Page 25 of Carnal Risk

The water propelled her forward, bringing her attention to her ride. Once again, she pushed up onto her hands and knees. The swell rose higher, lurching her upward. Rationally she knew she was only rising a few feet, but the height caused her heart to race in fear. She could hear Seth’s voice yelling at her from behind and she struggled to concentrate. Her legs burned as she pressed upward. Balancing her torso, she tightened her core. A rush of adrenaline tore through her veins as she coasted for several seconds.

She began laughing, the thrill of victory filling her chest. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Garrett clapping his hands. Losing her focus, she teetered. The wave closed and she toppled into the sea. Pounded into the sand, Selby struggled to surface. Like a rag doll, her body was tossed under the white cap. She held her breath, fighting against the tide, but no air came. A tunnel of darkness closed in and she resisted sucking in the salt water.

Chapter Eleven

Garrett had watched with fascination as Selby went off with Seth. After their discussion in the car he’d regretted asking his friend to help teach her to surf. He thought he must be losing his damn mind. One minute he swore he wouldn’t take it any further; the next he was ready to make love to her the first chance he got. The only thing he knew for certain was that Lars was going to fucking kill him once he found out how deep his attraction had grown for the IT specialist who’d turned his world over in the course of a few days.

He blamed his uncharacteristic behavior on his grief. The intense arousal Selby spiked within him was a welcome reprieve from the crushing despair that had racked his mind over the past couple of weeks. Show no weakness, had been his motto. Yet losing Evan had tossed his psyche into an oblivion of malaise. Nothing could crack the bitter sorrow that shrouded him…until he’d met Selby.

Garrett was no stranger to insta-lust, but he’d never had time for a girlfriend, committing himself to one woman. There were too many complications. He worked eighteen hours a day and his rare days off were dedicated to his sports. Even if he ever managed to find someone who’d put up with his insane schedule, he’d be skeptical of their motives. It wasn’t lost on him that most women he’d met cared little about him and more about his wealth.

Regardless, there was something about Selby that drew him. He wished he could shake it. Becoming involved with someone who didn’t share his passion for adventure would lead to disaster. But the flicker of curiosity she’d shown when he’d propositioned her was all it took to hook him into the game.

Garrett dug his toes into the wet sand, impressed that she hadn’t given up trying to ride her board. Surfing had never been his specialty, but given that five-year-olds learned how to do it, it’d been the least dangerous thing he could think of to give her a taste of the rush. He resisted smiling when she yelled the f word as she tumbled into the ocean, grabbing her board as if she was ready to beat it to the ground. Despite whatever albatross she believed was wrapped around her neck, she’d temporarily broken free. Her spirit for success far outweighed her fear of failure.

His pulse raced as he caught sight of her press upward, finally balancing herself. Cheering her, he counted off the seconds she rode…one, two, three, four, five. As she fell into the turbulent break, he knew instantly she’d be in trouble. He took off running into the surf¸ the sixty-five degree water stinging his skin.

When he saw the detached board tumble by, he knew she’d gone down hard. A second wave broke preventing the water from settling. A rolling white top collapsed and he caught a flash of color. Selby. He dove underneath and managed to cling to a slippery ankle. Within seconds, he’d reached her limp body and kicked to the surface. To his relief, she choked and began coughing.

Garrett cradled her in his arms and shoved to his feet, carrying her onto the beach. By the time he’d set her onto the warm sand, she’d begun to pant for air. He fell to the ground, and brushed his palm to her cheek.

“Selby.” Garrett didn’t do fear, but his heart pounded as if he were fighting for his own life.

Her eyes blinked open and he could tell from the look on her face that she’d been stunned. A small trickle of blood seeped from her forehead and he inspected the tiny scrape, ensuring it was nothing serious. Seth handed him a towel and he gently dabbed the abrasion.

“Garrett,” Selby whispered.

“Sweetheart, you’re okay. Just a little shaken is all.” Garrett wondered if he was referring to her or himself.

“Sweetheart?” She smiled.

“Yeah, that’s right.” He laughed. She had his number and that caused a fresh surge of nerves.

“I’m cold.”

“You’re just in shock. You’re going to be all right.” Garrett unzipped her wetsuit and peeled her out of it. He covered her with a towel and rubbed her arms. When his fingers brushed over her stomach, he froze, jarred by her voice.

“It was great.”

“What?” Garrett adjusted her on his lap and bent down, putting his ear to her lips. The heat from her sun-kissed cheeks radiated against his own and he reprimanded himself as his cock stirred.

“I said it was awesome.”

“I should have gone with you,” Garrett began. He felt like shit for pawning her off on Seth. She could have been killed. She’d been in his charge and he’d failed her.

“I could see you. You distract me.”

“Selby,” he breathed. Overcome with emotion he’d held at bay, he pressed his forehead to hers and their eyes locked. “You were spectacular.”

His thumb grazed over her soft skin, eliciting a small gasp. With their lips mere inches apart, the desire to kiss her had never been stronger. There was no going back once he tasted her. If there was one thing he knew about himself, it was that once he wanted something, nothing would stop him from attaining his goal. But Selby wasn’t a thing to be had. She was a person with a heart and soul. After everything he’d just done, she trusted him.

“Garrett.” With fire in her eyes, Selby blinked slowly and smiled. Her fingers glided over his arms, gripping his pecs.

“I shouldn’t…” Whatever semblance of restraint he’d had gave way as her touch seared his skin. His lips met hers and he felt like he was jumping for the very first time. But unlike every carefully planned event he’d carried out, he was acting out of emotion.

Adrift in the moment, he took her mouth, his tongue brushing hers. He deepened the kiss until she moaned. Her thigh slipped against his, and he knew he’d never be satisfied until he was buried deep inside her. His fingers glided underneath the flimsy fabric of her bikini top, flitting over her hard tip. With his actions shielded by the towel, he cupped her full breast, his hardened cock prodding her belly.

“Garrett,” she repeated into his mouth.