The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Eleanor POV

L

“You’re afraid of yourself. Afraid that you can’t resist me.”

Derek’s words hung in the air between us, üricomfortably accurate. I wanted to deny it, to throw his arrogance back in his face, but

the truth of his statement made my heart race.

“That’s ridiculous,” I scoffed, crossing my arms and leaning against the wall. “I just don’t see the point in being alone with you.

Derek laughed softly, a sound that sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine. His eyes traveled around the entrance hall of my

childhood home, taking in the faded wallpaper and worn hardwood floors.

“This place needs work, he observed, running a finger along a crack in the wall. A lot of work.”

“I know.” I straightened my shoulders. I’m planning a complete renovation. New plumbing, updated electrical, refinished floors. I’ll

replace the damaged furniture and hang my parents’ photos back on the walls.”

Derek raised an eyebrow. “And how do you plan to pay for all that? Does your little flower shop bring in enough for a renovation

this extensive?”

The condescension in his tone made my jaw clench. I’ve been saving. And Four Seasons Florals does quite well, thank you very

much.”

“I’m sure it does,” he said, though his tone suggested otherwise. “But a house this size… the renovations alone could run into

hundreds of thousands.”

I turned away from him, walking toward the living room. “I didn’t ask for your financial advice, Derek. Why are you still here? We’ve

established that I’m fine.”

He followed me, his footsteps echoing on the wooden floor. “We need to discuss our divorce. The sooner we get the details sorted,

the sooner we can both move on.”

“There’s nothing to discuss,” I said, keeping my voice level. I’ve already contacted a lawyer. She’ll draw up the papers.”

“My lawyers should handle it, Derek countered. “They have experience with complex estates.”

I turned to face him. “Complex? We don’t have children. We don’t share assets. What’s complex about that?”

Derek’s gaze swept around the living room, taking in the sheet-covered furniture and dust-laden surfaces. ‘You really want to live in

this ancient building? These old houses are nothing but trouble-constant repairs, hidden problems, safety hazards.”

“It’s my home,” I said simply.

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Derek moved closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “You know what they say about houses where people died violently? The walls remember. The energy lingers.” His eyes glinted with mischief. “Perhaps your parents will come visit you at night. Maybe they’ll bring along everyone who ever had a grudge against Wells Investment Bank. They could all gather around your bed while you sleep.

“Stop it, I snapped, but Derek continued, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

“I wonder if they’d recognize you. It’s been so long=”

I didn’t think, just reacted. My foot connected with his shin, and in the process, my slipper flew off, skidding across the floor.

Derek’s laugh was immediate and genuine. “There she is. I was wondering when the real Eleanor would show up.”

He bent down to retrieve my slipper, then knelt before me, holding it up. “If I may?”

I tried to grab it, but he pulled it back, his smile widening. “Allow me.”

“I can put on my own slipper, Derek.”

“Humor me.”

We engaged in a brief tug-of-war before I relented, allowing him to slip it onto my foot. His fingers lingered on my ankle a moment too long, tracing a slow circle against my skin. The simple touch sent an electric current racing up my leg. Our eyes met, and I saw

his pupils dilate slightly. The air between us seemed to thicken, making it harder to breathe.

I pulled my foot away quickly, trying to ignore the heat blooming in my chest. “Let’s discuss the property division,” I said, desperate

to break the tension. “What are you proposing?”

Derek straightened, suddenly all business, though his eyes still held that dangerous warmth. “I thought we could transfer the Blue

Hill lakehouse to you. It’s peaceful there, and you always enjoyed the gardens.

I shook my head. “I don’t want it. The lakehouse held too many memories-both wonderful and painful. The last time I’d been

there, I’d found Derek and Seraphina together. I’d prefer a cash settlement.”

“Frontier Capital is somewhat cash-constrained at the moment,” Derek said, his eyes narrowing slightly. We’re in the middle of

several major acquisitions.”

“Then I don’t need anything,” I said flatly. “Keep your properties and your money. I just want this to be over.”

A strange expression crossed Derek’s face-surprise, perhaps, or something like respect. “You could have the Beacon Hill house. I’ll

move out.

The offer stunned me. The Beacon Hill property was worth millions-far more than I could ever afford on my own. It was also our

marital home, filled with memories I wasn’t sure I wanted to preserve.

I don’t want that either,” I said quietly.

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Chapter 76

Silence fell between us. I could hear the ticking of the old grandfather clock in the hallway, marking seconds that felt like hours.

Derek moved closer, and I found myself retreating until my back pressed against the wall. He placed one hand on the wall beside my

head, leaning in. The scent of his cologne-woody with hints of bergamot and amber-enveloped me, achingly familiar.

“What do you want, Eleanor?” His voice was low, intimate, each word a caress.

My breath caught in my throat. “I don’t know.”

He moved closer still, his body almost touching mine, I could feel the heat radiating from him, making my skin hypersensitive. His

eyes dropped to my lips, and I unconsciously wet them with the tip of my tongue. His gaze darkened.

‘I think you do know, he murmured.

Every rational thought in my head screamed at me to push him away, to maintain the distance I’d fought so hard to establish. Bu my body had other ideas. When his lips met mine, I didn’t resist. I should have pushed him away. I should have remembered all the pain, all the nights I’d cried myself to sleep because of him. Instead, I found myself responding, my hands moving up to his

shoulders, then to his hair.

The kiss deepened, became hungry, desperate. His hands were at my waist, pulling me closer, and I could feel the hard planes of his body against mine. He made a low sound in his throat as I arched into him, my fingers tangling in his hair. For a moment, I forgot everything our impending divorce, the years of emotional distance, even my own name. There was only Derek and the way he made

me feel.

But reality has a way of intruding. A car horn blared outside, startling me back to my senses. I pushed against his chest, breaking

the kiss, and Derek took a step back, his breathing as uneven as mine.

“This is our problem, Eleanor,” he said, his voice rough. “There’s too much between us that we can’t put into words.”

I couldn’t look at him, afraid of what he might see in my eyes. Confusion. Longing. Fear. I straightened my shirt with trembling

hands, trying to regain my composure.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love