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His eyes widened. “You don’t … why?”
She shrugged, her defenses rising. Who would’ve taught her how to drive and who would’ve paid for the fees? If she was in dire straights now throughout childhood and teenage years she’d lived in abject poverty.
“Public transportation or my own legs work just fine,” she said shortly, hating that she was short with him when he was always so kind to her. “Now what favor do you have? I need to get home before it’s dark.”
“Let me drive you home.”
“No,” she all but growled at him. This Bugatti in her neighborhood? Laughable. His car would be hauled off to the black market or stripped and sold piece meal before even his tough security guards could intervene. “Please ask this all-important favor so I can get my run in.” She couldn’t say yes to him. Why was she encouraging him to ask?
“I don’t think you need one more run,” he said softly, searching her face. He was such a gentleman she’d never caught him checking out her body or anybody else’s for that matter. So impressive.
“When I’m the champion and you’re in third place, then you can tell me not to get an extra run in.” She gave him a saucy stare.
He smiled and shook his head.
“What’s the favor, Derek?” she asked. She loved saying his name and from the way his blue eyes lit up he liked it too. She loved that she was comfortable enough she didn’t have to call him Prince Derek. That a wealthy prince was pressed against her and his millions-of-dollar’s car blew her mind.
“Ellery …” He returned the favor, and then some. Her name on his beautiful lips in that sensual accent … yummy. “Would you come to Augustine with me for Ray and Macey’s wedding?”
Her stomach dropped out. Her palms got clammy. Her heart raced. She needed to run away, and now. He still had her pinned against the car.
Instead of shoving her way free, she stared up at him and envisioned what he was asking … Go to an enchanted castle for the private wedding of his prince brother in the most beautiful spot she’d ever seen pictures of.
Most of all, go with him? Holding hands, walking together, talking together, training together, kissing? Her stomach pitched the other direction.
“As your stiffest ninja competition?” She tried to tease but she was a mess clear through.
“You definitely are that.” He studied her. “But I’d love for you to come as my girlfriend as well. My family would all love you.”
“I … I …” Their gazes locked and she lost all reason when he looked at her as if she was his entire world. She couldn’t be his girlfriend, or his world. She couldn’t leave her mom. It had been a nightmare to leave her for competitions all spring. She couldn’t take time off work. It was all a no. “I don’t have a passport,” she squeaked out the first excuse that came to her mind.
Derek chuckled, raised his hand, and tenderly ran his knuckles along her jawline. She quivered from head to toe at the simple touch. “If that’s your only excuse you’ll need a better one. I’m a prince, remember? Your government will rush the paperwork at my request.”
Of course they would. Derek didn’t throw around his princely status, one of the many reasons she was drawn to him, but he could surely call in favors everywhere, even with the U.S. Passport Office.
She on the other hand couldn’t call in favors anywhere. She had no support beyond her mom and Aunt Elise. Everybody at work and in their elite ninja training group seemed to like her, but she kept her distance emotionally and they thankfully returned the favor.
“I have no idea what excuse you’ll accept,” she admitted.
“Don’t give me one then.” He leaned closer and her body filled with liquid heat. “Come with me, Elle … please.”
Ellery wanted to cave. She wanted to go anywhere with this man. But reality and her responsibilities were always forefront in her mind. “I can’t take the time off work.”
Derek deflated. He was enough of a gentleman to know how bullheaded she was about anyone paying her way, but especially men. She’d never even let him take her to dinner though he did bring her snacks and takeout often, and she accepted as graciously as she could.
“I’m assuming you won’t allow me to help you out financially?” he asked softly.
“You assume correctly.” Her back stiffened. “I need to go.”
He nodded and straightened away from her, his jaw tight, his muscular body even tighter. “Will you please think on the request?” he asked. “The wedding is on July twentieth, a week from Saturday. We could fly through the night Friday and return early Monday morning. My plane is very comfortable and you’d only miss one day of work. Your mom is welcome to come with us as well.”
She stared at him. Inviting her mom. Was he nuts? Neither of them would fit in at some fancy wedding. They each had a couple of passable Sunday dresses. The thought of what she’d need to wear to a wedding like that … impossible.
Yet from what she’d seen on social media, the bride, Macey, and his other sister-in-law, Aliya came from humble circumstances.
She wanted to explore his gorgeous country, his gorgeous castle, his gorgeous lips.
Instead she shook her head and then nodded and then threw her hands up in the air. “I’ll think about it,” she conceded, though she knew she wouldn’t. She wasn’t going to leave her mom. She wasn’t going to pretend she was dating a prince and fly to his home and attend a royal wedding on his arm, wearing a comfortable knit dress from Walmart next to his Brioni suit. What a joke.
He rubbed at his jaw and that arm flexed. It was quite an arm.
No. She backed away, lifted a hand in farewell, ignored the beseeching look on his handsome face, turned, and ran. If only she could outrun the picture of those blue eyes in her mind. If only she could outrun his kindness, patience, and allure.
She ran faster.
* * *
