The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 64

Chapter 64

Derek POV

I stood perfectly still on the sidewalk, caught in this frozen moment. Alexander’s eyes met mine over Eleanor’s head, concern evident in his expression. The night air felt thick between us, this tableau of three people connected by bonds none of us had

chosen.

“She’s been calling your name for the past few minutes, Alexander said, his voice low but edged with accusation. She cried herself

to exhaustion, Derek.

I reached for Eleanor, my movements stiff. “This isn’t your concern.*

Alexander’s eyes hardened. “She was alone in a bar, drunk beyond reason. That makes it my concern.” He gently shifted Eleanor toward me, her weight surprisingly light as she passed from his arms to mine. “Wells family doesn’t have a tradition of irresponsibility toward those who depend on us.”

“We’re nothing to each other,” I said coldly, adjusting my grip on Eleanor. Her body was warm against mine, her breath tickling my

neck. “And we’re already preparing for divorce.

Alexander shook his head, the gesture so familiar it was like looking in a mirror-except his eyes held something mine rarely did: disappointment. “You’ve been like this since we were kids. You never acknowledge your feelings until it’s too late.”

He turned back toward the bar entrance, pausing only to add, I’ll settle her tab,” before disappearing inside.

I looked down at Eleanor’s face. Her eyelashes were wet, clumped together like dark stars against her cheeks. There was a vulnerability to her I rarely allowed myself to notice-the slight part of her lips, the furrow between her brows even in unconsciousness. A smudge of mascara beneath her right eye made her look young, fragile.

“Bastard… she mumbled, shifting in my arms.

Despite myself, the corner of my mouth twitched. Even drunk and half-conscious, she had fight left in her.

I carried her to my car, carefully depositing her in the back seat and buckling the safety belt across her slumped form. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake. I closed the door gently and walked around to the driver’s side, aware of Alexander watching from the bar

doorway.

By the time we arrived home, Eleanor was beginning to stir. I carried her up the stairs, her head lolling against my chest, her fingers

occasionally grasping at my shirt as if to steady herself in a spinning world.

I shouldered open our bedroom door and laid her on the bed. Her hair fanned out across the pillow, dark against the white linen. I

turned to leave, to give her space to sleep it off.

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Chapter 64

“Don’t go…” Her fingers caught my sleeve, surprisingly strong for someone barely conscious.

I looked down at her, torn between the desire to stay and the self-preservation instinct to maintain distance. “You need to sleep.

Eleanor.”

Her eyes opened, unfocused but determined. “Stay with me.”

Before I could respond, she pulled herself up with surprising strength and wrapped her arms around my neck. The scent of whiskey

mingled with her perfume-jasmine and something deeper, more primal.

Then her lips were on mine.

The kiss tasted of expensive whiskey and salt from dried tears. It was clumsy, desperate, nothing like the calculated kisses I was

accustomed to. I froze, caught between desire and conscience.

Eleanor’s hands moved to my face, then my neck, her lips trailing kisses along my jaw. Each touch was like a spark against dry

kindling.

“Eleanor, stop. I caught her wrists gently. “You’re drunk. You don’t know what you’re doing.

She struggled to sit up, nearly falling against me in the process. Her hands steadied herself on my shoulders, our faces inches apart. Her eyes, though glassy, held mine with surprising intensity.

“I’m not drunk,” she insisted, words slightly slurred. ‘I’m perfectly… perfectly clear.” She swayed slightly. “I just want you to stay. Is

that so much to ask?”

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love