Page 19 of Carnal Risk

“How’s that different than some of our other clients?”

“They are a part of the company. Nate. Yeah, he’s a hardass but he loves climbing any mountain that he thinks is impossible to climb. Ryder, he base jumps. Almost every single person in that room with the exception of Janice, his HR VP, is heavily invested in Emerson Industries. They don’t just work here. They get the business, know why their customers do what they do. I love ya, Selb, but you’re an outsider.”

“Fair enough, but then why ask me to do this job?” She couldn’t understand for the life of her why Lars would put her in this position. Knowing that Evan had propositioned her to steal made the situation all the worse, but now it dawned on her that she was the persona non grata.

“Because you’re the best. And Garrett could barely breathe, let alone run his company after Evan died. Honestly, things could get worse before they get better,” he admitted.

“I’ll do what I can, but I’m not taking shit from assholes who don’t know our business. After reviewing the data, there’s no question we can save them money. And you know we’ll do it better.” Selby wished she could ask Lars more details about Evan, but like Garrett, she sensed he was holding back on her.

Lars stood and stretched his arms above his head. Selby inwardly smiled, aware that he’d never be so casual in front of anyone else. A knock on the door jolted her back into reality, reminding her they weren’t in their own offices.

“Miss Selby.” Garrett’s secretary, Norm, entered her office and set a silver shopping bag onto her desk.

“Um, what’s this?” she asked, her eyes darting to Lars.

“Mr. Emerson said you’d forget, and asked me to bring you your things for this afternoon’s assignment.”

“Oookay.” Selby smiled, aware that she’d deliberately left her suit at home. She reached inside the sack and retrieved a peach-colored bikini top. A laugh bubbled out of her and she shook her head. “I guess he wasn’t kidding.”

“Garrett never kids. Looks like he’s about to clue you in as to what they do here.”

“How’s a bathing suit going to school me on a multi-billion dollar company?” Astonished, Selby dug further into the satchel and pulled out the rest of the suit, a sarong and flip flops.

“Garrett doesn’t do anything half way.” Lars smiled and stood. He smoothed down his trousers before making his way toward her door. “I’d suggest we celebrate tonight, but I have a feeling you might be too tired for dinner.”

“I don’t work for him, Lars.” She gritted her teeth, wondering what Garrett had planned. Numbers and technology she could do with her eyes closed. Surprises were up on her list of things to avoid, along with spiders and mold-covered bread.

“You need to look at this as a learning experience. You’ll do fine.”

“I’m not fine.”

“Tangerine is a good color on you.” He laughed.

“It’s peach, dumbass. And I don’t see any good reason why I should be wearing a bathing suit while I’m at work,” she huffed.

“Ah, but you’ve never worked for Garrett. Welcome to my world.” Lars winked as he left her office.

Frustrated, Selby grabbed the bag off her desk and hurled it across the room. Everything about the situation was uncomfortable. She may have idolized his maverick business sense but she had no intention of getting caught up in his dangerous lifestyle. He could jump off the space station for all she cared, but whatever he was planning simply was not happening.

Selby pursed her lips around the candy, the rough edges scraping her tongue. She glared at the contents of the bag, which had spilled onto the floor, and tried to reason why she shouldn’t just gather her things and walk out of the office. She suspected that whatever Garrett had planned would test not only her deepest fears but her ability to resist him. Every second she spent in his presence deepened her attraction for the charismatic billionaire.

She bit down into the confection, the sweetness dancing in her mouth. Do not be afraid, she told herself. You can resist, she repeated. All the while, she knew it was a lie. She blew out a breath and walked around her desk. As she fingered the silky fabric, it was as if she’d been ensnared in the web of his temptation. She untied the strings of the bikini top and held it to her chest, and laughed. If there was one thing she knew, it was that no challenge would go unmet. She’d punish Lars later, but this afternoon, she’d show Garrett that she wasn’t scared of his games. Hell, people didn’t go skydiving in bathing suits; whatever he had planned, how bad could it be?

Chapter Nine

Garrett shifted his Jeep into gear, the warmth of the sun shining on his face. He loved the convertible, aware that it wasn’t the luxurious car she’d be expecting he’d drive. He glanced over to Selby, who gave him a nervous smile. Watching her command the boardroom had given him an erection so hard he thought he’d have to ice himself down. Jesus almighty, the woman was smart. Despite her obvious IT knowledge, Ryder and Nate had protested her lack of experience with their products. Having a fancy degree wasn’t enough at Emerson. Hell, some of his managers had never even been to college. What they did have above all else was subject matter expertise.

At the meeting she’d looked to him to intervene, but he’d purposely kept silent. No matter what the fucking contract said, he couldn’t keep her on if she wasn’t able to prove her worth to his operation managers. He’d known full well that the IT staff would be retained no matter the results of the deal. He, Evan and Lars had hammered out the details long before today’s meeting. But if she was overseeing the transition process, she’d have to hold her own ground with his team.

His executives would expect Selby to have at least a basic understanding of all the key aspects of his business, what drove customers to seek the thrill that only certain high risk sports could bring them. Unfortunately, Selby had no experience, nor did she have the desire to embrace the rush he sought practically every day of his life.

Garrett had talked to Lars, had Selby investigated. She didn’t smoke, rarely drank. Living within the confines of the law, she’d never even had a parking ticket. According to Lars, she’d had a few boyfriends but nothing serious. The woman didn’t engage in any sports, let alone any kind of high risk ones. Despite her conservative profile, she’d demonstrated both courage and tenacity.

As he made his way through the industrial complex and turned onto the gravel road, his thoughts were drawn back to how he’d planned to teach Selby more about Emerson Industries. He glanced over to her, noting that her expression was well hidden behind her sunglasses. Garrett gave a small laugh, enjoying how their banter appeared to vacillate between sexual innuendo and business. He’d told Lars he wouldn’t sleep with her, yet he’d already tested the limits of his promise. The previous night in his office, he’d lost control, indulging in their provocative exchange, telling her he’d bed her. Worse, she hadn’t said no, leaving the experience entirely on the table.

The audience at the meeting hadn’t stifled their heated gaze. Although she’d averted eye contact, it was as if they were the only two people in the room. He knew it. She knew it.

This morning, when he’d woken up, he swore to himself that he’d resist temptation. But as Garrett’s eyes darted from the white caps in the distance to the flimsy cotton fabric that had ridden up Selby’s leg, exposing her tanned thigh, he knew it would be difficult to keep his resolve.