Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 62

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

I was undeniably in a predicament.

Something heavy pressed down on my chest, a sensation that felt as if the weight of the world had settled there, unyielding and indifferent. A low groan escaped my lips, a sound of discomfort and annoyance. I shifted slightly, attempting to dislodge whatever was resting on me, but it only stirred, emitting a soft noise that seemed to mock my struggle. Then, without warning, something gentle brushed against the top of my head.

What in the world was that? Could it be the twins?

I weakly shook my head, muttering in a barely audible voice, “Stop it, kids. Just give me two minutes; your aunt is completely worn out.”

But the weight only intensified, pressing down further.

“Meow.”

In an instant, my eyes flew open.

Just inches from my face were a pair of perfectly symmetrical, piercing green eyes, filled with an air of judgment. The owner of those eyes tilted his head ever so slowly, as if evaluating my very existence. His snow-white fur shimmered in the soft morning light that streamed through the blinds, illuminating his regal presence.

“What the hell…” I croaked, my voice gravelly as I stared back at the cat that had commandeered my chest. Its delicate paw rested lightly on my head, and I could have sworn it was regarding me with an expression that suggested it knew every embarrassing secret I had ever harbored.

“Who are you?” I asked, still caught in the haze of sleep and utterly bewildered by the fact that I was having a silent staring contest with a cat that I was certain did not belong to me.

Of course, it offered no reply. It simply shot me one last unimpressed glance before leaping off me and padding gracefully to the foot of the bed, curling up there with an air of ownership, those green eyes still fixed on me as if I were a curious exhibit.

I blinked several times, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep as I leaned back into the pillow. The sun’s warmth enveloped my face at just the right angle, forcing me to squint against its brightness. I raised a hand to shield my eyes, but even that small movement sent a tightness through my chest, a reminder that reality was beginning to settle in.

This morning, I wasn’t a drunken mess. I wasn’t lost in a fog of confusion, piecing together the remnants of the night like some tragic rom-com heroine. No, as soon as my eyes opened, the memories lined up in my mind with a clarity that was almost alarming.

I had spent the night with my boss. Not just any boss, but Apollo Reed.

Fantastic.

I was at a loss for how to process this revelation.

In the back of my mind, I had rehearsed this moment countless times, imagining what it would be like if I ever crossed that line with Apollo. I thought I had it all figured out. I envisioned shame washing over me, embarrassment gnawing at my insides until I could barely face myself in the mirror. I anticipated that the regret would crash down on me the moment it was over, making me wish I could rewind time and erase every moment.

Yet, astonishingly, none of that transpired.

I felt no shame. No embarrassment. And regret? It felt like a distant star, light-years away. In fact, if I could turn back time to yesterday, I would leap at the chance to do it all over again, without a hint of hesitation. I would stride confidently into his study, shed my clothes, and let him touch me without a second thought.

Heat rushed to my face, and my pulse quickened as vivid flashes from the previous night assaulted my senses all at once. The way he felt inside me, oh God, the way he moved, so deliberate and masterful, as if he instinctively knew exactly where and how to touch me to make my body betray my every thought. Compared to my past experiences, it was like stepping into an entirely different realm.

Had I known that intimacy could feel like that, I would have never settled for anything less.

I had missed out on so much. My so-called first time had been a forgettable disaster; Charles hadn’t even been able to bring me to completion. In fact, he had pulled away halfway through, claiming I was making it difficult for him to move. That had been my standard before last night.

Last night, I knew I was making it harder for Apollo too, my body instinctively clenching around him, drawing him deeper, but instead of faltering, he embraced it. He took his time, ensuring I was comfortable, making sure I craved more.

The deep, resonant voice sliced through the air behind me like a knife. I froze, every ounce of warmth draining from my body.

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

Had he been standing behind me this entire time?

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat making it nearly impossible to breathe. Slowly, I turned around, dread pooling in my stomach.

Heaven help me.

My boss stood there, a towel draped low around his hips, damp hair curling slightly at the ends. His arms were crossed over his chest as he leaned casually against the bathroom door, droplets of water cascading down the hard lines of his torso in lazy rivulets.

But it wasn’t the towel or the water or even the muscles that made my heart race; it was the intensity of his gaze.

Those hazel eyes were locked onto me as if he had been watching my every move.

“You really like sneaking away, Miss Grace,” he remarked, his tone almost casual, yet there was an underlying danger that sent shivers down my spine.

My grip on my bra tightened, my knuckles turning white as panic surged through me. My mind screamed for me to respond, but my lips felt glued shut.

“Do I have to set a trap just to keep you where I want you?”