Page 44 of Off Limits Mogul

“And then there’s the lack of practicality of carrying watermelons on your chest in my former profession. Even before leaving for London, I knew my oversized boobs would be a liability. I was right. Singing isn’t enough anymore in the music industry. Record companies expect you to put on a show. Vertiginous dance moves and double D’s don’t go hand-in-hand.”

“I can imagine.”

“After the surgery, to avoid public scrutiny, I wore a padded bra stuffed with socks right up to the point I left London. The record company insisted on it.”

“Really?”

“Keeping the brand pristine was their only concern,” I say in a formal corporate tone.

“Wow.”

“It was a small price to pay,” I say. “I couldn’t handle all thejumping up and down required in choreographies. Not to mention, I was tired of men being oblivious to the color of my eyes. Big boobs lead to erroneous assumptions when your breasts precede you when you walk into a room.”

Rhys explodes in laughter.

“I can’t tell you how much I missed your sense of humor.”I can’t tell you how much I missed you.

“I have another question,” he says.

“Inquiring minds want to know…”

He winks, and my stomach flutters.

“I expected the jetlag to mellow you out, but I was wrong. You’re as sharp as a whip.”

“One of my many qualities,” I say. “So, what’s on your mind?”

“What was that about in the lingerie shop?”

“What do you mean?” I feign ignorance.

He changes gear.

My eyes drop to his large hand.

When I look up, he’s staring at me.

“I’m talking about your little act.”

“Chill out,” I say. “I was just having some fun.”

“It was misleading.”

“Where’s the crazy and unpredictable Rhys? The rapper who could bring down the house with his edgy rhymes. The daredevil who never backs away from a challenge?”

“The daredevil is still alive and kicking. For the rest, Rhys grew up and he no longer raps. He’s wheeling and dealing.” He flashes me his trademark pearly-white smile.

Thank God I bought a new pair of designer shades or else I’d be blinded right now.

“You’re too stuffy,” I say. “You need to loosen up.”

“That’s your assessment after not seeing me for three years?You haven’t been in LA twenty-four hours and you want to ransack my life,” he says with a laugh.

I don’t answer.

I study his gorgeous profile and his chiseled features. He didn’t shave this morning. I’m more than okay with that. In my opinion, men’s eyelashes are underappreciated. Same for earlobes. His are prime examples of that. He left the COO porn suit home today. He has the California hunk vibe on point in his fitted black jeans and black t-shirt.

What a man.