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“One of the security guards will trail us and one will watch the car.” He shrugged as if it were no big deal.
Ellery had known she’d never fit in his world. Driving to the supermarket in a Bugatti Divo in fitness apparel confirmed that. A woman in this car, sitting next to this prince, should be in a swanky red dress or at least in a sleek business suit. She should have her hair done and perfect makeup on. That woman should be someone important, accomplished, and part of his world.
She snuck a glance at Derek. He handled the car easily, like he’d been born behind an elite sports car wheel. He looked powerful, handsome, alluring, perfect. It was easy to forget he was her friend Derek, who trained and teased with her daily. She felt out of her element.
Noticing her looking at him, he smiled, reached across the console, and wrapped his hand around hers.
She was going to hyperventilate.
Luckily, he didn’t say anything, so she didn’t have to. She stupidly savored his larger hand wrapped around hers, his thumb tracing across the back of her hand.
They pulled into the market’s parking lot far too quickly. Families and couples wheeled their grocery carts out to their cars or held multiple shopping bags in their hands as they headed for the bus or the sidewalk. They all stopped and stared. Ellery didn’t blame them. She would’ve done the same.
The car’s windows were tinted so the people couldn’t see who was inside. Yet. When they saw it was Prince Derek, would they storm the car for autographs or just to touch him? The crowd at the gym had gotten semi-used to a royal in their midst, and the gym was in an exclusive neighborhood and had a higher initial and monthly membership than any gym in the state.
These people were not used to a royal in their midst.
Derek parked the car near the edge of the parking lot, leaving a few empty stalls on each side. His security guards pulled in right next to them, driving a Porsche Cayenne. Just your standard Porsche, no biggie.
The guards were out of the vehicle before Ellery could reach for her door handle. They moved fast for such well-built dudes. She knew them both from the many hours they spent working out at the gym, keeping an eye on Derek. She’d said hello to both of them many times, but she’d never had a conversation with either of them. They obviously didn’t want to be distracted from their duties as they rarely responded to anyone at the gym, even the gorgeous women who tried to flirt with them when their princely boss gently turned down the women first.
Their faces were as animated and concerned as Ellery had ever seen them. At least they realized how out of place this was. Could she tell Derek to please just drop her off right now? She could get her groceries and walk home or jump on the bus.
“Please wait. I’ll get your door.” He gave her such a sincere look that she could only mutely nod.
He climbed out and the guards were waiting. They talked in hushed voices, but it was easy to see the burly dudes did not approve of Prince Derek strutting into a grocery store in the poorest neighborhood in Chelsea. They were only five miles from the gym in Beacon Hill, but it was a different world for sure.
As the men discussed their obvious concerns and Derek looked to be trying to reassure them, a police car pulled up on the other side of the Bugatti. Oh, my. Ellery wanted to jump out and tell them all this was a bad idea, that she could get her own groceries and she’d see Derek Monday at early morning workouts. Maybe she could promise she’d go to lunch with him on Monday to calm him down. If only she knew why he seemed intent on dating her. She could line up hundreds of beautiful ladies who would jump at the chance to be with him. None of whom had the baggage and hang-ups she did.
This was turning into a mess. Why had she let Naomi talk her into trying to protect the royals? Why had she committed to going to Augustine with Derek? It was insane. She didn’t fit into his life outside the exercise and ninja warrior parts. Couldn’t he see that? Moments like this were why she’d never agreed to go to dinner with him.
Two policemen climbed out of their patrol car. Within twenty seconds, Derek had them smiling, then laughing, and then he was shaking their hands, tilting his head regally to his guards, and striding around to open her door.
He offered his hand, and she placed hers in it. All kinds of good feelings rushed through her as he helped her to her feet and wrapped his arm around her waist, as if he were a ‘regular Joe’ and they were some couple who waltzed into the grocery store together every Saturday night.
She glanced back. The security guards were a few steps behind them, and the policemen lingered by the Bugatti. One of the security guards nodded tightly to her, and one of the policemen waved and grinned.
Looking up into Derek’s handsome face, he had a relaxed expression and a twinkle in his blue eyes. “What was all of that?” she managed.
“Brax and Ollie weren’t thrilled about leaving the car, or the two of us going into the store with only one guard. Luckily, some of your kind-hearted policemen showed up at just the right time and solved the issue by offering to hang out near the Bugatti while we’re gone.”
“Kind-hearted,” she murmured. They were probably enamored with Prince Derek and his car and also with-it enough to realize they didn’t want to deal with an international incident when some teenager tried to boost the Divo. With only forty vehicles like it in the world, she imagined the resale was higher than the original hefty price tag.
“How does this work?” His eyes were lit up as if they were on some adventure.
“Have you been to a grocery store?”
“Only messing around buying some drinks as a teenager. I have groceries or food delivered in to avoid … causing a stir.” He gestured to the people in the parking lot gathered in small crowds to whisper about a royal walking into the local store. Luckily, nobody had approached them. Yet.
Was he humble enough that he didn’t want to cause a stir, or cocky enough that he didn’t want to mingle with people far below his status? From her interactions with him the past four months, and keeping an eye on him throughout competitions and at the gym, she was ninety-nine percent certain it was the former. He was always kind to those who approached him.
“I guess I’ll have to teach you,” she said.
“Please.” Such a simple word, but said in his husky voice with his appealing accent, it shot heat through her.
They approached the sliding glass doors and a line of grocery carts.
“Some people make a list so they don’t forget anything or make unnecessary purchases. Some wander around the store, grab what they need, and grab some things that look good as well.”
