Page 40 of Carnal Risk

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.