There’s a brief smirk on her lips as she turns toward me, meeting my gaze. Without a word, I direct my attention to the road and pull up in front of the B&B.?
Lara walks toward the doorway, and I follow, subconsciously placing a hand on her lower back as I open the door for her. I’m painfully aware this isn’t the first time I’ve touched her today, and I hope like hell it isn’t the last. It’s as though my skin craves contact with hers, and a spark of electricity pulses through me each time.
“Good evening, are you checking in?” The male behind the reception desk greets us with a warm smile.
“There should be a room for Carter Lawrence, but we need a second room too please.”
The receptionist frowns slightly but quickly re-pastes the friendly smile on his face.?
“I’m sorry, sir, but without a reservation we’re completely booked. It’s Norcaster Summer Festival week, you see, so we book out months in advance.”
Great, just great.
“I understand. In that case, could I please request my room be Twin Share? We’re heading back out for dinner, so wouldn’t need an immediate turnover.”
He taps furiously on his keyboard until something unseen causes his face to drop. Grimacing, he looks up at us. “Unfortunately not, sir. I do apologise, but you’re booked in a Lake View King Room, which only has the one bed.”
One bed.One.Between the two of us. There’s no way Larawill go for this. Absolutely not. Although, I suppose I can spend a night on the floor. I turn to her, seeing the mixed emotions on her face. “What do you think?”?
She blinks once, a blush creeping into her cheeks. “I don’t think we have a choice, Carter. Like your dad said, you can’t tell Mason no.”
A jolt runs through my cock at my name coming from her lips. It’s utterly ridiculous and completely unwarranted; Lara uses my name all the time. But in this scenario, relating to sharing a room, and abedfor the night, it’s completely different from ever before.
You are here for work, Carter. Cut the shit. No more thoughts of Lara going to your dick. This is getting out of hand.?
It’s only a short walk to our room, but each step plagues me. How is this going to play out? There’s absolutely no way Lara will be fine with sharing a bed. I’m going to have to sleep on the floor; there’s no way around it. I refuse to make her uncomfortable, no matter how badly my dick aches at the thought of nestling itself between that firm arse of hers.
Stop.
I let out a sigh of release as the door swings open; there’s a small chaise against the window.?That ought to be more comfortable than the floor, even if I’m far too long to fit.
“The bed is all yours. I’ll sleep on that,” I advise Lara, pointing toward the chaise.?
“Don’t be ridiculous,” says Lara from behind me, stopping me in my tracks.Ridiculous?“This thing is huge. There’s enough room for the both of us. We won’t even know the other is in there, it’s that large.”?
I huff; I can’t help myself. It’s incredible she really thinks I could ever forget being in bed with someone like her. I know full well that every ounce of my being would be continuously aware of her presence.
“I’m trying to be a gentleman, Lara. I’m more than happy sleeping on the chaise.”
Lara gives me a once over, ever so slowly, as if completely taking me in for the first time today. Her eyes meet mine once more, and I pray to god she doesn’t clock the twitch in my cheek as I give her a megawatt smile.
“What you’re being is ridiculous. You and I both know you’re far too long for that chaise, and there’s simply no need for you to squash yourself onto it. I don’t need you to be a gentleman.”
I stop breathing. Not a single ounce of oxygen enters my lungs after Lara utters those last eight words. Staring at her, I’m at a loss. My heart thumps beneath my rib cage, my hands flexing of their own accord.??
What game is she playing at? I’ve spent the past several weeks tryinghardto get a reaction out of her, but the one time I’m being completely sincere,thisis how she responds? Fuck, I might not have cracked the code for her yet, but Lara certainly knows how to push my buttons.
“Are you coming?” Lara calls from the doorway before turning and walking out.
Chapter 25
Lara
Norcaster’s famous bread and butter pudding is sitting untouched in front of me. Not because I don’t want it—I have the world’s biggest sweet tooth, of course I want it—but because I can’t stop gnawing on the inside of my cheek, anxious as hell about what I said to Carter.
“I don’t need you to be a gentleman.”
It was hours ago now, but I can’t let it go. What was I thinking? Honestly, I don’t know if I was thinking at all, and that’s the problem. This is the exact reason I tend to overthink things on a regular basis; underthink, and I’ll say something like “I don’t need you to be a gentleman” to the one person I probably shouldn’t say that to.
