Page 189 of Off Limits Mogul

My girl laughs. “That’s a tall order.”

“So is he.” The reporter brushes her eyes down the length of my body. “But that also seems to play in your favor. Congratulations onscoringRhys Hartford. What I’d give to be in yourdesignershoes.”

“Pretty witty play on words,” Keira says. She glances up at me, but the twinkle in her eyes tells me she’s flattered and amused by the reporter’s remark.

I laugh it off.

“Well, thank you,” the black woman says with a beaming smile. “FYI, Rhys, fan girl over here.” She points at herself.

“I was unaware I still had fans,” I say.

“Nonsense,” she says. “It’s a shame you only had one hit, but I was a huge fan of your flow. And the way you spit those rhymes… kickass.”

“I’m humbled. My career lasted a nano second and I’m always surprised when fans remember me.”

“You’re selling yourself short, Hijinks,” the reporter says. I smile at the mention of my stage name. For a beat, I’m transported back. “Your song reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, hit number one in nine countries, and was in the top 100 songs for that year.”

I’m impressed she remembers.

“Subsequent songs failed to chart,” I say. “It was a fly-by-night success.”

“Yet, it had a lasting impression on me,” she says.

“I like you.”

“Don’t they all,” she says with a wink.

“Seriously, you’re great,” I say.

“Right back at ya, Hijinks.”

“Keira, over here.” A curvy redhead with a cascade of hair and a noticeable British accent calls our attention.

Since tonight isn’t about me, I bid goodbye to the reporter-slash-fan and pull my girlfriend along so we keep walking the press line.

“Love, love, love the dress. The color on you… so perfect.” The redhead gushes all over my girl. “Who are you wearing?”

“Angel Suárez,” Keira says.

“An American?”

“Yes. Angel is an LA based Cuban American designer.”

“His style is flawless,” the curvy redhead says.

“You stole the words right out of my mouth,” Keira says.

Even though Angel’s dresses have been featured in a handful of fashion magazines, it’s not until my girl’s photoshoot A-listers and socialites started paying attention to him. Angel considers her responsible for turning him into one of the most coveted designers in the country. Photos of the now famous white dress had such an impact on his career, he’s declared her his muse.

Tonight, she’s wearing a gorgeous fitted light-purple dress with a strapless neckline that hits her below the knee, accompanied by a killer pair of white python high heels with red soles. My girl is still sporting short blonde hair. It’s becoming her trademark. The edgy hairstyle and her bare shouldersaccentuate her long neck and showcase her tattoo. She’s truly gorgeous. And the best part is she owns it tonight.

She had me waiting downstairs as she was getting ready. When she hit the last step, I was transfixed by the sexy goddess standing before me. As much as I wanted to drag her back up the stairs and ravish her one more time before we hit the road, I knew it would be inconsiderate of me to fuck up her perfect makeup and hair.

“Wow. The jewelry is breathtaking.” The redhead’s brown eyes shine bright with admiration.

“I’ve never worn anything this expensive in my life.” Keira brings a hand to her chest. “To say I feel like a million dollars would not only be a cliché, but it would be an understatement.”

Keira poses to show off the rocks—all part of the client’s expectations. It’s unfathomable how much money the jeweler was willing to pay her for this photo op.