Page 69 of From London, With Love

“I don’t seem to recall you being this concerned in Chapter Nine. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that was also your workplace?”

There’s nothing worse than when Carter is so outwardly obnoxious yet right in what he’s saying, especially when he’s got that cocky look on his face. He’s reclining in the chair now, the air around my face noticeably lacking his presence. His lips are curled up into a smile, his eyes slowly giving me a once over.?

Carter has this infuriating sense of arrogance about him that I’m certain rubs me the wrong way. But as I look at him,reallylook at him, I’m doubting whether that was ever true.?

Gaze still locked on mine, Carter unhurriedly draws his fingers to his top button. My attention is caught the moment he slips the button free, mere inches of his well-defined chest now exposed. I can’t help but stare at the smattering of dark hair. It distracts me from my thoughts, dispelling each and every one of them. I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, causing Carter’s shoulders to shake with laughter.?

“It looks like someone’s had a change of heart.”

His gaze lingers on my lips, his eyes softening around the edges. It’s unnerving, yet it unleashes a fire within me. My gaze flicks between those deep green pools, not an ounce of concern or hesitation in sight. The shadow of a smile plays on my lips before his mouth is back on mine in an instant.

Each heated and desperate kiss slowly but surely strips away my concerns. The boardroom fades away with every touch until it’s just us, and I lose myself in him.

Carter

As lovely as Lara’s navy bra is, I’d much rather see what lies beneath. Without breaking our kiss, my hands find the lace. Cupping her breasts, I give them a gentle squeeze, and I’m rewarded by Lara pressing herself even closer to me. My cock strains beneath my trousers, itching to touch her.

Our tongues remain tangled as I slide my hands up to the straps of her bra, slipping them off her shoulders with little protest. Returning my attention to Lara’s chest, I make quick work of pulling down the cups of her bra, completely exposing her to the cool air. Her nipples are impossibly hard as I roll them between my fingertips.?

I kiss her deeply once more, revelling in the way she fights me for dominance before standing. Lara startles, hastily wrapping her legs around my midsection, ankles locking against my arse.

“What—”

I cover her mouth with another kiss, silencing her, as I place her on the edge of the table. Her legs release their death grip, and I take a seat once more. The position change is completely selfish; I want easier access for what I’m about to do.

I place delicate open-mouth kisses from her lips to the edge of her jaw, continuing down the column of her neck. My tongue traces along the length of her throat, her pulse thundering beneath. A shudder racks through her as I reach her decolletage, teeth scraping gently across the bones.?

Lara brushes her hand through my hair, pulling gently at the strands when I bite down on her collarbone, quickly replacing my teeth with my lips, sucking on the bite marks.Testing Lara’s limits has become my new favourite pastime. It’s fascinating finding out what she does and doesn’t like when it comes to intimacy, although so far, there haven’t been any dislikes.?

My slow descent down Lara’s body reaches its climax as I drag my teeth across her left breast until I reach the nipple. I take my time teasing the hardened peak between my teeth with the other between my fingertips. A muffled whimper escapes Lara as she drops her head back, the hand that was pulling my hair now settled on the back of my neck and pulling me against her.?

Unfortunately for Lara, that whimper signals it’s time for this to end. I don’t have to touch her to know she’s close to dripping, and anything more from me would have her unravelling right here on the boardroom table. There’s nothing I want more than to spread her legs and lick up every drop or fuck her seven ways to Sunday, but not here. Not now. I have to be smart about this if it’s to continue, becausefuck, do I want it to continue.?

I pull away. Lara’s head snaps up, tilting slightly as she searches my face. I say nothing as I reposition her bra, hoping my silence will encourage her own. I feel rather than see the way she continues to watch me as I reach for the ties of her top, replacing them around her neck. Once they’re re-tied into a neat bow, I kiss Lara on the side of the neck. It’s harder than I expected not to linger, but I force myself to stand upright and stroll away and out the boardroom door without a backward glance.?

When I reach the meeting room adjacent, I dial a client’s number and put my phone to my ear. Lara watches me with bewilderment as our eyes connect. I give her my best‘Can I help you?’smile before I close the door.

It’s ironic I’m the one leaving her wanting more, consideringI’ve wanted everything she has to offer from the moment I laid eyes on her.

Despite my to-do list growing at an alarming rate, I’ve spent most of the afternoon entranced by the woman across the room. She’s only looked at me a handful of times—spoken even less—but she has me wrapped around her finger. She just doesn’t know it yet, and I’ll be damned if I let on.

“I canfeelyou staring at me. Have you achieved anything this afternoon?”

The way she reads me so perfectly would be alarming if it weren’tso attractive.Her entire face lights up the moment she looks over and sees the goofy grin I’m flashing in her direction, and it’s enough to know I’d give almost anything to see that look again.

“I’ll have you know I’ve added to my to-do list,” I respond matter of factly.

This elicits a light laugh from Lara as she stands, gathering up her belongings. “I’m over here trying to make your job easier, yet you’re sitting there making mine harder—make it make sense.” Tutting, she wanders over and stands across from me, the desk a barricade between us.

“I’m only human, Miss Matthews.” I stand, placing my palms flat against the desk and leaning my weight onto them. It gives me the perfect vantage point to look her directly in the eye, which will make what I’m about to saythatmuch more impactful. “How do you expect me to get things done when the image of you in the boardroom is stuck on a loop in my head, accompanied by the soundtrack of your whimpers?”

I see the moment her eyes turn saucer-like, and her bottomlip is pulled between her teeth. Those reactions alone are almost too much to bear; I need to get out of here before I act on any more impulses. With that, I pick up my laptop and walk out the door, leaving Lara utterly perplexed for the second time today.

Chapter 31

Lara

Carter’s retreating form and the downright sinful smile he gave me are still playing on repeat when I unlock the apartment door. He had some nerve leaving me high and dry like that, and I plan to make it known to him tomorrow.

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