Page 29 of From London, With Love

As I watch him return the copy ofTo Kill A Mockingbirdto the shelf on his right, I pray Mr Darcy didn’t see the evidence of my body’s betrayal seeping into my cheeks.?

Chapter 13

Carter

“Men like you are typically one of two things.” The words come out of her mouth in a slightly lower tone than usual. I mentally register confusion and a flicker of intrigue at the fact I know what her usual tone is—I’ll analyse that later. Right now, I’d love to analyse the way her cheeks are reddening as she looks over at me. She really does have beautiful eyes; perhaps I should tell her to test her reaction? Not realising, or not caring, that I’m in my head right now, Lara continues.

“One.” She raises her hand with her palm facing toward me as she unfolds her index finger to count. “You talk from experience. Cocky, but self-aware enough to know your words aren’t unfounded.”

As casually as I can manage, I make my way back over to the counter. There’s a twitch in my trousers as I walk, and I pray Lara can’t see the strain I feel. Diverting her attention in case seems like an excellent thing to do.

I cock my head to the side, a smirk forming on my face. Her eyes zone in on my lips, so I decide to show her just howcocky I can be. Parting my lips, I lazily glide my tongue along my bottom lip. Pushing my luck, I rake my eyes over her face before they lock on her mouth.Fuck, she is delicious.?

The faintest of pink tinges graces her cheeks. My smirk morphs into a shit-eating grin as she realises she’s still staring at my lips. Her eyes shoot up to mine, instantly narrowing.

“Please continue, love. I’m very interested in option number two.” I lean forward, resting my forearms on the counter. She jerks backwards, attempting to twist her facial features into a look of disgust. She fails miserably, and my grin only grows.

“Or two, you’re all talk and absolutely no follow through. You’re intolerable of smut because it’s where you get your inspiration, and you’re ashamed and intimidated by the fact men written by women are better than the real men on this planet.” Her middle finger raises to join her index as the words tumble out with venom behind them.

Oh, this just got interesting.

I raise an eyebrow in a silent challenge. She has the audacity to stare blankly at me as if she didn’t insult the shit out of me. I don’t think before I stalk around the counter towards her. I stop mere centimetres from her, our bodies painfully close to touching.

“Do you trust me?”

Her confusion is apparent as she searches my face for meaning, but I wait.

“I hardly know you.”

Something stirs within me as she crosses her arms over her chest and narrows her eyes, the trademarks of a woman who’s been taught to stand up for herself. Recently I’ve noticed that the more I see of Lara, the more irresistible she becomes. But right now, the goal isn’t defiance; it’s surrender.

“That’s not what I asked. Doyou trust me?”

A startled look flashes across her face. She shifts her weight from one foot to the other, arms still firmly crossed. “I don’t know why, but yes.”

Anyone would think she’d accepted my marriage proposal with the sheer elation coursing through me like a white water rapid. Now isn’t the time to think too deeply about that, though.

“Then take my hand.”

It hangs in the space between us in invitation, my palm up with fingers slightly curled. Lara placing her hand in mine is the last thing I see before turning around, my eyes locking on the archway leading to the back of the store. Acting purely on emotion, I march us directly into the storeroom, my grip on her soft skin unwavering.?The weight of her touch, along with the anticipation of what’s to come, is almost too much to bear.

“What on earth do you think you’re doing?” Lara asks, anger and confusion apparent in her voice. I seem to have committed her voice to memory over the past three months, and it’s for this reason alone I’m confident there’s a hint of excitement in there.

I don't say a word as I guide her to the desk in the far corner, stopping in front of it. Twisting towards her, I drop her wrist and look her in the eyes. Those blue eyes of hers are dilated, and the blood in my veins redirects to my dick. Apparently, my vital organs don’t mean shit when my cock demands attention.

“Sit.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me, Lara.” Taking one step closer, I close the gap between us. “I said,sit.” The last word comes out more demanding than its predecessors. Wide eyes blink back at me before Lara gives in and sits.

Well fuck, that was easy. And hot. Why was that so hot?

Truthfully, I was half expecting her to slap me. I kind of still am. She doesn’t strike me as someone who’d reject direction, but I also didn’t expect her to be so complicit. Cheers ring out inside my head as I think of all the ways I can take advantage of that.?

Lara’s eyes widen still as I adjust my trousers around my knees and kneel in front of her.?

“Have you completely lost your mind? What are you doing?”

---