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“After dinner, can we … talk?”
“Does talk mean actually talk or just kiss for a very long time?”
“Both.”
Her stomach tumbled. Would she need to reveal all her deep, dark secrets? His kiss had made her feel so treasured and safe. Could she love Derek, trust him, open her heart and let a man in?
He extended his hand. She didn’t hesitate to place her hand in his. He wrapped it up with his strong fingers, gave her a lingering look and tender smile, and led her down the hallway. Placing her hand in his, trusting a man. Could that actually happen for her?
Maybe. If it was Derek.
Chapter Twelve
Derek enjoyed the time with his family, but he could hardly wait to get Ellery alone. She’d shocked him by kissing him like that—shocked him in the best possible way. He loved her kisses, loved her. Would she open up to him about why she was so reluctant? Tell him about her past? Would she love him and agree to marry him and move to Augustine? It was asking a lot, but her mom and aunt could come. There was plenty of room in the castle or the village or Traverse or any of the other villages or cities. He could build them all a massive cabin in the mountains like Curt and Aliya had done if they wanted.
All he knew was he needed Ellery, and he needed his family and country. What if he had to choose like Steffan had? That was a dark thought that earned him a concerned look from Ellery. He must’ve been too quiet in his stewing. He rejoined the conversation. It was interesting how even with Ellery, the family was careful not to say anything about Hattie or much about Steffan. Would Ray and Jensen sneak them into the country and the castle tomorrow? He hoped so. He’d love to see Steffan and meet the infamous Hattie Ballard. She sounded like a perfect match for his brother and a brave and intriguing woman.
He looked at Ellery. Nobody was as brave and intriguing as his lady.
Finally, the dinner was over and his dad, bless his soul, said everyone had better get to bed early for the big wedding tomorrow. Kiera protested, but her dad told her he’d read a Princess Academy book with her and she took off.
Derek and Ellery said goodnight to everyone. T and Malik both gave him smart-alecky but jealous looks. Curt and Ray were too invested in Aliya and Macey respectively to even notice they were leaving.
They were quiet as they climbed the stairs.
“Do you want to go to the solarium?” Derek asked.
“No,” she said. “I want to be alone with you without risk of being interrupted. How about the patio of my suite?”
“Perfect.” Derek’s pulse picked up. She wanted to be alone with him. This was a twist. For six months, he’d tried to get her to go out with him and nothing. After the fateful moment of him completing the Invisible Ladder because of the look they’d exchanged and her cheering, he’d pursued her even harder. Now she was willingly here, at his castle with him, and she had not only instigated their first incredible kiss, but she wanted to be alone with him. All alone. Did that mean more kissing? Hopefully some snuggling and sharing secrets as well?
They walked down the family hallway, through her suite, and onto her balcony. The sun hadn’t set, but the mountain and trees shaded them from its heat. The temperature was ideal. He turned to Ellery. She was more perfect.
“Elle,” he got out in a husky whisper of longing before they were in each other’s arms with their lips fused together. Now that she’d turned in his direction, they were two magnets irrevocably drawn to each other. Ellery was no longer resisting him; quite the opposite. She gave so much of herself to the kiss he had a hard time slowing it down and not simply kissing her until the sun set and then rose again.
They slowly broke apart, which was interesting as they’d flung together so quickly, but it was hard for a magnet to pull away from another magnet.
Derek led her to the patio couch, and they sank down onto it. She cuddled into his side, staring up at him, her green eyes huge and full of him. Could he keep kissing her?
“Derek,” she whispered. “I’ve never trusted a man like this before.”
“You … trust me?” For some reason, with Ellery that seemed more crucial than love. Her kiss said she loved him, but trust was huge for her.
“I think I do.”
He wanted to tease that wasn’t very convincing, but this was one of the few moments he didn’t want to tease her. “Can you tell me why you’ve had such a hard time trusting me?”
She blew out a breath and laid her head on his shoulder. He cradled her close, praying he could say and do the right things to have and keep her trust, to keep her in his life.
“My dad left when I was eight.” She didn’t look at him as she spoke. “It was only a few months after my mom got diagnosed with MS.”
“What?” He couldn’t believe that.
“He had a new wife within a month. Now they have three children together.”
His jaw dropped further. “What kind of a husband and father … does that?”
“Mine, apparently.”
