Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 103

**TITLE: Across Distant Skies Lies Hope Waiting To Be Found by Kade Rowan Flint**

**CONTENT: Can we just appreciate how hot that man is?**

**Grace**

The incessant buzzing suddenly ceased, leaving me in a state of shock. I hadn’t anticipated the abrupt end, and my breath caught in my throat. My body still trembled from the experience, and before I could rein in my impulse, I glanced back. Apollo’s back was already turned to me, his tall, commanding figure striding purposefully toward the exit, as if the electrifying moment we shared had never transpired.

Genesis, who had just lifted her fork to her mouth, widened her eyes in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” she muttered, her voice laced with frustration. “I just started eating.”

Apollo didn’t respond, nor did he look back. Perhaps he hadn’t heard her, or maybe he simply didn’t care.

With a dramatic sigh, Genesis stood up, snatched an apple from the tray, and pivoted on her heel. Her gaze landed on me, and a smile broke across her face, followed by a quick, conspiratorial wink.

Fortunately, no one else seemed to notice. The tables were arranged in such a way that it was difficult to pinpoint exactly who she was smiling at. But I knew that sly grin was aimed squarely at me.

“Huh?” Cedric muttered beside me, his brow furrowed in confusion. “That’s weird. Why did the boss even come to the cafeteria if he wasn’t planning on eating anything?”

Jaxon nodded in agreement, his fork hovering halfway to his mouth. “I know, right?”

I let out a heavy sigh, my mind racing to make sense of it all. My thoughts were a jumbled mess. His actions had completely thrown me off balance.

One moment, I had thought he would relish in my discomfort until he was satisfied, and the next, he had simply switched off the device and walked away without uttering a single word, as if he had extracted whatever thrill he sought.

Part of me felt a wave of relief wash over me that it was over, but I couldn’t shake the nagging disappointment that lingered in my chest.

And why was I even disappointed? What was it about that encounter that left me feeling this way? Was I genuinely interested in that kind of interaction? No sensible person should find pleasure in such a situation, I reminded myself sternly, attempting to silence the little voice whispering that I was undeniably turned on, even though I knew I shouldn’t be.

Danielle broke the silence with a casual shrug. “Does it really matter what he came here for? I think we’re missing the point. Can we just appreciate how hot that man is? He’s literally perfect.”

Jaxon chuckled, shaking his head. “Aren’t you into women? I thought Genesis was more your type.”

Danielle flashed a grin. “Of course! Genesis is definitely my type. But I still have eyes. Being gay doesn’t mean I’m blind.” She tilted her head toward me. “Right, Grace? You think the boss is hot too, don’t you?”

I sighed heavily. Why did people insist on dragging me into every conversation that revolved around Apollo?

I nodded, preparing to offer a nonchalant response when River’s phone rang, cutting through the air like a sharp knife.

I instinctively turned to him. He glanced at the screen, his expression calm, but before answering, he looked at me, his gaze steady.

“It seems as though I have to leave. I have a meeting with someone,” he said, his voice even.

I studied him closely. He wore a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Most of the time, River was an enigma, his expressions expertly concealed. But this time, I could sense the facade, the artificiality of his smile was palpable.

I yearned to ask him what was troubling him. Was it the phone call? Or was there something more significant weighing on his mind? But with so many people around us, all I could manage was a subtle nod.

“I’ll talk to you later,” he added, rising from his seat. The chair scraped softly against the floor as he made his way out of the cafeteria, finally answering the call.

I stared at him, stunned and bewildered. “Wait—what? Nobody informed me about any meeting.”

“It’s about the celebrity issue. They want to have an official meeting before closing the case. The directors wanted to start, but Mr. Hades insisted they wouldn’t begin without you. Many of them are already irritated that they have to wait for someone new like you. If you keep them waiting longer, they’ll resent you, and we can’t let that happen.”

Before I could voice my concerns, Chase grabbed my hand and pulled me along. “Come on!”

“Chase—” I protested, but he was already dragging me toward the elevator, practically sprinting. His grip was firm, and it was clear he was genuinely panicking.

Meanwhile, I was left in a whirlwind of confusion, unsure of how to navigate this unexpected situation.

By the time the elevator doors slid open on the first floor, I barely had a moment to catch my breath before Chase was pulling me out again, leading me directly toward the conference room.

He pushed the door open, and as I stepped inside, I froze. My stomach dropped, and I nearly stumbled back in shock.

Now I understood why Chase had been so frantic.

Every director in the room turned their sharp, unfriendly gazes toward me. If looks could kill… well, you get the idea. But the most unsettling sight of all was him.

Apollo sat at the center of the long table, exuding an air of authority, like a king on his throne, looking utterly bored with the proceedings around him. Unlike the others, he wasn’t glaring at me. His eyes were focused on Chase.

Or rather, they were fixated on Chase’s hand—the hand that was still clasping mine.

I swallowed hard, my pulse racing as I felt a flush creep up my neck.