Page 67 of Carnal Risk

“I don’t want to see him,” Selby told Lars.

It had been a week since he’d found and rescued her on the side of the road. Reluctantly she’d agreed to go to the emergency room, once again reminded of her weakness. Afterward, they’d returned to Lars’ home and she’d readily agreed to stay with him. Dean had warned that until the killer was caught, they were all in danger. Lars had suggested that she take on new clients to help her redirect her thoughts away from Garrett. She’d told him she’d consider it after the murderer was apprehended, suspecting that time was the only cure for her broken heart.

When Lars told her that her apartment had been restored, she thanked him, knowing that Garrett had been responsible. Within a day of the incident, Garrett and Lars had obtained security footage verifying Evan’s presence at the club and her apartment. Credit cards had been traced back to him, and she suspected Garrett would run DNA tests on the drive as well. Lars had believed in her innocence long before the evidence was presented, however, demonstrating what she’d always known about him; he was loyal. Her best friend, he’d stand by her side.

Garrett, on the other hand, hadn’t trusted her. He’d called several times, but she’d let it go to voicemail, the sound of his voice like a sledgehammer to her heart. Selby knew it had been a mistake to fall for him. She wished that it was just the sex that fueled her attraction, but she knew it was his heart, the person inside she’d grown to love.

As she sat on the chaise longue sunning herself, she sighed. She could hardly believe that she’d let herself be hurt by Garrett Emerson. She should have known it wouldn’t turn out well. She began to doubt what he’d told her about not dating many women, that perhaps all of it had been a ruse so he could sleep with her.

Having cried every day for a nearly a week, her eyes burned from the tears. Forcing her emotions away, she dragged her fingertip underneath her bottom lid and swiped away the moisture. She sat up straight and inhaled the sea air. Her attention went to the ocean. In the distance she caught the distinctive sight of dolphin fins curving through the waves. A couple of surfers sat on their boards, patiently waiting on waves. Reminded of her time with Seth and Garrett, she sighed and looked away.

Selby set her iPad on the table, shoved out of her chair and approached the pool. She gingerly stepped into the water. Its icy sting momentarily broke her thoughts about Garrett and she dove in head first, hoping to rinse away thoughts of him. She surfaced and swam to the far side of the infinity pool. As she gripped its edge, she contemplated her action, aware it was something she’d never have done before Garrett. In the past, her fear of heights and falling would have surpassed any logic that told her she was safe. But since meeting Garrett and pushing some of her own boundaries, she’d grown braver. If there was a silver lining to this whole experience it had been that she’d developed the courage to start living again.

Selby relaxed into the aquatic paradise, floating on her back. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths, meditating to the sound of the breakers. The unmistakable sound of Garrett’s voice drew her attention and her eyes flew open. As she flipped over, treading water, she caught sight of him in the foyer. Her heart caught as he approached. Wearing a suit and tie, his commanding presence took her breath away. With his sunglasses on, she couldn’t see his eyes but felt the warmth of his stare as surely as she knew she was alive. Recalling how he’d treated her, anger surfaced. She swam to the perimeter, attempting to put as much distance between them as she could.

“You planning on jumping off that cliff?” he asked, a small crook in his smile.

“Maybe I’m planning on pushing you,” she said. “You seem to enjoy hurling yourself off of high places.”

“We need to talk.” Garrett pushed his shades up onto his head, and she caught the flicker of sunlight in his brown eyes.

Selby’s stomach flipped as he came closer. Handsome and sophisticated, his charisma permeated through every pore of his body. Selby averted her gaze, praying that if she didn’t look at him, she wouldn’t cave to her desire to run into his arms. He’s hurt me. Called me a liar. There was no going back.

“Would you like to come over here, or would you like me to come to you?” he asked. “Because one way or another, this is happening.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. You have the flash drive. Lars told me you verified my story. And I quit.”

“There’s a murderer out there.”

“Yes, but I’m safe here. Again, we have nothing to talk about.”

“I guess I’m coming to you,” he said, walking toward the pool.

Selby watched in amazement as he removed his jacket and hung it over a chair.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” Garrett unbuttoned his shirt, exposing his tanned muscular physique.

“It’s over. If you have questions about the data or how Evan used the laptop to get into Emerson and save it, Lars can explain it. I’m done.”

“Lars told me all about it. The data had been removed, hidden really. It had all been saved on the disc. We’re thinking he brought it to you because you were a friend of Lars. He’d investigated you. Knew you’d be able to help. It has to be an inside job.” Garrett kicked off his shoes and tugged off his socks.

“Why are you here, then?” Selby’s pulse raced as he took off his clothes. He was coming for her, she knew. Her heart couldn’t take another second of being broken. If he touched her…she’d lose it. “What are you doing?”

Garrett stood tall, wearing only his pants. She cupped her hand over her eyes, straining to see where Lars had gone. Why had he let him in the house? She’d told him she didn’t want to see Garrett.

“We’re not finished.”

“Yes we are. I quit. It’s over. I have nothing more to say.”

“This is far from over,” he countered.

“What? No. Garrett. Look, I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you about Evan, but I’m done apologizing. You wanted me to trust you and I did. You wanted everything from me.” Her voice cracked as fresh tears came. “And I gave it to you.”

“Selby…please…”

“It wasn’t enough.” She licked her lips and shook her head, embarrassed that she’d begun crying again.