The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 38

-Ava’s POV

He took me to Italy!

Italy!

I was still trying to wrap my mind around it as we landed. Not just on any ordinary flight either-

his private jet. Grayson h driven straight to his private hangar, ordered me onto the jet, and now, here we were.

In Italy. For pizza.

I stared at the breathtaking view of the Italian countryside as the jet slowed to a stop, my mind racing. I was just going to order in. Who take Grayson Blackwood, apparently.

He didn’t even ask if I had plans, or work to do. He just… decided. And the most ridiculous part was that I had actually followed him. I could Just throwing his weight-and wealth-around like it was no big deal?

I wasn’t exactly dressed for this either. The simple jeans and sweater instead of a coat I’d thrown on earlier felt completely out of place as h powerful-

and the way people scrambled to open doors for him, clear pathways, it was like watching a lion movi through a field of sheep.

The ride was quiet, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. I caught myself glancing at him every few seconds, trying to make sense of this man who c cold, calculating. The kind of cold, like he could shut out the entire world without blinking.

Yet here we were, on what felt like… a romantic getaway.

No. It wasn’t a romantic getaway. It couldn’t be. There was nothing between us like that.

Right?

Stop dreaming Ava.

We finally pulled up to a restaurant that oozed elegance. One of those places where just the scent of food in the air screamed “expensive.” Before I could stop myself, the words tumbled out. “I’m not even dressed for this place

Grayson paused, turning to me with that cool, detached expression that always made my heart jump. “It doesn’t matter what you wear,” he

1 blinked, taken aback. It wasn’t just what he said, it was how he said it-like my beauty wasn’t even a

question. Like he had decided, and that was that. I swallowed, heat rushing to my checks.

Was he even aware of how his words affected people?

He continued walking without another word, and I had no chole but to follow, still trying to process the fact that Grayson

Blackwood had just complimented me.

Even more baffling?

The fact that it hit me so hard.

We stepped inside the restaurant, and immediately, all eyes turned to him. People whispered, and heads turned like magnets dr to steel, bu the restaurant like he owned the place- which, starting to know him, he probably did.

As we approached a table, a man I assumed was the chef hurried over, his face breaking into the broadest grin I’d ever seen.

“Signor Blackwood! It’s been too long!” The chef practically kissed Grayson’s hand, his enthusiasm borderline ridiculous. I stood there, duml Then, the chef turned to me, his eyes widening as if he was seeing something unbelievable. “Che bellezza!” he exclaimed, “Welcome: Welc 1 blinked. “Uh… pizza?” I muttered awkwardly.

He gasped, dramatically waving my suggestion off. “Nonsense! I will make you something far more worthy of your beauty. Leave it to me!”

I wasn’t sure what to say, so I just nodded, blushing under the weight of his flattery. Grayson, meanwhile, had already seated himself, looki

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