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Ellery regarded him for far too long. The crowd quieted but didn’t disperse, as if wondering what was happening between them. He didn’t know if she was considering her options, or giving him extra time clinging to the bar to make the pullup next to impossible.
Finally, she gave him an impish grin. “Okay.”
“Okay? Yes!”
She’d go to the wedding with him. All he had to do was complete one pullup. He’d better do it quick before his grip gave out and he slid right off the bar.
There were some chuckles from the crowd, but they didn’t know what was happening.
“What do I get if you can’t do it?” she asked.
“Anything you want,” he rushed to say.
She stared at him and then said so softly he barely heard her, “A kiss.”
He almost dropped right then. Not only because he wanted a kiss from her desperately, but because she’d never so much as admitted she wanted to date him, but now she was asking for a kiss.
“Okay.” He smiled, but he was in a quandary. He could drop, keep her in his arms, and kiss her thoroughly. On the other hand, if he completed the pullup, she’d come to the wedding with him. He’d have Friday evening through Sunday morning with her. If she was interested in a kiss right now with them both all sweaty, hanging from a monkey bar, and with a crowd watching, he could bet she’d be willing to kiss him when he was dressed in a suit, smelling fabulous, and in a romantic spot in Augustine or his castle.
Derek gritted his teeth and slowly, slowly bent his elbows. A pullup primarily engaged the lats and traps, but right now it felt like every muscle in his body quivered and stretched to the limit. Their weightlifting focus today had been back and lats. He’d already done over a hundred pullups this morning in addition to various other difficult and draining strength-training exercises. He’d been practicing different obstacles since then, only taking a break for water, snacks, and lunch. He was spent, but he could never quit.
He dug deep, prayed in his mind, and kept lifting their combined weight inch by excruciating inch.
The gym crowd was going absolutely insane, chanting, “Nin-ja Prince! Nin-ja Prince!”
Sweat ran down his face, his back, and his chest. His palms were so sweaty he feared he’d lose his grip simply from the moisture on the bar.
Please, Mum. I want to take Elle home with me. Kiera would love her.
His mum was as soft for their little sister as his dad and the rest of them and Kiera already idolized Ellery. He could only imagine their interactions would be endearing and filled with fun.
Ellery smiled up at him. “Can you make it, my princely hero?”
His stomach swooped happily. Princely hero? She always teased him, but sometimes it was more sarcastic than sweet. Was she letting down her walls and warming up to him in ways he’d only dreamed about the past four months?
He gave her a cocky smile. “Easily, my princess love. Easily.”
Her eyes widened and her mouth softened. He would kiss her. Soon. Maybe after he completed this pullup.
Strength surged through him, and he grunted through the last few inches and cleared the bar with his chin. Ellery’s back bumped against the bar.
“Yes!” he crowed.
The crowd exploded.
Derek released the bar, wrapping his arms around Ellery as he dropped to the mat and landed in an easy crouch. He straightened, holding her tight to his chest, her arms still wound around his neck and her legs around his waist. He’d just won the most important prize of his life and he refused to relinquish it.
Phones were out and pictures being taken. He didn’t care and hoped Ellery didn’t mind. His life was often posted online. He’d love to fulfill the rumors of him and Ellery being an item.
“Nice job, Ninja Prince,” Ellery teased.
She softened her grip on him. He didn’t want that to happen.
“Thanks,” he said, leaning in and whispering into her ear. “Maybe you should give me a kiss right nowandcome to the wedding with me.”
“I don’t think so.” She grinned, but her green eyes were wary again. “You’ll have to earn that kiss.”
“Give me any challenge and I’ll do it.”
