Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 74

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

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You simply wanted to keep her busy

**Grace**

Chase came to a sudden halt in front of my desk, a thick folder cradled in his hands, his grin almost blinding. “Miss Grace, here it is—the product review. Most of the feedback is positive, thank goodness. Everything you need to know is all right here.”

I stared at the folder as if it were a ferocious beast ready to spring. My mouth dropped open in disbelief. It was thick, overflowing with page after page of dense information. When he handed it to me, I felt its weight, both in my hands and in my heart, as if it were a burden I was destined to carry.

“You must be joking,” I whispered under my breath, disbelief tinged with a hint of panic.

Chase must have noticed the horror that must have been etched across my face because he awkwardly scratched the back of his head. “Well, I had intended to provide you with a summarized version. It would have been quicker and easier to digest, but,” he leaned in closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret, “I was instructed to give you this one instead.”

My mind raced as I blinked at him, clutching the hefty folder against my chest like a lifeline. The first thought that struck me was about Apollo.

Was it just my imagination, or was he deliberately trying to overwhelm me? But why? Just yesterday, I had believed we were on decent terms. He had even driven me home afterward. For a fleeting moment, I had allowed myself to dream that perhaps the awkwardness between us might begin to fade. Clearly, I had been mistaken.

A deep sigh escaped my lips as I shook my head, attempting to dispel the spiraling thoughts that threatened to consume me. It didn’t matter. I was here to work, not to analyze my boss’s moods. Forcing a smile, I nodded at Chase. “Thank you. I’ll dive into this right away.”

“Right.” Chase’s demeanor brightened once more. He gestured toward a desk on the side of the floor. “And this is where you’ll be sitting.”

I followed his finger, and as my gaze landed on the desk, a wave of dread washed over me. The workspace was pristine, perfectly organized with fresh stationery and a gleaming new monitor. It appeared innocuous enough, until I caught sight of the glass wall directly behind it.

Apollo’s office.

You simply wanted to keep her busy

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My lips parted as I swallowed hard, an invisible knot forming in my throat.

Karma.

I must have committed some grave sin in a past life, because why was my new desk literally positioned in front of the boss’s office? Every time he glanced up, he would see me. Every twitch of my hand, every sigh, every moment I spent staring blankly at the screen—he would be acutely aware of it all.

Turning back to Chase, I saw pity in his eyes, as if he were silently saying, If I were you, I’d rather face any fate than endure being under his scrutinizing gaze all day.

My shoulders sagged. “I see…” I murmured, attempting to mask the dread creeping into my voice. “I’ll get to work on it now.”

Chase offered me a sympathetic smile before moving along, leaving me to face my impending doom.

Dragging my feet toward the desk, I set the heavy folder down and slowly lowered myself into the chair. For a brief moment, I just sat there, staring at the mountain of work, trying to ignore the chill that crept down my spine.

Curiosity, however, got the better of me. I turned my head slightly, stealing a glance to the side.

Through the glass window, I could see Apollo. He was perched on the edge of his desk, papers in hand, while Austin stood beside him, reporting something. Typically, when Chase occupied that space, Apollo’s expression was a mask of disapproval, eyes narrowed, mouth set in a tight line, as if he disapproved of every word spoken. But with Austin, his demeanor was neutral, almost relaxed.

So Austin truly was his right-hand man.

My gaze lingered a second too long on Apollo, taking in his posture, the veins running along his hands where his sleeves were rolled up, the slight tilt of his head as he listened intently. The focus in his eyes, the deliberate way he held his pen, those long, skilled fingers—

God, those fingers were long and deft. No wonder he always managed to hit the right notes…

Heat curled low in my stomach, my thoughts shamelessly wandering, until his eyes shifted, landing squarely on me.

You simply wanted to keep her busy

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My breath caught in my throat.

Austin was still talking, blissfully unaware, but Apollo had turned his attention away from him. He was looking at me through the glass, his gaze pinning me in place as if I were a specimen under a microscope.

I jerked my head away so abruptly that my chair squeaked against the floor. My heart thundered violently in my chest as I snapped open the folder in front of me, pretending to study the first page with exaggerated focus.

Was this how every day would unfold? With him watching me from that office like a hawk? How was I supposed to accomplish anything if I could feel his piercing gaze on me?

I exhaled shakily, burying my nose deeper into the paperwork. “Fantastic,” I muttered under my breath.

****

He blinked at my sudden shift in conversation. “They’re still under close surveillance. No one comes in or goes out without our knowledge.”

You simply wanted to keep her busy

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I nodded, satisfied. “Keep an eye on them until we need to act.”

“Yes, sir.”

I paused, then inquired, “What about the girl?”

This time, a slight smile played on Austin’s lips. “She’s still in a coma, sir. However, she’s been showing signs of waking up.”

“Mm.” I nodded, then reached for the pen I had abandoned earlier. “And the meeting with Grayson, it’s still set for tonight?”

“Yes, sir.”

I leaned back in my chair, my gaze drifting toward the window once more.

It didn’t matter. The rationale behind my behavior, the fleeting moment in the elevator, was inconsequential. If something displeased me, I would end it. If it didn’t sit well with me, I would remove it. Simple as that.

And that would not change.

Conclusion

As the weight of the folder settled heavily on Grace’s shoulders, she realized that the path ahead was fraught with uncertainty and tension. The overwhelming task before her, coupled with the constant scrutiny of Apollo’s gaze, felt like a test she was ill-prepared for. Yet, beneath the layers of dread, a flicker of determination ignited within her. She resolved to rise to the challenge, to prove not only her worth but also to navigate the complex emotions that Apollo’s presence stirred within her. The office, once an intimidating space, began to transform into a battleground where she could reclaim her confidence, even amidst the chaos of her feelings for her boss.

Meanwhile, Apollo’s internal struggle mirrored Grace’s external turmoil. His keen observations of her, coupled with the unexpected stirrings of emotion, left him grappling with a desire he couldn’t fully comprehend. The facade of indifference he maintained began to crack as he watched her navigate her new role, a mixture of admiration and confusion swirling within him. The connection between them, fragile yet undeniable, hinted at the possibility of something deeper, something that transcended the professional boundaries they both clung to. As the day unfolded, it became clear that both Grace and Apollo stood at the precipice of change, where hope lay just beyond the horizon, waiting to be discovered amidst the distant skies of their intertwined fates.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension between Grace and Apollo to escalate as they navigate their complicated dynamic. With Grace now seated directly outside Apollo’s office, every glance and moment of silence will be charged with unspoken words and hidden emotions. As Grace struggles to focus on her overwhelming workload, the weight of Apollo’s scrutiny will loom over her, creating an atmosphere thick with anticipation. Will she find the strength to rise above the pressure, or will the constant awareness of her boss’s gaze become an insurmountable distraction?

Meanwhile, Apollo’s internal conflict will deepen as he grapples with his growing fascination with Grace. Despite his attempts to maintain a professional facade, the lines between work and personal feelings will blur, leaving him questioning his motives. As Austin continues to prod him for answers, the stakes will rise, pushing Apollo to confront his emotions head-on. Will he acknowledge the connection forming between them, or will he retreat into his usual cold demeanor? The tension will build as both characters inch closer to a pivotal moment that could change everything.

Prepare for a chapter filled with heart-pounding encounters, lingering glances, and a brewing storm of emotions that promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The delicate dance between Grace and Apollo is just beginning, and the question remains: how long can they resist the pull of their undeniable attraction?