Page 61 of Breaking Point
Chapter 16
Bella
WHITEBOARD NOTE
Kieran here formally requesting more baked goods please xxx
Laughter bursts from my chest. Of all the things he could have said, that was not what I was expecting.
I was prepared to answer questions—a lot of them. I was also ready to explain why I needed the money. What I wasn’t expecting was for him to not even bat an eye at the amount I demanded.
I’ve never done this before. It took me two hours to talk myself into walking through his front door, and in the end, the number wasn’t a big deal to him.
In hindsight, some part of me knew it wouldn’t be. The man makes millions a year. But it’s huge for me. It will potentially save my mother’s life, and that is why I’m here saying yes.
At the horrified look that enters his gaze at my laugh, I rush forward, my hands outstretched. “Oh god! Sorry, no, I’m not laughing at you! It’s just—” I come to a stop before him, having to tilt my head back to peer into his blue eyes. My stomach flips. “You don’t care about the money? At all?”
He looses a long breath. “No, you’ll be putting yourself in the spotlight. There was always going to be compensation for the role.” He licks his lips, and I can’t help but track the movement.
Warmth pools in my belly.
This is why I didn’t want to do this. How am I supposed to keep our working relationship intact when he licks his lips and it makes me want to hump him like a dog?
Shaking my head to clear the thoughts, I lift my gaze once more to find him smirking. “I suppose Lucy has another giant folder of documents for me to sign?”
He winces. “Most likely.”
It looks as if he’s about to apologize, so I jump in. “It’s okay, I understand. If this came out, I’m sure it would only tarnish your name further.”
Suddenly, I realize how close we’re standing. His chest nearly brushing mine as it rises and falls, the flush to his cheeks, the slight glaze in his eyes. Taking a step back as goosebumps line my arms, I take a measured seat on the couch, watching as Grayson does the same.
It seems I’m not the only one hyperaware.
“I feel you need to know why I’m doing this.”
My head cocks from side to side. “If you feel comfortable sharing, yes, I would like to know why we’re doing this.”
He rubs the back of his neck, which I’m discovering is a nervous tick of his. When he turns to me, his cheeks are slightly flushed. “I haven’t been performing well, not as well as I should be considering my contract. I’ve also been a PR nightmare for the team as of late, which I’m sure you know.”
“Actually, I don’t. I didn’t google you. I wanted to make my own assumptions.”
He blinks quickly, shock taking over until a smile blossoms across his cheeks, growing with every passing second he stares at me. “That’s…refreshing.”
I shrug. “You couldn’t google my life history, so I figured I’d give you the same courtesy.”
Grayson’s blue eyes spark. “Well, let’s just say it wasn’t pretty and my recent stint was the organization’s last straw.”He grimaces. “They have every right to evaluate me as a player, but it was the wake-up call I needed.”
I nod, wishing he would tell me more but not wanting to push. “And how do I come into the equation?”
“Right!” he says, shaking his head as his small chuckle sends a shiver down my spine. “The player they’re thinking of replacing me with is a family man that, despite being a raging dick and serial cheater, somehow manages to not get any negative press.”
My eyes widen. “Raging dick?”
“Raging.”
I whistle. “So, I’m going to be perceived as…what? The woman that made you settle down?”
He bites the inside of his cheek, eyes sparking as they heat. “Precisely.”
