by Kym Grosso
“What the hell?” Adrenaline shot through Selby’s body as she took in the sight of the overturned sofa. Black dirt splattered across the floor, plants had rolled onto their sides. Her desk had been ransacked, her personal laptop smashed onto the stone tiles.
With her first instinct to call the police, Selby remembered she’d accidentally left her phone charging in the kitchen. She gasped as she took in the sight of the mess. The cabinets had all been opened, vitamin and prescription bottles scattered across the floor. Her heart sank when she looked at her charger, the phone missing from its docking station. She carefully navigated around the shards of broken ceramic plates and spied the edge of her cell peeking out from under the refrigerator. Carefully, she bent to grab it, her fingernails tapping at the edges. An inch further, she thought. When it was within her reach, she retrieved it.
“Please work, please work,” she repeated, praying it would recognize her fingerprint. As the biometric lock released and the phone flared to life she exhaled in relief. “Thank God.”
Although the web of cracked glass made it difficult to see, she managed to type in 911. Selby’s hands shook as it rang. The operator clicked onto the line, and she heard the sound of footsteps. The phone fell from her hands as the blow came to her head. As blackness claimed her, she called Garrett’s name.
Chapter Fifteen
“You just couldn’t keep your dick in your pants, could you?” Lars yelled at Garrett. He plowed his fingers through his hair and paced. “I asked one thing of you. To leave Selby alone. And you just couldn’t fucking do it.”
“It’s not like that, Lars. Come on, you know me,” Garrett countered.
“Yeah, I do know you. I know you could have any woman you want, but you had to have Selby. Why her?” Lars held up a silencing hand. “No, just forget it. You always want what you can’t fucking have. Or was it all just for fun? Well, guess what? Selby’s not a fuck toy you can just stick your dick in and throw away.”
“It’s not what it looks like. I told you I didn’t touch Blaire. I’m not going to say it again. You know how she is.” Garrett paused, still in shock over what had just happened.
When Selby had caught them, he’d been trying to convince Blaire to return to the party. After a brief discussion about product issues, she’d pressed him for sex. At one time, they’d had an on again off again affair, but they hadn’t had sex for over a year. They’d never been more than friends with benefits, but everyone in their entire club had known they’d played on occasion.
Garrett was pissed at himself for ignoring his instincts against meeting with her. Immediately, he’d been suspicious of Blaire’s motives. He’d known there were certain members of Altura who’d take umbrage with Selby’s presence. She was an outsider who’d never so much as looked at a parachute, let alone used one. Having sex at the party had been a spur of the moment decision. He’d deliberately selected a more secluded section of the terrace to make love to her, teasing her with the possibility they’d be watched. While he knew it was possible they’d been seen, he’d thought they’d gone unnoticed. Still, he’d tested the waters of what excited her, giving in to the fantasy. He wasn’t entirely opposed to the idea of exhibitionism, but tonight he’d wanted her all to himself.
Ever since they’d met, his thoughts had become consumed with dark fantasies, all involving one Selby Reynolds. He’d prayed he’d be satisfied taking her just once, getting it out of his system, but their brief interlude had taken his interest to a higher level. She’d enjoyed being dominated but had turned on a whim, reminding him exactly who held the power.
He’d meant what he’d said to her; he wanted to get to know her better. A conversation here and there hadn’t been nearly enough time. After their explosive encounter at the party, he’d craved more. Ravenous, his desire could only be quenched by making love to her again.
What had started out as a somber week had turned into a celebration of life, and Selby had given him the motivation to shove away the grief that had paralyzed him ever since Evan had died. He’d seen the light in her eyes when she’d surfed, and again when she realized she’d overcome her fear of the balcony. He couldn’t be sure what had happened to Selby to make her develop so many deep-seated fears. They smothered her so badly that she’d become a prisoner in her own world. He was no psychologist, but he knew more than anyone what it took to overcome fear, to have faith in situations that didn’t deserve a shred of hope.
Garrett whistled loudly for the bellman, having decided to go to Selby. There was no other choice than to explain to her what had happened. The look of disdain she’d given him, running from him as if he were the devil himself, cut him to the core. While it might have been true that he could have any woman he wanted, he didn’t just fuck every one he met. On the contrary, he’d been selective and cautious, going out of his way never to inflict pain on a woman. He cursed, wondering how little she thought of him that she’d even believe he’d be capable of doing that to her.
Lars’ booming voice drew his attention and he shook his head.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?”
“I’m going to talk to Selby,” Garrett told him.
“No. Just leave her alone. I’m beggin’ you. Don’t you think you did enough damage tonight?”
“I can’t leave things like this. I know you don’t believe me so just get out of my way.” Garrett pushed past him and Lars grabbed onto his arm.
“Please. Just stop.” He released his friend but followed him to the limo.
“I can’t. You don’t get it, Lars. I care about her.”
“Are you kidding me? You just fucked her for the first time out on the balcony. Yeah, that’s right. I saw you. That’s real romantic.”
“Fuck off.” Garrett opened the car door and leaned on the top of it. “It’s not like I planned it. Shit, okay, yeah, have I been thinking about how much I wanted to do it? I’m not going to lie to you. Ever since I met her, I haven’t been able to get her out of my head, and then you,” he pointed to Lars, “you are the one who insisted she come work for me. I could have let it go. But no. She’s gotta take over for Evan, which you knew damn well would mean we’d spend time together.”
“She was the right one for the job.”
“Maybe you’re right but there’s something between us. And I want to find out what it is.”
“G, I know you. You’ve never dated a woman for longer than a month. There’s always a reason why. They’re too needy. They don’t get your business. They’re after your money. You name it, you have an issue with them. You already know Selby’s not like us. And you damn well know that’s why I’ve never brought her around here.”
“I’m not sure how to put this. You know I care about you but this is happening whether you like it or not. Despite what you think, I won’t hurt her.”
“You already fucking did,” Lars exclaimed.
“Again. Listen up. This. Is. Happening. You can accept it or not. We’ll be friends either way, but this thing between Selby and me; I have to see it through. Maybe it’s nothing. Then we can both go our merry ways and you can celebrate. But you’re not stopping me.” Garrett didn’t bother saying goodbye as he jumped into the back seat. What he didn’t expect was that Lars would follow him.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m coming with you.”
“I don’t need a babysitter. What I do need is to talk to her alone.”
Lars slammed the door shut and reached for a bottle of aged whiskey.
“Fine, suit yourself. But you’re not staying while I talk to her.”
“I’ll wait outside, then.” Lars fingered two tumblers, twisted the cap off with his teeth and poured the golden liquid into them. Handing one off to Garrett, he took a long swig and coughed. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and stared out the window. “If you hurt her again, I’m going to fucking kick the shit out of you.”
“I get that.” Garrett sipped the liquor, pleased that Lars w
as finally starting to calm down.
“I mean it. You know I can, too.”
“Yeah, sure you can. Fantasyland must be nice. Maybe I’ll visit someday.” He gave him a small smile.
“You’d better apologize.”
“What the hell do you think I’ve got planned?”
“I’m serious. Like down on your damn knees. You are an idiot, by the way, for thinking Blaire wanted to talk about business,” he told him. The corner of his mouth lifted into a lopsided grin.
“Yeah.”
“The woman is badass but all she ever thinks about is sex. And you are so busy with your dick hanging out you can’t think straight.”
“Perhaps.”
“And ya know they’re not going to be too happy about you bringing Selby to the party without warning. So it’s not like you’re going to get any sympathy points from the rest of us.”
“Yep.”
Garrett rubbed his forehead with his fingers. He could hardly argue with Lars. He’d fucked things up with Selby and knew his friends weren’t going to be happy either. It had been his rule that they could bring no one to Altura without the person having gone on at least one jump with them. The only exceptions to the rule were people like Seth, who first had proved his commitment by training some of the group on big wave riding. They each had their specialties, sports they preferred, but they all had a common goal of pushing the thresholds of athleticism.
Selby had no interest in the things Altura offered, yet he’d brought her anyway. No matter the logic that told him it’d never work, there was something about her he just couldn’t let go.
He glanced to Lars, who stared at him as if he could read his mind. Garrett gave him a small smile and took another swig. He imagined it would be a tough sell. Selby might not forgive him, but if there was one thing about Garrett, he never gave up. His determination had caused him to excel in many situations, ones where the odds hadn’t been in his favor. In business, Garrett always succeeded. When it came to Selby Reynolds, failure was not an option.
Chapter Sixteen
Garrett had gone ballistic when they entered Selby’s apartment and he’d found her. She’d been sitting in glass, her back propped against the refrigerator. Despondent, she stared into the opened cabinets, and when his gaze met hers, she’d begun crying. Although she’d been awake when they’d arrived, she had no recollection of what had happened. With a knot on the back of her head, she’d woken against the tiled floor. Selby hadn’t resisted when he’d scooped her up into his arms, cradling her to his chest.
Although paramedics had been called to the scene, Garrett contacted his personal physician, who soon arrived at her condo as well. She’d complied with their tests, wincing in pain as they cleaned the tiny cut on the back of her skull. When the doctor examined her, he determined it was unlikely that she’d incurred a mild brain injury. Watch for signs, they’d told him. It wasn’t as if he didn’t already know the symptoms of a concussion. Although they took precautions during their sporting events, head injury was always a possible outcome. Selby claimed her vision wasn’t blurred nor was she nauseous, but Garrett was aware that issues could occur well after the initial incident.
The police officers had briefly questioned her. All she’d been able to remember was reaching for her phone. Before leaving the apartment, Garrett had texted Dean, requesting that he oversee the investigation. He’d told him of his suspicions that the break in at her apartment was related to Evan’s murder. Save for her closet, the entire condo had been torn apart. A slew of questions whirled in his brain as he tried to figure out what had happened. How would they have known she was at the party? How had they entered her apartment when there’d been no sign of breaking and entering? What had they been looking for? Although her laptop had been smashed, the flat screen TV was undamaged. He suspected the person had been searching for something specific. When she’d come home early, she’d interrupted them.
Garrett had grown concerned that she hadn’t resisted when he’d suggested that she go home with him. After what had happened, she would have never agreed without an argument, but he suspected she was in shock, unable to process the attack. On the car ride home, she’d fallen asleep in his arms. He’d brought her into his room, determined not to leave her side. When Lars had insisted he stay, Garrett hadn’t argued. In truth, it terrified him that something could happen to her, and he wanted him around in case of emergency. He’d laid her in the bed without removing her clothes. She’d already been violated and if she woke up, he didn’t want her thinking he’d taken advantage.
Garret had dozed off as well, exhausted from the day’s events. She slept on his chest, curled into his embrace. He stirred as a stream of light speared into the room. Reaching for the remote, he activated the automatic shutters. They sealed over the wall of windows, plunging them into darkness. With a flick of a switch, a splatter of starlight appeared across the ceiling.
In the soft glow, Garrett stroked Selby’s hair. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept with a woman in his arms. She moaned, and he steeled himself for the conversation he’d expected when he’d gone to her earlier. She’d been too traumatized to fight, but he knew she’d come around. As her eyes fluttered open, he froze, waiting for her to react.
“Where am I?” She tilted her chin upward and glanced at Garrett, then once again closed her eyes. “Garrett.”
“Hey, sweetheart, how are you feeling?”
“How long have I been sleeping?”
“About seven hours. Lars and I brought you back here after…”
“Where’s Lars?” Selby lifted her head, scanning the room.
“He’s in the other room. How’s your head? You feel sick? Headache?”
“No, I just feel tired. My head is hurt?” she asked, reaching for the small lump.
“It’s just a small abrasion. No need for stitches. Do you remember the doctor telling you that?”
“No. Maybe, I guess. It’s like a blur. I was in the kitchen. My apartment,” she whispered. Her fingers clutched at his shirt as if he was her rock.
“I’ll have it cleaned up,” Garrett told her. After the police had finished investigating, he’d pay to have it completely restored, painted, new furniture, the works. He’d spare no expense to right her world.
“No, I can do it.” Her voice wavered.
“It’s already taken care of.”
“It was locked.”
“Sorry?”
“It was locked,” she repeated.
“What was locked?”
“My condo. I have a code. No one knows the code but the custodian.”
“They’re going to question him.”
“Adam wouldn’t break into my apartment,” she insisted.
“The police are looking into it.” In truth, he’d already asked himself the same question.
“My phone was under the refrigerator. I called 911.” She looked up at him, recalling what had happened. “And after that…I don’t remember. You were there. Lars.”
“It’s going to be okay, Selby. Why don’t you get some more rest? You got knocked pretty hard. Last night…”
“Last night…at the party…” Selby’s eyes widened, and she pushed out of his arms. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed but didn’t move to walk away. “No, I shouldn’t be here.”
Garrett scrambled to sit next to her, his knee brushing hers. He moved to put his arm around her but thought better of it. They’d have to work this out, there was no other choice. He had to convince her that he hadn’t cheated.
“I know you think you know what you saw last night, but nothing was going on,” he began. She scooted over a few inches and glared at him in disgust as her memories became clear. “Please don’t look at me like that. I’m telling you you’re wrong.”
“I know you’re used to getting what you want, Garrett, but I’m not an idiot. I saw you. I saw her. How can there be any explanation other than what was going on in that room?” She shook her h
ead, and stared toward the bedroom door, eyeing the exit. “It doesn’t matter. Listen, whatever I thought was going on between us…I was wrong. You don’t need to worry about it, because I quit. I’m done. I’m going to beg Lars to forgive me, which hopefully he will. I’ll plead a case of naivety and stupidity, and then we never have to see each other again.”
“Jesus, Selby, I’m telling you that I was not making a play for Blaire,” he insisted.
“Really? So I just imagined seeing you and her? Her boobs? Hmm…thank you very much for clearing that up. Not only am I stupid, I’m crazy. Nice.”
“Would you just listen for five minutes?” Garrett scrubbed his chin. He’d known it would be difficult to get her to understand, but the conversation wasn’t going at all how he’d planned.
“Knock yourself out. I’m still quitting.”
“I think it’s pretty obvious that Blaire was hitting on me…”
“What was your first clue? Oh yeah, she wasn’t wearing a top.”
“Selby, I care about you, but you need to listen to me. First of all, when you came in last night, I was not touching her. Think back. Were my hands on her at all? Was I touching her?”
Selby shrugged.
“No, don’t give me that. Answer me. Was I touching her?”
“No.” Selby crossed her arms defiantly, and trained her eyes on the floor.
“Exactly. Second, and this is the most important point, do you really think so little of me that you actually think I’d be with you one minute and turn around and go fuck Blaire the next? Seriously, I’d just told you that I wanted to get to know you.”
“I saw her.”
“I would never do that to you. What you saw was her coming on to me. I swear I had nothing to do with it.”
“Garrett,” she began.
“Selby, I know we haven’t known each other very long, but I meant what I said. I want to get to know you. Now, do I know where this is going? Not a fuckin’ clue. But I told you I wouldn’t hurt you and I meant it.”