Page 116 of Damaged Mogul

A thrill runs through me at the contact. It’s different from the five thousand volts of electricity that zapped through me when I shook his hand the first time we met, but it’s still unsettling.

He helps me out of the car, and we walk to the trunk. He aims the key fob at the vehicle. We watch as the hood of the car retracts. He points the little device towards the trunk. It pops open, revealing a feast.

Wow.

The scrumptious spread makes my mouth water. Same for the aroma.

My surprised eyes fly up. “When did you have time to pick this up?”

“I grabbed the blankets from home,” he says. “As for the food, Michaela suggested I place an order for the Pompadour Hotel’s gourmet picnic basket with a few extra trimmings. Twenty-four-hour notice is appreciated, but the CEO and owner’s wife connected me to the right person.” He winks.

“You texted her?”

“I did,” he says. “It’s easier to go straight to the top. Also, she was happy to hear from me. I reassured her that I didn’t fuck you to the point where you couldn’t walk anymore. She appreciated the heads up.”

I gasp, my hand landing on my chest. “Please tell me you didn’t tell her that.”

“I didn’t go into that much detail, but I told her you were mine for the day. She was glad I didn’t scare you so much, you ran out of town.”

Something tugs at my heart. “I assume that’s what it’s like to have a big sister.”

“She warned me she was protective of you, so yeah, she’s taken on the role.”

I don’t know what to make of his admission. It’s like being enveloped in a warm fuzzy blanket. Michaela and Gage care more about me than my own father and half-brothers.

Sigh.

“I’m touched,” I say. “Both by her concern and your gesture.”

Gage taps the tip of my nose. “It’s only food.”

But it’s so much more than that.

It’s the attention.

It’s the care.

It’s a small gesture that means the most.

He makes me feel like I matter.

My stomach grumbles.

“Good thing I brought lunch,” Gage says.

Never mind the breakfast of champions I wolfed down. I’m starved.

Embarrassed, I place a hand on my tummy. “My body is getting used to…”

“Being sexed up?”

I blush. “I guess.”

“That’s why I planned ahead,” he says. “I can’t keep you all day and not feed you.”

You can keep me forever.

“Fair warning. Make sure you eat enough… you’ll need the energy for later.”