AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTERTEN
The time was flying by far too fast for Derek. The crazy stunts with Kiera mostly consisted of doing parkour moves throughout the forest and performing their best flips and three-sixties off a waterfall into a cold lake. Ellery had been incredible with Kiera, just as he’d known she would be. He had been missing out on his sister and all of his family for far too long. Being here confirmed it was past time to move back. The castle held a lot of memories of his mum and that was hard, but it was also happy. They were fabulous memories, and his mum had loved him deeply.
The family dinner and time together last night had been ideal. Curt and Aliya had come, and after a delicious dinner and lots of laughter and fun conversation, they’d all used the spa together and messed around in the pool. He and Ellery had even bested Ray and Macey a couple times in chicken wars and Kiera had been ecstatic. T seemed to be doing really well with his healing and was back to working long hours with their dad as the crown prince. It had been rough to see how scarred the side of his oldest brother’s face, neck, and shoulder were, but he only teased that he was handsome enough and the scars might weed out some of the women who only went after him for his beauty.
After the pool, they’d all gone back to their own suites to shower. One day down and he hadn’t gotten Ellery alone up in the solarium or taken her on a night hike.
Today was also going far too fast. They’d woken later than usual because their bodies were adjusting to jet lag and it was a vacation. They worked out together, teasing and having fun as always, then ate a leisurely breakfast in the solarium before using the spa for a couple hours, swimming laps, and then they ate lunch near the pool.
After lunch, they went on a long hike to one of the waterfalls he loved. They’d jumped off and swam even though it was freezing cold. Ellery was so great that way. She didn’t care about getting her hair wet, cold water, or her makeup running. He thought of that model, Jaylene, who’d been so snotty behind Ellery’s back. That event had pushed him to love Ellery. She was perfect for him.
Now to convince her of that.
They returned to the castle, showered in their respective suites, and then he walked her down to the garage. She was wearing a beautiful summery dress, white with pink polka dots and fluttery sleeves. It showed off her fit body and gorgeous skin. She’d gushed about all the clothes in her closet. He needed to thank Arianna for doing such a fabulous job. He appreciated seeing Ellery dressed up and being so cute about it, but he thought she was gorgeous sweaty, her hair in a ponytail, no makeup, and in workout clothes.
They entered the garage, and Ellery looked around at all the luxury cars, sport utility vehicles, trucks, and off road vehicles, shaking her head. “This is literally insane. I thought your Bugatti was off the charts.”
“My Bugatti is off the charts.” He didn’t want to brag, but none of these vehicles were even close to as expensive or unique as his Bugatti Divo. Except maybe his dad’s Lamborghini Aventador. “But sadly, it’s still at my condo’s garage in Boston. So we’ll to have to teach you to drive with the Porsche Taycan Turbo S.”
“Teach me to … excuse me?” She put a hand to her heart, and he could see her pulse fluttering in her neck. He needed to kiss her, and soon.
“You said you didn’t know how to drive.” He took her elbow and escorted her to the driver’s side door, opening it. “This is an ideal car to learn in. It handles really well and is comfortable—and there’s no stick shift. Just … don’t give it too much gas until we’ve been driving for a minute or two and you have the hang of it.”
“Derek, I don’t know. What if I crash this beautiful car?”
He chuckled. “You won’t. You’ve got the best driving instructor ever, and this car has so many safety features it’s impossible to crash.”
Her eyebrows rose. Preempting any more protests, he helped her into the car, shut her door, and walked around. Settling into the leather seat, he asked, “You want to drive, right? You’re just apprehensive?” As much as she liked speed and adrenaline, he knew she’d love driving.
“I’ve always wanted to drive,” she admitted. “I just … thought I’d start out with a Kia or something reasonable to replace. Not a Porsche.”
“A Kia?” He laughed. “Sorry, but the garage is fresh out of Kias.”
“You always have to tease me.”
“Does it bother you?”
“It’d bother me if you didn’t.”
“Good.” Their teasing was one of his favorite things.
She grasped the steering wheel, excitement making her green eyes glow. “What do I do first?”
“Seat belt.” He reached across her, pulled the seat belt on, and clicked it. His hand brushed her hip.
She pulled in a breath, the pulse in her neck going like mad. “All right. That was exciting. Next?”
He smiled, liking how he affected her. He pushed a button above the windshield and one of the huge garage doors slid open. “Now put your foot on the brake and—”
“Left or right?”
“Pardon me?”
“Is the brake pedal on the left or on the right? Do I keep my feet close to both?”
Oh. She really hadn’t driven any kind of vehicle.
“Brake is on the left, or in the middle really. It’s the wider pedal. The gas is on the right, longer and skinnier. You use your right foot for both.”
