26. Lara

Chapter 26

Lara

O ur kisses are so all-consuming I fail to register how we make it from the stairs to our room. One minute we’re on the staircase, and the next, I’m being ushered through the door and pushed up against the back of it as it closes behind me.

It takes what little self-control I have remaining to push lightly against his firm chest, breaking our kiss. My god, his chest is far harder than I expected. What I wouldn’t give to see him naked, feel him skin to skin. Carter steps away instantly, a look of concern marring his beautiful face.?

“Wait.”

Carter’s face falls momentarily before he realises, schooling his features into a more nonchalant expression.

“If you’ve had a change of heart, that’s more than okay.” His voice is filled with an unexpected level of sincerity. It throws me a little, not because he’s not a genuine person, but because I’m not used to men being so candid.

Perhaps that says more about the men I’m interested in than it does about Carter, but that’s not the point right now.?

“No, it’s not that, I just want to make sure you know this is a one-time thing.”

“Oh?” He tilts his head, the ghost of a smile on his lips.

“Carter, you’re my boss now, so it couldn’t possibly be more. This” —I point between us— “is purely a means to an end for this crazy physical attraction, scratching an itch we’ve both had for weeks. Surely you know it can’t possibly be more than that?”

“Please, tell me more about this itch we’ve both had.” Carter gives me a wicked grin.?

“Oh, come off it, we both know I’m right.”

Carter snakes his arms around my waist, interlocking them behind my lower back. “I don’t doubt that one bit, but I’m surprised you’re so freely admitting it.”

Given our proximity, I’m forced to look up at him to meet his gaze. The glint I see reflected back at me provides the confidence I need to take a step closer to him, bringing him flush against me. His thick erection is obvious through the front of his trousers, and it brings a smile to my face.

“Considering the kiss we just had, it would be a little insincere of me to say otherwise.” I wrap my arms around his neck. “What I want to know now though, is if you’re able to deliver on your words.”

“I’m more than happy to show you I can do more than just deliver, love .”

The name has no effect on me this time; I’m already bewitched.?

“I should hope so; you talk an awfully big game.”

Carter leans his head down, inches from my own. I can feel his exhales against my skin as he responds. “Such a smart mouth for someone who seems so innocent. I’m dying to put it to good use.”

My stomach drops, akin to the sensation you’d feel as a rollercoaster begins its plummet to the ground.?

Carter grips my waist and lifts me into the air. On instinct, I wrap my legs around him to stop myself from falling, and my skirt hitches up around my thighs. The positioning causes his dick to rub directly against my centre, a lacy pair of underwear the only layer between our bodies. A gasp escapes my lips, and Carter catches it with his own. He must be feeling exactly what I am because he tilts his pelvis as he walks us toward the bed, groaning into the kiss at the friction.

The breath whooshes out of my lungs as I’m unceremoniously deposited onto the king bed. Carter looms over me, looking down at me beneath hooded lids. His large frame blocks out the light above us, instead giving him an ethereal presence by casting a halo over his form.?

Typically, I keep my sarcasm and mouthiness to a minimum when it comes to sex, but something about Carter draws it out of me. Propping myself up on my elbows, I cross one leg over the other, waving a heeled foot at the man above me.

“I’m ready when you are, sir .” The last word was meticulously thrown in as an experiment of sorts. I’d caught a glimpse of Carter earlier today when I referred to Mason as ‘sir’. At the time, I couldn’t tell if the darkening in his eyes had been in response to that or if my eyes were playing tricks on me. I watch smugly as he has the same reaction now.?

“Are you ever not sarcastic?”

Without waiting for a response, Carter leans down, grips an ankle in each hand, and tugs. The man must be stronger than I thought, given the ease with which he pulls me to the edge of the bed, once again lined up with his impressively hard dick.

The hunger in his eyes amplifies as he takes hold of my calves, raising my legs from where they’re resting on either side of his hips. Carter places them against his chest, gaze still intently holding mine. His muscles flex beneath the heels of my feet, once again reminding me how badly I want to see beneath his shirt.?

One at a time, Carter removes my heels with an unexpected level of care and grace. For someone with hands the size of his, he handled those tiny buckles with ease. The pad of his thumb brushes over the inside of my ankle, causing me to stifle a gasp.??

He releases one ankle to adjust himself, and I lick my lips with anticipation. Normally I’m not too phased by dicks; size truly doesn’t matter as long as they know how to use it. But there’s something about Carter’s that has me enthralled. I never thought I’d be so eager to put someone’s dick in my mouth, but I guess there’s a first time for everything.

My daydreaming is interrupted by the feel of Carter’s hands snaking their way up my thighs and to my waist, pooling my skirt at my hips. In one swift motion, my skirt is on the floor, and I’m left with my underwear on full display.?

Carter kneels down on the carpeted floor, reaching his hands around to my arse. He squeezes gently and pulls me even closer to him.

“Did you wear these for me?” The question is emphasised by Carter’s finger tracing the outline of the black lace. My hips buck beneath his touch when he drags his thumb up the centre, stopping millimetres below my clit and trailing back down. This is the sweetest torture I’ll ever feel; I’m torn between wanting him to stop immediately and praying he never does.

“In your dreams, Carter. I’m of the firm belief that a nice pair of underwear boosts your self-confidence by fifty percent.”

He doesn’t break contact as his slow torture continues, threatening to consume me.

“You’ve worked out the statistics, have you? I wasn’t aware you were such a number cruncher. I should put you in finance with skills like that.”

“Oh shut up and kiss me, Lawrence.”?

Carter’s laugh fills the air for a moment, but it’s abruptly cut off as he draws himself up onto the bed. Hovering above me between my splayed legs, he places a chaste kiss on my lips. My hands find their way to his shirt-clad shoulders, holding him to me.

A chill goes through me at the feel of Carter’s hot breath against my ear, my eyes fluttering shut.

“Would it be okay if I removed your underwear?” His voice is barely above a whisper as it caresses the shell of my ear, and I almost combust at the tenderness of his words. I open my eyes to find him watching me as if transfixed.?

The way he’s looking at me is doing something to my insides, and while I don’t love the feeling it elicits, I don’t think I hate it either. It feels too heavy right now, so I attempt to lighten the mood.

“If you don’t remove them, I most definitely will.” Taking my hands off Carter, I move to place them on the black lace sitting on my hips. Carter stops me in my tracks, both wrists in his grasp.

“Allow me, please.”

Any fight I was going to put up is extinguished by the way he says please . Instead, I merely nod.?

Carter gently places my arms by my sides, releasing my wrists. His gaze remains locked on my face while he trails a featherlight touch across my abdomen for what feels like forever before finally reaching the lace. He wraps his fingers around either side and slides them down at a snail’s pace, lifting each foot in turn until I’m left bared to him from the waist down.

Without breaking eye contact, Carter bundles up my underwear and slides them into his trouser pocket. My lips part in silent surprise, caught off guard by the caveman-esque action.

“I figured I’d hold onto them for you, since you won’t be needing them again this evening.”

“You’re awfully thoughtful, aren’t you? Now take off your shirt.”

Straightening out my legs, I cross one ankle over the other. Not a second passes before Carter’s gripping my ankle, throwing it across so I’m spread open beneath him.

“It’s adorable you think you’re in a position to make demands while your pussy is laid out in front of me like a main course.”

It’s astonishing that such a pretty face can utter such filth, and even more astonishing that it calls to my body the way it does, but I refuse to let him see the effect he’s having on me.

“Please,” I add, batting my lashes for good measure and hoping like hell I don’t sound as desperate as I feel. Because fuck, do I feel desperate. The man fills out a suit like it’s nobody’s business, but right now, I want nothing more than for it to be lying discarded on the floor.

A grin stretches across Carter’s face. “Only because you asked so nicely.”

Satisfaction swells through me, but it’s short-lived. Rather than going straight for his top button, as I’d anticipated, Carter reaches for his left cuff.?

Asshole. I should’ve known he wouldn’t let me win so easily.?

At a leisurely pace, Carter proceeds to remove one cufflink, then the other, before unhurriedly undoing the buttons of each cuff. Against my better judgement, I let out the sigh that’s been building.

“Something the matter?” There’s a twinkle in his eye as he speaks, teasing me.

“Oh, not at all. I’m enjoying watching the slowest strip tease in history.”

“You really do have quite the mouth on you, Miss Matthews.”

I wait impatiently as Carter undoes each remaining button before tossing his shirt aside.?

Holy fucking shit.

Carter, shirtless, deserves a place among the natural wonders of the world. He’s divine. I trace each abdominal muscle with my gaze, transfixed by the way they ripple with each breath he takes. His chest is unbelievably broad, smatterings of dark hair spread across the surface. Snake-like veins run across his shoulders and into his biceps, weaving down through to his hands. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sight like this.

“Now it’s my turn to talk.” His voice breaks the trance his bare upper body put me under. Carter leans down and rests his weight on an elbow beside my head, his free hand moving to cup my jaw. “There are four words I need you to remember, love,” he murmurs against my cheek, his lips caressing my skin ever so softly, only breaking contact as he speaks. “Harder.” Kiss . “Softer.” Kiss. “Faster.” Kiss . “Slower.” Kiss .

“Now, repeat them back to me.” I’m trembling as he speaks again, the words reverberating through me. He pauses the course he’s taking down my body, lifting his head to look me in the eyes, and I’ve somehow lost the ability to speak.

“Lara.” My name comes out in a deep gravel that, mixed with the intensity of Carter’s gaze, has the trembling derailing into near internal combustion.?

“Yes?”

“Repeat. The. Words.” Each word is punctuated with a nearly undetectable nip to the sensitive skin at the juncture of my neck and shoulder. The whisper of contact leaves me wanting to scream for more.

I’m given a moment to order my thoughts when Carter grips the hem of my blouse, dragging it up and over my head. His eyes flare when they lock onto the matching black brassiere, which he swiftly removes.?

Steeling myself, I recount the words one by one. With each word out of my mouth, Carter continues his descent, kissing and caressing his way down my stomach and upper thighs. He purposely avoids my chest, the lack of attention making my breasts ache.

“Good girl,” Carter breathes, breaking contact with my skin and leaving a cool chill in his wake. I want to whimper at the loss of heat, but I stop myself. “Keep going.”

“S-slower,” I say breathily as Carter reaches the apex of my thighs. I look down at him, our eyes connecting. Without a word, his tongue darts out, swiping directly over my clit. Something between a gasp and a moan makes its way out of my throat at the contact. He’s somehow both demanding and tender at the same time. It draws me up off the mattress as if his touch is a call I can’t help but answer.

The movement only spurs Carter on, and I suck in a sharp Breath as he draws me into his mouth, tugging. He lets out a carnal, primitive sound as he releases my clit and runs his tongue from one end to the other. It sends a deep vibration through each and every nerve in my body.?

“Enjoying yourself?” Carter mumbles against my skin, and my eyelids flutter in response. Carter pops his head up, smirking at me. He’s far too smug for his own good.?

“You’re doing an adequate job.” That ought to knock him down a peg or two.

“I beg your pardon?”

“I said you’re doing an adequate job.”

“I heard you quite clearly the first time, you little deviant.” Carter rises onto his knees and sits painfully still. His hands now rest flat atop his thighs, and I’m left spread out beneath him and missing his touch. The way he unhurriedly takes in every inch of me has my skin burning up. I’m not used to this sort of attention, but I think I kind of love it.

“What has me begging your pardon is your use of the word adequate .” The last word comes out at a higher pitch, almost in questioning. “I’m used to being called many things love, but adequate isn’t one of them.”

Carter begins stroking my thighs with his fingertips, up and down the inside of them at a leisurely pace. It takes every ounce of self-control I have to keep my cool despite having the strongest urge to sit up, glide my fingers into his hair and drag his face down between my legs.

He’s skilled, and he knows it. I’ve never experienced the sort of pleasure his tongue was providing, and I find myself craving it already. Either I’ve slept with amateurs, or Carter is the human form of “practice makes perfect”. I don’t think I want to know which statement is true.

Carter continues his lazy strokes as he gazes down at me.

“There’s a first time for everything.”

Head tipping back, Carter lets out a cold laugh. “God, what I wouldn’t give to see you attempt this mouthiness with my dick down your throat.”

“You keep making these threats with no follow-through, Carter. Go on, do it.”

“Mark my words, I will. But right now is about you, and another first. I’m going to resume feasting on you, and I won’t stop until you’re coming apart beneath me, my name the only word leaving your lips.”

Fuck. Me.?

Carter has an incredibly dirty mouth, which is relatively uncharted territory for me. Most of the guys I’ve slept with have been rather quiet, probably focused more on trying to achieve the unachievable rather than talking. But when it comes to Carter, the man can multitask.

If my pussy had a voice box, she’d be squealing right now. Or shouting expletives like her life depended on it. My inner walls clench at his words, and I fist the sheets beneath me.

Carter’s eyes drop from my face to my waiting pussy, becoming hooded instantly. I watch with bated breath as he swipes two fingers through my slit, revelling at the sight of my wetness coating them.

“Fuck Lara, you’re soaked. It seems my words are far more than adequate if this is anything to go by.” A wicked grin plays on his lips, and I groan, angry at the way my body has betrayed me.?

Carter leans his top half over my body, coming face to face with me. The feeling of his breath on my lips has a shiver rolling through me. His dick twitches against me beneath his trousers, and I’m reminded of the fact I’m completely naked whilst he remains entirely clothed where it counts most. Why is that so hot? It definitely shouldn’t be.

“Are you ready? It’s not too late to back out if you don’t think you can handle it.”

“Do your worst.”

“Open your mouth for me.”

I refuse to break eye contact as I slowly let my jaw drop open. Carter licks his lips in anticipation, and I try my best not to wriggle beneath him, desperate for any sort of release.

I don’t even have a moment to gasp as the two fingers previously dragged through my centre are pushed into my gaping mouth. At the same time, two fingers on his other hand thrust into my pussy.

My back arches off the bed as Carter’s fingers move in and out of me at an agonising pace. I suck hard on the fingers in my mouth, rolling my tongue around them to wring a reaction out of Carter. Instead of speeding up, or slowing down, or reacting in any of the ways I expect, he stops.?

I reach up, gripping his wrist and removing his fingers from my mouth with a pop .

“Why did you stop?”

“Why are you trying to distract me?” He raises an eyebrow in question.

Busted.

I give my best innocent look, batting my lashes. “I would never.”

“You would, and you most certainly are, but it’s not going to work. The harder you fight this, the harder I’m going to make you come.”

Sheer hunger crosses his features as he slinks down the bed, coming to rest between my thighs once more. Lowering his mouth to my centre, his gaze remains fixed on mine. I’m hit with a surge of pleasure when two fingers re-enter me at the same time he sucks my clit into his mouth.

“Oh fuck. Carter.”

It’s a deadly combination. He doesn’t even realise the power he wields right now. I’m on the brink of orgasm by another for the first time in my life, and it’s both shocking and impressive.

My legs begin to shake, unable to hold out much longer against the large man between them. Carter doesn’t let up even an inch, he simply perseveres.?

I can hear how close I am, thanks to the rhythmic pumping of his fingers, and it’s disturbingly dirty. I try not to imagine how it sounds to him. I let out a moan, failing to register how loud it is.

A fresh wave of arousal seeps out as I teeter on the edge. Carter groans against me, releasing my clit long enough to lap up the evidence of his actions.

“That’s it Lara, just let go.”

His voice must be on the same wavelength as my body, because with each word from his mouth, every nerve ending tingles. My knuckles strain under the force with which they’re gripping the sheets, and an unmistakable warmth is creeping up my spine at an alarming rate.

All rational thoughts have scrambled. There’s only one word bouncing around my head: Carter . My head tips back on instinct as my orgasm begins to unleash.

“Oh . . . Carter . . . oh. ”

“You are magnificent.”

Those three words out of his mouth are my undoing.