23. Carter / Lara

Chapter 23

Carter / Lara

Carter

T his is going to be a long drive.?

For most of the two hours, we sit in comfortable silence. Except physically, I’m anything but comfortable. My entire body is practically vibrating knowing Lara is within arm’s reach, yet I can’t touch her.

I’ve never had this sort of visceral reaction to someone. It’s causing a mess of my mind.

Stealing a glance at her, I let out a small exhale when I see her attention is focused out the window. Maybe I can get my shit together without her noticing the way my body reacts to her presence.?

Refocusing on the road, I let my thoughts wander. Dangerous, with her in such close proximity, but it’s all I can do to stop myself from reaching out and placing a hand on her thigh.?

Since the first taste, the desire to have her again has all but consumed me. Right now, I’d love nothing more than to pull over, recline my seat, and drag Lara across the centre console right onto my face. My grip on the steering wheel tightens, my knuckles turning white from the force.?

The thing I said about getting my shit together? Yeah, not happening.?

“Well, that about does it. Thanks again for coming out for this meeting Carter. I’m very appreciative you took the time to visit.” Mason’s voice draws my attention, which has been lingering on one blue-eyed beauty across the room.?

“Lara, thank you for note-taking. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of today’s action points.”

A timid smile graces Lara’s lips as she gives Mason a small nod. “You’ll have them by close of business Monday, sir.”

Sir.

That word, coming from her lips, has two vastly different effects on me; my cock stirs, and my blood boils.

My trousers tighten almost imperceptibly. It’s become somewhat of a recurring matter as of late when Lara’s in the vicinity. It’s incredible really, that one syllable from her can have this profound effect.

Now the formalities are finished, relaxed conversations begin around me. I’m at a loss as to how I managed to take anything in during the meeting, considering I kept one eye on Lara at all times.?

The fact she’s directly across from me is both helpful and a hindrance.?

Fuck, she’s pretty. Lara is still entirely absorbed in her notes, probably rewriting them into complete sentences. I’ve seen her do it several times at the office; she’s far too attentive for her own good.?

There’s a thump in my chest as I watch her, cataloguing the way her brows furrow as she furiously strokes a key, the way a smile tugs at the corner of her mouth as if she’s impressed herself, the way she delicately tucks a stray curl behind her ear, the emerald adorned gold ring that never leaves her middle finger twinkling as she does so.

I should really look away, but I can’t. If anyone in this room were to glance toward me, they’d see a man entranced. Good grief, I really need to get a grip. Right, I’m looking away now.

Of course, the moment I turn my head a fraction, those deep blue eyes bore into mine. Well shit, looks like I’ve been caught. Lara’s eyes partially narrow at me, but the effect is negated by the look of amusement drawing her rose-coloured lips into an almost flirtatious grin.

Woah, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Lawrence; this woman is not flirting with you.

Lara

I break eye contact first. The man is intimidating enough normally, but add in some less-than-appropriate heated eye contact, and he’s lethal.

A throat clears, drawing my attention to the end of the table where Mason is standing in his place.

“Carter, Lara,” he addresses us, looking at each of us respectively. “Join us for dinner.”

The mention of dinner throws me. It’s still as bright as ever outside, certainly not dinner time. I’m left eating my words as I glance at my watch and realise it’s 5:30pm. Shit, where did the afternoon go?

I notice Carter’s face blanch slightly. He appears to be as unsure as I am on how to politely decline.

“As much as we appreciate the offer, we’ll have to decline this time. We have to get back to the city.”

“Oh nonsense,” Mason responds with a chuckle and a flick of his wrist. “Think of it as more of an insistence than an offer. We couldn’t possibly have the new CEO out in our neck of the woods and send him home on an empty stomach. And it’s the Annual Norcaster Summer Festival; you simply can’t miss seeing the festivities tomorrow morning.” He pulls out his wallet, skimming through cards until he finds what he’s looking for. Making his way over to where Carter’s still seated, Mason hands him a card. “Here, this is where the group is staying. I took the liberty of reserving you a room just in case, but I’m sure they’ll have another for Miss Matthews.”

The way he speaks so matter-of-factly makes me think we might not have a way out of this.

Hold on, did he say tomorrow morning? And a room?

I don’t get another second to contemplate any of that because one look at Carter distracts me entirely. Confliction flickers across his facial features before he regains himself and responds with a wide smile. “We’d be delighted, Mason. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Well shit , I guess I was right about no way out. There’s no way this is ending well.

Neither of us brought a change of clothes for this impromptu dinner. We were under the impression we’d be meeting and leaving, all within the space of a few hours. And staying the night? That’s absurd. There’s no way Carter was agreeing to that as well.

I look in his direction to find he’s vacated his seat and is now laughing with Mason. He’s wearing signature Carter attire: a pale blue long-sleeve button-up, tucked pristinely into a pair of navy slacks. His green eyes are lit up in a way that would make the sunshine on the ocean jealous. I’m almost transfixed by him.

In this moment, he looks carefree. His face is bright, mouth stretched into his classic businessman smile, and he’s got a hand clapping Mason on the shoulder as they laugh. It’s the most attractive he’s ever been.

That isn’t necessarily saying much though. He’s got the sort of face that would bring anyone, man or woman, to their knees when turned in your direction.

Realising I’m staring at Carter and paying no mind to those around me, I politely exit the group I’d accidentally found myself in and decide we better get moving.

I’m careful to zig-zag through those still gathered in conversation as I make my way over to where Carter and Mason are standing, Carter’s impressive side profile on full display.

As if sensing my approach, he angles his head in my direction. Carter’s smile grows as he looks at me, and my stomach does a little flip. Goodness me, he really is far too handsome for his own good. As my stomach settles, Carter does the unthinkable and winks at me.

Winks. At me. Scratch the little flip; my stomach is somersaulting like the Olympic Gold depends on it.

“We’ll meet at Hearth decidedly un ladylike. “I can’t imagine he had this situation in mind when you had that conversation.” Reaching the car, I pause. The cogs in my brain are turning at a rapid pace, so I continue. “Although, surely your dad must have known how likely a dinner would be, given his experience with these guys?” My words aren’t pointed directly at Carter but are more out-loud thoughts.

He must have heard me though, because I’m almost certain I hear Carter swear under his breath, followed by a small chuckle. I think better than to question that. Not because I’m not intrigued, which I most definitely am, but because I don’t think I was meant to hear it in the first place.