Page 42 of Carnal Risk

“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 head, 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.”