Page 23 of From London, With Love

“Is this really how you want to play this, Mr Darcy?”

At my words, he leans against the counter. Our faces are mere inches apart. I don’t dare breathe for fear of pushing him away.?

“I don’t play games, Lara. I win them.”

For the second time during this interaction, my thighs clench involuntarily. It’s not only what he says but the way he says it. It’s almost as if it’s a promise spoken in a husky tone.?

It feels like this conversation has taken a turn, and we’re treading a dangerous line. I glance quickly around the store, noticing he’s the only customer right now. Somehow that makes it worse.?

With one last smile, he walks away.

Have I started a game I have no chance of winning?

Chapter 11

Carter

The cool April air caused goosebumps to form on my arms during my run this morning. Normally this time of year is beautiful for an early run, but this past week has brought in an unexpected cold snap. I ran faster than usual, attempting to outrun the cold, resulting in my far-earlier-than-necessary arrival at the firm.

It's a little while later when I start hearing the voices of my staff throughout the hallways, signalling the official start of the work day. Laptop in one hand and coffee in the other, I make my way to the boardroom and take my usual seat for the monthly Executive Meeting.

I’m vaguely aware of my colleagues filing in around me, but my gaze is fixed on the floor to ceiling window across from me, and the view beyond. If I look hard enough, I swear I can almost see the bookstore, despite the low clouds and it being tens of blocks away. An image of the striking woman with eyes reminiscent of the depths of the ocean fades into view clear as day. It’s as though I’ve been transported directly to the counter, watching her share a carefree laugh with a customer.

“You good, boss?” Anna’s voice removes me from the bookstore. Concern mars her features as I meet her gaze. Glancing around the room, I’m caught off guard realising I’m centre of attention between eight pairs of eyes.

“Sorry, what was that?” I rough a palm along my jaw, completely taken aback that I wasthatlost in thought.

Anna lets out a small chuckle and a few of the others join in. “You’re fine, boss. I was just askin’ if you had any updates for HR.” It’s hard to suppress my grin at the wayHRsounds in her Southern lilt pronunciation.

“Right, of course.” Tapping a key on my now-sleeping laptop, I force my straying thoughts to remain on the meeting at hand.Not the time or place, Lawrence.“Let’s start with staffing updates, shall we?”

As I rise from my chair and exit the boardroom, I glance down at my watch. Stifling a yawn, I’m disappointed but not surprised to see it’s far earlier than I’d thought. It feels as though I’ve already worked a twelve-hour day when it’s not even midday.

I make my way to my office, smiling and greeting any staff I’ve yet to say good morning to. The past few months haven’t been the easiest by any means, but I’ve really hit my stride recently.?

The firm is busier than ever, which is excellent and exactly where we want the business. But it also means I've been working more than ever.

Sitting down at my desk, I flip through my diary to see what the rest of my day holds. Confusion seeps in as I look at the blank page.Well, this is odd.A moment passes before I realise—it’s blank because I forgot to write in it. It’s only Tuesday, far too early in the week to be this dysfunctional.

When Anna, our HR department head, brought up the possibility of hiring me an executive assistant, I thought it was ludicrous. I’d told her that while I may be busy, isn’t that expected as CEO? She’d laughed and agreed but also reminded me that my father, and my grandfather before him, always had EAs.?

At this moment, staring at my wrongfully blank diary, I realise she may have had a point. Logging into my computer, I let out a sigh of relief when I see the small reprieve I have between meetings. I lean back in my chair, turn towards the window, and take in the bustling activity of Oxford Street down below. My mind wanders, betraying me with thoughts of that particularly feminine Australian accent, accentuated with the slightest of posh lilts.

Why am I thinking about Lara right now? Lord fucking knows, but I can’t seem to shake her. Attempting a distraction, I send a quick text to Dex, asking him to meet me for lunch. His “aye aye captain” comes through almost instantly and has me rolling my eyes.

The sound of muffled footsteps approaching steals my attention away from the view. I turn to find Anna standing in my doorway; laptop beneath her arm and a coffee in either hand.

“You got a minute, boss?” Anna greets me with a smile, her faint southern accent as joyous as ever. The sweet scent of strawberries and cream wafts into my office.

“That would depend on the nature of your visit, Anna,” I tease, motioning her to come in. Her light giggle fills the air as she takes a seat across from me, handing me one of the takeaway cups.

“How’d you know I needed this?” I thank her, taking a sip of the steaming brew. One dark eyebrow raises as she regards me. Half of me is resisting the urge to squirm under her intense gaze, while the other half is suppressing a smirk.

“Out with it,” I say finally, unable to withstand the silence any longer.

“We’ve known each other a while now, wouldn’t you say?” Her brow raises imperceptibly with the question.

“Several years at least. What’s that got to do with anything?”

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