AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She, Derek, and Braxton carried the sacks of food up the three flights of stairs and set them by her apartment door.
Braxton lifted a hand and eased back to the stairwell. He kept Derek in his line of sight, his hand resting on his suit jacket. Did he think one of her neighbors would spring out to attack Derek and he’d have to shoot them? She looked around at the dingy, once-white walls and the scuffed cement floor and water damage on the ceiling, and she didn’t really blame Braxton. She was comfortable here and usually felt safe, but the apartment hallway looked like the place in movies where the good guy was attacked.
“Thank you for dinner,” she said to Derek. She wanted to thank him for being so understanding but worried that would give him an opening to ask about her issues and fears and embarrassments.
She yanked her keys out and nervously tried to fit one in the deadbolt key hole, but her hands were shaking. How humiliating.
Derek wrapped his warm palm around the back of her hand and gently helped her open the lock.
“Thank you,” she murmured, pulling her hand free and shoving the keys back in the pocket of her running pants.
“I’ll be here at quarter to ten,” he said. “Or do I need to come earlier? Is your mum in a wheelchair?”
“Not yet. And if it’s a good day, she’ll be fine on the stairs.” She bravely met his gaze. “If it’s not a good day, she won’t come to church.”
“Oh. I’ll pray it’s a good day then.” He flashed her that irresistible smile. Her mom was going to flip out over him. What was Ellery doing, letting herself or her mom indulge in these fantasies? She was not some Disney princess story.
“Thanks,” she managed. She was out of breath, out of sorts, and she needed to get inside or she would lean up and kiss the ninja prince.
Instead, she leaned down and grasped as many bags of food as she could. Derek squatted down too, obviously intent to help her haul them in.
“Derek,” she breathed. “Please don’t. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He straightened, staring at her and rubbing at his jaw. “You are the most puzzling woman I’ve ever known.”
“Think of me as a tricky balance obstacle—always trying to keep you on your toes.”
“Are you Spinning Bridge or Razor’s Edge?” He studied her deeply. He could obviously tell there was a lot more to her defensiveness and inability to trust anyone than she wanted to share.
“Razor’s Edge, definitely.” She tried to turn the doorknob instead of answering, but her hands were too full. Derek reached around her, brushing her side with his arm as he turned the knob and held the door for her. She glanced around the living area quickly, breathing a sigh of relief that her mom was already in bed. It was only eight o’clock, so that wasn’t exactly a good sign.
Setting the bags inside, she turned, holding the door with her hip, and grabbed the rest of the food. Derek hadn’t moved. He was studying her, thankfully not staring into the dimly lit apartment.
“Thanks for the Indian food,” she said brightly. “Tiki Marsala may be my favorite food on earth.”
“You’re welcome.” He gave her the most forced smile she’d seen on his handsome face.
“Good night.” She pushed through the door and let it close behind her. Setting the bags on the floor, she leaned against it and listened. It was a good minute before his footsteps retreated.
He was such a great guy. If only she could let her guard down with him.
Yet he wasn’t only handsome, wealthy, and unattainable. He was a prince. So silly that she even let herself fantasize about him.
Silly, but she did fantasize about him. Constantly.
CHAPTERFIVE
By Sunday morning, Derek was questioning everything. Why did he spend every evening alone, with the exception of two quiet bodyguards who kept to their own rooms, in his penthouse apartment longing for Ellery? He could have any number of dates, but no woman would be as unselfish and genuine, or reel him in, like Ellery did.
He loved the competition and the training for American Ninja Warrior, but he’d already conquered the toughest courses and was the heavy favorite until next May. He wanted to move back home, be there for his family, and figure out what his next step in life was. Maybe he’d reopen his training center in Traverse. It wouldn’t be as fun without Steffan around, but maybe miracles could happen and Steffan and Hattie would return. He’d never even met the illustrious and believed-to-be-dead Hattie and would love to. Maybe he’d commit to the military life or the police with Ray or Jensen. Maybe he’d see how he could help his father and Tristan with their endless lists of responsibilities. He was only staying in America on the hope that Ellery would fall for him. If only he could conquer Mt. Midori-Princess Elle and bring her home to his family to stay.
With Ellery, it was one step forward and a dozen steps back. It was a battle he was more than willing to fight, but it was often discouraging. Last night he’d been oddly ecstatic—to grocery shop and bring takeout to her apartment. He’d never been grocery shopping, and he’d never picked up takeout with the intent of taking it to a date’s mother. The shopping had been interesting and fun with Ellery, and he’d thought it was going well.
Until she’d backed out—embarrassed of her apartment, tired, worried they were getting too close—he wasn’t certain. She’d given him the first two excuses, but luckily hadn’t said the last one. If only she’d open up. Had she been hurt and that was why she was reluctant? Or was he just not the man she was interested in? If so, why did she flirt and tease with him all the time and give him the most meaningful glances when she thought he wasn’t looking?
At least he had church and brunch today. Even better, she’d agreed to go to Augustine with him on Tuesday. He was half-expecting her to back out of the trip. This lack of confidence wasn’t like him, but he was certain if he pushed too hard with Ellery, he’d push her the wrong direction.
He tightened his tie, rubbed his jaw, and nodded to Ollie.
