce, I don’t think we need to be connected on WhatsApp. It’s better if we keep our distance from now on.”

Grayson’s gaze turned stormy. She is truly infuriating

He raised an eyebrow. “It’s just a messaging app. Don’t flatter you sell. Do you think I’m interested in you? Keep dreaming, You’re not my type anymore.”

“I’m well aware someone like me is beneath your notice, Mr. Pice, Eloise retorted. “But aren’t you worried I might become a nuisance? I thought not friending you was being considerate. What if I friended you and harassed you day and night?”

Grayson knew she was mocking him. The more she refused, the more determined he became, “Give me your phone.”

Eloise frowned. “Why?”

15:55 Thu, Feb 12 GDG.

Chapter 16

“To friend me,” Grayson pressed.

Eloise shook her head. “Mr. Pierce, we’re not at the ‘exchanging contacts‘ stage.”

“Then who is? Beckett?” he shot back.

Eloise recoiled slightly. ‘Why is he bringing my boss into this? His impossible.

Grayson’s deep–set eyes pinned her in place. “Your phone. Now.”

She didn’t move, so he went on, “I’ll notify you on WhatsApp when your car is ready.”

“You can call.” She looked down.

But Grayson didn’t budge. “I don’t want to call.”

Eloise felt like she was dealing with a petulant child. She just wanted this over with.

1. 44% –

55 vouchers

With a resigned sigh, she pulled out her phone, opened the app. and accepted the pending request. “Satisfied? Can I go now?”

Grayson shook his head. “No. There’s one more thing.”

“What now?” Eloise’s tone was openly impatient now.

Grayson pressed a car key into her palm. It was for his Bentley. “Use this in the meantime.”

Eloise immediately tried to push it back. “I don’t want it.”

She wondered, ‘Driving a Bentley to work? My colleagues would think I’m being kept. And who would want to keep a single mother?‘

In her experience, any man who showed the slightest interest vanished the moment they learned she had a son. Not that she minded; it kept her life simple.

Grayson’s brows drew together. He grabbed her wrist, his grip firm, and forced the key back into her palm..

“What are you doing? I said I don’t want it,” Eloise protested, trying to pull away.

Grayson insisted, “Take it.”

“Mr. Pierce, I’m a working–class employee. Driving a Bentley is completely inappropriate.” Eloise complained secretly, It’s more expensive than my boss’s car. How would that look?‘

She said with all seriousness, “Mr. Pierce, please don’t force this me

Grayson studied her stubborn expression for a long moment, then finally relented, taking the key back. “Fine. I’ll pick your up tomorrow and take you to get your car,”

Eloise decisively refused, “I can go myself. There’s no need to treble you.”

“Eloise,” he said, his voice tight with frustration. “Are you doing is on purpose? Trying to piss me off?”

Eloise’s attitude was firm. “I’m not trying to anger you, Mr. Pier I just don’t want to be a bother. You’re a busy man. Just give me the address, and I’ll handle it.”

Grayson was still holding her wrist. She tried to tug it free. “Mr. erce, let go of me. This isn’t fitting for someone of your

status.”

15:55 Thu, Feb 12 G D G

Chapter 16

44%

55 vouchere

Before she could finish her sentence, his other hand came up to up the back of her head, and his mouth crashed down on hers.

Eloise’s eyes flew wide open. Her mind short–circuited; the very ir around them seemed to freeze.

Grayson had meant it as a punishment, a way to shut her up. Bu the moment his lips touched the soft, familiar sweetness of hers, a fire he thought long dormant roared to life inside him.

All coherent thought vanished, replaced by a single, primal urge more.

The kiss was a turbulent mix, sometimes punishing in its intensity, sometimes disarming in its unexpected tenderness.

Perhaps the years of buried longing were too powerful. Against her better judgment, Eloise felt herself melting into it, her initial resistance dissolving as she was pulled back into a current she knew too well.

By the time her senses screamed back to life, several minutes had passed.

Reality came crashing down. She shoved against Grayson’s chest with all her might. “What are you doing?”

Grayson felt a rush of want, but it was quickly drowned by sharp embarrassment.

He had just finished telling her she was ordinary, that he had no interest. And then he had kissed her like a starving man. The contradiction was glaring, and he felt like a fool.

“I… well…” he stammered, uncharacteristically lost for words.

A furious blush covered Eloise’s face. Without another word, she spun on her heel and fled.

She burst out of the villa door and nearly collided with an elderly woman standing on the path.

The woman had gray hair and a kind, gentle face. Eloise managed to sidestep at the last second, avoiding the impact.

“Ma’am, I’m so sorry. Are you alright? Did I startle you?” Eloise asked.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify