The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 143

Chapter 143

Eleanor POV

Next thing I knew, James appeared as if summoned by our conversation, sliding smoothly next to me. His cologne-something woodsy and expensive-wrapped around me. His arm came to rest casually on the back of the booth behind my shoulders, not quite touching me but close enough that I could feel his warmth.

“Ladies,” he greeted us with a smile that dimpled his cheeks. His teeth were perfectly straight and white against his tanned skin

“Hope I’m not interrupting.”

“We were just discussing Eleanor’s love life,” Olivia said with undisguised glee. “Perfect timing.”

I shot her a withering look, which she ignored completely, taking another sip of her drink with innocent eyes.

James signaled the server with a slight raise of his hand-the gesture of someone accustomed to prompt service. “Could we get the berry salad and the vanilla roasted chicken for the lady?” He turned to me with a gentle smile. I remember you like that

combination.

The fact that he remembered such a small detail touched me. It was the kind of thoughtfulness I’d rarely experienced with Derek, who could remember financial figures down to the decimal point but often forgot my preference for sparkling water over still.

“You called him?” I whispered accusingly to Olivia when James briefly turned away to speak with the server about wine pairings.

“I thought you’d be happy to see him,” she replied with an innocent shrug, but the mischievous twinkle in her eye gave her away. “He asked about you when I ran into him at Starbucks yesterday. What was I supposed to do, ignore the poor man?”

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When James returned his attention to us, he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a private register. “You haven’t responded to any of my messages since Christmas. Was I too forward? His fingers played with a strand of my hair that had fallen over the back of the booth. The gesture was intimate but not presumptuous.

The warmth of his breath against my ear sent a small shiver down my spine. James had been nothing but respectful, patient, and kind-everything Derek had not been during our marriage. Yet something held me back from fully embracing what he offered. When he touched me, I didn’t feel the electric current that Derek’s slightest contact generated. I didn’t feel the consuming need that had driven me to pull Derek into my bed on Christmas Eve, despite all logic and self-preservation.

Our intimate conversation was interrupted by a burst of laughter as the door opened, sending a brief gust of cold air through the lounge. Thomas Stone entered with a group of friends, his boisterous presence immediately filling the space. His cheeks were ruddy from the cold or from drinks already consumed elsewhere. His eyes lit up when he spotted me.

“Eleanor!” he called out, loud enough to turn heads. Several patrons looked up from their drinks with mild annoyance at the disruption of the lounge’s subdued atmosphere. What a coincidence! We were just talking about you.” He approached our table with a wide grin, weaving between the other tables with the slightly exaggerated care of someone who’s had a few drinks. “Speak of the devil and she appears! Derek’s just parking the car-he’ll be right in.”

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Chapter 143

My stomach tightened at the mention of Derek’s name. I instinctively touched my throat, wondering if any marks from our Christmas encounter were still visible, though logically I knew they had faded days ago.

“Mind if we join you?’ Thomas asked, though he was already pulling a chair over without waiting for an answer. The chair legs scraped noisily against the hardwood floor. Olivia rolled her eyes dramatically, her crimson lips pursed in disapproval, but Thomas

either didn’t notice or chose to ignore it.

*Macallan 35, neat, Thomas instructed the bartender, tapping the table confidently. “The bottle Derek keeps special.

Thomas caught my eye and leaned closer, his tie dipping dangerously close to the candle flame. I subtly moved the candle holder away from him. “He says it’s like you, Eleanor-elegant and complex, worth a lifetime to appreciate.”

I felt my face flush hot. The comparison was unexpectedly poetic coming from Derek. “That doesn’t sound like something Derek would say,” I murmured, looking down at my drink, watching the light refract through the clear liquid.

“Oh, but it is,” Thomas replied, his eyes twinkling with the delight of someone sharing insider information. “He’s become quite the poet lately. I blame London-too much rain and Shakespeare.” (1)

Before I could formulate a response, the door opened again, and Derek entered. He stood framed in the doorway for a moment, scanning the room until his gaze landed on our table. My heart performed its usual acrobatics at the sight of him-an involuntary reaction I resented but couldn’t control. His suit, a deep charcoal that highlighted the breadth of his shoulders, was impeccably

tailored as always.

His expression remained neutral as he approached, though I noticed his eyes lingering on James’s arm hovering behind my shoulders. A muscle in his jaw twitched almost imperceptibly-a tell I recognized from our marriage, a sign that he was clenching

his teeth.

Derek greeted the table with a general nod. “I see Thomas has already made himself comfortable,” he said, his voice carrying that distinctive timbre that always seemed to resonate directly in my chest.

“We were just catching up, Thomas replied cheerfully, oblivious to the undercurrents of tension. “Did you know Eleanor’s shop is doing corporate displays now? Expanding the business.

Derek’s eyes met mine. I’m not surprised. Eleanor has always had a talent for growth and adaptation. The compliment caught me off guard-Derek had rarely acknowledged my business acumen during our marriage.

There was an awkward pause as Derek pulled up a chair, positioning it so he had a clear view of both me and James. His proximity made my skin prickle with awareness. I took a larger sip of my martini than intended, the gin burning slightly.

James leaned closer to my ear after a moment of watching Derek interact with Thomas. “If you’re uncomfortable with the company, we can go somewhere else, he whispered, his breath warm against my skin. I know a quieter place down the street.

Derek’s eyebrow arched as he caught the intimate gesture. “Whispering sweet nothings?” he asked, his voice deceptively light.

Should I give you two some privacy?”

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14:17 Thu, Jul 2 MA

The CEO’s Unspoken Love