The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 190

Chapter 190

Eleanor POV

I clutched Sunny a little tighter, as if he could shield me from the intensity of Derek’s words. “Don’t use my dog to get my attention

again, Derek. It’s manipulative and unfair.”

He didn’t respond immediately, his fingers tapping a restless rhythm against the steering wheel. When he finally spoke, his voice

was uncharacteristically subdued. “I’ll find other ways.”

The implication that there would be other attempts to see me, to speak with me, sent a mixture of dread and anticipation through

my body. I focused on controlling my breathing, on maintaining the boundaries I’d worked so hard to establish.

“Let’s stop somewhere, Derek said suddenly, turning onto a commercial street.

“Why? I want to get Sunny home.”

“I should buy him something. To apologize for the inconvenience. Before I could object, he was already pulling into the parking lot

of Boston Pet Boutique, an upscale pet store I’d never entered due to its exorbitant prices.

“This isn’t necessary, 1 protested as he turned off the engine.

Derek sneezed again, then met my eyes with a look of stubborn determination I knew all too well. It is to me.”

The store clerk greeted us with practiced enthusiasm, her smile widening when Derek mentioned we needed “the best of everything

for Sunny. I followed behind as Derek selected premium dog food, toys, and a plush dog bed that probably cost more than my

monthly utility bills.

“He already has a bed,” I said, watching as he added another toy to the growing pile.

“But not one from me.” Derek’s voice was congested, his eyes increasingly swollen, yet he refused to leave or hurry the process.

I felt a familiar mix of exasperation and something dangerously close to tenderness. “You’re making your allergies worse by staying

in here.”

Derek shrugged, seemingly unconcerned with his discomfort. “Worth it.”

As I bent to examine a row of organic dog treats, I felt his presence behind me, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his

body. His voice, when he spoke, was low and intimate, meant only for me.

I want to be with you all the time, Eleanor. Every minute of every day.”

My heart stuttered traitorously in my chest. I straightened quickly, putting some distance between us, and grabbed a random

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Chapter 190

package of treats from the shelf. “Sunny will like these.”

Derek’s knowing smile told me he’d noticed my flustered reaction, but mercifully, he didn’t press further.

By the time we arrived at my Newton home, Derek’s allergic reaction had progressed significantly. Angry red welts had appeared on

his forearms, and his eyes were so swollen that I wondered how he’d managed to drive safely.

Despite his condition, he insisted on carrying the dog bed and heaviest bags into the house. I watched him struggle with the door,

too proud to ask for help despite his impaired vision.

“You’re being ridiculous,” I said, taking the keys from his hand and unlocking the door myself. “Sit down before you collapse.”

For once, Derek didn’t argue. He deposited the bags in the entryway and sank onto the nearest chair, his breathing labored. Sunny

approached him cautiously, seeming to sense his distress.

“Stay back, traitor,” I told him, scooping him up before he could make Derek’s condition worse. I deposited him in the kitchen and

closed the door before returning to assess Derek’s state.

You need antihistamines,” I said, heading to the bathroom to retrieve the allergy medication I kept for emergencies. I returned with

pills, water, and a specialized anti-allergy cream.

Derek took the medication without protest, swallowing the pills with a grimace. “Thank you.”

I hesitated before opening the cream. You should apply this to the welts. It will help with the itching.”

Derek extended his arm, the angry red patches stark against his pale skin. “Would you?”

The request was simple, yet loaded with meaning. I thought of that day at the lakeside cabin, of tending to his sunburn, of how that

innocent touch had led to so much more.

Derek seemed to read my thoughts. “Eleanor,” he said softly, “are you worried about me?”

“I’m worried about you driving home in this condition, I corrected, opening the tube and squeezing a small amount onto my

fingertips.

As I applied the cream to his inflamed skin, I forced myself to maintain clinical detachment. This was first aid, nothing more.

“Don’t use Sunny to get my attention again,” I said firmly, focusing on a particularly bad welt near his wrist. “If he ever actually

went missing, I’d be devastated.”

Derek s fingers curled slightly, brushing against my palm. I’m sorry. I just didn’t know what else would make you see me. His voice

dropped lower, almost a whisper. ‘I’m truly sorry for worrying you.”

I finished applying the cream and stepped back, recapping the tube. “You should go. The medication will make you drowsy.”

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Chapter 190

Derek stood, swaying slightly as the antihistamines began to take effect. He moved closer, his eyes-still red and swollen-searching

mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.

For a moment, I thought he might kiss me. Part of me-a traitorous, weak part-wanted him to. Instead, he leaned forward and

pressed his lips gently against my forehead, a gesture so tender it made my chest ache.

“I won’t stop thinking about you, he murmured against my skin. I hope you think about me too.”

Before I could respond, he was moving toward the door, his steps steady despite the medication. I followed him to the entryway,

watching as he collected his coat.

“Thank you for the cream,” he said, his hand on the doorknob. “And for not calling the police when Alan took Sunny.”

Despite everything, I found myself smiling slightly. “It was a close call.”

After Derek left, I returned to the kitchen and released Sunny from his temporary confinement. He bounced around my legs,

apparently no worse for his adventure at Frontier Capital.

“You little traitor,” I said, kneeling to scratch behind his ears. “You seemed to like him quite a bit.”

Sunny wagged his tail enthusiastically, as if confirming my accusation.

I sighed, looking at the pile of expensive dog supplies in my entryway-tangible evidence of Derek’s determination to remain in my

life, allergies be damned.

“What am I going to do with him?” I asked Sunny, who had no answers, only unconditional affection to offer. During the flu, I kept you in your room to protect both of us. Who’s going to protect me from Derek Wells?”

As I prepared for bed that night, I found myself touching my forehead where Derek’s lips had been, remembering the gentle pressure, the warmth of his breath. Despite all my efforts to maintain distance, to protect myself from further heartbreak, Derek

Wells had once again found a way past my defenses.

And the most troubling part? A small, growing part of me was glad he had.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love