Carnal Risk
by Kym Grosso
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
Powerful CEO, Garrett Emerson’s, life and corporation are built on a foundation of risk taking and top secret priorities. He works hard, but plays even harder. When tragedy strikes, the charismatic and sexy billionaire takes the gamble of his life by bringing a beautiful consultant into his inner sanctum, exposing her to his exclusive society of extreme athletes who are adventurous both in business and pleasure. Inexplicably drawn to the intriguing woman, Garrett teaches her to face her fears, bringing them both to new levels of ecstasy.
Selby Reynolds, a high profile technology specialist, reluctantly accepts an engagement at Emerson Industries. Discovering secrets and uncovering clues to a murder, she’s swept into Garrett's dangerous but seductive life of luxury. Captivated by the world renowned capitalist and adventurer, she’s convinced he could crush her heart. As he pushes her sexual limits and their erotic play intensifies, Selby finds it impossible to resist the one man who turns her darkest fantasies into a reality.
When Selby’s life is threatened by a killer, carnal lessons of trust are put to the test, forcing them to choose who is friend and who is foe. Can Selby give her heart to a man who revels in the excitement of flirting with death? Will they prevail against an enemy who threatens to tear apart Garrett’s world, including the fragile connection with the woman he seeks to claim as his own?
Excerpt
“What are you doing here?” Lars whispered.
Recognizing his voice, she spun around and
gave him a small smile. This was his
hidden world, she knew, and he hadn’t invited her.
“Garrett asked me to attend,” Selby told
him.
“He shouldn’t have done that.”
Selby stood firm, despite his annoyed
expression. Over the years, she’d seen
him both frustrated and determined, but never angry.
“It’s not like I asked to come. Garrett
invited me.” She crossed her arms, irritated that he hadn’t welcomed her.
“Dance with me.” It was a command, not a request.
Selby marched to the parquet floor,
allowing him to take her in his arms.
The music slowed to a ballad and she began to plead her case.
“Please don’t be mad, Lars. You’re the one who got me into this.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just…” He exhaled loudly. “Look, Selby, the people in this room…you’re
not like them.”
“Gee, thanks. Nice.”
“I didn’t mean it like that. But come on, you know you’re not big on any
kind of adventure. These folks are here
because they share a passion. You
wouldn’t understand us. What we do…it’s not something you are ever going to do. We’ve been friends for a long time, but
Garrett shouldn’t have brought you here.”
“Everything we do has a risk. I’m afraid to fly but I still do it anyway.
And do you know why? Because at the end
of the day, data speaks, bullshit walks.
I know full well that I have a better chance of dying in a car accident
than I do getting on a 747.”
“Well, your chances are a helluva a lot
greater when you base jump. Try more
like one in sixty.”
“True, but you haven’t died yet, and there
are things I do that are a little risky.”
She guessed that singing at the club wouldn’t rank very high on Lars’
list, but as far as she was concerned, it counted when it came to bravery.
“Get real.
You can’t even go down an escalator without saying five Hail Marys and
holding on for dear life. This club,” he
gestured to the people dancing around them, “the people here tonight…they
embrace it all. Pushing the envelope of
what we’re supposed to be doing.” He paused and added, “Including sex.”
“What?” Selby had fully expected the ‘we
like to do dangerous things’ lecture, but hadn’t expected him to talk about
sex.
“Look around.” Lars spun her in a circle to
the beat. He whispered in her ear. “The
couple in the corner. It’s Chase and
Penny. Do you see them?”
Selby glanced to a man and woman who sat in
darkness. She could barely make out
their silhouette.
“They’re fucking.”
“What?
No they aren’t,” she protested.
As she glanced again, she observed the slightest movement.
“Yes.
Yes they are.”
“But Garrett said they’re investors…”
“They’re the originals. His venture capitalists are his closest friends. We helped him build his dream, and in the
process, we all prospered.”
“That’s good, right?” Selby asked, still
trying to catch a better look at what exactly the couple was doing. She swore Lars was just messing with her to
get her to leave.
“Some work at Emerson. Most do.
Some, like me, have our own companies with close partnerships with
Emerson. A few,” Lars nodded to the band. “See the twins?”
Selby caught sight of the lead singer, who
wore a tight black t-shirt. He tightly gripped the microphone, his heavily
tattooed arms bulging every time he flexed.
A similarly handsome man played drums.
“They’re recent doctoral grads from MIT.
They were interning with Evan. Now
they’re helping Chase out with a few things.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this involved
having interns?”
“Because you don’t have any. You’re there to help recruit Evan’s
replacement and expedite the outsourcing.
Nothing more, nothing less.”
“I know that,” she replied. Her lips pursed as she considered that once
again Garrett hadn’t disclosed all the facts of the situation. Her whirling temper was thwarted as Lars
stopped dancing and held her tight.
“What’s going on between you and Garrett?”
“Lars,” she breathed. Her head fell to his
shoulder. Jesus, she wished she could lie
to him, but she couldn’t.
“He wouldn’t have brought you here if you
weren’t…are you sleeping with him?”
“No,” she protested. “And besides, even if
I was, it’s not like it’s any of your business.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt, is all. It’s why I never introduced you to him. I knew how you admired him. Women lie down and spread their legs the
minute he says hello, and you aren’t going to be one of them.”
“Are you kidding me?” Selby exclaimed.
“Look, he’s one of my best friends but he’s
not like you. You’re innocent. You don’t have this addiction we’ve got.”
“Lars, I appreciate your advice but I’m not
that girl you dated in college. I can
handle myself.” Or so she hoped. Despite her confusion over Lars’ concerns,
she wasn’t leaving.
“Just be careful, okay? I know you, Selby. I’ve seen you during an attack.”
Selby’s stomach lurched as he mentioned her
weakness. Garrett, no matter how
smitten, hadn’t seen her at her worst.
“The things we do aren’t for you,” Lars
insisted, his voice firm.
“I surfed today,” she said defiantly. So what if she’d only stayed up for all of
five seconds? It still counted.
“Yeah, Seth told me. I knew they’d push for you to do something to
get to know the customer a little better.
But surfing? Come on. You know that kids do it, right?” He shook his head and laughed. “It’s just a
small sliver, baby. Unless you’re
planning on goin’ with us on our next base jump, this place isn’t for you.”
“She’s my guest.” Selby heard Garrett’s
commanding voice behind her, and excitement flushed through her veins.
His hand glided over her shoulder, and
tingles ran down her arm. She caught a
glimpse of anger in Lars’ eyes, but her focus was drawn to the debonair
billionaire who’d invited her to the party.
Her breath caught as her eyes devoured him. Dressed in black slacks and a white shirt,
his strong muscular forearms pressed through his rolled up sleeves. A lock of his dark brown hair brushed over
his forehead. He emanated sex without
trying, his cool casual style apparent in his every movement and word.
“Garrett, Lars was just telling me about
your, um, your club.” Her arm broke out in gooseflesh as he trailed his finger
down it. Although covered by fabric, she
swore she could feel the burn of his touch straight through her dress.
“Was he now?” Garrett’s eyes darted to Lars and back to
Selby.
“Yes, he was telling me about your investors. Lars…” she went to address him but he’d
walked away toward the bar. She shook
her head, upset that he’d left angry.
They never fought and it broke her heart to think he’d be irate about
her seeing Garrett.
“Don’t worry about him. Everyone’s a little tense after last
night. He’s going to be fine.” Garrett brought the back of her hand to his
lips and kissed it.
“I…Garrett,” she stammered.
Selby glanced around the room and caught
sight of both Seth and Nate staring at her. As much as she yearned to throw
herself into Garrett’s arms, she hadn’t expected public displays of affection
at a company event.
“Selby?” He gave a small chuckle, tugging
her toward the door.
“Where are we going?” she asked as he led
her out onto a large balcony. It overlooked
a magnificent waterfall that spilled into a swimming pool. Large glowing orbs the size of beach balls
floated along its surface.
“It’s too noisy inside.”
“What is this place?” she asked in
wonderment.
“This is Altura.”
About Kym Grosso
Kym Grosso is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of the erotic paranormal romance series, The Immortals of New Orleans. The series currently includes Kade’s Dark Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 1), Luca’s Magic Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 2), Tristan’s Lyceum Wolves (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 3) , Logan’s Acadian Wolves (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 4), Léopold’s Wicked Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 5) and Dimitri (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 6).
In addition to romance, Kym has written and published several articles about autism, and is passionate about autism advocacy. She also is a contributing essay author in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum.
Kym lives with her husband, two children, dog and cat. Her hobbies include autism advocacy, reading, tennis, zumba, traveling and spending time with her husband and children. New Orleans, with its rich culture, history and unique cuisine, is one of her favorite places to visit. Also, she loves traveling just about anywhere that has a beach or snow-covered mountains. On any given night, when not writing her own books, Kym can be found reading her Kindle, which is filled with hundreds of romances.
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