Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Eloise arched her brows with a smile. “So, did you guys hook up again?”

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“Not exactly. We just spent another night together. Basically, we’re just fuck buddies,” Juliette replied.

“Honestly, I think that’s great. No strings, just getting what we need,” Eloise said.

“Hey, Eloise, haven’t you had any needs all these years? No guy around you. It must get pretty lonely, huh?” Juliette teased.

Eloise’s cheeks flushed instantly.

“No,” she replied.

Juliette nudged her playfully. “Come on, don’t lie. Once you’ve had a taste, how could you not want more? We’re close, you know. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

“Spill it, have you ever wanted it?” Juliette pressed.

Eloise dashed over to the couch, ignoring her. “Juliette, hurry up and eat your noodles. They’re getting soggy.”

Juliette burst out laughing. “Seriously, it’s no big deal. We’re women, we’ve got needs too. Nothing to be embarrassed about.”

“If you’re really feeling it, just take Grayson for a spin,” Juliette joked.

Eloise started coughing, nearly choking on her own spit.

“Juliette, seriously, can you just stop talking?” Eloise said, flustered.

Someone knocked at the door.

“Who’s knocking so late?” Juliette called out.

Eloise didn’t say a word.

She could already guess who it was.

Juliette, being closer to the door, got up to open it.

Grayson stood there, his tall frame blocking out most of the light.

“Mr. Pierce, here to see Eloise?” Juliette teased.

Grayson nodded and stepped inside.

His gaze grew darker as he spotted Eloise on the couch.

“I’m stuffed. I’m heading out. I’ll leave you two to it,” Juliette said.

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Chapter 86

Juliette snatched up her bag and disappeared in a blink.

Noah was still in his room.

Now, it was just Grayson and Eloise left in the living room.

Grayson walked over to the couch and sat down beside her.

Eloise studied the patterns on the floor, refusing to look at him.

Her hand was braced against the couch.

Grayson’s fingers shifted, and he placed his hand gently over hers.

Eloise stiffened.

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He shifted sideways and drew her into his embrace, his chin gently pressed against the top of her head.

“Eloise, I’m sorry…” he murmured.

She felt a lump in her throat, tears threatening to spill.

Noah peeked through the door, saw the two of them wrapped in each other’s arms in the living room, and quietly closed the door and went back inside.

Eloise nestled in Grayson’s arms.

She was captivated by his embrace.

In the small living room, they held each other quietly, saying nothing.

Grayson kissed her softly on the top of her head.

They lost track of time.

Eloise gently slipped out of Grayson’s embrace and sat up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“What are you doing here so late?” she asked.

“Just wanted to see you,” Grayson replied, his voice low and husky.

He’d left Pierce Manor, and before he knew it, he’d driven all the way here.

“Noah’s in his room. Why don’t you go hang out with him? He loves having you as his dad,” Eloise said.

Grayson didn’t say a word.

Eloise stood up, about to head back to her room, when his hand closed gently around hers.

She looked down at their hands.

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Chapter 86

Grayson pressed his cheek against her hand.

Eloise’s heart skipped a beat. “Grayson…”

But Grayson let go of her, stood up, and strode off to Noah’s room.

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When Eloise stepped out of the shower, Grayson emerged from Noah’s room at the same time. Their eyes met, and the air was thick with desire.

Eloise lowered her gaze. “Are you leaving?”

A faint floral scent lingered in the air.

Grayson took in her breathtaking beauty, her jet-black hair falling loosely around her shoulders. He moved closer, stopping right in front of her, leaning in so his breath brushed softly against her ear.

“If you want me, I can stay,” he murmured.

“Me? Use me however you want,” Eloise blurted out.

Eloise fell silent.

She looked up at him in shock, only to meet Grayson’s teasing gaze.

‘Oh god! Grayson must’ve overheard everything Juliette and I said!’ Eloise thought, her heart racing.

“I don’t… need anything,” she mumbled, flustered.

Her face flushed, Eloise skirted around him and hurried into her room.

Leaning against the door, she rubbed her ear.

‘God, my ears are burning!’ she thought.

The walls were so thin, Eloise could hear Grayson chuckling softly outside.

She messed up her hair in frustration.

A little while later, she heard the door shut.

Grayson was gone.

The next morning, Eloise dropped Noah off at preschool and drove to the office.

She’d barely parked when someone came out of nowhere, swinging at her.

Eloise moved out of the way just in time.

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Chapter 86

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Camille missed and shot Eloise a vicious glare. “You bitch, what did you do to make Grayson so obsessed with you? You even had a kid with another man, and he still wants you? I swear, I’m going to ruin you!”

Camille roared and lunged at Eloise again.

Eloise’s face darkened. She dodged to the side again, and as Camille came at her, Eloise grabbed a fistful of her hair.

Camille shrieked in pain, “Bitch, let go of me!”

Eloise yanked her around by the hair and landed a slap right across her face, leaving Camille dazed on the

spot.

After a moment, Camille finally came to her senses. “You bitch, how dare you hit me!”

Eloise didn’t hold back. She slapped her two more times, leaving Camille’s face red and swollen.

Eloise grabbed Camille and slammed her against the car door, her eyes fierce. “Yeah, I’m hitting you! Camille, can’t land a man? That’s your problem. Go chase Grayson yourself.

“All your sneaky tricks behind my back. Don’t think I’m easy to mess with. Push me too far and I’ll bite back, hard!”

Camille just stared, stunned.

“You bitch…” Camille hissed.

Her face got hit with another slap.

“If you don’t know how to keep your mouth shut, I’ll slap you until you do,” Eloise snapped.

Camille was so furious she bit her lip hard enough to draw blood.

“Eloise, you were just faking it all this time, huh? Now your true colors are out. You’re so damn cruel!” Camille

spat.

“Not as cruel as you,” Eloise shot back.

“You! I’m telling Grayson you hit me. He’ll deal with you. I’m his lifesaver, you know!” Camille shouted.

“Whatever!” Eloise snapped.

“You’re not my lifesaver, so I don’t owe you anything,” Eloise said.

Eloise let go of her.

Camille scrambled up, shot Eloise a venomous glare, and took off running.

Suddenly, someone started clapping behind her.

She turned around and saw Beckett.

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Chapter 86

“Wow, Eloise, that was savage, but you looked gorgeous,” Beckett said.

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Eloise blushed. “Come on, Beckett, don’t make fun of me. Anyone would fight back if they were cornered.”

“I like that. I don’t want to see you getting pushed around. If you ever run into something you can’t handle, just let me know. I’ve got your back,” Beckett said.

“Thanks, Mr. Hayes,” Eloise replied.

“Go on up,” Beckett said.

Eloise followed Beckett into the office.

Her coworkers gave her weird looks, some even pointing and gossiping behind her back.

She knew it was all because of yesterday’s news.

Beckett swept his icy gaze across the room. “Don’t you all have work to do?”

Everyone quickly ducked their heads and hurried off.

Eloise flashed a quick smile. “Thanks, Mr. Hayes.”

Beckett shrugged and said, “They don’t know the real story, Eloise. Just ignore the way they’re looking at you.”

“I’m not bothered,” Eloise said.

The elevator dinged, and Beckett and Eloise stepped inside together.

After Beckett had snapped at everyone, nobody dared to join them. Everyone just waited for the next elevator.

As the elevator ascended, Beckett glanced at Eloise. “Do you ever regret having Noah?”

Eloise turned to him. “Never. Noah is my treasure, my darling. The luckiest thing in my life was having him.”

Beckett pressed his lips together, turned away, and fell silent, a hint of loneliness in his eyes.

As soon as they stepped into the office, Felice leaned in and whispered, “Ms. Caldwell, what’s going on between you and Mr. Pierce?”

Everyone knew Eloise had a son, but none of them realized she was actually involved with Mr. Pierce.

Grayson was the prince of Ekloland, someone regular folks like them could never even imagine being with.

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