Page 52 of From London, With Love

Carter’s hands feel larger than I remember as they help me straighten. Embarrassed, I make quick work of climbing into the car and closing the door, narrowly missing Carter’s fingers.

The hairs on my arms stand at attention as I watch Carter walk to his side, as cool and collected as ever. This is going to be a long drive.

Chapter 23

Carter / Lara

Carter

This is going to be a long drive.?

For most of the two hours, we sit in comfortable silence. Except physically, I’m anythingbutcomfortable. My entire body is practically vibrating knowing Lara is within arm’s reach, yet I can’t touch her.

I’ve never had this sort of visceral reaction to someone. It’s causing a mess of my mind.

Stealing a glance at her, I let out a small exhale when I see her attention is focused out the window. Maybe I can get my shit together without her noticing the way my body reacts to her presence.?

Refocusing on the road, I let my thoughts wander. Dangerous, with her in such close proximity, but it’s all I can do to stop myself from reaching out and placing a hand on her thigh.?

Since the first taste, the desire to have her again has all but consumed me. Right now, I’d love nothing more than to pull over, recline my seat, and drag Lara across the centre consoleright onto my face. My grip on the steering wheel tightens, my knuckles turning white from the force.?

The thing I said about getting my shit together? Yeah, not happening.?

“Well, that about does it. Thanks again for coming out for this meeting Carter. I’m very appreciative you took the time to visit.” Mason’s voice draws my attention, which has been lingering on one blue-eyed beauty across the room.?

“Lara, thank you for note-taking. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of today’s action points.”

A timid smile graces Lara’s lips as she gives Mason a small nod. “You’ll have them by close of business Monday, sir.”

Sir.

That word, coming from her lips, has two vastly different effects on me; my cock stirs, and my blood boils.

My trousers tighten almost imperceptibly. It’s become somewhat of a recurring matter as of late when Lara’s in the vicinity. It’s incredible really, that one syllable from her can have this profound effect.

Now the formalities are finished, relaxed conversations begin around me. I’m at a loss as to how I managed to take anything in during the meeting, considering I kept one eye on Lara at all times.?

The fact she’s directly across from me is both helpful and a hindrance.?

Fuck, she’s pretty.Lara is still entirely absorbed in her notes, probably rewriting them into complete sentences. I’ve seen her do it several times at the office; she’s far too attentive for her own good.?

There’s a thump in my chest as I watch her, cataloguing theway her brows furrow as she furiously strokes a key, the way a smile tugs at the corner of her mouth as if she’s impressed herself, the way she delicately tucks a stray curl behind her ear, the emerald adorned gold ring that never leaves her middle finger twinkling as she does so.

I should really look away, but I can’t. If anyone in this room were to glance toward me, they’d see a man entranced. Good grief, I really need to get a grip.Right, I’m looking away now.

Of course, the moment I turn my head a fraction, those deep blue eyes bore into mine. Well shit, looks like I’ve been caught. Lara’s eyes partially narrow at me, but the effect is negated by the look of amusement drawing her rose-coloured lips into an almost flirtatious grin.

Woah, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Lawrence; this woman is not flirting with you.

Lara

I break eye contact first. The man is intimidating enough normally, but add in some less-than-appropriate heated eye contact, and he’s lethal.

A throat clears, drawing my attention to the end of the table where Mason is standing in his place.

“Carter, Lara,” he addresses us, looking at each of us respectively. “Join us for dinner.”

The mention of dinner throws me. It’s still as bright as ever outside, certainly not dinner time. I’m left eating my words as I glance at my watch and realise it’s 5:30pm. Shit, where did the afternoon go?

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