Page 26 of Love Affair in London (Once Again #12)

T he quickie wasn’t quick but deliciously drawn out and infinitely satisfying—the perfect start to another perfect day. They didn’t make it down to breakfast for another two hours. Though they showered together—a long, indulgent shower—Jared had to return to his room for a change of clothes.

Over breakfast, Piper said, “It’s better that we’re not so early anyway. We don’t want to be on the Underground during rush hour. The Changing of the Guard is around eleven o’clock, so we’ve got plenty of time.”

The Tube station was a short walk, accessed via a tunnel under the main road.

Emerging into the station, it felt crowded—more so than any time Jared had been on BART in the Bay Area.

But London’s Underground was extensive, connecting almost anywhere in the city and also to the train stations, whereas BART didn’t go out to Golden Gate Park, the bridge, the Presidio, or even Fisherman’s Wharf.

The ride to Westminster didn’t take long. Coming out of the tunnel, there they were: Big Ben and the Parliament buildings, just as he’d seen so often in British TV shows.

Disappointment tugged at Piper’s lips. “Big Ben is covered in scaffolding.”

When they crossed the street, they found the iconic landmark under renovation and closed to visitors. But she brightened. “We can still get pictures.”

Ever the glass-half-full kind of woman, she took his hand and led him halfway across Westminster Bridge. From there, they snapped pictures of the Houses of Parliament along the river and Big Ben—the scaffolding far less noticeable from that distance.

She brought up her map app. “Okay, Westminster Abbey is that way.” She pointed beyond Big Ben.

The day was warm but not too hot, and Piper wore a cute skort paired with a floral sleeveless tank top.

Flowers seemed to dominate her wardrobe, which Jared enjoyed.

He liked the glow of the summer sun kissing her skin, which brought his thoughts back to last night and this morning—how good it had been. And how much he wanted it again.

Westminster Abbey was impressive, its gothic architecture unbelievably ornate, its structure mammoth, especially when you considered the lack of modern machinery during its construction.

“This is where Charles was crowned, right?” Jared asked.

“Yes. Did you watch the coronation?”

He nodded. “Parts of it.”

“It’s hard to believe Queen Elizabeth is gone. I watched The Crown . She led an amazing life.”

Seeing the line to get into the Abbey, Piper glanced at her watch. “If it moves quickly, we can make it inside before we need to be at Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard. It’s about a fifteen-minute walk from here.”

Fortunately, the line moved fast, and they were soon inside the awe-inspiring cathedral.

Truly magnificent with its massive gothic columns, arched ceiling, and crystal chandeliers, Jared never imagined it was also the burial place of so many historic figures.

It was also the resting place of the Unknown Warrior who’d lost his life in the First World War.

“To think kings and queens have been crowned here for centuries.” Piper spoke in hushed tones. “All that history right here.”

Unfortunately, they had little time to wander before they had to head off to Buckingham Palace.

“You’re like a drill sergeant,” Jared teased. “And you walk fast.” He adjusted his pace to keep up.

“I figure if you walk everywhere at a fast clip, you’re getting exercise even while shopping.” She batted her eyelashes at him. “I park at the farthest edge of any parking lot to add extra steps.”

“No wonder you’re in such great shape.”

“Thank you.”

But Jared wasn’t sure she took the compliment fully to heart.

The walk had fewer tourists than he’d expected, and Jared reached for her hand. “You have a delectable body. And I should know—I think I touched every inch of you last night.”

Her face turned a lovely shade of pink, and she put a hand to her cheek.

“I’m not embarrassing you, am I?” he asked with a playful grin.

“No, I just…” She paused before adding, “I appreciate you saying that.”

“I mean it.” He stopped to cup her chin gently, brushing her lips with his, tender but confident. “Last night was amazing. You were amazing. And everything we did last night, I want it all again tonight.”

“I want it too,” she whispered. She returned his kiss, its sweetness hinting at promises for the night ahead.

Then she backed off. “If we don’t get moving, we won’t get a decent spot for the Changing of the Guard.”

He saluted her. “Yes, Madame Drill Sergeant.”

Laughing, she speed-walked to the palace.

God, he was good. Jared knew just the right to thing to say and just the right place to say it. But they had sights to see. Piper couldn’t let herself get carried away by his touch.

Not until tonight.

A charming park with a stream running through it bordered the lane leading to Buckingham Palace.

They didn’t enter via The Mall—the wide road along which the King’s Guard would march—but from the side.

A tall iron fence surrounded the palace, already packed with tourists, at least four deep.

Piper couldn’t see a thing over their heads.

“Let’s try there.” She pointed to the Victoria Memorial, a monument dedicated to Queen Victoria, topped by a magnificent golden Winged Victory.

Though a crowd was gathering on the marble surround at the base of the monument, plenty of room remained.

Crossing the roundabout, they found a spot along the white parapet with a good view of The Mall.

“This is better than being right in front of the palace,” Jared said. “We’ll be able to see them coming.”

Piper could imagine royal carriages making their way along the wide, tree-lined mall, carrying the likes of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Grabbing his hand, her excitement bubbled over. “They’re coming! Can you hear the band?”

It was more than a parade; it was a spectacle. The marching band came first, their high-stepping precision mesmerizing. Jared and Piper had chosen the right side of the memorial, and the band marched directly in front of them along the roundabout.

Next came the mounted soldiers, their horses majestic and proud.

Piper pouted. “But they’re not wearing the big bearskin caps we always see on the guards.”

“They aren’t the King’s Guard.” Jared jutted his chin at The Mall. “They’re coming now.”

Marching in perfect unison, the guards approached, their iconic bearskin caps perched just above their eyes, the chin straps resting atop their chins in the traditional style.

Piper’s pulse quickened as she snapped photos and videos.

The parade took almost half an hour, and from their vantage point on the memorial, they had a clear view over the throng of people.

Though the crowds surrounding the wrought-iron fence partially obscured their view of the actual guard-changing ceremony, it didn’t matter. The event was enthralling, and as the old guard marched out, Piper couldn’t help the enthusiasm in her voice. “That was amazing. I love a good spectacle.”

Jared kissed her sweetly. Earlier, his public kiss had stunned her, but now it felt natural, as if they were a couple who belonged together. The young French tourists beside them snorted, but Piper didn’t care.

As the crowd dispersed, she climbed to the top of the steps on the Victoria Memorial to snap a few more pictures. “Let’s cross and get a photo of the palace through the fence now that the tourists are thinning out.”

Her camera fit through the iron bars, and she zoomed in to capture a close-up of a guard standing by his little hut, though the gates to the forecourt were closed.

“It’s not like the days of I Love Lucy when she tried to make the guard laugh.” Piper chuckled at the memory.

Jared raised an eyebrow. “You’re too young to remember I Love Lucy .”

“I watched it in reruns,” she replied with mock indignation.

Jared smirked. “Well, I watched Nick at Nite on Nickelodeon. And you’re only ten years older than me.”

“Twelve,” she corrected, a hint of pride in her voice.

Jared leaned in, his lips close to her ear. “It’s just my luck that beautiful older women do it better.”

She laughed, the sound ringing out. A woman nearby, perhaps in her fifties and standing beside her potbellied husband, turned to wink at Piper.

In that moment, she made a promise to herself. She wouldn’t dwell on their age difference. She’d enjoy the romance until it ended.

She checked her map on the phone, then pointed to the other side of the palace. “If we go that way, we can walk through Hyde Park.” She tipped her head back to look at him. “Up for a little more walking?”

“Of course.” He held out his hand.

She took it, reveling in the warmth of his touch.

Just before Hyde Park, they passed through the Wellington Arch, where Piper had Jared stand for a photo so she could get the right perspective to show its true size.

Then she zoomed in on the magnificent statue atop the monument, another Winged Victory, this one riding a chariot pulled by four galloping horses.

God, she loved London and all its monuments. Especially when she viewed it all with this man beside her.

A tree-lined path led them through a grove that opened onto the sprawling green lawns of Hyde Park. Sunbathers dotted the grass, soaking up the gloriously warm day.

Piper breathed in the fresh air and smiled. Everything about this day felt perfect, the sunshine, the beauty of the park, and this man.

She couldn’t stop feeling a thrill at the memory of last night.

“What’s on your mind?” Jared’s tone was teasing, as if he suspected where her thoughts had gone.

“Nothing,” she replied quickly, but the small, secretive smile playing on her lips gave her away.

He squeezed her hand. “You had a very interesting smile just now.” He leaned closer. “Dare I say it was even seductive?”

She bumped her shoulder against his, her laugh feeling light and unguarded. Looking around to make sure no one was close, she admitted, “If you must know, I was thinking about what a glorious day it is.”

“That’s all?”

She raised a finger in mock scolding. “You didn’t let me finish. I was thinking about what a glorious day it is... made even better by a long, lovely night of some very hot sex.”

Jared burst out laughing, the sound full and uninhibited, carrying across the park.

“I’m glad to know you thought it was hot.” His voice dipped low and provocative. “Tonight will be even better.”

Piper felt her cheeks flush, and she shook her head, laughing. “Now that you’ve embarrassed me by poking into my innermost thoughts, I think you owe me lunch.”

They reached the far end of the park, stopping at Marble Arch for a few selfies. Across the street, Piper spotted a bustling café with people streaming in and out. “Let’s try there.”

Inside, the café was more of a grab-and-go than a sit-down restaurant, with refrigerated shelves filled with prepared foods—salads, sandwiches, croissants, and pizzas.

“Do you want to find someplace where we can sit down to eat?” Jared asked, noting the lack of tables.

Piper shook her head. “I have a better idea. Let’s get something here and take it back to the park for a picnic.”

“I like the way you think.” His grin reached all the way to his eyes.

She chose a salmon and avocado salad, while Jared opted for a teriyaki chicken salad. They grabbed sodas and plastic utensils before heading back to a shaded bench in the park.

“This is really good,” Piper said after her first bite. The salmon was moist, and the avocado perfectly ripe.

Jared nodded as he chewed, swallowing before he added, “This teriyaki is fantastic.”

“I could do this again.” She imagined more park picnics. “It’s inexpensive and delicious. I think it’s a chain. I saw one across from the visitor’s center at the Tower of London yesterday.”

Jared smirked. “I know where you’re going to want to eat every day now.”

“I can already see us sitting along the river for lunch.”

Then the thought hit her. Today was their last day before his conference began. He’d probably have catered lunches and dinner plans with colleagues.

But what about their nights?

She kept that thought to herself as they finished their meal. Then Jared leaned back, stretching his legs and looking utterly content.

“We’re on track for twenty thousand steps today.” She’d picked up her phone to look.

“You count your steps?”

“Of course. I have an app. I try to get at least ten thousand a day—it’s good for your brain as well as your body.” She tapped her temple.

“I don’t count mine,” he admitted. “But I’m pretty sure I get ten thousand steps a day just walking all over the manufacturing plant.”

“I bet you also go to the gym every day.”

“Every other day.” His mouth drooped sheepishly. “I’m not much of a walker or hiker—or even a biker.”

“Or a jogger?”

He snorted, shaking his head. “Definitely not a jogger.”

After their lunch, they strolled along the pathway, passing more sunbathers and even a few rowboats on the Serpentine, the serene lake in the middle of the park. Piper felt completely at ease with Jared. They could laugh, talk about anything, and share intimate moments without pretense.

It was a beautiful holiday fling she’d fallen into just by losing her phone. What a lucky day that had been.