Chapter 21: Filthy Rich Bosses: Chapter 21

I hold my breath, waiting for Grayson to say something—anything. But he just stares at me, his piercing blue eyes unfocused, like he’s looking right through me. The silence stretches on, becoming almost unbearable. I shift my weight from one foot to the other, fighting the urge to fidget under his intense gaze.

‘Okaaaay,’ I finally say, my voice barely above a whisper. ‘I guess I’ll just…’ I start to back away, my heart sinking. This was a mistake. It seemed like such a simple request. But maybe including myself in the outing had been too much? Maybe he wasn’t ready for this, or maybe the problem was me.

Hadn’t he just asked me about staying on? Or was he just trying to feel me out? Was he trying to tell me he wanted me out faster? That would be embarrassing.

But before I can get down the hall, Grayson is out of his chair and in front of me, his hand darting out to grab the back of my neck. In one fluid motion, he pulls me towards him, his lips crashing into mine. The kiss is…damn. It’s electric, sending shockwaves through my entire body.

His lips are soft but insistent, and I can taste a hint of the scotch he was drinking earlier. My knees go weak, and I have to grip his shoulders to keep from falling. The scent of his cologne—woody and masculine—envelops me, making my head spin.

As the kiss deepens, a small voice in the back of my mind whispers, This is Grayson. Your boss. The man who’s usually so controlled and distant. The one still grieving the loss of his wife. But I push the thought away, losing myself in the moment. I can’t deny the chemistry, the pull between us—it feels too real, too raw to ignore.

Our bodies draw closer, the heat between us intensifying. My fingers tangle in his dark hair, marveling at its softness. Grayson’s hand slides down to the small of my back, pressing me against him. I can feel the rapid beat of his heart, matching my own frantic rhythm. The connection is undeniable, and yet it’s complicated—so complicated.

There’s Chase to consider. And Cole.

Just as I’m about to lose myself completely, Grayson abruptly pulls away. His eyes are wide, pupils dilated, and he looks…terrified. Like a deer caught in headlights.

‘Grayson?’ I whisper, reaching out to touch his arm. ‘Are you okay?’

He flinches away from my touch, shaking his head. ‘I…I can’t. I’m sorry, Tessa. This was a mistake.’

Before I can process what’s happening, Grayson turns and practically sprints back into his office. The door slams shut behind him, the sound echoing in the suddenly empty hallway.

I stand there, frozen in place, my lips still tingling from our kiss. What just happened? One minute we were…and the next…This is it. You messed up again. The voice in my head sounds too familiar—self-doubt creeping in like it always does when I let someone close.

‘Grayson?’ I call out softly, taking a hesitant step toward his office. No response.

My mind races, trying to make sense of it all. Did I do something wrong? Was it guilt over Sarah? Or is he just not interested in me that way? Was it a mistake for me to want something more from him? I shouldn’t have done this. I shouldn’t have let him get so close.

I shouldn’t have let any of them get close. All people do is disappoint. Animals? They show you exactly who they are and what they want. People…not so much.

I lean against the wall, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. This is exactly why I don’t let people in. It always ends in confusion and hurt. This moment, like all the others, is nothing but a reminder that the closer I get to someone, the more likely I am to crash and burn.

A soft chuckle breaks through my swirling thoughts. My eyes snap open, and I whirl around to see Chase leaning against the wall at the end of the hallway. That signature shit-eating grin is plastered across his face, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

For a moment, I’m so caught in the fact that he’s smiling—and at me!—that I don’t even think about the why.

‘Well, well, well,’ he drawls, pushing off the wall and sauntering towards me. ‘That was quite a show.’

I feel heat rush to my cheeks. ‘How long have you been standing there?’

Chase’s grin widens. ‘Long enough to see our esteemed leader turn into a blushing schoolboy. Gotta say, I’m impressed, Kitten. Didn’t think anyone could crack that icy exterior.’

I cross my arms, trying to regain some composure. ‘It’s not funny, Chase. I think I really upset him.’

His expression softens slightly, and his eyes, usually so filled with playful mischief, take on a more serious edge. ‘Nah, you didn’t upset him. If anything, you probably scared him a little. Our boy Grayson isn’t used to feeling…well, anything.’ He steps a little closer, lowering his voice for only me to hear. ‘I’ve seen him shut down before. Trust me, this is just how he reacts when someone gets under his skin.’

I bite my lip, glancing back at Grayson’s closed door. ‘Should I go talk to him?’

Chase shakes his head. ‘Let me handle this one, sweetheart. I’ve got years of experience dealing with Grayson’s emotional constipation.’

‘Are you sure?’ I ask, torn between relief and disappointment. I want to fix it myself, but I don’t know how to reach him—not after what just happened. I’m not even sure I want to. I should be running. Packing. Leaving. Right now.

He winks at me. ‘Trust me, I’m a professional Grayson-whisperer. You go get some dinner. I’ll talk to our fearless leader and make sure he doesn’t spend the night overthinking himself into an early grave.’

‘Thanks, Chase,’ I murmur.

He pauses, his hand on the doorknob. For a moment, that cocky grin fades, replaced by something softer, almost vulnerable. ‘Any time, Tess. That’s what friends are for, right?’

The warmth, the hidden hurt in his voice catches me off guard, and for a fleeting moment, I feel an unexpected pang of something else.

“Chase…” My voice feels too quiet, too uncertain.

I want to shout at him. I don’t want to hurt you! This is hard for me too! But, it’s easier to stay silent.

‘You know,’ he says, voice lower now, pulling me from my thoughts, ‘If you ever need someone who…well, who actually knows how to make you feel something, let me know. No emotional constipation here.’

I blink, caught off guard by the sudden shift. The casual nature of his words sends a jolt of warmth straight to my chest. There’s a vulnerability there—one I wasn’t expecting from him. Though maybe I should have after the way he’s been avoiding me the last few days.

He put himself out there and I shot him down. It was necessary. It was the right choice. But it doesn’t mean I don’t feel bad.

Still, there’s something beneath the cocky, easygoing exterior that makes me question everything. Even if it’s just for the moment.

Before I can respond, he opens the door and steps inside, leaving me standing there in the hallway, my heart pounding, a mixture of confusion and desire swirling inside me. What did he mean by that? And what the hell do I do now?

I press my back to the wall, trying to steady my breath, my thoughts racing. I need to stop overthinking this. Grayson’s just not ready. And Chase? Well, I don’t know what to do with him. Yet.

No. I’m not ready. I don’t want this. I need to find an apartment and get the hell out of here.