Page 14 of Carnal Risk

“See, you do listen.” He smiled and held up the scissors. “Let’s table this, shall we? It appears we have more pressing business at hand.”

“Do you know what you’re doing with those things? I probably could just scoot up.” She tugged her shirt out of her skirt and wriggled on the counter.

“Hey, if you want to take off your clothes, then well, who am I to stop you, but I think if you just let me reach up…”

“Okay.” She sighed. “I’ll hold out the waistband and you snip it. Agreed?”

“It’ll be painless.” For you. As soon as he put his hands on her, it would be a race in time to control his growing erection.

“Promise?” She gave him a small smile and lifted the side of her skirt so he could reach underneath.

“You must learn to trust me, Miss Reynolds. Easy now,” he instructed. His fingers worked quickly as he felt his way up her thigh to where she held the band taut. With a snip, he worked backward, cutting a line down to her toe. “Now the other side. Don’t move. When I’m finished, I’m going to lift you out of here, get you away from all this glass.”

Garrett’s cock jerked as his wrist brushed over her leg. Clipping away, it only took him seconds to make his way down to her other foot. When he was finished, he placed the scissors on the counter. A pause of silence passed between them as his eyes met hers. Never shifting his gaze, he slipped his hands under her skirt. The warmth of her pussy heated his palms as he gripped the band, pulling it toward the ground. Sating his need to touch her, the tips of his fingers met her skin, carefully brushing the fabric aside.

She willingly spread her legs, allowing him to drape the nylon away from her skin. Freeing her toes, he stood up, the sides of his abdomen grazing her inner thighs.

“Put your arms around my neck,” he instructed. Without questioning him, she did as told, and he shivered in anticipation of what he could do with her once they were out of the bathroom.

“You ready?” he asked, his voice low. He wasn’t sure whether or not he was asking to move her, kiss her, or fuck her. His balls tightened and damn, if his brain didn’t kick him right back in the nuts. Get her to the sofa and stop fooling around, G. Jesus Christ, Lars was going to fucking kill him.

“Yes,” she breathed. She licked her lips. “Wait. Ready for what?”

“This,” he responded, picking her up off the counter in one smooth action. He reached under her skirt, cupping her bottom, and plucked the offending stockings off, throwing them to the ground. He grunted as she wrapped her legs around him, the warmth of her core skimming against his abs.

Garrett wasted no time getting out of the bathroom, depositing her gently onto his sofa. The sound of her soft gasp took him by surprise and he forced himself to remove his hands from her waist. Not wanting her to see the expression of desire on his face, he turned back toward the bathroom, kicking his sneakers off. A glutton for punishment, he returned to her side. Kneeling down on the floor, he checked her legs for abrasions.

“Let me see.” As he ran his palms down her thighs, inspecting her calves and feet, she squeezed her legs tight together. He glanced up to her flushed face and knew instantly she was every bit as aroused as he was. She nervously tugged at her shirt.

“You look good. I mean,” he coughed, “no cuts. Do you feel any pain? Anything?”

“No, I’m fine, thanks. I feel like an idiot for making such a God-awful mess, but I think my ego will survive. Thank you, Mr.…”

“Garrett. I think we’re beyond formalities now, don’t you?” He shoved up and went to the bar. Opening a cabinet, he retrieved a bottle of cognac and two tumblers.

“Garrett, I’m sorry about tonight. I’m really sorry about your friend,” she paused, “Evan.”

“Yes. Evan.” He hesitated, his back toward Selby, and took a deep breath.

As he poured the amber liquid into the glasses, he tried to clear his head. Garrett had always been a rock for everyone around him. Nothing had shaken him. Painful memories from his teen years, the impetus for his penchant for extreme sports, came rushing back to him as if he was seventeen again. Brain surgeries, tumors, nearly dying. The brush with death had taught him that life was fleeting. The only way to live was to embrace life. Not just the soft fluffy parts, but the nitty-gritty in your face, near death experiences that brought euphoria to the surface, reminding you of why you were put here.

Over the past fifteen years, he hadn’t given a thought as to whether or not to participate in high risk activities. Emotions weren’t a factor. Strategy and safety planning were integral to the sport. Evan had taught him that. But now, Evan was dead. A swirl of emotions had built inside of him. Grief. Anger. Confusion. None of it made sense. Any day, the prosecutor’s office would call, a determination of death announced.

As he glanced to Selby, he couldn’t put his finger on what it was about her that had made him lose focus altogether. He’d been with many women, but he’d never been so attracted to a woman that he’d have stripped their nylons off with scissors. Shit, he knew damn well the entire scenario could have been avoided. He could have called up Rita from security to help Selby. But he hadn’t. Ever since that night in the club, fantasies had danced in his head.

Catching her in Evan’s office had been unexpected. If she really wanted access to the files as she claimed, there was no security clearance that would afford her that information. The only people in his life who he’d given that top priority information to had been long time, trusted employees. Selby would have to earn her clearance with him and it would involve a helluva lot more than simply asking.

As he turned to bring her a drink, he caught her staring at him. His eyes locked on hers. There was no way in hell he was going to be able to not have her. It was a matter of when, not if. But first he needed answers.

“Selby.” He handed her a drink and eyed her with interest as she took a sip and coughed. “I think it’s time we had a talk.”

Shaking his head, he purposefully sat on the chair across from her and took a swig. As her pink tongue darted over her lips and she ran a fingertip over the rim of the glass, one thought blew through his mind. He was so fucked.

Chapter Seven

Selby attempted to catch her breath as Garrett slowly poured their drinks. She wrapped her arms around herself, willing her hardened nipples to relax. She’d just experienced the hottest twenty minutes of her life. Unfortunately, they’d also been the most awkward. Her thoughts drifted to the shattered photograph, and she couldn’t help but wonder what the deal was with Evan. From the looks of the photo, he appeared to have been good friends with Garrett Emerson. Under any other circumstances, that alone would have given him credibility. But he’d used an alias, lied to her. Aside from his dubious motives, he’d had no long term plans of seeing her. He’d been a user looking to use.

Why he’d done it was another question. Had he succeeded in stealing data? Found another hacker to do his bidding? The itch of curiosity in her belly wouldn’t be scratched until she unearthed every skeleton rattling in Evan’s closet. Selby considered telling Garrett about what his friend had done, but was reluctant to do so. Even though he’d almost kissed her, attraction wasn’t enough to shake the foundation of friendship. If Evan had perpetrated a crime, had sought Emerson Industries harm, she couldn’t make an accusation without evidence.