The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 60

Chapter 60

I blinked, momentarily confused.

“The medicine cabinet?” he repeated, more insistently.

“Second floor bathroom,” I said automatically. “Under the sink, there should be antihistamine cream.”

He disappeared upstairs, and I found myself scanning the living room for signs of Seraphina-a purse, a jacket, anything. There was

nothing but Derek’s laptop on the coffee table and a half-empty glass of what looked like scotch.

Derek returned moments later, a small tube in his hand. “Would you mind?” he asked, holding it out to me. “I can’t see the back of

my neck properly.”

1-sure,” I said, taking the tube. As I uncapped it, he sat on the couch, leaving room beside him.

Instead of sitting next to him, I moved to stand behind him, intending to keep my distance. But Derek had other ideas. In one

smooth motion, he reached back and pulled me around, guiding me to sit on his lap, facing him.

“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice embarrassingly breathless.

Derek’s eyes were unreadable in the dim light. “I figure if you’re going to leave me soon, I might as well enjoy being taken care of

while I can.”

My heart stuttered at his words. “That’s not fair,” I whispered.

“No,” he agreed, his voice low. “None of this is.”

We sat there, neither mentioning the awkward position or the tension from our last encounter at Seraphina’s party. I dabbed cream

onto the reddened patches on his neck, careful to maintain a clinical touch despite our intimate position.

“Have you thought about what you want? Derek asked suddenly.

“What do you mean?”

From our divorce. The compensation I mentioned.” His eyes met mine. “What do you want, Eleanor?”

“You, I thought desperately. “I want you to love me. I want you to see me the way I’ve always seen you.” But I couldn’t say that.

Instead, I focused on applying the cream to a spot behind his ear.

As my fingers brushed against his skin, I felt his breath catch. I leaned closer to see better in the dim light, my chest almost

touching his. Suddenly, I became acutely aware of a hardness beneath me, and Derek’s hands tightened on my waist.

“Eleanor,” he said, his voice strained. “If you don’t stop moving like that-”

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Chapter 60

I’m just trying to help with your allergy,” I said, heat flooding my face.

“Well, you’ve caused another problem now,” he said, his tone somewhere between irritation and amusement.

Before I could respond, the doorbell rang, followed by the sound of a key in the lock. Derek tensed beneath me as the door swung

open.

“Derek? I brought dinner as promised, and-oh!*

Seraphina stood in the doorway, a basket in her hands, her expression frozen in shock at the sight of me straddling Derek’s lap.

scrambled off him, mortification washing over me in waves.

I see I’m interrupting,” Seraphina said, recovering quickly. “I had no idea you had… company.”

“I should go, I said, grabbing my purse. I felt humiliated, angry, and-worst of all-betrayed. Derek had made me believe he was

alone, but clearly, he and Seraphina had plans.

“Eleanor, wait- Derek started, but I was already moving toward the door.

As I passed Seraphina, I noticed the elegant picnic basket in her hands, no doubt filled with gourmet food from some exclusive

caterer. She must have a key to his house-another painful revelation.

I was just leaving,” I said coldly. “You two enjoy your evening.

“It’s not what you think, Seraphina said, her tone placating. I just promised to bring him dinner since he taught me to ski today.”

I turned to her, summoning every ounce of dignity I possessed. “Noted. Thanks for your explanation.”

“Eleanor, there’s been a misunderstanding- Seraphina began.

“Misunderstandings seem to be quite convenient for everyone lately,” I cut her off. “Goodnight.”

I walked out into the cool night air, fighting back tears. The Uber I’d called was just pulling up-perfect timing to escape this fresh

humiliation. As I slid into the backseat, I gave the driver my address, then leaned back and closed my eyes, determined not to let

the tears fall.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love