Page 33 of Carnal Risk

“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 you’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.”