Page 55 of From London, With Love

The pudding remains untouched for the remainder of the evening. I’m engrossed in casual conversation with our dinner guests whilst also trying to sneak subtle glances at Carter.?

Every nerve ending in my body is on high alert with him beside me all night. For the most part, we don’t touch, which only makes the small grazes of his trousered leg against my bare thigh even more unbearable.

Dinner is long but enjoyable, filled with too much food and a few too many wines, at least in some cases. A short while later, we’re making the short walk to the B&B, and despite the fact it’s summer, there’s a slight chill in the air.?

Wrapping my arms across my chest, I rub my upper arms in a feeble attempt to warm them up. Carter halts beside me. I turn to him, ready to ask what the hold-up is, but the question dies on my lips. Carter holds his suit jacket out to me, an unreadable expression on his face.

When I don’t immediately reach for it, he looks at me quizzically. “Are you really going to be that stubborn as to not take my jacket? Your goosebumps can be seen a mile away.”

It baffles me that his sweet gestures are constantly coupled with sarcasm. Deciding not to react, which is exactly what he wants, I simply extend an arm and reach for the jacket. “Thank you.”

“I’ve never known you to concede to me so quickly, you really must be cold.”

I slip on the jacket and am instantly hit with his strong sandalwood and vanilla scent. It invades my senses so completely it takes me a moment to remember Carter is standing right in front of me, and now isso not the timeto be committing his scent to memory.

We continue on, and I take a total of two steps before a hand wraps around my waist and nudges me over. Carter appears on my left, having moved me further in on the path.

“Oh, don’t tell me you’ve got a particular side of the path you have to walk on?”

Carter scoffs, giving me a tight smile as he begins walking again.

“As much as I’d like to humour you, love, no I don’t; I was just raised right. A woman should never be made to walk on the side closest to the road.”

There he goes, calling meloveso nonchalantly again. What the fuck is his deal?

“Well, well, I suppose chivalry isn’t dead after all. It’s merely living in London in a suit.”

Illuminated by the warm glow of the streetlights, Carter offers me a bemused smile before playfully nudging me on the shoulder.

“Watch out, Miss Matthews, that almost sounded like a compliment.”

I nudge him right back, unable to stop my growing grin. “I assure you it wasn’t, so don’t let it inflate that already huge ego of yours.”

With a shake of his head, Carter ushers me to continue with his hand on my lower back once more. Not that I’m keeping track, but this is the fourth time in less than 24 hours that Carter’s hand has found its way onto my body. Like the first time, I’m lit up from the inside out, as if his touch has sparked a flame beneath my skin.

It’s almost midnight as we arrive at the B&B. Despite the late hour, the streets are bustling with people out enjoying the Summer Festival, which leaves the inn deserted.?

Luckily our room is on the first floor; my feet are beginning to ache from the walk back. I’m three steps in when my small heel catches in the carpet, causing me to stumble

Carter’s strong arms wrap around my waist, holding tight, and I grab behind me at the first thing I make contact with. Given the rock solidness, it seems I’ve anchored myself to his thighs. Thank god I didn’t reach any higher, or it would be incredibly uncomfortable for the both of us. Although, I’ve fantasised for weeks about how he’d feel beneath my fingers, so it wouldn’t bethatuncomfortable.

It feels like several minutes pass by before I realise I’m practically groping his thighs. Righting myself, I turn around toface the man who probably thinks I’m as coordinated as a newborn foal.

I flash him a small grin. I’m a step above him, which makes us almost directly face-to-face. It’s only now I realise he’s still got a firm grip on my waist despite the fact I’m steady once more.?

I make a pointed glance at where his body connects with mine. “You can let go now. I’m fine on my own two feet.”

His gaze shifts, following my own. His fingers flex against me, but still he doesn’t break contact. The skin beneath his fingertips is burning up.

With each breath I take, they become shorter, almost ragged. There’s a low, desperate hum vibrating throughout my body, like a volcano on the brink of exploding, waiting for one small spark to set it off.

“In my defence, that’s twice now.” His voice is low, taking on a commanding tone. “I think perhaps you enjoy having me catch you, like some sort of damsel in distress.”

Any other time, a comment like that would have my eyes rolling until they hurt. But right now, that would be ingenuine. And the way he’s looking at me, like he can see right through me, keeps me honest.

“I’m no damsel, Carter, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy being caught by you.”

I stay quiet as I search his eyes for any hint of disinterest. Considering the man has been pushing my buttons for weeks and displayed a dangerous mix of chivalry and flirtation today, I figure the chances are slim.

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