Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 95

**Across Distant Skies Lies Hope Waiting To Be Found by Kade Rowan Flint 95**

**Grace**

The ride felt like an eternity, each second stretching into a lifetime as I held my breath, teetering on the edge of panic.

If I allowed even a flicker of my nerves to show, I was convinced that I would either launch myself off the bike or somehow manage to create a catastrophic accident. My arms were locked around River’s waist, my chest pressed firmly against his back, and my knuckles were turning an alarming shade of white from my desperate grip. I must have appeared utterly ridiculous, clinging on as if my life depended on it, but in that moment, survival was my only instinct.

A twisted part of me wondered if I slipped off, would he fall with me? At least then, I wouldn’t have to face whatever lay beyond alone. But that thought dissipated as quickly as it arrived. I didn’t want anything to happen to River; he was a genuinely good person. Annoying, yes—especially the way he chuckled every time I jolted at the bike’s lean—but still good.

When the engine finally sputtered to a halt, I dared to open my eyes. To my surprise, we were already parked in front of my house. A wave of relief washed over me, and I exhaled deeply, my chest rising and falling as if I had just completed a marathon.

It wasn’t until that moment that I realized I was still holding onto him.

“Is my back so comfortable that you refuse to let go?” River’s voice was laced with amusement, resonating in his chest beneath my cheek.

Heat flooded my cheeks. “Oh, I’m sorry—”

I yanked my hands away and leaned back too quickly. The world tilted dangerously, and just as I felt myself about to topple off, his arm shot back, securing me around the waist.

I clutched his forearm, my eyes wide with surprise, my breath quickening. He leaned forward slightly to steady me, and for the first time, I found myself gazing up at him.

His hazel eyes locked onto mine, and despite my efforts to look away, I found myself entranced. They reminded me so much of Apollo’s.

And… why was he looking at me like that?

We held each other’s gaze, frozen in time, until I could no longer bear the intensity of the moment. It wasn’t that being close to him made me uncomfortable; it was something deeper. A nagging thought whispered that even if my connection with Apollo was merely physical, I shouldn’t allow myself to get this close to another man. Apollo might not care, but to me, it felt fundamentally wrong.

My lips parted, and a whisper escaped before I could catch it. “Hmmm, River…”

He blinked, as if snapping out of a trance, and moved back, gently tugging me upright until I was properly seated on the bike. His mouth curled into an easy smile, concealing whatever flicker of emotion had just crossed his face.

“Be careful,” he said, a hint of concern threading through his tone. “You’d have broken something if you fell.”

“Y-yes, I’m sorry. That was an accident.”

I slid off the bike, carefully removing my helmet while praying my wig would stay in place. Once I finally managed to free myself, I handed the helmet back to him with both hands, feeling a mix of gratitude and embarrassment.

“Thank you for the ride, River.”

He accepted the helmet, a casual smile gracing his lips. “You’re welcome. It was nothing.”

I smiled back, clutching my bag tightly against my side. “See you tomorrow, then.” I turned to leave, but his voice called me back.

“Grace,”

I froze, turning back to face him. River was watching me, his expression no longer playful or teasing. It had shifted to something more serious, almost protective.

“About that guy,” he began.

Without waiting for a response, I walked toward the house, my heart still racing.

*****

**River**

I watched her walk away, my face remaining impassive, yet slowly, a smirk began to tug at the corners of my lips.

“Interesting…” I muttered under my breath. “She’s more intriguing than I initially thought.”

The first time I encountered Grace, she didn’t chase after what everyone else desired. While the crowd clamored to impress my uncle, vying for his attention, she did the opposite—she ran away. I remembered standing right next to her when it happened, how her shoulders tensed before she slipped away, unnoticed by anyone else.

Nobody saw it, but I did. I always noticed the subtle things people tried to hide. That was how she captured my attention—the woman who fled from the man everyone else wanted to be near.

That was something new.

And now, everything had shifted since that moment. My uncle, the cold-blooded figure I had idolized for most of my life, had allowed her closer than anyone else.

I didn’t know what game was being played, but one thing was evident: Apollo’s focus was on her. That alone had piqued my interest initially. But now, it felt like something entirely different—a deeper connection, perhaps.

My gaze lingered on the door she had just disappeared through, and I tilted my head slightly, my smirk transforming into a full grin.

“I guess uncle has a new competition.”