by Kym Grosso
“I don’t know. I mean…I told you. I’m afraid. I’m not like you, Garrett,” she explained, her tone serious. “There’s part of me that wants to know. The other night…last night…I’ve just always had this rule not to date people I work with. Lars…”
“You work for Lars, not me. We both know that Lars lassoed both of us into this situation. Besides, I didn’t ask you for a date.” He smiled.
“What is this then?” She laughed.
“This is a lesson. If and when we go on a date, you will most definitely know you are on a date.”
“Ah.” She shook her head.
“This is your first lesson in feeling the rush. The one outside the bedroom.” He winked.
“You assume we’ll be inside a bedroom? You just said this isn’t a date.”
“You’ve sat in my lap. I had my hands on your thighs last night. Neither of which are dates, but they are an indication.”
“Of what?”
“Interest. So what’s it going to be, Miss Reynolds? Are you granting consent to our first lesson? And be warned, this is one of many.” Garrett slid his sunglasses back down, giving her a wide smile. “Do you trust me?”
Selby blew out a breath and finally nodded. “Yes, okay. I’m trusting you to keep me safe. I’m not kidding, Garrett.”
“You can always trust me,” he responded.
Elated by her response, he began walking before his cock had a chance to stiffen any further. Holy shit, the excitement of teaching her about his lifestyle would wreck him, but at the moment he could have cared less. As they approached the rolling waves, he couldn’t restrain his satisfied smile. If Lars was going to challenge him on this, he’d go head to head, because he anticipated that teaching Miss Reynolds was going to be one of the greatest highs he’d had yet.
In his effort to keep his promise to Lars, the one he’d already broken, Garrett had arranged to have his friend, Seth, teach the lesson. Seth Harris, VP of Aqua Operations, was a pioneer in big wave surfing. Garrett had met the champion while surfing at Mavericks five years ago, and he’d quickly become an integral asset to Emerson Industries. A millionaire in his own right, he sat on the board, leading both civilian and military aquamarine projects. Fearless with instinct, he’d developed new designs and technologies in the field.
“Hey, bro. What’s happenin’?” Seth asked. His long wavy blond hair had been tied up in a bun. He tugged at his unzipped wetsuit, which hung low on his hips.
“How’re the waves today?” Garrett bumped fists with his friend and glanced back to Selby, who wore a pained expression.
“Not too bad. A few little rip tides today. Pretty calm overall. Hey, Selby.” Seth approached her, and she shook his hand.
“Hello.”
“You ready to ride today?” He laughed, his eyes darting from Garrett to Selby.
“I’ve never done this before,” she began.
“You swim, no?”
“Um, yeah, but not a lot.”
“You live in California, right?”
“Well, yes, but…”
“Go to the beach?”
“Yeah, but…”
“So why haven’t you surfed before?” Seth walked to his ATV and pulled out a black wetsuit. “I think I’ve got you sized about right. Go ahead and put it on.”
Selby accepted it and went to sit on the ground.
“No, no, no. Come on over here. You don’t want to get it wet or get sand in that. It’ll be hard to get on, and it’ll feel like shit. Don’t want sand in your bits.” He laughed.
“Go easy,” Garrett warned. “Can I borrow your chair?”
“All yours. I’ve got the easy job today. Go about your business, sir.” He winked at Selby. “Yeah, you can’t wear that cover up.”
“I figured as much.” She smiled.
Garrett sat in the beach chair and opened his laptop. As it flickered on, he caught sight of Selby peeling off the sarong she’d worn over her bathing suit. His cock slammed to attention as her tanned stomach came into view. Unlike some of the women he’d dated, she was softer, her full breasts filling out her bikini top.
His lips tensed in a flat line as Seth knelt before her and glanced over, giving him a slick smile. His friend taunted him, aware that Garrett wasn’t going. Seth’s hands moved to her thigh, in an attempt to pull up the stretchy fabric, and lingered two seconds too long.
“I think she can manage,” Garrett yelled over to him.
“Just helping her out. You okay?” Seth asked.
“Yes, I really appreciate you being so gentle with me. I’ve never put one of these on before,” she said, glancing back at Garrett as if she was enjoying every minute of Seth touching her.
“As long as you’re getting your needs met, I’m good with it,” Garrett gritted out. Did his little hacker like games? To have another man’s hands on her? Garrett blew out a breath and casually adjusted the painful erection that had nowhere to go.
“I’m just preparing for my lesson is all,” she teased. “If you’d been my teacher, you could have helped me.”
Shit. Garrett couldn’t wait to play with her to see how far she’d take things. She might be afraid of heights, but she sure as hell knew how to push some boundaries. She’d only met Seth once and yet she was toying with them both.
“Here you go, almost in. Turn around,” Seth guided.
She followed the direction, and Garrett tensed as he caught sight of the long scar that ran from the top of her left buttock up to her shoulder blade. He was no stranger to the occasional laceration, and was certain that whatever had caused it must have been serious. His curiosity piqued, he was unable to recall anything in her file about an injury. Her disclosure about her anxiety had come as no surprise, but he wondered if she’d been in a car accident or something far worse. As the scar disappeared under the latex and she turned around, her eyes locked on his. He knew he’d been caught staring when her smile fell flat.
He forced a small grin and waved but she’d quickly focused her attention back on Seth, who’d begun giving her instructions. His gut teemed with guilt as his business call connected, and he considered that he shouldn’t have been so hard on her. The next lesson would bring pure pleasure, he swore. As he heard his name called from the speaker, his eyes fell to his computer screen.
Chapter Ten
Selby’s stomach clenched when she caught him staring at her scar. He tried to play it off with his cool smile, but she knew he’d witnessed the mark on her soul that reminded her every day of the person she’d fought not to be, a victim, torn apart by a predator. While she’d grown independent and free spirited, the vulnerability of her childhood remained. Despite Garrett’s carefree attitude toward it, she knew all too well that action was never taken without consequence. Her innocence stolen on a warm summer day, she blamed herself for the attack.
A fresh rush of shame rose to the surface and she swallowed it, repeating the silent mantra that a child couldn’t be responsible for the actions of a monster. She hadn’t invited the pain, asked for the strangling emotions that stalked her throughout the years. In her moments of strength, she’d concealed her weakness, pretended it didn’t exist.
Not even Lars knew what had caused her first attack. Confessing her anxiety to Garrett had been somewhat liberating. While most clients knew the details of her health history, no one had ever broached the subject with her. When she’d told Garrett in the car why she sang, she’d experienced a sense of relief. Grades and money were of little consequence as she stood bare at the microphone. Under the spotlight, she became someone else; a sensual being who entertained, without feeling remorse or responsibility. It was an escape from reality.
Her attraction to Garrett and his charismatic demeanor continued to blur her judgment. After he’d cut off her nylons the previous night, she’d gone home, wishing he’d fucked her. Touching herself had provided little relief from the constant ache that plagued her. When he’d given her the bathing suit, continuing his promise of adv
enture, she’d tried to deny the excitement. She’d accepted his challenge, getting dressed in her office.
On the way to the car, she’d taken so many deep breaths she teetered on the edge of hyperventilating. But as they began to converse, she relaxed. A speck of the person she wanted to be shone through her hardened exterior. Flirting came naturally as he pressed her with questions. Given the right circumstances, she feared she’d follow him anywhere. Worse, when he’d asked for her consent, her first instinct had been to say yes, to give him whatever he wanted. She’d resisted, caving only after losing to her own internal struggle.
When she’d learned Seth was her instructor, her heart had dropped. Garrett was the one who’d promised her adventure, a lesson. He was the teacher she’d hoped would be at her side. When Seth had taken her hand, she stepped into the role of tease. As if she were on stage, she’d enjoyed Garrett’s eyes on her as she donned her wetsuit…until he’d seen the scar.
Seth’s voice broke her contemplation and her nerves rose to the surface.
“Lookin’ good. You ready?” he asked her.
Nodding, she forced a smile. Her eyes darted to Garrett. Underneath the dark glasses, he appeared engrossed in his call.
“Nice job in the meeting today, by the way.” He grabbed a couple of surfboards and started toward the water.
“Thanks,” she replied nervously. Like a puppy, she followed him. What the hell am I doing? Sure she’d been an avid swimmer in the health club pool, but go for a swim in the ocean? Certainly not. In the Pacific? Not on the warmest day during an El Niño. Add sharks and giant alien stalks of kelp to her list of fears, and just hell no.
“Sorry they were hard on you. With Evan’s accident, things have been out of sorts. Everyone’s on edge. There’s no replacing him, but the show must go on.” He settled long planks flat onto the sand. “Garrett and Evan, they were pretty close.”
“Were you close with him, too?”
“We were amicable.” He winked. “But he and Garrett, they’d been together a long time. Lars told me…”
“Lars told you what? Wait, how do you know Lars?” A look of confusion crossed her face.
“We’re friends. Got in some jumps together…stuff like that. Sometimes we get together for parties. I guess Garrett has mentioned our, uh, outings.” He stepped on a board and knelt.
“No. I mean, I don’t know him very well. I actually just started yesterday.”
“You must be pretty special for him to let you come into Emerson like that. Take over for Evan.” He waved her over and pointed to the board.
Without being told what to do, she stood atop the surfboard.
“That’s it. Come on down here. Promise I won’t bite.”
“I’m not special per se, but I do have certain talents. As for letting me take over for Evan, it’s only temporary. I did this as a favor to Lars.” Selby found she was growing more comfortable, as if she’d finally found someone she could talk to. She considered asking him more about Evan, but he continued his train of thought.
“Clearances. Yeah, I get that’s important. But lots of people have them.”
“I’m good with IT. Computers.”
“Hacking?” He laughed.
“Maybe,” she hedged and gave him a small smile. “But the real reason I’m here is because of Lars. I work for him, but he’s also a good friend of mine.”
“He is?”
“You sound surprised.”
“It’s just that he’s never brought you round, is all.”
“You mean to your outings?” Selby wondered what kinds of things they did together besides go skydiving.
“Yeah, our events.” He smiled and lay down. “Get on your stomach like this.”
“Aren’t we going in the water?” she asked, but did as he told her.
“Soon enough. You like the water?”
“Ocean water? Not really.”
“I see.” He shook his head and blew out a breath.
“What?”
“You sure you want to do this?”
“No. I mean yes.” She pressed her forehead onto the warm Plexiglas out of frustration and then stared at him. “Listen, Seth. I’m going to be perfectly honest here. I want this, but I’m not like you guys. My guess is that’s why Lars hasn’t introduced us before. This isn’t my thing.”
“I understand. It’s not for everyone. Most of us, we breathe this company. Some of them get kind of intense with it. But don’t worry, I’m not like that. Don’t get me wrong. I love this place, everything Garrett’s built. But if Lars says you can do the job, that’s good enough for me.”
“I really can help. It’s not just because I’m trying to get the contract for DLar-Tech.”
“I believe you. Look, all of Garrett’s team members have experience within the field, but you don’t need to do this to prove your worth.”
“It’s not about proving my worth.” No, I had to do that in the boardroom today. “Maybe it’s more about proving something to myself. But you’re right, the kinds of things you guys do aren’t something I’d ever do.”
“Not everyone’s cut out for jumpin’ out of a plane. But this…” He gestured to the ocean. “We’re just having a lil’ fun today. No big deal. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She raised a questioning eyebrow at him and gave a small groan.
“I swear it. Seriously. And by the way Garrett’s acting, I can tell he’d kick my ass if I did.”
“Sorry, I don’t mean to be a baby. I just get nervous.” Selby couldn’t believe that in the course of one day she was confessing her fears to two different men. This after going nearly ten years without talking about it with a solitary person besides Lars. She supposed that no one had ever pushed her to do anything remotely outside of her comfort zone. Garrett would never settle for anything less.
“No worries. Just pretend you’re in Hawaii or someplace like that. Nice and easy, right. No matter what Garrett told you, he’s not letting you go just because you can’t surf.”
“I know that but he’s right. You guys. His company. There’s something about what drives your customers. And as much as I get what you’re saying about what that is, I don’t really understand it.” Selby gave him a small smile. “I can do this.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.” Selby glanced over to Garrett. She’d never needed or wanted a man’s approval but her stomach fluttered in excitement as he gave her a smile. Guarded behind his shades, he’d studied her. The heat of his gaze shot desire throughout her body. Her pussy ached. She brought a palm to her flushed cheek. Fucking hell, she thought. How can I be thinking of sex at the same time I’m scared to death? Garrett’s words played through her mind. Sex. Fear. These are the things that make us feel alive.
Lie flat, up onto my hands and knees and stand. Selby repeated the instructions as she paddled out to what probably amounted to three feet of water. Despite Seth’s assessment that the surf wasn’t rough, Selby disagreed. Her stomach lurched as she glided over another swell. She tasted the briny water as the cold mist sprayed her face. She heard Seth whistle and she stopped, bobbing about right before the breakers.
“You ready? This isn’t something you can learn online. You just need to commit to a wave and practice.”
“Um, okay,” she managed, her voice shaky.
Selby barely noticed the ice cold water that numbed her fingers. As if she were a live wire, her body hummed with excitement. A rush of water came and she paddled. He may have told her she couldn’t have learned online, but she could damn well follow an instruction. She pushed onto her hands and knees. As she surged forward, she attempted to stand. Selby screamed for dear life as her feet slipped and she fell sideways into the water. Although she’d failed miserably on her first attempt, the challenge of almost succeeding drove her to try again.
By her fifth attempt, she’d grown more comfortable. She laughed with Seth while they floated, waiting for a wave. Selby glanced to the beach an
d caught sight of Garrett standing at the edge of the surf. She bit her lip, stunned that he’d taken off his shirt. She wished she was closer so she could inspect every inch of the rock-hard ridges of his abdomen. As his arms were crossed, she was unable to make out the details of the tattoos on his chest. The man was a specimen of fitness at a level she’d only seen on the magazine racks at the grocery store.
The water propelled her forward, bringing her attention to her ride. Once again, she pushed up onto her hands and knees. The swell rose higher, lurching her upward. Rationally she knew she was only rising a few feet, but the height caused her heart to race in fear. She could hear Seth’s voice yelling at her from behind and she struggled to concentrate. Her legs burned as she pressed upward. Balancing her torso, she tightened her core. A rush of adrenaline tore through her veins as she coasted for several seconds.
She began laughing, the thrill of victory filling her chest. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Garrett clapping his hands. Losing her focus, she teetered. The wave closed and she toppled into the sea. Pounded into the sand, Selby struggled to surface. Like a rag doll, her body was tossed under the white cap. She held her breath, fighting against the tide, but no air came. A tunnel of darkness closed in and she resisted sucking in the salt water.
Chapter Eleven
Garrett had watched with fascination as Selby went off with Seth. After their discussion in the car he’d regretted asking his friend to help teach her to surf. He thought he must be losing his damn mind. One minute he swore he wouldn’t take it any further; the next he was ready to make love to her the first chance he got. The only thing he knew for certain was that Lars was going to fucking kill him once he found out how deep his attraction had grown for the IT specialist who’d turned his world over in the course of a few days.
He blamed his uncharacteristic behavior on his grief. The intense arousal Selby spiked within him was a welcome reprieve from the crushing despair that had racked his mind over the past couple of weeks. Show no weakness, had been his motto. Yet losing Evan had tossed his psyche into an oblivion of malaise. Nothing could crack the bitter sorrow that shrouded him…until he’d met Selby.