Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 116

“But

Don’t touch yourself while I’m gone

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Don’t touch yourself while I’m gone

Grace

The next day, the moment I stepped into the company, I could feel every gaze in the room on me, following me as if I’d grown a second head.

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

“Is that her? The girl juggling three handsome men at the same time?”

“Yes! I still can’t believe it’s her. When I heard the rumors, I expected… I don’t know, someone better.”

“Same. But is it just me, or does she look different today? There’s something about her I can’t put my finger on.”

Their voices weren’t subtle. They wanted me to hear every word, to see me flinch, flustered and humiliated, but I didn’t.

I walked as if their words were nothing more than the faint hum of an air conditioner in the background. The heels of my shoes clicked steadily against the marble floor. My blue, flower–printed dress swayed with each step, my blonde wig falling freely over my shoulders, and dark glasses shaded half my face. On the outside, at least, nothing had changed.

The difference was in me.

Instead of lowering my head and hurrying toward the elevator like I always did, I walked casually, chin lifted, a small, easy smile curving my lips.

Their opinions had no weight anymore.

After leaving behind my toxic family and my delusional ex, I’d started to learn things about myself, simple things, things that any normal woman should have realized a long time ago. That I deserved to be loved. I deserved to be wanted. I deserved to be fulfilled, sexually, emotionally, and mentally.

And yesterday, I learned something even simpler.

I deserve not to give a damn.

All my life, I’ve measured every move by its consequence, what people would think, what they would say. Even with Apollo, when he wanted me, when his touch set me on fire, all I could think about was

boss. how others might see me if they found out I was sleeping with my

But yesterday, something changed.

Maybe it was seeing Charles, sitting there so desperate, reminding me of everything I used to tolerate. Or maybe it was reading those ugly messages, realizing just how cruel people could be.

Either way, I finally understood something. If I kept caring about what others thought of me, I would never, ever be free.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a woman glaring at me as if I were something filthy that had crawled out from under her shoe. Her lips curled, disgust flashing across her face.

1/4

Don’t touch yourself while I’m gone

+25 Bonus

I met her stare head–on, smiled sweetly, and dipped my head in a polite greeting.

Her expression hardened instantly.

I almost laughed. God, they were so predictable.

People like her thrived on dragging others down, and when it didn’t work, they got even angrier. Their hatred was their own punishment.

I turned away, my smile widening as I slipped a hand into my bag and pulled out my phone. I thumbed the volume higher on my headphones and let the beat of Bad Guy by Billie Eilish pulse through my ears.

“I’m that bad type. Make your mama sad type. Make your girlfriend mad tight. Might seduce your dad

type

I’m the bad guy. Duh,” I hummed softly, swaying my head a little as I walked toward the elevator, each step unhurried.

Was I childish? Maybe. Did I care? Not in the slightest.

I did promise them a show worth watching, after all.

The elevator doors slid open, and the moment I stepped forward, my feet stopped. My breath hitched as I stared at Apollo.

Those hazel eyes of his snapped up the second the doors parted, locking straight on me. He stood there like he always did, tall, composed, unbothered, but something about the way his gaze held mine made my pulse quicken.

Austin stood beside him, holding an iPad and speaking, his voice trailing off when he noticed me. Chase was behind them, phone in hand, glancing up with his usual smile.

Austin was the first to speak, cutting through the thick silence. “Good morning, Miss Grace.”

Chase lifted a hand in greeting. “Morning, Miss Grace.”

“Good morning,” I replied, smiling brightly. Then my gaze shifted to Apollo, and my smile widened. “ Good morning, Mr. Reed.”

He froze for a moment, his brow arching ever so slightly, as if he wasn’t quite sure what to make of me. Austin and Chase exchanged looks, equally surprised.

I just kept smiling, pretending not to notice.

They probably thought something was wrong with me, I was too cheerful. But the truth was simple, I was normally a happy person… just not around Apollo. With him, happiness always came tangled with something else. I was either too nervous or too turned on. Honestly, when I’m with him, this man barely lets me think; he makes my brain go completely fuzzy.

Apollo didn’t say anything at first. He just stood there, watching me with that unreadable expression of his. His eyes moved down, lingering on my lips.

I blinked. Did I have something on my mouth?

+25 Bonus

Don’t touch yourself while I’m gone

My hand went up automatically, brushing across my lips, but there was nothing there. When I looked back up, he was still staring, though something in his gaze had shifted.

Then, just as suddenly, he straightened. The mask was back. His head tilted slightly before he turned, slipping his hands into his pockets, and walked out of the elevator.

I exhaled, my chest tight.

He passed right beside me, close enough that I could smell his expensive cologne. My stomach twisted. Fuck, that scent was dangerous.

Just when I thought he’d walk away, he stopped abruptly beside me. My body froze, every curious gaze in the room burning into my back, but I couldn’t bring myself to look anywhere else. All my attention was on him.

“Miss Grace,” he said.

“Yes?” I managed to answer, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I’ll be away for a while.”

W

My smile faltered before I could stop it. Away? My mind went blank for a second, but I caught myself and forced the corners of my lips back up.

“Okay, sir. I’ll make sure to work hard while you’re gone.

W

Something flickered in his eyes, amusement, maybe. “It seems you’re mistaken about something.”

“W–what?”

He leaned in, not enough to touch me, but enough that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my ear. The entire office went quiet. I froze, my body tense, as his voice dropped to a husky whisper meant only for me.

I widened my eyes and leaned back, heart racing. What was he doing?

“Be good while I’m gone, Miss Grace,” he said, his voice low, commanding.

(( “”

“Don’t touch yourself while I’m gone,” he murmured. “Only I get to touch you. When I return, I’ll make sure you’re properly rewarded for your obedience. Until then, no touching. And most importantly…” his I’d voice dropped lower, dangerous now, “don’t let another man even think about laying a hand on you. hate to have to remind him, and you, who you belong to.”

My heart thudded in my chest at his words, my body betraying me with every rapid beat. And yet, Apollo seemed completely unaffected.

He leaned back, silent for a moment, then without another word, he turned and walked away. Austin and Chase followed him, their footsteps fading into the distance.

The room was suddenly silent. I pressed a hand to my chest, swallowing hard. This man will be the death of me, I thought, unable to stop the shiver that ran through my body.