Page 192 of Damaged Mogul
“You have quite the appetite.”
On top of a chicken cutlet sandwich, a porchetta one,andthree quarters of my sandwich, he ingested a half pint of ice cream in record time. True, he’s a big guy, but come on, the man is eating forthree.
“I fucked you hard last night numerous times and again this morning. Other than the tall latte and two almond croissants I grabbed at the Pompadour’s café before hitting the road, I’ve been running on empty. I need sustenance.”
I shake my head.
“Want a spoonful?” He extends an arm.
“No, thanks. One more bite and this flowy dress will be formfitting.”
Gage nods.
As he stuffs his face with ice cream, I adjust myself on the blanket, leaning back on my hands to work on my tan.
Out of the blue, bits and pieces of the conversation I had with Dark Compulsion’s owner pop into my head.
I sit up straight and cross my legs underneath my floral maxi dress. “Can I ask you a question?”
He swallows a spoonful of ice cream. “Shoot.”
“Zeus-slash-Larkin said something last night I can’t shake off. Maybe I’m making too much of it, but it sounded profound… like it had to do with something more than me being your date.”
“What did he say?” His good mood fades.
I hesitate.
I twist my lips to the side, unsure if I have the courage to pursue this.
Remember, Lily. Curiosity killed the cat.
His eyebrows sink. “What do you want to know?”
I take in a deep breath. “Larkin said,‘Good on you for getting a tiger to change his stripes. Not an easy feat considering Lucius can be dead set in his ways. You’ve reformed him.’What did he mean by that?”
His face falls.
Oh, no.
“Gage, I’m sorry?—”
He lifts a hand, cutting my sentence short.
He discards the container of ice cream in a trash bag, wipes his hands with a paper napkin, and disposes of it.
“Come closer.” He taps the blanket next to him.
I get on my hands and knees and crawl towards him. I sit where he indicates and adjust myself.
He cocks a brow.
“What?”
He leans in and drops a tender kiss on my lips. “Good girl. I didn’t even have to ask.”
I beam.
“I haven’t told this story in a long time.” The expression on his face is sombre. “I’m not sure how I’m going to react.”
