Page 14 of Damaged Mogul

When wintergreen eyes narrow in on me, I brace myself for what’s about to come out of his mouth.

“No, I’m coming.” That comes out like a dark rumble.

You don’t have to be so happy about it.“Gage, I know you’re doing this as a favor for my father. Don’t strain yourself. I understand if?—”

“I said, I’m coming.” His tone brooks no argument.

“Are you going to be this sunny all evening?”

The expressions on Phoenix and Mikki’s faces are priceless.

Gage’s lips pull up in a forced grin. “Is this better?”

I make a face. “Much.”

“Oh, you kids are going to have fun tonight.” Phoenix pokes the bear.

“Shut up, König.”

And the bear growls.

Chapter 5

Gage

From Fisher never mentioning a word of his daughter until he asked me to be her bodyguard for tonight, to Michaela’s revelation about how he forgot his daughter’s milestone birthday––how the hell did he manage that idiotic tour de force?––to a last name he doesn’t share with Lily, the pieces of the puzzle were coming together. But seeing Lily drove the point home.

Fisher says his attractiveness lies in his wallet.

When it comes to his four sons, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Lily is a peach from an orchard in a different state.

Her pale, luminous, porcelain skin is a contrast to the perma-tanned women I’m used to.

Her hair is as dark as Michaela’s. My fingers itch to fuck up her hair, so neatly pulled back, to find out how long it is. I’m willing to bet she has a curtain of raven-black hair.

All that hair wrapped aroundmy fist…

Fuck.

Her lickable, pouty lips, painted in a pale pink, complement her dress to perfection.

Her subdued makeup brings out her best feature––utterly gorgeous, huge blue eyes.

I’m not sure if it’s the lights from the bar or the shade of her precisely applied eyeshadow, but there’s a purple tinge to them––a mesmerizing color that renders me stupid. The same for her mile long, thick, black lashes that keep sweeping her cheeks each time she blinks.

My response to her was unsettling. Unnerving, even.

Electric tingles ran through my body when we shook hands. My cock wanted to jump out of my pants to say,Welcome to LA, when she stepped into the bar. It’s as if all the blood in my body flowed to my crotch in one sweeping rush.

I wasn’t prepared for Lily Schuyler.

And now, I’m trapped with her in the back of my chauffeured Rolls Royce Phantom.

The exquisite, delicate scent of her perfume permeates the car, making it impossible for me to pretend she isn’t sitting mere inches away from me. It’s a bewitching combination of flowers, sunshine, and diamonds—if that’s even a thing. I’m certain long after she leaves the city, the vehicle will still be imbued with her cock-hardening fragrance.

Letting out a breath, I roll a crick out of my stiff neck. I’m no longer certain if the discomfort is from this hellish day or from this woman. Not wanting to take a chance, I lift my eyes to the ceiling, asking God for strength.