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“No, that’s fine.” Besides the wreck that had upset her so much, he thought it had been a fabulous day.
“Thanks.” She turned the knob and pushed the door open.
“Elle.” He put a hand on her arm. “I’m sorry the wreck upset you. I hope you won’t worry about it. You can see that my dad doesn’t care about the car or the cost.”
She stared at him. Her eyes were sad. “That’s just it, Derek. I wrecked a million-dollar car and none of you seem to care.”
“Half a million.” He immediately knew that was the wrong thing to say.
She rolled her eyes. “Half a million. More than I’ll ever make in my lifetime.”
“Not if you win next season.”
She glared at him. “Even if I could complete the course, I’d never beat you.”
“I’m … sorry?” He couldn’t not give each competition his best effort. He wanted to tell her he wouldn’t be back next season, as being home had shown him more than ever that this was his spot. His family needed him, and he belonged here. He only hoped he could convince her to not go back either.
“It’s not your fault that you win or who you are. I’m only saying …” She flung a hand around. “Look at this place. Look at you. You’re an insanely wealthy prince. That luxury car doesn’t matter to you. You don’t even know who it belongs to—it’s simply an extra vehicle. I couldn’t even afford to obtain a driver’s license, let alone a Kia. We’re so different; there’s so much disparity between us. Coming here, your family is so kind, but so out of my league I can’t even …”
“Elle,” he started to protest. She was out of his league, not the other way around. What did royal blood or wealth matter? His parents had always taught him it was what was inside a person that counted, and being royal only meant he had a huge responsibility to do more to help, lift, and inspire others.
“Don’t, please. I just can’t tonight. Then your father …” She shook her head sadly, pushed the door open, slipped inside, and shut it in his face.
His father … what? His father had been nothing but kind and gracious to her. Why did that make her sad? Missing her own father? If she’d ever share anything with him, he might know how to help or what was bothering her. Did she not trust him enough? He’d pursued her every step of the way and now that he finally felt like their relationship was progressing, he was realizing how little she trusted him and that she might never let him fully into her heart, her past, and share her issues and hopes and dreams with him.
Derek rubbed at his jaw and gritted his teeth in frustration. He wanted to knock on the door and beg her to talk this all out, to let him hold her if she was upset, to confide in him, to care for him like he cared for her.
I just can’t tonight.
Those words rang in his brain as loudly as anything. She was spent and upset and instead of this week with his family being amazing and encouraging her to fall for him, it appeared to be backfiring.
His shoulders rounded as he walked away. He was messing this all up, and he had no idea how to fix it.
CHAPTERELEVEN
Ellery took a long shower, her tears mingling with the warm water. How could Derek’s family be so unreachable, wealthy, and opposite of everything she’d ever known, yet at the same time be so kind, welcoming, and loving?
She’d wanted to hug his father in the worst way. The king—the esteemed ruler of this beautiful and wealthy country—saying to her, ‘You are much, much more important to me than any car. If you had totaled my Lamborghini, I would still feel the same.’
He couldn’t mean those words, could he? The look in his blue eyes, eyes he shared with his son that she loved, said he did mean them. He’d teased about the Lamborghini being more valuable than his oldest son, the crown prince. Of course they all knew he was teasing but with her, the king had been so kind and patient. Like the father she’d always dreamed of having. Her own father only called when she won an event. She’d failed miserably tonight, wrecking a half-million-dollar car, and the king had said she was much more important to him than a car.
She cried harder.
She tried to wash out the dress but feared it was ruined. Ruined just like she was messing up her relationship with Derek over her own insecurities and holdups. If only she could convey that to him.
As she dried off from the shower, she brushed out her long hair, put moisturizer on her face and body, and dressed in a comfortable T-shirt and sweats. She thought she’d be relieved to stay in tonight, but she forlornly looked at the massive closet in her suite, all those beautiful dresses, pantsuits, and casual wear that was prettier than anything she’d ever seen.
Ellery wandered to the window and stared at the beauty of the mountains behind the castle, and the river and the lake behind the village. She couldn’t see the village or valley from this vantage point.
The queen had drowned in that peaceful-looking lake. So sad. She wanted to talk to Derek about it. She wanted to comfort the king. What a tragedy. Instead, they both tried to comfort her—about a car.
She was so used to being independent, taking care of her mom, and fighting her own way. She had no clue how to accept help or accept these accomplished, impressive, and thoughtful men being so kind to her.
The church bells clanged six. Dinner time. She’d planned on a long drive with Derek and a romantic dinner. Her lip quivered. He probably wanted to be away from her after how unstable and moody she’d acted today. Did he think she was an ungrateful brat? Did he wish he hadn’t brought her here? She’d probably embarrassed him—and in front of the king, the crown prince, and the prime minister to boot. It had to be frustrating that she acted so off after the king’s touching words to her.
Today had been incredible, everything except the wreck. She’d loved driving and appreciated Derek patiently teaching her. She could just picture them in that gorgeous Porsche, with all the power and acceleration and thrill of driving, but more importantly the charming prince she was in love with sitting next to her.
Then he’d teased her about being the best kisser, and she’d wrecked a half-million-dollar car.
