by Kym Grosso
“Fair enough. But for the record, since you’re in the city at night, you might want to consider some protection.”
“I’m careful. Besides, I’m not there that often.” Selby had always feared going out at night by herself but she refused to feed the dark monster inside her.
“Done on the contract. I’ll text you the address of the complex. Expect some hits on a background check today. Even though I vouched for you, Garrett’s going to vet you like you were going into the FBI. He doesn’t mess around,” Lars warned.
“Not a problem. It’s business.” Selby tried to act nonchalant about his prediction. She didn’t like clients going too far back. Years had gone by but the mere thought of her childhood caused her pulse to race.
Selby wore her most conservative suit, the antithesis of the form-fitting corset she’d had on the last time she’d seen Garrett. As she pulled her car through the heavily guarded gate, she regarded the sprawling location of Emerson’s headquarters. Set in a suburban area, the gated facility sat on several hundred acres of private property. Although she’d worked at similar sized government facilities, this one radiated an aura of wealth with its slick reflective windows and well-manicured landscaping.
“You’ve got this,” Selby told herself, parking her car. She glanced in the rearview mirror and took a deep breath.
The image of Garrett Emerson flashed through her mind. When they’d first met, he’d looked dangerous, his wavy brown hair tousled as if he’d just had sex. Despite his evident arousal, he hadn’t touched her. Cool and collected, he’d resisted, only tugging her corset open after she’d insisted.
Selby smoothed her hand down her blouse, her ripe tips begging to escape the confines of the fabric. She cursed under her breath, aware that she had to get her sophomoric urges under control and focus on business. Developing a crush on Garrett Emerson would cause nothing but trouble. She had no future with someone like him. She reasoned that his reaction to her the other night had been nothing more than a chemical one. She’d tuck the memory away, pretending that it had never happened.
She contemplated what Lars had told her about Garrett’s reluctance to accept help. Whatever had happened to Evan, she considered that Garrett must have relented somewhat about needing assistance. After all, they’d let her in the gate. Still, a nagging worry flittered in her stomach. She hadn’t received the contract she’d been promised. After texting Lars, he’d responded saying he’d meet her at Garrett’s office.
The idea of working with a disgruntled client squelched any excitement she may have been feeling about working with the tycoon. She was confident that she had the experience to deal with the situation, but this was Garrett fucking Emerson. Regardless of any nondisclosure he signed, the man could make or break her, and she’d have to be on her game.
She wore a mask of business competence, deliberately slowing her pace as she approached the building. Two well-dressed men stood watch outside, giving her a warm smile. Ushered inside by the guards, Selby attempted to conceal her amazement as she took in the sight of the enormous atrium. Despite its modern architecture, the potted Majesty palm trees in the lobby brought a sense of warmth to the otherwise stark décor. As Selby attempted to acclimate, her thoughts were interrupted by a male voice.
“Excuse me?” Selby gave a polite smile to a tall well-dressed man who looked as if he’d stepped off a Milan runway. From his impeccable Italian suit to his fine leather shoes, he exuded wealth. A glass elevator sped upward, and she swore she saw Lars staring down at her.
“Hello, Miss Reynolds. I’m Norm, Mr. Emerson’s secretary. He’s expecting you. Please, this way.” He gestured to her to follow him down a long hallway, its black marble floors reflecting up into the stainless steel walls.
“Do you know if Mr. Davenport has arrived?” Lars better have his ass in that office by the time I get up there, she thought. While Selby was impressed by the state-of-the-art building, intimidation never factored into her thoughts. She’d worked hundreds of companies in all kinds of corporate cultures, and this was just one more.
“I’m sorry, I’m not permitted to disclose which guests are in the building. I’m sure that Mr. Emerson will assist you with your inquiry,” he stated, pointing to a silver elevator door.
Selby watched with interest as her escort pecked at the security pad and leaned his face into the iris scanner. As they entered the private elevator, she caught a glimpse of the armed guard patrolling the corridor. His ice-cold glare didn’t falter as she gave him a small smile. The doors zipped shut, and with lightning speed, they ascended. Selby consciously counted to ten, taking slow breaths, keeping her eyes on the numbers that ticked by overhead.
She despised heights and supposed she should be grateful that she’d avoided the glass box in which she’d watched others ride upward. A sheen of perspiration broke out on her forehead as it lurched to a stop. Closing her eyes, she regained her composure, clutching her leather briefcase. Long ago, she’d learned to recognize symptoms of the impending panic attacks. Racing pulse. Certainty of death. She’d cough a few times before the invisible throttle around her throat commenced. Breathe. Meditate. No fear, no fear, no fear. As the metal door slid open, Selby forced herself to relax, trying not to appear as if she’d just been chased by a serial killer. Her foot landed on the other side of the grate and her body and mind calmed.
Selby took in her surroundings as they walked onto the executive floor. Every corporation was different. Some were old school with mahogany walled offices for the C-level employees. Others were more egalitarian, with dividers, open cubicles, leaving little privacy for any employee. This, however, was contemporary, sleek. The bright office space was countered with colorful abstract art. Ficus trees grew in the corners, sprouting from ornate in-floor wrought iron planters. Asiatic lilies sat perched on decorative side tables, their sweet aroma permeating the air. Crown molding adorned the walls, with heavy wooden doors leading into individual offices. Selby wondered if Garrett had discovered the secret to productivity via workplace décor or if some designer had simply created the peaceful aura within his corporation’s secretive walls.
Selby eyed a platter of ornate chocolates that had been set out in a small waiting room, but her focus was soon drawn to Lars’ booming voice which sounded from the end of the long hallway. Without asking, she sped past her chaperone. She barely gave notice to his order not to enter the office and didn’t waste time contemplating whether or not to go through the door that was already slightly ajar. As it flew open, she observed Lars standing with his hands on his hips, and his angry eyes met hers. As if she’d slapped them both, silence befell the room. Selby’s attention immediately went to Garrett, whose commanding presence sent a shiver down her spine. Frozen in place, she reached for the courage she knew she possessed on any other given day.
“Do we have a problem?” she asked, feigning confidence.
“Miss Reynolds, please have a seat.”
Selby stood firm as he ordered her to sit. She shook off the fleeting urge to submit to his wish and instead glared at him. His blue eyes flickered in amusement, but the tight line drawn across his supple lips gave no indication of acquiescence. She braced her nerves, anticipating his next command. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t been subject to demanding executives in the past. But she’d never felt the hardness of their body against hers, the electric desire that sparked between a man and a woman.
“Are we all sitting?” she challenged.
“Play nice, Selby,” Lars warned.
“Doesn’t sound like you were playing nice? Or do you two like it rough?” Her expression flared with sarcasm.
“Hey now.” Lars laughed.
“Sometimes,” Garrett answered with a small knowing smile, “but I assure you, Miss Reynolds, this is a gentleman’s disagreement. Nothing to worry about.”
“Selby,” she corrected. I bet he does like it rough, she thought. Was he flirting? Determined not to let him shake her, she glossed over his comment and a
ddressed Lars. “Did you bring the contract?”
“We were just discussing the terms.” Garrett approached Selby, closing the space between them. “But before we continue, perhaps it’s best that we get off on the right foot. You can hardly expect me to engage with a stranger.”
At his statement, Selby resisted the urge to give a nervous laugh. He knew damn well that they’d met. But in the interest of client relations, she stepped forward, extending her hand to him as if it was the very first time they’d met.
“Selby Reynolds. Executive recruiter and information systems expert. I work for Lars.” As he took her palm in his, her skin sizzled with sexual awareness.
“Garrett Emerson. CEO and owner of Emerson Industries.”
“Nice to meet you…I, um…Lars said,” she stammered. Flustered, she lost her words as he stared deep into her eyes as if he was trying to read her thoughts. She unsuccessfully fought the heat that rose in her cheeks as the memory from the club flashed in her mind.
“A pleasure,” he replied, releasing her. As if a switch had gone off, his demeanor changed as he turned to the window.
“I understand you’re in need of my services. Lars explained that you have a critical position that is currently unoccupied,” she continued, attempting to regain her composure.
“I’m well aware of the impact the recent loss of personnel has had on my business.” Garrett gestured to the chair and walked behind his desk. “Please. Take a seat.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Selby did as he asked, but inwardly cringed as hardness washed over his face, his eyes darting from Lars back to her.
“As I was saying…a loss of staff.” Garrett fell back into his chair, ignoring her comment, and held up several pieces of paper. “This contract…I’m not sure the terms are clear.”
“The terms are both standard and non-negotiable. This is what I can promise you. Whatever sensitive projects your staff member was responsible for, I can handle as long as they are technology related. I’m not an accountant. I’m not a lawyer. Nor am I a scientist. So if your CTO was involved in these matters, I do need to be aware when I recruit; however I cannot provide those services. I do, however, have a proven track record of inserting myself within organizations as interim CIO or CTO, depending on the situation, and managing current work flow within the organization. I can help with your outsourcing discussions, and present to your board. I will also recruit and help you acquire talent who can permanently fill the position.” Selby’s back straightened as she fell into her comfort zone, discussing what she could easily provide to not just Garrett but any client who required her services. “As I’ve explained to Lars, the contract must be in place for me to begin. Please don’t take offense. I have utilized it for other clients as well. I understand he’s doing this as a personal favor to you, but I prefer to treat this as any other transaction. I assume you’ve checked my clearances, but I want to personally assure you of my confidentiality with regards to all aspects of Emerson Industries’ business matters. If there’s anything you need to ask me in order to proceed, please feel free.”
Every word of what she’d said was true, but she’d never worked for anyone as powerful and influential as Garrett Emerson. Despite the risk, working for Emerson Industries was a huge opportunity, and as she sat before the mogul, she hoped she’d successfully presented her case.
As silence filled the room, Selby flattened her hands along her skirt, willing them not to tremble. Unable to read Garrett’s expression, she waited on the momentous verdict.
Chapter Four
Garrett fought the urge to throttle Lars. Why did I ever entertain the idea of listening to him? Goddamn it, he’d brought a fucking contract to his office. Contracts were par for the course, but a nondisclosure? Garrett swore that he must have been out of his damn mind, because he’d already signed it. Selby Reynolds. She’d switched roles as if she’d been an actress in a play. Gone was the burlesque performer. She’d been replaced by an educated business persona, one who clearly had no intention of acknowledging their previous encounter. As if they’d never met, she’d met him with a cool smile, her palm soft as he took her hand in his.
Garrett eyed Selby, concealing his feelings. She’d stormed into his office and challenged him in a spirited banter, one that’d turned his dick to steel. Despite her fiery words, she’d eventually submitted quite nicely. A coil of regret tightened in his belly as he realized he’d have to keep his hands off the lovely Miss Reynolds. He knew it was wrong but he couldn’t help wondering what she smelled like today, her perfume she’d worn at the club ingrained in his memory. He recalled how she’d sat on his lap, whispering for him to unlace her. It had only lasted seconds, but that brief interaction had been enough to intrigue him. He’d tucked away that little tidbit of her personality, guessing that Lars had been correct. With the way she sat prim and proper before him, the knowledge that she had the capability to push herself outside her comfort zone was an unexpected delight.
He found it curious that she could stand up to him, acting as if she could have cared less about the position. Despite her apparent indifference, all positions at Emerson, temporary or not, were highly coveted. Yet as he studied her, he came to the conclusion that perhaps she didn’t really want to work for him. Lars. This is all his doing.
In truth, he’d been tempted to hire her from the second Lars had thrown him the lifeline. But he knew damn well from the background check that Selby Reynolds wasn’t capable of assuming all of Evan’s projects. No one could. From technology to secret projects, his knowledge had been ubiquitous across the business. Garrett noted that despite her confident speech, her eyes darted over to Lars for support.
He understood why she’d be nervous, but when it came to her technical expertise, there was no question about her qualifications. Garrett noticed that her breathing was unusually quiet, as if she was purposely controlling her reaction to him. A small smile broke across his face as the realization hit. Perhaps his little singer was attracted to him as well.
Garrett blew out a breath. Well, fuck. That would make it all the more difficult for him to resist her. Her eyes caught his and his small grin widened.
“You start today. You’ll have to go down to HR to get your ID and biometrics processed for security.”
“I’ll need access to Evan’s files,” she began.
“I’ve arranged an office for you on this floor. My secretary will show you.” Not Evan’s. Garrett had had one cleared for her at the end of the hallway. If he was going to survive working with her, he’d keep her far enough away that she wouldn’t distract him but close enough that he could make sure she wasn’t causing trouble.
“I’ll need the files. Do you have his laptop? Or if he used shared files here on the network, I could use that. But it’s probably best if I can see his laptop too, just to make sure I don’t miss anything,” she persisted. Her eyes twinkled in irritation.
“About the contract.” Garrett picked it up off his desk and leaned back in his chair. “I’ve signed it, but I plan to insert one of my own terms.”
“Excuse me?” Selby asked.
“My business isn’t nine to five. We work twenty-four-seven.”
“That shouldn’t be an issue.”
“That means when I need you, you’re there. If we don’t need you on weekends or nights, you’re on your own, but my orders come first. Am I clear, Miss Reynolds?”
“I completely understand your concerns. It’s not unusual for corporations to need my services on weekends, but I hardly think it’s necessary to put that in the contract. It’s implied.”
“Perhaps, but I like to make sure my ducks are in order. In my business, there’s no room for mistakes. Everything must be checked and double checked. Speaking of which, I do expect you to learn the aspects of my business. You do not need to participate in, uh,” Garrett looked to Lars and smiled, “some of the more intensive aspects of research. But you do need to be ready and willing to learn. Are you, Miss Reyno
lds?”
“Yes, sir.”
Garrett sucked a breath as the two little words from her soft lips caused his cock to jerk. His pants tightened around his groin, and he discreetly tugged on the fabric.
“I suppose we have a deal then. You help me get Evan’s project back on track and start recruiting.”
Selby gave him a hesitant smile. She didn’t trust him, he knew. Shit, he didn’t trust himself around her either. Lars grinned as well, but Garrett recognized the cautionary tick in his jaw. He shoved out of his chair and rounded the desk. He extended his right hand to her, still holding the contract in his left.
Selby stood to meet him, and her warm hand firmly locked onto his. He sensed that she was determined to exert her dominance, attempting to draw attention from the sexual tension that flared in their touch. He heard a deliberate cough from Lars, and caught his pointed glare. Releasing her fingers, he turned to the window, determined to resume control.
“When you come up from HR, please go directly to your office. Expect to find your laptop, tablet, and phone. We have standard security procedures. No equipment is allowed in or out of the office. You need to leave your personal electronics at home or check them in with security at the door. If you need anything else, please let my secretary know. He’ll set up an appointment for us tomorrow to review the projects Evan was working on as well as an in detail review of the company. This includes getting to know what we do here. Not just reading about it either. Your participation will be required.”
“I’m not sure why that’s necessary. I can assure you I’ve worked at many companies and can attend to my projects without any sort of special orientation. I don’t need to make a video game to know how it’s used,” she argued.
“It’s the only way for you to comprehend even a fraction of what occurs behind these walls. You’re going to be leading and interacting with people here who expect you to walk the walk. They may give you some leeway given your temporary status, but if you’re responsible for bringing in Evan’s replacement, you’re going to have to learn more than just the surface of what’s expected.”
