What Grows Dies Here

And although careful wasn’t a word that came to mind when people thought of me, I was in matters of the heart. Not that my heart could be involved here. I didn’t even know this man.

“I’m not really a girl who waits for things to come to her,” I purred, slipping into my sex kitten persona. “I’m more of a woman who goes after what she wants.” My skin tingled as I spoke with a sexual confidence that was second nature but for some reason came out shakier than normal.

I hadn’t been nervous coming here. I didn’t get nervous. Not even knowing I was going to be alone with a criminal. I grew up super rich and surrounded by billionaires, politicians and various forms of royalties.

I was used to being around criminals.

But Karson was something different entirely. I knew that down to my soul. I couldn’t show this man any fear. So I drained my drink, placing it on the table beside me that had a potted plant, lovingly cared for, blooming bright red flowers.

I didn’t let myself think about this dangerous man tending to flowers. He most likely had a gardener to do such things.

I got up from my chair on slightly weak knees. Even in my heels, I barely came up to Karson’s shoulder, and I stood close enough to almost brush it. He hadn’t stepped back when I approached. Hadn’t moved a muscle. His eyes just ran down the length of me. Slowly.

“I’m here because you interest me,” I said bluntly, not quite in the mood for playing games, and definitely unable to lie to myself about the carnal control this strange man had over me.

It had shaken me slightly. Then excited me. I didn’t scare easily, which I’m sure Karson was used to. People being scared of him.

I looked forward to showing him just how unafraid I was.

My stomach tingled with the anticipation of it.

But that was not what this visit was about. Even though I looked like pure fucking sex. My chocolate brown hair was pinned back at the nape of my neck, strands falling on my exposed shoulders. I’d worn little makeup, except a pink gloss on my lips.

I was in a sundress, simple, white, tight at the bust, finishing just above my knees. Which wouldn’t be what a lot of people thought about when dressing to look like sex.

Many women tended to go toward as much skin showing as possible, fabric as tight and scarce as possible. Which I was all for.

But a man like Karson wouldn’t respond to that, I sensed. In fact, it was a simple sundress that drove most men wild.

It fed some fucking milkmaid virgin fantasy. Aligned with the ideal that women should look feminine, delicate. I wasn’t one to align to what the patriarchy considered the ideal woman, but I also loved a fucking sundress. I liked feeling feminine and delicate and also strong as fuck, since a single white dress looked like it was about to bring this powerful man to his goddamn knees.

For a second, I was utterly paralyzed. Thinking about this man on his knees in front of me.

Worshipping me.

Devouring me.

It was an effort to get myself under control, to steady my breathing, quiet my thundering heart. Especially when his eyes were alight with fire, with the knowledge of exactly what I was thinking about.

But, of course, he couldn’t read minds.

And there was something more important than my desire right now.

My best friend.

“I’m here to let it be known that you interest me,” I said, tilting my head up. “Now that I’ve let it be known, I’m here to tell you I know what kind of man Jay Helmick is. I know that you’re his right-hand man. I’m here because he has set his sights on my best friend. And from what I understand, Jay Helmick is not a man to give up easily. Or at all.”

Karson’s face was a mask. His eyes had darkened once more, the fire inside them still burning, but it died down the more I spoke.

“I’m here because I have a feeling my best friend is going to get involved with him,” I continued, voice steely. “Because I know her well enough to understand she wants to explore his world.” The air between us thick yet barely there at the same time. My eyes were on Karson’s. “I’m here because my friend is precious. And if you or your boss let anything happen to her, I’ll hunt you both down and fucking destroy you.” My tone went light at the end of my threat. Seductive.

Karson didn’t let a thing slip through his expression, but I doubted he was used to being threatened, especially by a woman. I suspected he was the one who did the threatening more often than not. By just breathing, this man was a fucking threat.

I expected him to respond to my words. To preserve his male authority or what the fuck ever.

But he didn’t. Not for a long time. I wasn’t sure if he was testing me, seeing how long I could withstand his presence, his stare, or if he had nothing to say. But if it was the former, I wasn’t about to fail the test, be the first one to blink, proverbially or otherwise.

So I jutted my chin higher and narrowed my eyes, just slightly to make it known I wasn’t looking away. The air between us was charged. Crackling almost, with something I didn’t understand.