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Derek slid his fingers along her chin and cupped her jaw with his palm. His fingertips skimmed her smooth neck and splayed into her silky hair. His thumb trailed along the corner of her lip and she gasped softly, the pulse in her neck going like mad.
He bent down, fully planning on capturing her lips with his. Who needed lunch when he could sample Ellery’s lips?
The deadbolt turned and the door sprung open behind her. Ellery stumbled back. Derek wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her tight against his chest.
“Well, excuse me,” an older lady with dark and gray streaked hair winked at him, her dark eyes twinkling. “I was running next door for a stick of butter. If I’d realized I was interrupting an intimately beautiful moment, I would’ve timed this better. Please forgive me.”
“It’s all right, Aunt Elise.” Ellery’s voice was breathy and beautiful. “We were just coming in to help with brunch.”
“No need to help. We’ve got it ready to go. A prayer of gratitude for our bounteous blessings and we can eat till we’re stuffed. Is that handsome stud coming along?” She pointed at Ollie.
“No thank you, ma’am.” Ollie nodded to her.
“You can ‘no thank you ma’am’ me all you want with an accent like that. Honey and silk on a tongue, right?” She smiled at Ollie. “Ooh, you are a fine-looking man. We’ll send some food home for you.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Ollie had a slight smile on his lips.
At least Ollie wasn’t storming into the apartment and searching it. He and Braxton had done that a time or two. Derek had insisted this morning they werenotdoing that at Ellery’s mum’s house. If somebody bearing Derek ill will was inside, Derek would best them or call for help if need be.
“Come in now, our handsome prince. You can meet Ellery’s mom, and we’ll feed you. Do you talk as sexily as your bodyguard?”
Derek didn’t know if he should laugh or hold a straight face. Had this sixty-year-old woman just said ‘sexily’?
“No, ma’am. My speech is much more charming and refined than my muscle-headed bodyguard.”
Ellery and Aunt Elise laughed, and Derek lifted a hand to Ollie, hoping for forgiveness for his tease. The man simply smiled.
“All of Augustine is full of ultra-hot, buff, and silk-tongued men, then?” Aunt Elise asked as she led them into the small, well-worn apartment. It was clean and smelled wonderful, like cinnamon sweet bread. She must’ve forgotten about the stick of butter or not really needed it.
Ellery’s mum sat in a chair next to the table, grinning at him. “Is my big sis giving you a hard time simply because you’re a handsome prince with a sensual accent?”
Derek couldn’t hide his smile. Were they attempting to make him feel awkward, or did they simply love to tease? These two women made him miss his mum something fierce.
“I’ve been given a hard time for much less important reasons.” He clasped the hand she offered between both of his. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Ellery’s mum.”
“You as well, Prince Derek. You can call me Holly.”
“Holly. You and Ellery look alike.”
“Thank you,” they both said.
It was true. They did look alike, though Holly’s illness had taken its toll on her body and face. She appeared to be mid-sixties when she was probably closer to fifty.
“Now you sit on down and tell me all about yourself,” Holly instructed.
“I would love to obey, but do you need any help with brunch?”
“It’s all ready.” Elise waved a hand. “Sit.”
“Thank you.”
He sat.
They prayed and then ate a skillet filled with eggs, vegetables, and chopped ham, turkey bacon, fruit, and the delicious cinnamon rolls. Aunt Elise and Holly asked him question after question about Augustine, his royal family, his growing-up years, and how he got into Ninja Warrior.
The food, conversation, and company were all fabulous. The only awkward moment came when Holly brought up the rumors about his brother Steffan disappearing with the murderous Hattie Ballard. Derek was under strict instruction to reveal nothing about Hattie and Steffan. He respected Ray’s instructions and would do anything to help his doctor brother and new bride stay safe from the underhanded manipulations of William Rindlesbacher.
“Steffan is currently volunteering as a doctor in Haiti.” Derek was grateful he could tell that truth.
