The CEO's Unspoken Love Novel

Chapter 20 Eleanor POV I stood in the corridor, far enough from the private room that no one would accidentally stumble upon me. My hands trembled as I pressed my back against the cool wall, desperately trying to steady my breathing. The taste of bourbon mingled with something else on my lips-Derek's kiss. My fingers unconsciously touched my mouth, still feeling the phantom pressure of his lips against mine. Taking several deep breaths, I glanced at my reflection in a decorative mirror hanging in the hallway.

My cheeks were flushed, my lips slightly swollen, and my eyes-God, my eyes betrayed everything. They were wide, bright with confusion, anger, and something else I refused to acknowledge. "Pull yourself together," I whispered to my reflection. I smoothed my hair, straightened my dress, and wiped away the smudged lipstick with my thumb. The woman staring back at me looked composed on the surface, but beneath that carefully constructed façade, she was crumbling. With one final deep breath, I pushed myself away from the wall and headed back to the private room.

I forced my steps to be measured and casual, refusing to scurry back like someone with something to hide. When I entered, I avoided meeting anyone's gaze, especially Thomas's curious look, and made my way directly to Olivia. "Your lipstick is completely smeared," Olivia immediately noticed, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "What happened?" "Not now, Liv," I murmured, accepting the glass of ice water she handed me with gratitude. My throat felt parched, and I wondered if it was from the bourbon or the kiss-probably both. Olivia passed me a tissue from her purse.

"Here, you look like you've been mauled." I quickly wiped at the remnants of my lipstick, hoping no one else had noticed my disheveled appearance. "Our runaway returns!" Thomas called out, his voice carrying across the room. "Where's Derek hiding?" "Probably taking a call," I replied smoothly, impressed by how steady my voice sounded. "The reception in here isn't great." I could feel Olivia's skeptical gaze burning into the side of my face, but thankfully, she remained silent.

The game continued around us, with someone-Daniel, I think-drawing a card and performing some ridiculous dare involving standing on one foot while reciting the alphabet backward. A few minutes later, Derek strolled back into the room as if nothing had happened. My breath caught in my throat. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, his tie loosened, and his hair slightly disheveled-just enough to make him look dangerously appealing. The controlled, polished financier had been replaced by something rawer, more primal.

"I don't think I missed anything, did I?" he said to the room, his voice low and smooth. 1/2 His gaze swept across the room, lingering for a moment on each face before finally landing on me. A small, knowing smile curved his lips, and I immediately looked away, unable to meet his eyes without remembering the feel of his mouth on mine, his hands on my body. The game resumed, and I noticed Derek had chosen to sit at the opposite end of the room from me. Yet every time I dared to glance up, I caught him watching me, his blue-gray eyes intense and unreadable.

The weight of his stare felt like a physical touch, burning my skin wherever it landed. When my turn came again, I drew a king of hearts. The challenge required me to share my most embarrassing dating experience. I forced a laugh and fabricated a story about a college date where my heel broke and I fell into a fountain. The story earned chuckles from around the room, but I could feel Derek's gaze boring into me, as if he were, trying to separate truth from fiction. "I need another drink," I announced after my turn ended, signaling to a passing server. "Martini, please.

Dry." Olivia placed a cautioning hand on my arm. "You've already had quite a bit, El. Maybe slow down?" "I need this tonight," I insisted, taking the martini from the server as soon as it arrived and drinking half of it in one go. The alcohol burned down my throat, but I welcomed the sensation. I needed something to dull the chaotic swirl of emotions inside me. As the night progressed, I lost count of how many drinks I'd had. The edges of the room grew softer, the voices around me blending together in a pleasant hum.

I found myself laughing more freely, smiling more readily, but a persistent sadness lingered beneath the surface. Occasionally, I would catch Derek watching me, his expression tight, his knuckles white around his glass. Comments 5 4 Write Comments SHARE 2/2 Ruby Walker Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish.

Ruby's writing style is bold and irresistible-perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.