Page 2 of Carnal Risk

“I can’t let it go. I’ve got to find out what happened. You know as well as I do that Evan used to be in the military – Airborne Division. He taught us all our shit. There’s just no way he made a mistake. It’s almost as if it’s…” Garrett’s words trailed off as he followed Lars’ train of vision, the gorgeous creature capturing his attention.

The bar went silent as her golden voice resonated throughout the room. The jazz band transitioned into a sultry version of You Put a Spell on Me, and the seductive beauty stepped down from her perch, passing by a couple who sipped martinis. Garrett noted how she effortlessly weaved her way through the crowd of patrons, not allowing anyone to touch her. With a tantalizing flair, she turned her head toward Garrett and flipped her long blonde hair. The playful glint in her eyes told him she’d come for him next, a glimpse of desire hidden behind the violet contacts she wore. She stopped mid-song and slowly peeled away her gloves, tossing them into the crowd.

Lars laughed, and it was at that moment that Garrett realized he’d brought him here not just to distract him, but for a purpose. Momentary anger was promptly quelled as the blonde stepped out of a shadow. Her pale blue corset hugged her curves. Again she caught his gaze, slowly lowering the side zipper on her black pencil skirt. A drum solo began and the garment dropped to the floor, revealing ruffled panties. A cream-colored garter belt secured black thigh-high stockings. His cock jerked as she trailed her fingertips over her thighs, blowing a kiss to the quiet sophisticated crowd that continued to order drinks from passing waitresses.

Garrett wanted to be pissed at Lars, but he knew that his friend cared about him, how profoundly he’d been affected by Evan’s death. It’d been months since he’d indulged in the fairer sex. Despite the temptation, he had no intention of initiating contact with the sultry performer.

The fragrance of her perfume drew him out of his contemplation, and through his peripheral vision, he spied his stealth singer. Tendrils of her hair brushed the back of his neck as she descended. Having given up on his resolve to show no interest, he glanced at Lars, whose eyes flashed to the entertainment. Delicate hands clutched his shoulders and Garrett slid his chair from the table to get a better view of her. His temptress ran her fingertips down his cotton shirt, causing his nipples to pebble in response. Shit, I’m not here to fuck anyone, he thought to himself as the blood rushed to his cock.

His eyes locked on hers as she straddled him, trailing her hands over his pecs. When her palms slid over his bare forearms, he fought the searing arousal that threatened his control. Garrett sucked a breath as she sat firmly on his lap, and her eyes snapped to his as they both registered his erection pressing through his jeans onto the thin fabric of her panties. It was in that moment that she gave him a small knowing smile. Rather than standing, she slowly tilted her hips, dragging her groin down the length of him. From a distance, no one would have seen. He resisted the urge to grab onto her waist. The fantasy of flipping her onto the table, tearing off the wet strip of nothing she called underwear and fucking her in front of the entire audience flittered through his mind, and he wondered if she’d like a little public action. The mere idea of it turned his dick into concrete, and he attempted to shift in his seat to relieve the growing ache.

If control was an Olympic sport, Garrett would hold a gold medal. Whether plunging out of a plane from eighteen thousand feet or plunging into a woman, his blood pressure never rose a single point. But despite his cool demeanor, Garrett failed to will his erection into submission. He took a slow breath, irked that a burlesque singer had cracked a sliver in his composure. He caught a glimpse of Lars, whose smile had faded. Fuck me, he knows. Why the hell does it matter to him? Is he dating her? Yes, that’s it. He knows her. Serves him the hell right for bringing me to this place.

The lovely creature rose gracefully off him. Presenting her posterior like a meal on a plate, she arched her back and gestured to the black ribbons laced up the back of her corset. When he didn’t respond, she abruptly sat on his thighs, jolting him back into his aroused state. She glanced back to him and grinned, tugging one of the strings. Her soft fingers met his, bringing them to the laces.

“I think that’s good enough,” Lars commented.

“What?” After this was over Garrett was going to kill Lars for fucking with him like this. He shook his head, confused as to what the hell was happening.

“A little help,” she whispered, ignoring Lars.

Garrett noted that she’d turned her face away so he couldn’t read her expression. He broke his resolve and began to pull open the tight threading, loosening the corset. He despised his body’s lack of response to his demand to cease the arousal. His cock was harder than piling and the only relief he’d be getting tonight was from the palm of his hand.

The soft silky fabric brushed his hand as she pushed off him and made her way back to the stage. Holding her arms across her breasts, she stopped to wriggle her bottom, allowing the fabric to fall to her feet. As she turned for the big reveal, a velvet bra covered what the audience had expected to be bare. She wrapped both palms around the microphone, setting it back into the stand, and resumed her song. Like an angel, her alluring voice filled the room, and not a soul appeared disappointed that she hadn’t bared more skin.

Garrett struggled to conceal his interest, aware that he should leave, but he sat captivated until the last note. A small chuckle drew his attention to Lars, who wore a broad grin.

“What’s so funny?”

“You like her?”

“And? So what? She’s beautiful. Moves well. Smells nice. Assertive…wasn’t going to take no for an answer with that corset. What’s not to like?”

“I’m glad you like her, I really am, but you might not want to sport that hard-on around her in the office,” Lars said, nervously flexing his fingers.

“What the fuck is this about?”

“I’m about to help you is all.”

“I saw the way she looked at you. What’s going on between you and her?” Garrett asked, his voice tense. “And why exactly would I be seeing her in my office?”

“Just hear me out, bro.”

“What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything. Just chill a second.”

“Yet?”

“I know you, G. You’re stuck on this thing with Evan,” Lars noted.

“Thing? He’s fucking dead,” Garrett stated coldly.

“I hear you haven’t even tried to replace him.”

“What the hell did Chase say to you? You know what? I don’t care what he said. The last time I checked, I ran Emerson. I don’t need a babysitter.” Garrett picked up his whiskey and glared at Lars. Of course he hadn’t replaced Evan. No one could ever replace him. “You need to mind your own business. Seriously. Besides, whoever takes that position has to be one of us…someone I can trust implicitly. That’s not gonna happen overnight.”

“Exactly. And this is where she comes in.”