Page 67 of From London, With Love

I do as she says, albeit roughly. My breaths are sharp and jagged, a reflection of the sudden wave of anxiety over telling Mia. Harper is silent as I get my breathing under control.

After letting out a sigh, Harper continues. “I want to reassure you, Lars, truly, but I just don’t know. It’s one thing to have the encounter you had at the bookstore without knowing who Carter was, but it’s something entirely different to repeat it knowing their familial ties.”

The fact she really isn’t sure how Mia will respond is causing the anxiety to heighten. I’ve somehow failed to realise that this is completely different to the bookshop encounter—I’d like to blame sex brain, but I’m not sure it extends to two days later.

Just wait until she hears it won’t be a once-off . . .

“Why are you always right?”

“It’s a blessing and a curse.”

“Is now a good time to mention I agreed to it happening again?”

For the first time since the proposition, I’m questioning my decision. Is this the dumbest thing I’ve ever done? Probably not, but it’s got to be in the top five. I’m not sure what I’m hoping for with this call. Reassurance? Validation? Ago girl, get that dick?

I suppose I just need her to be awarenowso I don’t have to watch both their faces as they process this.?

I’m planning to fuck my best friend’s brother, possibly numerous times.

Footsteps sound along the corridor, signalling Carter’s return. Awful timing, given what I’ve dropped on Harper, but I can’t continue this conversation right now.

“Hey Harps, I’ve gotta go, but I’ll see you at home.”?

The call disconnects as Carter steps into our office, placing onehand casually on the doorframe in that indescribably hot way men do.

“Lara, could you meet me in the boardroom in five minutes? I need to discuss a potential upcoming project with you.”

“Of course,” I respond, but apparently Carter isn’t looking for a response—he’s turning on his heel and retreating before the words have left my mouth entirely.

Carter has been out of the office at meetings this morning, so this is the first I’ve seen of him since he dropped me home days ago. I certainly didn’t anticipate the way my body would react to seeing him; it’s hotter than a Queensland summer’s day in this office. The need to adjust my blouse strikes me almost instantly, the fabric unexpectedly sticking to my body.?

Unsure what this potential project is, I collect my laptop and a blank notebook. I pride myself on always being prepared, so it’s a little out of my comfort zone to have no background information on the topic of this impromptu meeting.

My phone buzzes against my desk, revealing Harper’s incoming text.

Harper

I’m out for dinner tonight - talk to Mia x

Looks like I have about four hours to figure out how to tell Mia about this precarious situation I’ve found myself in with her brother.Yippee.

It’s a short walk from our corner office to the boardroom, situated on the east side of the building. I make my way down the corridor, the open-plan cubicle spaces to my left and the glass-walled offices to my right. For an established law firm, the interior design is more modern than you’d expect. I return polite smiles to a few familiar faces.

The door to the boardroom comes into view as I round the corner. The only other time I’ve been to the boardroom was during the office tour on my first day, and the view certainly wasn’t this enticing then. The room is framed entirely by windows. The blinds on the internal windows are drawn, shrouding us from anyone who may walk by.

Carter’s standing at the head of the table, muscle-corded arms crossed over this broad chest. He’s looking out the window until he catches sight of me in his periphery, drawing his focus as I walk in.

It’s intimidating having his full attention. The urge to retreat overcomes me. My flight or fight instinct sets in unnecessarily, but really, it’s only flight when it comes to me. Regardless, I stand my ground. The intimidation quickly morphs into a feeling of power; my presence has garnered his undivided attention.

His eyes light up, and he extends a hand to the chair closest to where he’s standing. “Lara, please have a seat.”

Carter’s gaze roams over me as I sit, placing my notebook down and opening my laptop to a new document. “Does the project have a name yet?”

Wandering over to the door, Carter closes it with a gentle click. His gaze returns to mine as he makes his way to the head of the table. “Not officially, but I have some thoughts.”

Carter grips the arms of the chair nearest me at the head of the table, dropping into it and crossing one ankle over the other knee. “For now, title it ‘Bringing L Matthews Orgasms In-House.’”

“That doesn’t sound like something concerning the firm, Mr Lawrence,” I respond, my stare flitting from my laptop to the man next to me at the same rate my heart is currently beating. I’m trying my hardest to act naturally, but he’s caught mecompletely off guard. I’m well aware he’d like to repeat Norcaster, but I certainly didn’t expect him to bring it up so soon after, nevermind at work. He’s already consumed too many of my thoughts since last week. The last thing I need to be thinking about right now is how his mouth felt on mine. Apparently, he disagrees.

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