The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 183

Chapter 183

I tried not to look guilty as she placed the electronic device against my forehead. It beeped after a few seconds.

100.2, she announced, looking between the two thermometers with suspicion. “That’s three degrees lower than the mercury one

shows.”

I couldn’t maintain the charade under her penetrating gaze. I might be recovering faster than expected.”

“You heated the mercury thermometer, Eleanor stated flatly, more observation than question.

I offered a sheepish smile. Perhaps.”

Eleanor sighed, but the relief in her eyes betrayed her. “Well, it seems you’ve made a miraculous recovery. I guess I won’t have to

play nurse anymore.”

“That’s a shame,” I replied, straightening up and rebuttoning my shirt. “I was rather enjoying the attention.”

She rolled her eyes, but a hint of a smile played at the corners of her mouth. “I’m sure your assistant will be happy to know you’re

well enough to terrorize the office in person again.”

My phone buzzed. A text from Alan: Car arriving in 10 minutes.

“Duty calls,” I said, standing up and gathering my laptop and papers. “Back to the real world.”

Eleanor nodded, maintaining that careful distance she always kept between us. “Your suits are hanging in the guest room closet. 1

had them dry-cleaned yesterday.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know.”

I changed quickly in the guest room, the one I’d barely used during my stay. Most nights I’d fallen asleep on the couch while

working, and Eleanor had covered me with a blanket rather than wake me. These small acts of care meant more than she knew.

When I returned downstairs, dressed in my armor of bespoke wool and silk, Eleanor was arranging the flowers she’d brought in a

crystal vase.

I guess this is goodbye, then, she said, not looking up from her task.

1 approached her slowly. “For now.”

Before I could overthink it, I wrapped my arms around her in a gentle embrace. Eleanor stiffened for a moment-one heartbeat, two

-before relaxing against me, her arms cautiously circling my waist.

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Chapter 183

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The scent of her hair-lavender and something uniquely Eleanor-filled my senses. I could feel her heart beating against my chest,

slightly faster than normal. When we pulled apart, our eyes met, and for a moment, I thought about kissing her. The way her gaze

dropped to my lips suggested she might have been thinking the same thing.

1

But the moment passed. We both stepped back, returning to our safe, established boundaries.

“Take care of yourself, Derek, she said softly.

“You too.”

As I headed for the door, I hesitated. “There’s something in the kitchen for you. Nothing fancy, just…” I trailed off, suddenly sel

conscious.

The doorbell rang-my car had arrived.

“I’ll see you soon, I promised, and stepped out into the cold Boston afternoon.

Back in my Frontier Capital office the next day, I found my desk unusually organized. A small paper bag sat prominently in the

center, with a handwritten note attached.

“What’s this?” I asked Alan as he brought in my morning coffee.

“Mrs. Wells asked me to pick it up from her shop this morning,” he replied. “Said you should take them at the first sign of any

symptoms.

I opened the bag to find cold medicine, throat lozenges, and vitamin supplements, along with detailed instructions in Eleanor’s

elegant handwriting on when to take each one.

“She claims she doesn’t care, but then does something like this,” I said, more to myself than to Alan.

He wisely chose not to comment, but I caught the knowing smile on his face as he left my office.

I leaned back in my chair, fingering the note with Eleanor’s handwriting. Perhaps I wasn’t the only one playing games. The thought

made me smile all the way through my morning meetings.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love