Page 86 of From London, With Love

My sister has the audacity to laugh again.

“Here I am spilling my heart, and you’re laughing?”

“I’m not laughing at you, Cart.” I pin her with a look. “I mean I am, but not in the way you think. Who told you she has a visa?”

“Well, I-I assumed.”

“You assumed wrong.”

I may be many things, but wrong isn’t typically one of them.?

I’m restless, unable to decide if I’m more comfortable learning against the chairback or bracing my elbows on my knees with my chin in my hands.?

“Before I begin jumping to my own conclusions, explain please.”

“Lara has British citizenship by descent; her father is originally from Leeds but moved to Australia as a child. Initially she’d planned to stay for nine months, but she currently doesn’t have a return date picked or flight booked.”

“So you’re telling me she has no real set date to leave?”

“Yes.”

The feeling surging through me is one of pure elation. Lara has no set return date, by law or by her own volition. It’s as though a small ember in my stomach has been set ablaze with this information. I’m not even sure I know what to say, except this change’s things—for me, for her, forus.And boy, do I plan for there to be an us.

“You do realise this changes everything, right?”

“I feared it may.” Emmy’s words are in stark contrast to thebright smile she gives me. “Just do me a favour; don’t fuck this up, yeah?”

I pull my sister into my arms, squeezing her tight. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Now more than ever, I’m determined to prove to Lara that this, what we have, isn’tjustcasual sex—it never was. It was always going to be more, and it’s about time she let go of any preconceived notions saying otherwise.?

Chapter 35

Lara

“This place is incredible,” I say, more to myself than Carter, as he exits the lift and strolls into the penthouse suite.Hispenthouse suite, apparently. I assumed Carter had money, but I never stopped to wonder where he might live. I suppose a penthouse in Kensington makes sense; I imagine a place like this would cost an eye-watering amount.?

My attraction to the rear of a man never ceases to amaze me, but it’s hard not to be when he looks like Carter. Tonight, he’s paired a deep navy shirt with a pair of cream trousers that fit him like a glove. The muscles of his broad back ripple beneath his shirt.?

Would it kill the man to wear a shirt that didn’t always risk bursting at the seams? Or a pair of trousers that didn’t make his backside look quite so slapable??

Realising I’ve spent too long checking out Carter’s arse, I take a deep breath. As I step inside, I’m met with a floor-to-ceiling mirror on my left, and I take a moment to check myself over before continuing into the apartment.

The outfit I chose to wear is one of my sexier numbers. The entire trip over here was spent contemplating whether I’d made a huge mistake selecting it. This isn’t a date, and it was never going to be, but my clothing choices might say otherwise.

The girls told you to wear something you feel good in, and you listened. It’s not a date, and it’s not a big deal.

The deep V-neckline burgundy blouse has me feeling a little out of my comfort zone, but my arse looks incredible in the black trousers I paired with it. The firm fit accentuates my backside better than anything else I own. Truth be told, that’s the main reason I purchased them in the first place. Who says trousers can’t be hot? Add in my favourite pair of black heels, and we’ve got the ultimate sexy and sophisticated ensemble.

I gather my hair in both hands and throw it over my shoulder, only the blonde strands framing my face remaining. With one final check of my favourite nude lipstick, I take a deep breath and turn to follow Carter. The apartment has a touch of his signature sandalwood and vanilla scent, but there’s something else behind it—a rich, sweet smell permeates the air, similar to the aroma of burnt sugar and butter.

The expansive entryway is framed by sleek white oak wood panelling and opens up into a stunning open-plan kitchen and living room. A long granite benchtop flanked by plush emerald stools stands to my left, while a sunken charcoal lounge and decadent fireplace are on my right.

Unbidden images flood my thoughts as I gape at the wealth and beauty nestled within this room. Images of me, snuggled up in front of the fireplace with a good book, a glass of wine, and the man in front—no.?

Me, here, with Carter, for something other than dinner and a fuck? Not going to happen.

As I make my way through the space, shaking off the lingering image of Carter and I snuggling, my eyescatch on what’s possibly the most remarkable panoramic view I’ve ever seen; the London Eye lights up the sky, and Big Ben stands tall in the background.?

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