Novels by Gracie

For a moment, Valerie felt the urge to run back upstairs and grab a robe, but that would mean letting him win. Besides, no one told the Duchess what to do. She lifted her chin defiantly."I wear whatever I please in my own home," she replied coolly. "Is that a problem for you?"Rick shook his head slightly and turned his attention back to the tire. "This wasn't an accident," he said flatly. "Someone deliberately cut this tire."Valerie crossed her arms. "Are you accusing me of something?""I'm stating a fact," he replied, not looking up at her. "This is a clean cut, not a puncture or a blowout."He stood up, dusting off his hands. "I'll need to replace it. I have some tires that might fit in my truck.""I'll watch," Valerie said, stepping closer.Rick gave her an irritated glance. "That's not necessary.""It's my car," she insisted. "I want to make sure it's done properly."He shrugged. "Suit yourself."When Rick returned, Valerie stood there while he worked, trying to think of how to

The next morning being Saturday, Valerie stood in her balcony, wrapped in a silk robe, with coffee in hand.Her phone rang, Sophia's smiling face filling up the screen."Good morning, sunshine!" Sophia greeted brightly, sea waves crashing in the background. "You would not believe how gorgeous Bora Bora is at sunrise.""I've been," Valerie reminded her, trying not to sound bored. "Three times.""Yes, but not with a husband who makes it his mission to pleasure you on every square inch of the private beach," Sophia giggled. "Trevor surprised me with breakfast in bed this morning. Then he surprised me with... well, something better than breakfast."Valerie rolled her eyes but smiled despite herself. Sophia had always been a romantic, even back in college when they'd first met."Sounds wonderful," Valerie said, not meaning it. The idea of being with one man, day after day, year after year... it made her skin crawl. She was never going through that again."Have you heard from Karen?" Sophia

Valerie's head throbbed as she stepped out of the elevator into her penthouse. The board meeting had dragged on for hours. They were on the verge of closing a major deal but a staff had made a silly mistake, forcing them to restart the entire process. Add that to her humiliating encounter with Rick Cameron earlier in the week, and she was ready to collapse."Clara?" she called out, dropping her bag on the counter.No response. Strange. Clara was always there to greet her.Valerie kicked off her shoes and massaged her aching feet. That's when she heard voices coming from the kitchen. One voice was definitely Clara's. The other...Valerie froze. She'd recognize that voice anywhere."Clara?" Valerie called again, her voice sharper this time.The conversation in the kitchen stopped abruptly. Clara appeared in the doorway, wringing her hands nervously."Ms. Valerie, I'm so sorry. I tried to tell her you weren't home, but she insisted on waiting and...""Who let her through security?" Valer

The sleek blue Bentley pulled up to the curb across from "Cameron Custom Motors," a surprisingly well-maintained shop with large garage doors propped open to reveal the workspace within.Valerie studied the building from behind her fashionable sunglasses, noting the clean exterior. It was a far cry from the dingy chop shop she'd been expecting."Wait here," she instructed her driver, stepping out of the car.As she crossed the street, several mechanics glanced up from their work, their expressions shifting from casual interest to stunned recognition. She smiled inwardly. At least his workers knew who she was, he won't be able to deny not knowing her anymore.Her eyes darted around the garage, looking for his familiar smug face, when she noticed someone with his body build beneath the jacked-up Camaro.Rick Cameron lay on a creeper board, only his lower half visible as he worked underneath the car. His faded jeans were stained with grease, and his boots looked too worn for wear.Valeri

Eight years earlier"Table seven needs another round, Val!" the manager shouted above the loud music.Valerie nodded, balancing the tray of empty glasses as she walked through the crowded bar. Her feet ached in her high heels, which the manager had made compulsory, and her tight uniform felt so… well, tight, because it was designed to attract bigger tips rather than provide any actual comfort to the women wearing them.She felt his eyes on her again. The grey-haired man in the expensive suit who'd been coming in every Friday for the past month, always requesting her section, always staying until closing hours. Dominic Calder. She'd learned his name from the bartender who handled his huge tabs and generous tips."Another whiskey, Mr. Calder?" she asked meekly, as she approached his table."You remember my preference," he smiled, his eyes never leaving her face, though she knew he'd been staring at other parts of her body all night. "Smart girl."As Valerie turned to leave, she felt hi

Valerie Calder was a young billionaire and a widow at thirty. She had inherited her aging husband's wealth after his death three years ago and had grown the empire tenfold, earning her the nickname 'Duchess.'She was New York's most sought-after female because of her formidable beauty and her extreme wealth. But she wasn't looking for another husband. She was finally free from the entrapment called marriage, and wanted to enjoy her life as a single wealthy woman.Valerie had just returned home from work on a Friday evening, with her P.A. Melissa, walking closely behind her. She was exhausted and needed rest. The whole week had been a roller coaster."God, I need a drink," Valerie muttered, dropping her designer bag on the counter and kicking off her heels.Her maid, Clara, appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. "Good evening, Ms. Valerie. Dinner will be ready when you’re done with your... engagement tonight."She nodded. "Perfect. Make sure it's still warm by midnig