Page 12 of Damaged Mogul

He circles the high table and reaches me with a long stride. He moves with the self-assurance of a man who holds the world in the palms of his hands. Compared to my father and half-brothers’ short statures, his height, plays in his favor.

My father was right. At his size, Gage is more of a bodyguard than a chaperone.

Michaela and Phoenix are right on his heels.

Holy hotness.

The man is clad in an impeccable black suit that hugs his bulky male lines. Even this late in the day, his white shirt is crisp and his silk tie isn’t askew. Confidence radiates off himin waves.

Gage’s tailor has been touched by God himself, and he’s doing all women a favor.

Given I’ve lived in Switzerland, Paris, and now New York, a man in a suit shouldn’t have this effect on me. Maybe it’s the towering height, or the broad shoulders that stretch his suit jacket, or the pocket handkerchief––a touch of elegance that never goes out of style––but Gage Hollingsworth is suit porn personified.

I met Phoenix when Mikki and I were chatting in the lobby. He’s tall, but Gage towers over him by a good two inches. Even in my four-inch heels, I’m tiny compared to this man. He’s several years older than me. Closer to Phoenix’s age—thirty-something.

Being in his presence is sensory overload.

“You’re Lily.”

Dear God.His voice is a husky, sultry rasp. The rich timbre reverberates straight down through my body, stopping right between my legs. On his tongue, my name is as soft as silk, sliding over my skin.

He extends a hand.

I slide mine into his massive one. His touch causes my heart to stop.

My breath hitches.

For a beat, I can only stare at our joined hands.

Mikki places a hand on my shoulder. “Lily?”

Huh?

I meet her eyes, which are emerald-green compared to Gage’s translucent seafoam ones.

I’ve never seen eyes that color before.

He studies me like a fine piece of art he plans on buying.

I blush.

“Are you okay?” Mikki interrupts my gawk fest.

Oh, God, I’m making a fool out of myself.

Pick your jaw off the floor.

I snap out of it. “Sorry, it’s been a trying day. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gage.”

“Likewise.” He gives my hand a good shake before letting go. The movement is a bit jerky.

He stares at his hand for a beat before returning his focus on me.

His dark brows meet in the middle. His eyes crinkle in the corners as he studies me. It’s as if his lush lips frown as much as his brows. “You’re not what I expected.”

His bluntness catches me off guard, his words hitting me with a swift kick to the belly.

Another man who thinks I don’t measure up.