Page 13 of Damaged Mogul
“Gage, be good.” Mikki elbows him.
“You might want to try that again,” Phoenix says.
Gage’s pale gaze flickers to me, burning into my skin.
He shifts his weight from one foot to the other.
The movement forces my eyes to his feet––his very long feet.
And those shoes. I’m willing to bet the brownstone I live in, they’re bespoke.
“That dress…” He waves a finger my way.
I expect him to elaborate, but he doesn’t.
He crosses his beefy arms over his chest, a brow rises as he studies me.
Or is it eats me alive? I can’t tell.
His gaze travels up and down the length of my body, before settling on my face. He stares at me long and hard, as if all my secrets are stamped on my forehead.
His presence is magnetic.
Am I overdressed?“Did I commit a fashion faux-pas?” Embarrassment uncoils in my belly. My worried gaze meets Mikki’s. “Is it too much? I can go change?—”
“The dress is perfect on you,” she says. “Gage, Lily looks pretty. Doesn’t she?”
His expression pinches, and he responds with a grunt, followed by a scowl.
Do I offend him?
Perhaps I’m guilty by association. After all, our only contact is my father, and Fisher Edgington masters the art of pissing people off.
“You’ll have to excuse my friend,” Phoenix says. “He’s normally disagreeable, moody, surly, and brusque, but he had a bitch of a day, so he’s more irascible than usual.”
A grumpy bodyguard.Fun times ahead.
Gage’s eyes shift to the side. “Love you too, bro.”
“If you get past the gruff exterior, he’ssomewhattolerable,” Phoenix says.
Unable to help myself, I laugh.
Gage’s eyes widen and the scowl returns to his face.
This guy can’t stand me.
If his opinion of me is based on whatever relationship he has with my father, I have zero interest in proving him wrong. I didn’t even want to contact him in the first place. I should’ve stuck to my guns.
“If your day bitch-slapped you, I wouldn’t be offended if you bowed out.” I purse my lips. “You don’t have to accompany me. I’m a big girl. I’ll go alone.” There, I gave him a way out.
Mikki flinches.
Phoenix cocks an eyebrow.
Gage sucks in a sharp breath, his nostrils flaring.
Good God, the man’s eyes are showstoppers. The unique shade of green is arresting. They’re stunning—almond-shaped under the frowning slashes of his brows and framed by long lashes. Men shouldn’t have lashes that pretty.
