London Lace #1 by Catou Martine Read Free Book Online Page A

his lips.
    They held each other until their combined heat cooled and their breathing slowed. Then she eased off of him and passed him some tissues.
    He balled up the condom and tissues. She watched him, feeling sated and relaxed. She was glowing from the inside out. She wondered, would he stay?
    He got up, searched and found his boxers. He also picked her silk robe.
    He laid it on the edge of the bed, and then he sat beside it. 
    Was this the goodbye? It was a great night, sweetheart but I’m not the type who spends the night.
    He looked at her, looked at the bed. “What side you sleep on?"
    She smiled. “The middle.”
    “Me, too.” He matched her smile.
    “You know I can be pretty stubborn.”
    “Me too.”
    They looked at each other.
    “I could try to be less stubborn,” he said.
    “Me too.”
    They curled up in the middle of the bed, two spoons equidistant from the edges.

    Eliza woke to the sounds of strumming harps. She was alone in middle of the bed. Her bed. And the harp sounds were coming from her cell phone in her purse in the other room. She looked around the room and sighed sadly. She was alone. The harps stopped and then a moment later they resumed. Someone was trying to reach her. What time was it? She sat up. Oh, God. Stella! She was supposed to meet Stella this morning. An hour ago. But then last night…
    She hugged her knees to her chest. Oh, god, last night. The insistent strum of harps grew louder, more insistent, and seemed to be drawing closer.
    “Someone besides me is desperate to get a hold of you.” 
    Todd strode through the curtains with her purse in one hand and a steaming mug in the other.
    “You’re here?” She stared at him. He was shirtless, wearing his blue jeans and no socks.
    “Where else would I be?” 
    She shook her head. “I don’t know. You’re so…There’s so much I don’t know about you.” 
    He smiled. “And do you want to find out?” 
    She nodded. 
    He took a sip from the mug, but didn't offer her any.
    “Tea,” he told her, when he saw her staring. “Your coffee is percolating and should be ready any second.” 
    Her phone started strumming again.
    He said, “Answer that first. I’ll be right back.” He headed back toward the kitchen.
    Eliza answered the call. “Stella? I’m so sorry. I slept in.”
    Stella said, “Are you as hung over as I am?” 
    Eliza whispered into the phone. “Stella, he’s here .”
    “Who?”
    “Todd Montgomery.”
    “The rude guy?”
    “He came over. Spent the night. He’s making me coffee right now.”
    “Spending the night and making you coffee in the morning? Not the guy you described yesterday.”
    “I know. You were right about them, by the way. Rude men. That passion part.” 
    Stella laughed. “All right. Shopping for the silk selections can wait. But you have to tell me everything later. Enjoy your coffee , Eliza…” She was snickering as she hung up. 
    Eliza set down her phone, smiling. Todd came back to the bed looking sexy, handsome, and imminently kissable. He handed her a mug of coffee and kissed her on the forehead.
    “Miss Keating,” he said. “Have you ever been to the races?”
    “No, Sir, I haven’t.” She'd never been, but if her racing heart was any kind of indicator, she was going to have to get used to speed if she wanted to keep up with this man.

    This is the first story in a planned series.

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