Page 88 of From London, With Love

“Come,” I command as I hold out a hand to help Lara off the floor.

Chapter 37

Carter

The half an hour we’ve spent at the dining table would be in the top two most excruciating experiences of my life, second only to the broken wrist all those years ago.?

With each mouthful of her dinner, Lara’s been eliciting a sound that reverberates down to my bones. They started out innocently enough, to the point where she didn’t even realise what she was doing. It wasn’t until I had a knee-jerk reaction the third or fourth time that Lara noticed the effect her little noises were having. My knee colliding with the underside of the table caught her attention, a wicked grin drawing across her glossed lips at the look I’m sure was etched into my face.

From that moment on, it only got worse. I’ve never regretted a meal so deeply. I’ll never again be able to eat chicken cacciatore in peace; it will always be accompanied by Lara’s moans. And it’s for this exact reason I decide it’s time the tables are turned as I catch Lara assessing the lilies in the centre of the table for the third time in as many minutes.

Clearing my throat, I point my knife toward the vase thatbelonged to my great-grandparents. “Do you have a problem with the lilies?”

Lara’s head snaps in my direction, utensils motionless above her plate. She begins tapping her pointer finger against her fork, her eyes searching mine for context. Unfortunately for Lara, I’m not giving it away that easily.

“No, I do not have aproblemwith them, I just think they’re a bit much for ‘not a date’.”

“I’m flattered you think I’d go to the effort, but I’m afraid they were a gift from my niece. I’m well aware this isn’t a date; you’ve made that quite clear.”

The way Lara’s mouth drops open for the briefest of moments before she slams it shut shows I’ve won this round. If she’s so hellbent on this not being a date, who am I to disagree?

“How’s your meal?” I ask, popping the last spoonful of cacciatore into my mouth.

“It’s quite lovely, but I’m sure you know that. And yours?”

I nod, finishing off the mouthful. “This used to be my favourite meal.”

Lara looks at me quizzically. “You cooked me your old favourite meal rather than your current one?” When I nod, she asks, “Why?”?

“Because my new favourite meal is sitting across the table from me.”

From where I sit, I have the perfect vantage point for witnessing the exact moment Lara’s pupils dilate, my admission hanging in the air between us. She visibly gulps down her mouthful, avoiding my gaze as a pink hue spreads across the bridge of her nose and onto her cheeks.?

I lean forward and rest my elbows on either side of my empty plate, steepling my forefingers beneath my chin. There’s something about the way Lara reacts that has me wanting to test the boundaries. “I can’t wait to see what it’s wrapped inbeneath those trousers. Red lace? Perhaps black? Enlighten me.”

Initially, I’m met with silence. Lara’s focus is entirely on the remnants of her dinner. I wait, my patience thinning by the second as she finishes. Her utensils are placed ever so gently upon her plate before she meets my gaze—flames crackling in the iciest of blues.

“Why don’t you come over here and find out for yourself? Remind me how good you look on your knees.”

Fuck. Me.

Apparently my dick heard her as well, if the way it immediately hardens is anything to go by. This isnotgoing to plan. Teddy would be pissed if he were to find out I completely threw out the fool-proof plan we spent the better part of an hour formulating.

Rule 1. Keep it in your pants at the dinner table.

In my defence, I technically haven’t gone off track. Yet. But the desire to get on my knees and fuckingcrawlto the vixen across from me is increasingly hard to fight.

Snap out of it, Carter; you’re no better than a horny teenage boy right now.

The corner of my lip pulls up into a half-smirk, causing the smug expression on Lara’s face to falter. “Considering you’ve given a grown man the urge to get on his knees and crawl to you, I think it’s time we take this elsewhere.”

There. Kept it ‘in my pants’andI was open and honest about my feelings. I think Teddy would be proud, so that’s a win.

Leaving no time for her to argue or deliberate, I stand, round the table and hold a hand out for Lara, silently willing her to take it. She places her hand in mine, intertwining ourfingers. “I think having you crawl to me would be rather enjoyable, don’t you?”

I lead us away from the dining room and down the hallway to my bedroom. Opening the door, I stand aside and motion for Lara to enter. “Perhaps we’ll find out one day.”

“Ever the gentleman,” she whispers in my ear, her voice laced with her particular tone of sass as she glides past me. I take that as the perfect opportunity to smack her arse. Her answering yelp brings a smile to my face.?

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