Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 85

**Across Distant Skies Lies Hope Waiting To Be Found by Kade Rowan Flint 85**

He was a far cry from what one would typically envision as a man.

Apollo.

“Good evening, sir. It’s a privilege to welcome you to our establishment.”

As I stepped out of the car, two men at the entrance offered slight bows, their eagerness palpable in the air. I didn’t bother to acknowledge them; my attention was ensnared by the towering glass structure that loomed ominously above us. My expression remained icy, a mask I wore with practiced ease.

From the periphery of my vision, I caught them swallowing hard, their eyes darting nervously to Austin, who stood just behind me, a silent guardian. Austin shook his head subtly, a gesture that seemed to convey a warning—don’t overstep. They instantly recoiled, their eagerness dissipating like mist in the morning sun.

My thoughts, however, were far from this moment; they had drifted away earlier, back in the office.

Today had been a descent into madness. I had lost all semblance of control, succumbing to a primal urge that led me to have sex with Grace in my office, as if I had been starved for her touch. I had used her mouth, feeling her warmth envelop me until she was drooling, then bent her over my desk, the wood creaking beneath the force of our passion. I didn’t relent until her legs trembled, barely able to support her weight. Yet, amidst the chaos of our bodies, what haunted me wasn’t the sound of her moans or the way she quaked beneath me; it was that kiss.

A mistake I had nearly compounded by leaning in closer.

I rarely lost my composure. Years of erecting walls so formidable that no one could breach them had honed my ability to remain unfazed. Yet, she seemed to chip away at those defenses, piece by piece. A part of me, one I loathed to acknowledge, whispered that a day would come when I would be unable to restrain myself.

And when that day arrives… what then?

That thought gnawed at me, more than anything else.

“Is my guest here?” I inquired, my voice low and steady, pushing aside the tumultuous thoughts that threatened to overwhelm me. To linger on them would only exacerbate my turmoil. I preferred to bury myself in work, as I had always done.

One of the men at the entrance nodded rapidly. “Yes, sir. He’s already waiting for you.”

I moved forward with purpose, Austin’s footsteps echoing behind me as we entered the building. At the front, the employees stood in a flawless line, bowing in perfect synchronization. I didn’t spare them a glance as I strode past, heading directly for the elevator.

The restaurant was void of patrons tonight, just as I had instructed. Distractions were a luxury I could not afford, particularly in situations like this.

The elevator ascended smoothly to the top floor, and when the doors slid open, I stepped into the space. Only two figures occupied a table in the center, engaged in hushed conversation.

One of them looked up, and the moment our eyes locked, he froze. Straightening his posture, he stood up, the other boy following suit, both now facing me with an air of apprehension.

I scrutinized them closely.

Grayson, the notorious politician, stood before me. A man I had no desire to entangle myself with; our ideologies were worlds apart. While we were both predators, we hunted in different realms. I sought solutions to problems, wielding them as tools to eradicate obstacles. In contrast, Grayson didn’t hesitate to employ any means necessary, even if it meant annihilating someone in the process.

To clarify, I was no benevolent figure either. I remained indifferent to the fates of others. However, there were unwritten rules in business, codes that warranted adherence, and those who flouted them repulsed me.

I could sense the caution in his posture. He understood that any meeting with me could veer into two distinct paths: fortune or ruin. He was yet unaware of which route he was treading.

I finally accepted his handshake. “Good evening.”

We stood there, eyes locked, the silence in the room so profound that a pin could drop and echo. I felt Austin’s gaze lingering on my back, and beside Grayson, I noticed his son shifting uncomfortably.

I was the one to release him first.

Grayson withdrew his hand, attempting to maintain his composure. “By the way,” he said, turning toward the boy. “This is my son. Charles.”

The boy’s demeanor brightened immediately, stepping forward with an outstretched hand. “Good evenin—”

I brushed past him, ignoring his gesture completely. I pulled out a chair at the table and settled into it, crossing one leg over the other, leaning back with my eyes fixed on Grayson.

“Let’s get straight to the point, Mr. Grayson,” I stated flatly. “I didn’t come here for idle chit-chat.”

For the first time, the politician’s façade faltered. A small frown tugged at the corners of his mouth as he sank back into his seat, his eyes narrowing with scrutiny. “I suspected as much, Mr. Reed. You never make an appearance unless there’s something you want. So, tell me, what is it? Or did my family somehow offend you?”

I tilted my head slightly. “Not yet. But you will if you dare to encroach upon what’s mine.”