Page 74 of Carnal Risk

“You look beautiful,” Garrett told her, shaking her contemplation.

“Thank you. It’s amazing what a fifteen thousand dollar dress can do for a girl,” she teased. “You shouldn’t have bought this for me.”

“Yes, I should have. You look spectacular in it.” He smiled and reached into his jacket, retrieving a black box.

“Garrett…” her words faltered as he opened it. A string of diamonds rested atop a bed of black velvet.

“I haven’t bought you flowers yet,” he mused, giving a mischievous smile.

“You don’t have to buy me flowers,” Selby replied, her voice shaky. “You don’t have to buy me anything.”

“No, that’s where you’re wrong, sweetheart. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t bring you flowers for our date?” he asked.

“Boyfriend?”

“You sound so surprised.”

“I just…” she stuttered. The implication of commitment startled her despite their words at the pool.

“Unless there’s some other guy I don’t know about. Is there?” He laughed.

“No.”

“If you’re planning on dating other guys, well, I’m afraid that’s not going to work out so well. Are you?”

“No.” She gave him a shy grin, aware he was teasing her.

“Would you like me to date other girls? I don’t want to, but I suppose if that’s what you’d like…”

“No.” Her lips pursed and she crossed her arms. Jealousy rose at the thought of him touching any other woman.

“All right then. I think we’ve got ourselves a date. And I think,” he laughed and glanced out the window, as if he’d just realized it himself, “that you are my girlfriend. What do you say?”

“I say,” she paused and met his gaze, “I think you are correct once again, Mr. Emerson.”

“So…flowers. It got me thinking. As much as I wanted to bring you flowers tonight, they’re not very permanent. But these,” he held up the choker, its tiny petals sparkling in the ambient lighting, “they’re much more permanent.”

“Garrett.”

“Hold up your hair.” He fastened it around her neck, sliding his finger under the delicate gems. Grazing his fingers over her skin, he gently adjusted it into place. “Ah…you’re lovely.”

Selby brought her hand to his, tears in her eyes.

“Thank you…you didn’t have to do this,” she said.

“No tears, baby. These flowers here are strong like you.” Garrett softly pressed his lips to hers, lingering for only a second. “Unlike real ones, these won’t fade or wilt. They’re enduring…like we’re going to be.”

Selby closed her eyes, her pulse whizzing the blood so fast through her veins she thought she’d faint. She lifted her lids, her chest filled with emotion. His hand trailed over her bare knee through the slit in her dress, and her cells lit on fire with desire. Warmth rushed to her cheeks and she tilted her head, aware he’d seen her blush.

Garrett reached for a button and the privacy divider slid upward. Selby smiled at him, confused as to what he was doing. Her anticipation rose as he reached into the other side of his jacket and retrieved a tiny square box. Her eyes widened as he moved to kneel in front of her.

“What are you doing? You’re going to wrinkle your pants,” she told him.

“Speaking of flowers,” Garrett said, ignoring her protest. He dragged the fabric of her dress upward and spread open its slit, exposing her panties.

“Garrett…” Selby’s eyes flew up to the front where she eyed the partition. A small nervous laugh escaped as he slid his thumbs underneath the strings on the sides of her thong.

“I much prefer you without underwear.” He tugged them down, gently sliding them around her ankles. Garrett tucked them into his pocket and grinned.