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“I’m not angelic and you know it,” Ellery said. She shook the pastor’s hand and something passed between them.
Derek liked that she even gave the pastor sass, but he wanted to know more about their interchange.
Unfortunately, an older lady grabbed the pastor’s arm. “I didn’t like the number the choir sang. We’re not at a funeral march here.”
Ellery smiled at Derek, and she tugged him down the aisle of the church. He’d have to talk to the pastor another time. As he glanced back, the thirty-something pastor was watching him and Ellery while still listening to the lady’s complaints about needing more upbeat music. Derek tilted his chin up to the man and he smiled in return. Did he have the pastor’s approval? That was good.
He and Ellery walked out with the teenage boys, but they went a different direction, waving goodbye. He held on to her hand and they walked back along the sidewalk, Ollie walking twenty feet behind them and Braxton driving the Porsche.
“Thank you for taking me to church,” he said.
“Do you have a church at Beacon Hill, or are you apostate if a woman doesn’t invite you to church?”
“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t go with any other woman to church.” He smiled. “There are quite a few churches right around the Commons. I hit different ones. Don’t want them to get to used to a royal in their midst.”
“Oh, I bet. You could distract everyone from worshipping simply by gracing them with your charming presence.”
“It is an issue.” He arched his eyebrows at her.
“So cocky.” She pushed her hip against his and they both laughed. She sobered and said very seriously, “I have actually noticed that you’re not.”
“Not …?”
“Cocky.” She glanced over at him. “How does that happen—a prince, the number one ninja warrior in the world, insanely wealthy? You drive a car that could finance a small country, and you are breathtakingly gorgeous.”
Her cheeks turned a becoming pink. Derek loved her sarcastic, teasing side, but this complimentary side was alluring.
“Yet you seem …” she continued, “not full of yourself.”
“Are you going to be spewing out fake, gushy compliments constantly?” he teased her.
She laughed. “Okay. I guess I deserved that one.”
“Sorry. I appreciate all the compliments, mostly that I’m not full of myself. I won’t tease you.”
“Now what would be the fun in that?”
Derek smiled and held the exterior door of her apartment complex. He was having a lot of fun teasing with her. Hopefully they could continue this progression. Her seeing so much good in him was definitely encouraging.
They walked up the stairs with Ollie trailing them.
“How does it happen that you are tough, talented, witty, astoundingly gorgeous, and the number one female ninja warrior in the world and yet you seem ‘not full of yourself’?”
“Because I’m poor as a church mouse,” she countered.
Derek immediately felt uncomfortable. What was he supposed to say to that? He wanted to help her financially, but she’d yelled ‘no’ and probably would’ve broken his arm at the grocery store last night from him simply trying to pay for her groceries.
They made it to her apartment. Finally, he would be invited inside and meet her mum.
Ellery stopped at the door, turning to face him. “I apologize if our apartment… isn’t what you’re used to.”
“What is it you think I’m used to?” He arched an eyebrow at her. She’d just said he wasn’t cocky; did she think he was pompous or put himself above others?
“Wealth. Beautiful things. I’ve been in your car and I’ve seen the pictures of your castle, okay?” She suddenly wouldn’t meet his gaze.
Derek didn’t know how to reassure her, but he had to try. He tilted her chin up with his fingertips. “Elle,” he said softly. “Your apartment not being perfect doesn’t matter to me. I know how hard you work, how tough you are, how you cheer for others and want their success. Believe me, I am very, very impressed with you.” He stared into her clear green eyes. “I’ll simply stare at you and see a more exquisite view than anything inside or outside of my castle.”
She blinked up at him, and he was afraid she was going to cry. He’d never seen Ellery so soft and emotional. “Thank you,” she whispered.
