Page 17 of Love Affair in London (Once Again #12)

As they stepped back to wait for their drinks, he said softly, “That’s the last time. I can’t keep letting you pay. It’s not gentlemanly.”

“But—” she began.

He used her trick, pressing his finger to her lips.

Oh God. She wanted to take his finger into her mouth, something blatantly sexual. What was happening to her? It couldn’t be lack of sex. She and Roger had frequent sex; they’d even made love the night before that disastrous brunch with his daughters. Was it being on holiday?

Or was it this man?

As if he were savoring the contact, his fingertip lingered on her lips, and his eyes blazed a deeper shade of coffee.

“Deal?” he murmured.

She rolled her eyes and finally muttered, “Yes,” blowing out the word against his finger.

At last, he dropped his hand and stepped back.

It was the most erotic moment she’d experienced in what felt like forever—more than anything with Roger.

Their intimacy had been good, basic sex, but there had never been this thrill of desire.

Even in the beginning, she’d known they weren’t marrying out of passion.

They were companionable and good in bed, but there had never been this electric thrum coursing through her body.

A warm flush suffused her. And it was definitely not a hot flash. Finally, she managed to say, “Deal. But that’s against my better judgment.”

Jared closed his eyes a moment before flashing her a smile. “You’re incorrigible.”

She dipped into a slight curtsy. “I’ll accept that.”

When their drinks were ready, they found an unoccupied table on the patio, mostly in the sun but cooled by a breeze off the river. Barges chugged along, tourist boats drifted toward Greenwich, freighters passed low enough to fit under the bridge, and sleek black Zodiac tour boats zipped along.

“I booked two tickets for the boat to Greenwich this afternoon.” Unable to help herself, she added, “Would you like to go with me?”

She wanted it more than she’d wanted anything in a very long time.

Jared’s lips still tingled where Piper had touched them, and his finger buzzed with the memory of her warmth. They’d barely spoken since stepping outside, but it felt comfortable, the kind of quiet that didn’t demand to be filled.

His body’s reaction to her, however, was undeniable. If they hadn’t been in Costa ordering coffee, he’d have kissed her. Her widened eyes, dilated pupils, and flushed skin all hinted that she’d felt the same zing he had.

Going to Greenwich with her might be the best—or most dangerous—idea. Sometimes, a man just had to court danger.

“I’d love to. I’ve never been to Greenwich. Like I said, I have a couple of days before the conference starts, and it was on my list.”

She clapped with delight. “Wonderful.”

“I’ll reimburse you.”

She clucked her tongue. “No way. The second ticket would have gone to waste.”

He shook his finger back and forth like a metronome. “Then I’ll buy lunch.”

“But—”

“Don’t make me shut you up again.” He hoped he’d have to shut her up with his mouth on hers.

Her eyes flashed with something he couldn’t quite read, but she finally agreed. “I’d love to have lunch with you.”

He leaned in slightly. “You didn’t finish that sentence. You’d love to have lunch with me and let me pay for it .”

She collapsed back into her chair, laughing. “Fine. You win. I’d love for you to buy me lunch.” She turned her coffee cup round and round on the table. “Your conference doesn’t start till Wednesday?”

He couldn’t remember if he’d told her. Or if she’d even asked.

He just remembered saying he’d come early to do some sightseeing.

“Yes. The conference is only three days. But it didn’t make sense to take that long flight only to spend three days here and see nothing but the inside of a hotel.

So I booked a couple of extra days at the beginning. ”

“I agree with you. It’s a shame to come all this way and not see anything.

Especially if you’ve never been to London before.

And it gives you another day of sightseeing tomorrow.

” She pointed to the river and the dock where people were lining up.

“It looks like the next boat to Greenwich will board soon. The tickets I have are usable any time. Shall we hop on now?”

He nodded agreement, and they disposed of their empty cups. Heading down to the pier, they joined the line, and once on board, Jared asked, “Where would you like to sit?”

Piper was already climbing the stairs and said over her shoulder, “Up top, in the sun, and at the front.”

Her shoulders were bare in her pretty sundress since she’d removed her cardigan earlier. He wasn’t sure which was sexier, the sundress or yesterday’s leggings. He enjoyed her in both.

Once they found seats, she rummaged through the voluminous bag she’d carried around the entire Tower of London and produced a bottle of sunscreen.

“Out here on the water, I’ll need this,” she informed him.

“Were you a Girl Scout as a kid?” he teased. “Always prepared?”

She pulled a wide-brimmed sun hat from her bag, plopping it on her head. “I wasn’t a Girl Scout, but I was always prepared.”

“I believe that,” he said with a chuckle.

Pouring lotion into her cupped hand, she passed the bottle to him.

“I’m a tough guy.” He waved it off. “My shoulders are covered, so I don’t really need it.”

“Hang onto it,” she said with a sweet smile. “I’m going to need more.”

After applying lotion to her arms, she slipped the ties of her sundress aside to rub it into her shoulders. Her fingers brushed below the elastic of her bodice as she worked the sunscreen into her skin. With the lotion smoothed over her collarbones, she held out her hand for more.

“A little extra for the back of my neck?” she asked.

He poured a dollop into her palm, and she smiled her thanks, covering her nape with sunblock.

“You’re missing a few spots along the edge of your dress and between your shoulder blades.” His voice felt slightly strangled. “That’s the area people always burn.”

Before she could respond, he poured lotion onto his hand and leaned in.

With a gentle touch, he smoothed the cream over the curve of her neck, along her shoulders, down her back, dipping just beneath the fabric.

Her skin was soft and warm, the sensation sending an undeniable jolt of pleasure through him.

He was sure her breath caught as his fingers brushed her skin.

“All set,” he said after a moment, his voice husky.

She turned, her cheeks pink and her lips curved into a smile. “Thank you. I definitely owe you for that.”

His gaze lingered on her face for just a beat too long before he leaned back, the corners of his mouth twitching up.

They were definitely entering enticing territory.