Carnal Risk

by Kym Grosso

  Selby glanced to a man and woman who sat in darkness. She could barely make out their silhouette.

  “They’re fucking.”

  “What? No they aren’t,” she protested. As she glanced again, she observed the slightest movement.

  “Yes. Yes they are.”

  “But Garrett said they’re investors…”

  “They’re the originals. His venture capitalists are his closest friends. We helped him build his dream, and in the process, we all prospered.”

  “That’s good, right?” Selby asked, still trying to catch a better look at what exactly the couple was doing. She swore Lars was just messing with her to get her to leave.

  “Some work at Emerson. Most do. Some, like me, have our own companies with close partnerships with Emerson. A few,” Lars nodded to the band. “See the twins?”

  Selby caught sight of the lead singer, who wore a tight black t-shirt. He tightly gripped the microphone, his heavily tattooed arms bulging every time he flexed. A similarly handsome man played drums.

  “They’re recent doctoral grads from MIT. They were interning with Evan. Now they’re helping Chase out with a few things.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me this involved having interns?”

  “Because you don’t have any. You’re there to help recruit Evan’s replacement and expedite the outsourcing. Nothing more, nothing less.”

  “I know that,” she replied. Her lips pursed as she considered that once again Garrett hadn’t disclosed all the facts of the situation. Her whirling temper was thwarted as Lars stopped dancing and held her tight.

  “What’s going on between you and Garrett?”

  “Lars,” she breathed. Her head fell to his shoulder. Jesus, she wished she could lie to him, but she couldn’t.

  “He wouldn’t have brought you here if you weren’t…are you sleeping with him?”

  “No,” she protested. “And besides, even if I was, it’s not like it’s any of your business.”

  “I don’t want you to get hurt, is all. It’s why I never introduced you to him. I knew how you admired him. Women lie down and spread their legs the minute he says hello, and you aren’t going to be one of them.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Selby exclaimed.

  “Look, he’s one of my best friends but he’s not like you. You’re innocent. You don’t have this addiction we’ve got.”

  “Lars, I appreciate your advice but I’m not that girl you dated in college. I can handle myself.” Or so she hoped. Despite her confusion over Lars’ concerns, she wasn’t leaving.

  “Just be careful, okay? I know you, Selby. I’ve seen you during an attack.”

  Selby’s stomach lurched as he mentioned her weakness. Garrett, no matter how smitten, hadn’t seen her at her worst.

  “The things we do aren’t for you,” Lars insisted, his voice firm.

  “I surfed today,” she said defiantly. So what if she’d only stayed up for all of five seconds? It still counted.

  “Yeah, Seth told me. I knew they’d push for you to do something to get to know the customer a little better. But surfing? Come on. You know that kids do it, right?” He shook his head and laughed. “It’s just a small sliver, baby. Unless you’re planning on goin’ with us on our next base jump, this place isn’t for you.”

  “She’s my guest.” Selby heard Garrett’s commanding voice behind her, and excitement flushed through her veins.

  His hand glided over her shoulder, and tingles ran down her arm. She caught a glimpse of anger in Lars’ eyes, but her focus was drawn to the debonair billionaire who’d invited her to the party. Her breath caught as her eyes devoured him. Dressed in black slacks and a white shirt, his strong muscular forearms pressed through his rolled up sleeves. A lock of his dark brown hair brushed over his forehead. He emanated sex without trying, his cool casual style apparent in his every movement and word.

  “Garrett, Lars was just telling me about your, um, your club.” Her arm broke out in gooseflesh as he trailed his finger down it. Although covered by fabric, she swore she could feel the burn of his touch straight through her dress.

  “Was he now?” Garrett’s eyes darted to Lars and back to Selby.

  “Yes, he was telling me about your investors. Lars…” she went to address him but he’d walked away toward the bar. She shook her head, upset that he’d left angry. They never fought and it broke her heart to think he’d be irate about her seeing Garrett.

  “Don’t worry about him. Everyone’s a little tense after last night. He’s going to be fine.” Garrett brought the back of her hand to his lips and kissed it.

  “I…Garrett,” she stammered.

  Selby glanced around the room and caught sight of both Seth and Nate staring at her. As much as she yearned to throw herself into Garrett’s arms, she hadn’t expected public displays of affection at a company event.

  “Selby?” He gave a small chuckle, tugging her toward the door.

  “Where are we going?” she asked as he led her out onto a large balcony. It overlooked a magnificent waterfall that spilled into a swimming pool. Large glowing orbs the size of beach balls floated along its surface.

  “It’s too noisy inside.”

  “What is this place?” she asked in wonderment.

  “This is Altura.”

  “Altura? And that means?” She gave a confused smile.

  “Altura. As in, height, altitude. We fly where others don’t.”

  “You live here?”

  “No, this is for Altura activities. The investors…”

  “Venture capitalists.”

  “At one time, but we’re a family of sorts now. If they aren’t connected to Emerson Industries directly, they help with beta testing, quality assurance, things of that nature.”

  “So everyone here knew Evan?” She reached for her mask but he stopped her, placing his hands over hers.

  “Leave it on.” He took her hands in his. “We’ve mourned. Tonight we celebrate.”

  “And the masks?”

  “Evan was born and raised in New Orleans.” Garrett went to move toward the railing and Selby stood firm. He raised an eyebrow at her. “What are you doing?”

  “I don’t like heights. You know that. I told you…” Selby attempted to pull her hand from his grasp, but he held it firmly.

  “It’s safe, Selby. Much safer than surfing,” he joked.

  “I know that, but I’m not going. I’m good right here.”

  “Do you trust me?” he asked.

  “Yes, but I don’t think I should,” she joked, a small smile blooming on her face.

  “Here’s your choice. You can keep your eyes open and take it all in while we go over to the railing. Or you can close your eyes.”

  “What?” Selby’s pulse raced as her eyes darted over to the ledge.

  “Two choices. What’s it going to be? Eyes open. Or eyes closed.” He closed the distance between them and placed his hands on her waist.

  “You like giving choices, don’t you?” She recalled him asking the same question when she’d cut her hand. “What makes you think I’ll choose either?”

  “Because of my rules, Miss Reynolds. This is a company event, correct?”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “Oh no. I’m quite serious, in fact.”

  “You enjoy testing me, don’t you?”

  “I won’t pretend not to, but we have unfinished business. If you’d like to deny my request, I’d be happy to give you a punishment of sorts instead.”

  “I don’t think so,” she scoffed.

  “I do.” Garrett reached around and cupped her ass. She squealed, but never moved to leave. “Have you ever been spanked, Selby? Because I’m thinking you might need one. You seem to have this habit of not listening.”

  “I…I…that’s not something I’m into…” she stuttered. He must have been joking, but his hard smile told her he was entirely serious.

  “Maybe I’ll even let Lars watch. Is that something y
ou’d like?”

  No one had ever spoken so dirty to Selby, and her pussy dampened at his words.

  “What’s it going to be? Open or closed?”

  Selby stared at Garrett, considering her next move. She was incredibly turned on by him, but fear held her back.

  “Answer me,” he told her. His eyes smiled but his intense stare warned her to obey.

  “Open,” she whispered.

  Selby could hardly believe that after all these years of avoiding heights, she was agreeing to what he asked. It terrified her that he used his words to push her, to arouse her. She wanted to deny him, to deny herself the fantasies she’d never allowed herself to have with another man. But even as she grew wet from his suggestion, she couldn’t bring herself to admit to him that she wanted it.

  “Very well. Don’t worry. I’ll never let anything happen to you,” he promised. He reached for her hand, and slowly walked with her toward the railing.

  It wasn’t lost on Selby that Garrett shielded her view. She came up behind him, clutching his shirt with her free hand and trembled in fear as he placed her palm onto the iron bar.

  “Take a deep breath. You’re doing fine, sweetheart.” He turned to face her, and she forced her fingers to open, releasing the fabric. “That’s it. Put your other hand here.”

  As he settled her grip around the cold metal, Selby closed her eyes. She felt the warmth of his body behind her, the hardness of the rail brushing against her stomach. Blinking her eyes open, she continued to shake as the pool came into view.

  “I can’t do this. Garrett, please. You don’t want to see me like this.”

  A memory of being rushed to hospital flashed in her mind. It wasn’t the first time, it wouldn’t be the last. It had been a gorgeous day. She’d gone on a hike, traveled several hundred feet upward before she’d realized heights were a trigger. The sight of Los Angeles had been spectacular until she’d gone to walk back down. I’ll fall. I’m up so high. I can’t move. Paralyzed, she’d cowered to the ground. The pain in her chest wouldn’t cease. She knew it was another panic attack, but was at a loss as to how to control it. Garrett’s soothing voice brought her back into the moment.

  “I see you. Maybe better than you see yourself. You’re beautiful.” His hands never left her body as they grazed over her arms onto her shoulders, then trailed down her back until they rested on the sides of her thighs.

  “I’m scared. I can’t do this.” Selby shook her head.

  “But you wanted to do this for me, didn’t you?”

  “Yes,” she admitted.

  “Why, Selby?”

  “Are you trying to distract me?”

  “Maybe, but the thing is, I want to get to know you. I want more than just working with you.”

  “But you hardly talked to me in the office this week. Ever since the beach…” He hadn’t looked at her with the slightest interest.

  “By asking you here tonight, I’ve given you more access to my life than ninety-nine percent of the people in my life. This is who I am…if you want to be with,” he hesitated, “if you want to be with me, then there are certain things you’ll have to accept. Lars…”

  “He’s so mad at me.” Selby tried to turn her head to face him, but his hands held her thighs still.

  “Lars is pissed at me, not you.”

  “He says you’re going to hurt me. Are you?” she asked. “Are you going to hurt me, Garrett?”

  “Never.” His lips brushed her hair. “But I will push your limits of what you think you’re capable of doing. You’re brilliant. Even though you hold onto these fears so tightly, I know you can embrace what we do.”

  “I don’t know if I can. Lars says I don’t belong here. That I’ll never be right for you. But when I’m around you…” she whispered, “you make me feel…alive.”

  “I want to fuck you right here. Will you let me do that?”

  “What? Garrett…” Selby laughed. Jesus almighty. She couldn’t believe that she was three stories up, overlooking the pool and that her first instinct was to say ‘yes’ to public sex. Before she had a chance to answer further, his hands slipped underneath her dress. She gasped as his palms glided up her belly and cupped her bare breasts.

  “No bra?”

  “No, I…”

  “Have you fantasized about my hands on you?”

  “I can’t tell you that…”

  “You have, haven’t you? Tell me.” His hand trailed down her abdomen, slipping into her panties.

  “Please…I can’t…” Selby moaned as Garrett’s fingers pressed through her wet lips. He plunged a thick digit into her core, and she cried out. She’d yearned to have him touch her, had imagined it a million different ways, but never had she thought he’d take her at the party.

  “I was right…look at how wet you are, my brave girl. You know what I think, Selby?” His lips moved to her neck.

  “Oh God,” she cried as he pumped another finger inside her.

  “I think you crave this…like a seedling waiting for the sun, you’re going to bloom.”

  Selby clutched the rail. His warm breath teased her ear and she shook her head, wishing she could deny his words. But as his thumb flicked at her clit, any ability to lie failed her.

  “I want you so much,” she breathed.

  “That’s better,” he encouraged.

  “We shouldn’t,” she panted.

  “We should.”

  “Someone could see us.”

  “It’s secluded.”

  “I…ah…” Selby’s orgasm built and her eyes darted to the deserted deck. Although they were concealed in the shadows, music blared in the distance.

  “Or would you like someone to watch? Do you want them to see you come?”

  “No, I just want…” Selby attempted to stop her pussy from clamping down on his fingers at the mention of exhibitionism, but her effort was thwarted as he rocked his erection against her ass.

  “Fuck, you surprise me…it excites you. Don’t worry, sweetheart.” He kissed her ear. “We’ve got plenty of time for that. But right now, I just want to make you feel good…any fear you felt is gone right now, isn’t it?”

  Selby’s head lolled over as he pinched at her clitoris. He added a third finger, and she cried his name out loud. She was helpless to stop it; her climax consumed her. Her hands gripped at the bar as the violent spasms racked her body. Without warning, he withdrew his fingers and she whined. The crinkling sound of a condom was all she heard before he spread her legs with his knee.

  “Open for me,” he whispered into her ear.

  “Garrett,” was all she could manage as he entered her from behind.

  Selby’s arousal spiked as he filled her to the hilt. The sweet pain of her channel stretching brought her into focus. She wanted him more than the air she breathed. Selby had never done anything like this before, but the more he tested her, the more she embraced the rush he gave.

  “Oh shit…no, no, no…don’t fucking move,” he said. “Selby…you feel so good. Jesus.”

  “Don’t stop,” she told him as he stilled.

  “I’m creating a monster.” He laughed and slowly did as she asked. He withdrew slightly and plunged back inside her. With one hand, he gripped her hip and wrapped a strong arm around her waist.

  “Ah….stop.” Selby heaved for breath as he slid deep inside her. She pressed her bottom back against his pelvis, wanting to take every inch he gave. “Talking.”

  He pinched her nipple and she squeaked. “Punishing you is going to be so much fun.”

  “Yes…” Selby began to quiver as she tightened around his cock. The tip of his length stroked her nerves and she began to shake. “Harder…fuck me…now.”

  Garrett grunted, pounding into her from behind, and as she turned her head, he kissed her, forcefully taking her lips with his. She returned his demanding kiss, desperate to connect further. Selby had lost cognizance of where she was as he fucked her, and she knew that she’d become addicted to all that wa
s Garrett Emerson. There’d be no going back after what she’d done.

  He increased the pace, and Selby cried into his mouth, her orgasm slamming into her. Her body trembled in ecstasy and went limp as she was overcome with pleasure. Garrett slammed into her from behind, his flesh against hers and he called her name out loud, coming hard.

  As Garrett slid out of her, Selby rested her forehead on her arm, trying to catch her breath. She stared down over the railing and realized that for the first time in her life, she wasn’t afraid of heights as much as she’d thought. But she was more terrified than she’d ever been in her life. Not only had she just engaged in near-public sex, she’d given Garrett a part of her soul.

  “Selby,” he said, bringing her into his arms.

  Her heart melted as he embraced her; his lips pressed to her temple, slowly making their way to her own. Gently, he kissed her, and emotion bubbled in her chest. He’d fucked her roughly, and now, in the quiet moments after, his sweet lips made love to her all over again. A small tear escaped as Lars’ words played in her mind. Without meaning to, she’d given him the power to crush her into a million pieces. Despite her confusion, she knew she was helpless to stop herself from making love with him again. Lost in his kiss, she let herself fall without a parachute.

  He slowly broke away, his lips inches from hers. He stroked her hair, his forehead pressed to hers.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Yeah,” she replied. Selby wanted to ask him a thousand questions but she hesitated.

  “There’s something about you,” he began. “I don’t know what’s going to happen between us, but I want you to know I meant what I said. No matter what Lars thinks.”

  “Okay.” She nodded, still shaken from their encounter.

  “Will you come home with me tonight? I want to have time alone with you…to get to know you better. Now that I know you can surf, I’d like to see what else you can do,” he joked.

  She laughed. “You mean you weren’t impressed by my mad surfing skills?”

  “More than you can possibly imagine.” Garrett scanned the empty balcony and focused on Selby. “I know you can’t understand just yet, but bringing you here…to this place. It’s important to me.”

  Selby regarded Garrett as he opened to her. Like his company, he’d built Altura. But unlike the many strangers who passed through its doors, this was private. His inner sanctum that he only shared with those he considered family.