Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 22

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

**CONTENT: I wanted her in my bed**

**Apollo**

I found myself transfixed by the woman standing before me. Her smile was there, but it felt forced, as though she were trying to mask something deeper. She looked straight into my eyes, her gaze unwavering, as if she were making the most outrageous proposition I had ever encountered in the last ten years.

“Drive me?”

My brow furrowed, and I could feel my jaw clenching in disbelief. Did she even grasp the absurdity of what she was suggesting? In my world, no one ever offered to drive me anywhere—neither my business associates nor my friends, not even my father, who would do anything to manipulate me into submission.

They all understood one fundamental truth: Apollo Reed does not drive. The only person I ever allowed behind the wheel was Austin.

Ever since my wife tragically lost her life in a car accident, I had become a shell of my former self. Despite my best efforts, the thought of starting a car, much less driving one, sent a wave of panic through me. That was precisely why I had made arrangements for a room and bathroom in my office; I wanted to avoid the roads at all costs.

The doctor had labeled it trauma, a psychological wound buried deep within me, still festering. They told me that my inability to sit behind the wheel or even let someone else take the reins was my body’s way of coping with an unbearable loss.

Nonsense.

Yes, I was shattered. Yes, I had retreated into myself for over a year, burying myself in work to escape the haunting memories.

But trauma?

What a ridiculous attempt to name something that no one could truly understand or mend.

Austin was the only person I trusted to drive me. Even he had taken months to learn how to adapt to my unique rhythm. He had an uncanny ability to know when to engage in conversation and when to maintain silence. That was why he held such a pivotal role in my life at work; he was irreplaceable.

And now, here was this woman, boldly suggesting that she could drive me.

Chase stepped forward, sensing the palpable tension in the room. “Miss… Mr. Apollo doesn’t let anyone drive him.”

The girl blinked, clearly taken aback. “Why? Why can’t he drive himself then?”

Chase’s mouth opened and closed, like a fish gasping for air, as if he couldn’t fathom her casual demeanor in discussing me.

She nervously licked her lips, and I noticed how her gaze flickered up to mine for just a moment, as though she were testing the waters before taking the plunge.

“I mean… I’m a very skilled driver, sir. During my driving test, the instructor said I was the best student he’d seen in years.”

“And as your employee,” she added, her tone brazen, “I thought I should extend my assistance. Maybe you’d be a bit more understanding about what happened today. Then, you’ll see just how dedicated I truly am.”

This audacious woman was framing it as a simple favor, a dutiful employee stepping up to help, but beneath that veneer lay a clear bargain.

Drive you to your meeting, and in return, let’s pretend the last twenty minutes never transpired.

Bold. Incredibly bold.

I scrutinized her.

From the oversized cardigan that engulfed her frame to the comically large glasses perched on her nose, I couldn’t help but think she must consider me a fool. How utterly amusing.

It had been ages since anyone had sparked even a flicker of interest in me.

She had no inkling of the kind of man she was attempting to negotiate with.

A slight smirk tugged at my lips.

“No, that’s not the issue. People don’t—” Chase began, but I interrupted him.

“Let her drive me.”

Chase’s head whipped around to face me. “What?”

I took a step toward her, my presence looming. “I’ll permit it, but if your driving falls short of perfection, if even the slightest mishap occurs on the road, you will be held accountable.”

With a gentle yet firm gesture, I tilted her chin upward, my eyes fixated on the subtle movement of her throat as she swallowed nervously. “And believe me, I will be the one administering your punishment personally.”

She remained silent, yet I could sense the tremor that coursed through her at the mere mention of punishment. It spoke volumes.

I stepped back, my voice steady. “We leave in three minutes. Prepare yourself.”

“Yes, sir.” She replied, her tone hurried as she rushed toward the door.

I turned away, making my way to the expansive windows that overlooked the sprawling city below.

“Chase,” I called out.

“Yes, sir?”

Everything seemed to spiral further into chaos.

“You’re incredibly brave,” Chase said softly. “And a good person. Driving him even though you know everything.”

I blinked, confused. “Sorry, what?”

“I mean, you must have a lot of respect for Mr. Apollo. More than I do, honestly. I wouldn’t have volunteered to drive him. No way.”

What was he even talking about?

“I believe in you, Miss Grace. Just be cautious; if you avoid mistakes, everything should go smoothly, and Mr. Apollo won’t have a reason to punish you.”

“You’re scaring me, Chase. What kind of punishment are you referring to?”

“I’m not entirely sure, probably nothing too serious,” Chase said quickly, though his voice dropped to a whisper. “But… I’ve heard stories. Like, one time? A business partner made a joke during a meeting when Mr. Apollo wasn’t in the best mood. He canceled a billion-dollar contract on the spot. And then he didn’t stop there—he completely obliterated the guy’s company.”

A chill ran down my spine. My fingers fidgeted around the car keys Chase was now pressing into my palm.

He must have noticed the fear in my expression because he chuckled nervously. “I mean, it could just be a rumor.”

It wasn’t. I knew it wasn’t.

Apollo was undeniably that type of person. Even with my limited knowledge of him, I could sense it.

I opened my mouth to respond, but Chase interrupted me.

“Oh no, look at the time! It’s been exactly two minutes. You need to head downstairs; Mr. Apollo is always punctual. And whatever you do, don’t drive too fast, don’t attempt to overtake anyone, and definitely don’t engage him in conversation.”

“Don’t talk to him?”

“He despises small talk in the car,” Chase whispered. “He claims that people who chatter aimlessly are like flies, buzzing around his head—annoying and utterly pointless.”

He handed me the keys to his car. Before I could protest, he gave me a gentle push toward the door.

“Good luck!”

Yeah, I was definitely going to need it.